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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:40:04 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:40:04 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/12480-0.txt b/12480-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ff7eaca --- /dev/null +++ b/12480-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8228 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12480 *** + +CLAIRVOYANCE AND OCCULT POWERS + +INCLUDING +CLAIRVOYANCE, CLAIRAUDIENCE +PREMONITION AND IMPRESSIONS +CLAIRVOYANT PSYCHOMETRY +CLAIRVOYANT CRYSTAL-GAZING +DISTANT CLAIRVOYANCE +PAST CLAIRVOYANCE +FUTURE CLAIRVOYANCE +SECOND-SIGHT +PREVISION +CLAIRVOYANT DEVELOPMENT +ASTRAL-BODY TRAVELING +ASTRAL-PLANE PHENOMENA +PSYCHIC INFLUENCE--Personal + and Distant +PSYCHIC ATTRACTION +PSYCHIC HEALING +TELEPATHY +MIND-READING +THOUGHT TRANSFERENCE and + other PSYCHIC PHENOMENA + +By + +Swami Panchadasi + +Author of "The Human Aura," "The Astral World," Etc. + +1916 + + + + + + + +SYNOPSIS OF THE LESSONS + + +LESSON I +THE ASTRAL SENSES +The skeptical person who "believes only the evidence of his senses." The +man who has much to say about "horse sense." "Common Sense" versus +Uncommon Senses. The ordinary five senses are not the only senses. The +ordinary senses are not as infallible as many think them. Illusions of the +five physical senses. What is back of the organs of physical sense. All +senses an evolution of the sense of feeling. How the mind receives the +report of the senses. The Real Knower behind the senses. What the +unfolding of new senses means to man. The super-physical senses. The +Astral Senses. Man has seven physical senses, instead of merely five. Each +physical sense has its astral sense counterpart. What the astral senses +are. Sensing on the astral plane. How the mind functions on the astral +plane, by means of the astral senses. The unfolding of the Astral Senses +opens up a new world of experience to man. + + +LESSON II +TELEPATHY vs. CLAIRVOYANCE +The two extra physical senses of man. The extra sense of "the presence of +other living things." The "telepathic sense." How man may sense the +presence of other living things apart from the operation of his ordinary +five physical senses. This power is strongly developed in savages and +barbarians, but has become atrophied in most civilized men, by continued +disuse. It is now vestigal in civilized man, but may be developed by +practice. Animals have this extra sense highly developed, and it plays a +very important part in their protection from enemies; their capture of +prey, etc. The strange actions of dogs, horses, etc., explained. How the +geese saved Rome by reason of this sense. All hunters have experienced +evidences of the existence of this sense on the part of animals. The +physical telepathic sense. How it operates. Interesting instances of its +possession by animals, and savage tribes. Women possess it strongly. The +distinction between this form of thought-transference and clairvoyance. + + +LESSON III +TELEPATHY EXPLAINED +What "telepathy" means. The mental process by which one "knows at a +distance." The sending and receiving of waves and currents of thought and +feeling. Thought vibrations, and how they are caused. The part played by +the cerebrum, cerebellum, and medulla oblongata--the three brains of man. +The part played by the solar plexus and other great nervous centres. How +thought messages are received. How states of emotional excitement are +transmitted to others. The Pineal Gland: what it is, and what it does. The +important part it plays in telepathy and thought-transference. Mental +atmospheres. Psychic atmospheres of audiences, towns, houses, stores, etc. +Why you are not affected by all thought vibrations in equal measure and +strength. How thought vibrations are neutralized. Affinities and +repulsions between different thought vibrations. Interesting facts +concerning telepathy. Scientific explanations of telepathy. + + +LESSON IV +SCIENTIFIC TELEPATHY +The important investigations of the Society for Psychical Research. True +telepathy and pseudo-telepathy; how they are distinguished by scientists. +Strict tests imposed in investigations. The celebrated "Creery +Experiments," and how they were conducted. The elaboration of the +"guessing" game. Seventeen cards chosen right, in straight succession. +Precautions against fraud or collusion. Two hundred and ten successes out +of a possible three hundred and eighty-two. Science pronounces the results +as entirely beyond the law of coincidences and mathematical probability; +and that the phenomena were genuine and real telepathy. Still more +wonderful tests. Telepathy an incontestable reality. "A psychic force +transmitting ideas and thoughts." Interesting cases of spontaneous +telepathy, scientifically proven. Extracts from the scientific records. +Cold scientific reports read like a romance, and prove beyond doubt the +reality of this great field of phenomena. + + +LESSON V +MIND-READING, AND BEYOND +What "Mind-Reading" is. The two phases of Mind-Reading. Mind-Reading with +physical contact; and without physical contact. Why the scientific +investigators make the distinction. Why science has been over-cautious; +and how it falls short of the full understanding of contact Mind-Reading. +How the thought-waves flow along the nerves of the projector and +recipient. Like telegraphy over wires, as compared with the wireless +method. How to learn by actual experience, and not alone by reading books. +How to experiment for yourself; and how to obtain the best results in +Mind-Reading. The working principles of Mind-Reading stated. Full +directions and instruction given for the successful performance of the +interesting feats. This lesson is really a little manual of +practical instruction in Mind-Reading, and the higher phases of +Thought-Transference. The person carefully studying and applying the +principles taught therein should become very proficient in both private +and public manifestations. + + +LESSON VI +CLAIRVOYANT PSYCHOMETRY +What Clairvoyance really is; and what it is not. The faculty of acquiring +super-normal knowledge of facts and happening at a distance, or in past or +future time, independent of the ordinary senses, and independent of +telepathic reading of the minds of others. The different kinds of +Clairvoyance described. What is Psychometry? Clairvoyant en rapport +relations on the astral plane, with distant, past or future happenings and +events; by means of a connecting material link. How to obtain the psychic +affinity or astral relation to other things by means of a bit of stone, +lock of hair, article of wearing apparel, etc. Interesting instances of +clairvoyant psychometry. How to go about the work of psychometrizing. How +to develop the power. How to secure the best conditions; and what to do +when you have obtained them. Psychometry develops the occultist for still +higher clairvoyant powers. + + +LESSON VII +CLAIRVOYANT CRYSTAL-GAZING +The second great method of securing clairvoyant en rapport relations with +the astral plane. How the crystal, magic-mirror, etc., serves to focus the +psychic energy of the clairvoyant person. The crystal serves the purpose +of a psychic microscope or telescope. How crystals tend to become +polarized to the vibrations of their owner. Why crystals should be +preserved for the personal use of their owners. The use of crystals, or +other forms of shining objects, by different peoples in ancient and modern +times. How they are employed in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, +South America, etc., by the primitive tribes. Various substitutes for the +crystal. Full directions for Crystal Gazing. Complete instructions and +warnings. All stages described, from the first "milky mist" to the clearly +defined "psychic photograph." The Astral Tube, and the part it plays in +Crystal Gazing. A complete little text-book of the subject. + + +LESSON VIII +CLAIRVOYANT REVERIE +The higher forms of Clairvoyance, and how they may be cultivated and +acquired. Trance conditions not essential to highest Clairvoyance, +although often connected therewith. In Clairvoyant Reverie, the +clairvoyant does not become unconscious; but merely "shuts out" the +outside world of sights and sounds. Shifting the consciousness from the +physical plane to the astral. Clairvoyant Reverie may be safely and +effectively induced by mental concentration alone. Artificial methods +dangerous, and not advised by best authorities. Abnormal conditions not +desirable. The "one pointed" mind. The Clairvoyant "day dream" or "brown +study." False "psychic development." Use of hypnotic drugs strongly +condemned. Scientific psychological methods stated and taught. The laws of +attention and concentration of the mind. How Clairvoyance develops by this +method. The true occult instruction given fully. + + +LESSON IX +SIMPLE CLAIRVOYANCE +What the Clairvoyant senses in Simple Clairvoyance. Perception of the +Aura, and Auric Emanations of others; Psychic Vibrations; Astral Colors; +Thought Currents, Waves and Vibrations, etc., are features of Simple +Clairvoyance. The beautiful kaleidoscopic spectacle of the Auric changes. +The Prana Aura, and its appearances. The Mental and Emotional Aura, and +its many interesting phases. Perception of Astral Thought-Forms. Other +Astral Phenomena. The Astral World, and its Myriad Manifestations. Strange +aspects of Astral Visioning. "Seeing through a Brick-wall." The X-Ray +Vision. Reading from closed books, sealed envelopes, etc., and how it is +explainable. Seeing into the depths of the earth, and the occult +explanation thereof. The Laws and Principles of this Extraordinary Power. +Magnifying and Diminishing Clairvoyant Vision. A wonderful field for +experiment opened out for the student. + + +LESSON X +CLAIRVOYANCE OF DISTANT SCENES +The characteristics of Space Clairvoyance. The Astral Seeing of Distant +Scenes; and through intervening objects. Remarkable instances of this +power, well authenticated and established. Interesting and instructive +historical cases recorded and explained. Testimony of the Society for +Psychical Research concerning this phase of Clairvoyance. The interesting +case of W.T. Stead, the celebrated English writer, who went down on the +"Titanic." The important testimony of Swedenborg, the eminent religious +teacher. Other well-authenticated cases happening to well-known persons. +The evidence collected by the Society for Psychical Research. Interesting +German case. Why so many cases of this kind happen when the person is on +his death-bed, or seriously ill. Why such experiences often occur in +dreams. Actual "appearance" of persons at a distance, and how explained. +Important and interesting facts recited in connection with this phase of +Clairvoyance. + + +LESSON XI +CLAIRVOYANCE OF THE PAST +The clairvoyant perception of the facts, events and happenings of past +time. There is no difference in the nature of this strange phenomenon, +whether the past time be but five minutes or else five thousand years. How +is it possible to "see" a thing that no longer exists? The "just how" of +this strange happening. Nothing could be perceived if it had actually +disappeared from existence. But nothing entirely disappears in fact. On +the astral plane are recorded all things, events and happenings since the +beginning of the present world-cycle. The "Akashic Records;" or the +"Astral Light;" constitute the great record books of the past. The +clairvoyant gaining access to these may read the past like a book. +Analogies in physical science. Interesting scientific facts. What +astronomy teaches on the subject. How the records of the past are stored. +How they are read by the clairvoyant. A fascinating subject clearly +presented and explained. + + +LESSON XII +CLAIRVOYANCE OF THE FUTURE +The clairvoyant power manifest in all forms of perception of facts, +happenings and events of future time. Explanation of Prophecy, Prevision, +Foretelling, Second-Sight, etc. These powers not supernatural; but are +merely the development of the clairvoyant faculties. How may a thing be +"seen" years before it really exists. Nothing could be seen, unless it +existed in some form, at least potential and latent. Keen perception of +the subconscious faculties. Subconscious reasoning from cause to effect. +Coming events cast their shadows before. Fate vs. Free-Will. "Time is but +a relative mode of regarding things." "Events may, in some sense, exist +always, both past and future." Time like a moving-picture reel, containing +the future scene at the present moment, though out of sight. Analogy of +dream-time. An Absolute Consciousness in which past, present and future +exist as a single perception. A glimpse of a transcendental truth. How to +acquire the faculty of Future-Clairvoyance. + + +LESSON XIII +SECOND-SIGHT, PREVISION, ETC. +Many persons, in all times, in all lands, have possessed the gift of +looking into the future. Not a superstition, but a scientific fact. The +Investigations of the scientific bodies. The Society for Psychical +Research, and its reports on this phase of Clairvoyance. Interesting case +told by a leading Theosophist. Tragedy and Funeral foreseen by Clairvoyant +Prevision, or Second-Sight. Historical instances. George Fox, the Quaker, +and his Second-Sight. The prophecy of the Death of Caesar. Biblical +instances. The celebrated case of Cazotte, which has become a matter of +history. How Cazotte foretold the coming of the French Revolution, +including the fate of eminent personages present at the time of the +prophecy. A startling occurrence, well worthy of careful study. The +historical case of the assassination of Spencer Perceval, Chancellor of +the Exchequer. Other well-authenticated cases. Symbolic visions. Irish and +Scotch cases. + + +LESSON XIV +ASTRAL-BODY TRAVELING +Astral visioning in Clairvoyance, and visioning by means of the Astral +Body. The difference between the two phases of clairvoyant phenomena. The +characteristics of Astral-Body traveling. How one traveling in the Astral +Body may "see all around him," instead of merely gazing at an astral +picture. Limitations of Astral-Body visioning. What the Astral-Body really +is; and what it is like. How it disengages itself from the physical body, +and travels in space. Many persons "travel in the astral" during ordinary +sleep. Occult teachings regarding Astral-Body traveling. How dying persons +often travel in the astral-body, before death. Many interesting cases +cited, all well-authenticated by scientific investigation. Society for +Psychical Research's records and reports on such cases. Dangers of +uninstructed persons going out on the astral, except in dream state. +"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." A timely warning. A most +important and interesting subject. + + +LESSON XV +STRANGE ASTRAL PHENOMENA +Additional phases of Astral Phenomena. Projection of Thought-Forms. +Something between ordinary Clairvoyance and Astral-Body perception. What a +Thought-Form is. How it is created. What it does. Where it goes. How a +portion of one's consciousness is projected in a Thought-Form. Using a +Thought-Form as at cut-post, or observation point. How things appear when +viewed from a Thought-Form. A wonderful phase of occult phenomena. +Advantages and disadvantages of this form of clairvoyant visioning. Hindu +Psychic Magic, and how it is performed. Remarkable illusory effects +produced by Hindu Magicians. All is explained when the principle of the +creation and projection of Thought-Forms is understood. Why the Hindus +excel in this phase of occultism. An interesting description of Hindu +Magic feats. The power of concentrated "visualization." The phenomena of +Levitation, or the moving of articles at a distance. The occult +explanation of this phenomenon. Natural explanation for so-called +"super-natural" occurrence. + + +LESSON XVI +PSYCHIC INFLUENCE: ITS LAWS AND PRINCIPLES +The laws and principles underlying the power of one mind to influence and +affect another mind. More than ordinary telepathy. The inductive power of +mental vibrations. Everything is in vibration. Mental vibrations are much +higher in the scale than are physical vibrations. What "induction" is. How +a mental state, or an emotional feeling, tends to induce a similar state +in another mind. Many instances cited. The different degrees of vibratory +influence, and what causes the difference. The contagious effect of a +"strong feeling." Why a strong desire hag a dynamic effect in certain +cases. The power of visualization in Psychic Influence. The Attractive +Power of Thought. The effect of Mental Concentration. Focusing your +Forces. Holding the mind to a state of "one-pointedness." Why the +occultist controls his imagination. Suggestions as to practice, and rules +of development. A few easily-mastered principles which give you the key to +the whole of this wonderful subject. + + +LESSON XVII +PERSONAL PSYCHIC INFLUENCE OVER OTHERS +Psychic Influence exerted over others, when in their presence. Different +degrees of the influence. Possession of this power by Alexander the Great, +Napoleon Bonaparte, Julius Caesar, and other great leaders of men. The +ability to influence others is a sure sign of the possession of this +psychic power. The Three Underlying Principles of Psychic Influence. The +importance of strong desire to influence and exert power. The importance +of clear, positive mental pictures of what effect you wish to produce. The +importance of the firm concentration of your mind on the subject. The +creation of a positive psychic atmosphere. The Positive Psychic Aura. How +to project your Psychic Power. The Psychic Struggle between two persons. +How to handle yourself in such conflicts of Psychic Power. How to +Neutralize the Psychic Power of others, and thus disarm them. The Occult +Shield of Defence. Valuable directions regarding practice and development +of Psychic Power. Scientific Exercises for Development. Important Rules of +Practice. + + +LESSON XVIII +PSYCHIC INFLUENCE AT A DISTANCE +Psychic Influence over others, manifested when they are distant from the +person exerting the influence. Distance no obstacle. Psychic Induction at +Long-Range. How to create the en rapport condition with the other person. +How to protect yourself against such influence at a distance. The Psychic +Armor. Psychometric Method of producing Distant En Rapport Condition. To +proceed when the en rapport condition is secured. The scientific +explanation of the old tales about sorcery, witchcraft, super-natural +influence, etc. The effect of fear, and belief, on the mind of the other +person. The effect of Denial. The secret of many strange cases made plain. +Some typical cases. The Master-Key which unlocks the doors of many +Mysteries. Low forms of Occultism, and how they may be defeated. Dangerous +Teachings in some quarters. Warnings against their use. The Astral Tube; +how it is erected, used and employed. A simple, plain explanation of a +puzzling occult manifestation. Self-Protection. + + +LESSON XIX +LAWS OF PSYCHIC ATTRACTION +How psychic vibrations tend to attract to their creator other persons +vibrating along the same lines; and things having a relation to the things +thought of. Harmony and Inharmony in the Psychic World. The Law of Psychic +Attraction. The Law of Psychic Repulsion. An important phase of Astral +Phenomena. The Law works two ways. It draws other persons and things to +you; and you to other persons and things. How the men of "big business" +operate under this Law of Attraction. How scheming exploiters of the +public actually "treat the public" by psychic means. The various forms of +psychic influence employed by persons of this kind. The Law of Attraction, +and how it works out in Business Life. The scientific facts behind the +outward appearance of things. Instances and examples of the working out of +these laws and principles. The Law of Psychic Attraction is as constant +and invariable as the great Law of Gravitation, or Magnetic Attraction. +The Co-Relation of Thoughts and Things. How we may create our own +environment by Psychic Influence. + + +LESSON XX +PSYCHIC AND MAGNETIC HEALING +The Psychic Principles underlying the many forms of psychic or mental +healing. Many theories--one set of principles. Psychic Healing as old as +the race. The Basic Principles of Psychic Healing. The Physiological +Principles involved. How the Astral Body is used in Psychic Healing. Human +Magnetism, and what it really is. All about Prana. The Laying-on of Hands +in Healing; and what is back of it. What happens in Magnetic Healing. The +Secret of Absent Healing. Space no barrier in Psychic Healing. The Human +Aura and Psychic Healing. The Secret of Suggestive Therapeutics. The +effect of the "affirmations" of the healers. How the Healing Cults obtain +good results. Self-Healing by Psychic Power. Absent Healing by Psychic +Power. How to "treat" others by Absent Treatment. Valuable Instructions +and Practical Methods of Psychic Healing. The whole subject condensed, and +made plain, so that it may be applied by any person of average +intelligence. No fanciful theories; only plain, practical facts for actual +application. + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +In preparing this series of lessons for students of Western lands, I have +been compelled to proceed along lines exactly opposite to those which I +would have chosen had these lessons been for students in India. This +because of the diametrically opposite mental attitudes of the students of +these two several lands. + +The student in India expects the teacher to state positively the +principles involved, and the methods whereby these principles may be +manifested, together with frequent illustrations (generally in the nature +of fables or parables), serving to link the new knowledge to some already +known thing. The Hindu student never expects or demands anything in the +nature of "proof" of the teachers statements of principle or method; in +fact, he would regard it as an insult to the teacher to ask for the same. +Consequently, he does not look for, or ask, specific instances or +illustrations in the nature of scientific evidence or proof of the +principles taught. He may ask for more information, but solely for the +purpose of bringing out some point which he has not grasped; but he avoids +as a pestilence any question seeming to indicate argument, doubt of what +is being taught him, or of the nature of a demand for proof or evidence. + +The Western student, on the other hand, is accustomed to maintaining the +skeptical attitude of mind--the scientific attitude of doubt and demand +for proof--and the teacher so understands it. Both are accustomed to +illustrations bringing out the principles involved, but these +illustrations must not be fanciful or figurative--they must be actual +cases, well authenticated and vouched for as evidence. In short, the +Western teacher is expected to actually "prove" to his students his +principles and methods, before he may expect them to be accepted. This, of +course, not from any real doubt or suspicion of the veracity or ability of +the teacher, but merely because the Western mind expects to question, and +be questioned, in this way in the process of teaching and learning. + +Consequently, in this series of lessons, I have sought to follow the +Western method rather than the Hindu. So far as is possible, I have +avoided the flat positive statement of principles and methods, and have +sought to prove each step of the teaching. Of course, I have been +compelled to assume the existence of certain fundamental principles, in +order to avoid long and technical metaphysical and philosophical +discussions. I have also had to content myself with the positive flat +assertion of the existence of the Astral Plane, Akashic Records, Prana, +etc., which are fundamental postulates of Hindu philosophy and occult +science--for these are established solely by the experience of those who +are able to function on the higher planes themselves. But, beyond this I +have sought to prove by direct and positive evidence (adapted to the +Western mind) every step of my teaching and methods. + +In offering this scientific proof, I have purposely omitted (except in a +few instances) all mention of occult or psychic phenomena occurring in +India, and have confined myself to instances occurring in Western lands to +Western persons. Moreover, I have avoided quoting and citing Hindu +authorities, and have, instead, quoted and cited from authorities well +known and respected in Western lands, such as the Society for Psychical +Research, and the prominent scientists interested in the work of the said +society. In this way I have sought to furnish the Western student with +examples, cases, and illustrations familiar to him, and easily referred +to. Had I cited Indian cases, I might be accused of offering proof that +could not be easily verified; and quoting persons unknown to my readers. +There is a wealth of such cases and illustration in India, naturally, but +these as a rule are traditional and not available in printed form; and +these would not likely be very satisfactory to the Western student. + +I must, however, positively and firmly state that while these cases and +illustrations, these quotations and citations, are purely Western, the +principles they illustrate and prove are among the oldest known to Hindu +occult science and philosophy. In fact, having been accepted as proved +truth in India, for centuries past, there is very little demand for +further proof thereof on the part of the Hindus. In the Western world, +however, these things are comparatively new, and must be proved and +attested accordingly. So, as I have said, I have cut the cloth of my +instruction to conform with the pattern favored for the Western garment of +knowledge. So far as the illustrations and cases, the quotations and +citations are concerned--these are purely Western and familiar to the +student. But, when it comes to the principles themselves, this is another +matter--I must be pardoned for stating that these are the outgrowth of +Hindu thought and investigation, and that he who would discover their +roots must dig around the tree of the Wisdom of the East, which has stood +the storms and winds of thousands of years. But the branches of this +mighty tree are wide-spreading, and there is room for many Western +students to rest in its shade and shelter. + +In these lessons I have referred occasionally to my two little books, +entitled "The Astral World," and "The Human Aura," respectively. To those +who are interested in these subjects, I recommend these little books; they +are sold at a nominal price, and contain much that will be helpful to the +student of Hindu Occult Science. They are not required, however, to +complete the understanding of the subjects treated upon in these lessons, +and are mentioned and recommended merely as supplementary reading for the +student who wishes to take little "side excursions" away from the main +trip covered in these lessons. + +I trust that my students will find the pleasure and satisfaction in +studying these lessons that I have in writing them. + +SWAMI PANCHADASI. + + + + + +LESSON I. + +THE ASTRAL SENSES. + + +The student of occultism usually is quite familiar with the crass +individual who assumes the cheap skeptical attitude toward occult matters, +which attitude he expresses in his would-be "smart" remark that he +"believes only in what his senses perceive." He seems to think that his +cheap wit has finally disposed of the matter, the implication being that +the occultist is a credulous, "easy" person who believes in the existence +of things contrary to the evidence of the senses. + +While the opinion or views of persons of this class are, of course, +beneath the serious concern of any true student of occultism, nevertheless +the mental attitude of such persons are worthy of our passing +consideration, inasmuch as it serves to give us an object lesson regarding +the childlike attitude of the average so-called "practical" persons +regarding the matter of the evidence of the senses. + +These so-called practical persons have much to say regarding their senses. +They are fond of speaking of "the evidence of my senses." They also have +much to say about the possession of "good sense" on their part; of having +"sound common sense"; and often they make the strange boast that they have +"horse sense," seeming to consider this a great possession. Alas, for the +pretensions of this class of persons. They are usually found quite +credulous regarding matters beyond their everyday field of work and +thought, and accept without question the most ridiculous teachings and +dogmas reaching them from the voice of some claimed authority, while they +sneer at some advanced teaching which their minds are incapable of +comprehending. Anything which seems unusual to them is deemed "flighty," +and lacking in appeal to their much prized "horse sense." + +But, it is not my intention to spend time in discussing these +insignificant half-penny intellects. I have merely alluded to them in +order to bring to your mind the fact that to many persons the idea of +"sense" and that of "senses" is very closely allied. They consider all +knowledge and wisdom as "sense;" and all such sense as being derived +directly from their ordinary five senses. They ignore almost completely +the intuitional phases of the mind, and are unaware of many of the higher +processes of reasoning. + +Such persons accept as undoubted anything that their senses report to +them. They consider it heresy to question a report of the senses. One of +their favorite remarks is that "it almost makes me doubt my senses." They +fail to perceive that their senses, at the best, are very imperfect +instruments, and that the mind is constantly employed in correcting the +mistaken report of the ordinary five senses. + +Not to speak of the common phenomenon of color-blindness, in which one +color seems to be another, our senses are far from being exact. We may, +by suggestion, be made to imagine that we smell or taste certain things +which do not exist, and hypnotic subjects may be caused to see things that +have no existence save in the imagination of the person. The familiar +experiment of the person crossing his first two fingers, and placing them +on a small object, such as a pea or the top of a lead-pencil, shows us how +"mixed" the sense of feeling becomes at times. The many familiar instances +of optical delusions show us that even our sharp eyes may deceive +us--every conjuror knows how easy it is to deceive the eye by suggestion +and false movements. + +Perhaps the most familiar example of mistaken sense-reports is that of the +movement of the earth. The senses of every person report to him that the +earth is a fixed, immovable body, and that the sun, moon, planets, and +stars move around the earth every twenty-four hours. It is only when one +accepts the reports of the reasoning faculties, that he knows that the +earth not only whirls around on its axis every twenty-four hours, but that +it circles around the sun every three hundred and sixty-five days; and +that even the sun itself, carrying with it the earth and the other +planets, really moves along in space, moving toward or around some unknown +point far distant from it. If there is any one particular report of the +senses which would seem to be beyond doubt or question, it certainly would +be this elementary sense report of the fixedness of the earth beneath our +feet, and the movements of the heavenly bodies around it--and yet we know +that this is merely an illusion, and that the facts of the case are +totally different. Again, how few persons really realize that the eye +perceives things up-side-down, and that the mind only gradually acquires +the trick of adjusting the impression? + +I am not trying to make any of you doubt the report of his or her five +senses. That would be most foolish, for all of us must needs depend upon +these five senses in our everyday affairs, and would soon come to grief +were we to neglect their reports. Instead, I am trying to acquaint you +with the real nature of these five senses, that you may realize what they +are not, as well as what they are; and also that you may realize that +there is no absurdity in believing that there are more channels of +information open to the ego, or soul of the person, than these much used +five senses. When you once get a correct scientific conception of the real +nature of the five ordinary senses, you will be able to intelligently +grasp the nature of the higher psychic faculties or senses, and thus be +better fitted to use them. So, let us take a few moments time in order to +get this fundamental knowledge well fixed in our minds. + +What are the five senses, anyway. Your first answer will be: "Feeling, +seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling." But that is merely a recital of the +different forms of sensing. What is a "sense," when you get right down to +it? Well, you will find that the dictionary tells us that a sense is a +"faculty, possessed by animals, of perceiving external objects by means of +impressions made upon certain organs of the body." Getting right down to +the roots of the matter, we find that the five senses of man are the +channels through which he becomes aware or conscious of information +concerning objects outside of himself. But, these senses are not the +sense-organs alone. Back of the organs there is a peculiar arrangement of +the nervous system, or brain centres, which take up the messages received +through the organs; and back of this, again, is the ego, or soul, or mind, +which, at the last, is the real KNOWER. The eye is merely a camera; the +ear, merely a receiver of sound-waves; the nose, merely an arrangement of +sensitive mucous membrane; the mouth and tongue, simply a container of +taste-buds; the nervous system, merely a sensitive apparatus designed to +transmit messages to the brain and other centres--all being but part of +the physical machinery, and liable to impairment or destruction. Back of +all this apparatus is the real Knower who makes use of it. + +Science tells us that of all the five senses, that of Touch or Feeling was +the original--the fundamental sense. All the rest are held to be but +modifications of, and specialized forms of, this original sense of +feeling. I am telling you this not merely in the way of interesting and +instructive scientific information, but also because an understanding of +this fact will enable you to more clearly comprehend that which I shall +have to say to you about the higher faculties or senses. + +Many of the very lowly and simple forms of animal life have this one sense +only, and that but poorly developed. The elementary life form "feels" the +touch of its food, or of other objects which may touch it. The plants also +have something akin to this sense, which in some cases, like that of the +Sensitive Plant, for instance, is quite well developed. Long before the +sense of sight, or the sensitiveness to light appeared in animal-life, we +find evidences of taste, and something like rudimentary hearing or +sensitiveness to sounds. Smell gradually developed from the sense of +taste, with which even now it is closely connected. In some forms of lower +animal life the sense of smell is much more highly developed than in +mankind. Hearing evolved in due time from the rudimentary feeling of +vibrations. Sight, the highest of the senses, came last, and was an +evolution of the elementary sensitiveness to light. + +But, you see, all these senses are but modifications of the original sense +of feeling or touch. The eye records the touch or feeling of the +light-waves which strike upon it. The ear records the touch or feeling of +the sound-waves or vibrations of the air, which reach it. The tongue and +other seats of taste record the chemical touch of the particles of food, +or other substances, coming in contact with the taste-buds. The nose +records the chemical touch of the gases or fine particles of material +which touch its mucous membrane. The sensory-nerves record the presence of +outer objects coming in contact with the nerve ends in various parts of +the skin of the body. You see that all of these senses merely record the +contact or "touch" of outside objects. + +But the sense organs, themselves, do not do the knowing of the presence of +the objects. They are but pieces of delicate apparatus serving to record +or to receive primary impressions from outside. Wonderful as they are, +they have their counterparts in the works of man, as for instance: the +camera, or artificial eye; the phonograph, or, artificial ear; the +delicate chemical apparatus, or artificial taster and smeller; the +telegraph, or artificial nerves. Not only this, but there are always to be +found nerve telegraph wires conveying the messages of the eye, the ear, +the nose, the tongue, to the brain--telling the something in the brain of +what has been felt at the other end of the line. Sever the nerves leading +to the eye, and though the eye will continue to register perfectly, still +no message will reach the brain. And render the brain unconscious, and no +message will reach it from the nerves connecting with eye, ear, nose, +tongue, or surface of the body. There is much more to the receiving of +sense messages than you would think at first, you see. + +Now all this means that the ego, or soul, or mind, if you prefer the +term--is the real Knower who becomes aware of the outside world by means +of the messages of the senses. Cut off from these messages the mind would +be almost a blank, so far as outside objects are concerned. Every one of +the senses so cut off would mean a diminishing or cutting-off of a part of +the world of the ego. And, likewise, each new sense added to the list +tends to widen and increase the world of the ego. We do not realize this, +as a rule. Instead, we are in the habit of thinking that the world +consists of just so many things and facts, and that we know every possible +one of them. This is the reasoning of a child. Think how very much smaller +than the world of the average person is the world of the person born +blind, or the person born deaf! Likewise, think how very much greater and +wider, and more wonderful this world of ours would seem were each of us to +find ourselves suddenly endowed with a new sense! How much more we would +perceive. How much more we would feel. How much more we would know. How +much more we would have to talk about. Why, we are really in about the +same position as the poor girl, born blind, who said that she thought that +the color of scarlet must be something like the sound of a trumpet. Poor +thing, she could form no conception of color, never having seen a ray of +light--she could think and speak only in the terms of touch, sound, taste +and smell. Had she also been deaf, she would have been robbed of a still +greater share of her world. Think over these things a little. + +Suppose, on the contrary, that we had a new sense which would enable us to +sense the waves of electricity. In that case we would be able to "feel" +what was going on at another place--perhaps on the other side of the +world, or maybe, on one of the other planets. Or, suppose that we had an X +Ray sense--we could then see through a stone wall, inside the rooms of a +house. If our vision were improved by the addition of a telescopic +adjustment, we could see what is going on in Mars, and could send and +receive communications with those living there. Or, if with a microscopic +adjustment, we could see all the secrets of a drop of water--maybe it is +well that we cannot do this. On the other hand, if we had a well-developed +telepathic sense, we would be aware of the thought-waves of others to such +an extent that there would be no secrets left hidden to anyone--wouldn't +that alter life and human intercourse a great deal? These things would +really be no more wonderful than is the evolution of the senses we have. +We can do some of these things by apparatus designed by the brain of +man--and man really is but an imitator and adaptor of Nature. Perhaps, on +some other world or planet there may be beings having seven, nine or +fifteen senses, instead of the poor little five known to us. Who knows! + +But it is not necessary to exercise the imagination in the direction of +picturing beings on other planets endowed with more senses than have the +people of earth. While, as the occult teachings positively state, there +are beings on other planets whose senses are as much higher than the +earth-man's as the latter's are higher than those of the oyster, still we +do not have to go so far to find instances of the possession of much +higher and more active faculties than those employed by the ordinary man. +We have but to consider the higher psychical faculties of man, right here +and now, in order to see what new worlds are open to him. When you reach +a scientific understanding of these things, you will see that there really +is nothing at all supernatural about much of the great body of wonderful +experiences of men in all times which the "horse sense" man sneeringly +dismisses as "queer" and "contrary to sense." You will see that these +experiences are quite as natural as are those in which the ordinary five +senses are employed--though they are super-physical. There is the greatest +difference between supernatural and super-physical, you must realize. + +All occultists know that man has other senses than the ordinary five, +although but few men have developed them sufficiently well to use them +effectively. These super-physical senses are known to the occultists as +"the astral senses." The term "Astral," used so frequently by all +occultists, ancient and modern, is derived from the Greek word "astra," +meaning "star." It is used to indicate those planes of being immediately +above the physical plane. The astral senses are really the counterparts of +the physical senses of man, and are connected with the astral body of the +person just as the physical senses are connected with the physical body. +The office of these astral senses is to enable the person to receive +impressions on the astral plane, just as his physical senses enable him to +receive impressions on the physical plane. On the physical plane the mind +of man receives only the sense impressions of the physical organs of +sense; but when the mind functions and vibrates on the astral plane, it +requires astral senses in order to receive the impressions of that plane, +and these, as we shall see, are present. + +Each one of the physical senses of man has its astral counterpart. Thus +man has, in latency, the power of seeing, feeling, tasting, smelling, and +hearing, on the astral plane, by means of his five astral senses. More +than this, the best occultists know that man really has seven physical +senses instead of but five, though these two additional senses are not +unfolded in the case of the average person (though occultists who have +reached a certain stage are able to use them effectively). Even these two +extra physical senses have their counterparts on the astral plane. + +Persons who have developed the use of their astral senses are able to +receive the sense impressions of the astral plane just as clearly as they +receive those of the physical plane by means of the physical senses. For +instance, the person is thus able to perceive things occurring on the +astral plane; to read the Akashic Records of the past; to perceive things +that are happening in other parts of the world; to see past happenings as +well; and in cases of peculiar development, to catch glimpses of the +future, though this is far rarer than the other forms of astral sight. + +Again, by means of clairaudience, the person may hear the things of the +astral world, past as well as present, and in rare cases, the future. The +explanation is the same in each case--merely the receiving of vibrations +on the astral plane instead of on the physical plane. In the same way, +the astral senses of smelling, tasting, and feeling operate. But though we +have occasional instances of astral feeling, in certain phases of psychic +phenomena, we have practically no manifestation of astral smelling or +tasting, although the astral senses are there ready for use. It is only in +instances of travelling in the astral body that the last two mentioned +astral senses, viz., smell and taste, are manifested. + +The phenomena of telepathy, or thought transference, occurs on both the +physical and the mental plane. On the physical plane it is more or less +spontaneous and erratic in manifestation; while on the astral plane it is +as clear, reliable and responsive to demand as is astral sight, etc. + +The ordinary person has but occasional flashes of astral sensing, and as a +rule is not able to experience the phenomenon at will. The trained +occultist, on the contrary, is able to shift from one set of senses to the +other, by a simple act or effort of will, whenever he may wish to do so. +Advanced occultists are often able to function on both physical and astral +planes at the same time, though they do not often desire to do so. To +vision astrally, the trained occultist merely shifts his sensory mechanism +from physical to astral, or vice versa, just as the typewriter operator +shifts from the small-letter type to the capitals, by simply touching the +shift-key of his machine. + +Many persons suppose that it is necessary to travel on the astral plane, +in the astral body, in order to use the astral senses. This is a mistake. +In instances of clairvoyance, astral visioning, psychometry, etc., the +occultist remains in his physical body, and senses the phenomena of the +astral plane quite readily, by means of the astral senses, just as he is +able to sense the phenomena of the physical plane when he uses the +physical organs--quite more easily, in fact, in many instances. It is not +even necessary for the occultist to enter into the trance condition, in +the majority of cases. + +Travel in the astral body is quite another phase of occult phenomena, and +is far more difficult to manifest. The student should never attempt to +travel in the astral body except under the instruction of some competent +instructor. + +In Crystal Gazing, the occultist merely employs the crystal in order to +concentrate his power, and to bring to a focus his astral vision. There is +no supernatural virtue in the crystal itself--it is merely a means to an +end; a piece of useful apparatus to aid in the production of certain +phenomena. + +In Psychometry some object is used in order to bring the occulist "en +rapport" with the person or thing associated with it. But it is the astral +senses which are employed in describing either the past environment of the +thing, or else the present or past doings of the person in question, etc. +In short, the object is merely the loose end of the psychic ball of twine +which the psychometrist proceeds to wind or unwind at will. Psychometry +is merely one form of astral seeing; just as is crystal gazing. + +In what is known as Telekinesis, or movement at a distance, there is found +the employment of both astral sensing, and astral will action accompanied +in many cases by actual projection of a portion of the substance of the +astral body. + +In the case of Clairvoyance, we have an instance of the simplest form of +astral seeing, without the necessity of the "associated object" of +psychometry, or the focal point of the crystal in crystal gazing. + +This is true not only of the ordinary form of clairvoyance, in which the +occultist sees astrally the happenings and doings at some distant point, +at the moment of observation; it is also true of what is known as past +clairvoyance, or astral seeing of past events; and in the seeing of future +events, as in prophetic vision, etc. These are all simply different forms +of one and the same thing. + +Surely, some of you may say, "These things are supernatural, far above the +realm of natural law--and yet this man would have us believe otherwise." +Softly, softly, dear reader, do not jump at conclusions so readily. What +do you know about the limits of natural law and phenomena? What right have +you to assert that all beyond your customary range of sense experience is +outside of Nature? Do you not realize that you are attempting to place a +limit upon Nature, which in reality is illimitable? + +The man of a generation back of the present one would have been equally +justified in asserting that the marvels of wireless telegraphy were +supernatural, had he been told of the possibility of their manifestation. +Going back a little further, the father of that man would have said the +same thing regarding the telephone, had anyone been so bold as to have +prophesied it. Going back still another generation, imagine the opinion of +some of the old men of that time regarding the telegraph. And yet these +things are simply the discovery and application of certain of Nature's +wonderful powers and forces. + +Is it any more unreasonable to suppose that Nature has still a mine of +undiscovered treasure in the mind and constitution of man, as well as in +inorganic nature? No, friends, these things are as natural as the physical +senses, and not a whit more of a miracle. It is only that we are +accustomed to one, and not to the other, that makes the astral senses seem +more wonderful than the physical. Nature's workings are all +wonderful--none more so than the other. All are beyond our absolute +conception, when we get down to their real essence. So let us keep an open +mind! + + + + +LESSON II. + +TELEPATHY vs. CLAIRVOYANCE. + + +In this work I shall use the term "clairvoyance" in its broad sense of +"astral perception," as distinguished from perception by means of the +physical senses. As we proceed, you will see the general and special +meanings of the term, so there is no necessity for a special definition or +illustration of the term at this time. + +By "telepathy," I mean the sending and receiving of thought messages, and +mental and emotional states, consciously or unconsciously, by means of +what may be called "the sixth sense" of the physical plane. There is, of +course, a form of thought transference on the astral plane, but this I +include under the general term of clairvoyance, for reasons which will be +explained later on. + +You will remember that in the preceding chapter I told you that in +addition to the five ordinary physical senses of man there were also two +other physical senses comparatively undeveloped in the average person. +These two extra physical senses are, respectively, (1) the sense of the +presence of other living things; and (2) the telepathic sense. As I also +told you, these two extra physical senses have their astral counterparts. +They also have certain physical organs which are not generally recognized +by physiologists or psychologists, but which are well known to all +occultists. I shall now consider the first of the two above-mentioned +extra physical senses, in order to clear the way for our consideration of +the question of the distinction between ordinary telepathy and that form +of clairvoyance which is its astral counterpart. + +There is in every human being a sense which is not generally recognized as +such, although nearly every person has had more or less experience +regarding its workings. I refer to the sense of the presence of other +living things, separate and apart from the operation of any of the five +ordinary physical senses. I ask you to understand that I am not claiming +that this is a higher sense than the other physical senses, or that it has +come to man in a high state of evolution. On the contrary, this sense came +to living things far back in the scale of evolution. It is possessed by +the higher forms of the lower animals, such as the horse, dog, and the +majority of the wild beasts. Savage and barbaric men have it more highly +developed than it is in the case of the civilized man. In fact, this +physical sense may be termed almost vestigal in civilized man, because he +has not actively used it for many generations. For that matter, the +physical sense of smell is also deficient in man, and for the same reason, +whereas in the case of the lower animals, and savage man, the sense of +smell is very keen. I mention this for fear of misunderstanding. In my +little book, "The Astral World," I have said: "All occultists know that +man really has seven senses, instead of merely five, though the +additional two senses are not sufficiently developed for use in the +average person (though the occultist generally unfolds them into use)." +Some have taken this to mean that the occultist develops these two extra +physical senses, just as he does certain higher psychic or astral +faculties. But this is wrong. The occultist, in such case, merely +re-awakens these two senses which have been almost lost to the race. By +use and exercise he then develops them to a wonderful proficiency, for use +on the physical plane. + +Now, this sense of the presence of other living beings is very well +developed in the lower animals, particularly in those whose safety depends +upon the knowledge of the presence of their natural enemies. As might be +expected, the wild animals have it more highly developed than do the +domesticated animals. But even among the latter, we find instances of this +sense being in active use--in the case of dogs, horses, geese, etc., +especially. Who of us is not familiar with the strange actions of the dog, +or the horse, when the animal senses the unseen and unheard presence of +some person or animal? Very often we would scold or punish the animal for +its peculiar actions, simply because we are not able to see what is +worrying it. How often does the dog start suddenly, and bristle up its +hair, when nothing is in sight, or within hearing distance. How often does +the horse grow "skittish," or even panicky, when there is nothing within +sight or hearing. Domestic fowls, especially geese, manifest an uneasiness +at the presence of strange persons or animals, though they may not be +able to see or hear them. It is a matter of history that this sense, in a +flock of geese, once saved ancient Rome from an attack of the enemy. The +night was dark and stormy, and the trained eyesight and keen hearing of +the Roman outposts failed to reveal the approach of the enemy. But, the +keen sense of the geese felt the presence of strange men, and they started +to cackle loudly, aroused the guard, and Rome was saved. Skeptical persons +have sought to explain this historical case by the theory that the geese +heard the approaching enemy. But this explanation will not serve, for the +Roman soldiers were marching about on their posts and guard-duty, and the +geese remained silent until they sensed the approach of the small number +of the enemy's scouts, when they burst into wild cries. The ancient +Romans, themselves, were under no illusion about the matter--they +recognized the existence of some unusual power in the geese, and they gave +the animals the full credit therefor. + +Hunters in wild and strange lands have told us that often when they were +lying concealed for the purpose of shooting the wild animals when they +came within range, they have witnessed instances of the existence of this +strange faculty in the wild beasts. Though they could not see the +concealed hunters, nor smell them (as the wind was in the other direction) +all of a sudden one or more of the animals (generally an old female) would +start suddenly, and a shiver would be seen to pass over its body; then it +would utter a low warning note, and away would fly the pack. Nearly every +hunter has had the experience of watching his expected game, when all of a +sudden it would start off with a nervous jerk, and without waiting to +sniff the air, as is usual, would bolt precipitately from the scene. +Moreover, many beasts of prey are known to sense the presence of their +natural prey, even when the wind is in the other direction, and there is +no sound or movement made by the crouching, fearstricken animal. Certain +birds seem to sense the presence of particular worms upon which they feed, +though the latter be buried several inches in the earth, or in the bark of +trees. + +Savage man also has this faculty developed, as all travellers and +explorers well know. They are as keen as a wild animal to sense the +nearness of enemies, or, in some cases, the approach of man-eating beasts. +This does not mean that that these savages are more highly developed than +is civilized man--quite the reverse. This is the explanation: when man +became more civilized, and made himself more secure from his wild-beast +enemies, as well as from the sudden attacks of his human enemies, he began +to use this sense less and less. Finally, in the course of many +generations, it became almost atrophied from disuse, and ceased reporting +to the brain, or other nerve centres. Or, if you prefer viewing it from +another angle, it may be said that the nerve centres, and brain, began to +pay less and less attention to the reports of this sense (trusting more to +sight and hearing) until the consciousness failed to awaken to the +reports. You know how your consciousness will finally refuse to be +awakened by familiar sounds (such as the noise of machinery in the shop, +or ordinary noises in the house), although the ears receive the +sound-waves. + +Well, this is the way in the case of this neglected sense--for the two +reasons just mentioned, the average person is almost unaware of its +existence. Almost unaware I have said--not totally unaware. For probably +every one of us has had experiences in which we have actually "felt" the +presence of some strange person about the premises, or place. The effect +of the report of this sense is particularly noticed in the region of the +solar plexus, or the pit of the stomach. It manifests in a peculiar, +unpleasant feeling of "gone-ness" in that region--it produces a feeling of +"something wrong," which disturbs one in a strange way. This is generally +accompanied by a "bristling up," or "creepy" feeling along the spine. The +organs registering the presence of a strange or alien creature consist of +certain delicate nerves of the surface of the skin, generally connected +with the roots of the downy hair of the body--or resting where the hair +roots would naturally be, in the case of a hairless skin. These seem to +report directly to the solar-plexus, which then acts quickly by reflex +action on the other parts of the body, causing an instinctive feeling to +either fly the scene or else to crouch and hide oneself. This feeling, as +may be seen at once, is an inheritance from our savage ancestors, or +perhaps from our lowly-animal ancestral roots. It is a most unpleasant +feeling, and the race escapes much discomfort by reason of its comparative +absence. + +I have said that occultists have developed, or rather re-developed this +sense. They do this in order to have a harmonious well-developed +seven-fold sense system. It increases their general "awareness." Certain +other knowledge of the occultist neutralizes the unpleasant features of +the manifestation of this sense, and he finds it often a very valuable +adjunct to his senses of seeing and hearing, particularly in the cases in +which he is approached by persons having antagonistic or hostile feelings +toward him, as in such cases this faculty is particularly active. In +connection with the telepathic sense (to be described a little further on) +this sense operates to give a person that sense of warning when approached +by another person whose feelings are not friendly to him, no matter how +friendly the outward appearance of that person may be. These two extra +senses co-operate to give a person that instinctive feeling of warning, +which all of us know in our own experience. + +This particular, as well as the telepathic sense, may be cultivated or +developed by anyone who wishes to take the time and trouble to accomplish +the work. The principle is simple--merely the same principle that one uses +in developing any of the other physical attributes, namely, use and +exercise. The first step (a) is the recognition of the existence of the +sense itself; then (b) the attention given to its reports; then (c) +frequent use and exercise. Just think of how you would proceed to develop +any of the five ordinary senses--the hearing, sight, or touch, for +instance--then follow the same process in the cultivation of this extra +sense, or two senses, and you will accomplish the same kind of results. + +Now, let us consider the other extra physical sense--the "telepathic" +sense, or sense of becoming aware of the thought-waves, or emotional +waves, of other persons. Now, as strange as this may appear to some +persons--the most of persons in fact--this telepathic faculty is not a +"higher" faculty or sense, but is really a comparatively low one. Just +like the sense just described, it is possessed in a higher degree by many +of the lower animals, and by primitive and savage man. That which really +is "higher" in this kind of psychic phenomena is the manifestation of that +higher form of telepathy--by use of the astral counterpart of this +sense--which we shall consider, later, under the name of clairvoyance, for +this is really a particular phase of clairvoyance. + +As strange as it may appear to some of you, the lower animals possess a +kind of telepathic sense. An animal is usually aware of your feelings +toward it, and your purposes regarding it. Domestic animals lose some of +this by generations of confinement, while the wild animals have the sense +highly developed. But even some of the domestic animals have more or less +of it. You will readily recognize this fact if you have ever tried to +"cut out" a certain animal from a herd or flock. You will find that the +animal in some way has sensed your designs upon it, no matter how +indirectly you approach it, and it will begin circling around the other +animals, twisting in and out in its endeavors to be lost to your sight. +The other animals, likewise, will seem to know that you are after only +that particular one, and will manifest but little fright or distrust, +comparatively. + +I have frequently seen this thing, in my own country and in others, among +poultry raisers. The poultryman will think, to himself, "Now, I am going +to get that black hen with the yellow legs--that fat, clumsy one," and he +will move toward the flock slowly and with an air of unconcern. But, lo! +as soon as he gets near the creatures, that black hen will be seen edging +her way to the outer circle of the flock, on the opposite side from the +man. When the man moves around to her side, she will be found to have +plunged into the crowd, and it is hard to find her. Sometimes she will +actually try to sneak off, and conceal herself in some dark corner, or +back of some large object. Every poultryman will smile when this +occurrence is mentioned to him--he knows by experience that hens have a +way of sensing what he has in his mind regarding them. + +Moreover, as every farmer knows, the crow family has a most uncanny way of +sensing the intentions of the farmer who is trying to destroy them, and +shows great sagacity in defeating those intentions. But, while the crow is +a very intelligent bird--one of the wisest of the bird family, in +fact--it obtains its knowledge of what is in the mind of the man not alone +from "figuring on his intentions," but rather from that instinctive +sensing of his mental states. The hen, as all know, is a very stupid bird, +showing but little intelligent activity. But, nevertheless, she is very +quick about sensing the poultryman's designs on her, though generally very +stupid about planning out a skillful escape. + +Every owner of dogs, cats and horses, has had many opportunities for +observing the manifestation of this sense on the part of those animals. +Every dog feels the emotional states of his owner, and others. The horse +knows when his owner seeks to throw the halter over his neck, or when, on +the contrary, he is merely walking through the field. Cats sense their +owners' feelings and thoughts, and often resent them. Of course, the lower +animals can sense merely elementary mental states, and generally _only_ +emotional states, as their minds are not developed so as to interpret the +more complex mental states. Primitive men likewise almost instinctively +sense the feelings and designs of other men. They do not reason the thing +out, but rather merely "feel" the ideas and designs of the others. The +women of the lower races are more adept in interpreting these sense +reports than are the men. Women are more sensitive, as a rule, than are +men--on any point on the scale of development. + +When we come to consider ordinary telepathy in the case of men of +civilized countries, we find a more complex state of affairs. While +civilized man, as a whole, has lost some of the quick telepathic +perception of the lower races, he has, in some exceptional cases, acquired +a faculty of receiving and interpreting more complex thought-forms and +mental states. The investigations of the Society for Psychical Research, +and those of private investigators as well, have shown us that a picture +of a complicated geometrical design held in the mind of one person may be +carried to and received by the mind of another person, who reproduces the +design on paper. In the same way, complicated thoughts have been +transmitted and received. But these are only exceptional cases. In many +cases this sense seems almost dead in the ordinary civilized individual, +except when aroused in exceptional cases. + +But, nevertheless, the majority of persons have occasional flashes of +telepathy--just enough to make them realize that "there is something in +it." The renewed interest in the subject, of late years, has directed the +public mind to the phenomena of telepathy, and, consequently, more persons +are now taking note of the cases of thought-transference coming under +their personal notice. It must be remembered, of course, that all of us +are constantly receiving thought-waves, and feeling thought-influence, +unconsciously. I am speaking now only of the conscious perception of the +thought-waves. + +Many investigators have so developed their telepathic sense that they are +able, at times, to obtain wonderful test results. But, it has been a +source of disappointment to many of them to discover that at other times, +under apparently similar conditions, their success was very slight. So +true is this that many authorities have accepted the theory that telepathy +is more or less spontaneous, and cannot be produced to order. This theory +is true as far as it goes, but there is a side of the case that these +investigators overlook, probably because of their lack of the occult +principles involved in the phenomena. I mean this: that their most +brilliant successes have been obtained by reason of their unconscious +"switching on" of the astral telepathic sense, the clairvoyant sense. +While in this condition, they obtained startling results; but the next +time they tried, they failed to awaken the astral sense, and, therefore, +had to depend entirely upon the physical telepathic sense, and, +consequently, their results were comparatively poor. + +You will understand the difference and distinction between physical-sense +telepathy, and astral-sense telepathy, if you will carefully consider the +nature of each, as I shall now present it to you. I ask your close +attention to what I shall have to say on this subject in the remaining +pages of this chapter. Do not pass over these explanations as "dry," for +unless you have a clear fundamental understanding of the thing, you will +never be able to get the best results. This is true of every phase of +learning, physical as well as psychical--one must get started right, in +order to obtain the best results. + +In the first place, every thought process, every emotional activity, +every creation of ideas, is accompanied by a manifestation of force--in +fact, is the result of the manifestation of a force. Without entering at +all into the question of what mind is, in itself, we may rest firmly on +the natural fact that every manifestation of mental or emotional activity +is the result of an action of the brain or nervous system, manifesting in +a form of vibrations. Just as in the case of the manifestation of +electricity in which certain chemical elements are consumed, or +transformed, so in the case of mental or emotional activity there is a +consuming or transformation of the substance of which the nervous system +is composed. When I say "nervous system" in this connection, I include the +brain, or brains of man--for these are but a part of his great nervous +system in which all emotional or mental activity is manifested. + +Moreover, just as there is no real destruction of matter in any of +Nature's processes--all seeming destruction being but a transformation--so +in the case before us there is a transformation of the energy released in +the thought or emotional process. We may grasp this idea more clearly if +we consider what takes place into transformation of electrical energy. For +instance, transmit a strong current of electricity over a fine wire, or +filament of carbon, and lo! the current is transformed into light. Use +another kind of channel of transmission, and the current is transformed +into heat. Every electric light, or electric heating apparatus is proof +of this. In the same way, the electric current is sent into space in the +form of wireless waves. These waves coming in contact with certain forms +of apparatus are transformed into forms of force which are registered and +interpreted by the wireless operator. + +In the same way, the telepathic waves of energy are sent forth by the +activity released by the thought or emotion state. These waves travel in +every direction, and when they come in contact with physical apparatus +sufficiently sensitive to register them, they may be reproduced or +retransformed into thought or mental states similar to those which +originally sent them forth. You talk into the receiver of the telephone, +and the sound waves are transformed into waves of electricity. These +electric waves travel over the wires, and on reaching the other end of the +telephone circuit are again transformed into sound-waves which are heard +by the ear of the listener. Well, then, when your brain sends out thought +waves, these travel until they are received by the apparatus in the brain +of another person, when they are re-transformed into thoughts of the same +kind that originally caused the thought-waves. I will have much more to +say on this subject in the next chapter. I will pause here to point out +the difference between the phenomena of this form of telepathy, and the +higher form which is really a phase of clairvoyance. + +Now, in the case of what may be called a clairvoyant-telepathy, or astral +telepathy, the ordinary thought-waves play but a small part. Instead of +these, there is a transmission of force along the channels of the astral +plane. It is almost impossible to describe the phenomena of the astral +plane in the terms of the physical. I may illustrate the matter, in a +general way, by saying that is something like your astral self actually +extending itself out until it touches the astral self of the other person, +and thus actually "feels" the astral activities there, instead of it being +a case of something like waves travelling along space between brain and +brain. Do you get this clearly? This is about as near to it as I can +explain it to you at this place. Telepathy is simply a matter of the +transmission and receiving of waves of vibratory force which have +travelled along the ether between two persons. But clairvoyance or +astral-telepathy is something like your mind being extended out until it +actually touches the mind of the other person and sees what is there. + +I shall have much to say regarding the working out of the processes of +clairvoyance, as we proceed. I have merely given the above explanation for +the purpose of distinguishing between ordinary telepathy and clairvoyance, +so as to prevent you from falling into a common error. Now let us consider +the phenomena of ordinary telepathy--this is very wonderful in itself, +although it is on a lower plane of activity than its astral or clairvoyant +counterpart. + + + + +LESSON III. + +TELEPATHY EXPLAINED. + + +Telepathy, meaning Thought-Transference, bears a misleading title. +Literally translated, it means "suffering at a distance," or, perhaps, +"feeling pain at a distance." The name should really indicate "knowing at +a distance," in order to be properly descriptive. But as the term has +acquired a forced meaning by reason of years of usage, it will probably be +continued in popular favor. After all, names do not count, so long as the +meaning is accepted and understood. + +While the term itself has been generally used in the sense of conscious +and deliberate sending and receiving of thought-waves, there is a far +wider field of phenomena really covered by it, viz., the unconscious +sending and receiving of mental and emotional vibrations. I shall take up +this phase of the subject in a moment, after I have called your attention +to the mechanism whereby the waves of thought and emotion are transmitted. + +In the last chapter, you will remember that I called your attention to the +fact that there is a manifestation of energy or force (in the form of +vibrations) in every mental or emotional state. This is true not only in +the case of deep thought or vivid feeling, but also in the case of general +mental "feelings," and emotional states. During such manifestations there +is a radiation of mental or emotional vibrations from the brain or nervous +centres of the system, which flows out in all directions just as do light +and wireless electricity. The principal seats or centres of these +radiations are (1) the several brains of man, viz., the cerebrum, +cerebellum, and the medulla oblongata, respectfully; and (2) the several +great centres of nerve substance in the human system, called the plexi, +such as the solar plexus, etc. + +The vibrations arising from emotional excitement are sent out principally +from the plexi, or great centres of the sympathetic nervous system. Those +arising from the more strictly mental states emanate from certain centres +and points of the brain, or brains, of the person manifesting them. +Certain forms of these vibrations constitute the real essence of what is +generally called "human magnetism," which will be treated upon in the +proper place in these lessons. + +I do not think it advisable to go into the technical details of the +generation and mechanism of transmission of these thought and emotional +vibrations, in these lessons. To understand the same would require a +technical knowledge of physiology and organic chemistry, which is not +possessed by the average person. Moreover, such details are neither +interesting nor instructive to the general student of occultism. But, I +think it proper to give at least a brief description of the receiving of +such vibratory-waves by other individuals. + +In the first place, every great plexus, or groups of nerve ganglia, in the +human system is a receiving station, as well as a sending station. A +person manifesting strong emotional excitement tends to awaken similar +states in the nervous centres of other persons in whom the conditions are +favorable. This explains why the vibrations of anger, fear, panic, are so +contagious. It also explains the strong effect of the vibrations emanating +from the nerve centres controlling the reproductive system, in certain +cases of strong sexual excitation. Each human sympathetic nervous system +contains many receiving stations where emotional vibrations are received, +and where they tend to be transformed into similar feeling in the +receiving system, unless neutralized by other mental and emotional states +in the person. + +When we come to consider the apparatus by which is received the vibrations +arising from what may be called "purely mental" operations of the brain, +such as intellectual thought, constructive imagination, etc., we find a +more specialized arrangement, as might be expected. There are several +minor receiving points of mental vibrations, regarding which I do not +consider it worth while to go into detail, because of the technical +features involved. The principal apparatus for receiving thought +vibrations of this kind is that which is known as the "pineal gland," +which I shall now describe. + +The pineal gland is a peculiar mass of nervous substance which is embedded +in the human brain, in a position near the middle of the skull almost +directly above the extreme top of the spinal column. It is shaped like a +small cone; and is of a reddish-gray color. It lies in front of the +cerebellum, and is attached to the floor of the third ventricle of the +brain. It contains a small quantity of peculiar particles of gritty, +sand-like substance, which are sometimes called "brain-sand." It derives +its scientific name from its shape, which, as I have said, resembles a +pine-cone. Physiologists are at sea regarding the function of this strange +organ, and generally content themselves with the statement that "its +functions are not understood." But occultists know that the pineal gland, +with its peculiar arrangement of nerve-cell corpuscles, and its tiny +grains of "brain-sand," is the physical telepathic receiving instrument. +Students of wireless telegraphy have noticed a startling resemblance +between the pineal gland and a part of the receiving instrument employed +in wireless telegraphy. + +The thought vibrations coming in contact with the nervous system of the +receiving person, set up a peculiar vibration in the substance of the +pineal gland and thus the first step in the transformation of these +vibrations into thought-forms in the mind of the person is under way. The +remainder of the process is too technical, both in the physiological as +well as in the occult sense, to be taken up in detail at this place. The +student will do well to get the idea of the workings of wireless +telegraphy well fixed in his mind, for this will set up the right +conception of the working of ordinary telepathy, without the necessity of +complicated technical diagrams and descriptions. + +And, now then, let us see what results from the sending forth and +receiving of these mental and emotional waves of force and energy. It is a +most interesting subject, I assure you. While the phenomena of the astral +plane is probably more fascinating to the average student, I would impress +upon you the importance of mastering the occult phenomena of the physical +plane, before passing on to that of the higher planes. + +In the first place, as all occultists know, each person is constantly +surrounded with what has been called an "atmosphere" composed of mental +and emotional vibrations which are emanated from his personality. The +atmosphere of each person depends upon the general character of the +thoughts and feelings of the person in question. Consequently, as no two +persons are precisely alike in character, it follows that no two personal +atmospheres are exactly alike. Each person has a psychic atmosphere of his +or her own. These atmospheric vibrations do not extend very far from the +presence of the person, and, consequently affect only those coming near to +him. + +In the same way, every group or crowd of persons has its own psychic +atmosphere, composed of a blending of the individual psychic atmospheres +of the persons composing the crowd, group or assemblage, and representing +the general average of the thought and feelings of the crowd. There are no +two group atmospheres exactly alike, for the reason that no two groups of +persons, large or small, are exactly alike. Actors know that each audience +which they face has its own psychic atmosphere, and the actors are +affected by it. Preachers, lawyers, and speakers in general are quite +aware of this fact, and freely admit it, though they may not be acquainted +with the causes or laws governing the phenomena. + +Following the same psychic law, it will be found that every town or large +city, or even every small village or section of a larger town, will be +found to have its own distinctive psychic atmosphere, which is very +perceptible to strangers visiting the place, and which affect those who +take up their residence in the place. In large cities, it has been noticed +that every building has its own peculiar vibrations which arise from the +general character of those occupying it. Different church buildings +likewise reflect the character of the general habits of thought and +feeling of those worshipping in them. Likewise, certain business streets +have pleasant or unpleasant vibrations in their atmosphere, from the same +causes. Every person recognizes the truth of these statements, though but +few are able to account for the facts in a scientific manner. + +The beginner in the study of psychic phenomena often asks how these things +can be, when the thought which has occasioned the vibrations have long +since passed away. The explanation is simple, when properly explained. It +is something like this: just as heat remains in a room after the stove has +ceased to throw out heat-waves, so do the vibrations of thought and +feeling persist long after the thought or feeling has died away. Or, if +you prefer a more material illustration, we may say that if a package of +perfumery has been opened in a room, and then removed, the air will remain +charged with the odor for a long time afterwards. + +So, you see, the same principle applies in the case of psychic vibrations. +The person carries around with him the general atmosphere of his +characteristic mental and emotional vibrations. And, in the same way, the +house, store, church, street, town, or city, etc., is permeated with the +psychic vibrations of those who have frequented them. Nearly every one +realizes the different feeling that impresses him when he enters a strange +house, apartment, store or church. Each one has its own difference of +psychic effect. And, so does each person create his or her psychic effect +upon those coming in contact with him or her, or who comes into his or her +presence or vicinity. + +The next question asked by the thoughtful new student is this: If persons +are constantly sending forth psychic vibrations, and if such vibrations +persist for some time, why are we not overwhelmed with the force of them; +and why are they not all so mixed up as to lose all their effect. I shall +now answer this very important question. + +In the first place, though we are constantly affected more or less by the +multitude of psychic vibrations beating upon us, still the greater part of +them do not consciously impress us. For an example, we have but to +consider how few of the sounds or sights of a busy street are impressed +upon our consciousness. We hear and see only a few of the things which +attract our attention and interest. The rest are lost to us, although our +eyes and ears receive them all. In the same way, we are impressed only by +the stronger vibrations which reach us, and then only by those which we +have attracted to ourselves, or which prove attractive to us by reason of +our own likes and dislikes. + +In the second place, the effect of certain thought vibrations is +neutralized by the effect of the vibrations of thoughts of an opposite +character. Just as a mixture of black and white produces the neutral color +of grey, so do two currents of opposing thought vibrations tend to resolve +themselves into a neutral vibration which has little or no effect upon +those coming in contact with them. You may think of numerous +correspondences to this in the world of material things. For instance, a +mixture of very hot and very cold water, will produce a neutral lukewarm +liquid, neither hot nor cold. In the same way, two things of opposing +taste characteristics, when blended, will produce a neutral taste having +but little effect upon one. The principle is universal, and is readily +understood. + +In the third place, there is that which we may call an "affinity" between +thoughts and feelings of a similar character. Not only do the vibrations +of similar thoughts tend to coalesce and combine; but, more than this, +each one of us attracts to himself or herself the thought vibrations which +are in general accord with corresponding thoughts in our own minds, or +feelings in our own nature. Like attracts like. In the same way, the +character of our thoughts and feelings act to repel thought or emotional +vibrations of an opposite or inharmonious nature. As all occultists know, +everyone draws thought vibrations in harmony with his or her own; and also +repels thought vibrations of an inharmonious nature. + +These are the general laws and principles governing the phenomena of this +phase of telepathic vibrations. There is much more to be said on the +subject, of course, but if you will note carefully the leading principles +and laws of manifestation just mentioned, you will be able to reason +correctly regarding any phase of this class of phenomena which may come +before you for attention. Once you learn a general rule, the rest becomes +merely a matter of application and interpretation. Let us now proceed to a +consideration of other phases of the general subject of telepathic +influence. + +We now come to the phase of what may be called direct telepathy--that is +where a thought is consciously, and more or less purposely, directed +toward another person. We come across many interesting cases of this kind +where persons find themselves thinking intently of certain other persons, +and afterwards are told by the other persons that "I found myself thinking +intently about you, at such and such a time," etc. In some of these cases +it is difficult to determine which one started the thinking. Again, how +often do we find ourselves thinking of a person, when all of a sudden the +person comes into sight. Again, we think intently and earnestly about a +certain question; and then, all of a sudden, other folks whom we meet +begin talking to us about the same thing. These instances are too common +to need more than a passing notice. + +A little more purpose is displayed in that class of phenomena in which we +intently wish that a certain person shall do a certain thing, and lo! we +soon learn that that certain person has done it. A number of years ago, a +popular writer wrote an article in which he mentioned what seemed to him +to be a curious instance of some form of mental influence or telepathy. He +said that he had found out that if he would sit down and carefully write a +letter to some person from whom he had not heard for a long time, and then +destroy the letter instead of sending it, he would be almost certain to +receive a letter from that person within a few days. He did not attempt to +account for the phenomenon, he merely called the attention of his readers +to it. Many persons have followed the suggestion, often with very +wonderful results. There is nothing miraculous, or supernatural about such +occurrences. It is merely one phase of telepathy. The concentrated thought +of the writer of the letter is directed toward the other person, and that +person begins to think of the first one; then he thinks he will write to +him; then he actually does write. Distance, space, and direction have no +importance in this experiment--it is not necessary to even know where the +second person is, in fact. + +There are often found persons so closely in psychic harmony with each +other that they very often are able to ask questions and receive answers +from each other, even though great distances separate them. Some +particular times there is a better psychic harmony existing between the +same persons than is found at other times. All this, of course, affects +the success of the experiment. It is surprising what wonderful results +along these lines may be obtained by almost any person of average +intelligence, after a little careful, patient, conscientious practice. + +But there have been phenomena obtained as the result of long series of +careful experiments which are, in a way, even more wonderful than these +somewhat less deliberate experiments just mentioned. I allude to the +experiments of a number of earnest, careful scientific students, who +surrounded themselves with every precaution against over-enthusiasm, +fraud, and coincidence. Prominent among this class of investigations we +find those conducted by the Society for Psychical Research, of England, +which really established a firm basis for the work of other investigators +who followed the general methods of the said society. In the following +chapter, I shall give you a somewhat extended statement of the results of +such investigations, because this information is important to every +student of psychic phenomena, not only because it establishes a firm +scientific basis for his studies and beliefs, but also because it gives +him important information which he may apply in the course of his own +experimental work. + +I may mention that the investigations into the subject of telepathy, and +kindred subjects, under the auspices of the society just mentioned, were +conducted by men of careful scientific training and experience, and under +the general supervision and approval of the officers of the society, among +which have been numbered such eminent men as Prof. Henry Sidgwick, of +Cambridge University; Prof. Balfour Stewart, a Fellow of the Royal Society +of England; Rt. Hon. A.J. Balfour, the eminent English statesman; Prof. +William James, the eminent American psychologist; Sir William Crookes, the +great chemist and discoverer of physical laws, who invented the celebrated +"Crookes' Tubes," without which the discovery of the X Rays, +radio-activity, etc., would have been impossible; Frederick W.H. Myers, +the celebrated explorer of the astral planes, and writer upon psychic +phenomena; Sir Oliver Lodge, the popular English scientist; and other men +of international reputation and high standing. The character of these men +at once gives the stamp of honesty and scientific accuracy to all the work +of the society. + +In order that you may understand the spirit which animated these +scientific investigators in their work of the exploration of this new and +strange region of Nature, I ask you to carefully read the following words +of the presidential address of Sir William Crookes, before the Royal +Society, at Bristol, England, in 1898. Remember, please, that this address +was made before an assemblage of distinguished scientists, many of them +rank materialists and, quite skeptical of all occult phenomena--this was +nearly twenty years ago, remember. Sir William Crookes, facing this +gathering, as its president, said: + +"Were I now introducing for the first time these inquiries to the world of +science, I should choose a starting point different from that of old +(where we formerly began). It would be well to begin with Telepathy; with +that fundamental law, as I believe it to be, that thoughts and images may +be transferred from one mind to another without the agency of the +recognized organs of sense--that knowledge may enter the human mind +without being communicated in any hitherto known or recognized ways. * * * +If telepathy takes place, we have two physical facts--the physical change +in the brain of A, the suggestor, and the analogous physical change in the +brain of B, the recipient of the suggestion. Between these two physical +events there must exist a train of physical causes. * * * It is +unscientific to call in the aid of mysterious agencies, when with every +fresh advance in knowledge it is shown that either vibrations have powers +and attributes abundantly able to any demand--even the transmission of +thought. + +"It is supposed by some physiologists that the essential cells of nerves +do not actually touch, but are separated by a narrow gap which widens in +sleep while it narrows almost to extinction during mental activity. This +condition is so singularly like a Branly or Lodge coherer (a device which +led to the discovery of wireless telegraphy) as to suggest a further +analogy. The structure of brain and nerve being similar, it is conceivable +that there may be present masses of such nerve coherers in the brain, +whose special function it may be to receive impulses brought from without, +through the connecting sequence of ether waves of appropriate order of +magnitude. + +"Roentgen has familiarized us with an order of vibrations of extreme +minuteness as compared with the smallest waves with which we have hitherto +been acquainted: and there is no reason to suppose that we have here +reached the limit of frequency. It is known that the action of thought is +accompanied by certain molecular movements in the brain, and here we have +physical vibrations capable from their extreme minuteness of acting direct +upon individual molecules, while their rapidity approaches that of +internal and external movements of the atoms themselves. A formidable +range of phenomena must be scientifically sifted before we effectually +grasp a faculty so strange, so bewildering, and for ages so inscrutable, +as the direct action of mind upon mind. + +"In the old Egyptian days, a well known inscription was carved over the +portal of the Temple of Isis: 'I am whatever has been, is, or ever will +be; and my veil no man hath yet lifted.' Not thus do modern seekers after +truth confront Nature--the word that stands for the baffling mysteries of +the Universe. Steadily, unflinchingly, we strive to pierce the inmost +heart of Nature, from what she is to reconstruct what she has been, and +to prophesy what she shall be. Veil after veil we have lifted, and her +face grows more beautiful, august and wonderful, with every barrier that +is withdrawn." + +You will notice that this address made nearly twenty years ago, and from +the standpoint of physical science is in full accord with the ideas of +occultism as old as the hills. And yet, the speaker had worked out the +idea independently. He also investigated higher forms of psychic +phenomena, with results that startled the world. But, you will notice that +he does not attempt to give any other than purely physical laws the credit +for the ordinary phenomena of telepathy. And he was thoroughly right in +this, as we have seen. He escaped the common error of confusing +physical-sense phenomena with the phenomena of the astral-senses. Each +plane has its own phenomena--and each class is surely wonderful enough. +And, again, remember that both physical and astral phenomena are purely +natural; there is no need for seeking any supernatural agencies to account +for these natural facts. + + + + +LESSON IV. + +SCIENTIFIC TELEPATHY. + + +The investigators of the Society for Psychical Research, of England, +started by giving a broad definition of Telepathy, as follows: "Telepathy +is the communication of impressions of any kind from one mind to another, +independently of the recognized channels of sense." They took the rational +position that the actual distance between the projector and the recipient +of the telepathic message is not material; and that all that is required +is such a separation of the two persons that no known operation of the +senses can bridge the space between them. They wisely held that telepathy +between two persons in the same room is as much telepathy as when the two +persons are located at opposite sides of the world. + +The investigators then ruled out all instances of thought-transmission in +which there was even the slightest muscular contact between the projector +and the recipient. They held that though there might be genuine telepathy +in such cases, nevertheless, there was always the possibility of fraud or +collusion, or of unconscious muscular action on the part of the projector. +They demanded absolute and actual separation of the two persons, in order +that their experiments might be above suspicion. They were wise in this, +for while there is undoubtedly a psychic communication in the cases in +which there is the slight physical connection between the two persons (as +I shall point out to you a little further on), still the element of doubt +or suspicion must be entirely eliminated from a scientific test, in order +to render it valuable and valid. + +They, therefore, confined their investigations in Telepathy to the two +following classes, viz.: (1) where actions are performed without physical +contact with the person willing; and (2) where some number, word, or card +is guessed apparently without any of the ordinary means of communication. +The investigators recognized the possibility that in the first of the +above-mentioned two classes of experiments there is a possibility of +suspicion of collusion, fraud, or unconscious suggestion, in the matter of +the motion of the eyes of the party, or some member of it, which might be +seized upon, perhaps unconsciously, by the recipient, and used to guide +him to the object which was being thought of by the projector or the +party. They sought to obviate this difficulty by blindfolding the +percipient, and by placing non-conductors of sound over his ears. But, +finally, they came to the conclusion that even these precautions might not +prove sufficient; and, accordingly, they devoted their attention to the +second class of experiments, in which all ordinary means of communication +between projector and recipient were impossible. They took the additional +precautions of limiting their circle to a small number of investigators of +scientific reputations, and well known to each other, always avoiding a +promiscuous company for obvious reasons. + +One of the earliest series of investigations by these special committees +of investigators was that of the family of the Rev. A.M. Creery, in +Derbyshire, England. The children of this family had acquired a reputation +in what was known as the "guessing game," in which one of the children, +previously placed outside of the room, then returned to the room and +attempted to "guess" the name or location of some object agreed upon by +the party during her absence. The results were very interesting, and quite +satisfactory, and have frequently been referred to in works on the subject +written since that time. I think it well to give the results of this +series of experiments in some little detail, for they form a basis for +experiments on the part of those who read these lessons. + +Prof. W.F. Barrett, Professor of Physics in the Royal College of Science +for Ireland, conducted the most of the experiments. The report to the +Society says: "We began by selecting the simplest objects in the room; +then chose names of towns, people, dates, cards out of a pack, lines from +different poems, etc., in fact, any thing or series of ideas that those +present could keep in their minds steadily. The children seldom made a +mistake. I have seen seventeen cards chosen by myself named right in +succession without any mistake. We soon found that a great deal depended +on the steadiness with which the ideas were kept before the minds of the +thinkers, and upon the energy with which they willed the ideas to pass. I +may say that this faculty is not by any means confined to the members of +one family; it is much more general than we imagine. To verify this +conclusion, I invited two of a neighbor's children to join us in our +experiments, with excellent results." + +The report gives the methods of the experiments, as follows: "The inquiry +has taken place partly in Mr. Creery's house, and partly in lodgings, or +at a hotel occupied by some of our number. Having selected at random one +child, whom we desired to leave the room and wait at some distance, we +would choose a pack of cards, or write on a piece of paper a name of a +number which occurred to us at the moment. Generally, but not always, this +was shown to the members of the family present in the room; but no one +member was always present, and we were sometimes entirely alone. We then +recalled the child, one of us always assuring himself that, when the door +was suddenly opened, she was at a considerable distance, though this was +usually a superfluity of caution, as our habit was to avoid all utterances +of what was chosen. On re-entering, she stood--sometimes turned by us with +her face toward the wall, oftener with her eyes directed toward the +ground, and usually close to us and remote from the family--for a period +of silence varying from a few seconds to a minute, till she called out to +us some number, card, or whatever it might be." + +In the first experiments, in "guessing" the name of objects, the child +guessed correctly six out of fourteen. She then guessed correctly the +name of small objects held in the hands of one of the committee--five +times out of six. She guessed fictitious names chosen by the +committee--five out of ten, at the first trial. The committee then tested +her by writing down the name of some object in the house, fixed at random, +and then, after all had thought intently of the thing, they sent for the +child and bade her try to find the thing thought of, the +thought-concentration of course continuing during the search. The result +is thus reported: "In this way I wrote down, among other things, a +hair-brush--it was brought; an orange--it was brought; a wine-glass--it +was brought; an apple--it was brought; and so on, until many objects had +been selected and found by the child." + +Passing over the details of many other experiments we find that the +following remarkable results were obtained by the committee: "Altogether, +three hundred and eighty-two trials were made in this series. In the case +of letters of the alphabet, of cards, and of numbers of two figures, the +chances of success on a first trial would naturally be 25 to 1, 52 to 1, +and 89 to 1, respectively; in the case of surnames they would of course be +infinitely greater. Cards were far most frequently employed, and the odds +in their case may be taken as a fair medium sample, according to which, +out of a whole series of three hundred and eighty-two trials, the average +number of successes at the first attempt by an ordinary guesser would be +seven and one-third. Of our trials, one hundred and twenty-seven were +successes on the first attempt, fifty-six on the second, nineteen on the +third--MAKING TWO HUNDRED AND TWO, OUT OF A POSSIBLE THREE HUNDRED AND +EIGHTY-TWO!" Think of this, while the law of averages called for only +seven and one-third successes at first trial, the children obtained one +hundred and twenty-seven, which, given a second and third trial, they +raised to two hundred and two! You see, this takes the matter entirely out +of the possibility of coincidence or mathematical probability. + +But this was not all. Listen to the further report of the committee on +this point: "The following was the result of one of the series. The thing +selected was divulged to none of the family, and five cards running were +named correctly on a first trial. The odds against this happening once in +a series were considerably over a million to one. There were other similar +batches, the two longest runs being eight consecutive guesses, once with +cards, and once with names; where the adverse odds in the former case were +over one hundred and forty-two millions to one; and in the other, +something incalculably greater." The opinion of eminent mathematicians who +have examined the above results is that the hypothesis of mere coincidence +is practically excluded in the scientific consideration of the matter. The +committee calls special attention to the fact that in many of the most +important tests none of the Creery family were cognizant of the object +selected, and that, therefore, the hypothesis of fraud or collusion is +absolutely eliminated. The committee naturally came to the conclusion +that the phenomena was genuine and real telepathy. + +Prof. Balfour Stewart, LL.D., F.R.S., who was present at some of these +experiments, though not a member of the committee, expressed great +amazement at some of the results. He reports: "The thought-reader was +outside a door. The object or thing thought of was written on paper and +silently handed to the company in the room. The thought reader was then +called in, and in the course of a minute the answer was given. Definite +objects in the room, for instance, were first thought of, and in the +majority of the cases the answers were correct. Then numbers were thought +of, and the answers were generally right, though, of course, there were +some cases of error. The names of towns were thought of, and a good many +of these were right. Then fancy names were thought of. I was asked to +think of certain fancy names, and mark them down and hand them round to +the company. I thought of and wrote on paper, 'Blue-beard,' 'Tom Thumb,' +'Cinderella.' and the answers were all correct!" + +The committee also conducted a number of experiments with other +recipients, with very satisfactory results. Colors were correctly guessed +with a percentage of successes quite beyond the average or probable +number. Names of towns in all parts of the world, were correctly "guessed" +by certain recipients with a wonderful degree of success. But, probably +most wonderful of all, was the correct reproduction of diagrams of +geometrical and other figures and shapes. In one case, the recipient, in a +series of nine trials, succeeded in drawing them all correctly, except +that he frequently reversed them, making the upper-side down, and the +right-hand side to the left. The Society, has published these reproduced +diagrams in its Illustrated reports, and they have convinced the most +skeptical of critics. Some of the diagrams were quite complicated, +unusual, and even grotesque, and yet they were reproduced with marvelous +accuracy, not in a hesitating manner, but deliberately and continuously, +as if the recipient were actually copying a drawing in full sight. Similar +results have been obtained by other investigators who have followed the +lead of these original ones. + +So you see, the seal of scientific authority has been placed upon the +phenomena of telepathy. It is no longer in the realm of the supernatural +or uncanny. As Camille Flammarion, the eminent French scientist, has said: +"The action of one mind upon another at a distance--the transmission of +thought, mental suggestion, communication at a distance--all these are not +more extraordinary than the action of the magnet on iron, the influence of +the moon on the sea, the transportation of the human voice by electricity, +the revolution of the chemical constituents of a star by the analysis of +its light, or, indeed, all the wonders of contemporary science. Only these +psychic communications are of a more elevated kind, and may serve to put +us on the track of a knowledge of human nature. What is certain is: That +telepathy can and ought to be henceforth considered by Science as an +incontestable reality; that minds are able to act upon each other without +the intervention of the senses; that psychic force exists, though its +nature is yet unknown. * * * We say that this force is of a psychic order, +and not physical, or physiological, or chemical, or mechanical, because it +produces and transmits ideas and thoughts, and because it manifests itself +without the co-operation of our senses, soul to soul, mind to mind." + +In addition to investigating the above mentioned classes of telepathic +phenomena, the English Society for Psychical Research investigated many +remarkable cases of a somewhat higher phase of telepathy. They took down +the stories told by persons deemed responsible, and then carefully +examined, and cross-examined other witnesses to the strange phenomena. The +record of these experiments, and investigations, fill a number of good +sized volumes of the Society's reports, which are well worth reading by +all students of the subject. They may be found in the libraries of nearly +any large city. I shall, however, select a number of the most interesting +of the cases therein reported, to give my students an idea of the +character of the phenomena so investigated and found genuine by the +committees having this class of telepathy under investigation. + +An interesting case of spontaneous telepathy is that related by Dr. Ede, +as follows: "There is a house about a half-mile from my own, inhabited by +some ladies, friends of our family. They have a large alarm bell outside +their house. One night I awoke suddenly and said to my wife: 'I am sure I +hear Mrs. F's alarm bell ringing.' After listening for some time, we heard +nothing, and I went to sleep again. The next day Mrs. F. called upon my +wife and said to her: 'We were wishing for your husband last night, for we +were alarmed by thieves. We were all up, and I was about to pull the alarm +bell, hoping that he would hear it, saying to my daughters, "I am sure it +will soon bring Dr. Ede," but we did not ring it.' My wife asked what time +this had happened, and Mrs. F. said that it was about half past one. That +was the time I awoke thinking that I heard the bell." + +In this case there was manifested simply ordinary physical plane +telepathy. Had the bell actually been rung, and heard psychically, it +would have been a case of astral plane hearing, known as clairaudience. As +it was, merely the thought in the mind of Mrs. F., and her strong idea to +ring the bell, caused a transmission of thought waves which struck Dr. Ede +with great force and awakened him. This case is interesting because it is +typical of many cases of a similar nature within the experience of many +persons. It is seen that a strong feeling, or excitement, accompanied by a +strong desire or wish to summon another person, tends to give great power +and effect to the thought waves emitted. They strike the mind of the +recipient like the sudden ringing of an alarm clock bell. + +Another interesting case is that of two ladies, both well known to members +of the committee, and vouched for as of strict veracity. This case is +unusual for the reason that two different persons received the +thought-waves at the same time. Here is an abridgment of the case: "Lady +G. and her sister had been spending the evening with their mother, who was +in her usual health and spirits when they left her. In the middle of the +night the sister awoke in her fright and said to her husband: 'I must go +to my mother at once; do order the carriage. I am sure that she is taken +ill.' On the way to her mother's house, where two roads meet, she saw Lady +G.'s carriage approaching. When they met each asked the other why she was +there. They both related the same experience and impression. When they +reached their mother's house, they found that she was dying, and had +expressed an earnest wish to see them." + +Another case of a similar nature is this: "At the siege of Mooltan, Major +General R., then adjutant of his regiment, was severely wounded and +supposed himself to be dying. He requested that his ring be taken off his +finger and sent to his wife. At the same time his wife was at Ferozepore, +one hundred and fifty miles distant, lying on her bed, in a state half way +between waking and sleeping. She saw her husband being taken off the +field, and heard his voice saying: 'Take this ring off my finger, and send +it to my wife.'" + +This case bears the marks of very strong telepathy, but also has a +suspicious resemblance to clairvoyance accompanied by clairaudience. Or +perhaps it is a combination of both telepathy and clairvoyance. It is +impossible to determine which, in absence of more detailed information. +The message of persons dying, or believing themselves to be approaching +death, are frequently very strong, for certain reasons well known to +occultists. But there is nothing supernatural about the phenomena, and in +most cases it is merely a case of strong telepathy. + +The Society also reports the following interesting case: "A. was awake, +and strongly willed to make himself known to two friends who at that time +(one o'clock in the morning) were asleep. When he met them a few days +afterward, they both told him that at one o'clock they had awakened under +the impression that he was in their room. The experience was so vivid that +they could not go to sleep for some time, and looked at their watches to +note the time." Cases of this kind are quite common, and many +experimenters have had equally good results with this phase of thought +transference. You will remember that there is no actual projection of the +astral body, in most of these cases, but merely a strong impression caused +by concentrated thought. + +Another interesting case is that of the late Bishop Wilberforce, and is +recorded in his biography, as follows: The Bishop was in his library at +Cuddleson, with three or four of his clergy with him at the same table. +The Bishop suddenly raised his hand to his head, and exclaimed: "I am +certain that something has happened to one of my sons." It afterwards +transpired that just at that time his eldest son's foot was badly crushed +by an accident on board his ship, the son being at sea. The Bishop himself +recorded the circumstance in a letter to Miss Noel, saying: "It is curious +that at the time of his accident I was so possessed with the depressing +consciousness of some evil having befallen my son, Herbert, that at the +last, I wrote down that I was unable to shake off the impression that +something had happened to him, and noted this down for remembrance." There +is nothing unusual about this case, for it has been duplicated in the +experience of many persons. Its chief importance lies in the fact that it +is recorded by a man of wide reputation and high standing, and also that +the Bishop had taken the precaution to note down the thing at the time, +instead of merely recalling it after he had heard of the accident. + +You will notice that in many cases of this kind the phenomenon closely +approaches the aspect of true clairvoyance, or astral sensing. In some +cases there appears to be a blending of both telepathy and astral +clairvoyance. In fact, there is but very little difference between the +highest phases of ordinary telepathy, and the more common phases of +clairvoyance. Here, as in many other cases of Nature's forces, there seems +to be a gradual blending, rather than a sharp dividing line between the +two classes of phenomena. Moreover, the student developing his telepathic +powers will frequently find that he is beginning to unfold at least +occasional flashes of clairvoyance. + +In the case of telepathy, the recipient merely senses what is in the mind +of the projector. In some cases a picture in the mind of the projector may +be seen by the recipient, and may thus be mistaken for a case of pure +clairvoyance. But, in investigating closely, it will be found that the +real scene was slightly different from the impression, in which case it +shows that the impression was simply telepathic. Clairvoyant vision shows +the scene as it really is, or rather as the physical eye of the recipient +would have seen it. The astral sight really sees the scene, and does not +merely receive the mental impression of the projector. The first is +original seeing; the second, merely a reproduction of images already in +the mind of the projector, and colored by his personality, etc. + +In the next lesson, I shall give you a number of exercises and methods +designed to develop your telepathic powers. You will find the practice of +these most interesting and entertaining, and at the same time most +instructive. You will find that as you practice the exercises given +therein, you will become more and more adept and proficient in producing +telepathic phenomena. From the lower stages, you will be able to proceed +to the higher. And, in time, you will be surprised to find that almost +unconsciously you have passed into the stage in which you will have at +least occasional manifestations of clairvoyance, psychometry, etc. + +In fact, there is no better way known to practical occultists to develop +in a student the powers of clairvoyance than just this method of starting +the student with the exercises designed to develop the telepathic power. +It has been found by centuries of experience that the student who develops +telepathic power, in a systematic way, will gradually unfold and evolve +the clairvoyant and psychometric power. It constitutes the first rungs on +the ladder of psychic development. + +Of course, under the head of clairvoyance, etc., you will be given methods +and exercise designed to develop clairvoyant powers--some of them very +valuable and effective methods, at that. But, notwithstanding this, I feel +that I should impress upon you the importance of laying a firm foundation +for such instruction, by developing yourself first along the lines of +telepathic power. Such a course will not only keenly sharpen your powers +of receptivity to such vibrations as you may wish to receive; but it will +also train your mind in the direction of translating, interpreting, and +recording such impressions when received. + +You must remember that proficiency in a mental art is attained only by +means of training the attention to concentrate upon the task. It is the +same way in clairvoyance and psychometry. Telepathy trains your attention +to concentrate upon the reception of impressions, and to hold them firmly +and clearly in consciousness. The result is that when you really develop +clairvoyant receptivity, your attention has already been trained to do +the necessary work. I need not tell you what an advantage this gives you +over the clairvoyant who has not received this training, for your own good +common sense will assure you of it. + +So, now for our training in telepathy--not only for itself, but also as a +means of preparing for the higher stages. + + + + +LESSON V. + +MIND READING, AND BEYOND. + + +The simpler forms of telepathic phenomena have received the name "Mind +Reading" and by some have been regarded as something not quite within the +class of real telepathy. This last impression has been heightened by the +fact that there has been offered the public many spectacular exhibitions +of pseudo mind-reading, that is to say, imitation or counterfeit +mind-reading, in which the result has been obtained by trickery, +collusion, or clever artifice. But, notwithstanding this fact, genuine +mind-reading is actually a phase of true telepathy. + +What is generally known as mind-reading may be divided into two classes, +as follows: (1) where there is an actual physical contact between the +projector and the receiver; and (2) where there is no actual physical +contact, but where there is a close relation in space between the two +parties, as in the case of the "willing game." In the first class belong +all cases in which the projector touches the recipient, or at least is +connected with him by a material object. In the second class belong those +cases in which the recipient seeks to find an object which is being +thought of by either a single projector, or by a number of persons in the +same room. You will notice that both of these classes were omitted from +the experiments of the Society for Psychical Research, because of the +possibility of fraud or collusion. But, nevertheless, the student will do +well to acquire proficiency in manifesting this form of telepathy, not +alone for its own sake, but, also, because it naturally leads to higher +development. + +In the case of the first class of mind-reading namely, that in which +actual physical contact is had between the projector and the recipient, +there has been a disposition on the part of some authorities to explain +the whole matter by the theory of unconscious muscular impulse of the +projector; but those who have carefully studied this subject, and who have +themselves performed the feats of this class of mind-reading, know that +there is far more than this to it. Those familiar with the subject know +that there is a decided transference of thought-waves from the projector +to the recipient, and that the latter actually "feels" the same as they +strike upon his mental receiving apparatus. The whole difference between +this and the higher forms of telepathy is that in this the +thought-currents generally run along the wires of the nervous system, +instead of leaping across the space between the two persons. + +It is known to all who have conducted this class of experiments, that at +times there will be experienced a change or shifting in the transmission +of the thought-currents. For a time, the thought-waves will be felt +flowing in along the nerves of the hands and arms when, all of a sudden +this will cease, and there will be experienced the passage of the current +direct from brain to brain. It is impossible to describe this feeling in +mere words, to those who have never experienced it. But those to whom it +has once been manifested will recognize at once just what I mean by this +statement. It is a different sensation from any other in the experience of +a human being, and must actually be experienced to be understood. The +nearest analogy I can offer is that feeling experienced by the person when +a forgotten name for which he has vainly sought, suddenly flashes or leaps +into his consciousness--it is felt to come from somewhere outside of the +conscious field. Well, in the case of the thought-current the feeling is +much the same, only there is a fuller sense of the "outsideness" of the +source of the thought. + +In order to make you understand the distinction between the two classes of +mind-reading more clearly, I will say that you may think of one as akin to +the ordinary telegraphy over wires; and of the other as akin to wireless +telegraphy. It is the same force in both cases, the difference being +simply one of the details of transmission. Fix this idea firmly in your +mind, and you will have no trouble in always having the right conception +of any kind of case of mind-reading, or telepathy. But, you must remember, +there are cases in which there is a combination of both methods of +transmission, either simultaneously, or else shifting and changing from +one to the other. + +I will here remind the student that he will learn more by a half-dozen +actual experiments in mind-reading, than he will by reading a dozen books +on the subject. It is very good to read the books in order to get the +correct theory well fixed in mind, and also in order to learn the best +methods as taught by those who have had a wide experience in the subject; +but the real "how" of the matter is learned only through actual +experience. So, I shall now give you advice and instructions concerning +actual experimental work. + +You, the student, should begin by making yourself a good recipient--that +is a good "mind reader," allowing others to play the part of projector. +Later on, you may play the part of projector, if you so desire, but the +real "fine work" is done by the recipient, and, for that reason that is +the part you should learn to play by frequent rehearsals. + +I advise you to begin your experiments with friends who are in sympathy +with you, and who are interested in the subject. Avoid particularly all +early experiments with uncongenial or unsympathetic persons; and avoid as +you would a pestilence all those who are antagonistic either to yourself +or to the general subject of telepathy and kindred subjects. As you must +make yourself especially "sensitive" in order to successfully conduct a +mind-reading test, you will find yourself particularly susceptible to the +mental attitude of those around you at such times, and therefore should +surround yourself only with those who are congenial and sympathetic. + +You will find that there is a great difference between the several persons +whom you "try out" as projectors. Some will be more "en rapport" with you +than are others who may be equally good friends. "En rapport," you know, +means "in vibrational harmony." When two persons are en rapport with each +other, they are like two wireless telegraphic instruments perfectly +attuned to each other. In such cases there are obtained the very best +results. You will soon learn to distinguish the degree of en rapport +conditions between yourself and different persons--you soon learn to +"feel" this condition. In the beginning, it will be well for you to try +several persons, one after the other, in your mind-reading experiments, in +order to pick out the best one, and also to learn the "feel" of the +different degrees of en rapport condition. + +Even in cases of persons in whom the en rapport conditions are good, it is +well to establish a rhythmic unison between you. This is done by both you +and the person breathing in rhythmic unison a few moments. Begin by +counting "one-two-three-four," like the slow ticking of a large clock. +Have the other person join with you in so counting, until your minds both +work in the same rhythmic time. Then you should have him breathe in unison +with you, making a mental count with you at the same time, so that you +will "breathe together." Count (mentally) "one-two-three-four," as you +inhale; the "one-two," holding the breath; and, then "one-two-three-four," +exhaling or breathing-out. Try this several times, and, you will find that +you have established a rhythmic unison between yourself and the other +person. In the progress of an experiment, if you should find that the +conditions are not as good as might be desired, you will do well to pause +for a few moments and re-establish the proper rhythmic harmony by this +method of harmonious rhythmic breathing. + +Begin by having the projector select some prominent object in the room, a +chair, or table for instance. Then have him take your left hand in his +right hand. Raise your left hand, held in his right hand, to your +forehead; then close your eyes and remain passive a few moments. Have him +concentrate his mind intently on the selected object--and will that you +should move toward it. Have him think of nothing else except that object, +and to will you to move toward it, with all his power. Close your eyes, +and quiet your mind, opening your consciousness to every mental impression +that he may send you. Instruct him to think not merely "chair," for +instance, but rather "there--go there." The main thought in his mind must +be that of direction. He must will that you move toward that chair. + +After a moment or two, you will begin to feel a vague, general impulse to +move your feet. Obey the impulse. Take a few slow steps in any direction +that seems easy to you. Sometimes this will take you in an opposite +direction from that of the chair, but it will "get you going," and you +will soon begin to feel that the direction is "all wrong," and will begin +to be mentally pulled in the right direction. You will have to actually +experience this feeling, before you will fully understand just what I +mean. + +After some little practice, you will begin to feel quite distinctly the +mental direction, or will-force, of the projector, which will seem to tell +you to "come this way--now stop--now turn a little to the right--now a +little to the left--now stop where you are, and put out your right +hand--lower your hand--move your hand a little to the right--that's it, +now you have got it all right." You will soon learn to distinguish between +the "no, that's wrong" thought, and the "that's right" one; and between +the "go on," and the "come on" one. By making yourself completely passive, +and receptive and obedient to the thought and will-impulses of the +projector, you will soon act like a ship under the influence of the rudder +in the hand of the projector. + +After you have attained proficiency in receiving the mental impressions +and directions, you will find yourself attracted or drawn, like a piece of +steel to the magnet, toward the object selected. It will sometimes seem as +if you were being moved to it even against your own will--and as if +someone else were actually moving your feet for you. Sometimes the impulse +will come so strong that you will actually rush ahead of the projector, +dragging him along with you, instead of having him a little in advance, or +by your side. It is all a matter of practice. + +You will soon discover the great difference between different projectors. +Some of them will be in perfect en rapport condition with you, while +others will fail to get into tune with you. Some projectors do not seem +to know what is required of them, and usually forget to "will" you to the +object. It helps sometimes to tell them that the whole thing depends upon +their will power, and that the stronger their will is, the easier it is +for you to find the thing. This puts them on their mettle, and makes them +use their will more vigorously. + +You will soon learn to recognize that peculiar feeling of "all right," +that comes when you finally stand in front of the desired object. Then you +begin to move your right hand up and down and around, until you get the +right "feel" about that also, when you should place your hand on the place +which seems to attract you most. You will find that the hand is just as +responsive to the mental force, as are the feet. You will soon learn to +distinguish between the mental signals: "up," "down," "to the right," "to +the left," "stop now, you're right," etc. I cannot tell you just the +difference--you must learn to "feel" them, and you will soon become expert +in this. It is like learning to skate, run an automobile, operate a +typewriter or anything else--all a matter of exercise and practice. But it +is astonishing how rapidly one may learn; and how, at times, one seems to +progress by great leaps and bounds. Now I shall give you the different +stages or steps, which you will do well to follow in your exercises, +progressing from the more simple to the more complex--but be sure to +thoroughly master the simple ones, before you pass on to the more complex +one. Be honest and strict with yourself--make yourself "pass the +examination" before promotion, in each and every step. + +1. LOCATIONS. Begin by finding particular locations in a room; +corners, alcoves, doors, etc. + +2. LARGE OBJECTS. Then begin to find large objects, such as tables, +chairs, book-cases, etc. + +3. SMALL OBJECTS. Then proceed to find small objects, such as books +on a table, sofa-cushions, ornaments, paper-knives, etc. Gradually work +down to very small objects, such as scarf-pins, articles of jewelry, +pocket-knives, etc. + +4. CONCEALED OBJECTS. Then proceed to find small objects that have +been concealed under other objects, such as a pocket-book beneath a +sofa-cushion, etc.; or a key in a book; or a key under a rug, etc. + +5. MINUTE OBJECTS. Then proceed to discover very small objects, +either concealed or else placed in an inconspicuous place, such as a pin +stuck in the wall, etc.; or a small bean under a vase, etc. + +The public performers of mind reading vary the above by sensational +combinations, but you will readily see that these are but ingenious +arrangements of the above general experiments, and that no new principle +is involved. As these lessons are designed for serious study and +experiment, and not for sensational public performances, I shall not enter +into this phase of the subject in these pages. The student who understands +the general principles, and is able to perform the above experiments +successfully, will have no difficulty in reproducing the genuine feats of +the public mind readers, by simply using his ingenuity in arranging the +stage-effects, etc. Among other things, he will find that he will be able +to obtain results by interposing a third person between the projector and +himself; or by using a short piece of wire to connect himself and the +projector. Drawing pictures on a blackboard, or writing out names on a +slate, by means of thought direction, are simply the result of a fine +development of the power of finding the small article--the impulse to move +the hand in a certain direction comes in precisely the same way. The +public driving feats of the professional mind-reader are but a more +complicated form of the same general principle--the impression of +"direction" once obtained, the rest is a mere matter of detail. The +opening of the combination of a safe, though requiring wonderful +proficiency on the part of the operator, is simply an elaboration of the +"direction" movement. + +Some recipients are, of course, far more proficient than are others; but +each and every person--any person of average intelligence--will be able to +secure more or less proficiency in these experiments, provided that +patience and practice are employed. There is no such thing as an absolute +failure possible to anyone who will proceed intelligently, and will +practice sufficiently. Sometimes, after many discouraging attempts, the +whole thing will flash into one's mind at once, and after that there will +be little or no trouble. If you are able to witness the demonstrations of +some good mind-reader, professional or amateurs it will help you to +"catch the knack" at once. + +You will find that these experiments will tend to greatly and rapidly +develop your psychic receptivity in the direction of the higher phases of +psychic phenomena. You will be surprised to find yourself catching flashes +or glimpses of ^higher telepathy, or even clairvoyance. I would advise +every person wishing to cultivate the higher psychic faculties, to begin +by perfecting himself or herself in these simpler forms of mind-reading. +Besides the benefits obtained, the practice proves very interesting, and +opens many doors to pleasant social entertainment. But, never allow the +desire for social praise or popularity, in these matters, to spoil you for +serious investigation and experiment. + +THE SECOND STEP OF DEVELOPMENT. The student, having perfected himself +in the experiments along the lines of the first class of mind-reading, +viz., where there is no actual physical contact between the projector and +recipient, but where there is a close relation in space between the two. + +Now, the thoughtful student will naturally wish to ask a question here, +something like this: "You have told us that there is no real difference +between telepathy at a great distance, and that in which there is only the +slightest difference in the position of the projector and recipient, +providing, always, that there is no actual physical contact. This being +so, why your insistence upon the 'close relation in space' just +mentioned?--what is the reason for this nearness?" Well, it is like this: +While there is no distinction of space in true telepathy, still in +experiments such as I shall now describe, the physical nearness of the +projector enables him to concentrate more forcibly, and also gives +confidence to the new beginner in receiving mind-currents. The benefit is +solely that of the psychological effect upon the minds of the two persons, +and has nothing to do with the actual power of the telepathic waves. It is +much easier for a person to concentrate his thought and will upon a person +in actual physical sight before him, than upon one out of sight. And, +likewise, the recipient finds himself more confident and at ease when in +the actual physical of the person sending the thoughts and will power. +That is all there is to it. When the persons have acquired familiarity +with projecting and receiving, then this obstacle is overcome, and long +distances have no terror for them. + +The best way for the student to start in on this class of mind-reading, is +for him to experiment occasionally while performing his physical contact +mind-reading experiments. For instance, while engaged in searching for an +object let him disengage his hand from that of the projector for a moment +or so, and then endeavor to receive the impressions without contact. (This +should be done only in private experiments, not in public ones.) He will +soon discover that he is receiving thought impulses in spite of the lack +of physical contact--faint, perhaps, but still perceptible. A little +practice of this kind will soon convince him that he is receiving the +mental currents direct from brain to brain. This effect will be increased +if he arranges to have several persons concentrate their thoughts and will +power upon him during the experiment. From this stage, he will gradually +develop into the stage of the Willing Game. + +The Willing Game, quite popular in some circles, is played by one person +(usually blind-folded) being brought into the room in which a number of +persons have previously agreed upon some object to be found by him, they +concentrating their thought firmly upon the object. The audience should be +taught to not only to think but also to actively "will" the progress of +the recipient from the start to the finish of the hunt. They should "will" +him along each step of his journey, and then "will" his hand to the object +itself wherever it be hidden. + +An adept in the receiving end of the Willing Game will be able to perform +all the experiments that I have just pointed out to you in the contact +mind-reading class. In the Willing Game, you must remember that there is +no taking hold of hands or any other form of physical contact between +projector and recipient. The transmission of the mental currents must be +direct, from brain to brain. Otherwise, the two classes of experiments are +almost identical. There is the same "willing" toward the object on the +part of the projectors, and the same passive obedience of the recipient. +All the difference is that the current now passes over the ether of +space, as in the case of the wireless message, instead of over the wires +of the nervous system of the two persons. + +The next step is that of "guessing" the name of things thought of by the +party. I can give you no better directions than those followed by the +investigators in the Creery children, as related in a preceding chapter of +this book. When you become sufficiently proficient in this class of +mind-reading, you should be able to reproduce every experiment there +mentioned, with at least a fair degree of success. It is all a matter of +patience, perseverance and practice. + +After you have become very proficient in this class of experiments, you +may begin to try experiments at "long distance," that is where the +projector is out of your physical presence. It makes no difference whether +the distance be merely that between two adjoining rooms, or else of miles +of space. At first, however, nearness adds confidence in the majority of +cases. Confidence once gained, the distance may be lengthened +indefinitely, without impairing the success of the experiments. The long +distance experiments may consist either of the receiving of single words, +names, etc., or else distinct, clear messages or ideas. Some find it no +more difficult to reproduce simile geometrical designs, such as circles, +squares, triangles, etc., than to reproduce words or ideas. + +In long distance experiments, it is well for the projector to write down +the word or thought he wishes to transmit, and for the recipient to write +down the impressions he receives. These memoranda will serve as a record +of progress, and will, moreover, give a scientific value to the +experiments. + +Some experimenters have been quite successful in experiments along the +lines of Automatic Writing from living persons, produced by means of long +distance telepathy. In these cases the recipient sits passively at the +hour agreed upon for the experiment, and the projector concentrates +intently upon a sentence, or several sentences, one word at a time--at the +same time "willing" the other person to write the word. The famous +investigator of psychic phenomena, the late W.T. Stead, editor of a London +newspaper, who went down on the "Titanic," was very successful in +experiments of this kind. His written records of these are very +interesting and instructive. + +You will, of course, understand that in all cases of long distance +telepathic experiments there should be an understanding between the two +persons regarding the time and duration of the experiment, so as to obtain +the best results. Personally, however, I have known of some very excellent +results in which the receiving of the message occurred several hours after +the sending--thus showing that telepathy is in a measure independent of +time, as well as of space. But, as a rule, the best results are obtained +when the two persons "sit" simultaneously. + +Do not rest content with accepting the reports of others regarding these +things. Try them for yourself. You will open up a wonderful world of new +experiences for yourself. But, remember always, you must proceed step by +step, perfecting yourself at each step before proceeding to the next. + + + + +LESSON VI. + +CLAIRVOYANT PSYCHOMETRY. + + +The word "clairvoyance" means "clear seeing." In its present usage it +covers a wide field of psychic phenomena; and is used by different writers +to designate phases of psychic phenomena differing widely from each other. +The student is apt to become confused when he meets these apparently +conflicting definitions and usages. In the glossary of the Society for +Psychical Research, the term is defined as: "The faculty or act of +perceiving, as though visually, with some coincidental truth, some distant +scene; it is used sometimes, but hardly properly, for transcendental +vision, or the perception of beings regarded as on another plane of +existence." + +Mrs. Henry Sidgwick, a distinguished writer on the subject of psychic +phenomena, in one of her reports to the Society for Psychical Research, +says: "The word clairvoyant is often used very loosely and with widely +different meanings. I denote by it a faculty of acquiring supernormally, +but not by reading the minds of persons present, a knowledge of facts such +as we normally acquire by the use of our senses. I do not limit it to +knowledge that would normally be acquired by the sense of sight, nor do I +limit it to a knowledge of present facts. A similar knowledge of the past, +and if necessary, of future facts may be included. On the other hand, I +exclude the mere faculty of seeing apparitions or visions, which is +sometimes called clairvoyance." + +The above definitive explanation of the term clairvoyance agrees with the +idea of the best authorities, and distinguishes between the phenomena of +clairvoyance and that of telepathy, on the one hand; and between the +former and that of seeing apparitions, on the other hand. I, personally, +accept this distinction as both scientific in form, and as agreeing with +the facts of the case. You will, of course, see that the acceptance of the +existence of the astral senses throws light on many obscure points about +which the psychic researchers are in doubt, and reconciles many apparently +opposing facts. + +All scientific authorities, as well as the best occultists, divide the +phenomena of clairvoyance into several well-distinguished classes. The +following classification is simple, and indicates clearly the principal +forms of clairvoyant phenomena: + +(1) Simple Clairvoyance, in which the clairvoyant person merely senses the +auric emanations of other persons, such as the auric vibrations, colors, +etc.; currents of thought-vibrations, etc.; but does not see events or +scenes removed in space or time from the observer. + +(2) Clairvoyance in Space, in which the clairvoyant person senses scenes +and events removed in space from the observer; and, often also is able to +sense such things even when they are concealed or obscured by intervening +material objects. + +(3) Clairvoyance in Time, in which the clairvoyant person senses scenes +and events which have had their original place in past time; or scenes +and events which will have their original place in the future. + +I shall describe each of these three classes, with their many variations, +as we reach them in their proper places in these lessons. Before doing so +however, I wish to explain to you the several methods by which clairvoyant +vision is usually induced. These methods may be designated as follows: + +(1) Psychometry, or the method of getting en rapport with the astral plane +by means of some physical object connected with the person, thing, or +scene about which you desire to be informed. + +(2) Crystal Gazing, etc., or the method of getting en rapport with the +astral plane by means of gazing into a crystal, magic mirror, etc. + +(3) Clairvoyant Reverie, or the method of getting en rapport with the +astral plane by means of psychic states in which the sights, sounds and +thoughts of the material and physical plane are shut out of consciousness. + +I shall now proceed to give the details regarding each one of these three +great classes of methods inducing clairvoyant vision, or en rapport +conditions with the astral plane. + +Psychometry. Psychometry is that form of clairvoyant phenomena in which +the clairvoyant gets into en rapport relation with the astral plane by +means of the connecting link of material objects, such as bit of stone, +piece of hair, article of wearing apparel etc., which has had previous +associations with the thing, person or scene regarding which clairvoyant +vision is required. + +Without going into technical occult explanations, I would say that the +virtue of these articles consists entirely of their associative value. +That is to say, they carry in them certain vibrations of past experience +which serve as a connecting link, or associated filament, with the thing +which is sought to be brought into the field of clairvoyant vision. + +To reach clairvoyantly a thing, scene, or person in this way is akin to +the unwinding of a ball of yarn, when you hold the loose end in your hand. +Or, it is like giving a keen-scented dog a sniff at a handkerchief once +carried by the person whom you wish him to nose out for you. + +A well-known authority on the subject of psychic phenomena has said on +this point: "The untrained clairvoyant usually cannot find any particular +astral picture when it is wanted, without some special link to put him en +rapport with the subject required. Psychometry is an instance in point. It +seems as though there were a sort of magnetic attachment or affinity +between any particle of matter and the record which contains its +history--an affinity which enables it to act as a kind of conductor +between that record and the faculties of anyone who can read it. For +instance, I once brought from Stonehenge a tiny fragment of stone, not +larger than a pin's head, and on putting this into an envelope and handing +it to a psychometer who had no idea what it was, she at once began to +describe that wonderful ruin and the desolate country surrounding it, and +then went on to picture vividly what were evidently scenes from its early +history, showing that the infinitessimal fragment had been sufficient to +put her into communication with the records connected with the spot from +which it came. The scenes through which we pass in the course of our life +seem to act in the same way upon the cells of our brain as did the history +of Stonehenge upon that particle of stone. They establish a connection +with those cells by means of which our mind is put en rapport with that +particular portion of the records, and so we 'remember' what we have +seen." + +One of the simplest and most common form of psychometry is that in which +the psychometrist is able to tell the physical condition of a person by +means of holding to the forehead, or even in the hand, some trinket or +small article such as a handkerchief recently worn on the person of the +individual regarding whom the information is sought. In the case of some +very sensitive psychometrists, the psychic person "takes on" the condition +of the other person whose former article of clothing, trinket, etc., she +is holding. She will often actually experience the physical pain and +distress of the person, and will be able to indicate from what ailment the +person is suffering. Some persons attain great proficiency in this +direction, and are a great assistance to wise physicians who avail +themselves of their services. Some successful physicians themselves +possess this faculty well developed, and use it to great advantage, +though, as a rule they keep very quiet about it, from fear of creating +unfavorable comment from their fellow-physicians and from the general +public who "do not believe in such tom-foolery." + +A step further is the power of some psychometrists to correctly describe +the personal characteristics, and even the past history of persons with +whom they come in contact, or whose "associated article" they have in +their hands. Some very remarkable instances of this phase of psychometry +are related in the books containing the history of clairvoyance. An +interesting case is that related by Zschokke, the eminent German writer, +who relates in his autobiography his wonderful experience in this +direction. Listen to the story in his own words: "It has happened to me +occasionally at the first meeting with a total stranger, when I have been +listening in silence to his conversation, that his past life up to the +present moment, with many minute circumstances belonging to one or other +particular scene in it, has come across me like a dream, but distinctly, +entirely involuntarily and unsought, occupying in duration a few minutes. +For a long time I was disposed to consider these fleeting visions as a +trick of the fancy--the more so as my dream-vision displayed to me the +dress and movements of the actors, the appearance of the room, the +furniture, and other accidents of the scene; till on one occasion, in a +gamesome mood, I narrated to my family the secret history of a seamstress +who had just quitted the room. I had never seen the person before. +Nevertheless, the hearers were astonished, and laughed and would not be +persuaded but that I had a previous acquaintance with the former life of +the person, inasmuch as what I had stated was perfectly true. + +"I was not less astonished to find that my dream vision agreed with +reality. I then gave more attention to the subject, and as often as +propriety allowed of it, I related to those whose lives had so passed +before me the substance of my dream-vision, to obtain from them its +contradiction or confirmation. On every occasion its confirmation +followed, not without amazement on the part of those who gave it. On a +certain fair-day I went into the town of Waldshut accompanied by two young +foresters, who are still alive. It was evening, and, tired with our walk, +we went into an inn called the 'Vine.' We took our supper with a numerous +company at the public table, when it happened that they made themselves +merry over the peculiarities of the Swiss in connection with the belief in +mesmerism, Lavater's physiognomical system, and the like. One of my +companions, whose national pride was touched by their raillery, begged me +to make some reply, particularly in answer to a young man of superior +appearance who sat opposite, and had indulged in unrestrained ridicule. + +"It happened that the events of this person's life had just previously +passed before my mind. I turned to him with the question whether he would +reply to me with truth and candor, if I narrated to him the most secret +passages of his history, he being as little known to me as I to him. That +would, I suggested, go something beyond Lavater's physiognomical skill. He +promised that if I told the truth he would admit it openly. Then I +narrated the events with which my dream vision had furnished me, and the +table learned the history of the young tradesman's life, of his school +years, his peccadilloes, and finally, of a little act of roguery committed +by him on the strongbox of his employer. I described the uninhabited room +with its white walls, where to the right of the brown door there had stood +upon the table the small money-chest, etc. The man, much struck, admitted +the correctness of each circumstance--even, which I could not expect, of +the last." + +The above incident is typical of this class of psychometry, and many +persons have had at least flashes of this phase of the power. The only +remarkable thing about this particular case is its faithfulness regarding +details--this shows a very fine development of the astral sense. The +feature that makes it psychometric, instead of pure clairvoyance, is that +the presence of the other person was necessary to produce the +phenomenon--a bit of clothing would probably have answered as well. +Zschokke does not seem to have been able to manifest time-clairvoyance +independent of the presence of the person concerned--he needs the +associated link, or loose end of the psychic ball of yarn. + +Next in order in the list of the phenomena of psychometry is that in which +the psychometrist is able to describe a distant scene by means of a bit +of mineral, plant, or similar object, once located at that place. In such +cases, the psychometrist gets en rapport with the distant scene by means +of the connecting link mentioned. Having obtained this, he is able to +relate the events that are happening on that scene at that particular +moment. Some very interesting cases are mentioned in which the +psychometrist has been able to "spy" in on a certain place, by means of +some small article which has recently been located in that place. For +instance I once gave a young psychometrist a penholder from the office of +a lawyer, a friend of mine, located about eight hundred miles from the +psychometrist. She gave a perfect picture of the interior of the office, +the scene across the street visible from the office window, and certain +events that were happening in the office at that moment, which were +verified by careful inquiry as to persons and time. Every occultist, or +investigator of psychic phenomena has experienced many cases of this kind. + +Another phase of psychometry is that in which the psychometer is able to +sense the conditions existing underground, by means of a piece of mineral +or metal which originally was located there. Some wonderful instances of +phychometric discernment of mines, etc., have been recorded. In this phase +of psychometry, all that is needed is a piece of the coal, mineral or +metal which has come from the mine. Following up this psychic "lead" the +psychometrist is able to describe the veins or strata of the surrounding +land, although they have not yet been uncovered or discovered. + +Still another form of psychometric discernment is that in which the +psychometrist gets en rapport with the past history of an object, or of +its surroundings, by means of the object itself. In this way, the +psychometrist holding in his hand, or pressing to his head, a bullet from +a battle field, is able to picture the battle itself. Or, given a piece of +ancient pottery or stone implement, the psychometrist is able to picture +the time and peoples connected with the object in the past--sometimes +after many centuries are past. I once handed a good psychometrist a bit of +ornament taken from an Egyptian mummy over three thousand years old. +Though the psychometrist did not know what the object was, or from whence +it had come, she was able to picture not only the scenes in which the +Egyptian had lived, but also the scenes connected with the manufacture of +the ornament, some three hundred years before that time--for it turned out +that the ornament itself was an antique when the Egyptian had acquired it. +In another case, I had the psychometrist describe in detail the animal +life, and the physical phenomena, of the age in which a fossil had existed +when alive--many thousands of years ago. In the proper place in this book, +I will explain just how it is possible to penetrate the secrets of the +past by psychometric vision--that is to say, the psychic laws making the +same possible. + +Some of the most remarkable of recorded instances of this form of +psychometry known to the Western world are those related in the works of a +geologist named Denton, who some fifty years ago conducted a series of +investigations into the phenomena of psychometry. His recorded experiments +fill several volumes. Being a geologist, he was able to select the best +subjects for the experiments, and also to verify and decide upon the +accuracy of the reports given by the psychometrists. His wife, herself, +was a gifted psychometrist, and it has been said of her, by good +authority, that "she is able, by putting a piece of matter (whatever be +its nature) to her head, to see, either with her eyes closed or open, all +that the piece of matter, figuratively speaking, ever saw, heard, or +experienced." The following examples will give a good idea of the Denton +experiments, which are typical of this class of psychometry. + +Dr. Denton gave the psychometrist a small fragment broken from a large +meteorite. She held it to her head, and reported: "This is curious. There +is nothing at all to be seen. I feel as if I were in the air. No, not in +the air either, but in nothing, no place. I am utterly unable to describe +it; it seems high, however I feel as though I were rising, and my eyes are +carried upwards; but I look around in vain; there is nothing to be seen. I +see clouds, now, but nothing else. They are so close to me that I seem to +be in them. My head, and neck and eyes are affected. My eyes are carried +up, and I cannot roll them down. Now the clouds appear lighter and +lighter, and look as though the sunlight would burst through them. As the +clouds separate, I can see a star or two, and then the moon instead of the +sun. The moon seems near, and looks coarse and rough, and paler and larger +in size than I ever saw it before. What a strange feeling comes over me! +It appears as if I were going right to the moon, and it looks as if the +moon were coming to me. It affects me terribly." + +Dr. Denton adds: "She was too much affected to continue the experiment +longer. Had this aerolite at some period of its history, come within the +sphere of the moon's attraction, and had its velocity so increased that +its augmented centrifugal force had carried it off into space again, +whence, drawn by the superior attractive force of the earth, it had fallen +and ended its career forever?" + +At another time, Dr. Denton tested the psychometrist with a whalebone +walking cane. She supposed it to be wood, but when she began to report her +psychic impressions, they came as follows: "I feel as though I were a +monster. There is nothing of a tree about it, and it is useless for me to +go further. I feel like vomiting. Now I want to plunge into the water. I +believe that I am going to have a fit. My jaws are large enough to take +down a house at a gulp. I now know what this is--it is whalebone. I see +the inside of the whale's mouth. It has no teeth. It has a slimy look, but +I only get a glimpse of it. Now, I see the whole animal. What an awful +looking creature." + +Another time, Dr. Denton gave the psychometrist a minute piece of the +enamel of the tooth of a mastodon, which had been found thirty feet below +the surface of the earth. The psychometrist had not the slightest +knowledge of the character of the tiny flake of enamel handed her, but +nevertheless reported: "My impression is that it is a part of some +monstrous animal, probably part of a tooth. I feel like a perfect monster, +with heavy legs, unwieldy head, and very large body. I go down to a +shallow stream to drink. I can hardly speak, my jaws are so heavy. I feel +like getting down on all fours. What a noise comes through the woods. I +have an impulse to answer it. My ears are very large and leathery, and I +can almost fancy they flap in my face as I move my head. There are some +older ones than I. It seems so out of keeping to be talking with these +heavy jaws. They are dark brown, as if they had been completely tanned. +There is one old fellow, with large tusks, that looks very tough. I see +several younger ones. In fact, there is a whole herd. My upper lip moves +curiously; I can flap it up. It seems strange to me how it is done. There +is a plant growing here, higher than my head. It is nearly as thick as my +wrist, very juicy, sweet, and tender--something like green corn in taste, +but sweeter. It is not the taste it would have to a human being--oh no! it +is sickenish, and very unpleasant to the human taste." These instances +might be multiplied indefinitely, but the principle is the same in each. +In my own experience, I gave a small piece from the Great Pyramid of Egypt +to a psychometrist who was uneducated and who knew nothing of ancient +Egypt or its history. Notwithstanding this, she gave me such a detailed +and complete account of the life of ancient Egypt, which was in such +complete accordance with the opinions of the best authorities, that I +would hesitate about publishing the report, for it certainly would be +regarded as rank imposture by the average scientific authority. Some day, +however, I may publish this. + +There are no special directions to be given the student in psychometry. +All that can be done is to suggest that each person should try the +experiments for himself, in order to find out whether he has, or has not, +the psychometric faculty. It may be developed by the methods that will be +given to develop all psychic powers, in another part of this book. But +much will depend upon actual practice and exercise. Take strange objects, +and, sitting in a quiet room with the object held to your forehead, shut +out all thoughts of the outside world, and forget all personal affairs. In +a short time, if the conditions are all right, you will begin to have +flashes of scenes connected with the history of the object. At first +rather disconnected and more or less confused, there will soon come to you +a clearing away of the scene, and the pictures will become quite plain. +Practice will develop the power. Practice only when alone, or when in the +presence of some sympathetic friend or friends. Always avoid discordant +and inharmonious company when practicing psychic powers. The best +psychometrists usually keep the physical eyes closed when practicing their +power. + +You have doubtless heard the sensing of sealed letters spoken of as +clairvoyance. But this is merely one form of psychometry. The letter is a +very good connecting medium in psychometric experiments. I advise you to +begin your experiments with old letters. You will be surprised to discover +how readily you will begin to receive psychic impressions from the +letters, either from the person who wrote them, or from the place in which +they were written, or from some one connected with the subsequent history. +One of the most interesting experiments I ever witnessed in psychometry, +was a case in which a letter that had been forwarded from place to place, +until it had gone completely around the globe, was psychometrized by a +young Hindu maiden. Although ignorant of the outside world, she was able +to picture the people and scenery of every part of the globe in which the +letter had traveled. Her report was really an interesting "travelogue" of +a trip around the world, given in tabloid form. You may obtain some +interesting results in psychometrizing old letters--but always be +conscientious about it, and refrain from divulging the secrets that will +become yours in the course of these experiments. Be honorable on the +astral plane, as well as on the physical--more so, rather than less. + + + + +LESSON VII. + +CLAIRVOYANT CRYSTAL GAZING. + + +As I have informed you in the preceding lesson, Crystal Gazing is the +second method of getting en rapport with the astral plane. Under the +general term "Crystal Gazing" I include the entire body of phenomena +connected with the use of the crystal, magic mirror, etc., the underlying +principle being the same in all of such cases. + +The crystal, etc., serves to focus the psychic energy of the person, in +such a way that the astral senses are induced to function more readily +than ordinarily. The student is cautioned against regarding the crystal, +or magic mirror, as possessing any particular magic power in itself. On +the contrary, the crystal, or magic mirror serves merely as a physical +instrument for the astral vision, just as the telescope or microscope +performs a similar office for the physical vision. Some persons are +superstitious regarding the crystal, and accord to it some weird +supernatural power, but the true occultist, understanding the laws of the +phenomena arising from its use, does not fall into this error. + +But, notwithstanding what I have just said, I would be neglecting my full +duty in the matter if I failed to call your attention to the fact that the +continued use of a particular crystal often has the effect of polarizing +its molecules so as to render it a far more efficient instrument as time +passes by. The longer the crystal is used by one person, the better does +it seem to serve the uses of that person. I agree with many users of the +crystal in their belief that each person should keep his crystal for his +own personal use, and not allow it to be used indiscriminately by +strangers or persons not in sympathy with occult thought. The crystal +tends to become polarized according to the requirements of the person +habitually using it, and it is foolish to allow this to be interfered +with. + +The use of crystals and other bright, shining objects, has been common to +psychic investigators of all times, and in practically all lands. In the +earlier days of the race, pieces of clear quartz or shining pebbles were +generally employed. Sometimes pieces of polished metal were so used. In +fact, nearly every object capable of being polished has been employed in +this way at some time, by some person. In our own day, the same condition +exists. In Australia the native sooth-sayers and magicians employ water +and other shining objects, and, in some cases, even bright flame, sparks, +or glowing embers. In New Zealand, the natives frequently employ drops of +blood held in the hollow of the hand. The Fijians fill a hole with water, +and gaze into it. South American tribes use the polished surface of black, +or dark colored stones. The American Indians use water, or shining pieces +or flint or quartz. Shining pieces of metal are frequently used by the +primitive races. Lang, writing on the subject, has said: "They stare into +a crystal ball; a cup; a mirror; a blot of ink (Egypt and India); a drop +of blood (the Maoris of New Zealand); a bowl of water (American Indians); +a pond (Roman and African); water in a glass bowl (Fez); or almost any +polished surface, etc." + +In the present-day revival of interest in crystal-gazing among the +wealthier classes of Europe and America, some of the high-priced teachers +have insisted upon their pupils purchasing pure crystal globes, claiming +that these alone are capable of serving the purpose fully. But, as such +crystals are very expensive, this advice has prevented many from +experimenting. But, the advice is erroneous, for any globe of clear +quartz, or even moulded glass, will serve the purpose equally well, and +there is no need of spending twenty-five to fifty dollars for a pure +crystal globe. + +For that matter, you may obtain very good results from the use of a +watch-crystal laid over a piece of black velvet. Some, today, use with the +best effect small polished pieces of silver or other bright metal. Others +follow the old plan of using a large drop of ink, poured into a small +butter plate. Some have small cups painted black on the inside, into which +they pour water--and obtain excellent results therefrom. + +Above all, I caution the student to pay no attention to instructions +regarding the necessity of performing incantations or ceremonies over the +crystal or other object employed in crystal-gazing. This is but a bit of +idle superstition, and serves no useful purpose except, possibly, that of +giving the person confidence in the thing. All ceremonies of this kind +have for their purpose merely the holding of the attention of the person +investigating, and giving him confidence in-the result--the latter having +a decided psychological value, of course. + +There are but few general directions necessary for the person wishing to +experiment in crystal gazing. The principal thing is to maintain quiet, +and an earnest, serious state of mind--do not make a merry game of it, if +you wish to obtain results. Again, always have the light behind your back, +instead of facing you. Gaze calmly at the crystal, but do not strain your +eyes. Do not try to avoid winking your eyes--there is a difference between +"gazing" and "staring," remember. Some good authorities advise making +funnels of the hands, and using them as you would a pair of opera glasses. + +In many cases, a number of trials are required before you will be able to +get good results. In others, at least some results are obtained at the +first trial. It is a good plan to try to bring into vision something that +you have already seen with the physical eyes--some familiar object. The +first sign of actual psychic seeing in the crystal usually appears as a +cloudy appearance, or "milky-mist," the crystal gradually losing its +transparency. In this milky cloud then gradually appears a form, or face, +or scene of some kind, more or less plainly defined. If you have ever +developed a photographic film or plate, you will know how the picture +gradually comes into view. + +W.T. Stead, the eminent English investigator of psychic phenomena, has +written as follows regarding the phenomena of crystal-gazing: "There are +some persons who cannot look into an ordinary globular bottle without +seeing pictures form themselves without any effort or will on their part, +in the crystal globe. Crystal-gazing seems to be the least dangerous and +most simple of all forms of experimenting. You simply look into a crystal +globe the size of a five-shilling piece, or a water-bottle which is full +of clear water, and which is placed so that too much light does not fall +upon it, and then simply look at it. You make no incantations, and engage +in no mumbo-jumbo business; you simply look at it for two or three +minutes, taking care not to tire yourself, winking as much as you please, +but fixing your thought upon whatever you wish to see. Then, if you have +the faculty, the glass will cloud over with a milky mist, and in the +centre the image is gradually precipitated in just the same way as a +photograph forms on the sensitive plate." + +The same authority relates the following interesting experiment with the +crystal: "Miss X., upon looking into the crystal on two occasions as a +test, to see if she could see me when she was several miles off, saw not +me, but a different friend of mine on each occasion. She had never seen +either of my friends before, but immediately identified them both on +seeing them afterward at my office. On one of the evenings on which we +experimented in the vain attempts to photograph a 'double,' I dined with +Madam C. and her friend at a neighboring restaurant. As she glanced at the +water-bottle, Madam C. saw a picture beginning to form, and, looking at it +from curiosity, described with considerable detail an elderly gentleman +whom she had never seen before, and whom I did not in the least recognize +from her description at the moment. Three hours afterward, when the seance +was over, Madam C., entered the room and recognized Mr. Elliott, of +Messrs. Elliott & Fry, as the gentleman whom she had seen and described in +the water-bottle at the restaurant. On another occasion the picture was +less agreeable; it was an old man lying dead in bed with some one weeping +at his feet; but who it was, or what it related to, no one knew." + +Andrew Lang, another prominent investigator of psychic phenomena, gives +the following interesting experiment in crystal-gazing: "I had given a +glass ball to a young lady, Miss Baillie, who had scarcely any success +with it. She lent it to Miss Leslie, who saw a large, square, +old-fashioned red sofa covered with muslin (which she, afterward found in +the next country-house she visited). Miss Baillie's brother, a young +athlete, laughed at these experiments, took the ball into his study, and +came back looking 'gey gash.' He admitted that he had seen a +vision--somebody he knew, under a lamp. He said that he would discover +during the week whether or not he had seen right. This was at 5:30 on a +Sunday afternoon. On Tuesday, Mr. Baillie was at a dance in a town forty +miles from his home, and met a Miss Preston. 'On Sunday,' he said, 'about +half-past-five, you were sitting under a standard lamp, in a dress I never +saw you wear, a blue blouse with lace over the shoulders, pouring out tea +for a man in blue serge, whose back was toward me, so that I only saw the +tip of his mustache.' 'Why, the blinds must have been up,' said Miss +Preston. 'I was at Dulby,' said Mr. Baillie, and he undeniably was." + +Miss X., the well-known contributor to the English magazine, "Borderland," +several years ago, made a somewhat extended inquiry into the phenomena of +crystal-gazing. From her experiments, she made the following +classification of the phenomena of crystal-vision, which I herewith +reproduce for your benefit. Her classification is as follows: + +1. Images of something unconsciously observed. New reproductions, +voluntary or spontaneous, and bringing no fresh knowledge to the mind. + +2. Images of ideas unconsciously acquired from others. Some memory or +imaginative effect, which does not come from the gazer's ordinary self. +Revivals of memory. Illustrations of thought. + +3. Images, clairvoyant or prophetic. Pictures giving information as to +something past, present, or future, which the gazer has no other chance of +knowing. + +As a matter of fact, each and every form or phase of clairvoyance possible +under other methods of inducing clairvoyant vision, is possible in +crystal-gazing. It is a mistake to consider crystal-gazing as a separate +and distinct form of psychic phenomena. Crystal-gazing is merely one +particular form or method of inducing psychic or clairvoyant vision. If +you will keep this in mind, you will avoid many common errors and +misunderstandings in the matter. + +In order to give you the benefit of as many points of view as possible, I +shall now quote from an old English writer on the subject of the use of +the crystal. I do this realizing that sometimes a particular student will +get more from one point of view, than from another--some particular +phrasing will seem to reach his understanding, where others fail. The +directions of the English authority are as follows: + +"What is desired through the regular use of the translucent sphere is to +cultivate a personal degree of clairvoyant power, so that visions of +things or events, past, present, and future, may appear clearly to the +interior vision, or eye of the soul. In the pursuit of this effort only, +the crystal becomes at once both a beautiful, interesting and harmless +channel of pleasure and instruction, shorn of dangers, and rendered +conducive to mental development. + +"To the attainment of this desirable end, attention is asked to the +following practical directions, which, if carefully followed, will lead to +success: + +"(1) Select a quiet room where you will be entirely undisturbed, taking +care that it is as far as possible free from mirrors, ornaments, +pictures, glaring colors, and the like, which may otherwise district the +attention. The room should be of comfortable temperature, in accordance +with the time of year, neither hot nor cold. About 60 to 65 deg. Fahr. is +suitable in most cases, though allowance can be made where necessary for +natural differences in the temperaments of various persons. Thus thin, +nervous, delicately-organized individuals, and those of lymphatic and +soft, easy-going, passive types, require a slightly warmer apartment than +the more positive class who are known by their dark eyes, hair and +complexion, combined with prominent joints. Should a fire, or any form of +artificial light be necessary, it should be well screened off, so as to +prevent the light rays from being reflected in, or in any manner directly +reaching the crystal. The room should not be dark, but rather shadowed, or +charged with a dull light, somewhat such as prevails on a cloudy or wet +day. + +"(2) The crystal should be placed on its stand on a table, or it may rest +on a black velvet cushion, but in either case it should be partially +surrounded by a black silk or similar wrap or screen, so adjusted as to +cut off any undesirable reflection. Before beginning to experiment, +remember that most frequently nothing will be seen on the first occasion, +and possibly not for several sittings; though some sitters, if strongly +gifted with psychic powers in a state of unconscious, and sometimes +conscious degree of unfoldment, may be fortunate enough to obtain good +results at the very first trial. If, therefore, nothing is perceived +during the first few attempts, do not despair or become impatient, or +imagine that you will never see anything. There is a royal road to crystal +vision, but it is open only to the combined password of Calmness, +Patience, and Perseverance. If at the first attempt to ride a bicycle, +failure ensues, the only way to learn is to pay attention to the necessary +rules, and to persevere daily until the ability to ride comes naturally. +Thus it is with the would-be seer. Persevere in accordance with these +simple directions, and success will sooner or later crown your efforts. + +"(3) Commence by sitting comfortably with the eyes fixed upon the crystal, +not by a fierce stare, but with a steady, calm gaze, for ten minutes only, +on the first occasion. In taking the time it is best to hang your watch at +a distance, where, while the face is clearly visible, the ticking is +rendered inaudible. When the time is up, carefully put the crystal away in +its case, and keep it in a dark place, under lock and key, allowing no one +but yourself to handle it. At the second sitting, which should be at the +same place, in the same position, and at the same time, you may increase +the length of the effort to fifteen minutes, and continue for this period +during the next five or six sittings, after which the time may be +gradually increased, but should in no case exceed one hour. The precise +order of repetition is always to be followed until the experimenter has +developed an almost automatic ability to readily obtain results, when it +needs no longer to be adhered to. + +"(4) Any person, or persons, admitted to the room, and allowed to remain +while you sit, should (a) keep absolute silence, and (b) remain seated at +a distance from you. When you have developed your latent powers, questions +may, of course, be put to you by one of those present, but even then in a +very gentle, or low and slow tone of voice; never suddenly, or in a +forceful manner. + +"(5) When you find the crystal begins to look dull or cloudy, with small +pin-points of light glittering therein, like tiny stars, you may know that +you are commencing to obtain that for which you seek--viz., crystalline +vision. Therefore, persevere with confidence. This condition may, or may +not, continue for several sittings, the crystal seeming at times to +alternately appear and disappear, as in a mist. By and by this hazy +appearance, in its turn, will give place quite suddenly to a blindness of +the senses to all else but a blue or bluish ocean of space, against which, +as if it were a background, the vision will be clearly apparent. + +"(6) The crystal should not be used soon after taking a meal, and care +should be taken in matters of diet to partake only of digestible foods, +and to avoid alcoholic beverages. Plain and nourishing food, and outdoor +exercise, with contentment of mind, or love of simplicity in living, are +great aids to success. Mental anxiety, or ill-health, are not conducive to +the desired end. Attention to correct, breathing is of importance. + +"(7) As regards the time at which events seen will come to pass, each seer +is usually impressed with regard thereto; but, as a general rule, visions +appearing in the extreme background indicate time more remote, either past +or future, than those perceived nearer at hand, while those appearing in +the foreground, or closer to the seer, denote the present or immediate +future. + +"(8) Two principal classes of vision will present themselves to the +sitter--(a) the Symbolic, indicated by the appearance of symbols such as a +flag, boat, knife, gold, etc., and (b) Actual Scenes and Personages, in +action or otherwise. Persons of a positive type of organization, the more +active, excitable, yet decided type, are most likely to perceive +symbolically, or allegorically; while those of a passive nature usually +receive direct or literal revelations. Both classes will find it necessary +to carefully cultivate truthfulness, unselfishness, gratitude for what is +shown, and absolute confidence in the love, wisdom, and guidance of God +Himself." + +As the student proceeds with the study of these lessons, he will become +acquainted with various details and methods concerned with the various +phases of clairvoyance, which knowledge he may then combine with the +above, the whole aiding him in the successful manifestation of the psychic +phenomena of crystal-gazing, which, as I have said, is merely one phase of +clairvoyance and under the same general laws and rules of manifestation. +Remember that present, past and future clairvoyance all is possible to +the highly developed crystal gazer. + +THE ASTRAL TUBE. Closely allied with the phenomena of crystal-gazing, +and that of psychometry, is that which occultists know as "the astral +tube," although this psychic channel may be developed in ordinary +clairvoyance by means of the power of concentrated attention, etc. I shall +not enter into a detailed or technical discussion of the astral tube, at +this place, but I wish to give you a general and comprehensive view of it +and its workings. + +In case of the strong concentration of the mind, in cases of psychometry +or crystal-gazing, a channel or "line of force" is set up in the astral +substance which composes the basis of the astral plane. This is like the +wake of a ship made on the surface of the water through which the ship has +passed. Or it is like a current of magnetic force in the ether. It is +caused by a polarization of the particles composing the astral substance, +which manifest in a current of intense vibrations in the astral substance, +which thus serve as a ready channel for the transmission of psychic force +or astral energy. + +The astral tube serves as a ready conductor of the vibrations, currents +and waves of energy on the astral plane which carry to the astral senses +of the person the perception of the things, objects and scenes far removed +from him in space and time. How these things far removed in space and time +are perceived by the astral seer is explained in subsequent lessons of +this course. At this place we are concerned merely with the "channel" +through which the currents of energy flow, and which has been called the +astral tube. + +As a writer well says: "Through the astral tube the astral senses actually +'sense' the sights, and often the sounds, being manifested at a distance, +just as one may see distant sights through a telescope, or hear distant +sounds through a telephone. The astral tube is used in a variety of forms +of psychic phenomena. It is often used unconsciously, and springs into +existence spontaneously, under the strong influence of a vivid emotion, +desire or will. It is used by the trained psychometrist, without the use +of any 'starting point,' or 'focal centre,' simply by the use of his +trained, developed and concentrated will. But its most familiar and common +use is in connection with some object serving as a starting point or focal +centre. The starting point or focal centre, above mentioned, is generally +either what is known as the 'associated object' in the class of phenomena +generally known as psychometry, or else a glass or crystal ball, or +similar polished surface, in what is known as crystal-gazing." + +Another authority tells his readers that: "Astral sight, when it is +cramped by being directed along what is practically a tube, is limited +very much as physical sight would be under similar circumstances, though +if possessed in perfection it will continue to show, even at that +distance, the auras, and therefore all the emotions and most of the +thoughts of the people under observation. * * * But, it may be said, the +mere fact that he is using astral sight ought to enable him to see things +from all sides at once. And so it would, if he were using that sight in a +normal way upon an object which was fairly near him--within his astral +reach, as it were; but at a distance of hundreds or thousands of miles the +case is very different. Astral sight gives us the advantage of an +additional dimension, but there is still such a thing as position in that +dimension, and it is naturally a potent factor in limiting the use of the +powers on that plane. * * * The limitations resemble those of a man using +a telescope on the physical plane. The experimenter, for example, has a +particular field of view which cannot be enlarged or altered; he is +looking at his scene from a certain direction, and he cannot suddenly turn +it all around and see how it looks from the other side. If he has +sufficient psychic energy to spare, he may drop altogether the telescope +he is using, and manufacture an entirely new one for himself which will +approach his objective somewhat differently; but this is not a course at +all likely to be adopted in practice." + +The student will find that, as we progress, many of these points which now +seem complicated and obscure will gradually take on the aspect of +simplicity and clearness. We must crawl before we can walk, in psychic +research as well as in everything else. + + + + +LESSON VIII. + +CLAIRVOYANT REVERIE. + + +In the preceding two chapters, I have asked you to consider the first two +methods of inducing the clairvoyant phenomena, namely, Psychometry, and +Crystal-Gazing, respectively. In these cases you have seen how the +clairvoyant gets en rapport with the astral plane by means of physical +objects, in the case of psychometric clairvoyance; or by means of a +shining object, in the case of crystal gazing. Let us now consider the +third method of inducing the clairvoyant condition or state, i.e., by +means of what may be called Clairvoyant Reverie, in which the clairvoyant +gets en rapport with the astral plane by means of psychic states in which +the sights, sounds and thoughts of the material and physical plane are +shut out of consciousness. + +The student of the general subject of clairvoyance will soon be impressed +with two facts concerning the production of clairvoyant phenomena, namely, +(1) that in the majority of the recorded cases of the investigators the +clairvoyant phenomena were obtained when the clairvoyant was in the state +of sleep, or at least semi-sleep or drowsiness, the visioning appearing +more or less like a vivid dream; and (2) that in the case of the +clairvoyant voluntarily entering en rapport with the astral plane, he or +she would enter into what seemed to be a kind of trance condition, in some +cases an absolute unconsciousness of the outside world being manifested. +The student, noting these facts, is apt to arrive at the conclusion that +all clairvoyance is accompanied by the condition of sleep, or trance, and +that no clairvoyant phenomena are possible unless this psychic condition +is first obtained. But this is only a half-truth as we shall see in a +moment. + +In the first place, the student arriving at this conclusion seems to have +ignored the fact that the phenomena of psychometry and crystal gazing, +respectively, are as true instances of clairvoyance as are those which are +manifested in the sleep or trance condition. It is true that some +psychometrists produce phenomena when they are in a state of psychic +quiescence, but, on the other hand, many clairvoyant psychometrists merely +concentrate the attention on the object before them, and remain perfectly +wide-awake and conscious on the physical plane. Likewise, the average +crystal gazer remains perfectly wide-awake and conscious on the physical +plane. When the student takes these facts into consideration, he begins to +see that the trance condition, and similar psychic states, are simply +particular methods of inducing the en rapport condition for the +clairvoyant, and are not inseparably bound up with the phenomena of +clairvoyance. + +As the student progresses, moreover, he will see that even in the case of +Clairvoyant Reverie, the third method of inducing the astral en rapport +condition, the clairvoyant does not always lose consciousness. In the case +of many advanced and exceptionally well-developed clairvoyants, no trance +or sleep condition is induced. In such cases the clairvoyant merely "shuts +out" the outside world of sights, sounds and thoughts, by an effort of +trained will, and then concentrates steadily on the phenomena of the +astral plane. For that matter, the skilled and advanced occultist is able +to function on the astral plane by simply shifting his consciousness from +one plane to another, as the typist shifts from the small letters of the +keyboard to the capital letters, by a mere pressure on the shift-key of +the typewriter. + +The only reason that many clairvoyants manifesting along the lines of the +third method, known as "clairvoyant reverie," fall into the trance or +sleep condition, is that they have not as yet acquired the rare art of +controlling their conscious attention at will--this is something that +requires great practice. They find it easier to drop into the condition of +semi-trance, or semi-sleep, than it is to deliberately shut out the outer +world by an act of pure will. Moreover, you will find that in the majority +of the recorded cases of the investigators, the clairvoyance was more or +less spontaneous on the part of the clairvoyant person, and was not +produced by an act of will. As we proceed to consider the various forms +and phases of clairvoyant phenomena, in these lessons, you will notice +this fact. There are but few recorded cases of voluntary clairvoyance in +the books of the investigators--the skilled clairvoyants, and more +particularly the advanced occultists, avoid the investigators rather than +seek them; they have no desire to be reported as "typical cases" of +interesting psychic phenomena--they leave that to the amateurs, and those +to whom the phenomena come as a wonderful revelation akin to a miracle. +This accounts for the apparent predominance of this form of +clairvoyance--the secret is that the net of the investigators has caught +only a certain kind of psychic fish, while the others escape attention. + +All this would be of no practical importance, however, were it not for the +fact that the average student is so impressed by the fact that he must +learn to induce the trance condition in order to manifest clairvoyant +phenomena, that he does not even think of attempting to do the work +otherwise. The power of auto-suggestion operates here, as you will see by +a moment's thought, and erects an obstacle to his advance along voluntary +lines. More than this, this mistaken idea tends to encourage the student +to cultivate the trance condition, or at least some abnormal psychic +condition, by artificial means. I am positively opposed to the inducing of +psychic conditions by artificial means, for I consider such practices most +injurious and harmful for the person using such methods. Outside of +anything else, it tends to render the person negative, psychically, +instead of positive--it tends to make him or her subject to the psychic +influence of others, on both the physical and astral plane, instead of +retaining his or her own self-control and mastery. + +The best authorities among the occultists instruct their pupils that the +state of clairvoyant reverie may be safely and effectively induced by the +practice of mental concentration alone. They advice positively against +artificial methods. A little common sense will show that they are right in +this matter. All that is needed is that the consciousness shall be focused +to a point--become "one pointed" as the Hindu Yogis say. The intelligent +practice of concentration accomplishes this, without the necessity of any +artificial methods of development, or the induction of abnormal psychic +states. + +If you will stop a moment and realize how easily you concentrate your +attention when you are witnessing an interesting play, or listening to a +beautiful rendition of some great masterpiece of musical composition, or +gazing at some miracle of art, you will see what I mean. In the cases just +mentioned, while your attention is completely occupied with the +interesting thing before you, so that you have almost completely shut out +the outer world of sound, sight and thought, you are, nevertheless, +perfectly wide awake and your consciousness is alert. The same thing is +true when you are reading a very interesting book--the world is shut out +from your consciousness, and you are oblivious to the sights and sounds +around you. At the risk of being considered flippant, I would remind you +of the common spectacle of two lovers so wrapped up in each other's +company that they forget that there is a smiling world of people around +them--time and space are forgotten to the two lovers--to them there is +only one world, with but two persons in it. Again, how often have you +fallen into what is known as a "brown study," or "day dream," in which you +have been so occupied with the thoughts and fancies floating through your +mind, that you forgot all else. Well, then, this will give you a +common-sense idea of the state that the occultists teach may be induced in +order to enter into the state of en rapport with the astral plane--the +state in which clairvoyance is possible. Whether you are seeking +clairvoyance by the method of psychometry, or by crystal gazing, or by +clairvoyant reverie--this will give you the key to the state. It is a +perfectly natural state--nothing abnormal about it, you will notice. + +To some who may think that I am laying too much stress on the +undesirability of artificial methods of inducing the clairvoyant +condition, I would say that they are probably not aware of the erroneous +and often harmful teachings on the subject that are being promulgated by +ignorant or misinformed teachers--"a little learning is a dangerous +thing," in many cases. It may surprise some of my students to learn that +some of this class of teachers are instructing their pupils to practice +methods of self-hypnosis by gazing steadily at a bright object until they +fall unconscious; or by gazing "cross eyed" at the tip of the nose, or at +an object held between the two eyebrows. These are familiar methods of +certain schools of hypnotism, and result in producing a state of +artificial hypnosis, more or less deep. Such a state is most undesirable, +not only by reason of its immediate effects, but also by reason of the +fact that it often results in a condition of abnormal sensitiveness to the +will of others, or even to the thoughts and feelings of others, on both +the astral and the physical planes of life. I emphatically warn my +students against any such practices, or anything resembling them. + +While I dislike to dwell on the subject, I feel that I should call the +attention of my students to the fact that certain teachers seek to produce +the abnormal psychic condition by means of exhausting breathing exercises, +which make the person dizzy and sleepy. This is all wrong. While rhythmic +breathing exercises have a certain value in psychic phenomena, and are +harmless when properly practiced, nevertheless such practices as those to +which I have alluded are harmful to the nervous system of the person, and +also tend to induce undesirable psychic conditions. Again, some teachers +have sought to have their students hold their breath for comparatively +long periods of time in order to bring about abnormal psychic states. The +slightest knowledge of physiology informs one that such a practice must be +harmful; it causes the blood to become thick and impure, and deficient in +oxygen. It certainly will produce a kind of drowsiness, for the same +reason that impure air in a room will do the same thing--in both cases the +blood stream is poisoned and made impure. The purpose of rational and +normal breathing is to obviate just this thing--so these teachers are +reversing a natural law of the body, in order to produce an abnormal +psychic state. With all the energy in me, I caution you against this kind +of thing. + +Along the same line, I protest and warn you against the practices advised +by certain teachers of "psychic development," who seek to have their +pupils induce abnormal physical and psychic conditions by means of drugs, +odor of certain chemicals, gases, etc. Such practices, as all true +occultists know, belong to the clans of the Black Magicians, or devil +worshippers, of the savage races--they have no place in true occult +teachings. Common sense alone should warn persons away from such +things--but it seems to fail some of them. I assert without fear of +intelligent contradiction, that no true occultist ever countenances any +such practices as these. + +All the true teachers are vigorous in their denunciation of such false +teachings and harmful practices. In this same category, I place the +methods which are taught by certain persons, namely, that of inducing +abnormal physical and psychic condition of giddiness and haziness by means +of "whirling" around in a circle until one drops from giddiness, or until +one "feels queer in the head." This is a revival of the practices of +certain fanatics in Persia and India, who perform it as a religious rite +until they fall into what they consider a "holy sleep," but which is +nothing more than an abnormal and unhealthful physical and psychic +condition. Such practices are a downward step, not an upward one. It seems +a pity that the necessity has arisen for such warnings as these--but my +duty, as I see it, is very plain. To all who are tempted to "develop" in +this way, I say, positively, "DON'T!" + +The scientific, rational way to develop the astral senses is to first +acquire the art of concentrating. Bear in mind that in concentration the +person, while shutting out the impressions of the outside world in +general, nevertheless focuses and concentrates his attention upon the one +matter before him. This is quite a different thing from making oneself +sensitive to every current of thought and feeling that may be in the +psychic atmosphere. True concentration renders one positive, while the +other methods render one negative. Contrary to the common opinion, psychic +concentration is a positive state, not a negative--an active state, not a +passive one. The person who is able to concentrate strongly is a master, +while one who opens himself to "control," either physical or astral, is +more or less of a slave to other minds. + +The student who will begin by experimenting along the lines of contact +mind-reading, and who then advances along the lines of true telepathy, as +explained in the earlier chapters of this book, will have made a good +start, and considerable progress, along the road to clairvoyant +development. The rest will be largely a matter of exercise and practice. +He will be aided by practicing concentration along the general lines of +the best occult teaching. Such practice may consist of concentration upon +almost any physical object, keeping the thing well before the mind and +attention. Do not tire the attention by practicing too long at one time. +The following general rules will help you in developing concentration: + +(1) The attention attaches more readily to interesting rather than +uninteresting things. Therefore, select some interesting thing to study +and analyze by concentrated thought. + +(2) The attention will decline in strength unless there is a variation in +the stimulus. Therefore, keep up the power of concentration by either +changing the object you are observing; or else by discovering some new +properties, qualities or attributes in it. + +(3) The things you wish to shut out of consciousness can best be shut out +by your concentration upon some other thing--the attention can dwell only +upon one thing at a time, if focused upon that one thing. + +(4) The power of applying your attention, steady and undissipated, to a +single object, is a mark of strong will and superior mental +discipline--weak-minds cannot do this. Therefore, in cultivating +concentrated attention you are really strengthening your mind and will. + +(5) To develop concentrated attention, you must learn to analyze, analyze, +and analyze the thing upon which you are bestowing concentrated attention. +Therefore, proceed by selecting an object and analyzing it by concentrated +attention, taking one part after another, one by one, until you have +analyzed and mastered the whole object. Give it the same attention that +the lover gives his loved one; the musician his favorite composition; the +artist his favorite work of art; and the booklover his favorite book--when +you have accomplished this, you have mastered concentration, and will be +able to apply the mind "one pointed" upon anything you wish, physical or +astral; and, consequently will have no trouble in shutting-out disturbing +impressions. + +(6) Learn to concentrate on the physical plane, and you will be able to +concentrate on the astral plane as well. By the one who has mastered +concentration, trances and abnormal psychic states will not be needed. The +needle-pointed mind is able to pierce the astral veil at will, while the +blunt-pointed mind is resisted and defeated by the astral envelope, which +while thin is very tough and unyielding. + +A well-known authority on psychic development has well said: "Occasional +flashes of clairvoyance sometimes come to the highly cultured and +spiritual-minded man, even though he may never have heard of the +possibility of training such a faculty. In his case such glimpses usually +signify that he is approaching that stage in his evolution when these +powers will naturally begin to manifest themselves. Their appearance +should serve as an additional stimulus to him to strive to maintain that +high standard of moral purity and mental balance without which +clairvoyance is a curse and not a blessing to its possessor. Between those +who are entirely unimpressionable and those who are in full possession of +clairvoyant power, there are many intermediate stages. Students often ask +how this clairvoyant faculty will first be manifested in themselves--how +they may know when they have reached the stage at which its first faint +foreshadowings are beginning to be visible. Cases differ so widely that it +is impossible to give to this question any answer that will be universally +applicable. + +"Some people begin by a plunge, as it were, and under some unusual +stimulus become able just for once to see some striking vision; and very +often in such a case, because the experience does not repeat itself, the +seer comes in time to believe that on that occasion he must have been the +victim of hallucination. Others begin by becoming intermittently conscious +of the brilliant colors and vibrations of the human aura; yet others find +themselves with increasing frequency seeing and hearing something to which +those around them are blind and deaf; others, again, see faces, +landscapes, or colored clouds floating before their eyes in the dark +before they sink to rest; while perhaps the commonest experience of all is +that of those who begin to recollect with greater and greater clearness +what they have seen and heard on other planes during sleep." + +The authority in question gives the following excellent advice regarding +the subject of the development of clairvoyant power and astral visioning: +"Now the fact is that there are many methods by which it may be developed, +but only one which can be at all safely recommended for general use--that +of which we shall speak last of all. Among the less advanced nations of +the world the clairvoyant state has been produced in various objectionable +ways; among some of the non-Aryan tribes of India, by the use of +intoxicating drugs or the inhaling of stupefying fumes; among the +dervishes, by whirling in a mad dance of religious fervor until vertigo +and insensibility supervene; among the followers of the abominable +practices of the Voodoo cult, by frightful sacrifices and loathsome rites +of black magic. Methods such as these are happily not in vogue in our own +race, yet even among us large numbers of dabblers in this ancient art +adopt some plan of self-hypnotization, such as gazing at a bright spot, or +the repetition of some formula until a condition of semi-stupefaction is +produced; while yet another school among them would endeavor to arrive at +similar results by the use of some of the Indian systems of regulation of +the breath. All these methods are unequivocally to be condemned as quite +unsafe for the practice of the ordinary man who has no idea of what he is +doing--who is simply making vague experiments in an unknown world. Even +the method of obtaining clairvoyance by allowing oneself to be mesmerized +by another person is one from which I should myself shrink with the most +decided distaste; and assuredly it should never be attempted except under +conditions of absolute trust and affection between the magnetizer and the +magnetized, and a perfection of purity in heart and soul, in mind and +intention, such as is rarely to be seen among any but the greatest of +saints. + +"Yet there is one practice which is advised by all religions alike--which +if adopted carefully and reverently can do no harm to any human being, yet +from which a very pure type of clairvoyance has sometimes been developed; +and that is the practice of meditation. Let a man choose a certain time +every day--a time when he can rely upon being quiet and undisturbed, +though preferably in the daytime rather than at night--and set himself at +that time to keep his mind for a few minutes entirely free from all +earthly thoughts of any kind whatever, and, when that is achieved, to +direct the whole force of his being towards the highest ideal that he +happens to know. He will find that to gain such perfect control of thought +is enormously more difficult than he supposes, but when he attains it it +cannot but be in every way most beneficial to him, and as he grows more +and more able to elevate and concentrate his thought, he may gradually +find that new worlds are opening before his sight. As a preliminary +training towards the satisfactory achievement of such meditation, he will +find it desirable to make a practice of concentration in the affairs of +daily life--even in the smallest of them. If he writes a letter, let him +think of nothing else but that letter until it is finished; if he reads a +book, let him see to it that his thought is never allowed to wander from +his author's meaning. He must learn to hold his mind in check, and to be +master of that also, as well as of his lower passions; he must patiently +labor to acquire absolute control of his thoughts, so that he will always +know exactly what he is thinking about, and why--so that he can use his +mind, and turn it or hold it still, as a practiced swordsman turns his +weapon where he will." + +I have given the above full quotation from this authority, not merely +because that from another angle he states the same general principles as +do I; but also because his personal experience in actual clairvoyant +phenomena is so extended and varied that any word from him on the subject +of the development of clairvoyant power must have a value of its own. +While I differ from this authority on some points of detail of theory and +practice, nevertheless I gladly testify to the soundness of his views as +above quoted, and pass them on to my students for careful consideration +and attention. The student will do well to heed what he has to say, and to +combine such opinion with what I have uttered in the earlier part of this +chapter--there will be found a close agreement in principle and practice. + +And, now let us pass on to a consideration of the various forms and phases +of the clairvoyant phenomena itself. The subject is fascinating, and I am +sure that you will enjoy this little excursion into the strange realm of +thought regarding the astral phenomena of clairvoyance. But, be sure to +master each lesson before proceeding to the rest, as otherwise you will +have to turn back the leaves of the course in order to pick up some point +of teaching that you have neglected. + + + + +LESSON IX. + +SIMPLE CLAIRVOYANCE. + + +In a previous chapter we have seen that there are three well-defined +classes of clairvoyance, namely, (1) Simple clairvoyance; (2) Clairvoyance +in space; and (3) Clairvoyance in Time. I shall now consider these in +sequence, beginning with the first, Simple Clairvoyance. + +In simple clairvoyance the clairvoyant person merely senses the auric +emanations of other persons, such as the auric vibrations, colors, etc., +currents of thought vibrations, etc., but does not see events or scenes +removed in space or time from the observer. There are other phenomena +peculiar to this class of clairvoyance which I shall note as we progress +with this chapter. + +An authority on the subject of astral phenomena has written interestingly, +as follows, regarding some of the phases of simple clairvoyance: "When we +come to consider the additional facilities which it offers in the +observation of animate objects, we see still more clearly the advantages +of astral vision. It exhibits to the clairvoyant the aura of plants and +animals, and thus in the case of the latter their desires and emotions, +and whatever thoughts they may have, are all plainly shown before his +eyes. But it is in dealing with human beings that he will most appreciate +the value of this faculty, for he will often be able to help them far more +effectually when he guides himself by the information which it gives him. + +"He will be able to see the aura as far up as the astral body, and though +that leaves all the higher part of a man still hidden from his gaze, he +will nevertheless find it possible by careful observation to learn a good +deal about the higher part from what is within his reach. His capacity of +examination of the etheric double will give him considerable advantage in +locating and classifying any defects or diseases of the nervous system, +while from the appearance of the astral body he will at once be aware of +all the emotions, passions, desires and tendencies of the man before him, +and even of very many of his thoughts also. + +"As he looks at a person he will see him surrounded by the luminous mist +of the astral aura, flashing with all sorts of brilliant colors, and +constantly changing in hue and brilliancy with every variation of the +person's thoughts and feelings. He will see this aura flooded with the +beautiful rose-color of pure affection, the rich blue of devotional +feeling, the hard, dull brown of selfishness, the deep scarlet of anger, +the horrible lurid red of sensuality, the livid grey of fear, the black +clouds of hatred and malice, or any of the other hundredfold indications +so easily to be read in it by the practiced eye; and thus it will be +impossible for any persons to conceal from him the real state of their +feelings on any subject. Not only does the astral aura show him the +temporary result of the emotion passing through it at the moment, but it +also gives him, by an arrangement and proportion of its colors when in a +condition of comparative rest, a clue to the general disposition and +character of its owner." + +By simple clairvoyance in a certain stage of development the clairvoyant +person is able to sense the presence of the human aura, by means of his +astral sight. The human aura, as all students of occultism know, is that +peculiar emanation of astral vibrations that extends from each living +human being, surrounding him in an egg-shaped form for a distance of two +to three feet on all sides. This peculiar nebulous envelope is not visible +to the physical sight, and may be discerned only by means of the astral +senses. It, however, may be dimly "felt" by many persons coming into the +presence of other persons, and constitutes a personal atmosphere which is +sensed by other persons. + +The trained clairvoyant vision sees the human aura as a nebulous hazy +substance, like a luminous cloud, surrounding the person for two or three +feet on each side of his body, being more dense near the body and +gradually becoming less dense as it extends away from the body. It has a +phosphorescent appearance, with a peculiar tremulous motion manifesting +through its substance. The clairvoyant sees the human aura as composed of +all the colors of the spectrum, the combination shifting with the changing +mental and emotional states of the person. But, in a general way, it may +be said that each person has his or her or distinctive astral auric +colors, depending upon his or her general character or personality. Each +mental state, or emotional manifestation, has its own particular shade or +combination of shades of auric coloring. This beautiful kaleidoscopic +spectacle has its own meaning to the advanced occultist with clairvoyant +vision, for he is able to read the character and general mental states of +the person by means of studying his astral auric colors. I have explained +these auric colors, and their meanings, in my little book entitled "The +Human Aura." + +The human aura is not always in a state of calm phosphorescence, however. +On the contrary, it sometimes manifests great flames, like those of a +fiery furnace, which shoot forth in great tongues, and dart forth suddenly +in certain directions toward the objects attracting them. Under great +emotional excitement the auric flames move around in swift circling +whirlpools, or else swirl away from a centre. Again, it seems to throw +forth tiny glistening sparks of astral vibrations, some of which travel +for great distance. + +The clairvoyant vision is also able to discern what is called the "prana +aura" of a person. By this term is indicated that peculiar emanation of +vital force which surrounds the physical body of each and every person. In +fact, many persons of but slight clairvoyant power, who cannot sense the +auric colors, are able to perceive this prana-aura without trouble. It is +sometimes called the "health aura," or "physical aura." It is colorless, +or rather about the shade of clear glass, diamond, or water. It is +streaked with very minute, bristle-like lines. In a state of good health, +these fine lines are stiff like toothbrush bristles; while, in cases of +poor health, these lines droop, curl and present a furlike appearance. It +is sometimes filled with minute sparkling particles, like tiny electric +sparks in rapid vibratory motion. + +To the clairvoyant vision the prana-aura appears like the vibrating heated +air arising from a fire, or stove, or from the heated earth in summer. If +the student will close his eyes partially, and will peer through narrowed +eyelids, he will in all probability be able to perceive this prana-aura +surrounding the body of some healthy, vigorous person--particularly if the +person is sitting in a dim light. Looking closely, he will see the +peculiar vibratory motion, like heated air, at a distance of about two +inches from the body of the person. It requires a little practice in order +to acquire the knack of perceiving these vibrations--a little +experimenting in order to get just the right light on the person--but +practice will bring success, and you will be repaid for your trouble. + +In the same way, the student may by practice acquire the faculty to +perceiving his own prana-aura. The simplest way to obtain this last +mentioned result is to place your fingers (spread out in fan-shape) +against a black background, in a dim light. Then gaze at the fingers with +narrowed eyelids, and half-closed eyes. After a little practice, you will +see a fine thin line surrounding your fingers on all sides--a +semi-luminous border of prana-aura. In most cases this border of aura is +colorless, but sometimes a very pale yellowish hue is perceived. The +stronger the vital force of the person, the stronger and brighter will +this border of prana-aura appear. The aura surrounding the fingers will +appear very much like the semi-luminous radiance surrounding a gas-flame, +or the flame of a candle, which is familiar to nearly everyone. + +Another peculiar phenomenon of the astral plane, perceived by clairvoyants +of a certain degree of development, is that which is known as the +"thought-form." A thought-form is a specialized grouping of astral +substance, crystalized by the strong thought impulses or vibrations of a +person thinking, or manifesting strong emotional excitement. It is +generated in the aura of the person, in the first place, but is then +thrown off or emitted from the atmosphere of the person, and is sent off +into space. A thought-form is really but a strongly manifested thought or +feeling which has taken form in the astral substance. Its power and +duration depend upon the degree of force of the thought or feeling +manifesting it. + +These thought-forms differ very materially from one another in form and +general appearance. The most common form is that of a tiny series of +waves, similar to those caused by the dropping of a pebble in a pond of +water. Sometimes the thought-form takes on the appearance of a whirlpool, +rotating around a centre, and moving through space as well. Another form +is like that of the pin-wheel fireworks, swirling away from its centre as +it moves through space. Still another form is that of a whirling ring, +like that emitted from a smokestack of a locomotive, or the mouth of a +smoker--the familiar "ring" of the smoker. Others have the form and +appearance of semi-luminous globes, glowing like a giant opal. + +Other thought-forms are emitted in jet-like streams, like steam puffed out +from a tea-kettle. Again, it will appear as a series of short puffs of +steam-like appearance. Again, it will twist along like an eel or snake. +Another time it will twist its way like a corkscrew. At other times it +will appear as a bomb, or series of bombs projected from the aura of the +thinker. Sometimes, as in the case of a vigorous thinker or speaker, these +thought-form bombs will be seen to explode when they reach the aura of the +person addressed or thought of. Other forms appear like nebulous things +resembling an octopus, whose twining tentacles twist around the person to +whom they are directed. + +Each thought-form bears the same color that it possessed when generated in +the aura of its creator, though the colors seem to fade with time. Many of +them glow with a dull phosphorescence, instead of bright coloring. The +atmosphere of every person, and every place, is filled with various +thought-forms emanated from the person, or persons who inhabit the place. +Each building has its own distinctive thought-forms, which permeate its +mental atmosphere, and which are clearly discernible by trained +clairvoyant vision. + +I here take the liberty of quoting a few paragraphs from my little book +entitled "The Astral World," in which the phenomena of the astral plane +are explained in detail. I reproduce them here in order to show you what +you may see on the astral plane when your clairvoyant vision is +sufficiently developed to function there. The words are addressed to one +who is sensing on the astral, plane. + +"Notice that beautiful spiritual blue around that woman's head! And see +that ugly muddy red around that man passing her! Here comes an +intellectual giant--see that beautiful golden yellow around his head, like +a nimbus! But I don't exactly like that shade of red around his body--and +there is too marked an absence of blue in his aura! He lacks harmonious +development. Do you notice those great clouds of semi-luminous substance, +which are slowly floating along?--notice how the colors vary in them. +Those are clouds of thought-vibrations, representing the composite thought +of a multitude of people. Also notice how each body of thought is drawing +to itself little fragments of similar thought-forms and energy. You see +here the tendency of thought-forms to attract others of their kind--how +like the proverbial birds of a feather, they flock together--how thoughts +come home, bringing their friends with them--how each man creates his own +thought atmosphere. + +"Speaking of atmospheres, do you notice that each shop we pass has its own +peculiar thought-atmosphere? If you look into the houses on either side of +the street, you will see that the same thing is true. The very street +itself has its own atmosphere, created by the composite thought of those +inhabiting and frequenting it. No! do not pass down that side street--its +astral atmosphere is too depressing, and its colors too horrible and +disgusting for you to witness just now--you might get discouraged and fly +back to your physical body for relief. Look at those thought-forms flying +through the atmosphere! What a variety of form and coloring! Some most +beautiful, the majority quite neutral in tint, and occasionally a fierce, +fiery one tearing its way along toward its mark. Observe those whirling +and swirling thought-forms as they are thrown off from that +business-house. Across the street, notice that great octopus monster of a +thought-form, with its great tentacles striving to wind around persons and +draw them into that flashy dance-hall and dram-shop. A devilish monster +which we would do well to destroy. Turn your concentrated thought upon it, +and will it out of existence--there, that's the right way; watch it sicken +and shrivel! But, alas! more of its kind will come forth from that place." + +The above represents the sights common to the advanced occultist who +explores the astral plane either in his astral body, or else by means of +clairvoyant vision. To such a one, these sights are just as natural as +those of the physical plane to the person functioning by ordinary physical +senses. One is as natural as is the other--there is nothing supernatural +about either. + +But there are other, and even more wonderful attributes of astral +visioning than that which we have just related. Let us take a general +survey of these, so that you may be familiar with what you hope to see on +the astral plane, and which you will see when you have sufficiently +developed your clairvoyant powers. + +What would you think if you could "see through a brick wall?" Well, the +clairvoyant is able to do this. For that matter, the physical X Rays are +able to penetrate through solid substances, and the astral vibrations are +even more subtle than these. It seems strange to hear of this kind of +visioning as purely natural, doesn't it? It smacks strongly of the old +supernatural tales--but it is as simply natural as is the X Ray. The +advanced clairvoyant is able to see through the most solid objects, and +inside of anything, for that matter. The astral senses register the subtle +vibrations of the astral plane, just as the physical eye registers the +ordinary rays of light-energy. You are able to see through solid glass, +with the physical eye, are you not? Well, in the same way the clairvoyant +sees through solid steel or granite. It is all a matter of registering +vibrations of energy--nothing more, and nothing less. + +It is in this way that the trained clairvoyant is able to read from closed +books, sealed letters, etc. In the same way, he is able to pierce the +dense soil, and to see far down into the depths of the earth, subject to +certain limitations. Veins of coal, oil, and other substances have been +discovered clairvoyantly in this way. Not every clairvoyant is able to do +this, but the advanced ones have done it. In the same way, the trained +clairvoyant is able to see inside the bodies of sick persons, and to +diagnose their ailments, providing, of course, he is familiar with the +appearance of the organs in health and in disease, and has a sufficient +knowledge of physiology and pathology to interpret what he sees. + +An authority on the phenomena of the astral plane has written +entertainingly and correctly regarding this phase of simple clairvoyance, +as follows: "The possession of this extraordinary and scarcely expressible +power, then, must always be borne in mind through all that follows. It +lays every point in the interior of every solid body absolutely open to +the gaze of the seer, just as every point in the interior of a circle lies +open to the gaze of a man looking down upon it. But even this is by no +means all that it gives to its possessor. He sees not only the inside as +well as the outside of every object, but also its astral counterpart. +Every atom and molecule of physical matter has its corresponding astral +atoms and molecules, and the mass which is built up out of these is +clearly visible to the clairvoyant. Usually the astral form of any object +projects somewhat beyond the physical part of it, and thus metals, stones +and other things are seen surrounded by an astral aura. + +"It will be seen at once that even in the study of inorganic matter a man +gains immensely by the acquisition of this vision. Not only does he see +the astral part of the object at which he looks, which before was wholly +hidden from him; not only does he see much more of its physical +constitution than he did before, but even what was visible to him before +is now seen much more clearly and truly. * * * Another strange power of +which he may find himself in possession is that of magnifying at will the +minutest physical or astral particle to any desired size, as through a +microscope--though no microscope ever made, or ever likely to be made, +possesses even a thousandth part of this psychic magnifying power. By its +means the hypothetical molecule and atom postulated by science become +visible and living realities to the occult student, and on this closer +examination he finds them to be much more complex in their structure than +the scientific man has yet realized them to be. It also enables him to +follow with the closest attention and the most lively interest all kinds +of electrical, magnetic, and other etheric action; and when some of the +specialists in these branches of science are able to develop the power to +see these things whereof they write so facilely, some very wonderful and +beautiful revelations may be expected. + +"This is one of the SIDDIHIS or powers described in the Oriental +books as accruing to the man who devotes himself to spiritual development, +though the name under which it is there mentioned might not be immediately +recognizable. It is referred to as 'the power of making oneself large or +small at will,' and the reason of a description which appears so oddly to +reverse the fact is that in reality the method by which this feat is +performed is precisely that indicated in these ancient books. It is by the +use of temporary visual machinery of inconceivable minuteness that the +world of the infinitely little is so clearly seen; and in the same way (or +rather in the opposite way) it is by enormously increasing the size of the +machinery used that it becomes possible to increase the breadth of one's +view--in the physical sense as well as, let us hope, in the moral--far +beyond anything that science has ever dreamt of as possible for man. So +that the alteration in size is really in the vehicle of the student's +consciousness, and not in anything outside of himself; and the old +Oriental books have, after all, put the case more accurately than have we. +I have indicated, though only in the roughest outlines, what a trained +student, possessed of full astral vision, would see in the immensely wider +world to which that vision introduced him; but I have said nothing of the +stupendous change in his mental attitude which comes from the experimental +certainty regarding matters of paramount importance. The difference +between even the profoundest intellectual conviction, and the precise +knowledge gained by direct personal experience, must be felt in order to +be appreciated." + +Now, here at this place, I wish to call the attention of the student to +the fact that while the above stated, phenomena strictly belong to the +class of "simple clairvoyance," rather than to "space clairvoyance," or +"time clairvoyance" respectively, nevertheless the same phenomena may be +manifested in connection with that of these other classes of clairvoyance. +For instance, in space clairvoyance the trained clairvoyant is able not +only to perceive things happening at points far distant, but may also (if +highly developed psychically) be able to perceive the details just +mentioned as well as if he were at that distant point in person. Likewise, +in time clairvoyance, the clairvoyant may exercise the power of magnifying +vision regarding the object far distant in time, just as if he were living +in that time. So here as elsewhere we find the different classes of +phenomena shading and blending into each other. At the best, +classifications are useful principally for convenience in intellectual +consideration and reasoning. + +In the same way, the clairvoyant may manifest the above mentioned forms of +astral sensing in cases when the astral vision has been awakened by +psychometry, or by crystal gazing, as well as in those cases in which the +condition has been brought about through meditation, or similar methods. + +I would also call the attention of the student to the fact that in the +above description of the phenomena of simple clairvoyance I have made no +mention of the sights of the astral plane which often become visible to +the clairvoyant, and which have to do with astral bodies, astral shells, +the disembodied souls of those who have passed on to other planes of +existence, etc. I shall take up these matters in other parts of this +course, and shall not dwell upon them in this place. But, I wish you to +remember that the same power which enables you to sense other objects by +means of the astral scenes, is the same that is called into operation in +the cases to which I have just referred. + +The astral plane is a wonderful plane or field of being, containing many +strange and wonderful beings and things. The person living on the physical +plane may visit the astral plane in the astral body; and, again, he may +perceive the happenings and scenes of that plane by means of the awakened +and developed astral senses. Some clairvoyants find it easy to function in +one way, and some in another. It is reserved for the scientifically +developed clairvoyant to manifest the well-rounded power to perceive the +phenomena of the astral plane in its wonderful entirety. + +Finally, you will see by reference to other chapters of this book, that +one may manifest simple clairvoyant powers (as well as the more +complicated ones of time and space clairvoyance) not only in the ordinary +waking state, but also in the state of dreams. In fact, some of the most +striking psychic phenomena are manifested when the seer is in the dream +state. As we proceed, you will find that every phase of the great subject +will fit into its place, and will be found to blend with every other +phase. There will be found a logical harmony and unity of thought +pervading the whole subject. But we must use single bricks and stones as +we build--it is only in the completed structure that we may perceive the +harmonious unity. + + + + +LESSON X. + +CLAIRVOYANCE OF DISTANT SCENES. + + +Let us now consider the phenomena of the second class of clairvoyance, +namely, Clairvoyance in Space. + +In space clairvoyance the clairvoyant person senses scenes and events +removed in space from the observer--that is to say, scenes and events +situated outside of the range of the physical vision of the clairvoyant. +In this class also is included certain phenomena in which the clairvoyant +vision is able to discern things that may be concealed or obscured by +intervening material objects. Some of the many different forms and phases +of space clairvoyance are illustrated by the following examples, all taken +from the best sources. + +Bushnell relates the following well-known case of space clairvoyance: +"Capt. Yount, of Napa Valley, California, one midwinter's night had a +dream in which he saw what appeared to be a company of emigrants arrested +by the snows of the mountains, and perishing rapidly by cold and hunger. +He noted the very cast of the scenery, marked by a huge, perpendicular +front of white-rock cliff; he saw the men cutting off what appeared to be +tree-tops rising out of deep gulfs of snow; he distinguished the very +features of the persons, and their look of peculiar distress. He awoke +profoundly impressed by the distinctness and apparent reality of the +dream. He at length fell asleep, and dreamed exactly the same dream over +again. In the morning he could not expel it from his mind. Falling in +shortly after with an old hunter comrade, he told his story, and was only +the more deeply impressed by him recognizing without hesitation the +scenery of the dream. This comrade came over the Sierra by the Carson +Valley Pass, and declared that a spot in the Pass exactly answered his +description. + +"By this the unsophistical patriarch was decided. He immediately collected +a company of men, with mules and blankets and all necessary provisions. +The neighbors were laughing meantime at his credulity. 'No matter,' he +said, 'I am able to do this, and I will, for I verily believe that the +fact is according to my dream.' The men were sent into the mountains one +hundred and fifty miles distant, direct to the Carson Valley Pass. And +there they found the company exactly in the condition of the dream, and +brought in the remnant alive." + +In connection with this case, some leading, occultists are of the opinion +that the thought-waves from the minds of the distressed lost persons +reached Capt. Yount in his sleep, and awakened his subconscious attention. +Having natural clairvoyant power, though previously unaware of it, he +naturally directed his astral vision to the source of the mental currents, +and perceived clairvoyantly the scene described in the story. Not having +any acquaintance with any of the lost party, it was only by reason of the +mental currents of distress so sent out that his attention was attracted. +This is a very interesting case, because several psychic factors are +involved in it, as I have just said. + +In the following case, there is found a connecting link of acquaintance +with a person playing a prominent part in the scene, although there was no +conscious appeal to the clairvoyant, nor conscious interest on her part +regarding the case. The story is well-known, and appears in the +Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research. It runs as follows: + +Mrs. Broughton awoke one night in 1844, and roused her husband, telling +him that something dreadful had happened in France. He begged her to go +asleep again, and not trouble him. She assured him that she was not asleep +when she saw what she insisted on telling him--what she saw in fact. She +saw, first, a carriage accident, or rather, the scene of such an accident +which had occurred a few moments before. What she saw was the result of +the accident--a broken carriage, a crowd collected, a figure gently raised +and carried into the nearest house, then a figure lying on a bed, which +she recognized as the Duke of Orleans. Gradually friends collected around +the bed--among them several members of the French royal family--the queen, +then the king, all silently, tearfully, watching the evidently dying duke. +One man (she could see his back, but did not know who he was) was a +doctor. He stood bending over the duke, feeling his pulse, with his watch +in the other hand. And then all passed away, and she saw no more. "As +soon as it was daylight she wrote down in her journal all that she had +seen. It was before the days of the telegraph, and two or more days passed +before the newspapers announced 'The Death of the Duke of Orleans.' +Visiting Paris a short time afterwards, she saw and recognized the place +of the accident, and received the explanation of her impression. The +doctor who attended the dying duke was an old friend of hers, and as he +watched by the bed his mind had been constantly occupied with her and her +family." + +In many cases of clairvoyance of this kind, there is found to exist a +strong connecting link of mutual interest or affection, over which flows +the strong attention-arousing force of need or distress, which calls into +operation the clairvoyant visioning. + +In other cases there seems to be lacking any connecting link, although, +even in such cases there may be a subconscious link connecting the +clairvoyant with the scene or event. An interesting example of this last +mentioned phase is that related by W.T. Stead, the English editor and +author, as having happened to himself. Mr. Stead's recital follows: + +"I got into bed and was not able to go to sleep. I shut my eyes and waited +for sleep to come; instead of sleep, however, there came to me a +succession of curiously vivid clairvoyant pictures. There was no light in +the room, and it was perfectly dark; I had my eyes shut also. But, +notwithstanding the darkness, I suddenly was conscious of looking at a +scene of singular beauty. It was as if I saw a living miniature about the +size of a magic-lantern slide. At this moment I can recall the scene as if +I saw it again. It was a seaside piece. The moon was shining upon the +water, which rippled slowly on to the beach. Right before me a long mole +ran into the water. On either side of the mole irregular rocks stood up +above the sea-level. On the shore stood several houses, square and rude, +which resembled nothing that I had ever seen in house architecture. No one +was stirring, but the moon was there and the sea and the gleam of the +moonlight on the rippling waters, just as if I had been looking on the +actual scene. It was so beautiful that I remember thinking that if it +continued I should be so interested in looking at it that I should never +go asleep. I was wide awake, and at the same time that I saw the scene I +distinctly heard the dripping of the rain outside the window. Then, +suddenly without any apparent object or reason, the scene changed. + +"The moonlight sea vanished, and in us place I was looking right into the +interior of a reading-room. It seemed as if it had been used as a +school-room in the daytime, and was employed as a reading-room in the +evening. I remember seeing one reader who had a curious resemblance to Tim +Harrington, although it was not he, hold up a magazine or book in his hand +and laugh. It was not a picture--it was there. The scene was just as if +you were looking through an opera glass; you saw the play of the muscles, +the gleaming of the eye, every movement of the unknown persons in the +unnamed place into which you were gazing. I saw all that without opening +my eyes, nor did my eyes have anything to do with it. You see such things +as these as if it were with another sense which is more inside your head +than in your eyes. The pictures were apropos of nothing; they had been +suggested by nothing I had been reading or talking of; they simply came as +if I had been able to look through a glass at what was occurring somewhere +else in the world. I had my peep, and then it passed." + +An interesting case of space clairvoyance is that related of Swedenborg, +on the best authority. The story runs that in the latter part of +September, 1759, at four o'clock one Saturday afternoon, Swedenborg +arrived home from England, and disembarked at the town of Gothenburg. A +friend, Mr. W. Castel, met him and invited him to dinner, at which meal +there were fifteen persons gathered around the table in honor of the +guest. At six o'clock, Swedenborg went out a few minutes, returning to the +table shortly thereafter, looking pale and excited. When questioned by the +guests he replied that there was a fire at Stockholm, two hundred miles +distant, and that the fire was steadily spreading. He grew very restless, +and frequently left the room. He said that the house of one of his +friends, whose name he mentioned, was already in ashes, and that his own +was in danger. At eight o'clock, after he had been out again, he returned +crying out cheerfully, "Thank heaven! the fire is out, the third door +from my house!" The news of the strange happening greatly excited the +people of the town, and the city officials made inquiry regarding it. +Swedenborg was summoned before the authorities, and requested to relate in +detail what he had seen. Answering the questions put to him, he told when +and how the fire started; how it had begun; how, when and where it had +stopped; the time it had lasted; the number of houses destroyed or +damaged, and the number of persons injured. On the following Monday +morning a courier arrived from Stockholm, bringing news of the fire, +having left the town while it was still burning. On the next day after, +Tuesday morning, another courier arrived at the city hall with a full +report of the fire, which corresponded precisely with the vision of +Swedenborg. The fire had stopped precisely at eight o'clock, the very +minute that Swedenborg had so announced it to the company. + +A similar case is related by Stead, having been told to him by the wife of +a Dean in the Episcopal Church. He relates it as follows: "I was staying +in Virginia, some hundred miles away from home, when one morning about +eleven o'clock I felt an overpowering sleepiness, which drowsiness was +quite unusual, and which caused me to lie down. In my sleep I saw quite +distinctly my home in Richmond in flames. The fire had broken out in one +wing of the house, which I saw with dismay was where I kept all my best +dresses. The people were all trying to check the flames, but it was no +use. My husband was there, walking about before the burning house, +carrying a portrait in his hand. Everything was quite clear and distinct, +exactly as if I had actually been present and seen everything. After a +time, I woke up, and going down stairs told my friends the strange dream I +had had. They laughed at me, and made such game of my vision that I did my +best to think no more about it. I was traveling about, a day or two +passed, and when Sunday came I found myself in a church where some +relatives were worshipping. When I entered the pew they looked very +strange, and as soon as the service was over I asked them what was the +matter. 'Don't be alarmed,' they said, 'there is nothing serious.' Then +they handed me a post-card from my husband which simply said, 'House +burned out; covered by insurance.' The day was the date upon which my +dream occurred. I hastened home, and then I learned that everything had +happened exactly as I had seen it. The fire had broken out in the wing I +had seen blazing. My clothes were all burned, and the oddest thing about +it was that my husband, having rescued a favorite picture from the burning +building, had carried it about among the crowd for some time before he +could find a place in which to put it safely." + +Another case, related by Stead, the same authority, runs as follows: "The +father of a son who had sailed on the 'Strathmore,' an emigrant ship +outbound from the Clyde saw one night the ship foundering amid the waves, +and saw that his son, with some others, had escaped safely to a desert +island near which the wreck had taken place. He was so much impressed by +this vision that he wrote to the owner of the 'Strathmore' telling him +what he had seen. His information was scouted; but after a while the +'Strathmore' became overdue, and the owner became uneasy. Day followed +day, and still no tidings of the missing ship. Then like Pharaoh's butler, +the owner remembered his sins one day, and hunted up the letter describing +the vision. It supplied at least a theory to account for the ship's +disappearance. All outward-bound ships were requested to look out for any +survivors on the island indicated in the vision. These orders were obeyed, +and the survivors of the 'Strathmore' were found exactly where the father +had seen them." + +The Society for Psychical Research mentions another interesting case, as +follows: "Dr. Golinski, a physician of Kremeutchug, Russia, was taking an +after-dinner nap in the afternoon, about half-past three o'clock. He had a +vision in which he saw himself called out on a professional visit, which +took him to a little room with dark hangings. To the right of the door he +saw a chest of drawers, upon which rested a little paraffine lamp of +special pattern, different from anything he had ever seen before. On the +left of the door, he saw a woman suffering from a severe hemorrhage. He +then saw himself giving her professional treatment. Then he awoke, +suddenly, and saw that it was just half-past four o'clock. Within ten +minutes after he awoke, he was called out on a professional visit, and on +entering the bedroom he saw all the details that had appeared to him in +his vision. There was the chest of drawers--there was the peculiar +lamp--there was the woman on the bed, suffering from the hemorrhage. Upon +inquiry, he found that she had grown worse between three and four o'clock, +and had anxiously desired that he come to her about that time, finally +dispatching a messenger for him at half-past four, the moment at which he +awoke." + +Another, and a most peculiar, phase of space clairvoyance is that in which +certain persons so awaken the astral senses of other persons that these +persons perceive the first person--usually in the form of seemingly seeing +the person present in the immediate vicinity, just as one would see a +ghostly visitor. In some cases there is manifested double-clairvoyance, +both persons visioning clairvoyantly; in other cases, only the person +"visited" astrally senses the occurrence. The following cases illustrate +this form of space clairvoyance. + +W.T. Stead relates the case of a lady well known to him, who spontaneously +developed the power of awakening astral perception in others. She seemed +to "materialize" in their presence. Her power in this direction became a +source of considerable anxiety and worry to her friends to whom she would +pay unexpected and involuntary visits, frightening them out of their wits +by the appearance of her "ghost." They naturally thought that she had died +suddenly and had appeared to them in ghostly form. The lady, her self, +was totally unconscious of the appearance, though she admitted that at or +about the times of the appearances she had been thinking of her friends +whom she visited astrally. + +The German writer, Jung Stilling, mentions the case of a man of good +character who had developed power of this kind, but also was conscious of +his visits. He exerted the power consciously by an effort of will, it +seems. At one time he was consulted by the wife of a sea captain whose +husband was on a long voyage to Europe and Asia (sailing from America). +His ship was long overdue, and his wife was quite worried about him. She +consulted the gentleman in question, and he promised to do what he could +for her. Leaving the room he threw himself on a couch and was seen by the +lady (who peered through the half-opened door) to be in a state of +semi-trance. Finally he returned and told her that he had visited her +husband in a coffee-house in London, and gave her husband's reasons for +not writing, adding that her husband would soon return to America. When +her husband returned several months later, the wife asked him about the +matter. He informed her that the clairvoyant's report was correct in every +particular. Upon being introduced to the clairvoyant, the captain +manifested great surprise, saying that he had met the man in question on a +certain day in a coffee-house in London, and that the man had told him +that his wife was worried about him, and that he had told the man that he +had been prevented from writing for several reasons, and that he was on +the eve of beginning his return voyage to America. He added that when he +looked for the man a few moments afterwards, the stranger had apparently +lost himself in the crowd, disappeared and was seen no more by him. + +The Society for Psychical Research gives prominence to the celebrated case +of the member of the London Stock Exchange, whose identity it conceals +under the initials "S.H.B.," who possessed this power of voluntary +awakening of astral sight in others by means of his "appearance" to them. +The man relates his experience to the Society as follows: "One Sunday +night in November, 1881, I was in Kildare Gardens, when I willed very +strongly that I would visit in the spirit two lady friends, the Misses X., +who were living three miles off, in Hogarth Road. I willed that I should +do this at one o'clock in the morning, and having willed it, I went to +sleep. Next Thursday, when I first met my friends, the elder lady told me +that she woke up and saw my apparition advancing to her bedside. She +screamed and woke her sisters, who also saw me." (The report includes the +signed statement of the ladies, giving the time of the appearance, and the +details thereof.) + +"Again, on December 1, 1882, I was at Southall. At half-past nine I sat +down to endeavor to fix my mind so strongly upon the interior of a house +at Kew, where Miss V. and her sister lived, that I seemed to be actually +in the house. I was conscious, but was in a kind of mesmeric sleep. When +I went to bed that night, I willed to be in the front bedroom of that +house at Kew at twelve; and to make my presence felt by the inmates. Next +day I went to Kew. Miss V.'s married sister told me, without any prompting +from me, that she had seen me in the passage going from one room to +another at half-past nine o'clock, and that at twelve, when she was wide +awake, she saw me come to the front bedroom, where she slept, and take her +hair, which is very long, into my hand. She said I then took her hand, and +gazed into the palm intently. She said, 'You need not look at the lines, +for I never have any trouble.' She then woke her sister. When Mrs. L. told +me this, I took out the entry that I had made the previous night and read +it to her. Mrs. L. is quite sure she was not dreaming. She had only seen +me once before, two years previously. Again, on March 22, 1884, I wrote to +Mr. Gurney, of the Psychical Research Society, telling him that I was +going to make my presence felt by Miss V., at 44 Norland Square, at +midnight. Ten days afterwards, I saw Miss V., when she voluntarily told me +that on Saturday at midnight, she distinctly saw me, when she was quite +wide awake." + +The records of the psychic researchers are filled with numerous accounts +of cases in which similar astral projections have occurred when the person +was on his or her death-bed, but was still alive. It would seem that under +such circumstances the astral senses are very much freer from the +interference of the physical senses, and tend to manifest very strongly +in the form of appearances to persons in whom the dying person is attached +by the ties of affection. Many who read this course have known of cases of +this kind, for they are of quite frequent occurrence. + +The student will notice that in the majority of the cases cited in this +chapter the clairvoyant has been in a state of sleep, or semi-sleep--often +in a dream condition. But you must not jump to the conclusion that this +condition is always necessary for the manifestation of this phenomenon. On +the contrary, the advanced and well developed clairvoyants usually assume +merely a condition of deep reverie or meditation, shutting out the sounds +and thoughts of the physical plane, so as to be able to function better on +the astral plane. + +The reason that so many recorded cases have occurred when the clairvoyant +person was asleep, and the vision appeared as a dream, is simply because +in such a condition the physical senses of the person are stilled and at +rest, and there is less likelihood of interference from them, and a better +opportunity for the astral senses to function effectively. It is like the +familiar cases in which one becomes so wrapped up in viewing a beautiful +work of art, or in listening to a beautiful musical rendition, that he or +she forgets all about the sights and sounds of the world outside. One +sometimes gets into this same condition when reading an interesting book, +or when witnessing an interesting play. When the psychic powers are +concentrated upon any one channel of vision, the others fail to register +a clear impression. The same rule holds good on the astral plane, as on +the physical. + +There are certain psychic conditions which are especially conducive to the +manifestation of clairvoyant phenomena, as all students of the subject +know very well. These conditions are somewhat hard to induce, at least +until the clairvoyant has had considerable experience and practice. But, +in the state of sleep, the person induces the desired conditions, in many +cases, though he is not consciously doing so. As might naturally be +expected, therefore, the majority of the recorded cases of clairvoyance +have occurred when the clairvoyant person has been asleep. + +I should also state, once more, that in many cases in which the +clairvoyant has witnessed the "appearance" of another person, as in the +cases such as I have just mentioned, there is always the possibility of +the person having actually appeared in his astral body, unconsciously to +himself of course. No one but a skilled occultist is able to distinguish +between cases of this kind. The line between this class of clairvoyance +and astral appearance is very thin, and, in fact, the two classes of +phenomena shade and blend into each other. In reality, when one gets down +to bottom principles, there is very little difference between the actual +appearance in the astral body, and the strong projection of one's presence +by means of will, conscious or unconscious, along the lines of awakening +the clairvoyant vision of others. To attempt to explain the slight points +of difference here, would only involve the student in a mass of technical +description which would tend to confuse, rather than to enlighten +him--from this I refrain. + + + + +LESSON XI. + +CLAIRVOYANCE OF THE PAST + + +The third great class of clairvoyant phenomena, known as Time +Clairvoyance, is divided into two sub-classes, as follows: (1) Past-Time +Clairvoyance; and (2) Future-Time Clairvoyance. The characteristics of +each of these sub-classes is indicated by its name. + +Past-Time Clairvoyance, as indicated by the name, is that class of +clairvoyant phenomena which is concerned with the perception of facts, +events and happenings of past time. Whether the happening is that of five +minutes ago, or of five thousand years ago, the principles involved are +precisely the same. One is no more or less wonderful than is the other. + +Many students confess themselves perplexed when they are first confronted +with this class of phenomena. While they find it comparatively easy to see +how by astral vision the clairvoyant is able to sense events happening at +that moment, though thousands of miles away from the observer, they cannot +at first understand how one can "see" a thing no longer in existence, but +which disappeared from sight thousands of years ago. Naturally, they ask +to be informed how this is possible, before proceeding to develop the +faculty itself. Believing that this question is now being asked by you, +the student of these lessons, I shall pause for a few moments and show you +"just how" this wonderful thing becomes possible to the clairvoyant. + +In the first place, it would undoubtedly be impossible to perceive a +thing, even by astral vision, if it had entirely disappeared at some time +in the past--this would be beyond all natural powers, astral as well as +physical. But, as a matter of fact, the things of the past have not +entirely disappeared, but, on the contrary, while having disappeared on +the physical plane they still exist on the astral plane. I shall endeavor +to explain this wonderful fact of nature to you in plain terms, although +it belongs to one of the most mysterious classes of the occult facts of +the universe. + +In the occult teachings we find many references to "the Akashic Records," +or what is sometimes called "the records of the Astral Light." Without +going into technical occult definitions and explanations, I will say to +you that the gist of this occult teaching is that in that high form of the +universal substance which is called the Universal Ether there is found to +be recorded all the happenings of the entire World Cycle of which the +present time is a part. All that has happened from the very beginning of +this World Cycle, millions of years ago, is preserved on these astral +records, and may be read by the advanced clairvoyant or other person +possessing occult powers of this kind. These records perish only with the +termination of a World Cycle, which will not happen for millions of years +yet to come. + +To those who cannot accept the reasonableness of this occult fact, I would +say that there are analogies to be found on other planes of natural +manifestation. For instance, as astronomy teaches us, a star may be +blotted out of existence, and yet its light will persist long after +(perhaps until the end of world-time) traveling along at the rate of +186,000 miles each second. The light that we now see coming from the +distant stars has left those stars many years ago--in some cases thousands +of years ago. We see them not as they are now, but as they were at the +time the ray of light left them, many years ago; The astronomers inform us +that if one of these stars had been +[*Transcribers Note: Text missing from original] +sands) of years ago, we would still see it as in actual existence. In +fact, it is believed that some of these stars which we see twinkling at +night have actually been blotted out hundreds of years ago. We will not be +aware of this fact until the light rays suddenly cease reaching us, after +their journey of billions of miles and hundreds of years. A star blotted +out of existence today would be seen by our children, and children's +children. + +The heat from a stove will be felt in a room long after the stove has been +removed from it. A room will long contain the odor of something that has +been removed from it. It is said that in one of the old mosques of Persia +there may be perceived the faint odor of the musk that was exposed there +hundreds of years ago--the very walls are saturated with the pungent odor. +Again, is it not wonderful that our memories preserve the images of the +sounds and forms which were placed there perhaps fifty years and more +ago? How do these memory images survive and exist? Though we may have +thought of the past thing for half a lifetime, yet, suddenly its image +flashes into our consciousness. Surely this is as wonderful as the Akashic +Records, though its "commonness" makes it lose its wonderful appearance to +us. + +Camille Flammarion, the eminent French astronomer, in a book written over +twenty-five years ago, and which is now out of print, I believe, pictured +a possible condition of affairs in which a disembodied soul would be able +to perceive events that happened in the past, by simply taking a position +in space in which he would be able to catch the light-waves that emanated +from a distant planet at that particular time in the past the happenings +of which he wanted to perceive. The little book was called "Lumen"--I +advise you to read it, if you can find it in your public libraries. + +Another writer has written somewhat along the same lines. I herewith give +you a quotation from him, that you may get the idea he wishes to +express--it will help you in your conception of the Akashic Records. He +says: "When we see anything, whether it be the book we hold in our hands, +or a star millions of miles away, we do so by means of a vibration in the +ether, commonly called a ray of light, which passes from the object seen +to our eyes. Now the speed with which this vibration passes is so +great--about 186,000 miles in a second--that when we are considering any +object in our own world we may regard it as practically instantaneous. +When, however, we come to deal with interplanetary distances we have to +take the speed of light into consideration, for an appreciable period is +occupied in traversing these vast spaces. For example, it takes eight +minutes and a quarter for light to travel to us from the sun, so that when +we look at the solar orb we see it by means of a ray of light which left +it more than eight minutes ago. From this follows a very curious result. +The ray of light by which we see the sun can obviously report to us only +the state of affairs' which existed in that luminary when it started on +its journey, and would not be in the least affected by anything that +happened after it left; so that we really see the sun not as it is, but as +it was eight minutes ago. That is to say that if anything important took +place in the sun--the formation of a new sun-spot, for instance--an +astronomer who was watching the orb through his telescope at the time +would be unaware of the incident while it was happening, since the ray of +light bearing the news would not reach him until more than eight minutes +later. + +"The difference is more striking when we consider the fixed stars, because +in their case the distances are so enormously greater. The pole star, for +example, is so far off that light, traveling at the inconceivable speed +above mentioned, takes a little more than fifty years to reach our eyes; +and from that follows the strange but inevitable inference that we see the +pole star not as or where it is at this moment, but as and where it was +fifty years ago. Nay, if tomorrow some cosmic catastrophe were to shatter +the pole star into fragments, we should still see it peacefully shining in +the sky all the rest of our lives; our children would grow up to +middle-age and gather their children about them in turn before the news of +that tremendous accident reached any terrestial eye. In the same way there +are other stars so far distant that light takes thousands of years to +travel from them to us, and with reference to their condition our +information is therefore thousands of years behind time. Now carry the +argument a step farther. Suppose that we were able to place a man at the +distance of 186,000 miles from the earth, and yet to endow him with the +wonderful faculty of being able from that distance to see what was +happening here as clearly as though he were still close beside us. It is +evident that a man so placed would see everything a second after the time +it really happened, and so at the present moment he would be seeing what +happened a second ago. Double that distance, and he would be two seconds +behind time, and so on; remove him to the distance of the sun (still +allowing him to preserve the same mysterious power of sight) and he would +look down and watch you doing not what you are doing now, but what you +were doing eight minutes and a quarter ago. Carry him to the pole star, +and he would see passing before his eyes the events of fifty years ago; he +would be watching the childish gambols of those who at the same moment +were really middle-aged men. Marvellous as this may sound, it is +literally and scientifically true, and cannot be denied." + +Flammarion, in his story, called "Lumen," makes his spirit hero pass at +will along the ray of light from the earth, seeing the things of different +eras of earth-time. He even made him travel backward along that ray, thus +seeing the happenings in reverse order, as in a moving picture running +backward. This story is of the greatest interest to the occultist, for +while the Akashic Records are not the same as the light records, yet the +analogy is so marked in many ways that the occultist sees here another +exemplification of the old occult axiom that "as above, so below; as +below, so above." + +I take the liberty of quoting here from my little book, "The Astral +World," in order to give you some further idea of the nature of these +records in the Astral Light. The reader is supposed to be travelling in +his astral body, having the phenomena of the astral pointed out to him by +a competent occultist acting as his guide. The occultist-guide says to the +student: "Changing our vibrations, we find ourselves entering a strange +region, the nature of which you at first fail to discern. Pausing a moment +until your astral vision becomes attuned to the peculiar vibrations of +this region, you will find that you are becoming gradually aware of what +may be called an immense picture gallery, spreading out in all directions, +and apparently bearing a direct relation to every point of space on the +surface of the earth. At first, you find it difficult to decipher the +meaning of this great array of pictures. The trouble arises from the fact +that they are arranged not one after the other in sequence on a flat +plane; but rather in sequence, one after another, in a peculiar order +which may be called the order of 'X-ness in space,' because it is neither +the dimension of length, breadth, or depth--it is practically the order of +the fourth dimension in space, which cannot be described in terms of +ordinary spatial dimension. Again, you find upon closely examining the +pictures that they are very minute--practically microscopic in size--and +require the use of the peculiar magnifying power of astral vision to bring +them up to a size capable of being recognized by your faculty of visual +recognition. + +"The astral vision, when developed, is capable of magnifying any object, +material or astral, to an enormous degree--for instance, the trained +occultist is able to perceive the whirling atoms and corpuscles of matter, +by means of this peculiarity of astral vision. Likewise, he is able to +plainly perceive many fine vibrations of light which are invisible to the +ordinary sight. In fact, the peculiar Astral Light which pervades this +region is due to the power of the astral vision to perceive and register +these fine vibrations of light. Bring this power of magnifying into +operation, and you will see that each of the little points and details of +the great world picture so spread before you in the Astral Light is really +a complete scene of a certain place on earth, at a certain period in the +history of the earth. It resembles one of the small views in a series of +moving pictures--a single view of a roll-film. It is fixed, and not in +motion, and yet we can move forward along the fourth dimension, and thus +obtain a moving picture of the history of any point on the surface of the +earth, or even combine the various points into a large moving picture, in +the same way. Let us prove this by actual experiment. Close your eyes for +a moment, while we travel back in time (so to speak) along the series of +these astral records--for, indeed, they travel back to the beginning of +the history of the earth. Now open your eyes! Looking around you, you +perceive the pictured representation of strange scenes filled with persons +wearing a peculiar garb--but all is still, no life, no motion. + +"Now, let us move forward in time, at much higher rate than that in which +the astral views were registered. You now see flying before you the great +movement of life on a certain point of space, in a far distant age. From +birth to death you see the life of these strange people, all in the space +of a few moments. Great battles are fought, and cities rise before your +eyes, all in a great moving picture flying at a tremendous speed. Now +stop, and then let us move backward in time, still gazing at the moving +pictures. You see a strange sight, like that of 'reversing the film' in a +moving picture. You see everything moving backward--cities crumbling into +nothingness, men arising from their graves, and growing younger each +second until they are finally born as babes--everything moving backward in +time, instead of forward. You can thus witness any great historical event, +or follow the career of any great personage from birth to death--or +backward. You will notice, moreover, that everything is semi-transparent, +and that accordingly you can see the picture of what is going on inside of +buildings as well as outside of them. Nothing escapes the Astral Light +Records. Nothing can be concealed from it. By traveling to any point in +time, on the fourth dimension, you may begin at that point, and see a +moving picture of the history of any part of the earth from that time to +the present--or you may reverse the sequence by travelling backward, as we +have seen. You may also travel in the Astral, on ordinary space +dimensions, and thus see what happened simultaneously all over the earth, +at any special moment of past-time, if you wish." + +Now, I do not for a moment wish you to understand that the above +experience is possible to every clairvoyant who is able to sense past-time +events and happenings. On the contrary, the above experience is possible +only to the advanced occultist, or to the student whom he may take with +him on an astral trip, in the astral body. The clairvoyant merely catches +glimpses of certain phases and fields of the great astral record region or +state. For that matter, the ordinary clairvoyant merely sees a reflection +of the true Astral-Light pictures--a reflection similar to that of a +landscape reflected in a pond. Moreover, this reflection may be (and +frequently is) disturbed as if by the ripples and waves of the pond in +which the landscape is reflected. But, still, even the ordinary +clairvoyant is able to secure results which are wonderful enough in all +truth, and which far transcend the power of the person functioning on the +physical plane alone. + +Past-time clairvoyance is frequently induced by means of psychometry, in +which the clairvoyant is able to have "the loose end" to unwind the ball +of time. But, still, in some cases the clairvoyant is able to get en +rapport with the astral records of past-time by the ordinary methods of +meditation, etc. The main obstacle in the last mentioned case is the +difficulty of coming in contact with the exact period of past-time sought +for--in psychometry, the vibrations of the "associated object" supplies +the missing-link. + +Lacking the "associated object," the clairvoyant may obtain the link by +bringing into the imagination some associated scene of that +time--something else that happened about the same time. All that is needed +is to get hold of something associated in space or in time with the sought +for scene. All that is needed is the "loose end" of association. Sometimes +the clairvoyant senses some past-time experience, the place and time of +which is unknown to him. In such cases, it is necessary for him to get +hold of some "loose end" by which he may work out the solution. For +instance, the picture of a certain building or personage, or historical +happening, may give the key to the mystery. + +In very high forms of past-time clairvoyance, the clairvoyant is able not +only to perceive the actual happenings of the past, but also to actually +sense the thought and feelings of the actors therein--for these, too, are +recorded on the astral plane. In other cases, the clairvoyant person is +able to picture scenes and happenings relating to his past incarnations, +even though he is not able to sense other past-time events and scenes. +But, here again, many good past-time clairvoyants are not able to catch +these glimpses of their own past lives, though able to perceive those of +other persons. All these variations are due to certain technical +differences into which I cannot go into detail at this place. Again some +persons are able to perceive events that have happened to persons present +before them, but are not able to contact past-time events in the ordinary +way. There are a thousand-and-one variations in clairvoyant work. Only the +highly advanced occultist is master of all of them. But, still every one +may develop himself or herself, from humble beginnings. + +In concluding this lesson, I wish to call your attention to the following +advice from a man well advanced in the knowledge of the astral plane. He +says: "It would be well for all students to bear in mind that occultism is +the apotheosis of common-sense, and that every vision that comes to them +is not necessarily a picture from the Akashic Records, nor every +experience a revelation from on high. It is far better to err on the side +of healthy skepticism, than of over-credulity, and it is an admirable +rule never to hunt about for an occult explanation of anything when a +plain and obvious physical one is available. Our duty is to endeaveor to +keep our balance always, and never to lose our self-control, but to take a +reasonable, common-sense view of whatever may happen to us, so that we may +be wiser occultists, and more useful helpers than we have ever been +before. + +"We find examples of all degrees of the power to see into this 'memory of +nature,' from the trained man who can consult the records for himself at +will, down to the person who gets nothing but occasional vague glimpses, +or has perhaps had only once such glimpse. But even the man who possesses +this faculty only partially and occasionally still finds it of the deepest +interest. The psychometer, who needs an object physically connected with +the past in order to bring it all into life again around him; and the +crystal-gazer who can sometimes direct his less certain astral telescope +to some historic scene of long ago, may both derive the greatest enjoyment +from the exercise of their respective gifts, even though they may not +always understand exactly how their results are obtained, and may not have +them fully under control under all circumstances. + +"In many cases of the lower manifestations of these powers we find that +they are exercised unconsciously. Many a crystal-gazer watches scenes from +the past without being able to distinguish them from visions of the +present. And many a vaguely-psychic person finds pictures constantly +arising before his eyes, without ever realizing that he is in effect +psychometrizing the various objects around him, as he happens to touch +them or stand near them. An interesting variant of this class of psychics +is the man who is able to psychometrize persons only, and not inanimate +objects as is more usual. In most cases this faculty shows itself +erratically, so that such a psychic will, when introduced to a stranger, +often see in a flash some prominent event in that stranger's earlier life, +but on similar occasions will receive no special impression. More rarely +we meet with someone who gets detailed visions of the past life of nearly +everyone whom he encounters. It may easily happen, moreover, that a person +may see a picture of the past without recognizing it as such, unless there +happens to be in it something which attracts special attention, such as a +figure in armor, or in antique costume. Its probable, therefore, that +occasional glimpses of these astral reflections of the akashic records are +commoner than the published accounts would lead us to believe." + +I would say to my students, make haste slowly. Do not try to rush +development too rapidly. Perfect and develop yourself in one line of +psychic power, before seeking another. Take things cooly, and do not lose +your head because you happen to achieve some wonderful phenomena. Do not +become conceited and vain-glorious. And, finally, do not prostitute your +powers to ignoble ends, and make a cheap show of them. By cheapening and +prostituting the higher psychic powers, the student frequently ends by +losing them altogether. Moderation in all things is the safe policy. And +it always is well for the occultist to resist temptation to use his powers +for unworthy, sensational, or purely selfish purposes. + + + + +LESSON XII. + +CLAIRVOYANCE OF THE FUTURE + + +Future-Time Clairvoyance, as indicated by its name, is that class of +clairvoyant phenomena which is concerned with the perception of facts, +events and happenings of future time. In this class of clairvoyant +phenomena naturally fall all genuine cases of prophecy, prevision, +foretelling, second-sight, etc. History, theological and secular, is +filled with instances of the foretelling of the future by prophets, wise +men, and others. By many, such powers are generally regarded as +supernatural or divine. Without wishing to combat such theories and +beliefs, I would say that the advanced occultists account for all such +phenomena under the general laws of clairvoyance. + +But while the phenomena itself is very well known, and is accepted as +genuine in even many cases in which past-time clairvoyance is doubted, +still it is even more difficult to explain than is past-time clairvoyance +based on the Akashic Records or the Astral Light. To the person not well +versed in occult knowledge, and esoteric principles, it is deemed +impossible to intelligently account for the perception of an event before +it has actually happened--perhaps years before its actual happening. While +I cannot hope to make this matter absolutely clear to the person who is +not an advanced student of occultism, still I shall try to throw at least +some light on the underlying principles of this wonderful class of occult +phenomena. The main point for the student to realize is that there are +natural laws underlying this phenomenon, and that it is not a matter of +supernatural power, or necessarily of divine special dispensation. + +In the first place, in some of the simpler forms of future-time +clairvoyance, there is merely a high development of subconscious reasoning +from analogy. That is to say, the subconscious mental faculties of the +person reason out that such-and-so being the case, then it follows that +so-and-so will result, unless something entirely unexpected should prevent +or intervene. This is merely an extension of certain forms of reasoning +that we perform ordinarily. For instance, we see a child playing with a +sharp tool, and we naturally reason that it will cut itself. We see a man +acting in certain ways which generally lead to certain ends, and we +naturally reason that the expected result will occur. The more experience +that the observer has had, and the keener his faculty of perception and +his power of deductive reasoning, the wider will be the range of his power +in the direction of predicting future results from present happenings and +conditions. + +In this connection, we must remember that the ordinary clairvoyant has +easier access to his subconscious mentality than has the average person. +The subconscious mind perceives and notes many little things that the +conscious mind overlooks, and therefore has better data from which to +reason. Moreover, as all students of the subconscious know, these +wonderful subconscious mental factulties have a very highly developed +power of reasoning deductively from a given premise or fact. In fact, the +subconscious faculties are almost perfect reasoning machines, providing +they are supplied with correct data in the first place. Much of the +so-called "intuitive reasoning" of persons arises from the operations of +the subconscious mental faculties just mentioned. + +But, you may say, this is very interesting, but it is not clairvoyance. +Certainly, good student, but still clairvoyance plays an important part +even in this elementary form of prevision and future-seeing. You must +remember that by clairvoyant vision the real thoughts and feelings of a +person may be perceived. But, unless the attention of the clairvoyant is +specially directed to this, the conscious mind does not note it, and the +matter reaches the subconscious faculties without interference or +conscious knowledge on the part of the clairvoyant. This being so, it will +be seen that the subconscious mind of the clairvoyant is able to reason +deductively, in such cases, far beyond the power of even the subconscious +mind of the ordinary person--it has fuller data and more complete material +to work upon, of course. + +It has become a proverb of the race that "coming events cast their shadows +before"; and many persons frequently have little flashes of future-time +seeing without realizing that they are really exercising elementary +clairvoyant powers. The combination of even a simple form of clairvoyance +and an active subconscious mind will often produce very wonderful +results--although not of course the more complex phenomena of full +clairvoyance and prevision. Some persons have claimed that even this form +of prevision implies something like fate or predestination, but this is +not fully true, for we must remember the fact that in some cases it is +possible to so act in accordance with a clairvoyant warning of this kind +that the impending calamity may be escaped. But, on the other hand, we +must also remember that every event is the result of certain preceding +events, without which it could not have happened, and which existing it +must happen unless some new element intervenes. There is such a thing as +cause and effect, we must remember--and if we can reason clearly from one +to the other with sufficient clearness, then we may actually prophesy +certain things in advance, always making allowance for the intervention of +the unexpected. + +An authority says on this phase of the question: "There is no doubt +whatever that, just as what is happening now is the result of causes set +in motion in the past, so what will happen in the future will be the +result of causes already in operation. Even on this plane of life we can +calculate that if certain actions are performed, certain results will +follow; but our reckoning is constantly liable to be disturbed by the +interference of factors which we have not been able to take into account. +But if we raise our consciousness to the higher planes we can see much +further into the results of our actions. We can trace, for example, the +effect of a casual word, not only upon the person to whom it was +addressed, but through him on many others as it is passed on in widening +circles, until it seems to have affected the whole country; and one +glimpse of such a vision is more efficient than any number of moral +precepts in impressing upon us the necessity of extreme circumspection in +thought, word, and deed. Not only can we from that plane see thus fully +the result of every action, but we can also see where and in what way the +results of other actions apparently quite unconnected with it will +interfere with and modify it. In fact, it may be said that the results of +all causes at present in action are clearly visible--that the future, as +it would be if no entirely new causes should arise, lies open before our +gaze. + +"New causes of course do arise, because man's will is free; but in the +case of all ordinary people the use which they make of their freedom may +be calculated beforehand with considerable accuracy. The average man has +so little real will that he is very much the creature of circumstances; +his action in previous lives places him amid certain surroundings, and +their influence upon him is so very much the most important factor in his +life-story that his future course may be predicted with almost +mathematical certainty. With the developed man the case is different; for +him also the main events of life are arranged by his past actions, but the +way in which he will allow them to affect him, the methods by which he +will deal with them and perhaps triumph over them--these are all his own, +and they cannot be foreseen even on the mental plane except as +probabilities. + +"Looking down on man's life in this way from above, it seems as though his +free will could be exercised only in certain crises in his career. He +arrives at a point in his life where there are obviously two or three +alternative courses open before him; he is absolutely free to choose which +of them he pleases, and although someone who knew his nature thoroughly +well might feel almost certain what his choice would be, such knowledge on +his friend's part is in no sense a compelling force. But when he has +chosen, he has to go through with it and take the consequences; having +entered upon a particular path he may, in many cases, be forced to go on +for a very long time before he has any opportunity to turn aside. His +position is somewhat like that of a driver of a train; when he comes to a +junction he may have the points set either this way or that, and so can +pass on to whichever line he pleases, but when he has passed on to one of +them he is compelled to run on along the line which he has selected until +he reaches another set of points, where again an opportunity of choice is +offered to him." + +But, interesting and wonderful as this phase of future-time clairvoyance +undoubtedly is, it pales before the fuller and more complete phases. And, +in the latter, we must look elsewhere for the explanation--or approach to +an explanation. The explanation of this higher form of future-time +clairvoyance must be looked for in a new conception of the nature and +meaning of time. It is difficult to approach this question without +becoming at once involved in technical metaphysical discussion. As an +example of this difficulty, I invite you to consider the following from +Sir Oliver Lodge, in his address to the British Association, at Cardiff, +several years ago. While what he says is very clear to the mind of a +person trained along these lines of subtle thought, it will be almost like +Greek to the average person. Sir Oliver Lodge said: + +"A luminous and helpful idea is that time is but a relative mode of +regarding things; we progress through phenomena at a certain definite +pace, and this subjective advance we interpret in an objective manner, as +if events moved necessarily in this order and at this precise rate. But +that may be only one mode of regarding them. The events may be in some +sense of existence always, both past and future, and it may be we who are +arriving at them, not they which are happening. The analogy of a traveller +in a railway train is useful; if he could never leave the train nor alter +its pace he would probably consider the landscapes as necessarily +successive and be unable to conceive their co-existence * * * We perceive, +therefore, a possible fourth dimensional aspect about time, the +inexorableness of whose flow may be a natural part of our present +limitations. And if we once grasp the idea that past and future may be +actually existing, we can recognize that they may have a controlling +influence on all present action, and the two together may constitute the +'higher plane' or totality of things after which, as it seems to me, we +are impelled to seek, in connection with the directing of form or +determinism, and the action of living being consciously directed to a +definite and preconceived end." + +Sir Oliver's illustration is somewhat akin to that of a person who sees a +moving-picture show for the first time, and does not know how it is +produced. To him it looks as if the events of the pictured story actually +were developing and happening in time, whereas, in reality the whole +picture is existing at one time. Its past, present and future is already +pictured, and may be seen by one who knows the secret and how to look for +the past or future scene; while, to the ordinary observer, the scene +progresses in sequence, the present being followed by something else which +is at this moment "in the future," and therefore, unknowable. To the +senses of the ordinary observer only the present is in existence; while, +in fact, the "future" is equally truly in existence at the same time, +although not evident to the senses of the observer. Think over this a +little, and let the idea sink into your mind--it may help you to +understand something concerning the mystery of future-time clairvoyance, +prevision, or second-sight. + +Time, you know, is far more relative than we generally conceive it. It is +a scientific fact that a person in the dream state may cover years of +time in a dream that occupies only a few seconds of time. Persons have +nodded and awakened immediately afterwards (as proved by others present in +the room), and yet in that moment's time they have dreamed of long +journeys to foreign lands, great campaigns of war, etc. Moreover, a loud +sound (a pistol shot, for instance) which has awakened a sleeping person, +has also set into effect a dream-state train of circumstances, +constituting a long dream-state story which, after many events and +happenings, terminated in the shot of a firing-squad--and then the man +awoke. Now in this last mentioned case, not only has the dreamer +experienced events covering a long time, all in the space of a second of +time; but, also, the very sound which terminated the dream, also induced +it from the very beginning--the last thing caused the first things to +appear and proceed in sequence to the last! Persons under the influence of +chloroform, or "laughing gas," have similar experiences--often the first +sound heard at the moment of recovering consciousness seems to be the last +thing in a long dream which preceded it, though the long dream was really +caused by the final sound. Now, remember, that here not only did past, +present and future exist at the same moment of time; but, also, the future +caused the past and present to come into being. + +On the physical plane, we have analogies illustrating this fact. It is +said that in every acorn rests and exists, in miniature, the form of the +future oak. And, some go so far as to say that the oak is the "ultimate +cause" of the acorn--that the idea of the oak caused the acorn to be at +all. In the same way, the "idea" of the man must be in the infant boy, +from the moment of birth, and even from the moment of conception. +But, let us pass on to the bold conception of the most advanced +metaphysicians--they have a still more dazzling explanation, let us listen +to it. + +These occultists and metaphysicians who have thought long and deeply upon +the ultimate facts and nature of the universe, have dared to think that +there must exist some absolute consciousness--some absolute mind--which +must perceive the past, present and future of the universe as one +happening; as simultaneously and actively present at one moment of +absolute time. They reason that just as man may see as one happening of a +moment of his time some particular event which might appear as a year to +some minute form of life and mind--the microscopic creatures in a drop of +water, for instance; so that which seems as a year, or a hundred years, to +the mind of man may appear as the happening of a single moment of a higher +scale of time to some exalted Being or form of consciousness on a higher +plane. You remember that it is said that "a thousand years is but as a day +to the Lord;" and the Hindu Vedas tell us that "the creation, duration, +and destruction of the universe, is as but the time of the twinkling of an +eye to Brahman." I shall not proceed further along this line--I have given +you a very strong hint here; you must work it out for yourself, if you +feel so disposed. But there are certain consequences arising from this +ultimate universal fact, which I must mention before passing on. + +The high occult teachings hold that there is a plane of the higher astral +world which may be said to carry a reflection of the Universal Mind--just +as a lake contains a reflection of the distant mountain. Well, then, the +clairvoyant vision at times is able to penetrate to the realm of that +astral reflecting medium, and see somewhat dimly what is pictured there. +As the future may be discerned in this reflected picture, by the +clairvoyant mind, we see how future-seeing, prevision, and second-sight +may be explained scientifically. + +A writer has said: "On this plane, in some manner which down here is +totally inexplicable, the past, the present, and the future, are all there +existing simultaneously. One can only accept this fact, for its cause lies +in the faculty of that exalted plane, and the way in which this higher +faculty works is naturally quite incomprehensible to the physical brain. +Yet now and then one may meet with a hint that seems to bring us a trifle +nearer to a dim possibility of comprehension. When the pupil's +consciousness is fully developed upon this higher plane, therefore, +perfect prevision is possible to him, though he may not--nay, he certainly +will not--be able to bring the whole result of his sight through fully and +in order into his physical consciousness. Still, a great deal of clear +foresight is obviously within his power whenever he likes to exercise it; +and even when he is not exercising it, frequent flashes of foreknowledge +come through into his ordinary life, so that he often has an instantaneous +intuition as to how things will turn out." + +The same writer says: "Short of perfect prevision we find that all degrees +of this type of clairvoyance exist, from the occasional vague premonitions +which cannot in any true sense be called sight at all, up to frequent and +fairly complete second-sight. The faculty to which this latter somewhat +misleading name has been given is an extremely interesting one, and would +well repay more careful and systematic study than has hitherto been given +to it. It is best known to us as a not infrequent possession of the +Scottish Highlanders, though it is by no means confined to them. +Occasional instances of it have appeared in almost every nation, but it +has always been commonest among mountaineers and men of lonely life. With +us in England it is often spoken of as if it were the exclusive appanage +of the Celtic race, but in reality it has appeared among similarly +situated peoples the world over, it is stated, for example, to be very +common among the Westphalian peasantry. + +"Sometimes the second-sight consists of a picture clearly foreshowing some +coming event; more frequently, perhaps, the glimpse of the future is given +in some symbolical appearance. It is noteworthy that the events foreseen +are invariably unpleasant ones--death being the commonest of all; I do not +recollect a single instance in which the second-sight has shown anything +which was not of the most gloomy nature. It has a ghastly symbolism of +its own--a symbolism of shrouds and corpse-candles, and other funeral +horrors. In some cases it appears to be to a certain extent dependent upon +locality, for it is stated that inhabitants of the Isle of Skye who +possess the faculty often lose it when they leave the island, even though +it be only to cross to the mainland. The gift of such sight is sometimes +hereditary in a family for generations, but this is not an invariable +rule, for it often appears sporadically in one member of a family +otherwise free from its lugubrious influence. + +"There may be still some people who deny the possibility of prevision, but +such denial simply shows their ignorance of the evidence on the subject. +The large number of authenticated cases leave no room for doubt as to the +fact, but many of them are of such a nature as to render a reasonable +explanation by no means easy to find. It is evident that the Ego possesses +a certain amount of previsional faculty, and if the events foreseen were +always of great importance, one might suppose that an extraordinary +stimulus had enabled him for that occasion only to make a clear impression +of what he saw upon his lower personality. No doubt that is the +explanation of many of the cases in which death or grave disaster is +foreseen, but there are a large number of instances on record to which it +does not seem to apply, since the events foretold are frequently trivial +and unimportant." + +In the following chapter I shall present to your consideration some very +remarkable cases of future-time clairvoyance, prevision, or second-sight; +some of these are historical cases, and all are vouched for by the best +authorities. I quote these cases not merely for their own interesting +features, but also to give you an idea of how remarkable some of these +instances are; and also to give you a clear conception of the way in which +this form of clairvoyance tends to manifest itself. + +Before passing on to these interesting cases, however, I wish to remind +you that in future-time clairvoyance, as well as in past-time +clairvoyance, the phenomenon may be manifested in many ways and according +to several methods. That is to say, that in future-time clairvoyance the +vision may come in the state of meditation or reverie; it may come along +the lines of psychometry, some associated object or person supplying the +connecting link; or, again, it may come as the result of crystal-gazing, +etc. This is as we might naturally expect, for this form of clairvoyance +is merely one special and particular phase of clairvoyance in general, and +of course, comes under the general laws and rules governing all +clairvoyant phenomena. + +Future-time clairvoyance, prevision and second-sight may, like any other +form of clairvoyance, be developed and unfolded, by means of the same +rules and methods that I have already suggested to you in the preceding +lessons. It is all a matter of attention, application, patience, exercise +and practice. I may say, however, that the strong desire and wish for the +perception of future events, held firmly in mind during the practicing and +exercising, will tend to unfold and develop the clairvoyant faculties in +this particular direction. Strong desire, and earnest attention in the +desired direction, will do much to cultivate, develop and unfold any +psychic faculty. + +Just as meditation and reverie about past times and things tend to develop +past-time clairvoyance, so will meditation and reverie about future time +and things tend to develop prevision and the seeing of future things. +This, indeed, is the very first step toward the attainment of this form of +clairvoyance. The attention clears the psychic path, over which the astral +faculties travel. In the astral, as on the physical, the rule is: always +look where you are going--look ahead on the path over which you wish to +travel. + + + + +LESSON XIII. + +SECOND-SIGHT, PREVISION, ETC. + + +Notwithstanding the difficulties in the way of an intelligent explanation +of the phenomena of future-time clairvoyance, second-sight, prevision, +etc., of which I have spoken in the preceding lesson, the human race has +always had a lively reminder of the existence of such phenomena; and the +records of the race have always contained many instances of the +manifestation thereof. Among all peoples, in all lands, in all times, +there have been noted remarkable instances of the power of certain persons +to peer into, and correctly report from, the mysterious regions of the +future. Passing from the traditional reports of the race, and the minor +instances known to almost every person, we find that the scientific +investigators of psychic phenomena have gathered together an enormous +array of well authenticated cases of this class. The reports of the +Society for Psychical research contain hundreds of such cases, which the +student may read and study with interest and profit. + +It is not my intention to present a full history of the reports of this +character. Rather, I shall call your attention to a few striking cases, in +order to illustrate the phenomenon clearly and forcibly. There is such a +wealth of material of this kind that it embarrases one who wishes to +select from it. However, I shall do the best I can in that direction. +Following, to commence with, I give you extracts from a well known case +reported by a prominent member of the Theosophical Society, which has +attracted much attention. It was related to this person by one of the +actors in the scene. It happened in India. A party of English army +officers was entering a dense jungle. Then follows the story, as below: + +"We plunged into the jungle, and had walked on for about an hour without +much success, when Cameron, who happened to be next to me, stopped +suddenly, turned pale as death, and, pointing straight before him, cried +in accents of horror: 'See! see! merciful heavens, look there!' 'Where? +what? what is it?' we all shouted confusedly, as we rushed up to him, and +looked around in expectation of encountering a tiger--a cobra--we hardly +knew what, but assuredly something terrible, since it had been sufficient +to cause such evident emotion in our usually self-contained comrade. But +neither tiger nor cobra was visible--nothing but Cameron pointing with +ghastly haggard face and starting eyeballs at something we could not see. + +"'Cameron! Cameron!' cried I, seizing his arm, 'for heavens sake speak! +What is the matter?' Scarcely were the words out of my mouth when a low +but very peculiar sound struck upon my ear, and Cameron, dropping his +pointing hand, said in a hoarse, strained voice, 'There! you heard it? +Thank God it's over!' and fell to the ground insensible. There was a +momentary confusion while we unfastened his collar, and I dashed in his +face some water which I fortunately had in my flask, while another tried +to pour brandy between his clenched teeth; and under cover of it I +whispered to the man next to me (one of our greatest skeptics, by the +way), 'Beauchamp, did you hear anything?' 'Why, yes,' he replied, 'a +curious sound, very; a sort of crash or rattle far away in the distance, +yet very distinct; if the thing were not utterly impossible, I could have +sworn that it was the rattle of musketry.' 'Just my impression,' murmured +I; 'but hush! he is recovering.' + +"In a minute or two he was able to speak feebly, and began to thank us and +apologize for giving trouble; and soon he sat up, leaning against a tree, +and in a firm, though low voice said: 'My dear friends, I feel that I owe +you an explanation of my extraordinary behavior. It is an explanation that +I would fain avoid giving; but it must come some time, and so may as well +be given now. You may perhaps have noticed that when during our voyage you +all joined in scoffing at dreams, portents and visions, I invariably +avoided giving any opinion on the subject. I did so because, while I had +no desire to court ridicule or provoke discussion, I was unable to agree +with you, knowing only too well from my own dread experience that the +world which men agree to call that of the supernatural is just as real +as--nay, perhaps even more real than--this world we see about us. In other +words, I, like many of my countrymen, am cursed with the gift of +second-sight--that awful faculty which foretells in vision calamities +that are shortly to occur. + +"'Such a vision I had just now, and its exceptional horror moved me as you +have seen. I saw before me a corpse--not that of one who has died a +peaceful, natural death, but that of the victim of some terrible accident; +a ghastly, shapeless mass, with a face swollen, crushed, unrecognizable. I +saw this dreadful object placed in a coffin, and the funeral service +performed over it. I saw the burial-ground, I saw the clergyman: and +though I had never seen either before, I can picture both perfectly in my +mind's eye now; I saw you, myself, Beauchamp, all of us and many more, +standing round as mourners; I saw the soldiers raise their muskets after +the service was over; I heard the volley they fired--and then I knew no +more.' As he spoke of that volley of musketry I glanced across with a +shudder at Beauchamp, and the look of stony horror on that handsome +skeptic's face was not to be forgotten." + +Omitting the somewhat long recital of events which followed, I would say +that later in the same day the party of young officers and soldiers +discovered the body of their commanding officer in the shocking condition +so vividly and graphically described by young Cameron. The story proceeds +as follows: + +"When, on the following evening, we arrived at our destination, and our +melancholy deposition had been taken down by the proper authorities, +Cameron and I went out for a quiet walk, to endeavor with the assistance +of the soothing influence of nature to shake off something of the gloom +which paralyzed our spirits. Suddenly he clutched my arm, and, pointing +through some rude railings, said in a trembling voice, 'Yes, there it is! +that is the burial-ground of yesterday.' And, when later on we were +introduced to the chaplain of the post, I noticed, though my friends did +not, the irrepressible shudder with which Cameron took his hand, and I +knew that he had recognized the clergyman of his vision." + +The story concludes with the statement that in all the little details, as +well as the main points, the scene at the burial of the commanding officer +corresponded exactly with the vision of Cameron. This story brings out the +fact that the Scotch people are especially given to manifestations of +second-sight--particularly the Highlanders or mountain people of that +land. It is hard to find a Scotchman, who, in his heart, does not believe +in second-sight, and who has not known of some well authenticated instance +of its manifestation. In other lands, certain races, or sub-races, seem to +be specially favored (or cursed, as Cameron asserted) with this power. It +will be noticed, usually, that such people dwell, or have dwelt in the +highlands or mountains of their country. There seems to be something in +the mountains and hills which tends to develop and encourage this power in +those dwelling among them. The story is also remarkable in the fact that +the impression was so strong in the mind of Cameron that it actually +communicated itself by clairaudience to those near to him--this is quite +unusual, though not without correspondence in other cases. Otherwise, the +case is merely a typical one, and may be duplicated in the experience of +thousands of other men and women. + +George Fox, the pioneer Quaker, had this faculty well developed, and +numerous instances of its manifestation by him are recorded. For instance, +he foretold the death of Cromwell, when he met him riding at Hampton +Court; he said that he felt "a waft of death" around and about Cromwell; +and Cromwell died shortly afterwards. Fox also publicly foretold the +dissolution of the Rump Parliament of England; the restoration of Charles +II; and the Great Fire of London--these are historical facts, remember. +For that matter, history contains many instances of this kind: the +prophecy of Caesar's death, and its further prevision by his wife, for +instance. The Bible prophecies and predictions, major and minor, give us +semi-historical instances. + +A celebrated historical instance of remarkable second-sight and prevision, +is that of Cazotte, whose wonderful prediction and its literal fulfilment +are matters of French history. Dumas has woven the fact into one of his +stories, in a dramatic manner--but even so he does not make the tale any +more wonderful than the bare facts. Here is the recital of the case by La +Harpe, the French writer, who was a personal witness of the occurrence, +and whose testimony was corroborated by many others who were present at +the time. La Harpe says: + +"It appears as but yesterday, and yet, nevertheless, it was at the +beginning of the year 1788. We were dining with one of our brethren at the +Academy--a man of considerable wealth and genius. The conversation became +serious; much admiration was expressed on the revolution in thought which +Voltaire had effected, and it was agreed that it was his first claim to +the reputation he enjoyed. We concluded that the revolution must soon be +consummated; that it was indispensible that superstition and fanaticism +should give way to philosophy, and we began to calculate the probability +of the period when this should be, and which of the present company should +live to see it. The oldest complained that they could scarcely flatter +themselves with the hope; the younger rejoiced that they might entertain +this very probable expectation; and they congratulated the Academy +especially for having prepared this great work, and for having been the +rallying point, the centre, and the prime mover of the liberty of thought. + +"One only of the guests had not taken part in all the joyousness of this +conversation, and had even gently and cheerfully checked our splendid +enthusiasm. This was Cazotte, an amiable and original man, but unhappily +infatuated with the reveries of the illumaniti. He spoke, and with the +most serious tone, saying: 'Gentleman, be satisfied; you will all see this +great and sublime revolution, which you so much desire. You know that I am +a little inclined to prophesy; I repeat, you will see it,' He was answered +by the common rejoinder: 'One need not be a conjuror to see that.' He +answered: 'Be it so; but perhaps one must be a little more than conjuror +for what remains for me to tell you. Do you know what will be the +consequences of this revolution--what will be the consequence to all of +you, and what will be the immediate result--the well-established +effect--the thoroughly recognized consequences to all of you who are here +present?' + +"'Ah' said Condorcet, with his insolent and half-suppressed smile, 'let us +hear--a philosopher is not sorry to encounter a prophet--let us hear!' +Cazotte replied: 'You, Monsier de Condorcet--you will yield up your last +breath on the floor of a dungeon; you will die from poison, which you will +have taken in order to escape from execution--from poison which the +happiness of that time will oblige you to carry about your person. You, +Monsieur de Chamfort, you will open your veins with twenty-two cuts of a +razor, and yet will not die till some months afterward.' These personages +looked at each other, and laughed again. Cazotte continued: 'You, Monsieur +Vicq d'Azir, you will not open your own veins, but you will cause yourself +to be bled six times in one day, during a paroxysm of the gout, in order +to make more sure of your end, and you will die in the night.' + +"Cazotte went on: 'You, Monsieur de Nicolai, you will die on the scaffold; +you, Monsieur Bailly, on the scaffold; you, Monsieur de Malesherbes, on +the scaffold. 'Ah, God be thanked,' exclaimed Roucher, 'and what of I?' +Cazotte replied: 'You? you also will die on the scaffold.' 'Yes,' replied +Chamfort, 'but when will all this happen?' Cazotte answered: 'Six years +will not pass over, before all that I have said to you shall be +accomplished.' Here I (La Harpe) spoke, saying: 'Here are some astonishing +miracles, but you have not included me in your list.' Cazotte answered me, +saying: 'But you will be there, as an equally extraordinary miracle; you +will then be a Christian!' Vehement exclamations on all sides followed +this startling assertion. 'Ah!' said Chamfort, 'I am conforted; if we +shall perish only when La Harpe shall be a Christian, we are immortal;' + +"Then observed Madame la Duchesse de Grammont: 'As for that, we women, we +are happy to be counted for nothing in these revolutions: when I say for +nothing, it is not that we do not always mix ourselves up with them a +little; but it is a received maxim that they take no notice of us, and of +our sex.' 'Your sex, ladies' said Cazotte, 'your sex will not protect you +this time; and you had far better meddle with nothing, for you will be +treated entirely as men, without any difference whatever.' 'But what, +then, are you really telling us of Monsieur Cazotte? You are preaching to +us the end of the world.' 'I know nothing on that subject; but what I do +know is, that you Madame la Duchesse, will be conducted to the scaffold, +you and many other ladies with you, in the cart of the executioner, and +with your hands tied behind your backs. 'Ah! I hope that in that case, I +shall at least have a carriage hung in black.' 'No, madame; higher ladies +than yourself will go, like you, in the common car, with their hands tied +behind them.' 'Higher ladies! what! the princesses of the blood?' 'Yea, +and still more exalted personages!' replied Cazotte. + +"Here a sensible emotion pervaded the whole company, and the countenance +of the host was dark and lowering--they began to feel that the joke was +becoming too serious. Madame de Grammont, in order to dissipate the cloud, +took no notice of the reply, and contented herself with saying in a +careless tone: 'You see, that he will not leave me even a confessor!' 'No, +madame!' replied Cazotte, 'you will not have one--neither you, nor any one +besides. The last victim to whom this favor will be afforded will be--' +Here he stopped for a moment. 'Well! who then will be the happy mortal to +whom this prerogative will be given?' Cazotte replied: 'It is the only one +which he will have then retained--and that will be the King of France!'" +This last startling prediction caused the company to disband in something +like terror and dismay, for the mere mention of such thing was akin to +treason. + +The amazing sequel to this strange story is that within the six years +allotted by the prophecy, every detail thereof was verified absolutely. +The facts are known to all students of the French Revolution, and may be +verified by reference to any history of that terrible period. To +appreciate the startling nature of the prophecy when made, one needs but +to be acquainted with the position and characteristics of the persons +whose destinies were foretold. This celebrated instance of highly advanced +future-time clairvoyance, or prevision, has never been equalled. The +reason, perhaps, is that Cazotte indeed was an advanced and highly +developed occultist--the account mentions this, you will notice. This +class of persons very seldom prophecy in this way, for reasons known to +all occultists. The ordinary cases recorded are those in which the +manifestation is that of a person of lesser powers and less perfect +development. + +Advanced occultists know the danger of a careless use of this power. They +know that (omitting other and very important reasons) such revelations +would work a terrible effect upon the minds of persons not sufficiently +well balanced to stand the disclosure. Moreover, they know that if the +average person knew the principal details of his future life on earth, +then he would lose interest in it--it would become stale and would lose +the attraction of the unknown. In such a case, the pleasant things to come +would lose their attractiveness by reason of having been dwelt on so long +that their flavor was lost; and the unpleasant things would become +unbearable by reason of the continual anticipation of them. We are apt to +discount our pleasures by dwelling too much upon them in anticipation; +and, as we all know, the dread of a coming evil often is worse than the +thing itself--we suffer a thousand pangs in anticipation to one in +reality. But, as I have intimated, there are other, and still more serious +reasons why the advanced occultists do not indulge in public prophecies +of this kind. It is probable that Cazotte decided to, and was permitted +to, make his celebrated prophecy for some important occult reason of which +La Harpe had no knowledge--it doubtless was a part of the working out of +some great plan, and it may have accomplished results undreamed of by us. +At any rate, it was something very much out of the; ordinary, even in the +case of advanced occultists and masters of esoteric knowledge. + +Another case which has a historic value is the well-known case concerning +the assassination of Spencer Perceval, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in +England, which occurred in the lobby of the House of Commons. The persons +who have a knowledge of the case report that some nine days before the +tragic occurrence a Cornish mine manager, named John Williams, had a +vision, three times in succession, in which he saw a small man, dressed in +a blue coat and white waistcoat, enter the lobby of the House of Commons; +whereupon another man, dressed in a snuff-colored coat, stepped forward, +and, drawing a pistol from an inside pocket fired at and shot the small +man, the bullet lodging in the left breast. In the vision, Williams turned +and asked some bystander the name of the victim; the bystander replied +that the stricken man was Mr. Spencer Perceval, the Chancellor of the +Exchequer. The valuable feature of the case, from a scientific standpoint, +lies in the fact that Williams was very much impressed by his +thrice-repeated vision, and was greatly disturbed thereby. His anxiety +was so great that he spoke of the matter to several friends, and asked +them whether it would not be well for him to go to London for the purpose +of warning Mr. Perceval. His friends ridiculed the whole matter, and +persuaded him to give up the idea of visiting London for the purpose +named. Those who had a knowledge of the vision were greatly startled and +shocked when several days afterward the assassination occurred, agreeing +in perfect detail with the vision of the Cornishman. The case, vouched for +as it was by a number of reliable persons who had been consulted by +Williams, attracted much attention at the time, and has since passed into +the history of remarkable instances of prevision. + +In some cases, however, the prevision seems to come as a warning, and in +many cases the heeding of the warning has prevented the unpleasant +features from materializing as seen in the vision. Up to the point of the +action upon the warning the occurrence agree perfectly with the +vision--but the moment the warned person acts so as to prevent the +occurrence, the whole train of circumstances is broken. There is an occult +explanation of this, but it is too technical to mention at this place. + +What is known to psychic researchers as "the Hannah Green case" is of this +character. This story, briefly, is that Hannah Green, a housekeeper of +Oxfordshire, dreamt that she, having been left alone in the house of a +Sunday evening, heard a knock at the door. Opening the door she found a +tramp who tried to force his way into the house. She struggled to prevent +his entrance, but he struck her with a bludgeon and rendered her +insensible, whereupon he entered the house and robbed it. She related the +vision to her friends, but, as nothing happened for some time, the matter +almost passed from her mind. But, some seven years afterward, she was left +in charge of the house on a certain Sunday evening; during the evening she +was startled by a sudden knock at the door, and her former vision was +recalled to her memory quite vividly. She refused to go to the door, +remembering the warning, but instead went up to a landing on the stair and +looked out the window, she saw at the door the very tramp whom she had +seen in the vision some seven years before, armed with a bludgeon and +striving to force an entrance into the house. She took steps to frighten +away the rascal, and she was saved from the unpleasant conclusion of her +vision. Many similar cases are recorded. + +In some cases persons have been warned by symbols of various kinds; or +else have had prevision in the same way. For instance, many cases are +known in which the vision is that of the undertaker's wagon standing +before the door of the person who dies sometime afterward. Or, the person +is visioned clad in a shroud. The variations of this class are +innumerable. Speak to the average dweller in the highlands of Scotland, or +certain counties in Ireland, regarding this--you will be furnished with a +wealth of illustrations and examples. + +This phase of the general subject of clairvoyance is very fascinating to +the student and investigator, and is one in which the highest psychic or +astral powers of sensing are called into play. In fact, as I have said, +there is here a reflection of something very much higher than the astral +or psychic planes of being. The student catches a glimpse of regions +infinitely higher and grander. He begins to realize at least something of +the existence of that Universal Consciousness "in which we live, and move, +and have our being;" and of the reality of the Eternal Now, in which past, +present and future are blended as one fact of infinite consciousness. He +sees the signboard pointing to marvelous truths! + + + + +LESSON XIV. + +ASTRAL-BODY TRAVELING + + +There is much confusion existing in the minds of the average students of +occultism concerning the distinction between astral visioning by means of +the astral senses in clairvoyance, and the visioning of the astral senses +during the travels of the astral body away from the physical body. There +is such a close connection between the two several phases of occult +phenomena that it is easy to mistake one for the other; in fact, there is +often such a blending of the two that it is quite difficult to distinguish +between them. However, in this lesson I shall endeavor to bring out the +characteristics of astral body visioning, that the student may learn to +distinguish them from those of the ordinary clairvoyant astral visioning, +and recognize them when he experiences them. + +The main points of distinction are these: When visioning clairvoyantly by +means of the astral senses, as described in the preceding chapters of this +book, the clairvoyant usually perceives the scene, person or event as a +picture on a flat surface. It is true that there is generally a perfect +perspective, similar to that of a good stereoscopic view, or that of a +high-grade moving picture photograph--the figures "stand out," and do not +appear "flat" as in the case of an ordinary photograph; but still at the +best it is like looking at a moving picture, inasmuch as the whole scene +is all in front of you. Visioning in the astral body, on the contrary, +gives you an "all around" view of the scene. That is to say, in such case +you see the thing just as you would were you there in your physical +body--you see in front of you; on the sides of you, out of the corner of +your eye; if you turn your head, you may see in any direction; and you may +turn around and see what is happening behind you. In the first case you +are merely gazing at an astral picture in front of you; while in the +second place you are ACTUALLY THERE IN PERSON. + +There are some limitations to this "seeing all around" when in the astral +body, however, which I should note in passing. For instance, if when in +the astral body you examine the akashic records of the past, or else peer +into the scenes of the future, you will see these things merely as a +picture, and will not be conscious of being present personally in the +scene. (An apparent exception is to be noted here, also, viz., if your +past-time visioning includes the perception of yourself in a former +incarnation, you may be conscious of living and acting in your former +personality; again, if you are psychometrizing from fossil remains, or +anything concerned with a living creature of the past, you may "take on" +the mental or emotional conditions of that creature, and seem to sense +things from the inside, rather than from the outside. This, of course, is +also a characteristic of the ordinary clairvoyant vision of the past.) But +when, in the astral body, you perceive a present-time scene in space, you +are, to all intents and purposes, an actual participant--you are actually +present at the place and time. The sense of "being actually present in +the body" is the leading characteristic of the astral body visioning, and +distinguishes it from the "picture seeing" sensing of ordinary +clairvoyance. This is stating the matter is as plain and simple form as is +possible, ignoring many technical details and particulars. + +You, being a student of occultism, of course know that the astral body is +a fine counterpart of the physical body, composed of a far more subtle +form of substance than is the latter, that under certain conditions you +may travel in your astral body, detached from your physical body (except +being connected with it with a slender astral cord, bearing a close +resemblance to the umbilical cord which connects the newborn babe with the +placenta in the womb of its mother), and explore the realms of the astral +plane. This projection of the astral body, as a rule, occurs only when the +physical body is stilled in sleep, or in trance condition. In fact, the +astral body frequently is projected by us during the course of our +ordinary sleep, but we fail to remember what we have seen in our astral +journeys, except, occasionally, dim flashes of partial recollection upon +awakening. In some cases, however, our astral visioning is so distinct and +vivid, that we awaken with a sense of having had a peculiar experience, +and as having actually been out of the physical body at the time. + +In some cases, the person traveling in the astral is able to actually take +part in the distant scene, and may, under certain circumstances actually +materialize himself so as to be seen by persons in their physical bodies. +I am speaking now, of course, of the untrained person. The trained and +developed occultist, of course, is able to do these things deliberately +and consciously, instead of unconsciously and without intention as in the +case of the ordinary person. I shall quote here from another writer on the +subject, whose point of view, in connection with my own, may serve to +bring about a clear understanding in the mind of the student--it is always +well to view any subject from as many angles as possible. This writer +says: + +"We enter here upon an entirely new variety of clairvoyance, in which the +consciousness of the seer no longer remains in or closely connected with +his physical body, but is definitely transferred to the scene which he is +examining. Though it has no doubt greater dangers for the untrained seer +than either of the other methods, it is yet quite the most satisfactory +form of clairvoyance open to him. In this case, the man's body is either +asleep or in a trance, and its organs are consequently not available for +use while the vision is going on, so that all description of what is seen, +and all questioning as to further particulars, must be postponed until the +wanderer returns to this plane. On the other hand, the sight is much +fuller and more perfect; the man hears as well as sees everything which +passes before him, and can move about freely at will within the very wide +limits of the astral plane. He has also the immense advantage of being +able to take part, as it were, in the scenes which come before his +eyes--of conversing at will with various entities on the astral plane, and +from whom so much information that is curious and interesting may be +obtained. If in addition he can learn how to materialize himself (a matter +of no great difficulty for him when once the knack is acquired), he will +be able to take part in physical events or conversations at a distance, +and to show himself to an absent friend at will. + +"Again, he will have the additional power of being able to hunt about for +what he wants. By means of the other varieties of clairvoyance, for all +practical purposes he may find a person or place only when he is already +acquainted with it; or, when he is put en rapport with it by touching +something physically connected with it, as in psychometry. By the use of +the astral body, however, a man can move about quite freely and rapidly in +any direction, and can (for example) find without difficulty any place +pointed out upon a map, without either any previous knowledge of the spot +or any object to establish a connection with it. He can also readily rise +high into the air so as to gain a bird's eye view of the country which he +is examining, so as to observe its extent, the contour of its coastline, +or its general character. Indeed, in every way his power and freedom are +far greater when he uses this method than they are in any of the lesser +forms of clairvoyance." + +In many well authenticated cases, we may see that the soul of a dying +person, one whose physical end is approaching, visits friends and +relatives in the astral body, and in many cases materializes and even +speaks to them. In such cases the dying person accomplishes the feat of +astral manifestation without any special occult knowledge; the weakened +links between the physical and the higher phases of the soul render the +temporary passing-out comparatively easy, and the strong desire of the +dying person furnishes the motive power necessary. Such visits, however, +are often found to be merely the strongly charged thought of the dying +person, along the lines of telepathy, as I have previously explained to +you. But in many cases there can be no doubt that the phenomenon is a +clear case of astral visitation and materialization. + +The records of the Society for Psychical Research contain many instances +of this kind; and similar instances are to be found in other records of +psychical research. I shall quote a few of these cases for you, that you +may get a clear idea of the characteristics thereof. Andrew Lang, an +eminent student and investigator along the lines of the psychic and +occult, gives us the following case, of which he says, "Not many stories +have such good evidence in their favor." The story as related by Mr. Lang +in one of his books is as follows: + +"Mary, the wife of John Goffe of Rochester, being afflicted with a long +illness, removed to her father's house at West Mailing, about nine miles +from her own. The day before her death she grew very impatiently desirous +to see her two children, whom she had left at home to the care of a +nurse. She was too ill to be moved, and between one and two o'clock in the +morning she fell into a trance. One widow, Turner, who watched with her +that night, says that her eyes were open and fixed, and her jaw fallen. +Mrs. Turner put her hand to her mouth, but could perceive no breath. She +thought her to be in a fit, and doubted whether she were dead or alive. +The next morning the dying woman told her mother that she had been at home +with her children, saying, 'I was with them last night when I was asleep.' + +"The nurse at Rochester, widow Alexander by name, affirms that a little +before two o'clock that morning she saw the likeness of the said Mary +Goffe come out of the next chamber (where the elder child lay in a bed by +itself), the door being left open, and stood by her bedside for about a +quarter of an hour; the younger child was there lying by her. Her eyes +moved and her mouth went, but she said nothing. The nurse, moreover says +that she was perfectly awake; it was then daylight, being one of the +longest days of the year. She sat up in bed and looked steadfastly on the +apparition. In that time she heard the bridge clock strike two, and a +while after said: 'In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, what art +thou?' Thereupon the apparition removed and went away; she slipped out of +her clothes and followed, but what became on't she cannot tell." + +In the case just mentioned, Mr. Lang states that the nurse was so +frightened that she was afraid to return to bed. As soon as the neighbors +were up and about she told them of what she had seen; but they told her +that she had been dreaming. It was only when, later on, news came of what +had happened at the other end of the line--the bedside of the dying woman, +that they realized just what had happened. + +In a work by Rev. F.G. Lee, there are several other cases of this kind +quoted, all of which are stated by Mr. Lee to be thoroughly well +authenticated. In one of the cases a mother, when dying in Egypt, appears +to her children in Torquay, and is clearly seen in broad daylight by all +five children and also by the nursemaid. In another, a Quaker lady dying +at Cockermouth is clearly seen and recognized in daylight by her three +children at Seattle, the remainder of the story being almost identical +with that of the Goffe case just quoted. + +In the records of the Society for Psychical Research, the following case +appears, the person reporting it being said to be of good character and +reputation for truthfulness and reliability. The story is as follows: "One +morning in December, 1836, A. had the following dream, or he would prefer +to call it, revelation. He found himself suddenly at the gate of Major +N.M.'s avenue, many miles from his home. Close to him was a group of +persons, one of whom was a woman with a basket on her arm, the rest were +men, four of whom were tenants of his own, while the others were unknown +to him. Some of the strangers seemed to be assaulting H.W., one of his +tenants, and he interfered. A. says, 'I struck violently at the man on my +left, and then with greater violence at the man's face on my right. +Finding, to my surprise, that I had not knocked down either, I struck +again and again with all the violence of a man frenzied at the sight of my +poor friend's murder. To my great amazement I saw my arms, although +visible to my eye, were without substance, and the bodies of the men I +struck at and my own came close together after each blow, through the +shadowy arms I struck with. My blows were delivered with more extreme +violence than I ever think I exerted, but I became painfully convinced of +my incompetency. I have no consciousness of what happened after this +feeling of unsubstantiality came upon me.' + +"Next morning, A. experienced the stiffness and soreness of violent bodily +exercise, and was informed by his wife that in the course of the night he +had much alarmed her by striking out again and again in a terrific manner, +'as if fighting for his life.' He, in turn, informed her of his dream, and +begged her to remember the names of those actors in it who were known to +him. On the morning of the following day (Wednesday) A. received a letter +from his agent, who resided in the town close to the scene of the dream, +informing him that his tenant had been found on Tuesday morning at Major +N.M.'s gate, speechless and apparently dying from a fracture of the +skull, and that there was no trace of the murderers. + +"That night A. started for the town, and arrived there on Thursday +morning. On his way to a meeting of magistrates, he met the senior +magistrate of that part of the country, and requested him to give orders +for the arrest of the three men whom, besides H.W., he had recognized in +his dream, and to have them examined separately. This was at once done. +The three men gave identical accounts of the occurrence, and all named the +woman who was with them. She was then arrested and gave precisely similar +testimony. They said that between eleven and twelve on the Monday night +they had been walking homewards altogether along the road, when they were +overtaken by three strangers, two of whom savagely assaulted H.W., while +the other prevented his friends from interfering. H.W. did not die, but +was never the same man afterwards; he subsequently emigrated." + +Stead, the English editor and psychical researcher, relates the following +case, which he accepts as truthful and correct, after careful +investigation of the circumstances and of the character and reputation of +the person relating it. The story proceeds as follows: + +"St. Eglos is situated about ten miles from the Atlantic, and not quite so +far from the old market town of Trebodwina. Hart and George Northey were +brothers, and from childhood their lives had been marked by the strongest +brotherly affection. Hart and George Northey had never been separated +from their birth until George became a sailor, Hart meantime joining his +father in business. On the 8th of February, 1840, while George Northey's +ship was lying in port at St. Helena, he had the following strange dream: + +"Last night I dreamt that my brother was at Trebodwina Market, and that I +was with him, quite close by his side, during the whole of the market +transactions. Although I could see and hear which passed around me, I felt +sure that it was not my bodily presence which thus accompanied him, but my +shadow or rather my spiritual presence, for he seemed quite unconscious +that I was near him. I felt that my being thus present in this strange way +betokened some hidden danger which he was destined to meet, and which I +know my presence could not avert, for I could not speak to warn him of his +peril." + +The story then proceeds to relate how Hart collected considerable money at +Trebodwina Market, and then started to ride homeward. George tells what +happened to his brother on the way, as follows: + +"My terror gradually increased as Hart approached the hamlet of Polkerrow, +until I was in a perfect frenzy, frantically desirous, yet unable to warn +my brother in some way and prevent him from going further. I suddenly +became aware of two dark shadows thrown across the road. I felt that my +brother's hour had come, and I was powerless to aid him! Two men appeared, +whom I instantly recognized as notorious poachers who lived in a lonely +wood near St. Eglos. They wished him 'Good night, mister!' civilly +enough. He replied, and entered into conversation with them about some +work he had promised them. After a few minutes they asked him for some +money. The elder of the two brothers, who was standing near the horse's +head, said: 'Mr. Northey, we know you have just come from Trebodwina +Market with plenty of money in your pockets; we are desperate men, and you +bean't going to leave this place until we've got that money; so hand +over!' My brother made no reply except to slash at him with the whip, and +spur the horse at him. + +"The younger of the ruffians instantly drew a pistol, and fired. Hart +dropped lifeless from the saddle, and one of the villains held him by the +throat with a grip of iron for some minutes, as thought to make assurance +doubly sure, and crush out any particle of life my poor brother might have +left. The murderers secured the horse to a tree in the orchard, and, +having rifled the corpse, they dragged it up the stream, concealing it +under the overhanging banks of the water-course. Then they carefully +covered over all marks of blood on the road, and hid the pistol in the +thatch of a disused hut close to the roadside; then, setting the horse +free to gallop home alone, they decamped across the country to their own +cottage." + +The story then relates how George Northey's vessel left St. Helena the +next day after the dream, and reached Plymouth in due time. George carried +with him a very vivid recollection of his vision on the return voyage, +and never doubted for an instant that his brother had been actually +murdered in the manner and by the persons named, as seen in the vision. He +carried with him the determination to bring the villains to justice and +was filled with the conviction that through his efforts retribution would +fall upon the murderers. + +In England, justice was at work--but the missing link was needed. The +crime aroused universal horror and indignation, and the authorities left +nothing undone in the direction of discovering the murderers and bringing +them to justice. Two brothers named Hightwood were suspected, and in their +cottage were found blood-stained garments. But no pistol was found, +although the younger brother admitted having owned but lost one. They were +arrested and brought before the magistrates. The evidence against them was +purely circumstantial, and not any too strong at that; but their actions +were those of guilty men. They were committed for trial. Each confessed, +in hopes of saving his life and obtaining imprisonment instead. But both +were convicted and sentenced to be hanged. There was doubt in the minds of +some, however, about the pistol. The story continues: + +"Before the execution, George Northey arrived from St. Helena, and +declared that the pistol was in the thatch of the old cottage close by the +place where they had murdered Hart Northey, and where they had hid it. +'How do you know?' he was asked. George replied: 'I saw the foul deed +committed in a dream I had the night of the murder, when at St. Helena.' +The pistol was found, as George Northey had predicted, in the thatch of +the ruined cottage." Investigation revealed that the details of the crime +were identical with those seen in the vision. + +It is a fact known to all occultists that many persons frequently travel +in the astral body during sleep; and in many cases retain a faint +recollection of some of the things they have seen and heard during their +travels in the astral. Nearly everyone knows the experience of waking up +in the morning feeling physically tired and "used up;" in some cases a dim +recollection of walking or working during the dream being had. Who among +us has not had the experience of "walking on the air," or in the air, +without the feet touching the ground, being propelled simply by the effort +of the will? And who of us has had not experienced that dreadful--"falling +through space" sensation, in dreams, with the sudden awakening just before +we actually struck earth? And who has not had the mortifying dream +experience of walking along the street, or in some public place, and being +suddenly overcome by the consciousness that we were in our night-clothes, +or perhaps without any clothing at all? All of these things are more or +less distorted recollection of astral journeyings. + +But while these dream excursions in the astral are harmless, the conscious +"going out in the astral" is not so. There are many planes of the astral +into which it is dangerous and unpleasant for the uninstructed person to +travel; unless accompanied by a capable occultist as guide. Therefore, I +caution all students against trying to force development in that +direction. Nature surrounds you with safeguards, and interposes obstacles +for your own protection and good. Do not try to break through these +obstacles without knowledge of what you are doing. "Fools rush in where +angels fear to tread," remember; and "a little learning is a dangerous +thing." When you have reached the stage of development in which it will be +safe for you to undertake conscious astral explorations, then will your +guide be at hand, and the instruction furnished you by those capable of +giving it to you. Do not try to break into the astral without due +preparation, and full knowledge, lest you find yourself in the state of +the fish who leaped out of the water onto the banks of the stream. Your +dream trips are safe; they will increase in variety and clearness, and you +will remember more about them--all this before you may begin to try to +consciously "go out into the astral" as do the occultists. Be content to +crawl before you may walk. Learn to add, multiply, subtract and divide, +before you undertake the higher mathematics, algebra, geometry, etc., of +occultism. + + + + +LESSON XV. + +STRANGE ASTRAL PHENOMENA. + + +There are several phases of astral phenomena other than those mentioned in +the preceding chapters, which it will be better for the student to become +acquainted with in order to round out his general knowledge of the +subject, although the manifestations are comparatively rare, and not so +generally recognized in works on this subject. + +One of the first of these several phases of astral phenomena is that which +may be called Thought-Form Projection. This manifestation comes in the +place on the psychic scale just between ordinary clairvoyance on the one +hand, and astral body projection on the other. It has some of the +characteristics of each, and is often mistaken for one or the other of +these phases. + +To understand this phenomena, the student should know something regarding +the fact that thought frequently takes on astral form, and that these +manifestations are known as thought-forms. I have spoken of these in some +of the preceding lessons. The ordinary thought-form is quite simple, as a +rule, and does not bear any particular resemblance to the sender thereof. +But in some cases a person may, consciously or unconsciously, strongly and +clearly think of himself as present at some other place, and thus actually +create a thought-form of himself at that place, which may be discerned by +those having clairvoyant vision. Moreover, this thought-form of himself +is connected psychically with himself and affords a channel of psychic +information for him. As a rule these thought-forms are only projected by +those who have trained their minds and will along occult lines; but +occasionally under the stress of strong emotion or desire an ordinary +person may focus his psychic power to such an extent that the phenomena is +manifested. + +Here I will quote from an English investigator of astral phenomena, who +has had much experience on that plane. He says: "All students are aware +that thought takes form, at any rate upon its own plane, and in the +majority of cases upon the astral plane also; but it may not be so +generally known that if a man thinks strongly of himself as present at any +given place, the form assumed by that particular thought will be a +likeness of the thinker himself, which will appear at the place in +question. Essentially this form must be composed of the matter of the +mental plane, but in very many cases it would draw round itself matter of +the astral plane also, and so would approach much nearer to visibility. +There are, in fact, many instances in which it has been seen by the person +thought of--most probably by means of the unconscious influence emanating +from the original thinker. None of the consciousness of the thinker would, +however, be included within this thought-form. When once sent out from +him, it would normally be a quite separate entity--not indeed absolutely +unconnected with its maker, but practically so as far as the possibility +of receiving any impression through it is concerned. + +"This type of clairvoyance consists, then, in the power to retain so much +connection with and so much hold over a newly-created thought-form as will +render it possible to receive impressions by means of it. Such impressions +as were made upon the form would in this case be transmitted to the +thinker--not along an astral telegraph line, but by a sympathetic +vibration. In a perfect case of this kind of clairvoyance it is almost as +though the seer projected a part of his consciousness into the +thought-form, and used it as a kind of outpost, from which observation was +possible. He sees almost as well as he would if he himself stood in the +place of his thought-form. The figures at which he is looking will appear +to him as of life-size and close to hand, instead of tiny and at a +distance as in the case of some other forms of clairvoyance; and he will +find it possible to shift his point of view if he wishes to do so. +Clairaudience is perhaps less frequently associated with this type of +clairvoyance than with the others, but its place is to some extent taken +by a kind of mental perception of the thoughts and intentions of those who +are seen. + +"Since the man's consciousness is still in the physical body, he will be +able (even when exercising this faculty) to hear and to speak, in so far +as he can do this without any distraction of his attention. The moment +that the intentness of his thought fails, the whole vision is gone, and he +will have to construct a fresh thought-form before he can resume it. +Instances in which this kind of sight is possessed with any degree of +perfection by untrained people are naturally rarer than in the other types +of clairvoyance, because the capacity for mental control required, and the +generally finer nature of the forces employed." + +I may mention that this particular method is frequently employed by +advanced occultists of all countries, being preferred for various reasons. +Some of the reasons of this preference as follows: (a) The ability to +shift the vision, and to turn around almost as well as in the case of +actual astral-body projection--this gives quite an advantage to this +method over the method of ordinary clairvoyance; (b) it does away with +certain disadvantages of "going out into the astral" in the astral-body, +which only trained occultists realize--it gives almost the same results as +astral-body clairvoyance, without a number of disadvantages and +inconveniences. + +In India, especially, this form of clairvoyance is comparatively frequent. +This by reason of the fact that the Hindus, as a race, are far more +psychic than are those of the Western lands, all else considered; and, +besides, there are a much greater number of highly developed occultists +there than in the West. Moreover, there is a certain psychic atmosphere +surrounding India, by reason of its thousands of years of deep interest in +things psychic and spiritual, all of which renders the production of +psychic phenomena far easier than in other lands. + +In India, moreover, we find many instances of another form of psychic, or +astral phenomena. I allude to the production of thought-form pictures +which are plainly visible to one or more persons. This phase of psychic +phenomena is the real basis for many of the wonder tales which Western +travellers bring back with them from India. The wonderful cases of magical +appearance of living creatures and plants, and other objects, out of the +clear air are the result of this psychic phenomena. That is to say, the +creatures and objects are not really produced--they are but astral +appearances resulting from the projection of powerful thought-forms from +the mind of the magician or other wonder-worker, of whom India has a +plentiful supply. Even the ignorant fakirs (I use the word in its true +sense, not in the sense given it by American slang)--even these itinerant +showmen of psychic phenomena, are able to produce phenomena of this kind +which seems miraculous to those witnessing them. As for the trained +occultists of India, I may say that their feats (when they deign to +produce them) seem to overturn every theory and principle of materialistic +philosophy and science. But in nearly every case the explanation is the +same--the projection of a strong and clear thought-form on a large scale. + +Although I have purposely omitted reference to Hindu psychic phenomena in +this book (for the reason given in my Introduction), I find it necessary +to quote cases in India in this connection, for the simple reason that +there are but few counterparts in the Western world. There are no +itinerent wonder-workers of this kind in Western lands, and the trained +occultists of the West of course would not consent to perform feats of +this kind for the amusement of persons seeking merely sensations. The +trained wills of the West are given rather to materializing objectively on +the physical plane, creating great railroads, buildings, bridges, etc., +from the mental pictures, rather than devoting the same time, energy and +will to the production of astral though-forms and pictures. There is a +great difference in temperament, as well as a difference in the general +psychic atmosphere, between East and West, which serves to explain matters +of this kind. + +An American writer truly says: "The first principle underlying the whole +business of Hindu wonder-working is that of a strong will; and the first +necessary condition of producing a magical effect is an increase in the +power of thought. The Hindus, owing to that intense love for solitary +meditation, which has been one of the most pronounced characteristics from +time immemorial, have acquired mental faculties of which we of the Western +and younger civilization are totally ignorant. The Hindu has attained a +past master's degree in speculative philosophy. He has for years retired +for meditation to the silent places in his land, lived a hermit, subdued +the body and developed the mind, thus winning control over other minds." + +In India, I have seen scenes of far distant places appearing as a mirage +in clear air, even the colors being present to the scenes. This, though +some what uncommon, was simply a remarkable instance of thought-form +projection from the mind of a man highly developed along occult lines. You +must remember that in order to produce a picture in the astral, of this +kind, the occultist must not only have the power of will and mind to cause +such a picture to materialize, but he must also have a remarkable memory +for detail in the picture--for nothing appears in the picture unless it +has already been pictured in the mind of the mind of the man himself. Such +a memory and perception of detail is very rare--in the Western world it is +possessed by only exceptional artists; however, anyone may cultivate this +perception and memory if he will give the time and care to it that the +Hindu magicians do. + +You have heard of the Hindu Mango Trick, in which the magician takes a +mango seed, plants it in the ground, waves his hands over it, and then +causes first a tiny shoot to appear from the surface of the ground, this +followed by a tiny trunk, and leaves, which grow and grow, until at last +appears a full sized mango tree, which first shows blossoms and then ripe +fruit. In short, in a few moments the magician has produced that which +Nature require years to do--that is he apparently does this. What he +really does is to produce a wonderful thought-form in the astral, from +seed stage to tree and fruit stage; the astral picture reproducing +perfectly the picture in his own mind. It is as if he were creating a +moving picture film-roll in his mind, and then projecting this upon the +screen of the air. There is no mango tree there, and never was, outside +of the mind of the magician and the minds of his audience. + +In the same way, the magician will seem to throw the end of a rope up into +the air. It travels far up until the end is lost sight of. Then he sends a +boy climbing up after it, until he too disappears from sight. Then he +causes the whole thing to disappear, and lo! the boy is seen standing +among the audience. The boy is real, of course, but he never left the +spot--the rest was all an appearance caused by the mind and will of the +magician, pictured in the astral as a thought-form. In the same way the +magician will seem to cut the boy into bits, and then cause the severed +parts to spring together and reassemble themselves. These feats may be +varied indefinitely but the principle is ever the same--thought-form +projection. + +Western visitors have sought to obtain photographs of these feats of the +Hindu magicians, but their plates and films invariably show nothing +whatever except the old fakir sitting quietly in the centre, with a +peculiar expression in his eyes. This is as might be expected, for the +picture exists only in the astral, and is perceived only by the awakened +astral senses of those present, which have been stimulated into activity +by the power of the magician--by sympathetic vibration, to be exact. +Moreover, in certain instances it has been found that the vision is +confined to a limited area; persons outside of the limit-ring see nothing, +and those moving nearer to the magician lose sight of what they had +previously seen. There are scientific reasons for this last fact, which +need not be gone into at this place. The main point I am seeking to bring +out is that these wonderful scenes are simply and wholly thought-form +pictures in the astral, perceived by the awakened astral vision of those +present. This to be sure is wonderful enough--but still no miracle has +been worked! + +I may mention here that these magicians begin their training from early +youth. In addition to certain instruction concerning astral phenomena +which is handed down from father to son among them they are set to work +practicing "visualization" of things previously perceived. They are set to +work upon, say, a rose. They must impress upon their memory the perfect +picture of the rose--no easy matter, I may tell you. Then they proceed to +more difficult objects, slowly and gradually, along well known principles +of memory development. Along with this they practice the art of +reproducing that which they remember--projecting it in thought-form state. +And so the young magician proceeds, from simple to complex things; from +easy to difficult; until, finally, he is pronounced fit to give public +exhibitions. All this takes years and years--sometimes the boy grows to be +a middle-aged man before he is allowed to publicly exhibit his power. +Imagine a Western boy or man being willing to study from early childhood +to middle-age before he may hope to be able to show what he has been +learning! Verily "the East is East, and the West is West"--the two poles +of human activity and expression. + +Another phase of psychic astral phenomena which should be mentioned, +although it is manifested but comparatively seldom, is that which has been +called "Telekinesis." By the term "telekinesis" is meant that class of +phenomena which manifests in the movement of physical objects without +physical contact with the person responsible for the movement. I +understand that the term itself was coined by Professor Cowes, with whose +works I am not personally familiar. It is derived from the two Greek words +TELE, meaning "far off," and KINESIS, meaning "to move." + +This class of phenomena is known better in the Western world by reason of +its manifestation in spiritualistic circles in the movement of tables, +etc.; the knocking or tapping on tables and doors, etc.; all of which are +usually attributed to the work of "spirits," but which occultists know are +generally produced, consciously or unconsciously, by means of the power in +the medium or others present, sometimes both. I would say here that I am +not trying to discredit genuine spiritualistic phenomena--I am not +considering the same in these lessons. All that I wish to say is that many +of the phenomena commonly attributed to "spirits" are really but results +of the psychic forces inherent in the living human being. + +Under certain conditions there may appear in the case of a person strongly +psychic, and also strongly charged with prana, the ability to extend a +portion of the astral body to a considerable distance, and to there +produce an effect upon some physical object. Those with strong clairvoyant +vision may actually perceive this astral extension, under favorable +circumstances. They perceive the astral arm of the person stretching out, +diminishing in size as it extends (just as a piece of flexible rubber +shrinks in diameter as it expands in length) and finally coming in contact +with the physical object it wishes to move or strike. Then is seen a +strong flow of prana along its length, which (by a peculiar form of +concentration) is able to produce the physical effect. I cannot enter into +the subject of astral physics at this place, for the subject is far too +technical to be treated in lessons designed for general study. I may at +least partially explain the phenomenon, however, by saying that the +projected astral arm acts in a manner almost precisely like that of an +extended physical arm, were such a thing possible in nature. + +This astral-body extension produces spirit raps on tables; table-tilting +and movement; levitation, or the lifting of solid objects in the air; +playing upon musical instruments such as the guitar, accordian, etc. In +some cases it is able to actually lift the person himself from the floor, +and carry him through the air, in the same way. It may also cause the +movement of a pencil in a closed slate, or bit of chalk upon a blackboard. +In fact, it may produce almost any form of movement possible to the +physical hand. In the case of the levitation of the person himself, the +astral arms, and sometimes the legs as well, extend to the floor and push +up the physical body into the air, and then propel it along. There are +many complex technical details to these manifestations, however, and in a +general statement these must be omitted. + +Some who are firmly wedded to the spiritistic theory resent the statement +of occultists that this form of phenomena may be explained without the +necessity of the "spirits." But the best ground for the statement of the +occultists is that many advanced occultists are able to produce such +phenomena, consciously, by an act of pure will, accompanied by the power +of mental picturing. They first picture the astral extension, and then +will the projection of the astral and the passage of the prana (or vital +force) around the pattern of the mental image. In the case of some very +highly developed occultists the astral thought-form of their body becomes +so charged with prana that it is able to move physical objects. There are +not mere theories, for they may be verified by any occultist of +sufficiently high development. + +I do not wish to intimate that the mediums are aware of the true nature of +this phenomena, and consciously deceive their followers. On the contrary, +most of them firmly believe that it is the "spirits" who do the work; +unaware that they are unconsciously projecting their astral bodies, +charged with prana, and performing the feat themselves. The best mediums, +however, will generally tell you that they strongly "wish" that the thing +be done, and a little cross-examination will reveal the fact that they +generally make a clear mental picture of the actual happening just before +it occurs. As I have already stated, however, the best proof is the fact +that advanced occultists are able to duplicate the phenomena deliberately, +consciously, and at will. I do not think that detracts from the wonder and +interest in the so-called "spiritistic" phenomena; on the contrary, I +think that it adds to it. + +Again invading the realm of the "spirits," I would say that occultists +know that many cases of so-called materialization of "spirit-forms" take +place by reason of the unconscious projection of the astral body of the +medium. Moreover, such a projection of the astral body may take on the +appearance of some departed soul, by reason of the mental picture of that +person in the mind of the medium. But, it may be asked if the medium has +never seen the dead person, how can he or she make a mental picture of him +or her. The answer is that the minds of the persons present who knew the +dead person tend to influence the appearance of the nebulous spirit form. +In fact, in most cases the medium is unable to produce the phenomenon +without the psychic assistance of those in the circle. In this case, also, +I would say that the advanced occultist is able to duplicate the phenomena +at will, as all who have enjoyed the privilege of close acquaintance with +such persons are aware. + +The fact the medium is usually in a trance condition aid materially in the +ease with which the phenomena are produced. With the conscious mind +stilled, and the subconscious mind active, the astral phenomena are +produced with much less trouble than would be the case if the medium were +in the ordinary condition. + +Now, I wish to impress upon the minds of those of my readers who have a +strong sympathy for the spiritistic teachings that I recognize the +validity and genuineness of much of the phenomena of spiritism--I know +these things to be true, for that matter; it is not a matter of mere +belief on my part. But I also know that much of the so-called spiritistic +phenomena is possible without the aid of "spirits," but by, the employment +of the psychic astral forces and powers as stated in these lessons. I see +no reason for any honest investigator of spiritism to be offended at such +statements, for it does not take away from the wonder of the phenomena; +and does not discredit the motives and power of the mediums. We must +search for truth wherever it is to be found; and we must not seek to dodge +the results of our investigations. There is too much wonderful phenomena +in spiritism to begrudge the explanation that the occultist offers for +certain of its phases. + +While I am on the subject of materialization however, I would direct the +attention of the student to my little book entitled "The Astral World," in +which I have explained briefly the phenomena of those planes of the astral +in which dwell the cast-off shells of souls which have moved on to the +higher planes of the great astral world. I have there shown that many +astral shells or shades, or other astral semi-entities may be +materialized, and thus mistaken for the "spirits" of departed friends. I +have also explained in the same little book how there are certain powerful +thought-forms which may be mistaken for spirit materializations. I have +also shown how many a honest medium is really a good clairvoyant, and by +reading the records of the astral light is able to give information which +seems to come from the departed soul. All of these things should be +familiar to the earnest investigator of spiritism, in order that he may be +able to classify the phenomena which he witnesses, and to avoid error and +disappointment. + +In this connection, before passing on to the consideration of other phases +of psychic phenomena, I would say that one of the best mediums known to +the modern Western world--a medium who has been consulted by eminent men, +university professors, psychologists, and others--and whose revelations +regarding past, present and future astounded careful and intelligent men +of international reputation--this medium at the height of her professional +success made a public announcement that she felt compelled, from +conscientious motives, to assert that she had come to the conclusion that +her message came not from departed "spirits" but rather from some unknown +realm of being, brought hither by the exercise of some faculty inherent in +her and developed to a high power in her for some reason, which power seem +to manifest more effectively when she shut off her ordinary physical +faculties and functioned on a plane higher than them. I think that the +student of the present lessons will be able to point out the nature of the +phenomena manifested by this medium, and also the source of her power. If +not, I shall feel disappointed at my work of instruction. + + + + +LESSON XVI. + +PSYCHIC INFLUENCE; ITS LAWS AND PRINCIPLES + + +One of the phases of psychic phenomena that actively engage the attention +of the student from the very beginning is that which may be called Psychic +Influence. By this term is meant the influencing of one mind by +another--the effect of one mind over another. There has been much written +and said on this phase of the general subject in recent years, but few +writers, however, have gone deeply into the matter. + +In the first place, most of the writers on the subject seek to explain the +whole thing by means of ordinary telepathy. But this is merely a one-sided +view of the truth of the matter. For, while ordinary telepathy plays an +important part in the phenomena, still the higher form of telepathy, i.e., +astral thought-transference, is frequently involved. The student who has +followed me in the preceding lessons will understand readily what I mean +when I say this, so there is no necessity for repetition on this point at +this place. + +At this point, however, I must ask the student to consider the idea of +psychic vibrations and their inductive power. It is a great principle of +occultism, as well as of modern science, that everything is in a state of +vibration--everything has its own rate of vibration, and is constantly +manifesting it. Every mental state is accompanied by vibration of its own +plane: every emotional state or feeling has its own particular rate of +vibration. These rates of vibrations manifest just as do the vibrations of +musical sound which produce the several notes on the scale, one rising +above the other in rate of vibration. But the scale of mental and +emotional states is far more complex, and far more extended than is the +musical scale; there are thousands of different notes, and half-notes, on +the mental scale. There are harmonies and discords on that scale, also. + +To those to whom vibrations seem to be something merely connected with +sound-waves, etc., I would say that a general and hasty glance at some +elementary work on physical science will show that even the different +shades, hues and tints of the colors perceived by us arise from different +rates of vibrations. Color is nothing more than the result of certain +rates of vibrations of light recorded by our senses and interpreted by our +minds. From the low vibrations of red to the high vibrations of violet, +all the various colors of the spectrum have their own particular rate of +vibration. And, more than this, science knows that below the lowest red +vibrations, and above the highest violet vibrations, there are other +vibrations which our senses are unable to record, but which scientific +instruments register. The rays of light by which photographs are taken are +not perceived by the eye. There are a number of so-called chemical rays of +light which the eye does not perceive, but which may be caught by delicate +instruments. There is what science has called "dark light," which will +photograph in a room which appears pitch dark to the human sight. + +Above the ordinary scale of light vibrations are the vibrations of the +X-Rays and other fine forces--these are not perceived by the eye, but are +caught by delicate instruments and recorded. Moreover, though science has +not as yet discovered the fact, occultists know that the vibrations of +mental and emotional states are just as true and regular as are those of +sound or light, or heat. Again, above the plane of the physical vibrations +arising from the brain and nervous system, there are the vibrations of the +astral counterparts of these, which are much higher in the scale. For even +the astral faculties and organs, while above the physical, still are under +the universal rule of vibration, and have their own rate thereof. The old +occult axiom: "As above, so below; as below, so above" is always seen to +work out on all planes of universal energy. + +Closely following this idea of the universality of vibrations, and +intimately connected therewith, we have the principle of "induction," +which is likewise universal, and found manifesting on all planes of +energy. "What is induction?" you may ask. Well, it is very simple, or very +complex--just as you may look at it. The principle of induction (on any +plane) is that inherent quality or attribute of energy by which the +manifestation of energy tends to reproduce itself in a second object, by +setting up corresponding vibrations therein, though without direct contact +of the two objects. + +Thus, heat in one object tends to induce heat in another object within +its range of induction--the heated object "throws off" heat vibrations +which set up corresponding vibrations in the near-by second object and +make it hot. Likewise, the vibrations of light striking upon other objects +render them capable of radiating light. Again, a magnet will induce +magnetism in a piece of steel suspended nearby, though the two objects do +not actually touch, each other. An object which is electrified will by +induction electrify another object situated some distance away. A note +sounded on the piano, or violin, will cause a glass or vase in some +distant part of the room to vibrate and "sing," under certain conditions. +And, so on, in every form or phase of the manifestation of energy do we +see the principle of induction in full operation and manifestation. + +On the plane of ordinary thought and emotion, we find many instances of +this principle of induction. We know that one person vibrating strongly +with happiness or sorrow, cheerfulness or anger, as the case may be fends +to communicate his feeling and emotions, state to those with whom he comes +in contact. All of you have seen a whole room full of persons affected and +influenced in this way, under certain circumstances. You have also seen +how a magnetic orator, preacher, singer or actor is able to induce in his +audience a state of emotional vibration corresponding to that manifested +by himself. In the same manner the "mental atmospheres" of towns, cities, +etc., are induced. + +A well-known writer on this subject has truthfully told us: "We all know +how great waves of feeling spread over a town, city or country, sweeping +people off their balance. Great waves of political enthusiasm, or +war-spirit, or prejudice for or against certain persons, sweep over places +and cause men to act in a manner that they will afterward regret when they +come to themselves and consider their acts in cold blood. They will be +swayed by demagogues or magnetic leaders who wish to gain their votes or +patronage; and they will be led into acts of mob violence, or similar +atrocities, by yielding to these waves of contagious thought. On the other +hand, we all know how great waves of religious feeling sweep over a +community upon the occasion of some great 'revival' excitement or fervor." + +These things being perceived, and recognized as true, the next question +that presents itself to the mind of the intelligent student is this: "But +what causes the difference in power and effect between the thought and +feeling-vibrations of different persons?" This question is a valid one, +and arises from a perception of the underlying variety and difference in +the thought vibrations of different persons. The difference, my students, +is caused by three principal facts, viz., (1) difference in degree of +feeling; (2) difference in degree of visualization; and (3) difference in +degree of concentration. Let us examine each of these successively, so as +to get at the underlying principle. + +The element of emotional feeling is like the element of fire in the +production of steam. The more vivid and intense the feeling or emotion, +the greater the degree of heat and force to the thought wave or vibratory +stream projected. You will begin to see why the thought vibrations of +those animated and filled with strong desire, strong wish, strong +ambition, etc., must be more forceful than those of persons of the +opposite type. + +The person who is filled with a strong desire, wish or ambition, which has +been fanned into a fierce blaze by attention, is a dynamic power among +other persons, and his influence is felt. In fact, it may be asserted that +as a general rule no person is able to influence men and things unless he +have a strong desire, wish or ambition within him. The power of desire is +a wonderful one, as all occultists know, and it will accomplish much even +if the other elements be lacking; while, in proper combination with other +principles it will accomplish wonders. Likewise, a strong interest in a +thing will cause a certain strength to the thought-vibrations connected +therewith. Interest is really an emotional feeling, though we generally +think of it as merely something connected with the intellect. A cold +intellectual thought has very little force, unless backed up by strong +interest and concentration. But any intellectual thought backed up with +interest, and focused by concentration, will produce very strong thought +vibrations, with a marked inductive power. + +Now, let us consider the subject of visualization. Every person knows that +the person who wishes to accomplish anything, or who expects to do good +work along any line, must first know what he wishes to accomplish. In the +degree that he is able to see the thing in his mind's eye--to picture the +thing in his imagination--in that degree will he tend to manifest the +thing itself in material form and effect. + +Sir Francis Galton, an eminent authority upon psychology, says on this +point: "The free use of a high visualizing faculty is of much importance +in connection with the higher processes of generalized thought. A visual +image is the most perfect form of mental representation wherever the +shape, position, and relations of objects to space are concerned. The best +workmen are those who visualize the whole of what they propose to do +before they take a tool in their hands. Strategists, artists of all +denominations, physicists who contrive new experiments, and, in short, all +who do not follow routine, have need of it. A faculty that is of +importance in all technical and artistic occupations, that gives accuracy +to our perceptions and justice to our generalizations, is starved by lazy +disuse instead of being cultivated judiciously in such a way as will, on +the whole, bring best return. I believe that a serious study of the best +way of developing and utilizing this faculty, without prejudice to the +practice of abstract thought in symbols, is one of the pressing desirata +in the yet unformed science of education." + +Not only on the ordinary planes is the forming of strong mental images +important and useful, but when we come to consider the phenomena of the +astral plane we begin to see what an important part is played there by +strong mental images or visualized ideas. The better you know what you +desire, wish or aspire to, the stronger will be your thought vibrations of +that thing, of course. Well, then, the stronger that you are able to +picture the thing in your mind--to visualize it to yourself--the stronger +will be your actual knowledge and thought-form of that thing. Instead of +your thought vibrations being grouped in nebulous forms, lacking shape and +distinct figure, as in the ordinary case; when you form strong, clear +mental images of what you desire or wish to accomplish, then do the +thought vibrations group themselves in clear, strong distinct forms. This +being done, when the mind of other persons are affected by induction they +get the clear idea of the thought and feeling in your mind, and are +strongly influenced thereby. + +A little later on, I shall call your attention to the Attractive Power of +Thought. But at this point I wish to say to you that while thought +certainly attracts to you the things that you think of the most, still the +power of the attraction depends very materially upon the clearness and +distinctness of the mental image, or thought visualization, of the desired +thing that you have set up in your mind. The nearer you can actually see +the thing as you wish it to happen, even to the general details, the +stronger will be the attractive force thereof. But, I shall leave the +discussion of this phase of the subject until I reach it in its proper +order. For the present, I shall content myself with urging upon you the +importance of a clear mental image, or visualized thought, in the matter +of giving force and direction to the idea induced in the minds of other +persons. In order for the other persons to actually perceive clearly the +idea or feeling induced in them, it is necessary that the idea or feeling +be strongly visualized in the mind originating it; that is the whole thing +in one sentence. + +The next point of importance in thought-influence by induction, is that +which is concerned with the process of concentration. Concentration is the +act of mental focusing, or bringing to a single point or centre. It is +like the work of the sun-glass that converges the rays of the sun to a +single tiny point, thus immensely increasing its heat and power. Or, it is +like the fine point of a needle that will force its way through where a +blunt thing cannot penetrate. Or, it is like the strongly concentrated +essence of a chemical substance, of which one drop is as powerful as one +pint of the original thing. Think of the concentrated power of a tiny drop +of attar of roses--it has within its tiny space the concentrated odor of +thousands of roses; one drop of it will make a pint of extract, and a +gallon of weaker perfumery! Think of the concentrated power in a lightning +flash, as contrasted with the same amount of electricity diffused over a +large area. Or, think of the harmless flash of a small amount of gunpowder +ignited in the open air, as contrasted with the ignition of the same +amount of powder compelled to escape through the small opening in the +gun-barrel. + +The occult teachings lay great stress upon this power of mental +concentration. All students of the occult devote much time and care to the +cultivation of the powers of concentration, and the development of the +ability to employ them. The average person possesses but a very small +amount of concentration, and is able to concentrate his mind for but a few +moments at a time. The trained thinker obtains much of his mental power +from his acquired ability to concentrate on his task. The occultist trains +himself in fixing his concentrated attention upon the matter before him, +so as to bring to a focal centre all of his mental forces. + +The mind is a very restless thing, and is inclined to dance from one thing +to another, tiring of each thing after a few moment's consideration +thereof. The average person allows his involuntary attention to rest upon +every trifling thing, and to be distracted by the idlest appeals to the +senses. He finds it most difficult to either shut out these distracting +appeals to the senses, and equally hard to hold the attention to some +uninteresting thing. His attention is almost free of control by the will, +and the person is a slave to his perceptive powers and to his imagination, +instead of, being a master of both. + +The occultist, on the contrary, masters his attention, and controls his +imagination. He forces the one to concentrate when he wishes it to do so; +and he compels the latter to form the mental images he wishes to +visualize. But this a far different thing from the self-hypnotization +which some persons imagine to be concentration. A writer on the subject +has well said: "The trained occultist will concentrate upon a subject or +object with a wonderful intensity, seemingly completely absorbed in the +subject or object before him, and oblivious to all else in the world. And +yet, the task accomplished, or the given time expired, he will detach his +mind from the object and will be perfectly fresh, watchful and wide-awake +to the next matter before him. There is every difference between being +controlled by involuntary attention, which is species of +self-hypnotization, and the control of the attention, which is an evidence +of mastery." An eminent French psychologist once said: "The authority of +the attention is subject to the superior authority of the Ego. I yield it, +or I withhold it, as I please. I direct it in turn to several points. I +concentrate it upon each point, as long as my will can stand the effort." + +In an earlier lesson of this series, I have indicated in a general way the +methods whereby one may develop and train his powers of concentration. +There is no royal road to concentration; it may be developed only by +practice and exercise. The secret consists in managing the attention, so +as to fix it upon a subject, no matter how uninteresting; and to hold it +there for a reasonable length of time. Practice upon some disagreeable +study or other task is good exercise, for it serves to train the will in +spite of the influence of more attractive objects or subjects. And this +all serves to train the will, remember; for the will is actively concerned +in every act of voluntary attention. In fact, attention of this kind is +one of the most important and characteristic acts of the will. + +So, as you see, in order to be successful in influencing the minds of +others by means of mental induction, you must first cultivate a strong +feeling of interest in the idea which you wish to induce in the other +person, or a strong desire to produce the thing. Interest and desire +constitute the fire which generates the stream of will from the water of +mind, as some occultists have stated it. Secondly, you must cultivate the +faculty of forming strong and clear mental images of the idea or feeling +you wish to so induce; you must learn to actually "see" the thing in your +imagination, so as to give the idea strength and clearness. Thirdly, you +must learn to concentrate your mind and attention upon the idea or +feeling, shutting out all other ideas and feelings for the time being; +thus you give concentrated force and power to the vibrations and +thought-forms which you are projecting. + +These three principles underlie all of the many forms of mental induction, +or mental influence. We find them in active operation in cases in which +the person is seeking to attract to himself certain conditions, +environment, persons, things, or channels of expression, by setting into +motion the great laws of mental attraction. We see them also employed when +the person is endeavoring to produce an effect upon the mind of some +particular person, or number of persons. We see them in force in all +cases of mental or psychic healing, under whatever form it may be +employed. In short, these are general principles, and must therefore +underlie all forms and phases of mental or psychic influence. The sooner +the student realizes this fact, and the more actively does he set himself +to work in cultivating and developing these principles within himself, the +more successful and efficient will he become in this field of psychic +research and investigation. It is largely in the degree of the cultivation +of these three mental principles that the occultist is distinguished from +the ordinary man. + +It may be that you are not desirous of cultivating or practicing the power +of influencing other persons psychically. Well, that is for you to decide +for yourself. At any rate, you will do well to develop yourselves along +these lines, at least for self-protection. The cultivation of these three +mental principles will tend to make you active and positive, psychically, +as contrasted with the passive, negative mental state of the average +person. By becoming mentally active and positive you will be able to +resist any psychic influence that may be directed toward yourself, and to +surround yourself with a protective aura of positive, active mental +vibrations. + +And, moreover, if you are desirous of pursuing your investigations of +psychic and astral phenomena, you will find it of great importance to +cultivate and develop these three principles in your mind. For, then you +will be able to brush aside all distracting influences, and to proceed at +once to the task before you, with power, clearness and strength of purpose +and method. + +In the following chapters I shall give you a more or less detailed +presentation of the various phases or forms of psychic influence. Some of +these may seem at first to be something independent of the general +principles. But I ask that you carefully analyze all of these, so as to +discover that the same fundamental principles are under and back of each +and every instance presented. When you once fully grasp this fact, and +perfect yourselves in the few fundamental principles, then you are well +started on the road to mastery of all the various phases of psychic +phenomena. Instead of puzzling your mind over a hundred different phases +of disconnected phenomena, it is better to master the few actual +elementary principles, and then reason deductively from these to the +various manifestation thereof. Master the principles, and then learn to +apply them. + + + + +LESSON XVII. + +PERSONAL PSYCHIC INFLUENCE OVER OTHERS + + +Psychic Influence, as the term is used in this book, may be said to be +divided into three general classes, viz., (1) Personal Influence, in which +the mind of another is directly influenced by induction while he is in the +presence of the person influencing; (2) Distant Influencing, in which the +psychic induction is directly manifested when the persons concerned are +distant from one another; and (3) Indirect Influence, in which the +induction is manifested in the minds of various persons coming in contact +with the thought vibrations of the person manifesting them, though no +attempt is made to directly influence any particular person. I shall now +present each of these three forms of psychic influence to you for +consideration, one after the other in the above order. + +Personal Influence, as above defined, ranges from cases in which the +strongest control (generally known as hypnotism) is manifested, down to +the cases in which merely a slight influence is exerted. But the general +principle underlying all of these cases is precisely the same. The great +characters of history, such as Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, +and Julius Caesar, manifested this power to a great degree, and were able +to sway men according to their will. All great leaders of men have this +power strongly manifested, else they would not be able to influence the +minds of men. Great orators, preachers, statesmen, and others of this +class, likewise manifest the power strongly. In fact, the very sign of +ability to influence and manage other persons is evidence of the +possession and manifestation of this mighty power. + +In developing this power to influence others directly and personally, you +should begin by impressing upon your mind the principles stated in the +preceding chapter, namely (1) Strong Desire; (2) Clear Visualization; and +(3) Concentration. + +You must begin by encouraging a strong desire in your mind to be a +positive individual; to exert and manifest a positive influence over +others with whom you come in contact, and especially over those whom you +wish to influence in some particular manner or direction. You must let the +fire of desire burn fiercely within you, until it becomes as strong as +physical hunger or thirst. You must "want to" as you want to breathe, to +live. You will find that the men who accomplish the great things in life +are those who have strong desire burning in their bosoms. There is a +strong radiative and inductive power in strong desire and wish--in fact, +some have thought this the main feature of what we generally call strong +will-power. + +The next step, of course, is the forming of a clear, positive, distinct +and dynamic mental picture of the idea or feeling that you wish to induce +in the other person. If it is an idea, you should make a strong clear +picture of it in your imagination, so as to give it distinctness and +force and a clear outline. If it is a feeling, you should picture it in +your imagination. If it is something that you wish the other person to do, +or some way in which you wish him to act, you should picture him as doing +the thing, or acting in that particular way. By so doing you furnish the +pattern or design for the induced mental or emotional states you wish to +induce in the other person. Upon the clearness and strength of these +mental patterns of the imagination depends largely the power of the +induced impression. + +The third step, of course, is the concentration of your mind upon the +impression you wish to induce in the mind of the other person. You must +learn to concentrate so forcibly and clearly that the idea will stand out +clearly in your mind like a bright star of a dark night, except that there +must be only one star instead of thousands. By so doing you really focus +the entire force of your mental and psychic energies into that one +particular idea or thought. This makes it act like the focused rays in the +sun-glass, or like the strong pipe-stream of water that will break down +the thing upon which it is turned. Diffused thought has but a +comparatively weak effect, whereas a concentrated stream of thought +vibrations will force its way through obstacles. + +Remember, always, this threefold mental condition: (1) STRONG DESIRE; (2) +CLEAR MENTAL PICTURE; and (3) CONCENTRATED THOUGHT. The greater the degree +in which you can manifest these three mental conditions, the greater will +be your success in any form of psychic influence, direct or indirect, +personal or general, present or distant. + +Before you proceed to develop the power to impress a particular idea or +feeling upon the mind of another person, you should first acquire a +positive mental atmosphere for yourself. This mental atmosphere is +produced in precisely the same way that you induce a special idea or +feeling in the mind of the other person. That is to say, you first +strongly desire it, then you clearly picture it, and then you apply +concentrated thought upon it. + +I will assume that you are filled with the strong desire for a positive +mental atmosphere around you. You want this very much indeed, and actually +crave and hunger for it. Then you must begin to picture yourself (in your +imagination) as surrounded with an aura of positive thought-vibrations +which protect you from the thought forces of other persons, and, at the +same time impress the strength of your personality upon the persons with +whom you come in contact. You will be aided in making these strong mental +pictures by holding the idea in your concentrated thought, and, at the +same time, silently stating to your mind just what you expect to do in the +desired direction. In stating your orders to your mind, always speak as if +the thing were already accomplished at that particular moment. Never say +that it "will be," but always hold fast to the "it is." The following will +give you a good example of the mental statements, which of course should +be accompanied by the concentrated idea of the thing, and the mental +picture of yourself as being just what you state. + +Here is the mental statement for the creation of a strong, positive +psychic atmosphere: "I am surrounded by an aura of strong, positive, +dynamic thought-vibrations. These render me positive to other persons, and +render them negative to me. I am positive of their thought-vibrations, but +they are negative to mine. They feel the strength of my psychic +atmosphere, while I easily repel the power of theirs. I dominate the +situation, and manifest my positive psychic qualities over theirs. My +atmosphere creates the vibration of strength and power on all sides of me, +which affect others with whom I come in contact. MY PSYCHIC ATMOSPHERE IS +STRONG AND POSITIVE!" + +The next step in Personal Influence is that of projecting your psychic +power directly upon and into the mind of the other person whom you wish to +influence. Sometimes, if the person is quite negative to you, this is a +very simple and easy matter; but where the person is near your own degree +of psychic positiveness you will have to assert your psychic superiority +to him, and get the psychic "upper hand" before you can proceed further. +This is accomplished by throwing into your psychic atmosphere some +particularly strong mental statements accompanied by clear visualizations +or mental pictures. + +Make positive your psychic atmosphere, particularly towards the person +whom you seek to influence, by statements and pictures something along +the following lines: "I am positive to this man"; "He is negative to me"; +"He feels my power and is beginning to yield to it"; "He is unable to +influence me in the slightest, while I can influence him easily"; "My +power is beginning to operate upon his mind and feelings." The exact words +are not important, but the idea behind them gives them their psychic force +and power. + +Then should you begin your direct attack upon him, or rather upon his +psychic powers. When I say "attack," I do not use the word in the sense of +warfare or actual desire to harm the other person--this is a far different +matter. What I mean to say is that there is usually a psychic battle for a +longer or shorter period between two persons of similar degrees of psychic +power and development. From this battle one always emerges victor at the +time, and one always is beaten for the time being, at least. And, as in +all battles, victory often goes to him who strikes the first hard blow. +The offensive tactics are the best in cases of this kind. + +A celebrated American author, Oliver Wendall Holmes, in one of his books +makes mention of these duels of psychic force between individuals, as +follows: "There is that deadly Indian hug in which men wrestle with their +eyes, over in five seconds, but which breaks one of their two backs, and +is good for three-score years and ten, one trial enough--settles the whole +matter--just as when two feathered songsters of the barnyard, game and +dunghill, come together. After a jump or two, and a few sharp kicks, there +is an end to it; and it is 'After you, monsieur' with the beaten party in +all the social relations for all the rest of his days." + +An English physician, Dr. Fothergill by name, wrote a number of years ago +about this struggle of wills, as he called it, but which is really a +struggle of psychic power. He says: "The conflict of will, the power to +command others, has been spoken of frequently. Yet what is this will-power +that influences others? What is it that makes us accept, and adopt too, +the advice of one person, while precisely the same advice from another has +been rejected? Is it the weight of force of will which insensibly +influences us; the force of will behind the advice? That is what it is! +The person who thus forces his or her advice upon us has no more power to +enforce it than others; but all the same we do as requested. We accept +from one what we reject from another. One person says of something +contemplated, 'Oh, but you must not,' yet we do it all the same, though +that person may be in a position to make us regret the rejection of that +counsel. Another person says, 'Oh, but you mustn't,' and we desist, though +we may, if so disposed, set this latter person's opinion at defiance with +impunity. It is not the fear of consequences, not of giving offense, which +determines the adaption of the latter person's advice, while it has been +rejected when given by the first. It depends upon the character or +will-power of the individual advising whether we accept the advice or +reject it. This character often depends little, if at all, in some cases, +upon the intellect, or even upon the moral qualities, the goodness or +badness, of the individual. It is itself an imponderable something; yet it +carries weight with it. There may be abler men, cleverer men; but it is +the one possessed of will who rises to the surface at these times--the one +who can by some subtle power make other men obey him. + +"The will-power goes on universally. In the young aristocrat who gets his +tailor to make another advance in defiance of his conviction that he will +never get his money back. It goes on between lawyer and client; betwixt +doctor and patient; between banker and borrower; betwixt buyer and seller. +It is not tact which enables the person behind the counter to induce +customers to buy what they did not intend to buy, and which bought, gives +them no satisfaction, though it is linked therewith for the effort to be +successful. Whenever two persons meet in business, or in any other +relation in life, up to love-making, there is this will-fight going on, +commonly enough without any consciousness of the struggle. There is a dim +consciousness of the result, but none of the processes. It often takes +years of the intimacy of married life to find out with whom of the pair +the mastery really lies. Often the far stronger character, to all +appearances, has to yield; it is this will-element which underlies the +statement: 'The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the +strong.' In Middle-march' we find in Lydgate a grand aggregation of +qualities, yet shallow, hard, selfish Rosamond masters him thoroughly in +the end. He was not deficient in will-power; possessed more than an +average amount of character; but in the fight he went down at last under +the onslaught of the intense, stubborn will of his narrow-minded spouse. +Their will-contest was the collision of a large warm nature, like a +capable human hand, with a hard, narrow selfish nature, like a steel +button; the hand only bruised itself while the button remained +unaffected." + +You must not, however, imagine that every person with whom you engage in +one of these psychic duels is conscious of what is going on. He usually +recognizes that some sort of conflict is under way, but he does not know +the laws and principles of psychic force, and so is in the dark regarding +the procedure. You will find that a little practice of this kind, in which +no great question is involved, will give you a certain knack or trick of +handling your psychic forces, and will, besides, give you that confidence +in yourself that comes only from actual practice and exercise. I can point +out the rules, and give you the principles, but you must learn the little +bits of technique yourself from actual practice. + +When you have crossed psychic swords with the other person, gaze at him +intently but not fiercely, and send him this positive strong +thought-vibration: "I am stronger than you, and I shall win!" At the same +time picture to yourself your forces beating down his and overcoming him. +Hold this idea and picture in your mind: "My vibrations are stronger than +are yours--I am beating you!" Follow this up with the idea and picture +of: "You are weakening and giving in--you are being overpowered!" A very +powerful psychic weapon is the following: "My vibrations are scattering +your forces--I am breaking your forces into bits--surrender, surrender +now, I tell you!" + +And now for some interesting and very valuable information concerning +psychic defense. You will notice that in the offensive psychic weapons +there is always an assertion of positive statement of your power and its +effect. Well, then, in using the psychic defensive weapon against one of +strong will or psychic force, you reverse the process. That is to say you +deny the force of his psychic powers and forces, and picture them as +melting into nothingness. Get this idea well fixed in your mind, for it is +very important in a conflict of this kind. The effect of this is to +neutralize all of the other person's power so far as its effect on +yourself is concerned--you really do not destroy it in him totally. You +simply render his forces powerless to affect you. This is important not +only when in a psychic conflict of this kind, but also when you wish to +render yourself immune from the psychic forces of other persons. You may +shut yourself up in a strong defensive armor in this way, and others will +be powerless to affect you. + +In the positive statement, "I deny!" you have the Occult Shield of +Defense, which is a mighty protection to you. Even if you do not feel +disposed to cultivate and develop your psychic powers in the direction of +influencing others, you should at least develop your defensive powers so +as to resist any psychic attacks upon yourself. + +You will find it helpful to practice these offensive and defensive weapons +when you are alone, standing before your mirror and "playing" that your +reflection in the glass is the other person. Send this imaginary other +person the psychic vibrations, accompanied by the mental picture suitable +for it. Act the part out seriously and earnestly, just as if the reflected +image were really another person. This will give you confidence in +yourself, and that indefinable "knack" of handling your psychic weapons +that comes only from practice. You will do well to perfect yourself in +these rehearsals, just as you would in case you were trying to master +anything else. By frequent earnest rehearsals, you will gain not only +familiarity with the process and methods, but you will also gain real +power and strength by the exercise of your psychic faculties which have +heretofore lain dormant. Just as you may develop the muscle of your arm by +calisthenic exercises, until it is able to perform real muscular work of +strength; so you may develop your psychic faculties in this rehearsal +work, so that you will be strongly equipped and armed for an actual +psychic conflict, besides having learned how to handle your psychic +weapons. + +After you have practiced sufficiently along the general offensive and +defensive lines, and have learned how to manifest these forces in actual +conflict, you will do well to practice special and specific commands to +others, in the same way. That is to say, practice them first on your +reflected image in the mirror. The following commands (with mental +pictures, of course) will give you good practice. Go about the work in +earnest, and act out the part seriously. Try these exercises: "Here! look +at me!" "Give me your undivided attention!" "Come this way!" "Come to me +at once!" "Go away from me--leave me at once!" "You like me--you like me +very much!" "You are afraid of me!" "You wish to please me!" "You will +agree to my proposition!" "You will do as I tell you!" Any special command +you wish to convey to another person, psychically, you will do well to +practice before the mirror in this way. + +When you have made satisfactory progress in the exercises above mentioned, +and are able, to demonstrate them with a fair degree of success in actual +practice, you may proceed to experiment with persons along the lines of +special and direct commands by psychic force. The following will give you +a clear idea of the nature of the experiments in question, but you may +enlarge upon and vary them indefinitely. Remember there is no virtue in +mere words--the effect comes from the power of the thought behind the +words. But, nevertheless, you will find that positive words, used in these +silent commands, will help you to fit in your feeling to the words. Always +make the command a real COMMAND, never a mere entreaty or appeal. Assume +the mental attitude of a master of men--of a commander and ruler of other +men. Here follow a number of interesting experiments along these lines, +which will be very useful to you in acquiring the art of personal +influence of this kind: + + +SEVEN VALUABLE EXERCISES + +EXERCISE 1: When walking down the street behind a person, make him turn +around in answer to your mental command. Select some person who does not +seem to be too much rushed or too busy--select some person who seems to +having nothing particular on his mind. Then desire earnestly that he shall +turn around when you mentally call to him to do so; at the same time +picture him as turning around in answer to your call; and at the same time +concentrate your attention and thought firmly upon him. After a few +moments of preparatory thought, send him the following message, silently +of course, with as much force, positiveness and vigor as possible: "Hey +there! turn around and look at me! Hey! turn around, turn around at once!" +While influencing him fix your gaze at the point on his neck where the +skull joins it--right at the base of the brain, in the back. In a number +of cases, you will find that the person will look around as if someone had +actually called him aloud. In other cases, he will seem puzzled, and will +look from side to side as if seeking some one. After a little practice you +will be surprised how many persons you can affect in this way. + +EXERCISE 2: When in a public place, such as a church, concert or theatre, +send a similar message to someone seated a little distance in front of +you. Use the same methods as in the first exercise, and you will obtain +similar results. It will seem queer to you at first to notice how the +other person will begin to fidget and move around in his seat, and finally +glance furtively around as if to see what is causing him the disturbance. +You, of course, will not let him suspect that it is you, but, instead will +gaze calmly ahead of you, and pretend not to notice him. + +EXERCISE 3: This is a variation of the first exercise. It is +practiced by sending to a person approaching you on the street, or walking +ahead of you in the same direction, a command to turn to the right, or to +the left, as you prefer. You will be surprised to see how often you will +be successful in this. + +EXERCISE 4: This is a variation of the second exercise. It is +practiced by sending to a person seated in front of you in a public place +the command to look to the right, or to the left, as you prefer. Do not +practice on the same person too long, after succeeding at first--it is not +right to torment people, remember. + +EXERCISE 5: After having attained proficiency in the foregoing +exercises, you many proceed to command a person to perform certain +unimportant motions, such as rising or sitting down, taking off his hat, +taking out his handkerchief, laying down a fan, umbrella, etc. + +EXERCISE 6: The next step is to command persons to say some +particular word having no important meaning; to "put words in his mouth" +while talking to him. Wait until the other person pauses as if in search +of a word, and then suddenly, sharply and forcibly put the word into his +mouth, silently of course. In a very susceptible person, well under your +psychic control, you may succeed in suggesting entire sentences and +phrases to him. + +EXERCISE 7: This is the summit of psychic influencing, and, of +course, is the most difficult. But you will be surprised to see how well +you will succeed in many cases, after you have acquired the knack and +habit of sending the psychic message. It consists of commanding the person +to obey the spoken command or request that you are about to make to him. +This is the art and secret of the success of many salesmen, solicitors, +and others working along the lines of influencing other people. It is +acquired by beginning with small things, and gradually proceeding to +greater, and still greater. At this point I should warn you that all the +best occult teachings warn students against using this power for base +ends, improper purposes, etc. Such practices tend to react and rebound +against the person using them, like a boomerang. Beware against using +psychic or occult forces for improper purposes--the psychic laws punish +the offender, just as do the physical laws. + +Finally, I caution the student against talking too much about his +developing powers. Beware of boasting or bragging about these things. Keep +silent, and keep your own counsel. When you make known your powers, you +set into operation the adverse and antagonistic thought of persons around +you who may be jealous of you, and who would wish to see you fail, or make +yourself ridiculous. The wise head keepeth a still tongue! One of the +oldest occult maxims is: "Learn! Dare! Do! Keep Silent!!!" You will do +well to adhere strictly to this warning caution. + + + + +LESSON XVIII. + +PSYCHIC INFLUENCE AT A DISTANCE + + +The second phase of Psychic Influence is that called Distant Psychic +Influence, in which psychic induction is manifested when the persons are +distant in space from one another--not in the presence of each other. +Here, of course, we see the principle of telepathy involved in connection +with the process of mental induction: and in some cases even the astral +telepathic sense is called into operation. + +The student who has followed my explanation and course of reasoning in the +preceding lessons will readily perceive that the principle involved in +this distant phase of psychic influence is precisely the same as that +employed in direct personal psychic influence. As I have explained in an +early lesson, it matters little whether the space to be covered by the +psychic vibratory waves is but one foot or a thousand miles, the principle +is exactly the same. There are, of course, other principles involved in +the case of two persons meeting face to face and calling into force their +psychic powers; for instance, there is the element of suggestion and +association, and other psychological principles which are not in force +when the two persons are out of the actual presence of each other. But so +far as the telepathic or astral psychic powers are concerned, the mere +extension of space does not change the principle. + +The student who has developed his power of psychic induction in the +phases mentioned in the preceding chapter, may begin to experiment and +practice psychic induction at long-range, if he so wishes. That is to say, +instead of causing psychic induction in the minds of persons actually in +his presence and sight, he may produce similar results in persons out of +his sight and presence. The person may be brought into presence and +psychic contact, for all practical purposes, by using the visualizing +powers for the purpose of bringing him into the en rapport condition. That +is to say, by using the imagination to bring into the mind a strong clear +picture of the other person, you may induce an en rapport condition in +which he will be practically in the same psychic relation to you as if he +were actually before you. Of course, if he is sufficiently well informed +regarding occult matters, he may shut you out by drawing a psychic circle +around himself which you cannot penetrate, or by surrounding himself with +psychic armor or atmosphere such as I have already mentioned in preceding +lessons. But as he will not likely know anything of this, the average +person may be reached in the manner just mentioned. + +Or again, you may establish en rapport conditions by psychometric methods, +by holding to your forehead an article which has been in the other +person's possession for some time; an article worn by him; a piece of his +hair; etc. Or, again, you may use the crystal to bring up his astral +vision before you. Or, again, you may erect an "astral tube" such as I +will mention a little further on in this chapter, and thus establish a +strong en rapport condition. + +Having established the en rapport condition with the other person, and +having thus practically brought him into your presence, psychically +speaking, you may proceed to send him commands or demands, just as you did +in the phase of personal psychic influence previously mentioned. You act +precisely as if the other person were present before you, and state your +commands or demands to him just as you would were he seated or standing in +your presence. This is the keynote of the whole thing; the rest is simply +an elaboration and stating of details of methods, etc. With the correct +principle once established, you may apply the same according to your own +wishes and discretion. + +This phase of distant psychic influence is at the bottom of all the +wonderful tales, stories and legends of supernatural powers, witchcraft, +sorcery, etc., with which the pages of history are filled. There is of +course always to be found much distortion and exaggeration in these +legends and tales, but they have truth at the bottom of them. In this +connection, let me call your attention to a very important psychic +principle involved. I have told you that by denying the power of any +person over you, you practically neutralize his psychic power--the +stronger and more positive your belief in your immunity, and your denial +of his power over you, the more do you rob him of any such power. The +average person, not knowing this, is more or less passive to psychic +influences of other persons, and may be affected by them to a greater or +less extent, depending upon the psychic development of the person seeking +to influence him. At the extreme of the sensitive pole of psychic +influence, we find those persons who believe firmly that the other person +has power over them, and who are more or less afraid of him. This belief +and fear acts to make them particularly sensitive and impressionable, and +easily affected by his psychic induction. This is the reason that the +so-called witches and sorcerers and others of evil repute have been able +to acquire such a power over their victims, and to cause so much trouble. +The secret is that the victims believed in the power of the other person, +and feared their power. The greater the belief in, and fear of, the power +of the person, the greater the susceptibility to his influence; the +greater the sense of power of neutralizing the power, and the disbelief in +his power to affect them, the greater the degree of immunity: this is the +rule! + +Accordingly we find that persons in various stages of the history of the +world have been affected by the influences of witches, sorcerers, and +other unprincipled persons. In most cases these so-called witches and +sorcerers themselves were under the delusion that they were assisted by +the devil or some other supernatural being. They did not realize that they +were simply using perfectly natural methods, and employing perfectly +natural forces. For that matter, you must remember that magnetism and +electricity, in ancient days, were considered as supernatural forces in +some way connected with demonic powers. + +Studying the history of witchcraft, sorcery, black-magic, and the like, +you will find that the devotees thereof usually employed some psychometric +method. In other cases they would mould little figures of clay, or of wax, +in the general shape and appearance of the person whom they wished to +affect. It was thought that these little figures were endowed with some +supernatural powers or attributes, but of course this was mere +superstition. The whole power of these little figures arose from the fact +that they aided the imagination of the spell-worker in forming a mental +image of the person sought to be influenced; and thus established a strong +en rapport condition. Added to this, you must remember that the fear and +belief of the public greatly aided the spell-worker and increased his +power and influence over these poor persons. + +I will give you a typical case, taken from an old German book, which +thoroughly illustrates the principles involved in cases of this kind. +Understand this case, and you will have the secret and working principle +of them all. The story is told by an eminent German physician of the last +century. He relates that he was consulted by one of his patients, a +wealthy farmer living near by. The farmer complained that he was disturbed +every night by strange noises which sounded like someone pounding iron. +The disturbances occurred between the hours of ten o'clock and midnight, +each and every night. The physician asked him if he suspected anyone of +causing the strange trouble. The farmer answered that he suspected an old +enemy of his, an old village blacksmith living several miles away from his +farm. It appears that an old long-standing feud between them had broken +out afresh, and that the blacksmith had made threats of employing his +"hex" (witchcraft) powers on the old farmer. The blacksmith was reputed to +be a sort of "hex" or male-witch, and the farmer believed in his diabolic +powers and was very much in fear of them. So you see the ideal condition +for psychic receptivity was present. + +The physician called on the blacksmith, and taking him by surprise, gazing +sternly into his eyes and asked him: "What do you do every night between +ten and twelve o'clock?" The blacksmith, frightened and disturbed, +stammered out: "I hammer a bar of iron every night at that time, and all +the while I think intently of a bad neighbor of mine who once cheated me +out of some money; and I 'will' at the same time that the noise will +disturb his rest, until he will pay me back my money to get peace and +quiet." The physician bade him to desist from his evil practices, under +threats of dire punishment; and then went to the farmer and made him +straighten out the financial dispute between the two. Thereafter, there +was no more trouble. + +So you see in this case all the necessary elements were present. First +there was the belief of the blacksmith in his own powers--this gave him +self-confidence and psychic power. Then there was the belief and fear on +the part of the farmer--this made him an easy subject, and very +susceptible to psychic induction, etc. Then there was the action of the +blacksmith beating the iron--this gave force and clearness to his +visualization of the idea he wished to induce in the mind of the other. +And, finally, there was his will employed in every stroke, going out in +the direction of the concentrated wish and purpose of influencing the +farmer. You see, then, that every psychic element was present. It was no +wonder that the old farmer was disturbed. + +Among the negroes of the South, in America; and among the Hawaiians; we +find marked instances of this kind. The negro Voodoo men and women work +black magic on those of their race who are superstitious and credulous, +and who have a mortal fear of the Voodoo. You see the conditions obtained +are much the same as in the case of the German case just cited. Travellers +who have visited the countries in which there is a large negro population, +have many interesting tales to recite of the terrible workings of these +Voodoo black magicians. In some cases, sickness and even death is the +result. But, mark you this! it is only those who believe in, and fear, the +power of the Voodoos that are affected. In Hawaii, the Kahunas or native +magicians are renowned for their power to cause sickness and death to +those who have offended them; or to those who have offended some client of +the Kahuna, and who have hired the latter to "pray" the enemy to sickness +or death. The poor ignorant Hawaiians, believing implicitly in the power +of the Kahunas, and being in deadly fear of them, are very susceptible to +their psychic influence, and naturally fall easy victims, unless they buy +of the Kahuna, or make peace with his client. White persons living in +Hawaii are not affected by the Kahunas, for they do not believe in them, +neither do they fear them. Unconsciously, but still strongly, they deny +the power, and are immune. So, you see, the principle working out here, +also. Once you have the master-key, you may unlock many doors of mystery +which have heretofore been closed to you. + +We do not have to fall back on cases of witchcraft, however, in order to +illustrate this phase of the use of psychic influence for selfish ends. In +Europe and America there are teachers of a low form of occultism who +instruct their pupils in the art of producing induced mental states in the +minds of others, for purposes of financial gain or other selfish ends. For +instance, there is a Western teacher who instructs his pupils to induce +desired mental states in prospective customers, or others whom they may +wish to influence for selfish reasons. This teacher tells his pupils to: +"Imagine your prospective customer, or other person, as seated in a chair +before which you are standing. Make the imagined picture as strong as +possible, for upon this depends your success. Then proceed to 'treat' this +person just as if he were actually present. Concentrate your will upon +him, and tell him what you expect to tell him when you meet him. Use all +of the arguments that you can think of, and at the same time hold the +thought that he must do as you say. Try to imagine him as complying with +your wishes in every respect, for this imagining will tend to 'come true' +when you really meet the person. This rule may be used, not only in the +case of prospective customers, but also in the case of persons whom you +wish to influence in any way whatsoever." Surely this is a case of +employing psychic powers for selfish purposes, if anything is. + +Again, in Europe and America, particularly in the latter country, we find +many persons who have picked up a smattering of occult knowledge by means +of some of the many healing cults and organizations which teach the power +of thought over physical diseases. In the instruction along the lines of +distant mental healing, the student is taught to visualize the patient as +strongly and clearly as possible, and to then proceed to make statements +of health and strength. The mind of the patient, and that of the healer, +cooperate and in many cases work wonderful cures. As you will see in the +last lesson of this course, there is great power in the mind to induce +healthful vibrations in the mind of others, and the work is a good and +worthy one. But, alas! as is so often the case, the good teaching is +sometimes perverted, and applied for unworthy and selfish ends. Some of +the persons who have picked up the principles of mental healing have +discovered that the same power may be used in a bad as well as in a good +direction. They accordingly, proceed to "treat" other persons with the +object of persuading them to do things calculated to benefit the person +using the psychic power. They seek to get these other persons under their +psychic influence, and to then take advantage of them in some way or +other. + +I hope that it is practically unnecessary for me to warn my students +against evil practices of this kind--I trust that I have not drawn any +students of this class to me. In case, however, that some of you may have +been, or may be in the future, tempted to use your psychic powers +improperly, in this way, I wish to caution and warn you positively against +so doing. Outside of the ordinary morality which should prevent you from +taking advantage of another person in this way, I wish to say to you that +anyone so misusing psychic or astral powers will inevitably bring down +upon his head, sooner or later, certain occult astral forces which will +prove disastrous to him. He will become involved in the web of his own +making, and will suffer greatly. Never by any means allow yourself to be +tempted into indulging in any of the practices of Black Magic, under any +form of disguise. You will live to regret it if you do. Employ your +powers, when you develop them, for the good of others; or at least, for +purely scientific investigation and knowledge. + +The scientific investigator of this phase of psychic influence, will wish +to become acquainted with what the occultists call "the astral tube." In +this phase of the phenomena, you manifest upon the astral plane, rather +than upon the physical. The astral form of telepathy is manifested, rather +than the ordinary form. While there are a number of technical points +involved in the production of the astral tube, I shall endeavor to +instruct you regarding its creation and use in as plain words as possible, +omitting all reference to technical occult details which would only serve +to distract your attention and confuse your mind. The advanced occult +student will understand these omitted technicalities without being told of +them; the others would not know what was meant by them, if mentioned, in +the absence of a long stage of preparatory teaching. After all, the theory +is not of so much importance to most of you as are the practical working +principles. I ask your careful attention to what I have to say in this +subject of the astral tube. + +The Astral Tube is formed by the person forming in his imagination (i.e., +on the astral plane by means of his imagination or visualizing powers), a +tube or small tunnel between himself and the person whom he wishes to +influence. He starts by picturing it in his mind a whirling vortex, +similar to the whirling ring of smoke emitted from a "coughing" engine, +and sometimes by a man smoking a cigar, about six inches to one foot in +diameter. He must will the imagined vortex-ring to move forward as if it +were actually boring a tunnel through the atmosphere. When the knack of +producing this astral tube is acquired, it will be found that the +visualized tunnel seems to vibrate with a peculiar intensity, and will +seem to be composed of a substance far more subtle than air. Then, at the +other end of this astral tube you must picture the other person, the one +whom you wish to influence. The person will seem as if viewed through the +wrong end of an opera-glass. When this condition is gained, there will be +found to be a high degree of en rapport between yourself and the other +person. The secret consists in the fact that you have really established a +form of clairvoyance between yourself and the person. When you have +induced this condition, proceed with your mental commands and pictures +just as if you were in the presence of the person himself. That is the +whole thing in a nutshell. + +In order that you may have another viewpoint from which to consider the +astral tube, or what corresponds to it, I wish to give you here a little +quotation from another writer on the subject, who presents the matter from +a somewhat more technical standpoint. Read this quotation in connection +with my own description of the astral tube, and you will form a pretty +complete and clear idea of the phenomenon. The writer mentioned says: "It +is impossible here to give an exhaustive disquisition on astral physics; +all I need say is that it is possible to make in the astral substance a +definite connecting-line that shall act as a telegraph wire to convey +vibrations by means of which all that is going on at the other end of it +may be seen. Such a line is established, be it understood, not by a direct +projection through space of astral matter, but by such action upon a line +(or rather many lines) of particles of that substance as will render them +capable of forming a conductor for vibrations of the character required. +This preliminary action can be set up in two ways--either by the +transmission of energy from particle to particle, until the line is +formed, or by the use of a force from a higher plane which is capable of +acting upon the whole line simultaneously. Of course this latter method +implies far greater development, since it involves the knowledge of (and +the power to use) forces of a considerably higher level. + +"Even the simpler and purely astral operation is a difficult one to +describe, though quite an easy one to perform. It may be said to partake +somewhat of the nature of the magnetization of a bar of steel; for it +consists in what we might call the polarization, by an effort of the human +will, of a number of astral atoms reaching from the operator to the scene +which he wishes to observe. All the atoms thus affected are held for the +time being with their axes rigidly parallel to one another, so that they +form a kind of temporary tube along which the clairvoyant may look. This +method has the disadvantage that the telegraph line is liable to +disarrangement or even destruction by any sufficiently strong astral +current which happens to cross its path; but if the original creative +effort were fairly definite, this would be a contingency of only +infrequent occurrence. The view of a distant scene obtained by means of +this 'astral current' is in many ways not unlike that seen through a +telescope. Human figures usually appear very small, like those on a +distant stage, but in spite of their diminutive size they are as clear as +though they were close by. Sometimes it is possible by this means to hear +what is said as well as to see what is done; but as in the majority of +cases this does not happen, we must consider it rather as the +manifestation of an additional power than as a necessary corollary of the +faculty of sight." + +I would feel that I had not done my whole duty to the student, or reader +of this book, were I to conclude this chapter without pointing out a means +of protection against the use of this phase of psychic influence against +them on the part of some unscrupulous person; or for that matter, against +the meddling influence of any person whatsoever, for any purpose +whatsoever, without one's permission and consent. Therefore, I wish now to +point out the general principles of self-protection or defense against +this class of psychic influence. + +In the first place, you must, of course, refuse to admit to your mind any +feeling of fear regarding the influence of other persons--for that is the +open door to their influence, as I have pointed out to you. If you have +been, or are fearful of any persons psychic influence, you must get to +work and drive out that feeling by positive and vigorous denials. The +denial, you remember, is the positive neutralizer of the psychic influence +of another person, providing you make it in full belief of its truth. You +must take the position (which is a true one) that you are immune to the +psychic attack or influence. You should say, mentally, "I deny to any +person the power to influence me psychically without my consent; I am +positive to all such influences, and they are negative to me; I neutralize +them by this denial!" + +If you feel sudden impulses to act in some way which you have not thought +of doing, or toward which you have had an aversion, pause a moment and +say, mentally, "If this is an outside influence, I deny its power over me; +I deny it, and send it back to its sender, to his defeat and confusion." +You will then experience a feeling of relief and freedom. In such cases +you may frequently be approached later on by the person who would have +been most benefitted by your action; he will appear surprised when you +"turn him down," and will act in a confused way. He may not have +consciously tried to influence you, but may have merely been wishing +strongly that you would do as he desired. + +It should encourage you to know that it requires much less force to repel +and neutralize psychic influence of this kind, than is required to send +forth the power; an ounce of denial and protection overcomes a pound of +psychic attacking power. Nature gives you the means of protection, and +gives you "the best end of the stick," and it is your own fault if you do +not effectively use it. A word to the wise is sufficient. + + + + +LESSON XIX. + +LAWS OF PSYCHIC ATTRACTION + + +The third phase of Psychic Influence is that which may be called Indirect +Psychic Influence, in which psychic induction is manifested in the minds +of other persons coming in contact with the thought vibrations of the +person manifesting them, although no deliberate attempt is made to +influence the mind of any particular person or persons. Closely connected +with and involved in this phase of psychic influence, is that which is +called the Psychic Law of Attraction. So closely are these two connected +that I shall consider them together in this lesson. + +The fundamental principle of this phase of psychic influence is the +well-known psychic fact that mental and emotional states not only induce +similar vibrations in those who are similar attuned on the psychic +vibratory scale, but also tend to attract and draw to the person other +persons who are vibrating along similar lines, and also tend to repel +those who are vibrating in an opposing note or scale of psychic vibration. + +In the preceding lessons I have shown you how by induction we tend to +arouse in others mental and emotional states similar to our own. But there +is a law in effect here, which must be noted if you wish to thoroughly +understand this phase of psychic influences. Omitting all technical +explanations, and getting right down to the heart of the phenomenon, I +would say that the general principle is this: Psychic induction is +difficult in proportion to the opposing quality of the characteristic +mental and emotional states of the person affected; and easy in proportion +to the harmonious quality thereof. That is to say, in plain words, that if +a person's habitual thought and emotions are along the same lines that you +are trying to induce in him, you will find it easy to induce the same in +him; if, on the contrary, they are of an opposing nature, then you will +find it difficult to so influence him. The many degrees of agreement and +difference in the psychic vibrations of persons constitute a scale of +comparative response to any particular form of mental or emotional +vibrations. + +It is hard to change the spots of a leopard, or the skin of an Ethiopian, +as we are told on ancient authority. It is almost as difficult to change +the characteristic mental and emotional states of a person by psychic +induction, except after long and repeated efforts. On the contrary, let a +person have certain characteristic mental and emotional habits, then these +may be aroused in them with the greatest ease by means of psychic +induction. For instance, if a person is characteristically and habitually +peaceful, mild and calm, it will be very difficult to arouse in him by +psychic induction the vibrations of anger, fight and excitement. On the +other hand, if the other person is combative, fierce and easily excited to +wrath, it is the easiest possible thing to arouse these feelings in him by +psychic induction. So much for ordinary psychic induction; let us now +consider indirect psychic induction, in which the same principle operates. + +In indirect psychic induction, that is to say in cases in which psychic +vibrations are aroused by induction without deliberate attempt or design +to influence any particular person or persons, there is noted the +manifestation of a peculiar law of attraction and repulsion along psychic +lines. This psychic law operates in the direction of attracting to oneself +other persons who, actively or passively, vibrate on the same note, or on +some note or notes in general harmony therewith. In the same, way, the law +causes you to repel other persons who vibrate on a note or notes in +general inharmony or discord to yourself. So, in short, we go through life +attracting or repelling, psychically, others in harmonious or inharmonious +psychic relation to us, respectively. An understanding of this law and its +workings will throw light upon many things in your life which you have not +understood previously. + +You of course understand that you are constantly radiating currents of +psychic vibrations, some of which flow out to great distances from you, +and affect others often far removed from you in space. But you may not +also know that on the astral plane there is manifesting a similar sequence +of cause and effect. A strong emotional vibration, or a strong desire or +will, tends to manifest on the astral plane by attracting or repelling +others in psychic harmony or inharmony with you. This phenomenon is not so +common as is that of ordinary thought vibrations from brain to brain, but +it is far more common that is generally supposed. It is particularly +marked in cases of men of strong desire and will, and strong creative +imagination. These vibrations awakening response in the minds of those in +harmony with them, tend to draw to one those other persons whose general +character will fit in with the desires and ideas of the first person, or +to repel those who are not harmonious therewith. This explains the +peculiar phenomenon of strong men in business, politics and other walks of +life, drawing and attracting to them other men who will fit in with their +general plans and aims. + +This law works two ways. Not only do you draw such persons to you as will +fit in with your plans and purposes, but you are attracted to them by the +same law. Not only this, but you will find that through the peculiar +workings of this law even things and circumstances, as well as persons, +will seem to be moulded by your strong desires and ideas, providing your +psychic vibrations are sufficiently strong and clear. Have you never +noticed how a strong, resourceful magnetic man will seem to actually draw +to him the persons, things and circumstances that he needs to carry out +and manifest his plans and designs. To many, not understanding this great +law, these things have seemed positively uncanny and mysterious. But, +now-a-days, the big men of business and politics are beginning to +understand these psychic laws, and to apply them deliberately and with +purpose. + +Some of the great leaders in the business world, and in politics, are +known to deliberately start into operation strong psychic vibrations, and +to send out strong psychic currents of attraction, by the methods that I +have already explained to you. They, of course, are filled with a more +than ordinary degree of desire and will and, in the second place, they +create very strong and clear mental pictures of their plans working out +successfully to a finish; then concentrate strongly on the thing; and lo! +the effect is felt by all hands and on all sides. They "treat the public" +(to use the term favored by some of the metaphysical cults of the day) by +holding the mental picture of that which they strongly desire to come to +pass, and by concentrating their thought and will strongly upon it. + +A favorite mental picture of some of these men (who have been instructed +by teachers of occultism), is that of themselves as the centre of a great +psychic whirlpool, drawing to themselves the persons, things and +circumstances calculated to bring success and realization to them. Others +picture their thought-vibrations flowing from them like the rings in a +pond into which a stone had been dropped, influencing a constantly +widening circle of other persons; then they picture the persons being +drawn to them in the manner just mentioned. They persist in this practice +day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year--is it +any wonder that they draw to themselves that which they desire? + +Other persons of lesser caliber take similar advantage of the law in the +same way, but on a smaller scale. In every community there are certain +persons who seem to draw to themselves the patronage and custom of the +community, in some peculiar way. In most cases this may be traced back to +some form of psychic influence. I do not mean that these persons +consciously and deliberately set these forces into operation. On the +contrary, many of them do so more or less unconsciously, and without a +knowledge of the underlying psychic principles involved. Such persons have +stumbled on a portion of the psychic laws, and have used them more or less +unconsciously and without understanding the real reason of the happening. +They found out that certain mental states and certain mental pictures +tended to produce certain results--that they "worked out"--and so they +continued them. Some of these men think of the whole thing as something +supernatural, and get to believe that they are being helped by some +supernatural power; whereas, they are simply operating under a universal +psychic law of cause and effect. + +In America a number of teachers and writers have devoted much attention to +this phase of the general subject of psychic influence. Cults have been +formed upon this general basis, the main idea of their followers being +that of attracting financial and other success by means of this phase of +psychic force. One of the leading writers along this line, says: "An +individual who has cultivated the faculty of concentration, and has +acquired the art of creating sharp, clear, strong, mental images, and who +when engaged in an undertaking will so charge his mind with the idea of +success, will be bound to become an attracting centre. And if such an +individual will keep his mental picture ever in his mind, even though it +be in the background of his mind, when he is attending to the details and +planning of his affairs--if he will give his mental picture a prominent +place in his mental gallery, taking a frequent glance at it, and using his +will upon it to create new scenes of actual success, he will create for +himself a centre of radiating thought that will surely be felt by those +coming within its field of influence. + +"Such a man frequently 'sees people as coming to him and his enterprises, +and as falling in line with his plans. He mentally 'sees' money flowing in +to him, and all of his plans working out right. In short, he mentally +imagines each step of his plans a little ahead of the time for their +execution, and he concentrates forcibly and earnestly upon them. It is +astonishing to witness how events, people, circumstances, and things seem +to move in place in actual life as if urged by some mighty power to serve +to materialize the conditions so imaged in the mind of the man. But, +understand, there must be active mental effort behind the imaging. Day +dreamers do not materialize thought--they merely dissipate energy. The man +who converts thought in activity and material being throws energy into +the task, and puts forth his willpower through the pictured image. Without +the rays of the will there will be no picture projected, no matter how +beautifully the imagination has projected it. Thought pictured in mental +images, and then vitalized by the force of the desire, and will, tend to +objectify themselves into material being." + +The student will be interested in reading and hearing the various theories +and explanations given by different writers and teachers to account for +the phenomena of psychic influence. Once he has grasped the real +scientific principles involved, he will be able to see the same in +operation in all of the cases cited by the different teachers and writers, +and will find that this fundamental principle fully explains and accounts +for all of these cases, no matter how puzzling they may seem, or how +mysterious they may be claimed to be by those mentioning them. Truth is +very simple when we brush away the fantastic dressings which have been +placed around it by those who have lacked knowledge of the true +fundamental principles. + +We see this same law or principle operating in very many different ways +from those previously mentioned. For instance, we frequently find cases in +which one person has a strong desire for a certain kind of assistance in +his business or other work. He has almost given up hope of finding the +right kind of person, for those whom he has tried have failed to measure +up the requirements of the situation. If he will (and he sometimes does) +follow the general plan just mentioned, he will set into operation the +psychic forces which will attract that person to him, and him to that +person. In some peculiar way, the two will be thrown together, and the +combination will work out to the best advantage of both. In these cases, +each person is seeking the other, and the psychic forces of attraction, +once set into operation, serve to bring them together. + +In like manner, one often draws to himself certain knowledge and +information that he requires or is desirous of gaining. But, and you must +always remember this, no miracle is worked, for it is simply a matter of +the working out of natural laws of cause and effect--attraction and +response to attraction--on the psychic or astral plane. Such a person will +accidently (!) run across some other person who will be led to give him +the key to the knowledge he seeks. Perhaps a book may be mentioned, or +some reference to some writer be made. If the hint is followed up, the +desired information comes to light. Many persons have had the psychic +experience of being led to some book store and induced to examine a +particular shelf of books, whereupon a particular book presents itself +which changes the whole course of the person's life. Or, perhaps, one will +pick up a newspaper apparently at random, and without purpose; and therein +will find some information, or at least a hint in the direction where the +information may be found. When one accustoms himself to the workings of +psychic forces, these things soon become accepted as a matter of course, +and cease to arouse wonder or surprise. The workings of the Psychic Law of +Attraction is seen to be as natural and invariable as the law of +gravitation, or magnetic attraction, once one has mastered its principles, +and learned the methods of its application. Surely such a wonderful law is +well worth study, attention, investigation, and mastery, isn't it? + +A writer along the lines of Mental Science, which is really based on the +principles which have been stated in this book, has the following to say +regarding his system: "Wonderful results arise by reason of what has been +called 'The Law of Attraction,' by the workings of which each person is +continually drawing to himself the people, things, objects, and even +circumstances in harmony and accord with his prevailing mental states. +Like attracts like, and the mental states determine that which one draws +to himself. If you are not satisfied with what is coming to you, start to +work and change your mental attitudes and mental states, and you will see +a change gradually setting in, and then the things that you want will +begin to come your way. * * * A most important fact about the effect of +mental vibrations upon people lies in the principle that one is more +affected by vibrations in harmony with his own accustomed feelings and +mental states, than by those of an opposite nature. A man who is full of +evil schemes, and selfish aims, is more apt to be caught up by similar +vibrations than one who lives above that plane of thought. He is more +easily tempted by evil suggestions and influences, than one to whom these +things are abhorrent. And the same is true on every plane. A man whose +mental attitude is one of confidence and fearlessness, is not apt to be +affected by vibrations of a negative, pessimistic, gloomy nature, and vice +versa. Therefore, if you wish to receive the vibrations of the thoughts +and feelings of others, you must place yourself in a mental attitude +corresponding with those vibrations which you wish to receive. And if you +wish to avoid vibrations of a certain kind, the best way is to rise above +them in your own mind, and to cultivate the mental states opposite them. +The positive always overcomes the negative--and optimistic mental states +are always positive to pessimistic mental states." + +Another writer on, and practitioner of Mental Science, in America, several +years ago, explained her theory and practice by means of the term +"corelation of thoughts and things." She held that when one thought +positively, clearly and forcibly of a thing, he "related" himself to that +thing, and tended to attract it to him, and to be attracted toward it. She +held that true wisdom consists in so managing our thoughts that we shall +relate ourselves only to those things which we know to be desirable and +beneficial to ourselves, and to avoid thinking of those which are harmful +and detrimental to us. The student of this book will see how this +practical Mental Scientist was really using the same principles that we +have examined and become acquainted within this book, although she called +them by another name, and explained them by another theory. At the bottom +of all the teachings and theories you will always find the one same basic +principle and universal law. + +The advanced student of occultism knows that each and every one of us is +really a creator of his own circumstances, environment and conditions, to +a great extent. Each of us is able to so modify our mental activities as +to bring about such changes in our environment and surroundings as to +actually re-create them. The things accomplished by successful men are +really but materializations of that which they have previously held in +their mental vision. Everything is first created on the psychic plane, and +then manifested in the physical world. All the great works of man, the +great bridges, great buildings, tunnels, machinery, cities, railroads, +canals, works of art, musical compositions, etc., first existed in the +mind of their creators, and were then afterward materialized in physical +form and shape. And, so you see we are proceeding with our work of mental +creations whenever we think and make mental images. This, however, is no +new teaching. It is as old as the race of mankind. Over twenty-five +hundred years ago, Buddha said to his disciples: "All that we are is the +result of what we have thought; it is founded on our thoughts; it is made +up of our thoughts." + +I would be telling you but half the story did I not warn you that strong +Fear may play the part ordinarily filled by Desire in the production of +the psychic phenomena of materialization of mental pictures. Strange as +it may appear at first, a strong fear that a thing will come to pass will +act much the same as a strong desire that the happening will occur. +Consequently, many persons by continually dwelling upon the thing that +they fear may happen to them, actually attract that thing to them, just as +if they had actually desired and wished for it. I cannot go into occult +technicalities in explaining this strange fact; but the gist of the secret +may be said to consist in the fact that the person clearly and vividly +pictures in his mind the thing that he fears may happen to him. He thus +creates a strong mental-picture or image of it, which sets into forces the +attractive power of psychic influence and draws the feared thing into +material reality. As Job said: "The thing that I feared hath come upon +me." The moral of this is, of course, that persons should learn to stamp +out fear and mental images of things feared. Instead, they should make +strong positive mental denials of the things that they may find themselves +fearing. They should deny the reality of the feared thing, and assert +positively their own superiority to the thing, and their power to overcome +it. + +A great religious cult has sprung into existence which makes a leading +doctrine of this ability to materialize the things which one desires, and +to deny out of existence undesirable things. Many persons who have +witnessed the wonderful success of some of the followers of this cult or +organization, have been puzzled to account for the same on scientific and +rational grounds. A little understanding of fundamental occult and +psychic principles, as given in these lessons, will show the "why and +wherefore" of these strange and wonderful manifestations. In this +connection you must remember that the combined thought of the thousands of +persons composing this cult or organization undoubtedly gives additional +psychic force to the mental affirmations and denials of the individual +member thereof. + +In past and present, and probably in future time, there have been many +instances of magical procedures tending to bring about the results that we +have herein seen to come about by reason of psychic influence, in some of +its many phases. These magic procedures have usually been accompanied by +incantations, ceremonies, strange rites, evocations, etc., which were +supposed to have great virtue in bringing about desired results. But the +true occultists now know that these ceremonies and rites were merely hopes +to the imagination and aids to faith, and thus tended to bring about the +psychic phenomena. There was no virtue in these ceremonies themselves, and +the same results may be secured by simply following the procedure outlined +in this book. The wonders of ancient magic have been reproduced by the +modern occultists, without all the mumbo-jumbo of the past rites and +ceremonies. + +A gifted English writer upon the subject of the relation of mysticism and +magic, sums up the gist of the principles of Magic as follows: + +"The central doctrine of Magic may now be summed up thus: + +"(1) That a supersensible and real cosmic medium exists, which +interpenetrates, influences, and supports the tangible and apparent world, +and is amenable to the categories both of meta-physics and of physics." +[This of course is the astral plane, which is the container of the subtle +form or framework of all that exists on the physical plane.] + +"(2) That there is an established analogy and equilibrium between the real +(and unseen) world, and the illusory manifestation that we call the world +of sense." [By this of course is meant the correspondence and balance +between the subtle form of things and the material manifestation thereof. +Things created in the astral, tend to materialize on the physical plane. +All creation proceeds from the astral to the physical.] + +"(3) That this analogy may be discerned, and this equilibrium controlled, +by the disciplined will of man, which thus becomes master of itself and of +fate." [The essence of Will consists of strong desire accompanied by a +clear mental picture of the thing desired, and held steady and firm by +concentration.] + +So you see by reference to the above very clear statement of the central +doctrine of Magic, and my explanations thereof, that in these lessons you +have been taught the very essence of the wonderful, mysterious ancient +Magic, and its modern counterpart. As for the various rites and +ceremonies, as I have said, these are mere symbols and aids to mental +imaging and concentration. As an eminent occultist once said, "Ceremonies +being but artificial methods of creating certain habits of the will, they +cease to be necessary when these habits have become fixed." The master of +occultism sees ceremonies, rites, and ritual as but the playthings of the +kindergarten scholar--useful and important so far as they go, but serving +merely to teach the scholar, sooner or later, that he may proceed without +them. + +In this chapter I have condensed enough information to fill a whole book. +I trust that you will study it carefully, and not miss its main points. + + + + +LESSON XX. + +PSYCHIC AND MAGNETIC HEALING + + +Probably no phase of psychic influence is more familiar to the average +person of the Western world than is that of the healing of physical ills +and conditions by means of psychic influence under one name or another. +Great healing cults and organizations have been built up upon this basis, +and the interest in the subject has taken on the form of a great popular +movement. + +As is natural in cases of this kind, there have been hundreds of theories +advanced to account for the phenomena of psychic healing, and a still +greater number of methods of treatments devised to carry out the +principles of the theories. Ranging from the teaching of actual divine +interposition and influence arising from certain forms of belief and +practice, covering many intermediate stages, the theories even include a +semi-materialistic hypothesis in which mind is considered as an attribute +of matter, but having a magic influence over the forms of matter when +properly applied. But it is worthy of note that no matter what the general +or particular theory, or what the favored method of application, these +healing schools or cults, as well as the independent practitioners, meet +with a very fair degree of success and perform quite a number of cures. + +Many of these Western advocates and practitioners of psychic healing +practically hold that the whole system is of very recent discovery, and +that it has nothing whatsoever to do with ordinary occult science. The +occultists however are able to smile at these ideas and beliefs, for they +not only recognize the general principles involved, but they also are +aware that these principles, and their application, have been known to +advanced occultists for thousands of years. I do not say this in any +dispargement of the moderns schools of psychic healing, for I am in full +sympathy with their great work; I merely mention the matter that the +student may get the right historical perspective in considering this phase +of psychic phenomena and influence. + +So far as the methods of application are concerned, the true occultist +recognizes that most of the methods and forms of treatment are but outward +cloaks or disguises for the real psychic healing principle. The gist of +the real methods is to be found in the principles of the application of +psychic influence which I have presented to you in these lessons, viz: (1) +Strong desire to make the cure; (2) clear mental image or picture of the +desired condition as actually present in the patient at this time; and (3) +concentration of the attention and mind of the healer, so as to bring to a +focus to two preceding mental states. Here you have the real secret of +psychic healing methods--the rest are all elaborations thereof, dressed up +forms and ceremonies which affect the imagination, faith, belief and +confidence of the patient, and thus make the healing process much easier. +In fact, with the proper degree of faith and confidence on the part of the +patient, there is but little need of a healer, for the patient may treat +and cure himself. However, in most cases, the presence of the healer aids +materially in arousing the fate and confidence of the patient, and hastens +the cure. + +Again, so far as the theories underlying the cures are concerned, +occultists are able to reduce them all to a single working theory or +principle, which includes all the rest. Brushing aside all technical +details, and all attempts to trace back the healing process to the +ultimate facts of the universe, I may say that the gist of the principle +of all psychic healing is that of influencing the astral foundation of the +various organs and parts, cells and centres, so as to make it proceed to +manifest a more perfect physical counterpart. All psychic healing is +really accomplished on the astral body first--then the physical body +responds to the renewed activities of its astral counterpart. To get the +real significance of this statement it is necessary for you to realize +just what the astral body really is. This once grasped, the difficulties +vanish, and you are able to form a clear conception of the entire matter +and process. + +The astral body is a precise counterpart of the physical body, its organs, +its parts, its centres, and its cells. In fact, the astral body is the +pattern upon which the physical body is materialized. The astral body is +composed of an etheric substance of a very high rate of vibration. In one +sense it may be considered as a very subtle form of matter--in another as +a semi-materialized form of force or energy. It is finer and more subtle +that the rarest vapors or gases known to science. And, yet, it has a +strong degree of tenacity and cohesiveness that enables it to resist +attacks from the material side of nature. As I have said, each organ, +part, centre or cell, of the physical body has its astral pattern or +basis. In fact, the physical body has been built up, in whole and in all +of its parts, on the pattern and base of the astral body. Moreover, in +case of impaired functioning of the physical organs or parts, and impaired +activity of the physical body, its limbs, etc., if we can manage to arouse +the activities of the astral body we may cause it to re-materialize or +re-energize the physical body, and thus restore health and activity to it. +If the liver, for instance, is not functioning properly, we proceed to +start up the activities of the astral counterpart of that organ, to the +end that the physical organ may be re-energized, and recreated in a +measure. All true psychic healing work is performed on the astral plane, +before it manifests on the physical. + +At this point, I should also call your attention to the effect of "prana," +or life energy, in some cases of healing. This prana is what Western +healers mean when they speak of "human magnetism" in their healing work. +So far from being an imaginary force, as claimed by the physical +scientists and materialists, it is known to all occultists as an active +principle of the human body, and as of great efficacy in the psychic +treatment of disease. I shall mention the details of this form of +treatment as we proceed--I mention it at this place merely to call your +attention to the fact of its existence. + +Before passing on to the consideration of other phases of the subject +before us, I would like to call your attention to the fact that from the +earliest days of history there have been recorded instances of some form +of psychic healing. In the earlier days the psychic healing work was left +entirely in the hands of the priesthood of the various religions +prevailing in the several counties of the world. Claiming to have an +exclusive divine sanction to perform healing work, these priests used +various ceremonies, rites, incantations, etc., in order to obtain their +results. In many cases these priests were ignorant of the real psychic +forces invoked and set into operation; they merely practiced methods which +had been found to work out effectively, and which had been handed down to +them by their predecessors. In other cases, however, the priests +undoubtedly were skilled occultists, and had a very full knowledge of the +forces they were using; though, as the masses of the people were very +ignorant it was impossible to acquaint them with these things so far above +their understanding; and, consequently, the priests applied the healing +forces under the disguise of their religious ceremonies and rites. + +From time to time, however, as civilization progressed, there came into +prominence persons who worked cures of physical ills by means of magical +ceremonies and other similar methods, but who were outside of the +priesthood. Some of these men undoubtedly had a very fair knowledge of the +real secret of their cures, though they disguised them to suit the mental +condition of their patients, and, also, probably for purposes of self +glorification. In other cases, however, it is probable that these healers +had merely stumbled across the fact that certain things said in a certain +way tended to work cures; or that certain physical objects seemed to have +therapeutic virtue. They did not realize that the whole healing virtue of +their systems depended upon the strong idea in their own minds, coupled +with the strong faith and confidence in the mind of the patient. And so +the work went on. + +In some of the oldest records of the human race, the scriptures of the +various peoples, we find that "laying on of hands" was the favorite method +employed by the holy men and priests, and other performing healing work. +From the first there seems to have been an almost instinctive recognition +on the part of man of the fact that there is a healing power in the touch +of the hand. Even ignorant and savage mothers instinctively apply their +hands to the hurt bodies of their children--a custom that has its +counterpart in civilized races, by the way. The child is taught to expect +physical relief from the application of the mother's hands, and its mind +at once pictures relief. Not only is the mental picture created, but the +desire and confidence is established in the minds of both persons. The +same thing is true of all "laying on of hands," and thus are the +principles of all psychic influence brought into play. But this is not all +there is to it. In the first place, there is an actual transference of +prana from the body of the healer to that of the patient, which serves to +energize and revitalize the cells and centres of the body of the latter. +In the second place, there is the effect upon the astral body of the +patient, which tends to materialize better physical conditions. In the +third place, there is that combination and union of the minds of the two +persons, which gives extra force and power to psychic influence. Is it any +wonder that cures take place under these circumstances? + +In the modern revival of the almost lost art and science of psychic +healing among the general public, there has been unusual stress laid upon +the feature of "absent healing," in which the patient and the healer are +not in each other's presence. To many this has seemed actually miraculous, +and as a positive proof of divine interposition. But a little thought will +show the student that such cures are not unknown in the pages of history, +as a casual examination of the sacred books of almost any religion will +show. Moreover, the student will see that to the effect of certain +principles of psychic influence there needs but to be added the principles +of telepathic communication, or, better still, the principles of astral +communication by some phases of clairvoyance, to account for the entire +phenomena of "absent healing." + +Space is no barrier on the astral plane, as you have seen in the +preceding chapters of this book. Once the en rapport condition is +established between healer and patient, and the rest is simple--the astral +body is induced to energize more actively, and as a result the physical +manifestation is improved and normal functioning restored. Of course, all +this is wonderful enough--all psychic phenomena is, for that matter; but, +we see that we do not have to go outside of established occult laws, +principles and facts in order to account for some of these modern miracles +which have puzzled and perplexed so many good persons who have not known +of the occult teachings, and who fear that the world is being turned +upside down, and Nature's laws overturned by these "new fangled" ideas and +methods. + +Perhaps the most simple method of healing by psychic influence is that +which is at the same time the oldest method, i.e., the "laying on of +hands." This method was revived about twenty years ago in America and +Europe by the new school of "magnetic healing" which sprung rapidly into +public favor. The other schools of psychic healing, generally known as +"mental healing," "spiritual healing," "divine healing," etc., generally +frown upon the use of the hands in psychic healing, deeming it "too +material," and too much allied to hypnotism, etc. But this view is quite +bigoted and narrow, for this method has no relation to hypnotism, and, +moreover, it gives the patient the benefit of the flow of prana from the +healer, while at the same time producing the psychic effect on the astral +body, as I have just mentioned. + +I take the liberty of quoting here something on this subject from my +little book entitled "The Human Aura." In the chapter of that book devoted +to the consideration of the subject of "Auric Magnetism," I said: "In +cases of magnetic healing, etc., the healer by an effort of his will +(sometimes unconsciously applied) projects a supply of his pranic aura +vibrations into the body of his patient, by way of the nervous system of +the patient, and also by means of what may be called the induction of the +aura itself. The mere presence of a person strongly charged with prana, is +often enough to cause an overflow into the aura of other persons, with a +resulting feeling of new strength and energy. By the use of the hands of +the healer, a heightened effect is produced, by reason of certain +properties inherent in the nervous system of both healer and patient. +There is even a flow of etheric substance from the aura of the healer to +that of the patient, in cases in which the vitality of the latter is very +low. Many a healer has actually, and literally, pumped his life force and +etheric substance into the body of his patient, when the latter was +sinking into the weakness which precedes death, and has by so doing been +able to bring him back to strength and life. This is practically akin to +the transfusion of blood--except that it is upon the psychic plane instead +of the physical." + +But the true "magnetic healer" (call him by whatever name you wish) does +not make this pranic treatment the all-in-all of his psychic treatment. +On the contrary it is but the less subtle part, which leads up to the +higher phases. While treating his patients by the laying on of hands, he, +at the same time, strives to induce in the mind of the patient the mental +image of restored health and physical strength; he pictures the diseased +organ as restored to health and normal functioning; he sees the entire +physiological machinery operating properly, the work of nutrition, +assimilation, and excretion going on naturally and normally. By proper +words of advice L and encouragement he awakens hope and confidence in the +mind of the patient, and thus obtains the co-operation of that mind in +connection to his own mental efforts. The astral body responds to this +treatment, and begins to energize the physical organs and cells into +normal activity--and the journey toward health is begun. + +[In the little book just mention, "The Human Aura," I gave some valuable +information regarding the influence of colors in psychic healing, which I +do not reproduce here as it is outside the scope and field of the present +lessons. Those who may feel interested in the subject are respectfully +referred to the little manual itself. It is sold for a nominal price by +the publishers of the present work.] + +In the form of psychic treatment which comes under the head of Suggestive +Therapeutics, great insistence is laid upon the verbal suggestion to the +patient, on the part of the healer. The patient is told that he will get +well; that his organs will function normally; etc., etc. But the student +of the present lessons will readily see that the only virtue in the spoken +words consists in their power to evoke and induce the mental image of the +desired condition in the mind of the patient. The mental picture thus +evoked produces a corresponding effect in the astral body of the patient, +and sets into operation the materialization of desired results. In +addition, the words produce a strong mental picture in the mind of the +healer himself, and thus give form and strength to his psychic vibrations +which are being poured out toward the patient. This is really the secret +of suggestive treatment. + +The many cults of metaphysical healing, in America and Europe, lay great +stress upon what they call "affirmations," which are but statements of the +patient of his or her faith in the healing power of God, or of Mind, or +Spirit, or Principle (different names are used). The patient naturally has +confidence aroused, and as naturally begins to picture the desired +condition; this in turn reacting upon the astral body, and this upon the +physical body or organ. In addition, the healer's mind is also set to work +in the same way, and sets into motion the healing psychic forces in the +way just mentioned. You will notice that the same principle is always +involved and set into operation and manifestation. + +There is no particular virtue in the form of affirmation used by the +healer or patient, except the important virtue of being able to arouse +strong mental pictures of restored health, proper functioning, etc. There +is of course this also: certain forms of affirmations or mental statements +are better suited than others to the particular wants of certain persons. +For instance, a very religious person will be aroused better by +affirmations and statements filled with religious sentiments and ideas; +while a person of a purely scientific turn of mind will receive more +benefit from affirmations in which the precise physiological functions are +specifically mentioned; while the person who is fond of mystery and +strange ceremonies will be better served in the affirmations or statements +taken in the form of some magical incantation, etc. The difference, +however, lies in the mind of the patient, rather than in the words +themselves. Words are merely invokers of ideas--symbols of ideas. In +themselves, words are nothing--ideas are everything. + +If you wish to treat yourself psychically for some physical disorder, or +if you wish to do good to others in the same way, you have but to put into +operation the general principles of psychic influence herein described. +That is to say, you must first be filled with the strong desire and wish +to make the cure; then you must make a strong mental image of the desired +result, as actually present. (Do not think of it as "going to be;" instead +say and think that it "is now!"); then concentrate the attention firmly +and positively upon the idea. You may aid yourself and others by +affirmations or auto-suggestions (words creating desired ideas and mental +pictures) if you wish--you may get better results in this way. In this +connection, let me remind you that the healing work in many cases consists +largely in placing proper mental pictures in the mind of the patient, +thereby displacing improper and harmful mental pictures of disease, etc., +which have been given lodgment there before. Many persons are sick because +of improper and harmful mental pictures that they have allowed to be +placed there by the suggestions of others. Fear and dread of disease often +acts to bring about the feared condition, for reasons that you can readily +see. + +And, now, finally for the work of "absent healing" by psychic influence. I +can state this to you very simply; it is this: take what I have just told +you regarding personal treatments, and combine it with what I have told +you in previous lessons about "long distance psychic influence"--then you +will have the whole thing. Here is a sample of an effective distant +treatment; or "absent treatment," to use the popular term--it may be +varied and enlarged up to fit individual cases: + +Sit quietly in your own room, inducing a calm, peaceful mental attitude +and state. Then (in the way already told you in this book) make a mental +picture of the patient as sitting opposite to you, or lying down in front +of you. If you have never seen the patient, make simply a mental image of +a man, or a woman, as the case may be, and think of the figure as being +the patient. The best practitioners of distant psychic healing produce +such a strong mental image of the patient that they can often actually +"feel" his or her presence. (This of course is the result of a simple +form of clairvoyance.) Then make a strong mental picture of the condition +that you wish to induce in the patient--the healthy physical condition of +the organ, or part or body, as the case may be. See this condition as +existing at the present time, and not as merely to come in the future. At +the same time, you will do well to mentally speak to the patient, just as +you would in case he or she were sitting before you in the physical body. +Tell the patient just what you would in such case. Pour in the +suggestions, or affirmations, or whatever you may wish to call them. In +some cases in which an excellent en rapport condition is established, +patients become aware of the treatment, and sometimes can almost see and +feel the presence of the healer. + +A prominent Mental Scientist, of America, instructs his pupils to consider +each of the organs of the patient, or of themselves, as having a separate +intelligence; and, therefore, to "speak up to it" as if it really +understood what was being said to its organ-mind. I would say that such +form of treatment would be calculated to bring about very good results, +indeed. The principle of concentration and mental picturing would be +invoked very strongly in such a case, and the astral counterpart of the +organ should respond to such treatment quickly and effectively. It is an +occult fact that there is mind in every organ and cell of the body, and if +the same is awakened in the astral counterpart, it will respond to the +command, suggestion, or direction. The writer in question evidently is +well acquainted with this occult law, judging from his other writings, and +has simply veiled his knowledge with this easily understood method of +treatment which undoubtedly will "do the work," to use the American term. + +Finally, no matter what may be the theory, or method, given in connection +with psychic healing of any or all kinds, you will find the same general +principles underlying it that have been presented over and over again in +this book. In fact, many purely material and physical remedies owe their +success to the fact that they appeal to the imagination of the patient, +and also inspire confidence in him. Anything that will inspire confidence, +faith and hope in the mind of a patient, and will bring to his mind strong +mental pictures of restored health and normal functioning of his +organs--that thing will make for health for him. So, there you have the +whole theory and practice in a sentence! + + * * * * * + +I would remind the student that these are not lessons to be read but once +and then laid aside. In order to get from them all that they contain for +you, you will find it necessary to read them several times, with a +reasonable interval between readings for the knowledge to sink into your +mind. I feel sure that you will find with each reading that there are many +points that you over-looked before. The lessons cover a wide field, with +many little excursions into bye-paths and lanes of thought. I trust that +the reading and study will make you not only a wiser person, but also a +stronger and more efficient one. I thank you for your kind attention, and +trust that we shall meet again in the future. + + +FINIS. + + + + + +The Art and Science of +PERSONAL MAGNETISM +By THERON Q. DUMONT +THE SECRET OF FORTUNE, +FAME AND LOVE + +_Success can be made more certain by being able to mold minds and to +influence them to act as you wish_. + +THE ART AND SCIENCE OF PERSONAL MAGNETISM + +By Theron Q. Dumont + +A Chicago paper in a recent editorial said: "There are men in this country +in abundance, but good men, while in great demand, are as scarce as the +clams in chowder at a church supper." + +A man need not be a college graduate if he is to rise to the height of +power and success. Personal Magnetism will help to control and influence +others. + +This book contains 238 pages crammed with most interesting advice on +Personal Magnetism--what it is and how to develop it. It contains 21 +chapters dealing with the different phases of the subject. Here are a few +of the chapter headings: + +The Mental Phase--The Physical Phase--Physical Magnetism--Mental +Radiation--Mental Atmosphere--The Direct Flash--The Positive Aura--The +Direct Command--The Magnetic Duel--Magnetic Self-Defence--The Power of +Controlling Others + +No. 6, 238 Pages, Cloth Bound, Size 5x7. + + + + +Medical Hypnotism and Suggestion By Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P. + + +This book is full of secrets. It explains what hypnotism (or mesmerism) +is, and gives an interesting outline of its history. It explains the great +value of hypnotism in the cure of disease and in surgical operations. It +tells how to hypnotise a man, how to put him in a trance for a week. There +is an explanation on how to give an hypnotic entertainment for your +friends or on the stage, making your subjects do things such as acting, +singing, speechmaking, things that, in their ordinary state, they would be +unable to do. Further it explains the method of curing bad +habits--drinking, swearing, lying, stealing, gambling, betting, smoking, +envy, hatred, temper, etc. + +The author's object in writing this book is to give a brief but accurate +description of Hypnotism and Suggestive Therapeutics, as practiced by the +most advanced schools of the present day; and also to enlighten the public +mind on the great advantages of hypnotism in the treatment of disease, as +compared with the drug method now used in this and other countries. Size +6 x 4-1/2. + +No. 12, 37 Pages, Paper Bound--Price Postpaid Outside U.S.A. + + + +THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEERSHIP +THE SCIENCE OF KNOWING THE FUTURE +HINDOO and ORIENTAL METHODS +COMING EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS BEFORE + +By Swami Bhakta Vishita (Hindoo Master) + +Everyone possesses in the latent state the wonderful faculty of Seership. +This can be developed. You can train yourself so you can foresee events +and be your own adviser--see your own future. + +If you want to make the most of yourself, both in a human and divine +sense, you should read this book. + +The most profound and conscientious occult work published in years. +Teaches how to pierce the veil--enter at will into the spiritual world and +converse with your loved ones now across the border. + +No. 3. 384 Pages, Cloth Bound, Size, 5x7 + + + + +Practical Mind Reading +By William Walker Atkinson + +_A course of Lessons on Thought Transference, Telepathy, Mental Currents, +Mental Rapport, etc_. + +This book is full of practical condensed instruction about every phase of +Mind Reading, Telepathy, etc. The exercises and directions are so plain +and simple that they can be understood and demonstrated by any person of +ordinary intelligence. + +Here you will find complete instruction in all the latest points about +Mind Reading. It tells how Thought Transference is practiced in the +scientific laboratory as well as by a public performer. It tells you how +to perform feats that will mystify an audience and arouse the deepest +interest and enthusiasm, or how you can conduct telepathic experiments +with your friends right in your own home. + +Here are the titles of the lessons and a few of the subjects treated: + +THE NATURE OF MIND READING--A vast, mysterious subject; Power of +Etheric Vibrations; Mental wireless telepathy; the mysteries of science; +Action of mind upon mind; The mental battery. + +THE PROOFS OF MIND READING--The Psychic post office; Wonderful +results; A convincing experiment. + +CONTACT MIND READING--The two classes of mind reading; The simplest +form; Nerve current theory; The truth about public performances. + +DEVELOPMENT EXERCISES--How to begin; Rapport conditions--Rhythmic +breathing; Details of finding objects. + +PRICE POSTPAID--Outside U.S.A. + +No. 8--95 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2 + + + + +THE SOLAR PLEXUS or Abdominal Brain +BY THERON Q. DUMONT + +Man has four brains, and not merely one, as is commonly believed to be the +case. Each of the four brains have separate characteristics and +distinctive offices and functions. + +The Solar Plexus, or Abdominal Brain is situated in the upper part of the +abdomen, behind the stomach, in front of the great artery, and in front of +pillars of the diaphragm. + +The Solar Plexus is the great plexus, i.e., network of nerve-fibres, mass +of nerve-substance, etc., of the great sympathetic nervous system. It is +composed of both gray and white nervous substance, or brain-matter, +similar to that of the other three brains of man. It receives and +distributes nerve-impulses and currents to all the abdominal organs, and +supplies the main organs of nutrition, assimilation, etc., with nervous +energy. + +It performs a most important work, supplying the nerve-energy which is +required for the process of nutrition, assimilation, growth, etc. In fact, +it is the great powerhouse of physical life-energy. The bodily functions +cannot be performed without it; when it is injured the entire physical +well-being is at once seriously affected; when it receives a severe shock, +death often ensues. + +Its name, "solar" was bestowed upon it by reason of its central position; +its filaments extend in all directions to the important abdominal organs, +like the rays of the sun; and it is recognized as being the powerhouse, +and great reservoir of "life force," just as the sun is the great +powerhouse and reservoir of material energy of our solar system. + +Not alone modern scientific investigators; but also many very ancient +investigators, such as the oriental occultists and sages, who many +centuries ago recognized certain subtle functions and offices of this +wonderful "fourth brain" of man, and taught their students many valuable +methods of effectively employing its finer forces and hidden energies. + +NO. 9, 64 PAGES, PAPER BOUND, SIZE 6x4-1/2 PRICE POSTPAID--OUTSIDE +U.S.A. + + + +HOW TO KNOW YOUR FUTURE +By +Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P. + +As St. Paul points out, man has a natural (or material) body and a +spiritual body. There are also a material world and a spiritual world. +With the eye we can only see material things. To see the spiritual world +we must cultivate the spiritual sight. Seeing spiritual things with the +spiritual sight is called Clairvoyance (or "Second Sight"). + +You can if you choose, cultivate clairvoyant faculty. If you do, you may +be able to see places and persons in the spiritual world. This may enable +you to describe to your friends, people in spirit life that they have +known here. + +It can also help you to see what is going on at a distance in this world. +To see into the past and the future. To obtain hidden information, and to +give advice, of the utmost value. This faculty when properly developed +enables one to trace hidden treasure, to find lost friends, animals, and +property. With the development of Clairvoyance it is also possible to +develop Clairaudience (Spiritual Hearing). + +Crystal Gazing means looking into a crystal ball or into something else of +a like kind. When this faculty is developed one sees a picture or image in +the crystal. Presently the picture will dissolve and another will take its +place. All the above matter is described in this book. + +No. 15, 42 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2. + +Price Postpaid--Outside U.S.A. + + + +How to Converse with Spirit Friends +By +Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P. + + +A medium is a person whose presence is necessary before a spirit can +communicate. "How To Converse With Spirit Friends" tells you how you may +develop mediumistic powers, so as to be able to receive messages from the +other world when sitting alone. + +The book also tells you about different kinds of spirits, including +apparitions (ghosts) and spirit guides (the spirit friends that are +constantly with each of us); about spirit control (how spirits work +through the organisms of mediums); and about spirit-given premonitions, +warnings, death-signs, etc. The work, moreover, gives other interesting +and valuable matter. This work is calculated to "comfort those that +mourn." + +This book is printed in very legible type and contains illustrations to +bring out points. One of the illustrations shows spirit forms as seen by a +medium. Size 6x4-1/2 + +No. 14, 36 Pages, Paper Bound--Price Postpaid Outside U.S.A./b> + + + +THE POWER OF CONCENTRATION +By Theron Q. Dumont + +_It is of the utmost value to learn how to concentrate. To make the +greatest success of anything, you must be able to center your entire +thought upon the idea you are working on. The person who is able to +concentrate, utilizes all constructive thoughts and shuts out all +destructive ones. The greatest man would accomplish nothing if he lacked +concentration._ + +TWENTY FAMOUS LESSONS IN CONCENTRATION + +In these twenty lessons, this famous author gives you in simple, concrete +form the results of his lifetime investigations. He shows you how to +acquire that mental quality of concentration which has made world-known +leaders. He shows you how to focus your ideas, to get away from mind +wandering, to eliminate day dreams--how to use your mind like an +ever-ready tool and to accomplish in hours what the man without this +ability does only in weeks or months. He tells clearly why some men lead, +while others with equal intelligence remain in the ranks. He shows the +clear way to make the utmost out of your mentality. No degree of success, +within reason, is impossible when one possesses the Power of +Concentration. + +Read the principles laid down so clearly by Professor Dumont. Practice the +exercises which he has so carefully worked out. This training is as much a +guarantee of success as any other method known. Simply learn to use your +brains--learn to focus, to concentrate and the highway to bigger things is +open to you. + +A FEW OF THE TOPICS + +Opportunities Made Through Concentration. (Shows the plain road to the +top.) Self Mastery. (How to centralize attention.) Training the Will. (A +mighty force at your disposal.) Mental Poise. (How to command conditions.) +Business Success. (How to coordinate forces by concentration.) Attaining +Wealth. (How to attract money bringing factors.) How Courage is Gained. +(Use of concentration to drive out fear.) Memory by Concentration. (A very +valuable lesson.) Practical Exercises. (The actual application of the +principles of concentration.) Many more topics all as interesting and +important as those listed. + +No. 5--186 Pages, Cloth Bound, Size 5x7 Price Postpaid--Outside U.S.A. + + + +DYNAMIC THOUGHT +How to Develop your Personality +By +Henry Thomas Hamblin + +This book develops your personality and the personal power that sways and +compels and gives you a powerful influence over the minds of others. + +Dynamic Thought reveals new and marvelous facts about the human system. +Men and women achieve success according to the development of their own +powers. You have as much power within you as anyone, but it is lying +dormant; and this development can be attained. + +There are certain definite principles that rule human beings in their +attitude toward each other. When once you understand these principles you +can convert enemies into friends and can make almost everyone be friendly +toward you. + +No 1 298 pages, Cloth Bound, Size 5x7. Price Postpaid--Outside U.S.A. + + +Mental Influence +By William Walker Atkinson + +_A course of Lessons on Mental Vibration, Psychic Influence, Personal +Magnetism, Fascination, Psychic Self-Protection, etc._ + +LESSON 1.--Why one mind can be made to influence another. +LESSON 2.--How thought waves manifest, and how they affect other persons. +LESSON 3.--How mental states are transmitted. +LESSON 4.--What mental concentration is, and how it works. The occult +teachings regarding developing the powers of concentration. A course of +training described and explained. +LESSON 5.--How occultists form a mental image. +LESSON 6.--The secret of mental fascination and personal magnetism. Why +some have such a charming, irresistible influence. How it can be +cultivated. +LESSON 7.--Difference between fascination and hypnotism. How hypnotic +influence upon others affects the person. The truth about hypnotism. +LESSON 8.--Influencing at a distance. How you can exert a mental influence +upon others at a distance. How distant treatments are given. The most +effective occult methods and practices. +LESSON 9.--How mental influence may be used to affect a great number of +people at the same time. +LESSON 10.--The need of instruction on the part of the public. + +No. 7--96 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2 + + +SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS +BY +SWAMI BRAHMA + +_A guide to Success in matters relating to Health, Friendship, Love, +Marriage, etc._ + +"Success and Happiness" tells you how to develop magnetism and to +strengthen your will. It tells you how to influence people to act as you +so desire. It gives suggestions on how to relieve pain without medicine. + +No matter what your condition or position may be, "Success and Happiness" +tells you how you may improve it. It gives you plain directions as to how +to achieve success tin friendship, love, matrimony, and business; how to +make money and how to secure happiness. + +Send for this book at once and learn how magnetism and will-power enable +people to achieve success. + +No. 16, 40 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2 Price Postpaid--Outside +U.S.A. + + +GENUINE MEDIUMSHIP +THE INVISIBLE POWERS +BY +SWAMI BHAKTA VISHITA + +This book will prove invaluable to anyone who feels that they might have +any kind of psychic power. It contains lengthy discussion of the +following: + +Mental vibrations and transmission--Thought transference--Clairvoyance and +kindred phenomena--Mediumship--Mediumistic conditions--How to develop +mediumship--Mediumistic phenomena--Higher spirit manifestations. + +This work explains clearly how to develop "mediumship." It tells how to +form a "medium" circle. Questioning the spirits, the spirit communication +code, persistent watchful waiting, building lines of communication. + +No 2, 277 pages. Cloth Bound, Size 5x7. + + + +PRACTICAL +PSYCHOMANCY AND +CRYSTAL GAZING +BY +WILLIAM WALKER ATKINSON + +_A Series of Eleven Lessons on the Psychic; Phenomena of Distant Sensing, +Clairvoyance, Psychometry, Crystal Gazing, etc._ + +PARTIAL SYNOPSIS OF CONTENTS: + +Scientific principles underlying Psychomancy, Sensing objects by the +Astral Senses. Projection of the Astral Body. + +HOW TO DEVELOP YOURSELF. Development Methods. Concentration. +Visualization. Psychometry. How to use the Crystal and Mirror. General +Instruction. + +Simple and Space Psychomancy and their difference. Seeing Through Solid +Objects. Seeing Down Into the Earth. Diagnosis of Disease by Psychomancy. + +THE ASTRAL TUBE. + +PSYCHOMETRY. Five Methods. + +Various forms of Crystal Gazing. Directions of "How to Do It," etc. + +ASTRAL PROJECTION. What the Trained Experimenter may do. + +SPACE PSYCHOMANCY. What may be accomplished by means of it. + +Sensing the scenes, occurrences and objects of the Past, by Astral Vision. + +FUTURE TIME PSYCHOMANCY. Future events cast their shadows before. + +DREAM PSYCHOMANCY. This lesson will explain many instances in your +own experience. + +This most interesting study is stated clearly, so that all may readily +understand the fundamental principle of Psychic communication. + +No. 20--Paper Bound, 93 Pages, Size 6x4-1/2 Price Postpaid--Outside +U.S.A. + + + +TABLE RAPPING +AND +AUTOMATIC WRITING +By +Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P + +Founder and Principal of the British Psychological Institute + + +"If a man die, shall he live again?" Does death end all: or is it merely +"the gate of life"? If there be a next world, can we communicate with +those that are in it? + +These are questions that have agitated the minds of millions. "Table +Rapping and Automatic Writing" answers the questions. It also does more, +it tells you how you can answer them. It tells you how to prove there is +another life, and how to open up communication with those who dwell +therein. To the Materialist it says: "Belief is unnecessary. You demand +evidence--here it is." + +"Table Rapping and Automatic Writing" gives full instructions on how to +form a Circle for receiving messages from spirit friends; how to enable +spirits to make themselves visible to ordinary sight; how to get written +messages, drawings, etc., from those who have "passed over." + +No. 18--25 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2 Price Postpaid--Outside +U.S.A. + + +THE +ASTRAL WORLD +_Its Scenery, Dwellers and Phenomena_ +By +Swami Panchadasi + +Containing treatment on such matter as the following: + +CHAPTER I.--The Seven Planes of Being. What is meant by a Plane. A state +rather than a place. +CHAPTER II.--Astral Regions. What is meant by an Astral Region. Where +located. +CHAPTER III.--Reality of the Astral. What one encounters on an astral +journey. +CHAPTER IV.--Passing the Border. Passing out of the physical body. Alone +in the astral body. +CHAPTER V.--Some Lower Sub-Planes. Why the soul sheds. The Astral shell, +bodies without souls, still seemingly alive and conscious. +CHAPTER VI.--Disembodied Souls. The resting place of the souls. Not dead, +but sleeping. +CHAPTER VII.--Scenes of the Astral. How the low entities pass their time. +Punished by their sins not for them. +CHAPTER VIII.--Life and Work on the Astral. Character and occupations of +the Astral Dwellers. +CHAPTER IX.--Higher Planes and beyond. The true home of the soul. The +Heaven worlds. +CHAPTER X.--The Astral Light. What the astral light is. A startling +presentation of a wonderful occult truth. +CHAPTER XI.--Astral Entities. Non-human dwellers on the astral. + +No. 10, 94 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2 PRICE POSTPAID--Outside +U.S.A. + + + +PRACTICAL PSYCHOMETRY +By +Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P. + +There is a great demand for good Psychometrists at the present time, and +in the near future there will be a greater demand for the vast amount of +good that can be done by the God-given science of Psychometry (pronounced +"Si-com-et-rie"). + +A Psychometrist is a person able to see these scenes, hear these sounds, +read these thoughts, and "sense" these feelings. If therefore, a lock of +hair, a letter, a pocket-knife, or anything belonging to a stranger be +handed to a Psychometrist, he will be able to understand much of the +person's past, present, and future--about their character, disposition, +health, surroundings, capabilities, friends, marriage, business, etc. + +In this way very valuable information and advice can be obtained for +oneself or given to others. + +Can you Psychometrize? If not, why not learn? You will benefit yourself, +and also astound and help your friends. + +Full and complete particulars are contained in this book. + +No. 17--25 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2 + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12480 *** diff --git a/12480-h/12480-h.htm b/12480-h/12480-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..16a55a5 --- /dev/null +++ b/12480-h/12480-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8503 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Clairvoyance and Occult Powers, by Swami Panchadasi</title> +<style type="text/css"> +body { font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; + background-color: #ffffff; + color: #000000; + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10% +} +a:link {color: #000000} +a:visited {color: #000000} +a:hover {color: #000000} +h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 {color: #666666; text-align: center} +pre {font-size: 9pt;} + +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12480 ***</div> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Clairvoyance and Occult Powers, by Swami +Panchadasi</h1> +<br /> +<br /> +<center><b>E-text prepared by Julie Barkley, Sjaani,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team</b></center> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> +<br /> +<img src="images/frontise.gif" alt="Frontise" width="400" height="500" /> +<h1>CLAIRVOYANCE<br /> +and<br /> +Occult Powers</h1> + +<p><font size="-2">INCLUDING<br /> + CLAIRVOYANCE, CLAIRAUDIENCE<br /> + PREMONITION AND IMPRESSIONS<br /> + CLAIRVOYANT PSYCHOMETRY<br /> + CLAIRVOYANT CRYSTAL-GAZING<br /> + DISTANT CLAIRVOYANCE<br /> + PAST CLAIRVOYANCE<br /> + FUTURE CLAIRVOYANCE<br /> + SECOND-SIGHT<br /> + PREVISION<br /> + CLAIRVOYANT DEVELOPMENT<br /> + ASTRAL-BODY TRAVELING<br /> + ASTRAL-PLANE PHENOMENA<br /> + PSYCHIC INFLUENCE—Personal and Distant<br /> + PSYCHIC ATTRACTION<br /> + PSYCHIC HEALING<br /> + TELEPATHY<br /> + MIND-READING<br /> + THOUGHT TRANSFERENCE and other PSYCHIC PHENOMENA<br /> + </font> + </p> +<h3>By</h3> +<h2>Swami Panchadasi</h2> +<h4>Author of<br /> + "The Human Aura,"<br /> + "The Astral World," Etc.</h4> +<h3>1916</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>SYNOPSIS OF THE LESSONS</h2> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonI">LESSON I<br /> +THE ASTRAL SENSES</a><br /> + <font size="-1">The skeptical person who "believes only the evidence of + his senses." The man who has much to say about "horse sense." + "Common Sense" versus Uncommon Senses. The ordinary five senses are + not the only senses. The ordinary senses are not as infallible as many think + them. Illusions of the five physical senses. What is back of the organs of physical + sense. All senses an evolution of the sense of feeling. How the mind receives + the report of the senses. The Real Knower behind the senses. What the unfolding + of new senses means to man. The super-physical senses. The Astral Senses. Man + has seven physical senses, instead of merely five. Each physical sense has its + astral sense counterpart. What the astral senses are. Sensing on the astral + plane. How the mind functions on the astral plane, by means of the astral senses. + The unfolding of the Astral Senses opens up a new world of experience to man.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonII">LESSON II<br /> +TELEPATHY vs. CLAIRVOYANCE</a><br /> + <font size="-1">The two extra physical senses of man. The extra sense of "the + presence of other living things." The "telepathic sense." How + man may sense the presence of other living things apart from the operation of + his ordinary five physical senses. This power is strongly developed in savages + and barbarians, but has become atrophied in most civilized men, by continued + disuse. It is now vestigal in civilized man, but may be developed by practice. + Animals have this extra sense highly developed, and it plays a very important + part in their protection from enemies; their capture of prey, etc. The strange + actions of dogs, horses, etc., explained. How the geese saved Rome by reason + of this sense. All hunters have experienced evidences of the existence of this + sense on the part of animals. The physical telepathic sense. How it operates. + Interesting instances of its possession by animals, and savage tribes. Women + possess it strongly. The distinction between this form of thought-transference + and clairvoyance.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonIII">LESSON III<br /> +TELEPATHY EXPLAINED</a><br /> + <font size="-1">What "telepathy" means. The mental process by which + one "knows at a distance." The sending and receiving of waves and + currents of thought and feeling. Thought vibrations, and how they are caused. + The part played by the cerebrum, cerebellum, and medulla oblongata—the + three brains of man. The part played by the solar plexus and other great nervous + centres. How thought messages are received. How states of emotional excitement + are transmitted to others. The Pineal Gland: what it is, and what it does. The + important part it plays in telepathy and thought-transference. Mental atmospheres. + Psychic atmospheres of audiences, towns, houses, stores, etc. Why you are not + affected by all thought vibrations in equal measure and strength. How thought + vibrations are neutralized. Affinities and repulsions between different thought + vibrations. Interesting facts concerning telepathy. Scientific explanations + of telepathy.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonIV">LESSON IV<br /> +SCIENTIFIC TELEPATHY</a> + <font size="-1"><br /> + The important investigations of the Society for Psychical Research. True telepathy + and pseudo-telepathy; how they are distinguished by scientists. Strict tests + imposed in investigations. The celebrated "Creery Experiments," and + how they were conducted. The elaboration of the "guessing" game. Seventeen + cards chosen right, in straight succession. Precautions against fraud or collusion. + Two hundred and ten successes out of a possible three hundred and eighty-two. + Science pronounces the results as entirely beyond the law of coincidences and + mathematical probability; and that the phenomena were genuine and real telepathy. + Still more wonderful tests. Telepathy an incontestable reality. "A psychic + force transmitting ideas and thoughts." Interesting cases of spontaneous + telepathy, scientifically proven. Extracts from the scientific records. Cold + scientific reports read like a romance, and prove beyond doubt the reality of + this great field of phenomena.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonV">LESSON V<br /> +MIND-READING, AND BEYOND</a><br /> + <font size="-1">What "Mind-Reading" is. The two phases of Mind-Reading. + Mind-Reading with physical contact; and without physical contact. Why the scientific + investigators make the distinction. Why science has been over-cautious; and + how it falls short of the full understanding of contact Mind-Reading. How the + thought-waves flow along the nerves of the projector and recipient. Like telegraphy + over wires, as compared with the wireless method. How to learn by actual experience, + and not alone by reading books. How to experiment for yourself; and how to obtain + the best results in Mind-Reading. The working principles of Mind-Reading stated. + Full directions and instruction given for the successful performance of the + interesting feats. This lesson is really a little manual of practical instruction + in Mind-Reading, and the higher phases of Thought-Transference. The person carefully + studying and applying the principles taught therein should become very proficient + in both private and public manifestations.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonVI">LESSON VI<br /> +CLAIRVOYANT PSYCHOMETRY</a><br /> + <font size="-1">What Clairvoyance really is; and what it is not. The faculty + of acquiring super-normal knowledge of facts and happening at a distance, or + in past or future time, independent of the ordinary senses, and independent + of telepathic reading of the minds of others. The different kinds of Clairvoyance + described. What is Psychometry? Clairvoyant en rapport relations on the astral + plane, with distant, past or future happenings and events; by means of a connecting + material link. How to obtain the psychic affinity or astral relation to other + things by means of a bit of stone, lock of hair, article of wearing apparel, + etc. Interesting instances of clairvoyant psychometry. How to go about the work + of psychometrizing. How to develop the power. How to secure the best conditions; + and what to do when you have obtained them. Psychometry develops the occultist + for still higher clairvoyant powers.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonVII">LESSON VII<br /> +CLAIRVOYANT CRYSTAL-GAZING</a><br /> + <font size="-1">The second great method of securing clairvoyant en rapport relations + with the astral plane. How the crystal, magic-mirror, etc., serves to focus + the psychic energy of the clairvoyant person. The crystal serves the purpose + of a psychic microscope or telescope. How crystals tend to become polarized + to the vibrations of their owner. Why crystals should be preserved for the personal + use of their owners. The use of crystals, or other forms of shining objects, + by different peoples in ancient and modern times. How they are employed in Australia, + New Zealand, Fiji Islands, South America, etc., by the primitive tribes. Various + substitutes for the crystal. Full directions for Crystal Gazing. Complete instructions + and warnings. All stages described, from the first "milky mist" to + the clearly defined "psychic photograph." The Astral Tube, and the + part it plays in Crystal Gazing. A complete little text-book of the subject.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonVIII">LESSON VIII<br /> +CLAIRVOYANT REVERIE</a><br /> + <font size="-1">The higher forms of Clairvoyance, and how they may be cultivated + and acquired. Trance conditions not essential to highest Clairvoyance, although + often connected therewith. In Clairvoyant Reverie, the clairvoyant does not + become unconscious; but merely "shuts out" the outside world of sights + and sounds. Shifting the consciousness from the physical plane to the astral. + Clairvoyant Reverie may be safely and effectively induced by mental concentration + alone. Artificial methods dangerous, and not advised by best authorities. Abnormal + conditions not desirable. The "one pointed" mind. The Clairvoyant + "day dream" or "brown study." False "psychic development." + Use of hypnotic drugs strongly condemned. Scientific psychological methods stated + and taught. The laws of attention and concentration of the mind. How Clairvoyance + develops by this method. The true occult instruction given fully.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonIX">LESSON IX<br /> +SIMPLE CLAIRVOYANCE</a><br /> + <font size="-1">What the Clairvoyant senses in Simple Clairvoyance. Perception + of the Aura, and Auric Emanations of others; Psychic Vibrations; Astral Colors; + Thought Currents, Waves and Vibrations, etc., are features of Simple Clairvoyance. + The beautiful kaleidoscopic spectacle of the Auric changes. The Prana Aura, + and its appearances. The Mental and Emotional Aura, and its many interesting + phases. Perception of Astral Thought-Forms. Other Astral Phenomena. The Astral + World, and its Myriad Manifestations. Strange aspects of Astral Visioning. "Seeing + through a Brick-wall." The X-Ray Vision. Reading from closed books, sealed + envelopes, etc., and how it is explainable. Seeing into the depths of the earth, + and the occult explanation thereof. The Laws and Principles of this Extraordinary + Power. Magnifying and Diminishing Clairvoyant Vision. A wonderful field for + experiment opened out for the student.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonX">LESSON X<br /> +CLAIRVOYANCE OF DISTANT SCENES</a><br /> + <font size="-1">The characteristics of Space Clairvoyance. The Astral Seeing + of Distant Scenes; and through intervening objects. Remarkable instances of + this power, well authenticated and established. Interesting and instructive + historical cases recorded and explained. Testimony of the Society for Psychical + Research concerning this phase of Clairvoyance. The interesting case of W.T. + Stead, the celebrated English writer, who went down on the "Titanic." + The important testimony of Swedenborg, the eminent religious teacher. Other + well-authenticated cases happening to well-known persons. The evidence collected + by the Society for Psychical Research. Interesting German case. Why so many + cases of this kind happen when the person is on his death-bed, or seriously + ill. Why such experiences often occur in dreams. Actual "appearance" + of persons at a distance, and how explained. Important and interesting facts + recited in connection with this phase of Clairvoyance.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXI">LESSON XI<br /> +CLAIRVOYANCE OF THE PAST</a><br /> + <font size="-1">The clairvoyant perception of the facts, events and happenings + of past time. There is no difference in the nature of this strange phenomenon, + whether the past time be but five minutes or else five thousand years. How is + it possible to "see" a thing that no longer exists? The "just + how" of this strange happening. Nothing could be perceived if it had actually + disappeared from existence. But nothing entirely disappears in fact. On the + astral plane are recorded all things, events and happenings since the beginning + of the present world-cycle. The "Akashic Records;" or the "Astral + Light;" constitute the great record books of the past. The clairvoyant + gaining access to these may read the past like a book. Analogies in physical + science. Interesting scientific facts. What astronomy teaches on the subject. + How the records of the past are stored. How they are read by the clairvoyant. + A fascinating subject clearly presented and explained.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXII">LESSON XII<br /> +CLAIRVOYANCE OF THE FUTURE</a><br /> +The clairvoyant power manifest in all forms of perception of facts, +happenings and events of future time. Explanation of Prophecy, Prevision, +Foretelling, Second-Sight, etc. These powers not supernatural; but are +merely the development of the clairvoyant faculties. How may a thing be +"seen" years before it really exists. Nothing could be seen, unless it +existed in some form, at least potential and latent. Keen perception of +the subconscious faculties. Subconscious reasoning from cause to effect. +Coming events cast their shadows before. Fate vs. Free-Will. "Time is but +a relative mode of regarding things." "Events may, in some sense, exist +always, both past and future." Time like a moving-picture reel, containing +the future scene at the present moment, though out of sight. Analogy of +dream-time. An Absolute Consciousness in which past, present and future +exist as a single perception. A glimpse of a transcendental truth. How to +acquire the faculty of Future-Clairvoyance.</p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXIII">LESSON XIII<br /> +SECOND-SIGHT, PREVISION, ETC.</a><br /> + <font size="-1">Many persons, in all times, in all lands, have possessed the + gift of looking into the future. Not a superstition, but a scientific fact. + The Investigations of the scientific bodies. The Society for Psychical Research, + and its reports on this phase of Clairvoyance. Interesting case told by a leading + Theosophist. Tragedy and Funeral foreseen by Clairvoyant Prevision, or Second-Sight. + Historical instances. George Fox, the Quaker, and his Second-Sight. The prophecy + of the Death of Caesar. Biblical instances. The celebrated case of Cazotte, + which has become a matter of history. How Cazotte foretold the coming of the + French Revolution, including the fate of eminent personages present at the time + of the prophecy. A startling occurrence, well worthy of careful study. The historical + case of the assassination of Spencer Perceval, Chancellor of the Exchequer. + Other well-authenticated cases. Symbolic visions. Irish and Scotch cases.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXIV">LESSON XIV<br /> +ASTRAL-BODY TRAVELING</a><br /> + <font size="-1">Astral visioning in Clairvoyance, and visioning by means of + the Astral Body. The difference between the two phases of clairvoyant phenomena. + The characteristics of Astral-Body traveling. How one traveling in the Astral + Body may "see all around him," instead of merely gazing at an astral + picture. Limitations of Astral-Body visioning. What the Astral-Body really is; + and what it is like. How it disengages itself from the physical body, and travels + in space. Many persons "travel in the astral" during ordinary sleep. + Occult teachings regarding Astral-Body traveling. How dying persons often travel + in the astral-body, before death. Many interesting cases cited, all well-authenticated + by scientific investigation. Society for Psychical Research's records and reports + on such cases. Dangers of uninstructed persons going out on the astral, except + in dream state. "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." A timely + warning. A most important and interesting subject.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXV">LESSON XV<br /> +STRANGE ASTRAL PHENOMENA</a><br /> + <font size="-1">Additional phases of Astral Phenomena. Projection of Thought-Forms. + Something between ordinary Clairvoyance and Astral-Body perception. What a Thought-Form + is. How it is created. What it does. Where it goes. How a portion of one's consciousness + is projected in a Thought-Form. Using a Thought-Form as at cut-post, or observation + point. How things appear when viewed from a Thought-Form. A wonderful phase + of occult phenomena. Advantages and disadvantages of this form of clairvoyant + visioning. Hindu Psychic Magic, and how it is performed. Remarkable illusory + effects produced by Hindu Magicians. All is explained when the principle of + the creation and projection of Thought-Forms is understood. Why the Hindus excel + in this phase of occultism. An interesting description of Hindu Magic feats. + The power of concentrated "visualization." The phenomena of Levitation, + or the moving of articles at a distance. The occult explanation of this phenomenon. + Natural explanation for so-called "super-natural" occurrence.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXVI">LESSON XVI<br /> +PSYCHIC INFLUENCE: ITS LAWS AND PRINCIPLES</a><br /> + <font size="-1">The laws and principles underlying the power of one mind to + influence and affect another mind. More than ordinary telepathy. The inductive + power of mental vibrations. Everything is in vibration. Mental vibrations are + much higher in the scale than are physical vibrations. What "induction" + is. How a mental state, or an emotional feeling, tends to induce a similar state + in another mind. Many instances cited. The different degrees of vibratory influence, + and what causes the difference. The contagious effect of a "strong feeling." + Why a strong desire hag a dynamic effect in certain cases. The power of visualization + in Psychic Influence. The Attractive Power of Thought. The effect of Mental + Concentration. Focusing your Forces. Holding the mind to a state of "one-pointedness." + Why the occultist controls his imagination. Suggestions as to practice, and + rules of development. A few easily-mastered principles which give you the key + to the whole of this wonderful subject.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXVII">LESSON XVII<br /> +PERSONAL PSYCHIC INFLUENCE OVER OTHERS</a><br /> + <font size="-1">Psychic Influence exerted over others, when in their presence. + Different degrees of the influence. Possession of this power by Alexander the + Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, Julius Caesar, and other great leaders of men. The + ability to influence others is a sure sign of the possession of this psychic + power. The Three Underlying Principles of Psychic Influence. The importance + of strong desire to influence and exert power. The importance of clear, positive + mental pictures of what effect you wish to produce. The importance of the firm + concentration of your mind on the subject. The creation of a positive psychic + atmosphere. The Positive Psychic Aura. How to project your Psychic Power. The + Psychic Struggle between two persons. How to handle yourself in such conflicts + of Psychic Power. How to Neutralize the Psychic Power of others, and thus disarm + them. The Occult Shield of Defence. Valuable directions regarding practice and + development of Psychic Power. Scientific Exercises for Development. Important + Rules of Practice.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXVIII">LESSON XVIII<br /> +PSYCHIC INFLUENCE AT A DISTANCE</a><br /> + <font size="-1">Psychic Influence over others, manifested when they are distant + from the person exerting the influence. Distance no obstacle. Psychic Induction + at Long-Range. How to create the en rapport condition with the other person. + How to protect yourself against such influence at a distance. The Psychic Armor. + Psychometric Method of producing Distant En Rapport Condition. To proceed when + the en rapport condition is secured. The scientific explanation of the old tales + about sorcery, witchcraft, super-natural influence, etc. The effect of fear, + and belief, on the mind of the other person. The effect of Denial. The secret + of many strange cases made plain. Some typical cases. The Master-Key which unlocks + the doors of many Mysteries. Low forms of Occultism, and how they may be defeated. + Dangerous Teachings in some quarters. Warnings against their use. The Astral + Tube; how it is erected, used and employed. A simple, plain explanation of a + puzzling occult manifestation. Self-Protection.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXIX">LESSON XIX<br /> +LAWS OF PSYCHIC ATTRACTION</a><br /> + <font size="-1">How psychic vibrations tend to attract to their creator other + persons vibrating along the same lines; and things having a relation to the + things thought of. Harmony and Inharmony in the Psychic World. The Law of Psychic + Attraction. The Law of Psychic Repulsion. An important phase of Astral Phenomena. + The Law works two ways. It draws other persons and things to you; and you to + other persons and things. How the men of "big business" operate under + this Law of Attraction. How scheming exploiters of the public actually "treat + the public" by psychic means. The various forms of psychic influence employed + by persons of this kind. The Law of Attraction, and how it works out in Business + Life. The scientific facts behind the outward appearance of things. Instances + and examples of the working out of these laws and principles. The Law of Psychic + Attraction is as constant and invariable as the great Law of Gravitation, or + Magnetic Attraction. The Co-Relation of Thoughts and Things. How we may create + our own environment by Psychic Influence.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXX">LESSON XX<br /> +PSYCHIC AND MAGNETIC HEALING</a><br /> + <font size="-1">The Psychic Principles underlying the many forms of psychic + or mental healing. Many theories—one set of principles. Psychic Healing + as old as the race. The Basic Principles of Psychic Healing. The Physiological + Principles involved. How the Astral Body is used in Psychic Healing. Human Magnetism, + and what it really is. All about Prana. The Laying-on of Hands in Healing; and + what is back of it. What happens in Magnetic Healing. The Secret of Absent Healing. + Space no barrier in Psychic Healing. The Human Aura and Psychic Healing. The + Secret of Suggestive Therapeutics. The effect of the "affirmations" + of the healers. How the Healing Cults obtain good results. Self-Healing by Psychic + Power. Absent Healing by Psychic Power. How to "treat" others by Absent + Treatment. Valuable Instructions and Practical Methods of Psychic Healing. The + whole subject condensed, and made plain, so that it may be applied by any person + of average intelligence. No fanciful theories; only plain, practical facts for + actual application.</font></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="INTRODUCTION"></a><h2>INTRODUCTION.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>In preparing this series of lessons for students of Western lands, I have +been compelled to proceed along lines exactly opposite to those which I +would have chosen had these lessons been for students in India. This +because of the diametrically opposite mental attitudes of the students of +these two several lands.</p> + +<p>The student in India expects the teacher to state positively the +principles involved, and the methods whereby these principles may be +manifested, together with frequent illustrations (generally in the nature +of fables or parables), serving to link the new knowledge to some already +known thing. The Hindu student never expects or demands anything in the +nature of "proof" of the teachers statements of principle or method; in +fact, he would regard it as an insult to the teacher to ask for the same. +Consequently, he does not look for, or ask, specific instances or +illustrations in the nature of scientific evidence or proof of the +principles taught. He may ask for more information, but solely for the +purpose of bringing out some point which he has not grasped; but he avoids +as a pestilence any question seeming to indicate argument, doubt of what +is being taught him, or of the nature of a demand for proof or evidence.</p> + +<p>The Western student, on the other hand, is accustomed to maintaining the +skeptical attitude of mind—the scientific attitude of doubt and demand +for proof—and the teacher so understands it. Both are accustomed to +illustrations bringing out the principles involved, but these +illustrations must not be fanciful or figurative—they must be actual +cases, well authenticated and vouched for as evidence. In short, the +Western teacher is expected to actually "prove" to his students his +principles and methods, before he may expect them to be accepted. This, of +course, not from any real doubt or suspicion of the veracity or ability of +the teacher, but merely because the Western mind expects to question, and +be questioned, in this way in the process of teaching and learning. +</p> +<p> +Consequently, in this series of lessons, I have sought to follow the +Western method rather than the Hindu. So far as is possible, I have +avoided the flat positive statement of principles and methods, and have +sought to prove each step of the teaching. Of course, I have been +compelled to assume the existence of certain fundamental principles, in +order to avoid long and technical metaphysical and philosophical +discussions. I have also had to content myself with the positive flat +assertion of the existence of the Astral Plane, Akashic Records, Prana, +etc., which are fundamental postulates of Hindu philosophy and occult +science—for these are established solely by the experience of those who +are able to function on the higher planes themselves. But, beyond this I +have sought to prove by direct and positive evidence (adapted to the +Western mind) every step of my teaching and methods.</p> + +<p>In offering this scientific proof, I have purposely omitted (except in a +few instances) all mention of occult or psychic phenomena occurring in +India, and have confined myself to instances occurring in Western lands to +Western persons. Moreover, I have avoided quoting and citing Hindu +authorities, and have, instead, quoted and cited from authorities well +known and respected in Western lands, such as the Society for Psychical +Research, and the prominent scientists interested in the work of the said +society. In this way I have sought to furnish the Western student with +examples, cases, and illustrations familiar to him, and easily referred +to. Had I cited Indian cases, I might be accused of offering proof that +could not be easily verified; and quoting persons unknown to my readers. +There is a wealth of such cases and illustration in India, naturally, but +these as a rule are traditional and not available in printed form; and +these would not likely be very satisfactory to the Western student. +</p> +<p>I must, however, positively and firmly state that while these cases and +illustrations, these quotations and citations, are purely Western, the +principles they illustrate and prove are among the oldest known to Hindu +occult science and philosophy. In fact, having been accepted as proved +truth in India, for centuries past, there is very little demand for +further proof thereof on the part of the Hindus. In the Western world, +however, these things are comparatively new, and must be proved and +attested accordingly. So, as I have said, I have cut the cloth of my +instruction to conform with the pattern favored for the Western garment of +knowledge. So far as the illustrations and cases, the quotations and +citations are concerned—these are purely Western and familiar to the +student. But, when it comes to the principles themselves, this is another +matter—I must be pardoned for stating that these are the outgrowth of +Hindu thought and investigation, and that he who would discover their +roots must dig around the tree of the Wisdom of the East, which has stood +the storms and winds of thousands of years. But the branches of this +mighty tree are wide-spreading, and there is room for many Western +students to rest in its shade and shelter.</p> + +<p>In these lessons I have referred occasionally to my two little books, +entitled "The Astral World," and "The Human Aura," respectively. To those +who are interested in these subjects, I recommend these little books; they +are sold at a nominal price, and contain much that will be helpful to the +student of Hindu Occult Science. They are not required, however, to +complete the understanding of the subjects treated upon in these lessons, +and are mentioned and recommended merely as supplementary reading for the +student who wishes to take little "side excursions" away from the main +trip covered in these lessons.</p> + +<p>I trust that my students will find the pleasure and satisfaction in +studying these lessons that I have in writing them.</p> + +<p>SWAMI PANCHADASI.</p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonI"></a><h2>LESSON I.</h2> + +<p>THE ASTRAL SENSES.</p> +<br /> + +<p>The student of occultism usually is quite familiar with the crass +individual who assumes the cheap skeptical attitude toward occult matters, +which attitude he expresses in his would-be "smart" remark that he +"believes only in what his senses perceive." He seems to think that his +cheap wit has finally disposed of the matter, the implication being that +the occultist is a credulous, "easy" person who believes in the existence +of things contrary to the evidence of the senses.</p> + +<p>While the opinion or views of persons of this class are, of course, +beneath the serious concern of any true student of occultism, nevertheless +the mental attitude of such persons are worthy of our passing +consideration, inasmuch as it serves to give us an object lesson regarding +the childlike attitude of the average so-called "practical" persons +regarding the matter of the evidence of the senses.</p> + +<p>These so-called practical persons have much to say regarding their senses. +They are fond of speaking of "the evidence of my senses." They also have +much to say about the possession of "good sense" on their part; of having +"sound common sense"; and often they make the strange boast that they have +"horse sense," seeming to consider this a great possession. Alas, for the +pretensions of this class of persons. They are usually found quite +credulous regarding matters beyond their everyday field of work and +thought, and accept without question the most ridiculous teachings and +dogmas reaching them from the voice of some claimed authority, while they +sneer at some advanced teaching which their minds are incapable of +comprehending. Anything which seems unusual to them is deemed "flighty," +and lacking in appeal to their much prized "horse sense."</p> + +<p>But, it is not my intention to spend time in discussing these +insignificant half-penny intellects. I have merely alluded to them in +order to bring to your mind the fact that to many persons the idea of +"sense" and that of "senses" is very closely allied. They consider all +knowledge and wisdom as "sense;" and all such sense as being derived +directly from their ordinary five senses. They ignore almost completely +the intuitional phases of the mind, and are unaware of many of the higher +processes of reasoning.</p> + +<p>Such persons accept as undoubted anything that their senses report to +them. They consider it heresy to question a report of the senses. One of +their favorite remarks is that "it almost makes me doubt my senses." They +fail to perceive that their senses, at the best, are very imperfect +instruments, and that the mind is constantly employed in correcting the +mistaken report of the ordinary five senses.</p> + +<p>Not to speak of the common phenomenon of color-blindness, in which one +color seems to be another, our senses are far from being exact. We may, +by suggestion, be made to imagine that we smell or taste certain things +which do not exist, and hypnotic subjects may be caused to see things that +have no existence save in the imagination of the person. The familiar +experiment of the person crossing his first two fingers, and placing them +on a small object, such as a pea or the top of a lead-pencil, shows us how +"mixed" the sense of feeling becomes at times. The many familiar instances +of optical delusions show us that even our sharp eyes may deceive +us—every conjuror knows how easy it is to deceive the eye by suggestion +and false movements.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the most familiar example of mistaken sense-reports is that of the +movement of the earth. The senses of every person report to him that the +earth is a fixed, immovable body, and that the sun, moon, planets, and +stars move around the earth every twenty-four hours. It is only when one +accepts the reports of the reasoning faculties, that he knows that the +earth not only whirls around on its axis every twenty-four hours, but that +it circles around the sun every three hundred and sixty-five days; and +that even the sun itself, carrying with it the earth and the other +planets, really moves along in space, moving toward or around some unknown +point far distant from it. If there is any one particular report of the +senses which would seem to be beyond doubt or question, it certainly would +be this elementary sense report of the fixedness of the earth beneath our +feet, and the movements of the heavenly bodies around it—and yet we know +that this is merely an illusion, and that the facts of the case are +totally different. Again, how few persons really realize that the eye +perceives things up-side-down, and that the mind only gradually acquires +the trick of adjusting the impression?</p> + +<p>I am not trying to make any of you doubt the report of his or her five +senses. That would be most foolish, for all of us must needs depend upon +these five senses in our everyday affairs, and would soon come to grief +were we to neglect their reports. Instead, I am trying to acquaint you +with the real nature of these five senses, that you may realize what they +are not, as well as what they are; and also that you may realize that +there is no absurdity in believing that there are more channels of +information open to the ego, or soul of the person, than these much used +five senses. When you once get a correct scientific conception of the real +nature of the five ordinary senses, you will be able to intelligently +grasp the nature of the higher psychic faculties or senses, and thus be +better fitted to use them. So, let us take a few moments time in order to +get this fundamental knowledge well fixed in our minds.</p> + +<p>What are the five senses, anyway. Your first answer will be: "Feeling, +seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling." But that is merely a recital of the +different forms of sensing. What is a "sense," when you get right down to +it? Well, you will find that the dictionary tells us that a sense is a +"faculty, possessed by animals, of perceiving external objects by means of +impressions made upon certain organs of the body." Getting right down to +the roots of the matter, we find that the five senses of man are the +channels through which he becomes aware or conscious of information +concerning objects outside of himself. But, these senses are not the +sense-organs alone. Back of the organs there is a peculiar arrangement of +the nervous system, or brain centres, which take up the messages received +through the organs; and back of this, again, is the ego, or soul, or mind, +which, at the last, is the real KNOWER. The eye is merely a camera; the +ear, merely a receiver of sound-waves; the nose, merely an arrangement of +sensitive mucous membrane; the mouth and tongue, simply a container of +taste-buds; the nervous system, merely a sensitive apparatus designed to +transmit messages to the brain and other centres—all being but part of +the physical machinery, and liable to impairment or destruction. Back of +all this apparatus is the real Knower who makes use of it.</p> + +<p>Science tells us that of all the five senses, that of Touch or Feeling was +the original—the fundamental sense. All the rest are held to be but +modifications of, and specialized forms of, this original sense of +feeling. I am telling you this not merely in the way of interesting and +instructive scientific information, but also because an understanding of +this fact will enable you to more clearly comprehend that which I shall +have to say to you about the higher faculties or senses.</p> + +<p>Many of the very lowly and simple forms of animal life have this one sense +only, and that but poorly developed. The elementary life form "feels" the +touch of its food, or of other objects which may touch it. The plants also +have something akin to this sense, which in some cases, like that of the +Sensitive Plant, for instance, is quite well developed. Long before the +sense of sight, or the sensitiveness to light appeared in animal-life, we +find evidences of taste, and something like rudimentary hearing or +sensitiveness to sounds. Smell gradually developed from the sense of +taste, with which even now it is closely connected. In some forms of lower +animal life the sense of smell is much more highly developed than in +mankind. Hearing evolved in due time from the rudimentary feeling of +vibrations. Sight, the highest of the senses, came last, and was an +evolution of the elementary sensitiveness to light.</p> + +<p>But, you see, all these senses are but modifications of the original sense +of feeling or touch. The eye records the touch or feeling of the +light-waves which strike upon it. The ear records the touch or feeling of +the sound-waves or vibrations of the air, which reach it. The tongue and +other seats of taste record the chemical touch of the particles of food, +or other substances, coming in contact with the taste-buds. The nose +records the chemical touch of the gases or fine particles of material +which touch its mucous membrane. The sensory-nerves record the presence of +outer objects coming in contact with the nerve ends in various parts of +the skin of the body. You see that all of these senses merely record the +contact or "touch" of outside objects.</p> + +<p>But the sense organs, themselves, do not do the knowing of the presence of +the objects. They are but pieces of delicate apparatus serving to record +or to receive primary impressions from outside. Wonderful as they are, +they have their counterparts in the works of man, as for instance: the +camera, or artificial eye; the phonograph, or, artificial ear; the +delicate chemical apparatus, or artificial taster and smeller; the +telegraph, or artificial nerves. Not only this, but there are always to be +found nerve telegraph wires conveying the messages of the eye, the ear, +the nose, the tongue, to the brain—telling the something in the brain of +what has been felt at the other end of the line. Sever the nerves leading +to the eye, and though the eye will continue to register perfectly, still +no message will reach the brain. And render the brain unconscious, and no +message will reach it from the nerves connecting with eye, ear, nose, +tongue, or surface of the body. There is much more to the receiving of +sense messages than you would think at first, you see.</p> + +<p>Now all this means that the ego, or soul, or mind, if you prefer the +term—is the real Knower who becomes aware of the outside world by means +of the messages of the senses. Cut off from these messages the mind would +be almost a blank, so far as outside objects are concerned. Every one of +the senses so cut off would mean a diminishing or cutting-off of a part of +the world of the ego. And, likewise, each new sense added to the list +tends to widen and increase the world of the ego. We do not realize this, +as a rule. Instead, we are in the habit of thinking that the world +consists of just so many things and facts, and that we know every possible +one of them. This is the reasoning of a child. Think how very much smaller +than the world of the average person is the world of the person born +blind, or the person born deaf! Likewise, think how very much greater and +wider, and more wonderful this world of ours would seem were each of us to +find ourselves suddenly endowed with a new sense! How much more we would +perceive. How much more we would feel. How much more we would know. How +much more we would have to talk about. Why, we are really in about the +same position as the poor girl, born blind, who said that she thought that +the color of scarlet must be something like the sound of a trumpet. Poor +thing, she could form no conception of color, never having seen a ray of +light—she could think and speak only in the terms of touch, sound, taste +and smell. Had she also been deaf, she would have been robbed of a still +greater share of her world. Think over these things a little.</p> + +<p>Suppose, on the contrary, that we had a new sense which would enable us to +sense the waves of electricity. In that case we would be able to "feel" +what was going on at another place—perhaps on the other side of the +world, or maybe, on one of the other planets. Or, suppose that we had an X +Ray sense—we could then see through a stone wall, inside the rooms of a +house. If our vision were improved by the addition of a telescopic +adjustment, we could see what is going on in Mars, and could send and +receive communications with those living there. Or, if with a microscopic +adjustment, we could see all the secrets of a drop of water—maybe it is +well that we cannot do this. On the other hand, if we had a well-developed +telepathic sense, we would be aware of the thought-waves of others to such +an extent that there would be no secrets left hidden to anyone—wouldn't +that alter life and human intercourse a great deal? These things would +really be no more wonderful than is the evolution of the senses we have. +We can do some of these things by apparatus designed by the brain of +man—and man really is but an imitator and adaptor of Nature. Perhaps, on +some other world or planet there may be beings having seven, nine or +fifteen senses, instead of the poor little five known to us. Who knows!</p> + +<p>But it is not necessary to exercise the imagination in the direction of +picturing beings on other planets endowed with more senses than have the +people of earth. While, as the occult teachings positively state, there +are beings on other planets whose senses are as much higher than the +earth-man's as the latter's are higher than those of the oyster, still we +do not have to go so far to find instances of the possession of much +higher and more active faculties than those employed by the ordinary man. +We have but to consider the higher psychical faculties of man, right here +and now, in order to see what new worlds are open to him. When you reach +a scientific understanding of these things, you will see that there really +is nothing at all supernatural about much of the great body of wonderful +experiences of men in all times which the "horse sense" man sneeringly +dismisses as "queer" and "contrary to sense." You will see that these +experiences are quite as natural as are those in which the ordinary five +senses are employed—though they are super-physical. There is the greatest +difference between supernatural and super-physical, you must realize.</p> + +<p>All occultists know that man has other senses than the ordinary five, +although but few men have developed them sufficiently well to use them +effectively. These super-physical senses are known to the occultists as +"the astral senses." The term "Astral," used so frequently by all +occultists, ancient and modern, is derived from the Greek word "astra," +meaning "star." It is used to indicate those planes of being immediately +above the physical plane. The astral senses are really the counterparts of +the physical senses of man, and are connected with the astral body of the +person just as the physical senses are connected with the physical body. +The office of these astral senses is to enable the person to receive +impressions on the astral plane, just as his physical senses enable him to +receive impressions on the physical plane. On the physical plane the mind +of man receives only the sense impressions of the physical organs of +sense; but when the mind functions and vibrates on the astral plane, it +requires astral senses in order to receive the impressions of that plane, +and these, as we shall see, are present.</p> + +<p>Each one of the physical senses of man has its astral counterpart. Thus +man has, in latency, the power of seeing, feeling, tasting, smelling, and +hearing, on the astral plane, by means of his five astral senses. More +than this, the best occultists know that man really has seven physical +senses instead of but five, though these two additional senses are not +unfolded in the case of the average person (though occultists who have +reached a certain stage are able to use them effectively). Even these two +extra physical senses have their counterparts on the astral plane.</p> + +<p>Persons who have developed the use of their astral senses are able to +receive the sense impressions of the astral plane just as clearly as they +receive those of the physical plane by means of the physical senses. For +instance, the person is thus able to perceive things occurring on the +astral plane; to read the Akashic Records of the past; to perceive things +that are happening in other parts of the world; to see past happenings as +well; and in cases of peculiar development, to catch glimpses of the +future, though this is far rarer than the other forms of astral sight.</p> + +<p>Again, by means of clairaudience, the person may hear the things of the +astral world, past as well as present, and in rare cases, the future. The +explanation is the same in each case—merely the receiving of vibrations +on the astral plane instead of on the physical plane. In the same way, +the astral senses of smelling, tasting, and feeling operate. But though we +have occasional instances of astral feeling, in certain phases of psychic +phenomena, we have practically no manifestation of astral smelling or +tasting, although the astral senses are there ready for use. It is only in +instances of travelling in the astral body that the last two mentioned +astral senses, viz., smell and taste, are manifested.</p> + +<p>The phenomena of telepathy, or thought transference, occurs on both the +physical and the mental plane. On the physical plane it is more or less +spontaneous and erratic in manifestation; while on the astral plane it is +as clear, reliable and responsive to demand as is astral sight, etc.</p> + +<p>The ordinary person has but occasional flashes of astral sensing, and as a +rule is not able to experience the phenomenon at will. The trained +occultist, on the contrary, is able to shift from one set of senses to the +other, by a simple act or effort of will, whenever he may wish to do so. +Advanced occultists are often able to function on both physical and astral +planes at the same time, though they do not often desire to do so. To +vision astrally, the trained occultist merely shifts his sensory mechanism +from physical to astral, or vice versa, just as the typewriter operator +shifts from the small-letter type to the capitals, by simply touching the +shift-key of his machine.</p> + +<p>Many persons suppose that it is necessary to travel on the astral plane, +in the astral body, in order to use the astral senses. This is a mistake. +In instances of clairvoyance, astral visioning, psychometry, etc., the +occultist remains in his physical body, and senses the phenomena of the +astral plane quite readily, by means of the astral senses, just as he is +able to sense the phenomena of the physical plane when he uses the +physical organs—quite more easily, in fact, in many instances. It is not +even necessary for the occultist to enter into the trance condition, in +the majority of cases.</p> + +<p>Travel in the astral body is quite another phase of occult phenomena, and +is far more difficult to manifest. The student should never attempt to +travel in the astral body except under the instruction of some competent +instructor.</p> + +<p>In Crystal Gazing, the occultist merely employs the crystal in order to +concentrate his power, and to bring to a focus his astral vision. There is +no supernatural virtue in the crystal itself—it is merely a means to an +end; a piece of useful apparatus to aid in the production of certain +phenomena.</p> + +<p>In Psychometry some object is used in order to bring the occulist "en +rapport" with the person or thing associated with it. But it is the astral +senses which are employed in describing either the past environment of the +thing, or else the present or past doings of the person in question, etc. +In short, the object is merely the loose end of the psychic ball of twine +which the psychometrist proceeds to wind or unwind at will. Psychometry +is merely one form of astral seeing; just as is crystal gazing.</p> + +<p>In what is known as Telekinesis, or movement at a distance, there is found +the employment of both astral sensing, and astral will action accompanied +in many cases by actual projection of a portion of the substance of the +astral body.</p> + +<p>In the case of Clairvoyance, we have an instance of the simplest form of +astral seeing, without the necessity of the "associated object" of +psychometry, or the focal point of the crystal in crystal gazing.</p> + +<p>This is true not only of the ordinary form of clairvoyance, in which the +occultist sees astrally the happenings and doings at some distant point, +at the moment of observation; it is also true of what is known as past +clairvoyance, or astral seeing of past events; and in the seeing of future +events, as in prophetic vision, etc. These are all simply different forms +of one and the same thing.</p> + +<p>Surely, some of you may say, "These things are supernatural, far above the +realm of natural law—and yet this man would have us believe otherwise." +Softly, softly, dear reader, do not jump at conclusions so readily. What +do you know about the limits of natural law and phenomena? What right have +you to assert that all beyond your customary range of sense experience is +outside of Nature? Do you not realize that you are attempting to place a +limit upon Nature, which in reality is illimitable?</p> + +<p>The man of a generation back of the present one would have been equally +justified in asserting that the marvels of wireless telegraphy were +supernatural, had he been told of the possibility of their manifestation. +Going back a little further, the father of that man would have said the +same thing regarding the telephone, had anyone been so bold as to have +prophesied it. Going back still another generation, imagine the opinion of +some of the old men of that time regarding the telegraph. And yet these +things are simply the discovery and application of certain of Nature's +wonderful powers and forces.</p> + +<p>Is it any more unreasonable to suppose that Nature has still a mine of +undiscovered treasure in the mind and constitution of man, as well as in +inorganic nature? No, friends, these things are as natural as the physical +senses, and not a whit more of a miracle. It is only that we are +accustomed to one, and not to the other, that makes the astral senses seem +more wonderful than the physical. Nature's workings are all +wonderful—none more so than the other. All are beyond our absolute +conception, when we get down to their real essence. So let us keep an open +mind!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonII"></a><h2>LESSON II.</h2> + +<p>TELEPATHY vs. CLAIRVOYANCE.</p> +<br /> + +<p>In this work I shall use the term "clairvoyance" in its broad sense of +"astral perception," as distinguished from perception by means of the +physical senses. As we proceed, you will see the general and special +meanings of the term, so there is no necessity for a special definition or +illustration of the term at this time.</p> + +<p>By "telepathy," I mean the sending and receiving of thought messages, and +mental and emotional states, consciously or unconsciously, by means of +what may be called "the sixth sense" of the physical plane. There is, of +course, a form of thought transference on the astral plane, but this I +include under the general term of clairvoyance, for reasons which will be +explained later on.</p> + +<p>You will remember that in the preceding chapter I told you that in +addition to the five ordinary physical senses of man there were also two +other physical senses comparatively undeveloped in the average person. +These two extra physical senses are, respectively, (1) the sense of the +presence of other living things; and (2) the telepathic sense. As I also +told you, these two extra physical senses have their astral counterparts. +They also have certain physical organs which are not generally recognized +by physiologists or psychologists, but which are well known to all +occultists. I shall now consider the first of the two above-mentioned +extra physical senses, in order to clear the way for our consideration of +the question of the distinction between ordinary telepathy and that form +of clairvoyance which is its astral counterpart.</p> + +<p>There is in every human being a sense which is not generally recognized as +such, although nearly every person has had more or less experience +regarding its workings. I refer to the sense of the presence of other +living things, separate and apart from the operation of any of the five +ordinary physical senses. I ask you to understand that I am not claiming +that this is a higher sense than the other physical senses, or that it has +come to man in a high state of evolution. On the contrary, this sense came +to living things far back in the scale of evolution. It is possessed by +the higher forms of the lower animals, such as the horse, dog, and the +majority of the wild beasts. Savage and barbaric men have it more highly +developed than it is in the case of the civilized man. In fact, this +physical sense may be termed almost vestigal in civilized man, because he +has not actively used it for many generations. For that matter, the +physical sense of smell is also deficient in man, and for the same reason, +whereas in the case of the lower animals, and savage man, the sense of +smell is very keen. I mention this for fear of misunderstanding. In my +little book, "The Astral World," I have said: "All occultists know that +man really has seven senses, instead of merely five, though the +additional two senses are not sufficiently developed for use in the +average person (though the occultist generally unfolds them into use)." +Some have taken this to mean that the occultist develops these two extra +physical senses, just as he does certain higher psychic or astral +faculties. But this is wrong. The occultist, in such case, merely +re-awakens these two senses which have been almost lost to the race. By +use and exercise he then develops them to a wonderful proficiency, for use +on the physical plane.</p> + +<p>Now, this sense of the presence of other living beings is very well +developed in the lower animals, particularly in those whose safety depends +upon the knowledge of the presence of their natural enemies. As might be +expected, the wild animals have it more highly developed than do the +domesticated animals. But even among the latter, we find instances of this +sense being in active use—in the case of dogs, horses, geese, etc., +especially. Who of us is not familiar with the strange actions of the dog, +or the horse, when the animal senses the unseen and unheard presence of +some person or animal? Very often we would scold or punish the animal for +its peculiar actions, simply because we are not able to see what is +worrying it. How often does the dog start suddenly, and bristle up its +hair, when nothing is in sight, or within hearing distance. How often does +the horse grow "skittish," or even panicky, when there is nothing within +sight or hearing. Domestic fowls, especially geese, manifest an uneasiness +at the presence of strange persons or animals, though they may not be +able to see or hear them. It is a matter of history that this sense, in a +flock of geese, once saved ancient Rome from an attack of the enemy. The +night was dark and stormy, and the trained eyesight and keen hearing of +the Roman outposts failed to reveal the approach of the enemy. But, the +keen sense of the geese felt the presence of strange men, and they started +to cackle loudly, aroused the guard, and Rome was saved. Skeptical persons +have sought to explain this historical case by the theory that the geese +heard the approaching enemy. But this explanation will not serve, for the +Roman soldiers were marching about on their posts and guard-duty, and the +geese remained silent until they sensed the approach of the small number +of the enemy's scouts, when they burst into wild cries. The ancient +Romans, themselves, were under no illusion about the matter—they +recognized the existence of some unusual power in the geese, and they gave +the animals the full credit therefor.</p> + +<p>Hunters in wild and strange lands have told us that often when they were +lying concealed for the purpose of shooting the wild animals when they +came within range, they have witnessed instances of the existence of this +strange faculty in the wild beasts. Though they could not see the +concealed hunters, nor smell them (as the wind was in the other direction) +all of a sudden one or more of the animals (generally an old female) would +start suddenly, and a shiver would be seen to pass over its body; then it +would utter a low warning note, and away would fly the pack. Nearly every +hunter has had the experience of watching his expected game, when all of a +sudden it would start off with a nervous jerk, and without waiting to +sniff the air, as is usual, would bolt precipitately from the scene. +Moreover, many beasts of prey are known to sense the presence of their +natural prey, even when the wind is in the other direction, and there is +no sound or movement made by the crouching, fearstricken animal. Certain +birds seem to sense the presence of particular worms upon which they feed, +though the latter be buried several inches in the earth, or in the bark of +trees.</p> + +<p>Savage man also has this faculty developed, as all travellers and +explorers well know. They are as keen as a wild animal to sense the +nearness of enemies, or, in some cases, the approach of man-eating beasts. +This does not mean that that these savages are more highly developed than +is civilized man—quite the reverse. This is the explanation: when man +became more civilized, and made himself more secure from his wild-beast +enemies, as well as from the sudden attacks of his human enemies, he began +to use this sense less and less. Finally, in the course of many +generations, it became almost atrophied from disuse, and ceased reporting +to the brain, or other nerve centres. Or, if you prefer viewing it from +another angle, it may be said that the nerve centres, and brain, began to +pay less and less attention to the reports of this sense (trusting more to +sight and hearing) until the consciousness failed to awaken to the +reports. You know how your consciousness will finally refuse to be +awakened by familiar sounds (such as the noise of machinery in the shop, +or ordinary noises in the house), although the ears receive the +sound-waves.</p> + +<p>Well, this is the way in the case of this neglected sense—for the two +reasons just mentioned, the average person is almost unaware of its +existence. Almost unaware I have said—not totally unaware. For probably +every one of us has had experiences in which we have actually "felt" the +presence of some strange person about the premises, or place. The effect +of the report of this sense is particularly noticed in the region of the +solar plexus, or the pit of the stomach. It manifests in a peculiar, +unpleasant feeling of "gone-ness" in that region—it produces a feeling of +"something wrong," which disturbs one in a strange way. This is generally +accompanied by a "bristling up," or "creepy" feeling along the spine. The +organs registering the presence of a strange or alien creature consist of +certain delicate nerves of the surface of the skin, generally connected +with the roots of the downy hair of the body—or resting where the hair +roots would naturally be, in the case of a hairless skin. These seem to +report directly to the solar-plexus, which then acts quickly by reflex +action on the other parts of the body, causing an instinctive feeling to +either fly the scene or else to crouch and hide oneself. This feeling, as +may be seen at once, is an inheritance from our savage ancestors, or +perhaps from our lowly-animal ancestral roots. It is a most unpleasant +feeling, and the race escapes much discomfort by reason of its comparative +absence.</p> + +<p>I have said that occultists have developed, or rather re-developed this +sense. They do this in order to have a harmonious well-developed +seven-fold sense system. It increases their general "awareness." Certain +other knowledge of the occultist neutralizes the unpleasant features of +the manifestation of this sense, and he finds it often a very valuable +adjunct to his senses of seeing and hearing, particularly in the cases in +which he is approached by persons having antagonistic or hostile feelings +toward him, as in such cases this faculty is particularly active. In +connection with the telepathic sense (to be described a little further on) +this sense operates to give a person that sense of warning when approached +by another person whose feelings are not friendly to him, no matter how +friendly the outward appearance of that person may be. These two extra +senses co-operate to give a person that instinctive feeling of warning, +which all of us know in our own experience.</p> + +<p>This particular, as well as the telepathic sense, may be cultivated or +developed by anyone who wishes to take the time and trouble to accomplish +the work. The principle is simple—merely the same principle that one uses +in developing any of the other physical attributes, namely, use and +exercise. The first step (a) is the recognition of the existence of the +sense itself; then (b) the attention given to its reports; then (c) +frequent use and exercise. Just think of how you would proceed to develop +any of the five ordinary senses—the hearing, sight, or touch, for +instance—then follow the same process in the cultivation of this extra +sense, or two senses, and you will accomplish the same kind of results.</p> + +<p>Now, let us consider the other extra physical sense—the "telepathic" +sense, or sense of becoming aware of the thought-waves, or emotional +waves, of other persons. Now, as strange as this may appear to some +persons—the most of persons in fact—this telepathic faculty is not a +"higher" faculty or sense, but is really a comparatively low one. Just +like the sense just described, it is possessed in a higher degree by many +of the lower animals, and by primitive and savage man. That which really +is "higher" in this kind of psychic phenomena is the manifestation of that +higher form of telepathy—by use of the astral counterpart of this +sense—which we shall consider, later, under the name of clairvoyance, for +this is really a particular phase of clairvoyance.</p> + +<p>As strange as it may appear to some of you, the lower animals possess a +kind of telepathic sense. An animal is usually aware of your feelings +toward it, and your purposes regarding it. Domestic animals lose some of +this by generations of confinement, while the wild animals have the sense +highly developed. But even some of the domestic animals have more or less +of it. You will readily recognize this fact if you have ever tried to +"cut out" a certain animal from a herd or flock. You will find that the +animal in some way has sensed your designs upon it, no matter how +indirectly you approach it, and it will begin circling around the other +animals, twisting in and out in its endeavors to be lost to your sight. +The other animals, likewise, will seem to know that you are after only +that particular one, and will manifest but little fright or distrust, +comparatively.</p> + +<p>I have frequently seen this thing, in my own country and in others, among +poultry raisers. The poultryman will think, to himself, "Now, I am going +to get that black hen with the yellow legs—that fat, clumsy one," and he +will move toward the flock slowly and with an air of unconcern. But, lo! +as soon as he gets near the creatures, that black hen will be seen edging +her way to the outer circle of the flock, on the opposite side from the +man. When the man moves around to her side, she will be found to have +plunged into the crowd, and it is hard to find her. Sometimes she will +actually try to sneak off, and conceal herself in some dark corner, or +back of some large object. Every poultryman will smile when this +occurrence is mentioned to him—he knows by experience that hens have a +way of sensing what he has in his mind regarding them.</p> + +<p>Moreover, as every farmer knows, the crow family has a most uncanny way of +sensing the intentions of the farmer who is trying to destroy them, and +shows great sagacity in defeating those intentions. But, while the crow is +a very intelligent bird—one of the wisest of the bird family, in +fact—it obtains its knowledge of what is in the mind of the man not alone +from "figuring on his intentions," but rather from that instinctive +sensing of his mental states. The hen, as all know, is a very stupid bird, +showing but little intelligent activity. But, nevertheless, she is very +quick about sensing the poultryman's designs on her, though generally very +stupid about planning out a skillful escape.</p> + +<p>Every owner of dogs, cats and horses, has had many opportunities for +observing the manifestation of this sense on the part of those animals. +Every dog feels the emotional states of his owner, and others. The horse +knows when his owner seeks to throw the halter over his neck, or when, on +the contrary, he is merely walking through the field. Cats sense their +owners' feelings and thoughts, and often resent them. Of course, the lower +animals can sense merely elementary mental states, and generally <i>only</i> +emotional states, as their minds are not developed so as to interpret the +more complex mental states. Primitive men likewise almost instinctively +sense the feelings and designs of other men. They do not reason the thing +out, but rather merely "feel" the ideas and designs of the others. The +women of the lower races are more adept in interpreting these sense +reports than are the men. Women are more sensitive, as a rule, than are +men—on any point on the scale of development.</p> + +<p>When we come to consider ordinary telepathy in the case of men of +civilized countries, we find a more complex state of affairs. While +civilized man, as a whole, has lost some of the quick telepathic +perception of the lower races, he has, in some exceptional cases, acquired +a faculty of receiving and interpreting more complex thought-forms and +mental states. The investigations of the Society for Psychical Research, +and those of private investigators as well, have shown us that a picture +of a complicated geometrical design held in the mind of one person may be +carried to and received by the mind of another person, who reproduces the +design on paper. In the same way, complicated thoughts have been +transmitted and received. But these are only exceptional cases. In many +cases this sense seems almost dead in the ordinary civilized individual, +except when aroused in exceptional cases.</p> + +<p>But, nevertheless, the majority of persons have occasional flashes of +telepathy—just enough to make them realize that "there is something in +it." The renewed interest in the subject, of late years, has directed the +public mind to the phenomena of telepathy, and, consequently, more persons +are now taking note of the cases of thought-transference coming under +their personal notice. It must be remembered, of course, that all of us +are constantly receiving thought-waves, and feeling thought-influence, +unconsciously. I am speaking now only of the conscious perception of the +thought-waves.</p> + +<p>Many investigators have so developed their telepathic sense that they are +able, at times, to obtain wonderful test results. But, it has been a +source of disappointment to many of them to discover that at other times, +under apparently similar conditions, their success was very slight. So +true is this that many authorities have accepted the theory that telepathy +is more or less spontaneous, and cannot be produced to order. This theory +is true as far as it goes, but there is a side of the case that these +investigators overlook, probably because of their lack of the occult +principles involved in the phenomena. I mean this: that their most +brilliant successes have been obtained by reason of their unconscious +"switching on" of the astral telepathic sense, the clairvoyant sense. +While in this condition, they obtained startling results; but the next +time they tried, they failed to awaken the astral sense, and, therefore, +had to depend entirely upon the physical telepathic sense, and, +consequently, their results were comparatively poor.</p> + +<p>You will understand the difference and distinction between physical-sense +telepathy, and astral-sense telepathy, if you will carefully consider the +nature of each, as I shall now present it to you. I ask your close +attention to what I shall have to say on this subject in the remaining +pages of this chapter. Do not pass over these explanations as "dry," for +unless you have a clear fundamental understanding of the thing, you will +never be able to get the best results. This is true of every phase of +learning, physical as well as psychical—one must get started right, in +order to obtain the best results.</p> + +<p>In the first place, every thought process, every emotional activity, +every creation of ideas, is accompanied by a manifestation of force—in +fact, is the result of the manifestation of a force. Without entering at +all into the question of what mind is, in itself, we may rest firmly on +the natural fact that every manifestation of mental or emotional activity +is the result of an action of the brain or nervous system, manifesting in +a form of vibrations. Just as in the case of the manifestation of +electricity in which certain chemical elements are consumed, or +transformed, so in the case of mental or emotional activity there is a +consuming or transformation of the substance of which the nervous system +is composed. When I say "nervous system" in this connection, I include the +brain, or brains of man—for these are but a part of his great nervous +system in which all emotional or mental activity is manifested.</p> + +<p>Moreover, just as there is no real destruction of matter in any of +Nature's processes—all seeming destruction being but a transformation—so +in the case before us there is a transformation of the energy released in +the thought or emotional process. We may grasp this idea more clearly if +we consider what takes place into transformation of electrical energy. For +instance, transmit a strong current of electricity over a fine wire, or +filament of carbon, and lo! the current is transformed into light. Use +another kind of channel of transmission, and the current is transformed +into heat. Every electric light, or electric heating apparatus is proof +of this. In the same way, the electric current is sent into space in the +form of wireless waves. These waves coming in contact with certain forms +of apparatus are transformed into forms of force which are registered and +interpreted by the wireless operator.</p> + +<p>In the same way, the telepathic waves of energy are sent forth by the +activity released by the thought or emotion state. These waves travel in +every direction, and when they come in contact with physical apparatus +sufficiently sensitive to register them, they may be reproduced or +retransformed into thought or mental states similar to those which +originally sent them forth. You talk into the receiver of the telephone, +and the sound waves are transformed into waves of electricity. These +electric waves travel over the wires, and on reaching the other end of the +telephone circuit are again transformed into sound-waves which are heard +by the ear of the listener. Well, then, when your brain sends out thought +waves, these travel until they are received by the apparatus in the brain +of another person, when they are re-transformed into thoughts of the same +kind that originally caused the thought-waves. I will have much more to +say on this subject in the next chapter. I will pause here to point out +the difference between the phenomena of this form of telepathy, and the +higher form which is really a phase of clairvoyance.</p> + +<p>Now, in the case of what may be called a clairvoyant-telepathy, or astral +telepathy, the ordinary thought-waves play but a small part. Instead of +these, there is a transmission of force along the channels of the astral +plane. It is almost impossible to describe the phenomena of the astral +plane in the terms of the physical. I may illustrate the matter, in a +general way, by saying that is something like your astral self actually +extending itself out until it touches the astral self of the other person, +and thus actually "feels" the astral activities there, instead of it being +a case of something like waves travelling along space between brain and +brain. Do you get this clearly? This is about as near to it as I can +explain it to you at this place. Telepathy is simply a matter of the +transmission and receiving of waves of vibratory force which have +travelled along the ether between two persons. But clairvoyance or +astral-telepathy is something like your mind being extended out until it +actually touches the mind of the other person and sees what is there.</p> + +<p>I shall have much to say regarding the working out of the processes of +clairvoyance, as we proceed. I have merely given the above explanation for +the purpose of distinguishing between ordinary telepathy and clairvoyance, +so as to prevent you from falling into a common error. Now let us consider +the phenomena of ordinary telepathy—this is very wonderful in itself, +although it is on a lower plane of activity than its astral or clairvoyant +counterpart.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonIII"></a><h2>LESSON III.</h2> + +<p>TELEPATHY EXPLAINED.</p> +<br /> + +<p>Telepathy, meaning Thought-Transference, bears a misleading title. +Literally translated, it means "suffering at a distance," or, perhaps, +"feeling pain at a distance." The name should really indicate "knowing at +a distance," in order to be properly descriptive. But as the term has +acquired a forced meaning by reason of years of usage, it will probably be +continued in popular favor. After all, names do not count, so long as the +meaning is accepted and understood.</p> + +<p>While the term itself has been generally used in the sense of conscious +and deliberate sending and receiving of thought-waves, there is a far +wider field of phenomena really covered by it, viz., the unconscious +sending and receiving of mental and emotional vibrations. I shall take up +this phase of the subject in a moment, after I have called your attention +to the mechanism whereby the waves of thought and emotion are transmitted.</p> + +<p>In the last chapter, you will remember that I called your attention to the +fact that there is a manifestation of energy or force (in the form of +vibrations) in every mental or emotional state. This is true not only in +the case of deep thought or vivid feeling, but also in the case of general +mental "feelings," and emotional states. During such manifestations there +is a radiation of mental or emotional vibrations from the brain or nervous +centres of the system, which flows out in all directions just as do light +and wireless electricity. The principal seats or centres of these +radiations are (1) the several brains of man, viz., the cerebrum, +cerebellum, and the medulla oblongata, respectfully; and (2) the several +great centres of nerve substance in the human system, called the plexi, +such as the solar plexus, etc.</p> + +<p>The vibrations arising from emotional excitement are sent out principally +from the plexi, or great centres of the sympathetic nervous system. Those +arising from the more strictly mental states emanate from certain centres +and points of the brain, or brains, of the person manifesting them. +Certain forms of these vibrations constitute the real essence of what is +generally called "human magnetism," which will be treated upon in the +proper place in these lessons.</p> + +<p>I do not think it advisable to go into the technical details of the +generation and mechanism of transmission of these thought and emotional +vibrations, in these lessons. To understand the same would require a +technical knowledge of physiology and organic chemistry, which is not +possessed by the average person. Moreover, such details are neither +interesting nor instructive to the general student of occultism. But, I +think it proper to give at least a brief description of the receiving of +such vibratory-waves by other individuals.</p> + +<p>In the first place, every great plexus, or groups of nerve ganglia, in the +human system is a receiving station, as well as a sending station. A +person manifesting strong emotional excitement tends to awaken similar +states in the nervous centres of other persons in whom the conditions are +favorable. This explains why the vibrations of anger, fear, panic, are so +contagious. It also explains the strong effect of the vibrations emanating +from the nerve centres controlling the reproductive system, in certain +cases of strong sexual excitation. Each human sympathetic nervous system +contains many receiving stations where emotional vibrations are received, +and where they tend to be transformed into similar feeling in the +receiving system, unless neutralized by other mental and emotional states +in the person.</p> + +<p>When we come to consider the apparatus by which is received the vibrations +arising from what may be called "purely mental" operations of the brain, +such as intellectual thought, constructive imagination, etc., we find a +more specialized arrangement, as might be expected. There are several +minor receiving points of mental vibrations, regarding which I do not +consider it worth while to go into detail, because of the technical +features involved. The principal apparatus for receiving thought +vibrations of this kind is that which is known as the "pineal gland," +which I shall now describe.</p> + +<p>The pineal gland is a peculiar mass of nervous substance which is embedded +in the human brain, in a position near the middle of the skull almost +directly above the extreme top of the spinal column. It is shaped like a +small cone; and is of a reddish-gray color. It lies in front of the +cerebellum, and is attached to the floor of the third ventricle of the +brain. It contains a small quantity of peculiar particles of gritty, +sand-like substance, which are sometimes called "brain-sand." It derives +its scientific name from its shape, which, as I have said, resembles a +pine-cone. Physiologists are at sea regarding the function of this strange +organ, and generally content themselves with the statement that "its +functions are not understood." But occultists know that the pineal gland, +with its peculiar arrangement of nerve-cell corpuscles, and its tiny +grains of "brain-sand," is the physical telepathic receiving instrument. +Students of wireless telegraphy have noticed a startling resemblance +between the pineal gland and a part of the receiving instrument employed +in wireless telegraphy.</p> + +<p>The thought vibrations coming in contact with the nervous system of the +receiving person, set up a peculiar vibration in the substance of the +pineal gland and thus the first step in the transformation of these +vibrations into thought-forms in the mind of the person is under way. The +remainder of the process is too technical, both in the physiological as +well as in the occult sense, to be taken up in detail at this place. The +student will do well to get the idea of the workings of wireless +telegraphy well fixed in his mind, for this will set up the right +conception of the working of ordinary telepathy, without the necessity of +complicated technical diagrams and descriptions.</p> + +<p>And, now then, let us see what results from the sending forth and +receiving of these mental and emotional waves of force and energy. It is a +most interesting subject, I assure you. While the phenomena of the astral +plane is probably more fascinating to the average student, I would impress +upon you the importance of mastering the occult phenomena of the physical +plane, before passing on to that of the higher planes.</p> + +<p>In the first place, as all occultists know, each person is constantly +surrounded with what has been called an "atmosphere" composed of mental +and emotional vibrations which are emanated from his personality. The +atmosphere of each person depends upon the general character of the +thoughts and feelings of the person in question. Consequently, as no two +persons are precisely alike in character, it follows that no two personal +atmospheres are exactly alike. Each person has a psychic atmosphere of his +or her own. These atmospheric vibrations do not extend very far from the +presence of the person, and, consequently affect only those coming near to +him.</p> + +<p>In the same way, every group or crowd of persons has its own psychic +atmosphere, composed of a blending of the individual psychic atmospheres +of the persons composing the crowd, group or assemblage, and representing +the general average of the thought and feelings of the crowd. There are no +two group atmospheres exactly alike, for the reason that no two groups of +persons, large or small, are exactly alike. Actors know that each audience +which they face has its own psychic atmosphere, and the actors are +affected by it. Preachers, lawyers, and speakers in general are quite +aware of this fact, and freely admit it, though they may not be acquainted +with the causes or laws governing the phenomena.</p> + +<p>Following the same psychic law, it will be found that every town or large +city, or even every small village or section of a larger town, will be +found to have its own distinctive psychic atmosphere, which is very +perceptible to strangers visiting the place, and which affect those who +take up their residence in the place. In large cities, it has been noticed +that every building has its own peculiar vibrations which arise from the +general character of those occupying it. Different church buildings +likewise reflect the character of the general habits of thought and +feeling of those worshipping in them. Likewise, certain business streets +have pleasant or unpleasant vibrations in their atmosphere, from the same +causes. Every person recognizes the truth of these statements, though but +few are able to account for the facts in a scientific manner.</p> + +<p>The beginner in the study of psychic phenomena often asks how these things +can be, when the thought which has occasioned the vibrations have long +since passed away. The explanation is simple, when properly explained. It +is something like this: just as heat remains in a room after the stove has +ceased to throw out heat-waves, so do the vibrations of thought and +feeling persist long after the thought or feeling has died away. Or, if +you prefer a more material illustration, we may say that if a package of +perfumery has been opened in a room, and then removed, the air will remain +charged with the odor for a long time afterwards.</p> + +<p>So, you see, the same principle applies in the case of psychic vibrations. +The person carries around with him the general atmosphere of his +characteristic mental and emotional vibrations. And, in the same way, the +house, store, church, street, town, or city, etc., is permeated with the +psychic vibrations of those who have frequented them. Nearly every one +realizes the different feeling that impresses him when he enters a strange +house, apartment, store or church. Each one has its own difference of +psychic effect. And, so does each person create his or her psychic effect +upon those coming in contact with him or her, or who comes into his or her +presence or vicinity.</p> + +<p>The next question asked by the thoughtful new student is this: If persons +are constantly sending forth psychic vibrations, and if such vibrations +persist for some time, why are we not overwhelmed with the force of them; +and why are they not all so mixed up as to lose all their effect. I shall +now answer this very important question.</p> + +<p>In the first place, though we are constantly affected more or less by the +multitude of psychic vibrations beating upon us, still the greater part of +them do not consciously impress us. For an example, we have but to +consider how few of the sounds or sights of a busy street are impressed +upon our consciousness. We hear and see only a few of the things which +attract our attention and interest. The rest are lost to us, although our +eyes and ears receive them all. In the same way, we are impressed only by +the stronger vibrations which reach us, and then only by those which we +have attracted to ourselves, or which prove attractive to us by reason of +our own likes and dislikes.</p> + +<p>In the second place, the effect of certain thought vibrations is +neutralized by the effect of the vibrations of thoughts of an opposite +character. Just as a mixture of black and white produces the neutral color +of grey, so do two currents of opposing thought vibrations tend to resolve +themselves into a neutral vibration which has little or no effect upon +those coming in contact with them. You may think of numerous +correspondences to this in the world of material things. For instance, a +mixture of very hot and very cold water, will produce a neutral lukewarm +liquid, neither hot nor cold. In the same way, two things of opposing +taste characteristics, when blended, will produce a neutral taste having +but little effect upon one. The principle is universal, and is readily +understood.</p> + +<p>In the third place, there is that which we may call an "affinity" between +thoughts and feelings of a similar character. Not only do the vibrations +of similar thoughts tend to coalesce and combine; but, more than this, +each one of us attracts to himself or herself the thought vibrations which +are in general accord with corresponding thoughts in our own minds, or +feelings in our own nature. Like attracts like. In the same way, the +character of our thoughts and feelings act to repel thought or emotional +vibrations of an opposite or inharmonious nature. As all occultists know, +everyone draws thought vibrations in harmony with his or her own; and also +repels thought vibrations of an inharmonious nature.</p> + +<p>These are the general laws and principles governing the phenomena of this +phase of telepathic vibrations. There is much more to be said on the +subject, of course, but if you will note carefully the leading principles +and laws of manifestation just mentioned, you will be able to reason +correctly regarding any phase of this class of phenomena which may come +before you for attention. Once you learn a general rule, the rest becomes +merely a matter of application and interpretation. Let us now proceed to a +consideration of other phases of the general subject of telepathic +influence.</p> + +<p>We now come to the phase of what may be called direct telepathy—that is +where a thought is consciously, and more or less purposely, directed +toward another person. We come across many interesting cases of this kind +where persons find themselves thinking intently of certain other persons, +and afterwards are told by the other persons that "I found myself thinking +intently about you, at such and such a time," etc. In some of these cases +it is difficult to determine which one started the thinking. Again, how +often do we find ourselves thinking of a person, when all of a sudden the +person comes into sight. Again, we think intently and earnestly about a +certain question; and then, all of a sudden, other folks whom we meet +begin talking to us about the same thing. These instances are too common +to need more than a passing notice.</p> + +<p>A little more purpose is displayed in that class of phenomena in which we +intently wish that a certain person shall do a certain thing, and lo! we +soon learn that that certain person has done it. A number of years ago, a +popular writer wrote an article in which he mentioned what seemed to him +to be a curious instance of some form of mental influence or telepathy. He +said that he had found out that if he would sit down and carefully write a +letter to some person from whom he had not heard for a long time, and then +destroy the letter instead of sending it, he would be almost certain to +receive a letter from that person within a few days. He did not attempt to +account for the phenomenon, he merely called the attention of his readers +to it. Many persons have followed the suggestion, often with very +wonderful results. There is nothing miraculous, or supernatural about such +occurrences. It is merely one phase of telepathy. The concentrated thought +of the writer of the letter is directed toward the other person, and that +person begins to think of the first one; then he thinks he will write to +him; then he actually does write. Distance, space, and direction have no +importance in this experiment—it is not necessary to even know where the +second person is, in fact.</p> + +<p>There are often found persons so closely in psychic harmony with each +other that they very often are able to ask questions and receive answers +from each other, even though great distances separate them. Some +particular times there is a better psychic harmony existing between the +same persons than is found at other times. All this, of course, affects +the success of the experiment. It is surprising what wonderful results +along these lines may be obtained by almost any person of average +intelligence, after a little careful, patient, conscientious practice.</p> + +<p>But there have been phenomena obtained as the result of long series of +careful experiments which are, in a way, even more wonderful than these +somewhat less deliberate experiments just mentioned. I allude to the +experiments of a number of earnest, careful scientific students, who +surrounded themselves with every precaution against over-enthusiasm, +fraud, and coincidence. Prominent among this class of investigations we +find those conducted by the Society for Psychical Research, of England, +which really established a firm basis for the work of other investigators +who followed the general methods of the said society. In the following +chapter, I shall give you a somewhat extended statement of the results of +such investigations, because this information is important to every +student of psychic phenomena, not only because it establishes a firm +scientific basis for his studies and beliefs, but also because it gives +him important information which he may apply in the course of his own +experimental work.</p> + +<p>I may mention that the investigations into the subject of telepathy, and +kindred subjects, under the auspices of the society just mentioned, were +conducted by men of careful scientific training and experience, and under +the general supervision and approval of the officers of the society, among +which have been numbered such eminent men as Prof. Henry Sidgwick, of +Cambridge University; Prof. Balfour Stewart, a Fellow of the Royal Society +of England; Rt. Hon. A.J. Balfour, the eminent English statesman; Prof. +William James, the eminent American psychologist; Sir William Crookes, the +great chemist and discoverer of physical laws, who invented the celebrated +"Crookes' Tubes," without which the discovery of the X Rays, +radio-activity, etc., would have been impossible; Frederick W.H. Myers, +the celebrated explorer of the astral planes, and writer upon psychic +phenomena; Sir Oliver Lodge, the popular English scientist; and other men +of international reputation and high standing. The character of these men +at once gives the stamp of honesty and scientific accuracy to all the work +of the society.</p> + +<p>In order that you may understand the spirit which animated these +scientific investigators in their work of the exploration of this new and +strange region of Nature, I ask you to carefully read the following words +of the presidential address of Sir William Crookes, before the Royal +Society, at Bristol, England, in 1898. Remember, please, that this address +was made before an assemblage of distinguished scientists, many of them +rank materialists and, quite skeptical of all occult phenomena—this was +nearly twenty years ago, remember. Sir William Crookes, facing this +gathering, as its president, said:</p> + +<p>"Were I now introducing for the first time these inquiries to the world of +science, I should choose a starting point different from that of old +(where we formerly began). It would be well to begin with Telepathy; with +that fundamental law, as I believe it to be, that thoughts and images may +be transferred from one mind to another without the agency of the +recognized organs of sense—that knowledge may enter the human mind +without being communicated in any hitherto known or recognized ways. * * * +If telepathy takes place, we have two physical facts—the physical change +in the brain of A, the suggestor, and the analogous physical change in the +brain of B, the recipient of the suggestion. Between these two physical +events there must exist a train of physical causes. * * * It is +unscientific to call in the aid of mysterious agencies, when with every +fresh advance in knowledge it is shown that either vibrations have powers +and attributes abundantly able to any demand—even the transmission of +thought.</p> + +<p>"It is supposed by some physiologists that the essential cells of nerves +do not actually touch, but are separated by a narrow gap which widens in +sleep while it narrows almost to extinction during mental activity. This +condition is so singularly like a Branly or Lodge coherer (a device which +led to the discovery of wireless telegraphy) as to suggest a further +analogy. The structure of brain and nerve being similar, it is conceivable +that there may be present masses of such nerve coherers in the brain, +whose special function it may be to receive impulses brought from without, +through the connecting sequence of ether waves of appropriate order of +magnitude.</p> + +<p>"Roentgen has familiarized us with an order of vibrations of extreme +minuteness as compared with the smallest waves with which we have hitherto +been acquainted: and there is no reason to suppose that we have here +reached the limit of frequency. It is known that the action of thought is +accompanied by certain molecular movements in the brain, and here we have +physical vibrations capable from their extreme minuteness of acting direct +upon individual molecules, while their rapidity approaches that of +internal and external movements of the atoms themselves. A formidable +range of phenomena must be scientifically sifted before we effectually +grasp a faculty so strange, so bewildering, and for ages so inscrutable, +as the direct action of mind upon mind.</p> + +<p>"In the old Egyptian days, a well known inscription was carved over the +portal of the Temple of Isis: 'I am whatever has been, is, or ever will +be; and my veil no man hath yet lifted.' Not thus do modern seekers after +truth confront Nature—the word that stands for the baffling mysteries of +the Universe. Steadily, unflinchingly, we strive to pierce the inmost +heart of Nature, from what she is to reconstruct what she has been, and +to prophesy what she shall be. Veil after veil we have lifted, and her +face grows more beautiful, august and wonderful, with every barrier that +is withdrawn."</p> + +<p>You will notice that this address made nearly twenty years ago, and from +the standpoint of physical science is in full accord with the ideas of +occultism as old as the hills. And yet, the speaker had worked out the +idea independently. He also investigated higher forms of psychic +phenomena, with results that startled the world. But, you will notice that +he does not attempt to give any other than purely physical laws the credit +for the ordinary phenomena of telepathy. And he was thoroughly right in +this, as we have seen. He escaped the common error of confusing +physical-sense phenomena with the phenomena of the astral-senses. Each +plane has its own phenomena—and each class is surely wonderful enough. +And, again, remember that both physical and astral phenomena are purely +natural; there is no need for seeking any supernatural agencies to account +for these natural facts.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonIV"></a><h2>LESSON IV.</h2> + +<p>SCIENTIFIC TELEPATHY.</p> +<br /> + +<p>The investigators of the Society for Psychical Research, of England, +started by giving a broad definition of Telepathy, as follows: "Telepathy +is the communication of impressions of any kind from one mind to another, +independently of the recognized channels of sense." They took the rational +position that the actual distance between the projector and the recipient +of the telepathic message is not material; and that all that is required +is such a separation of the two persons that no known operation of the +senses can bridge the space between them. They wisely held that telepathy +between two persons in the same room is as much telepathy as when the two +persons are located at opposite sides of the world.</p> + +<p>The investigators then ruled out all instances of thought-transmission in +which there was even the slightest muscular contact between the projector +and the recipient. They held that though there might be genuine telepathy +in such cases, nevertheless, there was always the possibility of fraud or +collusion, or of unconscious muscular action on the part of the projector. +They demanded absolute and actual separation of the two persons, in order +that their experiments might be above suspicion. They were wise in this, +for while there is undoubtedly a psychic communication in the cases in +which there is the slight physical connection between the two persons (as +I shall point out to you a little further on), still the element of doubt +or suspicion must be entirely eliminated from a scientific test, in order +to render it valuable and valid.</p> + +<p>They, therefore, confined their investigations in Telepathy to the two +following classes, viz.: (1) where actions are performed without physical +contact with the person willing; and (2) where some number, word, or card +is guessed apparently without any of the ordinary means of communication. +The investigators recognized the possibility that in the first of the +above-mentioned two classes of experiments there is a possibility of +suspicion of collusion, fraud, or unconscious suggestion, in the matter of +the motion of the eyes of the party, or some member of it, which might be +seized upon, perhaps unconsciously, by the recipient, and used to guide +him to the object which was being thought of by the projector or the +party. They sought to obviate this difficulty by blindfolding the +percipient, and by placing non-conductors of sound over his ears. But, +finally, they came to the conclusion that even these precautions might not +prove sufficient; and, accordingly, they devoted their attention to the +second class of experiments, in which all ordinary means of communication +between projector and recipient were impossible. They took the additional +precautions of limiting their circle to a small number of investigators of +scientific reputations, and well known to each other, always avoiding a +promiscuous company for obvious reasons.</p> + +<p>One of the earliest series of investigations by these special committees +of investigators was that of the family of the Rev. A.M. Creery, in +Derbyshire, England. The children of this family had acquired a reputation +in what was known as the "guessing game," in which one of the children, +previously placed outside of the room, then returned to the room and +attempted to "guess" the name or location of some object agreed upon by +the party during her absence. The results were very interesting, and quite +satisfactory, and have frequently been referred to in works on the subject +written since that time. I think it well to give the results of this +series of experiments in some little detail, for they form a basis for +experiments on the part of those who read these lessons.</p> + +<p>Prof. W.F. Barrett, Professor of Physics in the Royal College of Science +for Ireland, conducted the most of the experiments. The report to the +Society says: "We began by selecting the simplest objects in the room; +then chose names of towns, people, dates, cards out of a pack, lines from +different poems, etc., in fact, any thing or series of ideas that those +present could keep in their minds steadily. The children seldom made a +mistake. I have seen seventeen cards chosen by myself named right in +succession without any mistake. We soon found that a great deal depended +on the steadiness with which the ideas were kept before the minds of the +thinkers, and upon the energy with which they willed the ideas to pass. I +may say that this faculty is not by any means confined to the members of +one family; it is much more general than we imagine. To verify this +conclusion, I invited two of a neighbor's children to join us in our +experiments, with excellent results."</p> + +<p>The report gives the methods of the experiments, as follows: "The inquiry +has taken place partly in Mr. Creery's house, and partly in lodgings, or +at a hotel occupied by some of our number. Having selected at random one +child, whom we desired to leave the room and wait at some distance, we +would choose a pack of cards, or write on a piece of paper a name of a +number which occurred to us at the moment. Generally, but not always, this +was shown to the members of the family present in the room; but no one +member was always present, and we were sometimes entirely alone. We then +recalled the child, one of us always assuring himself that, when the door +was suddenly opened, she was at a considerable distance, though this was +usually a superfluity of caution, as our habit was to avoid all utterances +of what was chosen. On re-entering, she stood—sometimes turned by us with +her face toward the wall, oftener with her eyes directed toward the +ground, and usually close to us and remote from the family—for a period +of silence varying from a few seconds to a minute, till she called out to +us some number, card, or whatever it might be."</p> + +<p>In the first experiments, in "guessing" the name of objects, the child +guessed correctly six out of fourteen. She then guessed correctly the +name of small objects held in the hands of one of the committee—five +times out of six. She guessed fictitious names chosen by the +committee—five out of ten, at the first trial. The committee then tested +her by writing down the name of some object in the house, fixed at random, +and then, after all had thought intently of the thing, they sent for the +child and bade her try to find the thing thought of, the +thought-concentration of course continuing during the search. The result +is thus reported: "In this way I wrote down, among other things, a +hair-brush—it was brought; an orange—it was brought; a wine-glass—it +was brought; an apple—it was brought; and so on, until many objects had +been selected and found by the child."</p> + +<p>Passing over the details of many other experiments we find that the +following remarkable results were obtained by the committee: "Altogether, +three hundred and eighty-two trials were made in this series. In the case +of letters of the alphabet, of cards, and of numbers of two figures, the +chances of success on a first trial would naturally be 25 to 1, 52 to 1, +and 89 to 1, respectively; in the case of surnames they would of course be +infinitely greater. Cards were far most frequently employed, and the odds +in their case may be taken as a fair medium sample, according to which, +out of a whole series of three hundred and eighty-two trials, the average +number of successes at the first attempt by an ordinary guesser would be +seven and one-third. Of our trials, one hundred and twenty-seven were +successes on the first attempt, fifty-six on the second, nineteen on the +third—MAKING TWO HUNDRED AND TWO, OUT OF A POSSIBLE THREE HUNDRED AND +EIGHTY-TWO!" Think of this, while the law of averages called for only +seven and one-third successes at first trial, the children obtained one +hundred and twenty-seven, which, given a second and third trial, they +raised to two hundred and two! You see, this takes the matter entirely out +of the possibility of coincidence or mathematical probability.</p> + +<p>But this was not all. Listen to the further report of the committee on +this point: "The following was the result of one of the series. The thing +selected was divulged to none of the family, and five cards running were +named correctly on a first trial. The odds against this happening once in +a series were considerably over a million to one. There were other similar +batches, the two longest runs being eight consecutive guesses, once with +cards, and once with names; where the adverse odds in the former case were +over one hundred and forty-two millions to one; and in the other, +something incalculably greater." The opinion of eminent mathematicians who +have examined the above results is that the hypothesis of mere coincidence +is practically excluded in the scientific consideration of the matter. The +committee calls special attention to the fact that in many of the most +important tests none of the Creery family were cognizant of the object +selected, and that, therefore, the hypothesis of fraud or collusion is +absolutely eliminated. The committee naturally came to the conclusion +that the phenomena was genuine and real telepathy.</p> + +<p>Prof. Balfour Stewart, LL.D., F.R.S., who was present at some of these +experiments, though not a member of the committee, expressed great +amazement at some of the results. He reports: "The thought-reader was +outside a door. The object or thing thought of was written on paper and +silently handed to the company in the room. The thought reader was then +called in, and in the course of a minute the answer was given. Definite +objects in the room, for instance, were first thought of, and in the +majority of the cases the answers were correct. Then numbers were thought +of, and the answers were generally right, though, of course, there were +some cases of error. The names of towns were thought of, and a good many +of these were right. Then fancy names were thought of. I was asked to +think of certain fancy names, and mark them down and hand them round to +the company. I thought of and wrote on paper, 'Blue-beard,' 'Tom Thumb,' +'Cinderella.' and the answers were all correct!"</p> + +<p>The committee also conducted a number of experiments with other +recipients, with very satisfactory results. Colors were correctly guessed +with a percentage of successes quite beyond the average or probable +number. Names of towns in all parts of the world, were correctly "guessed" +by certain recipients with a wonderful degree of success. But, probably +most wonderful of all, was the correct reproduction of diagrams of +geometrical and other figures and shapes. In one case, the recipient, in a +series of nine trials, succeeded in drawing them all correctly, except +that he frequently reversed them, making the upper-side down, and the +right-hand side to the left. The Society, has published these reproduced +diagrams in its Illustrated reports, and they have convinced the most +skeptical of critics. Some of the diagrams were quite complicated, +unusual, and even grotesque, and yet they were reproduced with marvelous +accuracy, not in a hesitating manner, but deliberately and continuously, +as if the recipient were actually copying a drawing in full sight. Similar +results have been obtained by other investigators who have followed the +lead of these original ones.</p> + +<p>So you see, the seal of scientific authority has been placed upon the +phenomena of telepathy. It is no longer in the realm of the supernatural +or uncanny. As Camille Flammarion, the eminent French scientist, has said: +"The action of one mind upon another at a distance—the transmission of +thought, mental suggestion, communication at a distance—all these are not +more extraordinary than the action of the magnet on iron, the influence of +the moon on the sea, the transportation of the human voice by electricity, +the revolution of the chemical constituents of a star by the analysis of +its light, or, indeed, all the wonders of contemporary science. Only these +psychic communications are of a more elevated kind, and may serve to put +us on the track of a knowledge of human nature. What is certain is: That +telepathy can and ought to be henceforth considered by Science as an +incontestable reality; that minds are able to act upon each other without +the intervention of the senses; that psychic force exists, though its +nature is yet unknown. * * * We say that this force is of a psychic order, +and not physical, or physiological, or chemical, or mechanical, because it +produces and transmits ideas and thoughts, and because it manifests itself +without the co-operation of our senses, soul to soul, mind to mind."</p> + +<p>In addition to investigating the above mentioned classes of telepathic +phenomena, the English Society for Psychical Research investigated many +remarkable cases of a somewhat higher phase of telepathy. They took down +the stories told by persons deemed responsible, and then carefully +examined, and cross-examined other witnesses to the strange phenomena. The +record of these experiments, and investigations, fill a number of good +sized volumes of the Society's reports, which are well worth reading by +all students of the subject. They may be found in the libraries of nearly +any large city. I shall, however, select a number of the most interesting +of the cases therein reported, to give my students an idea of the +character of the phenomena so investigated and found genuine by the +committees having this class of telepathy under investigation.</p> + +<p>An interesting case of spontaneous telepathy is that related by Dr. Ede, +as follows: "There is a house about a half-mile from my own, inhabited by +some ladies, friends of our family. They have a large alarm bell outside +their house. One night I awoke suddenly and said to my wife: 'I am sure I +hear Mrs. F's alarm bell ringing.' After listening for some time, we heard +nothing, and I went to sleep again. The next day Mrs. F. called upon my +wife and said to her: 'We were wishing for your husband last night, for we +were alarmed by thieves. We were all up, and I was about to pull the alarm +bell, hoping that he would hear it, saying to my daughters, "I am sure it +will soon bring Dr. Ede," but we did not ring it.' My wife asked what time +this had happened, and Mrs. F. said that it was about half past one. That +was the time I awoke thinking that I heard the bell."</p> + +<p>In this case there was manifested simply ordinary physical plane +telepathy. Had the bell actually been rung, and heard psychically, it +would have been a case of astral plane hearing, known as clairaudience. As +it was, merely the thought in the mind of Mrs. F., and her strong idea to +ring the bell, caused a transmission of thought waves which struck Dr. Ede +with great force and awakened him. This case is interesting because it is +typical of many cases of a similar nature within the experience of many +persons. It is seen that a strong feeling, or excitement, accompanied by a +strong desire or wish to summon another person, tends to give great power +and effect to the thought waves emitted. They strike the mind of the +recipient like the sudden ringing of an alarm clock bell.</p> + +<p>Another interesting case is that of two ladies, both well known to members +of the committee, and vouched for as of strict veracity. This case is +unusual for the reason that two different persons received the +thought-waves at the same time. Here is an abridgment of the case: "Lady +G. and her sister had been spending the evening with their mother, who was +in her usual health and spirits when they left her. In the middle of the +night the sister awoke in her fright and said to her husband: 'I must go +to my mother at once; do order the carriage. I am sure that she is taken +ill.' On the way to her mother's house, where two roads meet, she saw Lady +G.'s carriage approaching. When they met each asked the other why she was +there. They both related the same experience and impression. When they +reached their mother's house, they found that she was dying, and had +expressed an earnest wish to see them."</p> + +<p>Another case of a similar nature is this: "At the siege of Mooltan, Major +General R., then adjutant of his regiment, was severely wounded and +supposed himself to be dying. He requested that his ring be taken off his +finger and sent to his wife. At the same time his wife was at Ferozepore, +one hundred and fifty miles distant, lying on her bed, in a state half way +between waking and sleeping. She saw her husband being taken off the +field, and heard his voice saying: 'Take this ring off my finger, and send +it to my wife.'"</p> + +<p>This case bears the marks of very strong telepathy, but also has a +suspicious resemblance to clairvoyance accompanied by clairaudience. Or +perhaps it is a combination of both telepathy and clairvoyance. It is +impossible to determine which, in absence of more detailed information. +The message of persons dying, or believing themselves to be approaching +death, are frequently very strong, for certain reasons well known to +occultists. But there is nothing supernatural about the phenomena, and in +most cases it is merely a case of strong telepathy.</p> + +<p>The Society also reports the following interesting case: "A. was awake, +and strongly willed to make himself known to two friends who at that time +(one o'clock in the morning) were asleep. When he met them a few days +afterward, they both told him that at one o'clock they had awakened under +the impression that he was in their room. The experience was so vivid that +they could not go to sleep for some time, and looked at their watches to +note the time." Cases of this kind are quite common, and many +experimenters have had equally good results with this phase of thought +transference. You will remember that there is no actual projection of the +astral body, in most of these cases, but merely a strong impression caused +by concentrated thought.</p> + +<p>Another interesting case is that of the late Bishop Wilberforce, and is +recorded in his biography, as follows: The Bishop was in his library at +Cuddleson, with three or four of his clergy with him at the same table. +The Bishop suddenly raised his hand to his head, and exclaimed: "I am +certain that something has happened to one of my sons." It afterwards +transpired that just at that time his eldest son's foot was badly crushed +by an accident on board his ship, the son being at sea. The Bishop himself +recorded the circumstance in a letter to Miss Noel, saying: "It is curious +that at the time of his accident I was so possessed with the depressing +consciousness of some evil having befallen my son, Herbert, that at the +last, I wrote down that I was unable to shake off the impression that +something had happened to him, and noted this down for remembrance." There +is nothing unusual about this case, for it has been duplicated in the +experience of many persons. Its chief importance lies in the fact that it +is recorded by a man of wide reputation and high standing, and also that +the Bishop had taken the precaution to note down the thing at the time, +instead of merely recalling it after he had heard of the accident.</p> + +<p>You will notice that in many cases of this kind the phenomenon closely +approaches the aspect of true clairvoyance, or astral sensing. In some +cases there appears to be a blending of both telepathy and astral +clairvoyance. In fact, there is but very little difference between the +highest phases of ordinary telepathy, and the more common phases of +clairvoyance. Here, as in many other cases of Nature's forces, there seems +to be a gradual blending, rather than a sharp dividing line between the +two classes of phenomena. Moreover, the student developing his telepathic +powers will frequently find that he is beginning to unfold at least +occasional flashes of clairvoyance.</p> + +<p>In the case of telepathy, the recipient merely senses what is in the mind +of the projector. In some cases a picture in the mind of the projector may +be seen by the recipient, and may thus be mistaken for a case of pure +clairvoyance. But, in investigating closely, it will be found that the +real scene was slightly different from the impression, in which case it +shows that the impression was simply telepathic. Clairvoyant vision shows +the scene as it really is, or rather as the physical eye of the recipient +would have seen it. The astral sight really sees the scene, and does not +merely receive the mental impression of the projector. The first is +original seeing; the second, merely a reproduction of images already in +the mind of the projector, and colored by his personality, etc.</p> + +<p>In the next lesson, I shall give you a number of exercises and methods +designed to develop your telepathic powers. You will find the practice of +these most interesting and entertaining, and at the same time most +instructive. You will find that as you practice the exercises given +therein, you will become more and more adept and proficient in producing +telepathic phenomena. From the lower stages, you will be able to proceed +to the higher. And, in time, you will be surprised to find that almost +unconsciously you have passed into the stage in which you will have at +least occasional manifestations of clairvoyance, psychometry, etc.</p> + +<p>In fact, there is no better way known to practical occultists to develop +in a student the powers of clairvoyance than just this method of starting +the student with the exercises designed to develop the telepathic power. +It has been found by centuries of experience that the student who develops +telepathic power, in a systematic way, will gradually unfold and evolve +the clairvoyant and psychometric power. It constitutes the first rungs on +the ladder of psychic development.</p> + +<p>Of course, under the head of clairvoyance, etc., you will be given methods +and exercise designed to develop clairvoyant powers—some of them very +valuable and effective methods, at that. But, notwithstanding this, I feel +that I should impress upon you the importance of laying a firm foundation +for such instruction, by developing yourself first along the lines of +telepathic power. Such a course will not only keenly sharpen your powers +of receptivity to such vibrations as you may wish to receive; but it will +also train your mind in the direction of translating, interpreting, and +recording such impressions when received.</p> + +<p>You must remember that proficiency in a mental art is attained only by +means of training the attention to concentrate upon the task. It is the +same way in clairvoyance and psychometry. Telepathy trains your attention +to concentrate upon the reception of impressions, and to hold them firmly +and clearly in consciousness. The result is that when you really develop +clairvoyant receptivity, your attention has already been trained to do +the necessary work. I need not tell you what an advantage this gives you +over the clairvoyant who has not received this training, for your own good +common sense will assure you of it.</p> + +<p>So, now for our training in telepathy—not only for itself, but also as a +means of preparing for the higher stages.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonV"></a><h2>LESSON V.</h2> + +<p>MIND READING, AND BEYOND.</p> +<br /> + +<p>The simpler forms of telepathic phenomena have received the name "Mind +Reading" and by some have been regarded as something not quite within the +class of real telepathy. This last impression has been heightened by the +fact that there has been offered the public many spectacular exhibitions +of pseudo mind-reading, that is to say, imitation or counterfeit +mind-reading, in which the result has been obtained by trickery, +collusion, or clever artifice. But, notwithstanding this fact, genuine +mind-reading is actually a phase of true telepathy.</p> + +<p>What is generally known as mind-reading may be divided into two classes, +as follows: (1) where there is an actual physical contact between the +projector and the receiver; and (2) where there is no actual physical +contact, but where there is a close relation in space between the two +parties, as in the case of the "willing game." In the first class belong +all cases in which the projector touches the recipient, or at least is +connected with him by a material object. In the second class belong those +cases in which the recipient seeks to find an object which is being +thought of by either a single projector, or by a number of persons in the +same room. You will notice that both of these classes were omitted from +the experiments of the Society for Psychical Research, because of the +possibility of fraud or collusion. But, nevertheless, the student will do +well to acquire proficiency in manifesting this form of telepathy, not +alone for its own sake, but, also, because it naturally leads to higher +development.</p> + +<p>In the case of the first class of mind-reading namely, that in which +actual physical contact is had between the projector and the recipient, +there has been a disposition on the part of some authorities to explain +the whole matter by the theory of unconscious muscular impulse of the +projector; but those who have carefully studied this subject, and who have +themselves performed the feats of this class of mind-reading, know that +there is far more than this to it. Those familiar with the subject know +that there is a decided transference of thought-waves from the projector +to the recipient, and that the latter actually "feels" the same as they +strike upon his mental receiving apparatus. The whole difference between +this and the higher forms of telepathy is that in this the +thought-currents generally run along the wires of the nervous system, +instead of leaping across the space between the two persons.</p> + +<p>It is known to all who have conducted this class of experiments, that at +times there will be experienced a change or shifting in the transmission +of the thought-currents. For a time, the thought-waves will be felt +flowing in along the nerves of the hands and arms when, all of a sudden +this will cease, and there will be experienced the passage of the current +direct from brain to brain. It is impossible to describe this feeling in +mere words, to those who have never experienced it. But those to whom it +has once been manifested will recognize at once just what I mean by this +statement. It is a different sensation from any other in the experience of +a human being, and must actually be experienced to be understood. The +nearest analogy I can offer is that feeling experienced by the person when +a forgotten name for which he has vainly sought, suddenly flashes or leaps +into his consciousness—it is felt to come from somewhere outside of the +conscious field. Well, in the case of the thought-current the feeling is +much the same, only there is a fuller sense of the "outsideness" of the +source of the thought.</p> + +<p>In order to make you understand the distinction between the two classes of +mind-reading more clearly, I will say that you may think of one as akin to +the ordinary telegraphy over wires; and of the other as akin to wireless +telegraphy. It is the same force in both cases, the difference being +simply one of the details of transmission. Fix this idea firmly in your +mind, and you will have no trouble in always having the right conception +of any kind of case of mind-reading, or telepathy. But, you must remember, +there are cases in which there is a combination of both methods of +transmission, either simultaneously, or else shifting and changing from +one to the other.</p> + +<p>I will here remind the student that he will learn more by a half-dozen +actual experiments in mind-reading, than he will by reading a dozen books +on the subject. It is very good to read the books in order to get the +correct theory well fixed in mind, and also in order to learn the best +methods as taught by those who have had a wide experience in the subject; +but the real "how" of the matter is learned only through actual +experience. So, I shall now give you advice and instructions concerning +actual experimental work.</p> + +<p>You, the student, should begin by making yourself a good recipient—that +is a good "mind reader," allowing others to play the part of projector. +Later on, you may play the part of projector, if you so desire, but the +real "fine work" is done by the recipient, and, for that reason that is +the part you should learn to play by frequent rehearsals.</p> + +<p>I advise you to begin your experiments with friends who are in sympathy +with you, and who are interested in the subject. Avoid particularly all +early experiments with uncongenial or unsympathetic persons; and avoid as +you would a pestilence all those who are antagonistic either to yourself +or to the general subject of telepathy and kindred subjects. As you must +make yourself especially "sensitive" in order to successfully conduct a +mind-reading test, you will find yourself particularly susceptible to the +mental attitude of those around you at such times, and therefore should +surround yourself only with those who are congenial and sympathetic.</p> + +<p>You will find that there is a great difference between the several persons +whom you "try out" as projectors. Some will be more "en rapport" with you +than are others who may be equally good friends. "En rapport," you know, +means "in vibrational harmony." When two persons are en rapport with each +other, they are like two wireless telegraphic instruments perfectly +attuned to each other. In such cases there are obtained the very best +results. You will soon learn to distinguish the degree of en rapport +conditions between yourself and different persons—you soon learn to +"feel" this condition. In the beginning, it will be well for you to try +several persons, one after the other, in your mind-reading experiments, in +order to pick out the best one, and also to learn the "feel" of the +different degrees of en rapport condition.</p> + +<p>Even in cases of persons in whom the en rapport conditions are good, it is +well to establish a rhythmic unison between you. This is done by both you +and the person breathing in rhythmic unison a few moments. Begin by +counting "one-two-three-four," like the slow ticking of a large clock. +Have the other person join with you in so counting, until your minds both +work in the same rhythmic time. Then you should have him breathe in unison +with you, making a mental count with you at the same time, so that you +will "breathe together." Count (mentally) "one-two-three-four," as you +inhale; the "one-two," holding the breath; and, then "one-two-three-four," +exhaling or breathing-out. Try this several times, and, you will find that +you have established a rhythmic unison between yourself and the other +person. In the progress of an experiment, if you should find that the +conditions are not as good as might be desired, you will do well to pause +for a few moments and re-establish the proper rhythmic harmony by this +method of harmonious rhythmic breathing.</p> + +<p>Begin by having the projector select some prominent object in the room, a +chair, or table for instance. Then have him take your left hand in his +right hand. Raise your left hand, held in his right hand, to your +forehead; then close your eyes and remain passive a few moments. Have him +concentrate his mind intently on the selected object—and will that you +should move toward it. Have him think of nothing else except that object, +and to will you to move toward it, with all his power. Close your eyes, +and quiet your mind, opening your consciousness to every mental impression +that he may send you. Instruct him to think not merely "chair," for +instance, but rather "there—go there." The main thought in his mind must +be that of direction. He must will that you move toward that chair.</p> + +<p>After a moment or two, you will begin to feel a vague, general impulse to +move your feet. Obey the impulse. Take a few slow steps in any direction +that seems easy to you. Sometimes this will take you in an opposite +direction from that of the chair, but it will "get you going," and you +will soon begin to feel that the direction is "all wrong," and will begin +to be mentally pulled in the right direction. You will have to actually +experience this feeling, before you will fully understand just what I +mean.</p> + +<p>After some little practice, you will begin to feel quite distinctly the +mental direction, or will-force, of the projector, which will seem to tell +you to "come this way—now stop—now turn a little to the right—now a +little to the left—now stop where you are, and put out your right +hand—lower your hand—move your hand a little to the right—that's it, +now you have got it all right." You will soon learn to distinguish between +the "no, that's wrong" thought, and the "that's right" one; and between +the "go on," and the "come on" one. By making yourself completely passive, +and receptive and obedient to the thought and will-impulses of the +projector, you will soon act like a ship under the influence of the rudder +in the hand of the projector.</p> + +<p>After you have attained proficiency in receiving the mental impressions +and directions, you will find yourself attracted or drawn, like a piece of +steel to the magnet, toward the object selected. It will sometimes seem as +if you were being moved to it even against your own will—and as if +someone else were actually moving your feet for you. Sometimes the impulse +will come so strong that you will actually rush ahead of the projector, +dragging him along with you, instead of having him a little in advance, or +by your side. It is all a matter of practice.</p> + +<p>You will soon discover the great difference between different projectors. +Some of them will be in perfect en rapport condition with you, while +others will fail to get into tune with you. Some projectors do not seem +to know what is required of them, and usually forget to "will" you to the +object. It helps sometimes to tell them that the whole thing depends upon +their will power, and that the stronger their will is, the easier it is +for you to find the thing. This puts them on their mettle, and makes them +use their will more vigorously.</p> + +<p>You will soon learn to recognize that peculiar feeling of "all right," +that comes when you finally stand in front of the desired object. Then you +begin to move your right hand up and down and around, until you get the +right "feel" about that also, when you should place your hand on the place +which seems to attract you most. You will find that the hand is just as +responsive to the mental force, as are the feet. You will soon learn to +distinguish between the mental signals: "up," "down," "to the right," "to +the left," "stop now, you're right," etc. I cannot tell you just the +difference—you must learn to "feel" them, and you will soon become expert +in this. It is like learning to skate, run an automobile, operate a +typewriter or anything else—all a matter of exercise and practice. But it +is astonishing how rapidly one may learn; and how, at times, one seems to +progress by great leaps and bounds. Now I shall give you the different +stages or steps, which you will do well to follow in your exercises, +progressing from the more simple to the more complex—but be sure to +thoroughly master the simple ones, before you pass on to the more complex +one. Be honest and strict with yourself—make yourself "pass the +examination" before promotion, in each and every step.</p> + +<p>1. LOCATIONS. Begin by finding particular locations in a room; +corners, alcoves, doors, etc.</p> + +<p>2. LARGE OBJECTS. Then begin to find large objects, such as tables, +chairs, book-cases, etc.</p> + +<p>3. SMALL OBJECTS. Then proceed to find small objects, such as books +on a table, sofa-cushions, ornaments, paper-knives, etc. Gradually work +down to very small objects, such as scarf-pins, articles of jewelry, +pocket-knives, etc.</p> + +<p>4. CONCEALED OBJECTS. Then proceed to find small objects that have +been concealed under other objects, such as a pocket-book beneath a +sofa-cushion, etc.; or a key in a book; or a key under a rug, etc.</p> + +<p>5. MINUTE OBJECTS. Then proceed to discover very small objects, +either concealed or else placed in an inconspicuous place, such as a pin +stuck in the wall, etc.; or a small bean under a vase, etc.</p> + +<p>The public performers of mind reading vary the above by sensational +combinations, but you will readily see that these are but ingenious +arrangements of the above general experiments, and that no new principle +is involved. As these lessons are designed for serious study and +experiment, and not for sensational public performances, I shall not enter +into this phase of the subject in these pages. The student who understands +the general principles, and is able to perform the above experiments +successfully, will have no difficulty in reproducing the genuine feats of +the public mind readers, by simply using his ingenuity in arranging the +stage-effects, etc. Among other things, he will find that he will be able +to obtain results by interposing a third person between the projector and +himself; or by using a short piece of wire to connect himself and the +projector. Drawing pictures on a blackboard, or writing out names on a +slate, by means of thought direction, are simply the result of a fine +development of the power of finding the small article—the impulse to move +the hand in a certain direction comes in precisely the same way. The +public driving feats of the professional mind-reader are but a more +complicated form of the same general principle—the impression of +"direction" once obtained, the rest is a mere matter of detail. The +opening of the combination of a safe, though requiring wonderful +proficiency on the part of the operator, is simply an elaboration of the +"direction" movement.</p> + +<p>Some recipients are, of course, far more proficient than are others; but +each and every person—any person of average intelligence—will be able to +secure more or less proficiency in these experiments, provided that +patience and practice are employed. There is no such thing as an absolute +failure possible to anyone who will proceed intelligently, and will +practice sufficiently. Sometimes, after many discouraging attempts, the +whole thing will flash into one's mind at once, and after that there will +be little or no trouble. If you are able to witness the demonstrations of +some good mind-reader, professional or amateurs it will help you to +"catch the knack" at once.</p> + +<p>You will find that these experiments will tend to greatly and rapidly +develop your psychic receptivity in the direction of the higher phases of +psychic phenomena. You will be surprised to find yourself catching flashes +or glimpses of ^higher telepathy, or even clairvoyance. I would advise +every person wishing to cultivate the higher psychic faculties, to begin +by perfecting himself or herself in these simpler forms of mind-reading. +Besides the benefits obtained, the practice proves very interesting, and +opens many doors to pleasant social entertainment. But, never allow the +desire for social praise or popularity, in these matters, to spoil you for +serious investigation and experiment.</p> + +<p>THE SECOND STEP OF DEVELOPMENT. The student, having perfected himself +in the experiments along the lines of the first class of mind-reading, +viz., where there is no actual physical contact between the projector and +recipient, but where there is a close relation in space between the two.</p> + +<p>Now, the thoughtful student will naturally wish to ask a question here, +something like this: "You have told us that there is no real difference +between telepathy at a great distance, and that in which there is only the +slightest difference in the position of the projector and recipient, +providing, always, that there is no actual physical contact. This being +so, why your insistence upon the 'close relation in space' just +mentioned?—what is the reason for this nearness?" Well, it is like this: +While there is no distinction of space in true telepathy, still in +experiments such as I shall now describe, the physical nearness of the +projector enables him to concentrate more forcibly, and also gives +confidence to the new beginner in receiving mind-currents. The benefit is +solely that of the psychological effect upon the minds of the two persons, +and has nothing to do with the actual power of the telepathic waves. It is +much easier for a person to concentrate his thought and will upon a person +in actual physical sight before him, than upon one out of sight. And, +likewise, the recipient finds himself more confident and at ease when in +the actual physical of the person sending the thoughts and will power. +That is all there is to it. When the persons have acquired familiarity +with projecting and receiving, then this obstacle is overcome, and long +distances have no terror for them.</p> + +<p>The best way for the student to start in on this class of mind-reading, is +for him to experiment occasionally while performing his physical contact +mind-reading experiments. For instance, while engaged in searching for an +object let him disengage his hand from that of the projector for a moment +or so, and then endeavor to receive the impressions without contact. (This +should be done only in private experiments, not in public ones.) He will +soon discover that he is receiving thought impulses in spite of the lack +of physical contact—faint, perhaps, but still perceptible. A little +practice of this kind will soon convince him that he is receiving the +mental currents direct from brain to brain. This effect will be increased +if he arranges to have several persons concentrate their thoughts and will +power upon him during the experiment. From this stage, he will gradually +develop into the stage of the Willing Game.</p> + +<p>The Willing Game, quite popular in some circles, is played by one person +(usually blind-folded) being brought into the room in which a number of +persons have previously agreed upon some object to be found by him, they +concentrating their thought firmly upon the object. The audience should be +taught to not only to think but also to actively "will" the progress of +the recipient from the start to the finish of the hunt. They should "will" +him along each step of his journey, and then "will" his hand to the object +itself wherever it be hidden.</p> + +<p>An adept in the receiving end of the Willing Game will be able to perform +all the experiments that I have just pointed out to you in the contact +mind-reading class. In the Willing Game, you must remember that there is +no taking hold of hands or any other form of physical contact between +projector and recipient. The transmission of the mental currents must be +direct, from brain to brain. Otherwise, the two classes of experiments are +almost identical. There is the same "willing" toward the object on the +part of the projectors, and the same passive obedience of the recipient. +All the difference is that the current now passes over the ether of +space, as in the case of the wireless message, instead of over the wires +of the nervous system of the two persons.</p> + +<p>The next step is that of "guessing" the name of things thought of by the +party. I can give you no better directions than those followed by the +investigators in the Creery children, as related in a preceding chapter of +this book. When you become sufficiently proficient in this class of +mind-reading, you should be able to reproduce every experiment there +mentioned, with at least a fair degree of success. It is all a matter of +patience, perseverance and practice.</p> + +<p>After you have become very proficient in this class of experiments, you +may begin to try experiments at "long distance," that is where the +projector is out of your physical presence. It makes no difference whether +the distance be merely that between two adjoining rooms, or else of miles +of space. At first, however, nearness adds confidence in the majority of +cases. Confidence once gained, the distance may be lengthened +indefinitely, without impairing the success of the experiments. The long +distance experiments may consist either of the receiving of single words, +names, etc., or else distinct, clear messages or ideas. Some find it no +more difficult to reproduce simile geometrical designs, such as circles, +squares, triangles, etc., than to reproduce words or ideas.</p> + +<p>In long distance experiments, it is well for the projector to write down +the word or thought he wishes to transmit, and for the recipient to write +down the impressions he receives. These memoranda will serve as a record +of progress, and will, moreover, give a scientific value to the +experiments.</p> + +<p>Some experimenters have been quite successful in experiments along the +lines of Automatic Writing from living persons, produced by means of long +distance telepathy. In these cases the recipient sits passively at the +hour agreed upon for the experiment, and the projector concentrates +intently upon a sentence, or several sentences, one word at a time—at the +same time "willing" the other person to write the word. The famous +investigator of psychic phenomena, the late W.T. Stead, editor of a London +newspaper, who went down on the "Titanic," was very successful in +experiments of this kind. His written records of these are very +interesting and instructive.</p> + +<p>You will, of course, understand that in all cases of long distance +telepathic experiments there should be an understanding between the two +persons regarding the time and duration of the experiment, so as to obtain +the best results. Personally, however, I have known of some very excellent +results in which the receiving of the message occurred several hours after +the sending—thus showing that telepathy is in a measure independent of +time, as well as of space. But, as a rule, the best results are obtained +when the two persons "sit" simultaneously.</p> + +<p>Do not rest content with accepting the reports of others regarding these +things. Try them for yourself. You will open up a wonderful world of new +experiences for yourself. But, remember always, you must proceed step by +step, perfecting yourself at each step before proceeding to the next.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonVI"></a><h2>LESSON VI.</h2> + +<p>CLAIRVOYANT PSYCHOMETRY.</p> +<br /> + +<p>The word "clairvoyance" means "clear seeing." In its present usage it +covers a wide field of psychic phenomena; and is used by different writers +to designate phases of psychic phenomena differing widely from each other. +The student is apt to become confused when he meets these apparently +conflicting definitions and usages. In the glossary of the Society for +Psychical Research, the term is defined as: "The faculty or act of +perceiving, as though visually, with some coincidental truth, some distant +scene; it is used sometimes, but hardly properly, for transcendental +vision, or the perception of beings regarded as on another plane of +existence."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Henry Sidgwick, a distinguished writer on the subject of psychic +phenomena, in one of her reports to the Society for Psychical Research, +says: "The word clairvoyant is often used very loosely and with widely +different meanings. I denote by it a faculty of acquiring supernormally, +but not by reading the minds of persons present, a knowledge of facts such +as we normally acquire by the use of our senses. I do not limit it to +knowledge that would normally be acquired by the sense of sight, nor do I +limit it to a knowledge of present facts. A similar knowledge of the past, +and if necessary, of future facts may be included. On the other hand, I +exclude the mere faculty of seeing apparitions or visions, which is +sometimes called clairvoyance."</p> + +<p>The above definitive explanation of the term clairvoyance agrees with the +idea of the best authorities, and distinguishes between the phenomena of +clairvoyance and that of telepathy, on the one hand; and between the +former and that of seeing apparitions, on the other hand. I, personally, +accept this distinction as both scientific in form, and as agreeing with +the facts of the case. You will, of course, see that the acceptance of the +existence of the astral senses throws light on many obscure points about +which the psychic researchers are in doubt, and reconciles many apparently +opposing facts.</p> + +<p>All scientific authorities, as well as the best occultists, divide the +phenomena of clairvoyance into several well-distinguished classes. The +following classification is simple, and indicates clearly the principal +forms of clairvoyant phenomena:</p> + +<p>(1) Simple Clairvoyance, in which the clairvoyant person merely senses the +auric emanations of other persons, such as the auric vibrations, colors, +etc.; currents of thought-vibrations, etc.; but does not see events or +scenes removed in space or time from the observer.</p> + +<p>(2) Clairvoyance in Space, in which the clairvoyant person senses scenes +and events removed in space from the observer; and, often also is able to +sense such things even when they are concealed or obscured by intervening +material objects.</p> + +<p>(3) Clairvoyance in Time, in which the clairvoyant person senses scenes +and events which have had their original place in past time; or scenes +and events which will have their original place in the future.</p> + +<p>I shall describe each of these three classes, with their many variations, +as we reach them in their proper places in these lessons. Before doing so +however, I wish to explain to you the several methods by which clairvoyant +vision is usually induced. These methods may be designated as follows:</p> + +<p>(1) Psychometry, or the method of getting en rapport with the astral plane +by means of some physical object connected with the person, thing, or +scene about which you desire to be informed.</p> + +<p>(2) Crystal Gazing, etc., or the method of getting en rapport with the +astral plane by means of gazing into a crystal, magic mirror, etc.</p> + +<p>(3) Clairvoyant Reverie, or the method of getting en rapport with the +astral plane by means of psychic states in which the sights, sounds and +thoughts of the material and physical plane are shut out of consciousness.</p> + +<p>I shall now proceed to give the details regarding each one of these three +great classes of methods inducing clairvoyant vision, or en rapport +conditions with the astral plane.</p> + +<p>Psychometry. Psychometry is that form of clairvoyant phenomena in which +the clairvoyant gets into en rapport relation with the astral plane by +means of the connecting link of material objects, such as bit of stone, +piece of hair, article of wearing apparel etc., which has had previous +associations with the thing, person or scene regarding which clairvoyant +vision is required.</p> + +<p>Without going into technical occult explanations, I would say that the +virtue of these articles consists entirely of their associative value. +That is to say, they carry in them certain vibrations of past experience +which serve as a connecting link, or associated filament, with the thing +which is sought to be brought into the field of clairvoyant vision.</p> + +<p>To reach clairvoyantly a thing, scene, or person in this way is akin to +the unwinding of a ball of yarn, when you hold the loose end in your hand. +Or, it is like giving a keen-scented dog a sniff at a handkerchief once +carried by the person whom you wish him to nose out for you.</p> + +<p>A well-known authority on the subject of psychic phenomena has said on +this point: "The untrained clairvoyant usually cannot find any particular +astral picture when it is wanted, without some special link to put him en +rapport with the subject required. Psychometry is an instance in point. It +seems as though there were a sort of magnetic attachment or affinity +between any particle of matter and the record which contains its +history—an affinity which enables it to act as a kind of conductor +between that record and the faculties of anyone who can read it. For +instance, I once brought from Stonehenge a tiny fragment of stone, not +larger than a pin's head, and on putting this into an envelope and handing +it to a psychometer who had no idea what it was, she at once began to +describe that wonderful ruin and the desolate country surrounding it, and +then went on to picture vividly what were evidently scenes from its early +history, showing that the infinitessimal fragment had been sufficient to +put her into communication with the records connected with the spot from +which it came. The scenes through which we pass in the course of our life +seem to act in the same way upon the cells of our brain as did the history +of Stonehenge upon that particle of stone. They establish a connection +with those cells by means of which our mind is put en rapport with that +particular portion of the records, and so we 'remember' what we have +seen."</p> + +<p>One of the simplest and most common form of psychometry is that in which +the psychometrist is able to tell the physical condition of a person by +means of holding to the forehead, or even in the hand, some trinket or +small article such as a handkerchief recently worn on the person of the +individual regarding whom the information is sought. In the case of some +very sensitive psychometrists, the psychic person "takes on" the condition +of the other person whose former article of clothing, trinket, etc., she +is holding. She will often actually experience the physical pain and +distress of the person, and will be able to indicate from what ailment the +person is suffering. Some persons attain great proficiency in this +direction, and are a great assistance to wise physicians who avail +themselves of their services. Some successful physicians themselves +possess this faculty well developed, and use it to great advantage, +though, as a rule they keep very quiet about it, from fear of creating +unfavorable comment from their fellow-physicians and from the general +public who "do not believe in such tom-foolery."</p> + +<p>A step further is the power of some psychometrists to correctly describe +the personal characteristics, and even the past history of persons with +whom they come in contact, or whose "associated article" they have in +their hands. Some very remarkable instances of this phase of psychometry +are related in the books containing the history of clairvoyance. An +interesting case is that related by Zschokke, the eminent German writer, +who relates in his autobiography his wonderful experience in this +direction. Listen to the story in his own words: "It has happened to me +occasionally at the first meeting with a total stranger, when I have been +listening in silence to his conversation, that his past life up to the +present moment, with many minute circumstances belonging to one or other +particular scene in it, has come across me like a dream, but distinctly, +entirely involuntarily and unsought, occupying in duration a few minutes. +For a long time I was disposed to consider these fleeting visions as a +trick of the fancy—the more so as my dream-vision displayed to me the +dress and movements of the actors, the appearance of the room, the +furniture, and other accidents of the scene; till on one occasion, in a +gamesome mood, I narrated to my family the secret history of a seamstress +who had just quitted the room. I had never seen the person before. +Nevertheless, the hearers were astonished, and laughed and would not be +persuaded but that I had a previous acquaintance with the former life of +the person, inasmuch as what I had stated was perfectly true.</p> + +<p>"I was not less astonished to find that my dream vision agreed with +reality. I then gave more attention to the subject, and as often as +propriety allowed of it, I related to those whose lives had so passed +before me the substance of my dream-vision, to obtain from them its +contradiction or confirmation. On every occasion its confirmation +followed, not without amazement on the part of those who gave it. On a +certain fair-day I went into the town of Waldshut accompanied by two young +foresters, who are still alive. It was evening, and, tired with our walk, +we went into an inn called the 'Vine.' We took our supper with a numerous +company at the public table, when it happened that they made themselves +merry over the peculiarities of the Swiss in connection with the belief in +mesmerism, Lavater's physiognomical system, and the like. One of my +companions, whose national pride was touched by their raillery, begged me +to make some reply, particularly in answer to a young man of superior +appearance who sat opposite, and had indulged in unrestrained ridicule.</p> + +<p>"It happened that the events of this person's life had just previously +passed before my mind. I turned to him with the question whether he would +reply to me with truth and candor, if I narrated to him the most secret +passages of his history, he being as little known to me as I to him. That +would, I suggested, go something beyond Lavater's physiognomical skill. He +promised that if I told the truth he would admit it openly. Then I +narrated the events with which my dream vision had furnished me, and the +table learned the history of the young tradesman's life, of his school +years, his peccadilloes, and finally, of a little act of roguery committed +by him on the strongbox of his employer. I described the uninhabited room +with its white walls, where to the right of the brown door there had stood +upon the table the small money-chest, etc. The man, much struck, admitted +the correctness of each circumstance—even, which I could not expect, of +the last."</p> + +<p>The above incident is typical of this class of psychometry, and many +persons have had at least flashes of this phase of the power. The only +remarkable thing about this particular case is its faithfulness regarding +details—this shows a very fine development of the astral sense. The +feature that makes it psychometric, instead of pure clairvoyance, is that +the presence of the other person was necessary to produce the +phenomenon—a bit of clothing would probably have answered as well. +Zschokke does not seem to have been able to manifest time-clairvoyance +independent of the presence of the person concerned—he needs the +associated link, or loose end of the psychic ball of yarn.</p> + +<p>Next in order in the list of the phenomena of psychometry is that in which +the psychometrist is able to describe a distant scene by means of a bit +of mineral, plant, or similar object, once located at that place. In such +cases, the psychometrist gets en rapport with the distant scene by means +of the connecting link mentioned. Having obtained this, he is able to +relate the events that are happening on that scene at that particular +moment. Some very interesting cases are mentioned in which the +psychometrist has been able to "spy" in on a certain place, by means of +some small article which has recently been located in that place. For +instance I once gave a young psychometrist a penholder from the office of +a lawyer, a friend of mine, located about eight hundred miles from the +psychometrist. She gave a perfect picture of the interior of the office, +the scene across the street visible from the office window, and certain +events that were happening in the office at that moment, which were +verified by careful inquiry as to persons and time. Every occultist, or +investigator of psychic phenomena has experienced many cases of this kind.</p> + +<p>Another phase of psychometry is that in which the psychometer is able to +sense the conditions existing underground, by means of a piece of mineral +or metal which originally was located there. Some wonderful instances of +phychometric discernment of mines, etc., have been recorded. In this phase +of psychometry, all that is needed is a piece of the coal, mineral or +metal which has come from the mine. Following up this psychic "lead" the +psychometrist is able to describe the veins or strata of the surrounding +land, although they have not yet been uncovered or discovered.</p> + +<p>Still another form of psychometric discernment is that in which the +psychometrist gets en rapport with the past history of an object, or of +its surroundings, by means of the object itself. In this way, the +psychometrist holding in his hand, or pressing to his head, a bullet from +a battle field, is able to picture the battle itself. Or, given a piece of +ancient pottery or stone implement, the psychometrist is able to picture +the time and peoples connected with the object in the past—sometimes +after many centuries are past. I once handed a good psychometrist a bit of +ornament taken from an Egyptian mummy over three thousand years old. +Though the psychometrist did not know what the object was, or from whence +it had come, she was able to picture not only the scenes in which the +Egyptian had lived, but also the scenes connected with the manufacture of +the ornament, some three hundred years before that time—for it turned out +that the ornament itself was an antique when the Egyptian had acquired it. +In another case, I had the psychometrist describe in detail the animal +life, and the physical phenomena, of the age in which a fossil had existed +when alive—many thousands of years ago. In the proper place in this book, +I will explain just how it is possible to penetrate the secrets of the +past by psychometric vision—that is to say, the psychic laws making the +same possible.</p> + +<p>Some of the most remarkable of recorded instances of this form of +psychometry known to the Western world are those related in the works of a +geologist named Denton, who some fifty years ago conducted a series of +investigations into the phenomena of psychometry. His recorded experiments +fill several volumes. Being a geologist, he was able to select the best +subjects for the experiments, and also to verify and decide upon the +accuracy of the reports given by the psychometrists. His wife, herself, +was a gifted psychometrist, and it has been said of her, by good +authority, that "she is able, by putting a piece of matter (whatever be +its nature) to her head, to see, either with her eyes closed or open, all +that the piece of matter, figuratively speaking, ever saw, heard, or +experienced." The following examples will give a good idea of the Denton +experiments, which are typical of this class of psychometry.</p> + +<p>Dr. Denton gave the psychometrist a small fragment broken from a large +meteorite. She held it to her head, and reported: "This is curious. There +is nothing at all to be seen. I feel as if I were in the air. No, not in +the air either, but in nothing, no place. I am utterly unable to describe +it; it seems high, however I feel as though I were rising, and my eyes are +carried upwards; but I look around in vain; there is nothing to be seen. I +see clouds, now, but nothing else. They are so close to me that I seem to +be in them. My head, and neck and eyes are affected. My eyes are carried +up, and I cannot roll them down. Now the clouds appear lighter and +lighter, and look as though the sunlight would burst through them. As the +clouds separate, I can see a star or two, and then the moon instead of the +sun. The moon seems near, and looks coarse and rough, and paler and larger +in size than I ever saw it before. What a strange feeling comes over me! +It appears as if I were going right to the moon, and it looks as if the +moon were coming to me. It affects me terribly."</p> + +<p>Dr. Denton adds: "She was too much affected to continue the experiment +longer. Had this aerolite at some period of its history, come within the +sphere of the moon's attraction, and had its velocity so increased that +its augmented centrifugal force had carried it off into space again, +whence, drawn by the superior attractive force of the earth, it had fallen +and ended its career forever?"</p> + +<p>At another time, Dr. Denton tested the psychometrist with a whalebone +walking cane. She supposed it to be wood, but when she began to report her +psychic impressions, they came as follows: "I feel as though I were a +monster. There is nothing of a tree about it, and it is useless for me to +go further. I feel like vomiting. Now I want to plunge into the water. I +believe that I am going to have a fit. My jaws are large enough to take +down a house at a gulp. I now know what this is—it is whalebone. I see +the inside of the whale's mouth. It has no teeth. It has a slimy look, but +I only get a glimpse of it. Now, I see the whole animal. What an awful +looking creature."</p> + +<p>Another time, Dr. Denton gave the psychometrist a minute piece of the +enamel of the tooth of a mastodon, which had been found thirty feet below +the surface of the earth. The psychometrist had not the slightest +knowledge of the character of the tiny flake of enamel handed her, but +nevertheless reported: "My impression is that it is a part of some +monstrous animal, probably part of a tooth. I feel like a perfect monster, +with heavy legs, unwieldy head, and very large body. I go down to a +shallow stream to drink. I can hardly speak, my jaws are so heavy. I feel +like getting down on all fours. What a noise comes through the woods. I +have an impulse to answer it. My ears are very large and leathery, and I +can almost fancy they flap in my face as I move my head. There are some +older ones than I. It seems so out of keeping to be talking with these +heavy jaws. They are dark brown, as if they had been completely tanned. +There is one old fellow, with large tusks, that looks very tough. I see +several younger ones. In fact, there is a whole herd. My upper lip moves +curiously; I can flap it up. It seems strange to me how it is done. There +is a plant growing here, higher than my head. It is nearly as thick as my +wrist, very juicy, sweet, and tender—something like green corn in taste, +but sweeter. It is not the taste it would have to a human being—oh no! it +is sickenish, and very unpleasant to the human taste." These instances +might be multiplied indefinitely, but the principle is the same in each. +In my own experience, I gave a small piece from the Great Pyramid of Egypt +to a psychometrist who was uneducated and who knew nothing of ancient +Egypt or its history. Notwithstanding this, she gave me such a detailed +and complete account of the life of ancient Egypt, which was in such +complete accordance with the opinions of the best authorities, that I +would hesitate about publishing the report, for it certainly would be +regarded as rank imposture by the average scientific authority. Some day, +however, I may publish this.</p> + +<p>There are no special directions to be given the student in psychometry. +All that can be done is to suggest that each person should try the +experiments for himself, in order to find out whether he has, or has not, +the psychometric faculty. It may be developed by the methods that will be +given to develop all psychic powers, in another part of this book. But +much will depend upon actual practice and exercise. Take strange objects, +and, sitting in a quiet room with the object held to your forehead, shut +out all thoughts of the outside world, and forget all personal affairs. In +a short time, if the conditions are all right, you will begin to have +flashes of scenes connected with the history of the object. At first +rather disconnected and more or less confused, there will soon come to you +a clearing away of the scene, and the pictures will become quite plain. +Practice will develop the power. Practice only when alone, or when in the +presence of some sympathetic friend or friends. Always avoid discordant +and inharmonious company when practicing psychic powers. The best +psychometrists usually keep the physical eyes closed when practicing their +power.</p> + +<p>You have doubtless heard the sensing of sealed letters spoken of as +clairvoyance. But this is merely one form of psychometry. The letter is a +very good connecting medium in psychometric experiments. I advise you to +begin your experiments with old letters. You will be surprised to discover +how readily you will begin to receive psychic impressions from the +letters, either from the person who wrote them, or from the place in which +they were written, or from some one connected with the subsequent history. +One of the most interesting experiments I ever witnessed in psychometry, +was a case in which a letter that had been forwarded from place to place, +until it had gone completely around the globe, was psychometrized by a +young Hindu maiden. Although ignorant of the outside world, she was able +to picture the people and scenery of every part of the globe in which the +letter had traveled. Her report was really an interesting "travelogue" of +a trip around the world, given in tabloid form. You may obtain some +interesting results in psychometrizing old letters—but always be +conscientious about it, and refrain from divulging the secrets that will +become yours in the course of these experiments. Be honorable on the +astral plane, as well as on the physical—more so, rather than less.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonVII"></a><h2>LESSON VII.</h2> + +<p>CLAIRVOYANT CRYSTAL GAZING.</p> +<br /> + +<p>As I have informed you in the preceding lesson, Crystal Gazing is the +second method of getting en rapport with the astral plane. Under the +general term "Crystal Gazing" I include the entire body of phenomena +connected with the use of the crystal, magic mirror, etc., the underlying +principle being the same in all of such cases.</p> + +<p>The crystal, etc., serves to focus the psychic energy of the person, in +such a way that the astral senses are induced to function more readily +than ordinarily. The student is cautioned against regarding the crystal, +or magic mirror, as possessing any particular magic power in itself. On +the contrary, the crystal, or magic mirror serves merely as a physical +instrument for the astral vision, just as the telescope or microscope +performs a similar office for the physical vision. Some persons are +superstitious regarding the crystal, and accord to it some weird +supernatural power, but the true occultist, understanding the laws of the +phenomena arising from its use, does not fall into this error.</p> + +<p>But, notwithstanding what I have just said, I would be neglecting my full +duty in the matter if I failed to call your attention to the fact that the +continued use of a particular crystal often has the effect of polarizing +its molecules so as to render it a far more efficient instrument as time +passes by. The longer the crystal is used by one person, the better does +it seem to serve the uses of that person. I agree with many users of the +crystal in their belief that each person should keep his crystal for his +own personal use, and not allow it to be used indiscriminately by +strangers or persons not in sympathy with occult thought. The crystal +tends to become polarized according to the requirements of the person +habitually using it, and it is foolish to allow this to be interfered +with.</p> + +<p>The use of crystals and other bright, shining objects, has been common to +psychic investigators of all times, and in practically all lands. In the +earlier days of the race, pieces of clear quartz or shining pebbles were +generally employed. Sometimes pieces of polished metal were so used. In +fact, nearly every object capable of being polished has been employed in +this way at some time, by some person. In our own day, the same condition +exists. In Australia the native sooth-sayers and magicians employ water +and other shining objects, and, in some cases, even bright flame, sparks, +or glowing embers. In New Zealand, the natives frequently employ drops of +blood held in the hollow of the hand. The Fijians fill a hole with water, +and gaze into it. South American tribes use the polished surface of black, +or dark colored stones. The American Indians use water, or shining pieces +or flint or quartz. Shining pieces of metal are frequently used by the +primitive races. Lang, writing on the subject, has said: "They stare into +a crystal ball; a cup; a mirror; a blot of ink (Egypt and India); a drop +of blood (the Maoris of New Zealand); a bowl of water (American Indians); +a pond (Roman and African); water in a glass bowl (Fez); or almost any +polished surface, etc."</p> + +<p>In the present-day revival of interest in crystal-gazing among the +wealthier classes of Europe and America, some of the high-priced teachers +have insisted upon their pupils purchasing pure crystal globes, claiming +that these alone are capable of serving the purpose fully. But, as such +crystals are very expensive, this advice has prevented many from +experimenting. But, the advice is erroneous, for any globe of clear +quartz, or even moulded glass, will serve the purpose equally well, and +there is no need of spending twenty-five to fifty dollars for a pure +crystal globe.</p> + +<p>For that matter, you may obtain very good results from the use of a +watch-crystal laid over a piece of black velvet. Some, today, use with the +best effect small polished pieces of silver or other bright metal. Others +follow the old plan of using a large drop of ink, poured into a small +butter plate. Some have small cups painted black on the inside, into which +they pour water—and obtain excellent results therefrom.</p> + +<p>Above all, I caution the student to pay no attention to instructions +regarding the necessity of performing incantations or ceremonies over the +crystal or other object employed in crystal-gazing. This is but a bit of +idle superstition, and serves no useful purpose except, possibly, that of +giving the person confidence in the thing. All ceremonies of this kind +have for their purpose merely the holding of the attention of the person +investigating, and giving him confidence in-the result—the latter having +a decided psychological value, of course.</p> + +<p>There are but few general directions necessary for the person wishing to +experiment in crystal gazing. The principal thing is to maintain quiet, +and an earnest, serious state of mind—do not make a merry game of it, if +you wish to obtain results. Again, always have the light behind your back, +instead of facing you. Gaze calmly at the crystal, but do not strain your +eyes. Do not try to avoid winking your eyes—there is a difference between +"gazing" and "staring," remember. Some good authorities advise making +funnels of the hands, and using them as you would a pair of opera glasses.</p> + +<p>In many cases, a number of trials are required before you will be able to +get good results. In others, at least some results are obtained at the +first trial. It is a good plan to try to bring into vision something that +you have already seen with the physical eyes—some familiar object. The +first sign of actual psychic seeing in the crystal usually appears as a +cloudy appearance, or "milky-mist," the crystal gradually losing its +transparency. In this milky cloud then gradually appears a form, or face, +or scene of some kind, more or less plainly defined. If you have ever +developed a photographic film or plate, you will know how the picture +gradually comes into view.</p> + +<p>W.T. Stead, the eminent English investigator of psychic phenomena, has +written as follows regarding the phenomena of crystal-gazing: "There are +some persons who cannot look into an ordinary globular bottle without +seeing pictures form themselves without any effort or will on their part, +in the crystal globe. Crystal-gazing seems to be the least dangerous and +most simple of all forms of experimenting. You simply look into a crystal +globe the size of a five-shilling piece, or a water-bottle which is full +of clear water, and which is placed so that too much light does not fall +upon it, and then simply look at it. You make no incantations, and engage +in no mumbo-jumbo business; you simply look at it for two or three +minutes, taking care not to tire yourself, winking as much as you please, +but fixing your thought upon whatever you wish to see. Then, if you have +the faculty, the glass will cloud over with a milky mist, and in the +centre the image is gradually precipitated in just the same way as a +photograph forms on the sensitive plate."</p> + +<p>The same authority relates the following interesting experiment with the +crystal: "Miss X., upon looking into the crystal on two occasions as a +test, to see if she could see me when she was several miles off, saw not +me, but a different friend of mine on each occasion. She had never seen +either of my friends before, but immediately identified them both on +seeing them afterward at my office. On one of the evenings on which we +experimented in the vain attempts to photograph a 'double,' I dined with +Madam C. and her friend at a neighboring restaurant. As she glanced at the +water-bottle, Madam C. saw a picture beginning to form, and, looking at it +from curiosity, described with considerable detail an elderly gentleman +whom she had never seen before, and whom I did not in the least recognize +from her description at the moment. Three hours afterward, when the seance +was over, Madam C., entered the room and recognized Mr. Elliott, of +Messrs. Elliott & Fry, as the gentleman whom she had seen and described in +the water-bottle at the restaurant. On another occasion the picture was +less agreeable; it was an old man lying dead in bed with some one weeping +at his feet; but who it was, or what it related to, no one knew."</p> + +<p>Andrew Lang, another prominent investigator of psychic phenomena, gives +the following interesting experiment in crystal-gazing: "I had given a +glass ball to a young lady, Miss Baillie, who had scarcely any success +with it. She lent it to Miss Leslie, who saw a large, square, +old-fashioned red sofa covered with muslin (which she, afterward found in +the next country-house she visited). Miss Baillie's brother, a young +athlete, laughed at these experiments, took the ball into his study, and +came back looking 'gey gash.' He admitted that he had seen a +vision—somebody he knew, under a lamp. He said that he would discover +during the week whether or not he had seen right. This was at 5:30 on a +Sunday afternoon. On Tuesday, Mr. Baillie was at a dance in a town forty +miles from his home, and met a Miss Preston. 'On Sunday,' he said, 'about +half-past-five, you were sitting under a standard lamp, in a dress I never +saw you wear, a blue blouse with lace over the shoulders, pouring out tea +for a man in blue serge, whose back was toward me, so that I only saw the +tip of his mustache.' 'Why, the blinds must have been up,' said Miss +Preston. 'I was at Dulby,' said Mr. Baillie, and he undeniably was."</p> + +<p>Miss X., the well-known contributor to the English magazine, "Borderland," +several years ago, made a somewhat extended inquiry into the phenomena of +crystal-gazing. From her experiments, she made the following +classification of the phenomena of crystal-vision, which I herewith +reproduce for your benefit. Her classification is as follows:</p> + +<p>1. Images of something unconsciously observed. New reproductions, +voluntary or spontaneous, and bringing no fresh knowledge to the mind.</p> + +<p>2. Images of ideas unconsciously acquired from others. Some memory or +imaginative effect, which does not come from the gazer's ordinary self. +Revivals of memory. Illustrations of thought.</p> + +<p>3. Images, clairvoyant or prophetic. Pictures giving information as to +something past, present, or future, which the gazer has no other chance of +knowing.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, each and every form or phase of clairvoyance possible +under other methods of inducing clairvoyant vision, is possible in +crystal-gazing. It is a mistake to consider crystal-gazing as a separate +and distinct form of psychic phenomena. Crystal-gazing is merely one +particular form or method of inducing psychic or clairvoyant vision. If +you will keep this in mind, you will avoid many common errors and +misunderstandings in the matter.</p> + +<p>In order to give you the benefit of as many points of view as possible, I +shall now quote from an old English writer on the subject of the use of +the crystal. I do this realizing that sometimes a particular student will +get more from one point of view, than from another—some particular +phrasing will seem to reach his understanding, where others fail. The +directions of the English authority are as follows:</p> + +<p>"What is desired through the regular use of the translucent sphere is to +cultivate a personal degree of clairvoyant power, so that visions of +things or events, past, present, and future, may appear clearly to the +interior vision, or eye of the soul. In the pursuit of this effort only, +the crystal becomes at once both a beautiful, interesting and harmless +channel of pleasure and instruction, shorn of dangers, and rendered +conducive to mental development.</p> + +<p>"To the attainment of this desirable end, attention is asked to the +following practical directions, which, if carefully followed, will lead to +success:</p> + +<p>"(1) Select a quiet room where you will be entirely undisturbed, taking +care that it is as far as possible free from mirrors, ornaments, +pictures, glaring colors, and the like, which may otherwise district the +attention. The room should be of comfortable temperature, in accordance +with the time of year, neither hot nor cold. About 60 to 65 deg. Fahr. is +suitable in most cases, though allowance can be made where necessary for +natural differences in the temperaments of various persons. Thus thin, +nervous, delicately-organized individuals, and those of lymphatic and +soft, easy-going, passive types, require a slightly warmer apartment than +the more positive class who are known by their dark eyes, hair and +complexion, combined with prominent joints. Should a fire, or any form of +artificial light be necessary, it should be well screened off, so as to +prevent the light rays from being reflected in, or in any manner directly +reaching the crystal. The room should not be dark, but rather shadowed, or +charged with a dull light, somewhat such as prevails on a cloudy or wet +day.</p> + +<p>"(2) The crystal should be placed on its stand on a table, or it may rest +on a black velvet cushion, but in either case it should be partially +surrounded by a black silk or similar wrap or screen, so adjusted as to +cut off any undesirable reflection. Before beginning to experiment, +remember that most frequently nothing will be seen on the first occasion, +and possibly not for several sittings; though some sitters, if strongly +gifted with psychic powers in a state of unconscious, and sometimes +conscious degree of unfoldment, may be fortunate enough to obtain good +results at the very first trial. If, therefore, nothing is perceived +during the first few attempts, do not despair or become impatient, or +imagine that you will never see anything. There is a royal road to crystal +vision, but it is open only to the combined password of Calmness, +Patience, and Perseverance. If at the first attempt to ride a bicycle, +failure ensues, the only way to learn is to pay attention to the necessary +rules, and to persevere daily until the ability to ride comes naturally. +Thus it is with the would-be seer. Persevere in accordance with these +simple directions, and success will sooner or later crown your efforts.</p> + +<p>"(3) Commence by sitting comfortably with the eyes fixed upon the crystal, +not by a fierce stare, but with a steady, calm gaze, for ten minutes only, +on the first occasion. In taking the time it is best to hang your watch at +a distance, where, while the face is clearly visible, the ticking is +rendered inaudible. When the time is up, carefully put the crystal away in +its case, and keep it in a dark place, under lock and key, allowing no one +but yourself to handle it. At the second sitting, which should be at the +same place, in the same position, and at the same time, you may increase +the length of the effort to fifteen minutes, and continue for this period +during the next five or six sittings, after which the time may be +gradually increased, but should in no case exceed one hour. The precise +order of repetition is always to be followed until the experimenter has +developed an almost automatic ability to readily obtain results, when it +needs no longer to be adhered to.</p> + +<p>"(4) Any person, or persons, admitted to the room, and allowed to remain +while you sit, should (a) keep absolute silence, and (b) remain seated at +a distance from you. When you have developed your latent powers, questions +may, of course, be put to you by one of those present, but even then in a +very gentle, or low and slow tone of voice; never suddenly, or in a +forceful manner.</p> + +<p>"(5) When you find the crystal begins to look dull or cloudy, with small +pin-points of light glittering therein, like tiny stars, you may know that +you are commencing to obtain that for which you seek—viz., crystalline +vision. Therefore, persevere with confidence. This condition may, or may +not, continue for several sittings, the crystal seeming at times to +alternately appear and disappear, as in a mist. By and by this hazy +appearance, in its turn, will give place quite suddenly to a blindness of +the senses to all else but a blue or bluish ocean of space, against which, +as if it were a background, the vision will be clearly apparent.</p> + +<p>"(6) The crystal should not be used soon after taking a meal, and care +should be taken in matters of diet to partake only of digestible foods, +and to avoid alcoholic beverages. Plain and nourishing food, and outdoor +exercise, with contentment of mind, or love of simplicity in living, are +great aids to success. Mental anxiety, or ill-health, are not conducive to +the desired end. Attention to correct, breathing is of importance.</p> + +<p>"(7) As regards the time at which events seen will come to pass, each seer +is usually impressed with regard thereto; but, as a general rule, visions +appearing in the extreme background indicate time more remote, either past +or future, than those perceived nearer at hand, while those appearing in +the foreground, or closer to the seer, denote the present or immediate +future.</p> + +<p>"(8) Two principal classes of vision will present themselves to the +sitter—(a) the Symbolic, indicated by the appearance of symbols such as a +flag, boat, knife, gold, etc., and (b) Actual Scenes and Personages, in +action or otherwise. Persons of a positive type of organization, the more +active, excitable, yet decided type, are most likely to perceive +symbolically, or allegorically; while those of a passive nature usually +receive direct or literal revelations. Both classes will find it necessary +to carefully cultivate truthfulness, unselfishness, gratitude for what is +shown, and absolute confidence in the love, wisdom, and guidance of God +Himself."</p> + +<p>As the student proceeds with the study of these lessons, he will become +acquainted with various details and methods concerned with the various +phases of clairvoyance, which knowledge he may then combine with the +above, the whole aiding him in the successful manifestation of the psychic +phenomena of crystal-gazing, which, as I have said, is merely one phase of +clairvoyance and under the same general laws and rules of manifestation. +Remember that present, past and future clairvoyance all is possible to +the highly developed crystal gazer.</p> + +<p>THE ASTRAL TUBE. Closely allied with the phenomena of crystal-gazing, +and that of psychometry, is that which occultists know as "the astral +tube," although this psychic channel may be developed in ordinary +clairvoyance by means of the power of concentrated attention, etc. I shall +not enter into a detailed or technical discussion of the astral tube, at +this place, but I wish to give you a general and comprehensive view of it +and its workings.</p> + +<p>In case of the strong concentration of the mind, in cases of psychometry +or crystal-gazing, a channel or "line of force" is set up in the astral +substance which composes the basis of the astral plane. This is like the +wake of a ship made on the surface of the water through which the ship has +passed. Or it is like a current of magnetic force in the ether. It is +caused by a polarization of the particles composing the astral substance, +which manifest in a current of intense vibrations in the astral substance, +which thus serve as a ready channel for the transmission of psychic force +or astral energy.</p> + +<p>The astral tube serves as a ready conductor of the vibrations, currents +and waves of energy on the astral plane which carry to the astral senses +of the person the perception of the things, objects and scenes far removed +from him in space and time. How these things far removed in space and time +are perceived by the astral seer is explained in subsequent lessons of +this course. At this place we are concerned merely with the "channel" +through which the currents of energy flow, and which has been called the +astral tube.</p> + +<p>As a writer well says: "Through the astral tube the astral senses actually +'sense' the sights, and often the sounds, being manifested at a distance, +just as one may see distant sights through a telescope, or hear distant +sounds through a telephone. The astral tube is used in a variety of forms +of psychic phenomena. It is often used unconsciously, and springs into +existence spontaneously, under the strong influence of a vivid emotion, +desire or will. It is used by the trained psychometrist, without the use +of any 'starting point,' or 'focal centre,' simply by the use of his +trained, developed and concentrated will. But its most familiar and common +use is in connection with some object serving as a starting point or focal +centre. The starting point or focal centre, above mentioned, is generally +either what is known as the 'associated object' in the class of phenomena +generally known as psychometry, or else a glass or crystal ball, or +similar polished surface, in what is known as crystal-gazing."</p> + +<p>Another authority tells his readers that: "Astral sight, when it is +cramped by being directed along what is practically a tube, is limited +very much as physical sight would be under similar circumstances, though +if possessed in perfection it will continue to show, even at that +distance, the auras, and therefore all the emotions and most of the +thoughts of the people under observation. * * * But, it may be said, the +mere fact that he is using astral sight ought to enable him to see things +from all sides at once. And so it would, if he were using that sight in a +normal way upon an object which was fairly near him—within his astral +reach, as it were; but at a distance of hundreds or thousands of miles the +case is very different. Astral sight gives us the advantage of an +additional dimension, but there is still such a thing as position in that +dimension, and it is naturally a potent factor in limiting the use of the +powers on that plane. * * * The limitations resemble those of a man using +a telescope on the physical plane. The experimenter, for example, has a +particular field of view which cannot be enlarged or altered; he is +looking at his scene from a certain direction, and he cannot suddenly turn +it all around and see how it looks from the other side. If he has +sufficient psychic energy to spare, he may drop altogether the telescope +he is using, and manufacture an entirely new one for himself which will +approach his objective somewhat differently; but this is not a course at +all likely to be adopted in practice."</p> + +<p>The student will find that, as we progress, many of these points which now +seem complicated and obscure will gradually take on the aspect of +simplicity and clearness. We must crawl before we can walk, in psychic +research as well as in everything else.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonVIII"></a><h2>LESSON VIII.</h2> + +<p>CLAIRVOYANT REVERIE.</p> +<br /> + +<p>In the preceding two chapters, I have asked you to consider the first two +methods of inducing the clairvoyant phenomena, namely, Psychometry, and +Crystal-Gazing, respectively. In these cases you have seen how the +clairvoyant gets en rapport with the astral plane by means of physical +objects, in the case of psychometric clairvoyance; or by means of a +shining object, in the case of crystal gazing. Let us now consider the +third method of inducing the clairvoyant condition or state, i.e., by +means of what may be called Clairvoyant Reverie, in which the clairvoyant +gets en rapport with the astral plane by means of psychic states in which +the sights, sounds and thoughts of the material and physical plane are +shut out of consciousness.</p> + +<p>The student of the general subject of clairvoyance will soon be impressed +with two facts concerning the production of clairvoyant phenomena, namely, +(1) that in the majority of the recorded cases of the investigators the +clairvoyant phenomena were obtained when the clairvoyant was in the state +of sleep, or at least semi-sleep or drowsiness, the visioning appearing +more or less like a vivid dream; and (2) that in the case of the +clairvoyant voluntarily entering en rapport with the astral plane, he or +she would enter into what seemed to be a kind of trance condition, in some +cases an absolute unconsciousness of the outside world being manifested. +The student, noting these facts, is apt to arrive at the conclusion that +all clairvoyance is accompanied by the condition of sleep, or trance, and +that no clairvoyant phenomena are possible unless this psychic condition +is first obtained. But this is only a half-truth as we shall see in a +moment.</p> + +<p>In the first place, the student arriving at this conclusion seems to have +ignored the fact that the phenomena of psychometry and crystal gazing, +respectively, are as true instances of clairvoyance as are those which are +manifested in the sleep or trance condition. It is true that some +psychometrists produce phenomena when they are in a state of psychic +quiescence, but, on the other hand, many clairvoyant psychometrists merely +concentrate the attention on the object before them, and remain perfectly +wide-awake and conscious on the physical plane. Likewise, the average +crystal gazer remains perfectly wide-awake and conscious on the physical +plane. When the student takes these facts into consideration, he begins to +see that the trance condition, and similar psychic states, are simply +particular methods of inducing the en rapport condition for the +clairvoyant, and are not inseparably bound up with the phenomena of +clairvoyance.</p> + +<p>As the student progresses, moreover, he will see that even in the case of +Clairvoyant Reverie, the third method of inducing the astral en rapport +condition, the clairvoyant does not always lose consciousness. In the case +of many advanced and exceptionally well-developed clairvoyants, no trance +or sleep condition is induced. In such cases the clairvoyant merely "shuts +out" the outside world of sights, sounds and thoughts, by an effort of +trained will, and then concentrates steadily on the phenomena of the +astral plane. For that matter, the skilled and advanced occultist is able +to function on the astral plane by simply shifting his consciousness from +one plane to another, as the typist shifts from the small letters of the +keyboard to the capital letters, by a mere pressure on the shift-key of +the typewriter.</p> + +<p>The only reason that many clairvoyants manifesting along the lines of the +third method, known as "clairvoyant reverie," fall into the trance or +sleep condition, is that they have not as yet acquired the rare art of +controlling their conscious attention at will—this is something that +requires great practice. They find it easier to drop into the condition of +semi-trance, or semi-sleep, than it is to deliberately shut out the outer +world by an act of pure will. Moreover, you will find that in the majority +of the recorded cases of the investigators, the clairvoyance was more or +less spontaneous on the part of the clairvoyant person, and was not +produced by an act of will. As we proceed to consider the various forms +and phases of clairvoyant phenomena, in these lessons, you will notice +this fact. There are but few recorded cases of voluntary clairvoyance in +the books of the investigators—the skilled clairvoyants, and more +particularly the advanced occultists, avoid the investigators rather than +seek them; they have no desire to be reported as "typical cases" of +interesting psychic phenomena—they leave that to the amateurs, and those +to whom the phenomena come as a wonderful revelation akin to a miracle. +This accounts for the apparent predominance of this form of +clairvoyance—the secret is that the net of the investigators has caught +only a certain kind of psychic fish, while the others escape attention.</p> + +<p>All this would be of no practical importance, however, were it not for the +fact that the average student is so impressed by the fact that he must +learn to induce the trance condition in order to manifest clairvoyant +phenomena, that he does not even think of attempting to do the work +otherwise. The power of auto-suggestion operates here, as you will see by +a moment's thought, and erects an obstacle to his advance along voluntary +lines. More than this, this mistaken idea tends to encourage the student +to cultivate the trance condition, or at least some abnormal psychic +condition, by artificial means. I am positively opposed to the inducing of +psychic conditions by artificial means, for I consider such practices most +injurious and harmful for the person using such methods. Outside of +anything else, it tends to render the person negative, psychically, +instead of positive—it tends to make him or her subject to the psychic +influence of others, on both the physical and astral plane, instead of +retaining his or her own self-control and mastery.</p> + +<p>The best authorities among the occultists instruct their pupils that the +state of clairvoyant reverie may be safely and effectively induced by the +practice of mental concentration alone. They advice positively against +artificial methods. A little common sense will show that they are right in +this matter. All that is needed is that the consciousness shall be focused +to a point—become "one pointed" as the Hindu Yogis say. The intelligent +practice of concentration accomplishes this, without the necessity of any +artificial methods of development, or the induction of abnormal psychic +states.</p> + +<p>If you will stop a moment and realize how easily you concentrate your +attention when you are witnessing an interesting play, or listening to a +beautiful rendition of some great masterpiece of musical composition, or +gazing at some miracle of art, you will see what I mean. In the cases just +mentioned, while your attention is completely occupied with the +interesting thing before you, so that you have almost completely shut out +the outer world of sound, sight and thought, you are, nevertheless, +perfectly wide awake and your consciousness is alert. The same thing is +true when you are reading a very interesting book—the world is shut out +from your consciousness, and you are oblivious to the sights and sounds +around you. At the risk of being considered flippant, I would remind you +of the common spectacle of two lovers so wrapped up in each other's +company that they forget that there is a smiling world of people around +them—time and space are forgotten to the two lovers—to them there is +only one world, with but two persons in it. Again, how often have you +fallen into what is known as a "brown study," or "day dream," in which you +have been so occupied with the thoughts and fancies floating through your +mind, that you forgot all else. Well, then, this will give you a +common-sense idea of the state that the occultists teach may be induced in +order to enter into the state of en rapport with the astral plane—the +state in which clairvoyance is possible. Whether you are seeking +clairvoyance by the method of psychometry, or by crystal gazing, or by +clairvoyant reverie—this will give you the key to the state. It is a +perfectly natural state—nothing abnormal about it, you will notice.</p> + +<p>To some who may think that I am laying too much stress on the +undesirability of artificial methods of inducing the clairvoyant +condition, I would say that they are probably not aware of the erroneous +and often harmful teachings on the subject that are being promulgated by +ignorant or misinformed teachers—"a little learning is a dangerous +thing," in many cases. It may surprise some of my students to learn that +some of this class of teachers are instructing their pupils to practice +methods of self-hypnosis by gazing steadily at a bright object until they +fall unconscious; or by gazing "cross eyed" at the tip of the nose, or at +an object held between the two eyebrows. These are familiar methods of +certain schools of hypnotism, and result in producing a state of +artificial hypnosis, more or less deep. Such a state is most undesirable, +not only by reason of its immediate effects, but also by reason of the +fact that it often results in a condition of abnormal sensitiveness to the +will of others, or even to the thoughts and feelings of others, on both +the astral and the physical planes of life. I emphatically warn my +students against any such practices, or anything resembling them.</p> + +<p>While I dislike to dwell on the subject, I feel that I should call the +attention of my students to the fact that certain teachers seek to produce +the abnormal psychic condition by means of exhausting breathing exercises, +which make the person dizzy and sleepy. This is all wrong. While rhythmic +breathing exercises have a certain value in psychic phenomena, and are +harmless when properly practiced, nevertheless such practices as those to +which I have alluded are harmful to the nervous system of the person, and +also tend to induce undesirable psychic conditions. Again, some teachers +have sought to have their students hold their breath for comparatively +long periods of time in order to bring about abnormal psychic states. The +slightest knowledge of physiology informs one that such a practice must be +harmful; it causes the blood to become thick and impure, and deficient in +oxygen. It certainly will produce a kind of drowsiness, for the same +reason that impure air in a room will do the same thing—in both cases the +blood stream is poisoned and made impure. The purpose of rational and +normal breathing is to obviate just this thing—so these teachers are +reversing a natural law of the body, in order to produce an abnormal +psychic state. With all the energy in me, I caution you against this kind +of thing.</p> + +<p>Along the same line, I protest and warn you against the practices advised +by certain teachers of "psychic development," who seek to have their +pupils induce abnormal physical and psychic conditions by means of drugs, +odor of certain chemicals, gases, etc. Such practices, as all true +occultists know, belong to the clans of the Black Magicians, or devil +worshippers, of the savage races—they have no place in true occult +teachings. Common sense alone should warn persons away from such +things—but it seems to fail some of them. I assert without fear of +intelligent contradiction, that no true occultist ever countenances any +such practices as these.</p> + +<p>All the true teachers are vigorous in their denunciation of such false +teachings and harmful practices. In this same category, I place the +methods which are taught by certain persons, namely, that of inducing +abnormal physical and psychic condition of giddiness and haziness by means +of "whirling" around in a circle until one drops from giddiness, or until +one "feels queer in the head." This is a revival of the practices of +certain fanatics in Persia and India, who perform it as a religious rite +until they fall into what they consider a "holy sleep," but which is +nothing more than an abnormal and unhealthful physical and psychic +condition. Such practices are a downward step, not an upward one. It seems +a pity that the necessity has arisen for such warnings as these—but my +duty, as I see it, is very plain. To all who are tempted to "develop" in +this way, I say, positively, "DON'T!"</p> + +<p>The scientific, rational way to develop the astral senses is to first +acquire the art of concentrating. Bear in mind that in concentration the +person, while shutting out the impressions of the outside world in +general, nevertheless focuses and concentrates his attention upon the one +matter before him. This is quite a different thing from making oneself +sensitive to every current of thought and feeling that may be in the +psychic atmosphere. True concentration renders one positive, while the +other methods render one negative. Contrary to the common opinion, psychic +concentration is a positive state, not a negative—an active state, not a +passive one. The person who is able to concentrate strongly is a master, +while one who opens himself to "control," either physical or astral, is +more or less of a slave to other minds.</p> + +<p>The student who will begin by experimenting along the lines of contact +mind-reading, and who then advances along the lines of true telepathy, as +explained in the earlier chapters of this book, will have made a good +start, and considerable progress, along the road to clairvoyant +development. The rest will be largely a matter of exercise and practice. +He will be aided by practicing concentration along the general lines of +the best occult teaching. Such practice may consist of concentration upon +almost any physical object, keeping the thing well before the mind and +attention. Do not tire the attention by practicing too long at one time. +The following general rules will help you in developing concentration:</p> + +<p>(1) The attention attaches more readily to interesting rather than +uninteresting things. Therefore, select some interesting thing to study +and analyze by concentrated thought.</p> + +<p>(2) The attention will decline in strength unless there is a variation in +the stimulus. Therefore, keep up the power of concentration by either +changing the object you are observing; or else by discovering some new +properties, qualities or attributes in it.</p> + +<p>(3) The things you wish to shut out of consciousness can best be shut out +by your concentration upon some other thing—the attention can dwell only +upon one thing at a time, if focused upon that one thing.</p> + +<p>(4) The power of applying your attention, steady and undissipated, to a +single object, is a mark of strong will and superior mental +discipline—weak-minds cannot do this. Therefore, in cultivating +concentrated attention you are really strengthening your mind and will.</p> + +<p>(5) To develop concentrated attention, you must learn to analyze, analyze, +and analyze the thing upon which you are bestowing concentrated attention. +Therefore, proceed by selecting an object and analyzing it by concentrated +attention, taking one part after another, one by one, until you have +analyzed and mastered the whole object. Give it the same attention that +the lover gives his loved one; the musician his favorite composition; the +artist his favorite work of art; and the booklover his favorite book—when +you have accomplished this, you have mastered concentration, and will be +able to apply the mind "one pointed" upon anything you wish, physical or +astral; and, consequently will have no trouble in shutting-out disturbing +impressions.</p> + +<p>(6) Learn to concentrate on the physical plane, and you will be able to +concentrate on the astral plane as well. By the one who has mastered +concentration, trances and abnormal psychic states will not be needed. The +needle-pointed mind is able to pierce the astral veil at will, while the +blunt-pointed mind is resisted and defeated by the astral envelope, which +while thin is very tough and unyielding.</p> + +<p>A well-known authority on psychic development has well said: "Occasional +flashes of clairvoyance sometimes come to the highly cultured and +spiritual-minded man, even though he may never have heard of the +possibility of training such a faculty. In his case such glimpses usually +signify that he is approaching that stage in his evolution when these +powers will naturally begin to manifest themselves. Their appearance +should serve as an additional stimulus to him to strive to maintain that +high standard of moral purity and mental balance without which +clairvoyance is a curse and not a blessing to its possessor. Between those +who are entirely unimpressionable and those who are in full possession of +clairvoyant power, there are many intermediate stages. Students often ask +how this clairvoyant faculty will first be manifested in themselves—how +they may know when they have reached the stage at which its first faint +foreshadowings are beginning to be visible. Cases differ so widely that it +is impossible to give to this question any answer that will be universally +applicable.</p> + +<p>"Some people begin by a plunge, as it were, and under some unusual +stimulus become able just for once to see some striking vision; and very +often in such a case, because the experience does not repeat itself, the +seer comes in time to believe that on that occasion he must have been the +victim of hallucination. Others begin by becoming intermittently conscious +of the brilliant colors and vibrations of the human aura; yet others find +themselves with increasing frequency seeing and hearing something to which +those around them are blind and deaf; others, again, see faces, +landscapes, or colored clouds floating before their eyes in the dark +before they sink to rest; while perhaps the commonest experience of all is +that of those who begin to recollect with greater and greater clearness +what they have seen and heard on other planes during sleep."</p> + +<p>The authority in question gives the following excellent advice regarding +the subject of the development of clairvoyant power and astral visioning: +"Now the fact is that there are many methods by which it may be developed, +but only one which can be at all safely recommended for general use—that +of which we shall speak last of all. Among the less advanced nations of +the world the clairvoyant state has been produced in various objectionable +ways; among some of the non-Aryan tribes of India, by the use of +intoxicating drugs or the inhaling of stupefying fumes; among the +dervishes, by whirling in a mad dance of religious fervor until vertigo +and insensibility supervene; among the followers of the abominable +practices of the Voodoo cult, by frightful sacrifices and loathsome rites +of black magic. Methods such as these are happily not in vogue in our own +race, yet even among us large numbers of dabblers in this ancient art +adopt some plan of self-hypnotization, such as gazing at a bright spot, or +the repetition of some formula until a condition of semi-stupefaction is +produced; while yet another school among them would endeavor to arrive at +similar results by the use of some of the Indian systems of regulation of +the breath. All these methods are unequivocally to be condemned as quite +unsafe for the practice of the ordinary man who has no idea of what he is +doing—who is simply making vague experiments in an unknown world. Even +the method of obtaining clairvoyance by allowing oneself to be mesmerized +by another person is one from which I should myself shrink with the most +decided distaste; and assuredly it should never be attempted except under +conditions of absolute trust and affection between the magnetizer and the +magnetized, and a perfection of purity in heart and soul, in mind and +intention, such as is rarely to be seen among any but the greatest of +saints.</p> + +<p>"Yet there is one practice which is advised by all religions alike—which +if adopted carefully and reverently can do no harm to any human being, yet +from which a very pure type of clairvoyance has sometimes been developed; +and that is the practice of meditation. Let a man choose a certain time +every day—a time when he can rely upon being quiet and undisturbed, +though preferably in the daytime rather than at night—and set himself at +that time to keep his mind for a few minutes entirely free from all +earthly thoughts of any kind whatever, and, when that is achieved, to +direct the whole force of his being towards the highest ideal that he +happens to know. He will find that to gain such perfect control of thought +is enormously more difficult than he supposes, but when he attains it it +cannot but be in every way most beneficial to him, and as he grows more +and more able to elevate and concentrate his thought, he may gradually +find that new worlds are opening before his sight. As a preliminary +training towards the satisfactory achievement of such meditation, he will +find it desirable to make a practice of concentration in the affairs of +daily life—even in the smallest of them. If he writes a letter, let him +think of nothing else but that letter until it is finished; if he reads a +book, let him see to it that his thought is never allowed to wander from +his author's meaning. He must learn to hold his mind in check, and to be +master of that also, as well as of his lower passions; he must patiently +labor to acquire absolute control of his thoughts, so that he will always +know exactly what he is thinking about, and why—so that he can use his +mind, and turn it or hold it still, as a practiced swordsman turns his +weapon where he will."</p> + +<p>I have given the above full quotation from this authority, not merely +because that from another angle he states the same general principles as +do I; but also because his personal experience in actual clairvoyant +phenomena is so extended and varied that any word from him on the subject +of the development of clairvoyant power must have a value of its own. +While I differ from this authority on some points of detail of theory and +practice, nevertheless I gladly testify to the soundness of his views as +above quoted, and pass them on to my students for careful consideration +and attention. The student will do well to heed what he has to say, and to +combine such opinion with what I have uttered in the earlier part of this +chapter—there will be found a close agreement in principle and practice.</p> + +<p>And, now let us pass on to a consideration of the various forms and phases +of the clairvoyant phenomena itself. The subject is fascinating, and I am +sure that you will enjoy this little excursion into the strange realm of +thought regarding the astral phenomena of clairvoyance. But, be sure to +master each lesson before proceeding to the rest, as otherwise you will +have to turn back the leaves of the course in order to pick up some point +of teaching that you have neglected.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonIX"></a><h2>LESSON IX.</h2> + +<p>SIMPLE CLAIRVOYANCE.</p> +<br /> + +<p>In a previous chapter we have seen that there are three well-defined +classes of clairvoyance, namely, (1) Simple clairvoyance; (2) Clairvoyance +in space; and (3) Clairvoyance in Time. I shall now consider these in +sequence, beginning with the first, Simple Clairvoyance.</p> + +<p>In simple clairvoyance the clairvoyant person merely senses the auric +emanations of other persons, such as the auric vibrations, colors, etc., +currents of thought vibrations, etc., but does not see events or scenes +removed in space or time from the observer. There are other phenomena +peculiar to this class of clairvoyance which I shall note as we progress +with this chapter.</p> + +<p>An authority on the subject of astral phenomena has written interestingly, +as follows, regarding some of the phases of simple clairvoyance: "When we +come to consider the additional facilities which it offers in the +observation of animate objects, we see still more clearly the advantages +of astral vision. It exhibits to the clairvoyant the aura of plants and +animals, and thus in the case of the latter their desires and emotions, +and whatever thoughts they may have, are all plainly shown before his +eyes. But it is in dealing with human beings that he will most appreciate +the value of this faculty, for he will often be able to help them far more +effectually when he guides himself by the information which it gives him.</p> + +<p>"He will be able to see the aura as far up as the astral body, and though +that leaves all the higher part of a man still hidden from his gaze, he +will nevertheless find it possible by careful observation to learn a good +deal about the higher part from what is within his reach. His capacity of +examination of the etheric double will give him considerable advantage in +locating and classifying any defects or diseases of the nervous system, +while from the appearance of the astral body he will at once be aware of +all the emotions, passions, desires and tendencies of the man before him, +and even of very many of his thoughts also.</p> + +<p>"As he looks at a person he will see him surrounded by the luminous mist +of the astral aura, flashing with all sorts of brilliant colors, and +constantly changing in hue and brilliancy with every variation of the +person's thoughts and feelings. He will see this aura flooded with the +beautiful rose-color of pure affection, the rich blue of devotional +feeling, the hard, dull brown of selfishness, the deep scarlet of anger, +the horrible lurid red of sensuality, the livid grey of fear, the black +clouds of hatred and malice, or any of the other hundredfold indications +so easily to be read in it by the practiced eye; and thus it will be +impossible for any persons to conceal from him the real state of their +feelings on any subject. Not only does the astral aura show him the +temporary result of the emotion passing through it at the moment, but it +also gives him, by an arrangement and proportion of its colors when in a +condition of comparative rest, a clue to the general disposition and +character of its owner."</p> + +<p>By simple clairvoyance in a certain stage of development the clairvoyant +person is able to sense the presence of the human aura, by means of his +astral sight. The human aura, as all students of occultism know, is that +peculiar emanation of astral vibrations that extends from each living +human being, surrounding him in an egg-shaped form for a distance of two +to three feet on all sides. This peculiar nebulous envelope is not visible +to the physical sight, and may be discerned only by means of the astral +senses. It, however, may be dimly "felt" by many persons coming into the +presence of other persons, and constitutes a personal atmosphere which is +sensed by other persons.</p> + +<p>The trained clairvoyant vision sees the human aura as a nebulous hazy +substance, like a luminous cloud, surrounding the person for two or three +feet on each side of his body, being more dense near the body and +gradually becoming less dense as it extends away from the body. It has a +phosphorescent appearance, with a peculiar tremulous motion manifesting +through its substance. The clairvoyant sees the human aura as composed of +all the colors of the spectrum, the combination shifting with the changing +mental and emotional states of the person. But, in a general way, it may +be said that each person has his or her or distinctive astral auric +colors, depending upon his or her general character or personality. Each +mental state, or emotional manifestation, has its own particular shade or +combination of shades of auric coloring. This beautiful kaleidoscopic +spectacle has its own meaning to the advanced occultist with clairvoyant +vision, for he is able to read the character and general mental states of +the person by means of studying his astral auric colors. I have explained +these auric colors, and their meanings, in my little book entitled "The +Human Aura."</p> + +<p>The human aura is not always in a state of calm phosphorescence, however. +On the contrary, it sometimes manifests great flames, like those of a +fiery furnace, which shoot forth in great tongues, and dart forth suddenly +in certain directions toward the objects attracting them. Under great +emotional excitement the auric flames move around in swift circling +whirlpools, or else swirl away from a centre. Again, it seems to throw +forth tiny glistening sparks of astral vibrations, some of which travel +for great distance.</p> + +<p>The clairvoyant vision is also able to discern what is called the "prana +aura" of a person. By this term is indicated that peculiar emanation of +vital force which surrounds the physical body of each and every person. In +fact, many persons of but slight clairvoyant power, who cannot sense the +auric colors, are able to perceive this prana-aura without trouble. It is +sometimes called the "health aura," or "physical aura." It is colorless, +or rather about the shade of clear glass, diamond, or water. It is +streaked with very minute, bristle-like lines. In a state of good health, +these fine lines are stiff like toothbrush bristles; while, in cases of +poor health, these lines droop, curl and present a furlike appearance. It +is sometimes filled with minute sparkling particles, like tiny electric +sparks in rapid vibratory motion.</p> + +<p>To the clairvoyant vision the prana-aura appears like the vibrating heated +air arising from a fire, or stove, or from the heated earth in summer. If +the student will close his eyes partially, and will peer through narrowed +eyelids, he will in all probability be able to perceive this prana-aura +surrounding the body of some healthy, vigorous person—particularly if the +person is sitting in a dim light. Looking closely, he will see the +peculiar vibratory motion, like heated air, at a distance of about two +inches from the body of the person. It requires a little practice in order +to acquire the knack of perceiving these vibrations—a little +experimenting in order to get just the right light on the person—but +practice will bring success, and you will be repaid for your trouble.</p> + +<p>In the same way, the student may by practice acquire the faculty to +perceiving his own prana-aura. The simplest way to obtain this last +mentioned result is to place your fingers (spread out in fan-shape) +against a black background, in a dim light. Then gaze at the fingers with +narrowed eyelids, and half-closed eyes. After a little practice, you will +see a fine thin line surrounding your fingers on all sides—a +semi-luminous border of prana-aura. In most cases this border of aura is +colorless, but sometimes a very pale yellowish hue is perceived. The +stronger the vital force of the person, the stronger and brighter will +this border of prana-aura appear. The aura surrounding the fingers will +appear very much like the semi-luminous radiance surrounding a gas-flame, +or the flame of a candle, which is familiar to nearly everyone.</p> + +<p>Another peculiar phenomenon of the astral plane, perceived by clairvoyants +of a certain degree of development, is that which is known as the +"thought-form." A thought-form is a specialized grouping of astral +substance, crystalized by the strong thought impulses or vibrations of a +person thinking, or manifesting strong emotional excitement. It is +generated in the aura of the person, in the first place, but is then +thrown off or emitted from the atmosphere of the person, and is sent off +into space. A thought-form is really but a strongly manifested thought or +feeling which has taken form in the astral substance. Its power and +duration depend upon the degree of force of the thought or feeling +manifesting it.</p> + +<p>These thought-forms differ very materially from one another in form and +general appearance. The most common form is that of a tiny series of +waves, similar to those caused by the dropping of a pebble in a pond of +water. Sometimes the thought-form takes on the appearance of a whirlpool, +rotating around a centre, and moving through space as well. Another form +is like that of the pin-wheel fireworks, swirling away from its centre as +it moves through space. Still another form is that of a whirling ring, +like that emitted from a smokestack of a locomotive, or the mouth of a +smoker—the familiar "ring" of the smoker. Others have the form and +appearance of semi-luminous globes, glowing like a giant opal.</p> + +<p>Other thought-forms are emitted in jet-like streams, like steam puffed out +from a tea-kettle. Again, it will appear as a series of short puffs of +steam-like appearance. Again, it will twist along like an eel or snake. +Another time it will twist its way like a corkscrew. At other times it +will appear as a bomb, or series of bombs projected from the aura of the +thinker. Sometimes, as in the case of a vigorous thinker or speaker, these +thought-form bombs will be seen to explode when they reach the aura of the +person addressed or thought of. Other forms appear like nebulous things +resembling an octopus, whose twining tentacles twist around the person to +whom they are directed.</p> + +<p>Each thought-form bears the same color that it possessed when generated in +the aura of its creator, though the colors seem to fade with time. Many of +them glow with a dull phosphorescence, instead of bright coloring. The +atmosphere of every person, and every place, is filled with various +thought-forms emanated from the person, or persons who inhabit the place. +Each building has its own distinctive thought-forms, which permeate its +mental atmosphere, and which are clearly discernible by trained +clairvoyant vision.</p> + +<p>I here take the liberty of quoting a few paragraphs from my little book +entitled "The Astral World," in which the phenomena of the astral plane +are explained in detail. I reproduce them here in order to show you what +you may see on the astral plane when your clairvoyant vision is +sufficiently developed to function there. The words are addressed to one +who is sensing on the astral, plane.</p> + +<p>"Notice that beautiful spiritual blue around that woman's head! And see +that ugly muddy red around that man passing her! Here comes an +intellectual giant—see that beautiful golden yellow around his head, like +a nimbus! But I don't exactly like that shade of red around his body—and +there is too marked an absence of blue in his aura! He lacks harmonious +development. Do you notice those great clouds of semi-luminous substance, +which are slowly floating along?—notice how the colors vary in them. +Those are clouds of thought-vibrations, representing the composite thought +of a multitude of people. Also notice how each body of thought is drawing +to itself little fragments of similar thought-forms and energy. You see +here the tendency of thought-forms to attract others of their kind—how +like the proverbial birds of a feather, they flock together—how thoughts +come home, bringing their friends with them—how each man creates his own +thought atmosphere.</p> + +<p>"Speaking of atmospheres, do you notice that each shop we pass has its own +peculiar thought-atmosphere? If you look into the houses on either side of +the street, you will see that the same thing is true. The very street +itself has its own atmosphere, created by the composite thought of those +inhabiting and frequenting it. No! do not pass down that side street—its +astral atmosphere is too depressing, and its colors too horrible and +disgusting for you to witness just now—you might get discouraged and fly +back to your physical body for relief. Look at those thought-forms flying +through the atmosphere! What a variety of form and coloring! Some most +beautiful, the majority quite neutral in tint, and occasionally a fierce, +fiery one tearing its way along toward its mark. Observe those whirling +and swirling thought-forms as they are thrown off from that +business-house. Across the street, notice that great octopus monster of a +thought-form, with its great tentacles striving to wind around persons and +draw them into that flashy dance-hall and dram-shop. A devilish monster +which we would do well to destroy. Turn your concentrated thought upon it, +and will it out of existence—there, that's the right way; watch it sicken +and shrivel! But, alas! more of its kind will come forth from that place."</p> + +<p>The above represents the sights common to the advanced occultist who +explores the astral plane either in his astral body, or else by means of +clairvoyant vision. To such a one, these sights are just as natural as +those of the physical plane to the person functioning by ordinary physical +senses. One is as natural as is the other—there is nothing supernatural +about either.</p> + +<p>But there are other, and even more wonderful attributes of astral +visioning than that which we have just related. Let us take a general +survey of these, so that you may be familiar with what you hope to see on +the astral plane, and which you will see when you have sufficiently +developed your clairvoyant powers.</p> + +<p>What would you think if you could "see through a brick wall?" Well, the +clairvoyant is able to do this. For that matter, the physical X Rays are +able to penetrate through solid substances, and the astral vibrations are +even more subtle than these. It seems strange to hear of this kind of +visioning as purely natural, doesn't it? It smacks strongly of the old +supernatural tales—but it is as simply natural as is the X Ray. The +advanced clairvoyant is able to see through the most solid objects, and +inside of anything, for that matter. The astral senses register the subtle +vibrations of the astral plane, just as the physical eye registers the +ordinary rays of light-energy. You are able to see through solid glass, +with the physical eye, are you not? Well, in the same way the clairvoyant +sees through solid steel or granite. It is all a matter of registering +vibrations of energy—nothing more, and nothing less.</p> + +<p>It is in this way that the trained clairvoyant is able to read from closed +books, sealed letters, etc. In the same way, he is able to pierce the +dense soil, and to see far down into the depths of the earth, subject to +certain limitations. Veins of coal, oil, and other substances have been +discovered clairvoyantly in this way. Not every clairvoyant is able to do +this, but the advanced ones have done it. In the same way, the trained +clairvoyant is able to see inside the bodies of sick persons, and to +diagnose their ailments, providing, of course, he is familiar with the +appearance of the organs in health and in disease, and has a sufficient +knowledge of physiology and pathology to interpret what he sees.</p> + +<p>An authority on the phenomena of the astral plane has written +entertainingly and correctly regarding this phase of simple clairvoyance, +as follows: "The possession of this extraordinary and scarcely expressible +power, then, must always be borne in mind through all that follows. It +lays every point in the interior of every solid body absolutely open to +the gaze of the seer, just as every point in the interior of a circle lies +open to the gaze of a man looking down upon it. But even this is by no +means all that it gives to its possessor. He sees not only the inside as +well as the outside of every object, but also its astral counterpart. +Every atom and molecule of physical matter has its corresponding astral +atoms and molecules, and the mass which is built up out of these is +clearly visible to the clairvoyant. Usually the astral form of any object +projects somewhat beyond the physical part of it, and thus metals, stones +and other things are seen surrounded by an astral aura.</p> + +<p>"It will be seen at once that even in the study of inorganic matter a man +gains immensely by the acquisition of this vision. Not only does he see +the astral part of the object at which he looks, which before was wholly +hidden from him; not only does he see much more of its physical +constitution than he did before, but even what was visible to him before +is now seen much more clearly and truly. * * * Another strange power of +which he may find himself in possession is that of magnifying at will the +minutest physical or astral particle to any desired size, as through a +microscope—though no microscope ever made, or ever likely to be made, +possesses even a thousandth part of this psychic magnifying power. By its +means the hypothetical molecule and atom postulated by science become +visible and living realities to the occult student, and on this closer +examination he finds them to be much more complex in their structure than +the scientific man has yet realized them to be. It also enables him to +follow with the closest attention and the most lively interest all kinds +of electrical, magnetic, and other etheric action; and when some of the +specialists in these branches of science are able to develop the power to +see these things whereof they write so facilely, some very wonderful and +beautiful revelations may be expected.</p> + +<p>"This is one of the SIDDIHIS or powers described in the Oriental +books as accruing to the man who devotes himself to spiritual development, +though the name under which it is there mentioned might not be immediately +recognizable. It is referred to as 'the power of making oneself large or +small at will,' and the reason of a description which appears so oddly to +reverse the fact is that in reality the method by which this feat is +performed is precisely that indicated in these ancient books. It is by the +use of temporary visual machinery of inconceivable minuteness that the +world of the infinitely little is so clearly seen; and in the same way (or +rather in the opposite way) it is by enormously increasing the size of the +machinery used that it becomes possible to increase the breadth of one's +view—in the physical sense as well as, let us hope, in the moral—far +beyond anything that science has ever dreamt of as possible for man. So +that the alteration in size is really in the vehicle of the student's +consciousness, and not in anything outside of himself; and the old +Oriental books have, after all, put the case more accurately than have we. +I have indicated, though only in the roughest outlines, what a trained +student, possessed of full astral vision, would see in the immensely wider +world to which that vision introduced him; but I have said nothing of the +stupendous change in his mental attitude which comes from the experimental +certainty regarding matters of paramount importance. The difference +between even the profoundest intellectual conviction, and the precise +knowledge gained by direct personal experience, must be felt in order to +be appreciated."</p> + +<p>Now, here at this place, I wish to call the attention of the student to +the fact that while the above stated, phenomena strictly belong to the +class of "simple clairvoyance," rather than to "space clairvoyance," or +"time clairvoyance" respectively, nevertheless the same phenomena may be +manifested in connection with that of these other classes of clairvoyance. +For instance, in space clairvoyance the trained clairvoyant is able not +only to perceive things happening at points far distant, but may also (if +highly developed psychically) be able to perceive the details just +mentioned as well as if he were at that distant point in person. Likewise, +in time clairvoyance, the clairvoyant may exercise the power of magnifying +vision regarding the object far distant in time, just as if he were living +in that time. So here as elsewhere we find the different classes of +phenomena shading and blending into each other. At the best, +classifications are useful principally for convenience in intellectual +consideration and reasoning.</p> + +<p>In the same way, the clairvoyant may manifest the above mentioned forms of +astral sensing in cases when the astral vision has been awakened by +psychometry, or by crystal gazing, as well as in those cases in which the +condition has been brought about through meditation, or similar methods.</p> + +<p>I would also call the attention of the student to the fact that in the +above description of the phenomena of simple clairvoyance I have made no +mention of the sights of the astral plane which often become visible to +the clairvoyant, and which have to do with astral bodies, astral shells, +the disembodied souls of those who have passed on to other planes of +existence, etc. I shall take up these matters in other parts of this +course, and shall not dwell upon them in this place. But, I wish you to +remember that the same power which enables you to sense other objects by +means of the astral scenes, is the same that is called into operation in +the cases to which I have just referred.</p> + +<p>The astral plane is a wonderful plane or field of being, containing many +strange and wonderful beings and things. The person living on the physical +plane may visit the astral plane in the astral body; and, again, he may +perceive the happenings and scenes of that plane by means of the awakened +and developed astral senses. Some clairvoyants find it easy to function in +one way, and some in another. It is reserved for the scientifically +developed clairvoyant to manifest the well-rounded power to perceive the +phenomena of the astral plane in its wonderful entirety.</p> + +<p>Finally, you will see by reference to other chapters of this book, that +one may manifest simple clairvoyant powers (as well as the more +complicated ones of time and space clairvoyance) not only in the ordinary +waking state, but also in the state of dreams. In fact, some of the most +striking psychic phenomena are manifested when the seer is in the dream +state. As we proceed, you will find that every phase of the great subject +will fit into its place, and will be found to blend with every other +phase. There will be found a logical harmony and unity of thought +pervading the whole subject. But we must use single bricks and stones as +we build—it is only in the completed structure that we may perceive the +harmonious unity.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonX"></a><h2>LESSON X.</h2> + +<p>CLAIRVOYANCE OF DISTANT SCENES.</p> +<br /> + +<p>Let us now consider the phenomena of the second class of clairvoyance, +namely, Clairvoyance in Space.</p> + +<p>In space clairvoyance the clairvoyant person senses scenes and events +removed in space from the observer—that is to say, scenes and events +situated outside of the range of the physical vision of the clairvoyant. +In this class also is included certain phenomena in which the clairvoyant +vision is able to discern things that may be concealed or obscured by +intervening material objects. Some of the many different forms and phases +of space clairvoyance are illustrated by the following examples, all taken +from the best sources.</p> + +<p>Bushnell relates the following well-known case of space clairvoyance: +"Capt. Yount, of Napa Valley, California, one midwinter's night had a +dream in which he saw what appeared to be a company of emigrants arrested +by the snows of the mountains, and perishing rapidly by cold and hunger. +He noted the very cast of the scenery, marked by a huge, perpendicular +front of white-rock cliff; he saw the men cutting off what appeared to be +tree-tops rising out of deep gulfs of snow; he distinguished the very +features of the persons, and their look of peculiar distress. He awoke +profoundly impressed by the distinctness and apparent reality of the +dream. He at length fell asleep, and dreamed exactly the same dream over +again. In the morning he could not expel it from his mind. Falling in +shortly after with an old hunter comrade, he told his story, and was only +the more deeply impressed by him recognizing without hesitation the +scenery of the dream. This comrade came over the Sierra by the Carson +Valley Pass, and declared that a spot in the Pass exactly answered his +description.</p> + +<p>"By this the unsophistical patriarch was decided. He immediately collected +a company of men, with mules and blankets and all necessary provisions. +The neighbors were laughing meantime at his credulity. 'No matter,' he +said, 'I am able to do this, and I will, for I verily believe that the +fact is according to my dream.' The men were sent into the mountains one +hundred and fifty miles distant, direct to the Carson Valley Pass. And +there they found the company exactly in the condition of the dream, and +brought in the remnant alive."</p> + +<p>In connection with this case, some leading, occultists are of the opinion +that the thought-waves from the minds of the distressed lost persons +reached Capt. Yount in his sleep, and awakened his subconscious attention. +Having natural clairvoyant power, though previously unaware of it, he +naturally directed his astral vision to the source of the mental currents, +and perceived clairvoyantly the scene described in the story. Not having +any acquaintance with any of the lost party, it was only by reason of the +mental currents of distress so sent out that his attention was attracted. +This is a very interesting case, because several psychic factors are +involved in it, as I have just said.</p> + +<p>In the following case, there is found a connecting link of acquaintance +with a person playing a prominent part in the scene, although there was no +conscious appeal to the clairvoyant, nor conscious interest on her part +regarding the case. The story is well-known, and appears in the +Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research. It runs as follows:</p> + +<p>Mrs. Broughton awoke one night in 1844, and roused her husband, telling +him that something dreadful had happened in France. He begged her to go +asleep again, and not trouble him. She assured him that she was not asleep +when she saw what she insisted on telling him—what she saw in fact. She +saw, first, a carriage accident, or rather, the scene of such an accident +which had occurred a few moments before. What she saw was the result of +the accident—a broken carriage, a crowd collected, a figure gently raised +and carried into the nearest house, then a figure lying on a bed, which +she recognized as the Duke of Orleans. Gradually friends collected around +the bed—among them several members of the French royal family—the queen, +then the king, all silently, tearfully, watching the evidently dying duke. +One man (she could see his back, but did not know who he was) was a +doctor. He stood bending over the duke, feeling his pulse, with his watch +in the other hand. And then all passed away, and she saw no more. "As +soon as it was daylight she wrote down in her journal all that she had +seen. It was before the days of the telegraph, and two or more days passed +before the newspapers announced 'The Death of the Duke of Orleans.' +Visiting Paris a short time afterwards, she saw and recognized the place +of the accident, and received the explanation of her impression. The +doctor who attended the dying duke was an old friend of hers, and as he +watched by the bed his mind had been constantly occupied with her and her +family."</p> + +<p>In many cases of clairvoyance of this kind, there is found to exist a +strong connecting link of mutual interest or affection, over which flows +the strong attention-arousing force of need or distress, which calls into +operation the clairvoyant visioning.</p> + +<p>In other cases there seems to be lacking any connecting link, although, +even in such cases there may be a subconscious link connecting the +clairvoyant with the scene or event. An interesting example of this last +mentioned phase is that related by W.T. Stead, the English editor and +author, as having happened to himself. Mr. Stead's recital follows:</p> + +<p>"I got into bed and was not able to go to sleep. I shut my eyes and waited +for sleep to come; instead of sleep, however, there came to me a +succession of curiously vivid clairvoyant pictures. There was no light in +the room, and it was perfectly dark; I had my eyes shut also. But, +notwithstanding the darkness, I suddenly was conscious of looking at a +scene of singular beauty. It was as if I saw a living miniature about the +size of a magic-lantern slide. At this moment I can recall the scene as if +I saw it again. It was a seaside piece. The moon was shining upon the +water, which rippled slowly on to the beach. Right before me a long mole +ran into the water. On either side of the mole irregular rocks stood up +above the sea-level. On the shore stood several houses, square and rude, +which resembled nothing that I had ever seen in house architecture. No one +was stirring, but the moon was there and the sea and the gleam of the +moonlight on the rippling waters, just as if I had been looking on the +actual scene. It was so beautiful that I remember thinking that if it +continued I should be so interested in looking at it that I should never +go asleep. I was wide awake, and at the same time that I saw the scene I +distinctly heard the dripping of the rain outside the window. Then, +suddenly without any apparent object or reason, the scene changed.</p> + +<p>"The moonlight sea vanished, and in us place I was looking right into the +interior of a reading-room. It seemed as if it had been used as a +school-room in the daytime, and was employed as a reading-room in the +evening. I remember seeing one reader who had a curious resemblance to Tim +Harrington, although it was not he, hold up a magazine or book in his hand +and laugh. It was not a picture—it was there. The scene was just as if +you were looking through an opera glass; you saw the play of the muscles, +the gleaming of the eye, every movement of the unknown persons in the +unnamed place into which you were gazing. I saw all that without opening +my eyes, nor did my eyes have anything to do with it. You see such things +as these as if it were with another sense which is more inside your head +than in your eyes. The pictures were apropos of nothing; they had been +suggested by nothing I had been reading or talking of; they simply came as +if I had been able to look through a glass at what was occurring somewhere +else in the world. I had my peep, and then it passed."</p> + +<p>An interesting case of space clairvoyance is that related of Swedenborg, +on the best authority. The story runs that in the latter part of +September, 1759, at four o'clock one Saturday afternoon, Swedenborg +arrived home from England, and disembarked at the town of Gothenburg. A +friend, Mr. W. Castel, met him and invited him to dinner, at which meal +there were fifteen persons gathered around the table in honor of the +guest. At six o'clock, Swedenborg went out a few minutes, returning to the +table shortly thereafter, looking pale and excited. When questioned by the +guests he replied that there was a fire at Stockholm, two hundred miles +distant, and that the fire was steadily spreading. He grew very restless, +and frequently left the room. He said that the house of one of his +friends, whose name he mentioned, was already in ashes, and that his own +was in danger. At eight o'clock, after he had been out again, he returned +crying out cheerfully, "Thank heaven! the fire is out, the third door +from my house!" The news of the strange happening greatly excited the +people of the town, and the city officials made inquiry regarding it. +Swedenborg was summoned before the authorities, and requested to relate in +detail what he had seen. Answering the questions put to him, he told when +and how the fire started; how it had begun; how, when and where it had +stopped; the time it had lasted; the number of houses destroyed or +damaged, and the number of persons injured. On the following Monday +morning a courier arrived from Stockholm, bringing news of the fire, +having left the town while it was still burning. On the next day after, +Tuesday morning, another courier arrived at the city hall with a full +report of the fire, which corresponded precisely with the vision of +Swedenborg. The fire had stopped precisely at eight o'clock, the very +minute that Swedenborg had so announced it to the company.</p> + +<p>A similar case is related by Stead, having been told to him by the wife of +a Dean in the Episcopal Church. He relates it as follows: "I was staying +in Virginia, some hundred miles away from home, when one morning about +eleven o'clock I felt an overpowering sleepiness, which drowsiness was +quite unusual, and which caused me to lie down. In my sleep I saw quite +distinctly my home in Richmond in flames. The fire had broken out in one +wing of the house, which I saw with dismay was where I kept all my best +dresses. The people were all trying to check the flames, but it was no +use. My husband was there, walking about before the burning house, +carrying a portrait in his hand. Everything was quite clear and distinct, +exactly as if I had actually been present and seen everything. After a +time, I woke up, and going down stairs told my friends the strange dream I +had had. They laughed at me, and made such game of my vision that I did my +best to think no more about it. I was traveling about, a day or two +passed, and when Sunday came I found myself in a church where some +relatives were worshipping. When I entered the pew they looked very +strange, and as soon as the service was over I asked them what was the +matter. 'Don't be alarmed,' they said, 'there is nothing serious.' Then +they handed me a post-card from my husband which simply said, 'House +burned out; covered by insurance.' The day was the date upon which my +dream occurred. I hastened home, and then I learned that everything had +happened exactly as I had seen it. The fire had broken out in the wing I +had seen blazing. My clothes were all burned, and the oddest thing about +it was that my husband, having rescued a favorite picture from the burning +building, had carried it about among the crowd for some time before he +could find a place in which to put it safely."</p> + +<p>Another case, related by Stead, the same authority, runs as follows: "The +father of a son who had sailed on the 'Strathmore,' an emigrant ship +outbound from the Clyde saw one night the ship foundering amid the waves, +and saw that his son, with some others, had escaped safely to a desert +island near which the wreck had taken place. He was so much impressed by +this vision that he wrote to the owner of the 'Strathmore' telling him +what he had seen. His information was scouted; but after a while the +'Strathmore' became overdue, and the owner became uneasy. Day followed +day, and still no tidings of the missing ship. Then like Pharaoh's butler, +the owner remembered his sins one day, and hunted up the letter describing +the vision. It supplied at least a theory to account for the ship's +disappearance. All outward-bound ships were requested to look out for any +survivors on the island indicated in the vision. These orders were obeyed, +and the survivors of the 'Strathmore' were found exactly where the father +had seen them."</p> + +<p>The Society for Psychical Research mentions another interesting case, as +follows: "Dr. Golinski, a physician of Kremeutchug, Russia, was taking an +after-dinner nap in the afternoon, about half-past three o'clock. He had a +vision in which he saw himself called out on a professional visit, which +took him to a little room with dark hangings. To the right of the door he +saw a chest of drawers, upon which rested a little paraffine lamp of +special pattern, different from anything he had ever seen before. On the +left of the door, he saw a woman suffering from a severe hemorrhage. He +then saw himself giving her professional treatment. Then he awoke, +suddenly, and saw that it was just half-past four o'clock. Within ten +minutes after he awoke, he was called out on a professional visit, and on +entering the bedroom he saw all the details that had appeared to him in +his vision. There was the chest of drawers—there was the peculiar +lamp—there was the woman on the bed, suffering from the hemorrhage. Upon +inquiry, he found that she had grown worse between three and four o'clock, +and had anxiously desired that he come to her about that time, finally +dispatching a messenger for him at half-past four, the moment at which he +awoke."</p> + +<p>Another, and a most peculiar, phase of space clairvoyance is that in which +certain persons so awaken the astral senses of other persons that these +persons perceive the first person—usually in the form of seemingly seeing +the person present in the immediate vicinity, just as one would see a +ghostly visitor. In some cases there is manifested double-clairvoyance, +both persons visioning clairvoyantly; in other cases, only the person +"visited" astrally senses the occurrence. The following cases illustrate +this form of space clairvoyance.</p> + +<p>W.T. Stead relates the case of a lady well known to him, who spontaneously +developed the power of awakening astral perception in others. She seemed +to "materialize" in their presence. Her power in this direction became a +source of considerable anxiety and worry to her friends to whom she would +pay unexpected and involuntary visits, frightening them out of their wits +by the appearance of her "ghost." They naturally thought that she had died +suddenly and had appeared to them in ghostly form. The lady, her self, +was totally unconscious of the appearance, though she admitted that at or +about the times of the appearances she had been thinking of her friends +whom she visited astrally.</p> + +<p>The German writer, Jung Stilling, mentions the case of a man of good +character who had developed power of this kind, but also was conscious of +his visits. He exerted the power consciously by an effort of will, it +seems. At one time he was consulted by the wife of a sea captain whose +husband was on a long voyage to Europe and Asia (sailing from America). +His ship was long overdue, and his wife was quite worried about him. She +consulted the gentleman in question, and he promised to do what he could +for her. Leaving the room he threw himself on a couch and was seen by the +lady (who peered through the half-opened door) to be in a state of +semi-trance. Finally he returned and told her that he had visited her +husband in a coffee-house in London, and gave her husband's reasons for +not writing, adding that her husband would soon return to America. When +her husband returned several months later, the wife asked him about the +matter. He informed her that the clairvoyant's report was correct in every +particular. Upon being introduced to the clairvoyant, the captain +manifested great surprise, saying that he had met the man in question on a +certain day in a coffee-house in London, and that the man had told him +that his wife was worried about him, and that he had told the man that he +had been prevented from writing for several reasons, and that he was on +the eve of beginning his return voyage to America. He added that when he +looked for the man a few moments afterwards, the stranger had apparently +lost himself in the crowd, disappeared and was seen no more by him.</p> + +<p>The Society for Psychical Research gives prominence to the celebrated case +of the member of the London Stock Exchange, whose identity it conceals +under the initials "S.H.B.," who possessed this power of voluntary +awakening of astral sight in others by means of his "appearance" to them. +The man relates his experience to the Society as follows: "One Sunday +night in November, 1881, I was in Kildare Gardens, when I willed very +strongly that I would visit in the spirit two lady friends, the Misses X., +who were living three miles off, in Hogarth Road. I willed that I should +do this at one o'clock in the morning, and having willed it, I went to +sleep. Next Thursday, when I first met my friends, the elder lady told me +that she woke up and saw my apparition advancing to her bedside. She +screamed and woke her sisters, who also saw me." (The report includes the +signed statement of the ladies, giving the time of the appearance, and the +details thereof.)</p> + +<p>"Again, on December 1, 1882, I was at Southall. At half-past nine I sat +down to endeavor to fix my mind so strongly upon the interior of a house +at Kew, where Miss V. and her sister lived, that I seemed to be actually +in the house. I was conscious, but was in a kind of mesmeric sleep. When +I went to bed that night, I willed to be in the front bedroom of that +house at Kew at twelve; and to make my presence felt by the inmates. Next +day I went to Kew. Miss V.'s married sister told me, without any prompting +from me, that she had seen me in the passage going from one room to +another at half-past nine o'clock, and that at twelve, when she was wide +awake, she saw me come to the front bedroom, where she slept, and take her +hair, which is very long, into my hand. She said I then took her hand, and +gazed into the palm intently. She said, 'You need not look at the lines, +for I never have any trouble.' She then woke her sister. When Mrs. L. told +me this, I took out the entry that I had made the previous night and read +it to her. Mrs. L. is quite sure she was not dreaming. She had only seen +me once before, two years previously. Again, on March 22, 1884, I wrote to +Mr. Gurney, of the Psychical Research Society, telling him that I was +going to make my presence felt by Miss V., at 44 Norland Square, at +midnight. Ten days afterwards, I saw Miss V., when she voluntarily told me +that on Saturday at midnight, she distinctly saw me, when she was quite +wide awake."</p> + +<p>The records of the psychic researchers are filled with numerous accounts +of cases in which similar astral projections have occurred when the person +was on his or her death-bed, but was still alive. It would seem that under +such circumstances the astral senses are very much freer from the +interference of the physical senses, and tend to manifest very strongly +in the form of appearances to persons in whom the dying person is attached +by the ties of affection. Many who read this course have known of cases of +this kind, for they are of quite frequent occurrence.</p> + +<p>The student will notice that in the majority of the cases cited in this +chapter the clairvoyant has been in a state of sleep, or semi-sleep—often +in a dream condition. But you must not jump to the conclusion that this +condition is always necessary for the manifestation of this phenomenon. On +the contrary, the advanced and well developed clairvoyants usually assume +merely a condition of deep reverie or meditation, shutting out the sounds +and thoughts of the physical plane, so as to be able to function better on +the astral plane.</p> + +<p>The reason that so many recorded cases have occurred when the clairvoyant +person was asleep, and the vision appeared as a dream, is simply because +in such a condition the physical senses of the person are stilled and at +rest, and there is less likelihood of interference from them, and a better +opportunity for the astral senses to function effectively. It is like the +familiar cases in which one becomes so wrapped up in viewing a beautiful +work of art, or in listening to a beautiful musical rendition, that he or +she forgets all about the sights and sounds of the world outside. One +sometimes gets into this same condition when reading an interesting book, +or when witnessing an interesting play. When the psychic powers are +concentrated upon any one channel of vision, the others fail to register +a clear impression. The same rule holds good on the astral plane, as on +the physical.</p> + +<p>There are certain psychic conditions which are especially conducive to the +manifestation of clairvoyant phenomena, as all students of the subject +know very well. These conditions are somewhat hard to induce, at least +until the clairvoyant has had considerable experience and practice. But, +in the state of sleep, the person induces the desired conditions, in many +cases, though he is not consciously doing so. As might naturally be +expected, therefore, the majority of the recorded cases of clairvoyance +have occurred when the clairvoyant person has been asleep.</p> + +<p>I should also state, once more, that in many cases in which the +clairvoyant has witnessed the "appearance" of another person, as in the +cases such as I have just mentioned, there is always the possibility of +the person having actually appeared in his astral body, unconsciously to +himself of course. No one but a skilled occultist is able to distinguish +between cases of this kind. The line between this class of clairvoyance +and astral appearance is very thin, and, in fact, the two classes of +phenomena shade and blend into each other. In reality, when one gets down +to bottom principles, there is very little difference between the actual +appearance in the astral body, and the strong projection of one's presence +by means of will, conscious or unconscious, along the lines of awakening +the clairvoyant vision of others. To attempt to explain the slight points +of difference here, would only involve the student in a mass of technical +description which would tend to confuse, rather than to enlighten +him—from this I refrain.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXI"></a><h2>LESSON XI.</h2> + +<p>CLAIRVOYANCE OF THE PAST</p> +<br /> + +<p>The third great class of clairvoyant phenomena, known as Time +Clairvoyance, is divided into two sub-classes, as follows: (1) Past-Time +Clairvoyance; and (2) Future-Time Clairvoyance. The characteristics of +each of these sub-classes is indicated by its name.</p> + +<p>Past-Time Clairvoyance, as indicated by the name, is that class of +clairvoyant phenomena which is concerned with the perception of facts, +events and happenings of past time. Whether the happening is that of five +minutes ago, or of five thousand years ago, the principles involved are +precisely the same. One is no more or less wonderful than is the other.</p> + +<p>Many students confess themselves perplexed when they are first confronted +with this class of phenomena. While they find it comparatively easy to see +how by astral vision the clairvoyant is able to sense events happening at +that moment, though thousands of miles away from the observer, they cannot +at first understand how one can "see" a thing no longer in existence, but +which disappeared from sight thousands of years ago. Naturally, they ask +to be informed how this is possible, before proceeding to develop the +faculty itself. Believing that this question is now being asked by you, +the student of these lessons, I shall pause for a few moments and show you +"just how" this wonderful thing becomes possible to the clairvoyant.</p> + +<p>In the first place, it would undoubtedly be impossible to perceive a +thing, even by astral vision, if it had entirely disappeared at some time +in the past—this would be beyond all natural powers, astral as well as +physical. But, as a matter of fact, the things of the past have not +entirely disappeared, but, on the contrary, while having disappeared on +the physical plane they still exist on the astral plane. I shall endeavor +to explain this wonderful fact of nature to you in plain terms, although +it belongs to one of the most mysterious classes of the occult facts of +the universe.</p> + +<p>In the occult teachings we find many references to "the Akashic Records," +or what is sometimes called "the records of the Astral Light." Without +going into technical occult definitions and explanations, I will say to +you that the gist of this occult teaching is that in that high form of the +universal substance which is called the Universal Ether there is found to +be recorded all the happenings of the entire World Cycle of which the +present time is a part. All that has happened from the very beginning of +this World Cycle, millions of years ago, is preserved on these astral +records, and may be read by the advanced clairvoyant or other person +possessing occult powers of this kind. These records perish only with the +termination of a World Cycle, which will not happen for millions of years +yet to come.</p> + +<p>To those who cannot accept the reasonableness of this occult fact, I would +say that there are analogies to be found on other planes of natural +manifestation. For instance, as astronomy teaches us, a star may be +blotted out of existence, and yet its light will persist long after +(perhaps until the end of world-time) traveling along at the rate of +186,000 miles each second. The light that we now see coming from the +distant stars has left those stars many years ago—in some cases thousands +of years ago. We see them not as they are now, but as they were at the +time the ray of light left them, many years ago; The astronomers inform us +that if one of these stars had been +[*Transcribers Note: Text missing from original] +sands) of years ago, we would still see it as in actual existence. In +fact, it is believed that some of these stars which we see twinkling at +night have actually been blotted out hundreds of years ago. We will not be +aware of this fact until the light rays suddenly cease reaching us, after +their journey of billions of miles and hundreds of years. A star blotted +out of existence today would be seen by our children, and children's +children.</p> + +<p>The heat from a stove will be felt in a room long after the stove has been +removed from it. A room will long contain the odor of something that has +been removed from it. It is said that in one of the old mosques of Persia +there may be perceived the faint odor of the musk that was exposed there +hundreds of years ago—the very walls are saturated with the pungent odor. +Again, is it not wonderful that our memories preserve the images of the +sounds and forms which were placed there perhaps fifty years and more +ago? How do these memory images survive and exist? Though we may have +thought of the past thing for half a lifetime, yet, suddenly its image +flashes into our consciousness. Surely this is as wonderful as the Akashic +Records, though its "commonness" makes it lose its wonderful appearance to +us.</p> + +<p>Camille Flammarion, the eminent French astronomer, in a book written over +twenty-five years ago, and which is now out of print, I believe, pictured +a possible condition of affairs in which a disembodied soul would be able +to perceive events that happened in the past, by simply taking a position +in space in which he would be able to catch the light-waves that emanated +from a distant planet at that particular time in the past the happenings +of which he wanted to perceive. The little book was called "Lumen"—I +advise you to read it, if you can find it in your public libraries.</p> + +<p>Another writer has written somewhat along the same lines. I herewith give +you a quotation from him, that you may get the idea he wishes to +express—it will help you in your conception of the Akashic Records. He +says: "When we see anything, whether it be the book we hold in our hands, +or a star millions of miles away, we do so by means of a vibration in the +ether, commonly called a ray of light, which passes from the object seen +to our eyes. Now the speed with which this vibration passes is so +great—about 186,000 miles in a second—that when we are considering any +object in our own world we may regard it as practically instantaneous. +When, however, we come to deal with interplanetary distances we have to +take the speed of light into consideration, for an appreciable period is +occupied in traversing these vast spaces. For example, it takes eight +minutes and a quarter for light to travel to us from the sun, so that when +we look at the solar orb we see it by means of a ray of light which left +it more than eight minutes ago. From this follows a very curious result. +The ray of light by which we see the sun can obviously report to us only +the state of affairs' which existed in that luminary when it started on +its journey, and would not be in the least affected by anything that +happened after it left; so that we really see the sun not as it is, but as +it was eight minutes ago. That is to say that if anything important took +place in the sun—the formation of a new sun-spot, for instance—an +astronomer who was watching the orb through his telescope at the time +would be unaware of the incident while it was happening, since the ray of +light bearing the news would not reach him until more than eight minutes +later.</p> + +<p>"The difference is more striking when we consider the fixed stars, because +in their case the distances are so enormously greater. The pole star, for +example, is so far off that light, traveling at the inconceivable speed +above mentioned, takes a little more than fifty years to reach our eyes; +and from that follows the strange but inevitable inference that we see the +pole star not as or where it is at this moment, but as and where it was +fifty years ago. Nay, if tomorrow some cosmic catastrophe were to shatter +the pole star into fragments, we should still see it peacefully shining in +the sky all the rest of our lives; our children would grow up to +middle-age and gather their children about them in turn before the news of +that tremendous accident reached any terrestial eye. In the same way there +are other stars so far distant that light takes thousands of years to +travel from them to us, and with reference to their condition our +information is therefore thousands of years behind time. Now carry the +argument a step farther. Suppose that we were able to place a man at the +distance of 186,000 miles from the earth, and yet to endow him with the +wonderful faculty of being able from that distance to see what was +happening here as clearly as though he were still close beside us. It is +evident that a man so placed would see everything a second after the time +it really happened, and so at the present moment he would be seeing what +happened a second ago. Double that distance, and he would be two seconds +behind time, and so on; remove him to the distance of the sun (still +allowing him to preserve the same mysterious power of sight) and he would +look down and watch you doing not what you are doing now, but what you +were doing eight minutes and a quarter ago. Carry him to the pole star, +and he would see passing before his eyes the events of fifty years ago; he +would be watching the childish gambols of those who at the same moment +were really middle-aged men. Marvellous as this may sound, it is +literally and scientifically true, and cannot be denied."</p> + +<p>Flammarion, in his story, called "Lumen," makes his spirit hero pass at +will along the ray of light from the earth, seeing the things of different +eras of earth-time. He even made him travel backward along that ray, thus +seeing the happenings in reverse order, as in a moving picture running +backward. This story is of the greatest interest to the occultist, for +while the Akashic Records are not the same as the light records, yet the +analogy is so marked in many ways that the occultist sees here another +exemplification of the old occult axiom that "as above, so below; as +below, so above."</p> + +<p>I take the liberty of quoting here from my little book, "The Astral +World," in order to give you some further idea of the nature of these +records in the Astral Light. The reader is supposed to be travelling in +his astral body, having the phenomena of the astral pointed out to him by +a competent occultist acting as his guide. The occultist-guide says to the +student: "Changing our vibrations, we find ourselves entering a strange +region, the nature of which you at first fail to discern. Pausing a moment +until your astral vision becomes attuned to the peculiar vibrations of +this region, you will find that you are becoming gradually aware of what +may be called an immense picture gallery, spreading out in all directions, +and apparently bearing a direct relation to every point of space on the +surface of the earth. At first, you find it difficult to decipher the +meaning of this great array of pictures. The trouble arises from the fact +that they are arranged not one after the other in sequence on a flat +plane; but rather in sequence, one after another, in a peculiar order +which may be called the order of 'X-ness in space,' because it is neither +the dimension of length, breadth, or depth—it is practically the order of +the fourth dimension in space, which cannot be described in terms of +ordinary spatial dimension. Again, you find upon closely examining the +pictures that they are very minute—practically microscopic in size—and +require the use of the peculiar magnifying power of astral vision to bring +them up to a size capable of being recognized by your faculty of visual +recognition.</p> + +<p>"The astral vision, when developed, is capable of magnifying any object, +material or astral, to an enormous degree—for instance, the trained +occultist is able to perceive the whirling atoms and corpuscles of matter, +by means of this peculiarity of astral vision. Likewise, he is able to +plainly perceive many fine vibrations of light which are invisible to the +ordinary sight. In fact, the peculiar Astral Light which pervades this +region is due to the power of the astral vision to perceive and register +these fine vibrations of light. Bring this power of magnifying into +operation, and you will see that each of the little points and details of +the great world picture so spread before you in the Astral Light is really +a complete scene of a certain place on earth, at a certain period in the +history of the earth. It resembles one of the small views in a series of +moving pictures—a single view of a roll-film. It is fixed, and not in +motion, and yet we can move forward along the fourth dimension, and thus +obtain a moving picture of the history of any point on the surface of the +earth, or even combine the various points into a large moving picture, in +the same way. Let us prove this by actual experiment. Close your eyes for +a moment, while we travel back in time (so to speak) along the series of +these astral records—for, indeed, they travel back to the beginning of +the history of the earth. Now open your eyes! Looking around you, you +perceive the pictured representation of strange scenes filled with persons +wearing a peculiar garb—but all is still, no life, no motion.</p> + +<p>"Now, let us move forward in time, at much higher rate than that in which +the astral views were registered. You now see flying before you the great +movement of life on a certain point of space, in a far distant age. From +birth to death you see the life of these strange people, all in the space +of a few moments. Great battles are fought, and cities rise before your +eyes, all in a great moving picture flying at a tremendous speed. Now +stop, and then let us move backward in time, still gazing at the moving +pictures. You see a strange sight, like that of 'reversing the film' in a +moving picture. You see everything moving backward—cities crumbling into +nothingness, men arising from their graves, and growing younger each +second until they are finally born as babes—everything moving backward in +time, instead of forward. You can thus witness any great historical event, +or follow the career of any great personage from birth to death—or +backward. You will notice, moreover, that everything is semi-transparent, +and that accordingly you can see the picture of what is going on inside of +buildings as well as outside of them. Nothing escapes the Astral Light +Records. Nothing can be concealed from it. By traveling to any point in +time, on the fourth dimension, you may begin at that point, and see a +moving picture of the history of any part of the earth from that time to +the present—or you may reverse the sequence by travelling backward, as we +have seen. You may also travel in the Astral, on ordinary space +dimensions, and thus see what happened simultaneously all over the earth, +at any special moment of past-time, if you wish."</p> + +<p>Now, I do not for a moment wish you to understand that the above +experience is possible to every clairvoyant who is able to sense past-time +events and happenings. On the contrary, the above experience is possible +only to the advanced occultist, or to the student whom he may take with +him on an astral trip, in the astral body. The clairvoyant merely catches +glimpses of certain phases and fields of the great astral record region or +state. For that matter, the ordinary clairvoyant merely sees a reflection +of the true Astral-Light pictures—a reflection similar to that of a +landscape reflected in a pond. Moreover, this reflection may be (and +frequently is) disturbed as if by the ripples and waves of the pond in +which the landscape is reflected. But, still, even the ordinary +clairvoyant is able to secure results which are wonderful enough in all +truth, and which far transcend the power of the person functioning on the +physical plane alone.</p> + +<p>Past-time clairvoyance is frequently induced by means of psychometry, in +which the clairvoyant is able to have "the loose end" to unwind the ball +of time. But, still, in some cases the clairvoyant is able to get en +rapport with the astral records of past-time by the ordinary methods of +meditation, etc. The main obstacle in the last mentioned case is the +difficulty of coming in contact with the exact period of past-time sought +for—in psychometry, the vibrations of the "associated object" supplies +the missing-link.</p> + +<p>Lacking the "associated object," the clairvoyant may obtain the link by +bringing into the imagination some associated scene of that +time—something else that happened about the same time. All that is needed +is to get hold of something associated in space or in time with the sought +for scene. All that is needed is the "loose end" of association. Sometimes +the clairvoyant senses some past-time experience, the place and time of +which is unknown to him. In such cases, it is necessary for him to get +hold of some "loose end" by which he may work out the solution. For +instance, the picture of a certain building or personage, or historical +happening, may give the key to the mystery.</p> + +<p>In very high forms of past-time clairvoyance, the clairvoyant is able not +only to perceive the actual happenings of the past, but also to actually +sense the thought and feelings of the actors therein—for these, too, are +recorded on the astral plane. In other cases, the clairvoyant person is +able to picture scenes and happenings relating to his past incarnations, +even though he is not able to sense other past-time events and scenes. +But, here again, many good past-time clairvoyants are not able to catch +these glimpses of their own past lives, though able to perceive those of +other persons. All these variations are due to certain technical +differences into which I cannot go into detail at this place. Again some +persons are able to perceive events that have happened to persons present +before them, but are not able to contact past-time events in the ordinary +way. There are a thousand-and-one variations in clairvoyant work. Only the +highly advanced occultist is master of all of them. But, still every one +may develop himself or herself, from humble beginnings.</p> + +<p>In concluding this lesson, I wish to call your attention to the following +advice from a man well advanced in the knowledge of the astral plane. He +says: "It would be well for all students to bear in mind that occultism is +the apotheosis of common-sense, and that every vision that comes to them +is not necessarily a picture from the Akashic Records, nor every +experience a revelation from on high. It is far better to err on the side +of healthy skepticism, than of over-credulity, and it is an admirable +rule never to hunt about for an occult explanation of anything when a +plain and obvious physical one is available. Our duty is to endeaveor to +keep our balance always, and never to lose our self-control, but to take a +reasonable, common-sense view of whatever may happen to us, so that we may +be wiser occultists, and more useful helpers than we have ever been +before.</p> + +<p>"We find examples of all degrees of the power to see into this 'memory of +nature,' from the trained man who can consult the records for himself at +will, down to the person who gets nothing but occasional vague glimpses, +or has perhaps had only once such glimpse. But even the man who possesses +this faculty only partially and occasionally still finds it of the deepest +interest. The psychometer, who needs an object physically connected with +the past in order to bring it all into life again around him; and the +crystal-gazer who can sometimes direct his less certain astral telescope +to some historic scene of long ago, may both derive the greatest enjoyment +from the exercise of their respective gifts, even though they may not +always understand exactly how their results are obtained, and may not have +them fully under control under all circumstances.</p> + +<p>"In many cases of the lower manifestations of these powers we find that +they are exercised unconsciously. Many a crystal-gazer watches scenes from +the past without being able to distinguish them from visions of the +present. And many a vaguely-psychic person finds pictures constantly +arising before his eyes, without ever realizing that he is in effect +psychometrizing the various objects around him, as he happens to touch +them or stand near them. An interesting variant of this class of psychics +is the man who is able to psychometrize persons only, and not inanimate +objects as is more usual. In most cases this faculty shows itself +erratically, so that such a psychic will, when introduced to a stranger, +often see in a flash some prominent event in that stranger's earlier life, +but on similar occasions will receive no special impression. More rarely +we meet with someone who gets detailed visions of the past life of nearly +everyone whom he encounters. It may easily happen, moreover, that a person +may see a picture of the past without recognizing it as such, unless there +happens to be in it something which attracts special attention, such as a +figure in armor, or in antique costume. Its probable, therefore, that +occasional glimpses of these astral reflections of the akashic records are +commoner than the published accounts would lead us to believe."</p> + +<p>I would say to my students, make haste slowly. Do not try to rush +development too rapidly. Perfect and develop yourself in one line of +psychic power, before seeking another. Take things cooly, and do not lose +your head because you happen to achieve some wonderful phenomena. Do not +become conceited and vain-glorious. And, finally, do not prostitute your +powers to ignoble ends, and make a cheap show of them. By cheapening and +prostituting the higher psychic powers, the student frequently ends by +losing them altogether. Moderation in all things is the safe policy. And +it always is well for the occultist to resist temptation to use his powers +for unworthy, sensational, or purely selfish purposes.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXII"></a><h2>LESSON XII.</h2> + +<p>CLAIRVOYANCE OF THE FUTURE</p> +<br /> + +<p>Future-Time Clairvoyance, as indicated by its name, is that class of +clairvoyant phenomena which is concerned with the perception of facts, +events and happenings of future time. In this class of clairvoyant +phenomena naturally fall all genuine cases of prophecy, prevision, +foretelling, second-sight, etc. History, theological and secular, is +filled with instances of the foretelling of the future by prophets, wise +men, and others. By many, such powers are generally regarded as +supernatural or divine. Without wishing to combat such theories and +beliefs, I would say that the advanced occultists account for all such +phenomena under the general laws of clairvoyance.</p> + +<p>But while the phenomena itself is very well known, and is accepted as +genuine in even many cases in which past-time clairvoyance is doubted, +still it is even more difficult to explain than is past-time clairvoyance +based on the Akashic Records or the Astral Light. To the person not well +versed in occult knowledge, and esoteric principles, it is deemed +impossible to intelligently account for the perception of an event before +it has actually happened—perhaps years before its actual happening. While +I cannot hope to make this matter absolutely clear to the person who is +not an advanced student of occultism, still I shall try to throw at least +some light on the underlying principles of this wonderful class of occult +phenomena. The main point for the student to realize is that there are +natural laws underlying this phenomenon, and that it is not a matter of +supernatural power, or necessarily of divine special dispensation.</p> + +<p>In the first place, in some of the simpler forms of future-time +clairvoyance, there is merely a high development of subconscious reasoning +from analogy. That is to say, the subconscious mental faculties of the +person reason out that such-and-so being the case, then it follows that +so-and-so will result, unless something entirely unexpected should prevent +or intervene. This is merely an extension of certain forms of reasoning +that we perform ordinarily. For instance, we see a child playing with a +sharp tool, and we naturally reason that it will cut itself. We see a man +acting in certain ways which generally lead to certain ends, and we +naturally reason that the expected result will occur. The more experience +that the observer has had, and the keener his faculty of perception and +his power of deductive reasoning, the wider will be the range of his power +in the direction of predicting future results from present happenings and +conditions.</p> + +<p>In this connection, we must remember that the ordinary clairvoyant has +easier access to his subconscious mentality than has the average person. +The subconscious mind perceives and notes many little things that the +conscious mind overlooks, and therefore has better data from which to +reason. Moreover, as all students of the subconscious know, these +wonderful subconscious mental factulties have a very highly developed +power of reasoning deductively from a given premise or fact. In fact, the +subconscious faculties are almost perfect reasoning machines, providing +they are supplied with correct data in the first place. Much of the +so-called "intuitive reasoning" of persons arises from the operations of +the subconscious mental faculties just mentioned.</p> + +<p>But, you may say, this is very interesting, but it is not clairvoyance. +Certainly, good student, but still clairvoyance plays an important part +even in this elementary form of prevision and future-seeing. You must +remember that by clairvoyant vision the real thoughts and feelings of a +person may be perceived. But, unless the attention of the clairvoyant is +specially directed to this, the conscious mind does not note it, and the +matter reaches the subconscious faculties without interference or +conscious knowledge on the part of the clairvoyant. This being so, it will +be seen that the subconscious mind of the clairvoyant is able to reason +deductively, in such cases, far beyond the power of even the subconscious +mind of the ordinary person—it has fuller data and more complete material +to work upon, of course.</p> + +<p>It has become a proverb of the race that "coming events cast their shadows +before"; and many persons frequently have little flashes of future-time +seeing without realizing that they are really exercising elementary +clairvoyant powers. The combination of even a simple form of clairvoyance +and an active subconscious mind will often produce very wonderful +results—although not of course the more complex phenomena of full +clairvoyance and prevision. Some persons have claimed that even this form +of prevision implies something like fate or predestination, but this is +not fully true, for we must remember the fact that in some cases it is +possible to so act in accordance with a clairvoyant warning of this kind +that the impending calamity may be escaped. But, on the other hand, we +must also remember that every event is the result of certain preceding +events, without which it could not have happened, and which existing it +must happen unless some new element intervenes. There is such a thing as +cause and effect, we must remember—and if we can reason clearly from one +to the other with sufficient clearness, then we may actually prophesy +certain things in advance, always making allowance for the intervention of +the unexpected.</p> + +<p>An authority says on this phase of the question: "There is no doubt +whatever that, just as what is happening now is the result of causes set +in motion in the past, so what will happen in the future will be the +result of causes already in operation. Even on this plane of life we can +calculate that if certain actions are performed, certain results will +follow; but our reckoning is constantly liable to be disturbed by the +interference of factors which we have not been able to take into account. +But if we raise our consciousness to the higher planes we can see much +further into the results of our actions. We can trace, for example, the +effect of a casual word, not only upon the person to whom it was +addressed, but through him on many others as it is passed on in widening +circles, until it seems to have affected the whole country; and one +glimpse of such a vision is more efficient than any number of moral +precepts in impressing upon us the necessity of extreme circumspection in +thought, word, and deed. Not only can we from that plane see thus fully +the result of every action, but we can also see where and in what way the +results of other actions apparently quite unconnected with it will +interfere with and modify it. In fact, it may be said that the results of +all causes at present in action are clearly visible—that the future, as +it would be if no entirely new causes should arise, lies open before our +gaze.</p> + +<p>"New causes of course do arise, because man's will is free; but in the +case of all ordinary people the use which they make of their freedom may +be calculated beforehand with considerable accuracy. The average man has +so little real will that he is very much the creature of circumstances; +his action in previous lives places him amid certain surroundings, and +their influence upon him is so very much the most important factor in his +life-story that his future course may be predicted with almost +mathematical certainty. With the developed man the case is different; for +him also the main events of life are arranged by his past actions, but the +way in which he will allow them to affect him, the methods by which he +will deal with them and perhaps triumph over them—these are all his own, +and they cannot be foreseen even on the mental plane except as +probabilities.</p> + +<p>"Looking down on man's life in this way from above, it seems as though his +free will could be exercised only in certain crises in his career. He +arrives at a point in his life where there are obviously two or three +alternative courses open before him; he is absolutely free to choose which +of them he pleases, and although someone who knew his nature thoroughly +well might feel almost certain what his choice would be, such knowledge on +his friend's part is in no sense a compelling force. But when he has +chosen, he has to go through with it and take the consequences; having +entered upon a particular path he may, in many cases, be forced to go on +for a very long time before he has any opportunity to turn aside. His +position is somewhat like that of a driver of a train; when he comes to a +junction he may have the points set either this way or that, and so can +pass on to whichever line he pleases, but when he has passed on to one of +them he is compelled to run on along the line which he has selected until +he reaches another set of points, where again an opportunity of choice is +offered to him."</p> + +<p>But, interesting and wonderful as this phase of future-time clairvoyance +undoubtedly is, it pales before the fuller and more complete phases. And, +in the latter, we must look elsewhere for the explanation—or approach to +an explanation. The explanation of this higher form of future-time +clairvoyance must be looked for in a new conception of the nature and +meaning of time. It is difficult to approach this question without +becoming at once involved in technical metaphysical discussion. As an +example of this difficulty, I invite you to consider the following from +Sir Oliver Lodge, in his address to the British Association, at Cardiff, +several years ago. While what he says is very clear to the mind of a +person trained along these lines of subtle thought, it will be almost like +Greek to the average person. Sir Oliver Lodge said:</p> + +<p>"A luminous and helpful idea is that time is but a relative mode of +regarding things; we progress through phenomena at a certain definite +pace, and this subjective advance we interpret in an objective manner, as +if events moved necessarily in this order and at this precise rate. But +that may be only one mode of regarding them. The events may be in some +sense of existence always, both past and future, and it may be we who are +arriving at them, not they which are happening. The analogy of a traveller +in a railway train is useful; if he could never leave the train nor alter +its pace he would probably consider the landscapes as necessarily +successive and be unable to conceive their co-existence * * * We perceive, +therefore, a possible fourth dimensional aspect about time, the +inexorableness of whose flow may be a natural part of our present +limitations. And if we once grasp the idea that past and future may be +actually existing, we can recognize that they may have a controlling +influence on all present action, and the two together may constitute the +'higher plane' or totality of things after which, as it seems to me, we +are impelled to seek, in connection with the directing of form or +determinism, and the action of living being consciously directed to a +definite and preconceived end."</p> + +<p>Sir Oliver's illustration is somewhat akin to that of a person who sees a +moving-picture show for the first time, and does not know how it is +produced. To him it looks as if the events of the pictured story actually +were developing and happening in time, whereas, in reality the whole +picture is existing at one time. Its past, present and future is already +pictured, and may be seen by one who knows the secret and how to look for +the past or future scene; while, to the ordinary observer, the scene +progresses in sequence, the present being followed by something else which +is at this moment "in the future," and therefore, unknowable. To the +senses of the ordinary observer only the present is in existence; while, +in fact, the "future" is equally truly in existence at the same time, +although not evident to the senses of the observer. Think over this a +little, and let the idea sink into your mind—it may help you to +understand something concerning the mystery of future-time clairvoyance, +prevision, or second-sight.</p> + +<p>Time, you know, is far more relative than we generally conceive it. It is +a scientific fact that a person in the dream state may cover years of +time in a dream that occupies only a few seconds of time. Persons have +nodded and awakened immediately afterwards (as proved by others present in +the room), and yet in that moment's time they have dreamed of long +journeys to foreign lands, great campaigns of war, etc. Moreover, a loud +sound (a pistol shot, for instance) which has awakened a sleeping person, +has also set into effect a dream-state train of circumstances, +constituting a long dream-state story which, after many events and +happenings, terminated in the shot of a firing-squad—and then the man +awoke. Now in this last mentioned case, not only has the dreamer +experienced events covering a long time, all in the space of a second of +time; but, also, the very sound which terminated the dream, also induced +it from the very beginning—the last thing caused the first things to +appear and proceed in sequence to the last! Persons under the influence of +chloroform, or "laughing gas," have similar experiences—often the first +sound heard at the moment of recovering consciousness seems to be the last +thing in a long dream which preceded it, though the long dream was really +caused by the final sound. Now, remember, that here not only did past, +present and future exist at the same moment of time; but, also, the future +caused the past and present to come into being.</p> + +<p>On the physical plane, we have analogies illustrating this fact. It is +said that in every acorn rests and exists, in miniature, the form of the +future oak. And, some go so far as to say that the oak is the "ultimate +cause" of the acorn—that the idea of the oak caused the acorn to be at +all. In the same way, the "idea" of the man must be in the infant boy, +from the moment of birth, and even from the moment of conception. +But, let us pass on to the bold conception of the most advanced +metaphysicians—they have a still more dazzling explanation, let us listen +to it.</p> + +<p>These occultists and metaphysicians who have thought long and deeply upon +the ultimate facts and nature of the universe, have dared to think that +there must exist some absolute consciousness—some absolute mind—which +must perceive the past, present and future of the universe as one +happening; as simultaneously and actively present at one moment of +absolute time. They reason that just as man may see as one happening of a +moment of his time some particular event which might appear as a year to +some minute form of life and mind—the microscopic creatures in a drop of +water, for instance; so that which seems as a year, or a hundred years, to +the mind of man may appear as the happening of a single moment of a higher +scale of time to some exalted Being or form of consciousness on a higher +plane. You remember that it is said that "a thousand years is but as a day +to the Lord;" and the Hindu Vedas tell us that "the creation, duration, +and destruction of the universe, is as but the time of the twinkling of an +eye to Brahman." I shall not proceed further along this line—I have given +you a very strong hint here; you must work it out for yourself, if you +feel so disposed. But there are certain consequences arising from this +ultimate universal fact, which I must mention before passing on.</p> + +<p>The high occult teachings hold that there is a plane of the higher astral +world which may be said to carry a reflection of the Universal Mind—just +as a lake contains a reflection of the distant mountain. Well, then, the +clairvoyant vision at times is able to penetrate to the realm of that +astral reflecting medium, and see somewhat dimly what is pictured there. +As the future may be discerned in this reflected picture, by the +clairvoyant mind, we see how future-seeing, prevision, and second-sight +may be explained scientifically.</p> + +<p>A writer has said: "On this plane, in some manner which down here is +totally inexplicable, the past, the present, and the future, are all there +existing simultaneously. One can only accept this fact, for its cause lies +in the faculty of that exalted plane, and the way in which this higher +faculty works is naturally quite incomprehensible to the physical brain. +Yet now and then one may meet with a hint that seems to bring us a trifle +nearer to a dim possibility of comprehension. When the pupil's +consciousness is fully developed upon this higher plane, therefore, +perfect prevision is possible to him, though he may not—nay, he certainly +will not—be able to bring the whole result of his sight through fully and +in order into his physical consciousness. Still, a great deal of clear +foresight is obviously within his power whenever he likes to exercise it; +and even when he is not exercising it, frequent flashes of foreknowledge +come through into his ordinary life, so that he often has an instantaneous +intuition as to how things will turn out."</p> + +<p>The same writer says: "Short of perfect prevision we find that all degrees +of this type of clairvoyance exist, from the occasional vague premonitions +which cannot in any true sense be called sight at all, up to frequent and +fairly complete second-sight. The faculty to which this latter somewhat +misleading name has been given is an extremely interesting one, and would +well repay more careful and systematic study than has hitherto been given +to it. It is best known to us as a not infrequent possession of the +Scottish Highlanders, though it is by no means confined to them. +Occasional instances of it have appeared in almost every nation, but it +has always been commonest among mountaineers and men of lonely life. With +us in England it is often spoken of as if it were the exclusive appanage +of the Celtic race, but in reality it has appeared among similarly +situated peoples the world over, it is stated, for example, to be very +common among the Westphalian peasantry.</p> + +<p>"Sometimes the second-sight consists of a picture clearly foreshowing some +coming event; more frequently, perhaps, the glimpse of the future is given +in some symbolical appearance. It is noteworthy that the events foreseen +are invariably unpleasant ones—death being the commonest of all; I do not +recollect a single instance in which the second-sight has shown anything +which was not of the most gloomy nature. It has a ghastly symbolism of +its own—a symbolism of shrouds and corpse-candles, and other funeral +horrors. In some cases it appears to be to a certain extent dependent upon +locality, for it is stated that inhabitants of the Isle of Skye who +possess the faculty often lose it when they leave the island, even though +it be only to cross to the mainland. The gift of such sight is sometimes +hereditary in a family for generations, but this is not an invariable +rule, for it often appears sporadically in one member of a family +otherwise free from its lugubrious influence.</p> + +<p>"There may be still some people who deny the possibility of prevision, but +such denial simply shows their ignorance of the evidence on the subject. +The large number of authenticated cases leave no room for doubt as to the +fact, but many of them are of such a nature as to render a reasonable +explanation by no means easy to find. It is evident that the Ego possesses +a certain amount of previsional faculty, and if the events foreseen were +always of great importance, one might suppose that an extraordinary +stimulus had enabled him for that occasion only to make a clear impression +of what he saw upon his lower personality. No doubt that is the +explanation of many of the cases in which death or grave disaster is +foreseen, but there are a large number of instances on record to which it +does not seem to apply, since the events foretold are frequently trivial +and unimportant."</p> + +<p>In the following chapter I shall present to your consideration some very +remarkable cases of future-time clairvoyance, prevision, or second-sight; +some of these are historical cases, and all are vouched for by the best +authorities. I quote these cases not merely for their own interesting +features, but also to give you an idea of how remarkable some of these +instances are; and also to give you a clear conception of the way in which +this form of clairvoyance tends to manifest itself.</p> + +<p>Before passing on to these interesting cases, however, I wish to remind +you that in future-time clairvoyance, as well as in past-time +clairvoyance, the phenomenon may be manifested in many ways and according +to several methods. That is to say, that in future-time clairvoyance the +vision may come in the state of meditation or reverie; it may come along +the lines of psychometry, some associated object or person supplying the +connecting link; or, again, it may come as the result of crystal-gazing, +etc. This is as we might naturally expect, for this form of clairvoyance +is merely one special and particular phase of clairvoyance in general, and +of course, comes under the general laws and rules governing all +clairvoyant phenomena.</p> + +<p>Future-time clairvoyance, prevision and second-sight may, like any other +form of clairvoyance, be developed and unfolded, by means of the same +rules and methods that I have already suggested to you in the preceding +lessons. It is all a matter of attention, application, patience, exercise +and practice. I may say, however, that the strong desire and wish for the +perception of future events, held firmly in mind during the practicing and +exercising, will tend to unfold and develop the clairvoyant faculties in +this particular direction. Strong desire, and earnest attention in the +desired direction, will do much to cultivate, develop and unfold any +psychic faculty.</p> + +<p>Just as meditation and reverie about past times and things tend to develop +past-time clairvoyance, so will meditation and reverie about future time +and things tend to develop prevision and the seeing of future things. +This, indeed, is the very first step toward the attainment of this form of +clairvoyance. The attention clears the psychic path, over which the astral +faculties travel. In the astral, as on the physical, the rule is: always +look where you are going—look ahead on the path over which you wish to +travel.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXIII"></a><h2>LESSON XIII.</h2> + +<p>SECOND-SIGHT, PREVISION, ETC.</p> +<br /> + +<p>Notwithstanding the difficulties in the way of an intelligent explanation +of the phenomena of future-time clairvoyance, second-sight, prevision, +etc., of which I have spoken in the preceding lesson, the human race has +always had a lively reminder of the existence of such phenomena; and the +records of the race have always contained many instances of the +manifestation thereof. Among all peoples, in all lands, in all times, +there have been noted remarkable instances of the power of certain persons +to peer into, and correctly report from, the mysterious regions of the +future. Passing from the traditional reports of the race, and the minor +instances known to almost every person, we find that the scientific +investigators of psychic phenomena have gathered together an enormous +array of well authenticated cases of this class. The reports of the +Society for Psychical research contain hundreds of such cases, which the +student may read and study with interest and profit.</p> + +<p>It is not my intention to present a full history of the reports of this +character. Rather, I shall call your attention to a few striking cases, in +order to illustrate the phenomenon clearly and forcibly. There is such a +wealth of material of this kind that it embarrases one who wishes to +select from it. However, I shall do the best I can in that direction. +Following, to commence with, I give you extracts from a well known case +reported by a prominent member of the Theosophical Society, which has +attracted much attention. It was related to this person by one of the +actors in the scene. It happened in India. A party of English army +officers was entering a dense jungle. Then follows the story, as below:</p> + +<p>"We plunged into the jungle, and had walked on for about an hour without +much success, when Cameron, who happened to be next to me, stopped +suddenly, turned pale as death, and, pointing straight before him, cried +in accents of horror: 'See! see! merciful heavens, look there!' 'Where? +what? what is it?' we all shouted confusedly, as we rushed up to him, and +looked around in expectation of encountering a tiger—a cobra—we hardly +knew what, but assuredly something terrible, since it had been sufficient +to cause such evident emotion in our usually self-contained comrade. But +neither tiger nor cobra was visible—nothing but Cameron pointing with +ghastly haggard face and starting eyeballs at something we could not see.</p> + +<p>"'Cameron! Cameron!' cried I, seizing his arm, 'for heavens sake speak! +What is the matter?' Scarcely were the words out of my mouth when a low +but very peculiar sound struck upon my ear, and Cameron, dropping his +pointing hand, said in a hoarse, strained voice, 'There! you heard it? +Thank God it's over!' and fell to the ground insensible. There was a +momentary confusion while we unfastened his collar, and I dashed in his +face some water which I fortunately had in my flask, while another tried +to pour brandy between his clenched teeth; and under cover of it I +whispered to the man next to me (one of our greatest skeptics, by the +way), 'Beauchamp, did you hear anything?' 'Why, yes,' he replied, 'a +curious sound, very; a sort of crash or rattle far away in the distance, +yet very distinct; if the thing were not utterly impossible, I could have +sworn that it was the rattle of musketry.' 'Just my impression,' murmured +I; 'but hush! he is recovering.'</p> + +<p>"In a minute or two he was able to speak feebly, and began to thank us and +apologize for giving trouble; and soon he sat up, leaning against a tree, +and in a firm, though low voice said: 'My dear friends, I feel that I owe +you an explanation of my extraordinary behavior. It is an explanation that +I would fain avoid giving; but it must come some time, and so may as well +be given now. You may perhaps have noticed that when during our voyage you +all joined in scoffing at dreams, portents and visions, I invariably +avoided giving any opinion on the subject. I did so because, while I had +no desire to court ridicule or provoke discussion, I was unable to agree +with you, knowing only too well from my own dread experience that the +world which men agree to call that of the supernatural is just as real +as—nay, perhaps even more real than—this world we see about us. In other +words, I, like many of my countrymen, am cursed with the gift of +second-sight—that awful faculty which foretells in vision calamities +that are shortly to occur.</p> + +<p>"'Such a vision I had just now, and its exceptional horror moved me as you +have seen. I saw before me a corpse—not that of one who has died a +peaceful, natural death, but that of the victim of some terrible accident; +a ghastly, shapeless mass, with a face swollen, crushed, unrecognizable. I +saw this dreadful object placed in a coffin, and the funeral service +performed over it. I saw the burial-ground, I saw the clergyman: and +though I had never seen either before, I can picture both perfectly in my +mind's eye now; I saw you, myself, Beauchamp, all of us and many more, +standing round as mourners; I saw the soldiers raise their muskets after +the service was over; I heard the volley they fired—and then I knew no +more.' As he spoke of that volley of musketry I glanced across with a +shudder at Beauchamp, and the look of stony horror on that handsome +skeptic's face was not to be forgotten."</p> + +<p>Omitting the somewhat long recital of events which followed, I would say +that later in the same day the party of young officers and soldiers +discovered the body of their commanding officer in the shocking condition +so vividly and graphically described by young Cameron. The story proceeds +as follows:</p> + +<p>"When, on the following evening, we arrived at our destination, and our +melancholy deposition had been taken down by the proper authorities, +Cameron and I went out for a quiet walk, to endeavor with the assistance +of the soothing influence of nature to shake off something of the gloom +which paralyzed our spirits. Suddenly he clutched my arm, and, pointing +through some rude railings, said in a trembling voice, 'Yes, there it is! +that is the burial-ground of yesterday.' And, when later on we were +introduced to the chaplain of the post, I noticed, though my friends did +not, the irrepressible shudder with which Cameron took his hand, and I +knew that he had recognized the clergyman of his vision."</p> + +<p>The story concludes with the statement that in all the little details, as +well as the main points, the scene at the burial of the commanding officer +corresponded exactly with the vision of Cameron. This story brings out the +fact that the Scotch people are especially given to manifestations of +second-sight—particularly the Highlanders or mountain people of that +land. It is hard to find a Scotchman, who, in his heart, does not believe +in second-sight, and who has not known of some well authenticated instance +of its manifestation. In other lands, certain races, or sub-races, seem to +be specially favored (or cursed, as Cameron asserted) with this power. It +will be noticed, usually, that such people dwell, or have dwelt in the +highlands or mountains of their country. There seems to be something in +the mountains and hills which tends to develop and encourage this power in +those dwelling among them. The story is also remarkable in the fact that +the impression was so strong in the mind of Cameron that it actually +communicated itself by clairaudience to those near to him—this is quite +unusual, though not without correspondence in other cases. Otherwise, the +case is merely a typical one, and may be duplicated in the experience of +thousands of other men and women.</p> + +<p>George Fox, the pioneer Quaker, had this faculty well developed, and +numerous instances of its manifestation by him are recorded. For instance, +he foretold the death of Cromwell, when he met him riding at Hampton +Court; he said that he felt "a waft of death" around and about Cromwell; +and Cromwell died shortly afterwards. Fox also publicly foretold the +dissolution of the Rump Parliament of England; the restoration of Charles +II; and the Great Fire of London—these are historical facts, remember. +For that matter, history contains many instances of this kind: the +prophecy of Caesar's death, and its further prevision by his wife, for +instance. The Bible prophecies and predictions, major and minor, give us +semi-historical instances.</p> + +<p>A celebrated historical instance of remarkable second-sight and prevision, +is that of Cazotte, whose wonderful prediction and its literal fulfilment +are matters of French history. Dumas has woven the fact into one of his +stories, in a dramatic manner—but even so he does not make the tale any +more wonderful than the bare facts. Here is the recital of the case by La +Harpe, the French writer, who was a personal witness of the occurrence, +and whose testimony was corroborated by many others who were present at +the time. La Harpe says:</p> + +<p>"It appears as but yesterday, and yet, nevertheless, it was at the +beginning of the year 1788. We were dining with one of our brethren at the +Academy—a man of considerable wealth and genius. The conversation became +serious; much admiration was expressed on the revolution in thought which +Voltaire had effected, and it was agreed that it was his first claim to +the reputation he enjoyed. We concluded that the revolution must soon be +consummated; that it was indispensible that superstition and fanaticism +should give way to philosophy, and we began to calculate the probability +of the period when this should be, and which of the present company should +live to see it. The oldest complained that they could scarcely flatter +themselves with the hope; the younger rejoiced that they might entertain +this very probable expectation; and they congratulated the Academy +especially for having prepared this great work, and for having been the +rallying point, the centre, and the prime mover of the liberty of thought.</p> + +<p>"One only of the guests had not taken part in all the joyousness of this +conversation, and had even gently and cheerfully checked our splendid +enthusiasm. This was Cazotte, an amiable and original man, but unhappily +infatuated with the reveries of the illumaniti. He spoke, and with the +most serious tone, saying: 'Gentleman, be satisfied; you will all see this +great and sublime revolution, which you so much desire. You know that I am +a little inclined to prophesy; I repeat, you will see it,' He was answered +by the common rejoinder: 'One need not be a conjuror to see that.' He +answered: 'Be it so; but perhaps one must be a little more than conjuror +for what remains for me to tell you. Do you know what will be the +consequences of this revolution—what will be the consequence to all of +you, and what will be the immediate result—the well-established +effect—the thoroughly recognized consequences to all of you who are here +present?'</p> + +<p>"'Ah' said Condorcet, with his insolent and half-suppressed smile, 'let us +hear—a philosopher is not sorry to encounter a prophet—let us hear!' +Cazotte replied: 'You, Monsier de Condorcet—you will yield up your last +breath on the floor of a dungeon; you will die from poison, which you will +have taken in order to escape from execution—from poison which the +happiness of that time will oblige you to carry about your person. You, +Monsieur de Chamfort, you will open your veins with twenty-two cuts of a +razor, and yet will not die till some months afterward.' These personages +looked at each other, and laughed again. Cazotte continued: 'You, Monsieur +Vicq d'Azir, you will not open your own veins, but you will cause yourself +to be bled six times in one day, during a paroxysm of the gout, in order +to make more sure of your end, and you will die in the night.'</p> + +<p>"Cazotte went on: 'You, Monsieur de Nicolai, you will die on the scaffold; +you, Monsieur Bailly, on the scaffold; you, Monsieur de Malesherbes, on +the scaffold. 'Ah, God be thanked,' exclaimed Roucher, 'and what of I?' +Cazotte replied: 'You? you also will die on the scaffold.' 'Yes,' replied +Chamfort, 'but when will all this happen?' Cazotte answered: 'Six years +will not pass over, before all that I have said to you shall be +accomplished.' Here I (La Harpe) spoke, saying: 'Here are some astonishing +miracles, but you have not included me in your list.' Cazotte answered me, +saying: 'But you will be there, as an equally extraordinary miracle; you +will then be a Christian!' Vehement exclamations on all sides followed +this startling assertion. 'Ah!' said Chamfort, 'I am conforted; if we +shall perish only when La Harpe shall be a Christian, we are immortal;'</p> + +<p>"Then observed Madame la Duchesse de Grammont: 'As for that, we women, we +are happy to be counted for nothing in these revolutions: when I say for +nothing, it is not that we do not always mix ourselves up with them a +little; but it is a received maxim that they take no notice of us, and of +our sex.' 'Your sex, ladies' said Cazotte, 'your sex will not protect you +this time; and you had far better meddle with nothing, for you will be +treated entirely as men, without any difference whatever.' 'But what, +then, are you really telling us of Monsieur Cazotte? You are preaching to +us the end of the world.' 'I know nothing on that subject; but what I do +know is, that you Madame la Duchesse, will be conducted to the scaffold, +you and many other ladies with you, in the cart of the executioner, and +with your hands tied behind your backs. 'Ah! I hope that in that case, I +shall at least have a carriage hung in black.' 'No, madame; higher ladies +than yourself will go, like you, in the common car, with their hands tied +behind them.' 'Higher ladies! what! the princesses of the blood?' 'Yea, +and still more exalted personages!' replied Cazotte.</p> + +<p>"Here a sensible emotion pervaded the whole company, and the countenance +of the host was dark and lowering—they began to feel that the joke was +becoming too serious. Madame de Grammont, in order to dissipate the cloud, +took no notice of the reply, and contented herself with saying in a +careless tone: 'You see, that he will not leave me even a confessor!' 'No, +madame!' replied Cazotte, 'you will not have one—neither you, nor any one +besides. The last victim to whom this favor will be afforded will be—' +Here he stopped for a moment. 'Well! who then will be the happy mortal to +whom this prerogative will be given?' Cazotte replied: 'It is the only one +which he will have then retained—and that will be the King of France!'" +This last startling prediction caused the company to disband in something +like terror and dismay, for the mere mention of such thing was akin to +treason.</p> + +<p>The amazing sequel to this strange story is that within the six years +allotted by the prophecy, every detail thereof was verified absolutely. +The facts are known to all students of the French Revolution, and may be +verified by reference to any history of that terrible period. To +appreciate the startling nature of the prophecy when made, one needs but +to be acquainted with the position and characteristics of the persons +whose destinies were foretold. This celebrated instance of highly advanced +future-time clairvoyance, or prevision, has never been equalled. The +reason, perhaps, is that Cazotte indeed was an advanced and highly +developed occultist—the account mentions this, you will notice. This +class of persons very seldom prophecy in this way, for reasons known to +all occultists. The ordinary cases recorded are those in which the +manifestation is that of a person of lesser powers and less perfect +development.</p> + +<p>Advanced occultists know the danger of a careless use of this power. They +know that (omitting other and very important reasons) such revelations +would work a terrible effect upon the minds of persons not sufficiently +well balanced to stand the disclosure. Moreover, they know that if the +average person knew the principal details of his future life on earth, +then he would lose interest in it—it would become stale and would lose +the attraction of the unknown. In such a case, the pleasant things to come +would lose their attractiveness by reason of having been dwelt on so long +that their flavor was lost; and the unpleasant things would become +unbearable by reason of the continual anticipation of them. We are apt to +discount our pleasures by dwelling too much upon them in anticipation; +and, as we all know, the dread of a coming evil often is worse than the +thing itself—we suffer a thousand pangs in anticipation to one in +reality. But, as I have intimated, there are other, and still more serious +reasons why the advanced occultists do not indulge in public prophecies +of this kind. It is probable that Cazotte decided to, and was permitted +to, make his celebrated prophecy for some important occult reason of which +La Harpe had no knowledge—it doubtless was a part of the working out of +some great plan, and it may have accomplished results undreamed of by us. +At any rate, it was something very much out of the; ordinary, even in the +case of advanced occultists and masters of esoteric knowledge.</p> + +<p>Another case which has a historic value is the well-known case concerning +the assassination of Spencer Perceval, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in +England, which occurred in the lobby of the House of Commons. The persons +who have a knowledge of the case report that some nine days before the +tragic occurrence a Cornish mine manager, named John Williams, had a +vision, three times in succession, in which he saw a small man, dressed in +a blue coat and white waistcoat, enter the lobby of the House of Commons; +whereupon another man, dressed in a snuff-colored coat, stepped forward, +and, drawing a pistol from an inside pocket fired at and shot the small +man, the bullet lodging in the left breast. In the vision, Williams turned +and asked some bystander the name of the victim; the bystander replied +that the stricken man was Mr. Spencer Perceval, the Chancellor of the +Exchequer. The valuable feature of the case, from a scientific standpoint, +lies in the fact that Williams was very much impressed by his +thrice-repeated vision, and was greatly disturbed thereby. His anxiety +was so great that he spoke of the matter to several friends, and asked +them whether it would not be well for him to go to London for the purpose +of warning Mr. Perceval. His friends ridiculed the whole matter, and +persuaded him to give up the idea of visiting London for the purpose +named. Those who had a knowledge of the vision were greatly startled and +shocked when several days afterward the assassination occurred, agreeing +in perfect detail with the vision of the Cornishman. The case, vouched for +as it was by a number of reliable persons who had been consulted by +Williams, attracted much attention at the time, and has since passed into +the history of remarkable instances of prevision.</p> + +<p>In some cases, however, the prevision seems to come as a warning, and in +many cases the heeding of the warning has prevented the unpleasant +features from materializing as seen in the vision. Up to the point of the +action upon the warning the occurrence agree perfectly with the +vision—but the moment the warned person acts so as to prevent the +occurrence, the whole train of circumstances is broken. There is an occult +explanation of this, but it is too technical to mention at this place.</p> + +<p>What is known to psychic researchers as "the Hannah Green case" is of this +character. This story, briefly, is that Hannah Green, a housekeeper of +Oxfordshire, dreamt that she, having been left alone in the house of a +Sunday evening, heard a knock at the door. Opening the door she found a +tramp who tried to force his way into the house. She struggled to prevent +his entrance, but he struck her with a bludgeon and rendered her +insensible, whereupon he entered the house and robbed it. She related the +vision to her friends, but, as nothing happened for some time, the matter +almost passed from her mind. But, some seven years afterward, she was left +in charge of the house on a certain Sunday evening; during the evening she +was startled by a sudden knock at the door, and her former vision was +recalled to her memory quite vividly. She refused to go to the door, +remembering the warning, but instead went up to a landing on the stair and +looked out the window, she saw at the door the very tramp whom she had +seen in the vision some seven years before, armed with a bludgeon and +striving to force an entrance into the house. She took steps to frighten +away the rascal, and she was saved from the unpleasant conclusion of her +vision. Many similar cases are recorded.</p> + +<p>In some cases persons have been warned by symbols of various kinds; or +else have had prevision in the same way. For instance, many cases are +known in which the vision is that of the undertaker's wagon standing +before the door of the person who dies sometime afterward. Or, the person +is visioned clad in a shroud. The variations of this class are +innumerable. Speak to the average dweller in the highlands of Scotland, or +certain counties in Ireland, regarding this—you will be furnished with a +wealth of illustrations and examples.</p> + +<p>This phase of the general subject of clairvoyance is very fascinating to +the student and investigator, and is one in which the highest psychic or +astral powers of sensing are called into play. In fact, as I have said, +there is here a reflection of something very much higher than the astral +or psychic planes of being. The student catches a glimpse of regions +infinitely higher and grander. He begins to realize at least something of +the existence of that Universal Consciousness "in which we live, and move, +and have our being;" and of the reality of the Eternal Now, in which past, +present and future are blended as one fact of infinite consciousness. He +sees the signboard pointing to marvelous truths!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXIV"></a><h2>LESSON XIV.</h2> + +<p>ASTRAL-BODY TRAVELING</p> +<br /> + +<p>There is much confusion existing in the minds of the average students of +occultism concerning the distinction between astral visioning by means of +the astral senses in clairvoyance, and the visioning of the astral senses +during the travels of the astral body away from the physical body. There +is such a close connection between the two several phases of occult +phenomena that it is easy to mistake one for the other; in fact, there is +often such a blending of the two that it is quite difficult to distinguish +between them. However, in this lesson I shall endeavor to bring out the +characteristics of astral body visioning, that the student may learn to +distinguish them from those of the ordinary clairvoyant astral visioning, +and recognize them when he experiences them.</p> + +<p>The main points of distinction are these: When visioning clairvoyantly by +means of the astral senses, as described in the preceding chapters of this +book, the clairvoyant usually perceives the scene, person or event as a +picture on a flat surface. It is true that there is generally a perfect +perspective, similar to that of a good stereoscopic view, or that of a +high-grade moving picture photograph—the figures "stand out," and do not +appear "flat" as in the case of an ordinary photograph; but still at the +best it is like looking at a moving picture, inasmuch as the whole scene +is all in front of you. Visioning in the astral body, on the contrary, +gives you an "all around" view of the scene. That is to say, in such case +you see the thing just as you would were you there in your physical +body—you see in front of you; on the sides of you, out of the corner of +your eye; if you turn your head, you may see in any direction; and you may +turn around and see what is happening behind you. In the first case you +are merely gazing at an astral picture in front of you; while in the +second place you are ACTUALLY THERE IN PERSON.</p> + +<p>There are some limitations to this "seeing all around" when in the astral +body, however, which I should note in passing. For instance, if when in +the astral body you examine the akashic records of the past, or else peer +into the scenes of the future, you will see these things merely as a +picture, and will not be conscious of being present personally in the +scene. (An apparent exception is to be noted here, also, viz., if your +past-time visioning includes the perception of yourself in a former +incarnation, you may be conscious of living and acting in your former +personality; again, if you are psychometrizing from fossil remains, or +anything concerned with a living creature of the past, you may "take on" +the mental or emotional conditions of that creature, and seem to sense +things from the inside, rather than from the outside. This, of course, is +also a characteristic of the ordinary clairvoyant vision of the past.) But +when, in the astral body, you perceive a present-time scene in space, you +are, to all intents and purposes, an actual participant—you are actually +present at the place and time. The sense of "being actually present in +the body" is the leading characteristic of the astral body visioning, and +distinguishes it from the "picture seeing" sensing of ordinary +clairvoyance. This is stating the matter is as plain and simple form as is +possible, ignoring many technical details and particulars.</p> + +<p>You, being a student of occultism, of course know that the astral body is +a fine counterpart of the physical body, composed of a far more subtle +form of substance than is the latter, that under certain conditions you +may travel in your astral body, detached from your physical body (except +being connected with it with a slender astral cord, bearing a close +resemblance to the umbilical cord which connects the newborn babe with the +placenta in the womb of its mother), and explore the realms of the astral +plane. This projection of the astral body, as a rule, occurs only when the +physical body is stilled in sleep, or in trance condition. In fact, the +astral body frequently is projected by us during the course of our +ordinary sleep, but we fail to remember what we have seen in our astral +journeys, except, occasionally, dim flashes of partial recollection upon +awakening. In some cases, however, our astral visioning is so distinct and +vivid, that we awaken with a sense of having had a peculiar experience, +and as having actually been out of the physical body at the time.</p> + +<p>In some cases, the person traveling in the astral is able to actually take +part in the distant scene, and may, under certain circumstances actually +materialize himself so as to be seen by persons in their physical bodies. +I am speaking now, of course, of the untrained person. The trained and +developed occultist, of course, is able to do these things deliberately +and consciously, instead of unconsciously and without intention as in the +case of the ordinary person. I shall quote here from another writer on the +subject, whose point of view, in connection with my own, may serve to +bring about a clear understanding in the mind of the student—it is always +well to view any subject from as many angles as possible. This writer +says:</p> + +<p>"We enter here upon an entirely new variety of clairvoyance, in which the +consciousness of the seer no longer remains in or closely connected with +his physical body, but is definitely transferred to the scene which he is +examining. Though it has no doubt greater dangers for the untrained seer +than either of the other methods, it is yet quite the most satisfactory +form of clairvoyance open to him. In this case, the man's body is either +asleep or in a trance, and its organs are consequently not available for +use while the vision is going on, so that all description of what is seen, +and all questioning as to further particulars, must be postponed until the +wanderer returns to this plane. On the other hand, the sight is much +fuller and more perfect; the man hears as well as sees everything which +passes before him, and can move about freely at will within the very wide +limits of the astral plane. He has also the immense advantage of being +able to take part, as it were, in the scenes which come before his +eyes—of conversing at will with various entities on the astral plane, and +from whom so much information that is curious and interesting may be +obtained. If in addition he can learn how to materialize himself (a matter +of no great difficulty for him when once the knack is acquired), he will +be able to take part in physical events or conversations at a distance, +and to show himself to an absent friend at will.</p> + +<p>"Again, he will have the additional power of being able to hunt about for +what he wants. By means of the other varieties of clairvoyance, for all +practical purposes he may find a person or place only when he is already +acquainted with it; or, when he is put en rapport with it by touching +something physically connected with it, as in psychometry. By the use of +the astral body, however, a man can move about quite freely and rapidly in +any direction, and can (for example) find without difficulty any place +pointed out upon a map, without either any previous knowledge of the spot +or any object to establish a connection with it. He can also readily rise +high into the air so as to gain a bird's eye view of the country which he +is examining, so as to observe its extent, the contour of its coastline, +or its general character. Indeed, in every way his power and freedom are +far greater when he uses this method than they are in any of the lesser +forms of clairvoyance."</p> + +<p>In many well authenticated cases, we may see that the soul of a dying +person, one whose physical end is approaching, visits friends and +relatives in the astral body, and in many cases materializes and even +speaks to them. In such cases the dying person accomplishes the feat of +astral manifestation without any special occult knowledge; the weakened +links between the physical and the higher phases of the soul render the +temporary passing-out comparatively easy, and the strong desire of the +dying person furnishes the motive power necessary. Such visits, however, +are often found to be merely the strongly charged thought of the dying +person, along the lines of telepathy, as I have previously explained to +you. But in many cases there can be no doubt that the phenomenon is a +clear case of astral visitation and materialization.</p> + +<p>The records of the Society for Psychical Research contain many instances +of this kind; and similar instances are to be found in other records of +psychical research. I shall quote a few of these cases for you, that you +may get a clear idea of the characteristics thereof. Andrew Lang, an +eminent student and investigator along the lines of the psychic and +occult, gives us the following case, of which he says, "Not many stories +have such good evidence in their favor." The story as related by Mr. Lang +in one of his books is as follows:</p> + +<p>"Mary, the wife of John Goffe of Rochester, being afflicted with a long +illness, removed to her father's house at West Mailing, about nine miles +from her own. The day before her death she grew very impatiently desirous +to see her two children, whom she had left at home to the care of a +nurse. She was too ill to be moved, and between one and two o'clock in the +morning she fell into a trance. One widow, Turner, who watched with her +that night, says that her eyes were open and fixed, and her jaw fallen. +Mrs. Turner put her hand to her mouth, but could perceive no breath. She +thought her to be in a fit, and doubted whether she were dead or alive. +The next morning the dying woman told her mother that she had been at home +with her children, saying, 'I was with them last night when I was asleep.'</p> + +<p>"The nurse at Rochester, widow Alexander by name, affirms that a little +before two o'clock that morning she saw the likeness of the said Mary +Goffe come out of the next chamber (where the elder child lay in a bed by +itself), the door being left open, and stood by her bedside for about a +quarter of an hour; the younger child was there lying by her. Her eyes +moved and her mouth went, but she said nothing. The nurse, moreover says +that she was perfectly awake; it was then daylight, being one of the +longest days of the year. She sat up in bed and looked steadfastly on the +apparition. In that time she heard the bridge clock strike two, and a +while after said: 'In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, what art +thou?' Thereupon the apparition removed and went away; she slipped out of +her clothes and followed, but what became on't she cannot tell."</p> + +<p>In the case just mentioned, Mr. Lang states that the nurse was so +frightened that she was afraid to return to bed. As soon as the neighbors +were up and about she told them of what she had seen; but they told her +that she had been dreaming. It was only when, later on, news came of what +had happened at the other end of the line—the bedside of the dying woman, +that they realized just what had happened.</p> + +<p>In a work by Rev. F.G. Lee, there are several other cases of this kind +quoted, all of which are stated by Mr. Lee to be thoroughly well +authenticated. In one of the cases a mother, when dying in Egypt, appears +to her children in Torquay, and is clearly seen in broad daylight by all +five children and also by the nursemaid. In another, a Quaker lady dying +at Cockermouth is clearly seen and recognized in daylight by her three +children at Seattle, the remainder of the story being almost identical +with that of the Goffe case just quoted.</p> + +<p>In the records of the Society for Psychical Research, the following case +appears, the person reporting it being said to be of good character and +reputation for truthfulness and reliability. The story is as follows: "One +morning in December, 1836, A. had the following dream, or he would prefer +to call it, revelation. He found himself suddenly at the gate of Major +N.M.'s avenue, many miles from his home. Close to him was a group of +persons, one of whom was a woman with a basket on her arm, the rest were +men, four of whom were tenants of his own, while the others were unknown +to him. Some of the strangers seemed to be assaulting H.W., one of his +tenants, and he interfered. A. says, 'I struck violently at the man on my +left, and then with greater violence at the man's face on my right. +Finding, to my surprise, that I had not knocked down either, I struck +again and again with all the violence of a man frenzied at the sight of my +poor friend's murder. To my great amazement I saw my arms, although +visible to my eye, were without substance, and the bodies of the men I +struck at and my own came close together after each blow, through the +shadowy arms I struck with. My blows were delivered with more extreme +violence than I ever think I exerted, but I became painfully convinced of +my incompetency. I have no consciousness of what happened after this +feeling of unsubstantiality came upon me.'</p> + +<p>"Next morning, A. experienced the stiffness and soreness of violent bodily +exercise, and was informed by his wife that in the course of the night he +had much alarmed her by striking out again and again in a terrific manner, +'as if fighting for his life.' He, in turn, informed her of his dream, and +begged her to remember the names of those actors in it who were known to +him. On the morning of the following day (Wednesday) A. received a letter +from his agent, who resided in the town close to the scene of the dream, +informing him that his tenant had been found on Tuesday morning at Major +N.M.'s gate, speechless and apparently dying from a fracture of the +skull, and that there was no trace of the murderers.</p> + +<p>"That night A. started for the town, and arrived there on Thursday +morning. On his way to a meeting of magistrates, he met the senior +magistrate of that part of the country, and requested him to give orders +for the arrest of the three men whom, besides H.W., he had recognized in +his dream, and to have them examined separately. This was at once done. +The three men gave identical accounts of the occurrence, and all named the +woman who was with them. She was then arrested and gave precisely similar +testimony. They said that between eleven and twelve on the Monday night +they had been walking homewards altogether along the road, when they were +overtaken by three strangers, two of whom savagely assaulted H.W., while +the other prevented his friends from interfering. H.W. did not die, but +was never the same man afterwards; he subsequently emigrated."</p> + +<p>Stead, the English editor and psychical researcher, relates the following +case, which he accepts as truthful and correct, after careful +investigation of the circumstances and of the character and reputation of +the person relating it. The story proceeds as follows:</p> + +<p>"St. Eglos is situated about ten miles from the Atlantic, and not quite so +far from the old market town of Trebodwina. Hart and George Northey were +brothers, and from childhood their lives had been marked by the strongest +brotherly affection. Hart and George Northey had never been separated +from their birth until George became a sailor, Hart meantime joining his +father in business. On the 8th of February, 1840, while George Northey's +ship was lying in port at St. Helena, he had the following strange dream:</p> + +<p>"Last night I dreamt that my brother was at Trebodwina Market, and that I +was with him, quite close by his side, during the whole of the market +transactions. Although I could see and hear which passed around me, I felt +sure that it was not my bodily presence which thus accompanied him, but my +shadow or rather my spiritual presence, for he seemed quite unconscious +that I was near him. I felt that my being thus present in this strange way +betokened some hidden danger which he was destined to meet, and which I +know my presence could not avert, for I could not speak to warn him of his +peril."</p> + +<p>The story then proceeds to relate how Hart collected considerable money at +Trebodwina Market, and then started to ride homeward. George tells what +happened to his brother on the way, as follows:</p> + +<p>"My terror gradually increased as Hart approached the hamlet of Polkerrow, +until I was in a perfect frenzy, frantically desirous, yet unable to warn +my brother in some way and prevent him from going further. I suddenly +became aware of two dark shadows thrown across the road. I felt that my +brother's hour had come, and I was powerless to aid him! Two men appeared, +whom I instantly recognized as notorious poachers who lived in a lonely +wood near St. Eglos. They wished him 'Good night, mister!' civilly +enough. He replied, and entered into conversation with them about some +work he had promised them. After a few minutes they asked him for some +money. The elder of the two brothers, who was standing near the horse's +head, said: 'Mr. Northey, we know you have just come from Trebodwina +Market with plenty of money in your pockets; we are desperate men, and you +bean't going to leave this place until we've got that money; so hand +over!' My brother made no reply except to slash at him with the whip, and +spur the horse at him.</p> + +<p>"The younger of the ruffians instantly drew a pistol, and fired. Hart +dropped lifeless from the saddle, and one of the villains held him by the +throat with a grip of iron for some minutes, as thought to make assurance +doubly sure, and crush out any particle of life my poor brother might have +left. The murderers secured the horse to a tree in the orchard, and, +having rifled the corpse, they dragged it up the stream, concealing it +under the overhanging banks of the water-course. Then they carefully +covered over all marks of blood on the road, and hid the pistol in the +thatch of a disused hut close to the roadside; then, setting the horse +free to gallop home alone, they decamped across the country to their own +cottage."</p> + +<p>The story then relates how George Northey's vessel left St. Helena the +next day after the dream, and reached Plymouth in due time. George carried +with him a very vivid recollection of his vision on the return voyage, +and never doubted for an instant that his brother had been actually +murdered in the manner and by the persons named, as seen in the vision. He +carried with him the determination to bring the villains to justice and +was filled with the conviction that through his efforts retribution would +fall upon the murderers.</p> + +<p>In England, justice was at work—but the missing link was needed. The +crime aroused universal horror and indignation, and the authorities left +nothing undone in the direction of discovering the murderers and bringing +them to justice. Two brothers named Hightwood were suspected, and in their +cottage were found blood-stained garments. But no pistol was found, +although the younger brother admitted having owned but lost one. They were +arrested and brought before the magistrates. The evidence against them was +purely circumstantial, and not any too strong at that; but their actions +were those of guilty men. They were committed for trial. Each confessed, +in hopes of saving his life and obtaining imprisonment instead. But both +were convicted and sentenced to be hanged. There was doubt in the minds of +some, however, about the pistol. The story continues:</p> + +<p>"Before the execution, George Northey arrived from St. Helena, and +declared that the pistol was in the thatch of the old cottage close by the +place where they had murdered Hart Northey, and where they had hid it. +'How do you know?' he was asked. George replied: 'I saw the foul deed +committed in a dream I had the night of the murder, when at St. Helena.' +The pistol was found, as George Northey had predicted, in the thatch of +the ruined cottage." Investigation revealed that the details of the crime +were identical with those seen in the vision.</p> + +<p>It is a fact known to all occultists that many persons frequently travel +in the astral body during sleep; and in many cases retain a faint +recollection of some of the things they have seen and heard during their +travels in the astral. Nearly everyone knows the experience of waking up +in the morning feeling physically tired and "used up;" in some cases a dim +recollection of walking or working during the dream being had. Who among +us has not had the experience of "walking on the air," or in the air, +without the feet touching the ground, being propelled simply by the effort +of the will? And who of us has had not experienced that dreadful—"falling +through space" sensation, in dreams, with the sudden awakening just before +we actually struck earth? And who has not had the mortifying dream +experience of walking along the street, or in some public place, and being +suddenly overcome by the consciousness that we were in our night-clothes, +or perhaps without any clothing at all? All of these things are more or +less distorted recollection of astral journeyings.</p> + +<p>But while these dream excursions in the astral are harmless, the conscious +"going out in the astral" is not so. There are many planes of the astral +into which it is dangerous and unpleasant for the uninstructed person to +travel; unless accompanied by a capable occultist as guide. Therefore, I +caution all students against trying to force development in that +direction. Nature surrounds you with safeguards, and interposes obstacles +for your own protection and good. Do not try to break through these +obstacles without knowledge of what you are doing. "Fools rush in where +angels fear to tread," remember; and "a little learning is a dangerous +thing." When you have reached the stage of development in which it will be +safe for you to undertake conscious astral explorations, then will your +guide be at hand, and the instruction furnished you by those capable of +giving it to you. Do not try to break into the astral without due +preparation, and full knowledge, lest you find yourself in the state of +the fish who leaped out of the water onto the banks of the stream. Your +dream trips are safe; they will increase in variety and clearness, and you +will remember more about them—all this before you may begin to try to +consciously "go out into the astral" as do the occultists. Be content to +crawl before you may walk. Learn to add, multiply, subtract and divide, +before you undertake the higher mathematics, algebra, geometry, etc., of +occultism.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXV"></a><h2>LESSON XV.</h2> + +<p>STRANGE ASTRAL PHENOMENA.</p> +<br /> + +<p>There are several phases of astral phenomena other than those mentioned in +the preceding chapters, which it will be better for the student to become +acquainted with in order to round out his general knowledge of the +subject, although the manifestations are comparatively rare, and not so +generally recognized in works on this subject.</p> + +<p>One of the first of these several phases of astral phenomena is that which +may be called Thought-Form Projection. This manifestation comes in the +place on the psychic scale just between ordinary clairvoyance on the one +hand, and astral body projection on the other. It has some of the +characteristics of each, and is often mistaken for one or the other of +these phases.</p> + +<p>To understand this phenomena, the student should know something regarding +the fact that thought frequently takes on astral form, and that these +manifestations are known as thought-forms. I have spoken of these in some +of the preceding lessons. The ordinary thought-form is quite simple, as a +rule, and does not bear any particular resemblance to the sender thereof. +But in some cases a person may, consciously or unconsciously, strongly and +clearly think of himself as present at some other place, and thus actually +create a thought-form of himself at that place, which may be discerned by +those having clairvoyant vision. Moreover, this thought-form of himself +is connected psychically with himself and affords a channel of psychic +information for him. As a rule these thought-forms are only projected by +those who have trained their minds and will along occult lines; but +occasionally under the stress of strong emotion or desire an ordinary +person may focus his psychic power to such an extent that the phenomena is +manifested.</p> + +<p>Here I will quote from an English investigator of astral phenomena, who +has had much experience on that plane. He says: "All students are aware +that thought takes form, at any rate upon its own plane, and in the +majority of cases upon the astral plane also; but it may not be so +generally known that if a man thinks strongly of himself as present at any +given place, the form assumed by that particular thought will be a +likeness of the thinker himself, which will appear at the place in +question. Essentially this form must be composed of the matter of the +mental plane, but in very many cases it would draw round itself matter of +the astral plane also, and so would approach much nearer to visibility. +There are, in fact, many instances in which it has been seen by the person +thought of—most probably by means of the unconscious influence emanating +from the original thinker. None of the consciousness of the thinker would, +however, be included within this thought-form. When once sent out from +him, it would normally be a quite separate entity—not indeed absolutely +unconnected with its maker, but practically so as far as the possibility +of receiving any impression through it is concerned.</p> + +<p>"This type of clairvoyance consists, then, in the power to retain so much +connection with and so much hold over a newly-created thought-form as will +render it possible to receive impressions by means of it. Such impressions +as were made upon the form would in this case be transmitted to the +thinker—not along an astral telegraph line, but by a sympathetic +vibration. In a perfect case of this kind of clairvoyance it is almost as +though the seer projected a part of his consciousness into the +thought-form, and used it as a kind of outpost, from which observation was +possible. He sees almost as well as he would if he himself stood in the +place of his thought-form. The figures at which he is looking will appear +to him as of life-size and close to hand, instead of tiny and at a +distance as in the case of some other forms of clairvoyance; and he will +find it possible to shift his point of view if he wishes to do so. +Clairaudience is perhaps less frequently associated with this type of +clairvoyance than with the others, but its place is to some extent taken +by a kind of mental perception of the thoughts and intentions of those who +are seen.</p> + +<p>"Since the man's consciousness is still in the physical body, he will be +able (even when exercising this faculty) to hear and to speak, in so far +as he can do this without any distraction of his attention. The moment +that the intentness of his thought fails, the whole vision is gone, and he +will have to construct a fresh thought-form before he can resume it. +Instances in which this kind of sight is possessed with any degree of +perfection by untrained people are naturally rarer than in the other types +of clairvoyance, because the capacity for mental control required, and the +generally finer nature of the forces employed."</p> + +<p>I may mention that this particular method is frequently employed by +advanced occultists of all countries, being preferred for various reasons. +Some of the reasons of this preference as follows: (a) The ability to +shift the vision, and to turn around almost as well as in the case of +actual astral-body projection—this gives quite an advantage to this +method over the method of ordinary clairvoyance; (b) it does away with +certain disadvantages of "going out into the astral" in the astral-body, +which only trained occultists realize—it gives almost the same results as +astral-body clairvoyance, without a number of disadvantages and +inconveniences.</p> + +<p>In India, especially, this form of clairvoyance is comparatively frequent. +This by reason of the fact that the Hindus, as a race, are far more +psychic than are those of the Western lands, all else considered; and, +besides, there are a much greater number of highly developed occultists +there than in the West. Moreover, there is a certain psychic atmosphere +surrounding India, by reason of its thousands of years of deep interest in +things psychic and spiritual, all of which renders the production of +psychic phenomena far easier than in other lands.</p> + +<p>In India, moreover, we find many instances of another form of psychic, or +astral phenomena. I allude to the production of thought-form pictures +which are plainly visible to one or more persons. This phase of psychic +phenomena is the real basis for many of the wonder tales which Western +travellers bring back with them from India. The wonderful cases of magical +appearance of living creatures and plants, and other objects, out of the +clear air are the result of this psychic phenomena. That is to say, the +creatures and objects are not really produced—they are but astral +appearances resulting from the projection of powerful thought-forms from +the mind of the magician or other wonder-worker, of whom India has a +plentiful supply. Even the ignorant fakirs (I use the word in its true +sense, not in the sense given it by American slang)—even these itinerant +showmen of psychic phenomena, are able to produce phenomena of this kind +which seems miraculous to those witnessing them. As for the trained +occultists of India, I may say that their feats (when they deign to +produce them) seem to overturn every theory and principle of materialistic +philosophy and science. But in nearly every case the explanation is the +same—the projection of a strong and clear thought-form on a large scale.</p> + +<p>Although I have purposely omitted reference to Hindu psychic phenomena in +this book (for the reason given in my Introduction), I find it necessary +to quote cases in India in this connection, for the simple reason that +there are but few counterparts in the Western world. There are no +itinerent wonder-workers of this kind in Western lands, and the trained +occultists of the West of course would not consent to perform feats of +this kind for the amusement of persons seeking merely sensations. The +trained wills of the West are given rather to materializing objectively on +the physical plane, creating great railroads, buildings, bridges, etc., +from the mental pictures, rather than devoting the same time, energy and +will to the production of astral though-forms and pictures. There is a +great difference in temperament, as well as a difference in the general +psychic atmosphere, between East and West, which serves to explain matters +of this kind.</p> + +<p>An American writer truly says: "The first principle underlying the whole +business of Hindu wonder-working is that of a strong will; and the first +necessary condition of producing a magical effect is an increase in the +power of thought. The Hindus, owing to that intense love for solitary +meditation, which has been one of the most pronounced characteristics from +time immemorial, have acquired mental faculties of which we of the Western +and younger civilization are totally ignorant. The Hindu has attained a +past master's degree in speculative philosophy. He has for years retired +for meditation to the silent places in his land, lived a hermit, subdued +the body and developed the mind, thus winning control over other minds."</p> + +<p>In India, I have seen scenes of far distant places appearing as a mirage +in clear air, even the colors being present to the scenes. This, though +some what uncommon, was simply a remarkable instance of thought-form +projection from the mind of a man highly developed along occult lines. You +must remember that in order to produce a picture in the astral, of this +kind, the occultist must not only have the power of will and mind to cause +such a picture to materialize, but he must also have a remarkable memory +for detail in the picture—for nothing appears in the picture unless it +has already been pictured in the mind of the mind of the man himself. Such +a memory and perception of detail is very rare—in the Western world it is +possessed by only exceptional artists; however, anyone may cultivate this +perception and memory if he will give the time and care to it that the +Hindu magicians do.</p> + +<p>You have heard of the Hindu Mango Trick, in which the magician takes a +mango seed, plants it in the ground, waves his hands over it, and then +causes first a tiny shoot to appear from the surface of the ground, this +followed by a tiny trunk, and leaves, which grow and grow, until at last +appears a full sized mango tree, which first shows blossoms and then ripe +fruit. In short, in a few moments the magician has produced that which +Nature require years to do—that is he apparently does this. What he +really does is to produce a wonderful thought-form in the astral, from +seed stage to tree and fruit stage; the astral picture reproducing +perfectly the picture in his own mind. It is as if he were creating a +moving picture film-roll in his mind, and then projecting this upon the +screen of the air. There is no mango tree there, and never was, outside +of the mind of the magician and the minds of his audience.</p> + +<p>In the same way, the magician will seem to throw the end of a rope up into +the air. It travels far up until the end is lost sight of. Then he sends a +boy climbing up after it, until he too disappears from sight. Then he +causes the whole thing to disappear, and lo! the boy is seen standing +among the audience. The boy is real, of course, but he never left the +spot—the rest was all an appearance caused by the mind and will of the +magician, pictured in the astral as a thought-form. In the same way the +magician will seem to cut the boy into bits, and then cause the severed +parts to spring together and reassemble themselves. These feats may be +varied indefinitely but the principle is ever the same—thought-form +projection.</p> + +<p>Western visitors have sought to obtain photographs of these feats of the +Hindu magicians, but their plates and films invariably show nothing +whatever except the old fakir sitting quietly in the centre, with a +peculiar expression in his eyes. This is as might be expected, for the +picture exists only in the astral, and is perceived only by the awakened +astral senses of those present, which have been stimulated into activity +by the power of the magician—by sympathetic vibration, to be exact. +Moreover, in certain instances it has been found that the vision is +confined to a limited area; persons outside of the limit-ring see nothing, +and those moving nearer to the magician lose sight of what they had +previously seen. There are scientific reasons for this last fact, which +need not be gone into at this place. The main point I am seeking to bring +out is that these wonderful scenes are simply and wholly thought-form +pictures in the astral, perceived by the awakened astral vision of those +present. This to be sure is wonderful enough—but still no miracle has +been worked!</p> + +<p>I may mention here that these magicians begin their training from early +youth. In addition to certain instruction concerning astral phenomena +which is handed down from father to son among them they are set to work +practicing "visualization" of things previously perceived. They are set to +work upon, say, a rose. They must impress upon their memory the perfect +picture of the rose—no easy matter, I may tell you. Then they proceed to +more difficult objects, slowly and gradually, along well known principles +of memory development. Along with this they practice the art of +reproducing that which they remember—projecting it in thought-form state. +And so the young magician proceeds, from simple to complex things; from +easy to difficult; until, finally, he is pronounced fit to give public +exhibitions. All this takes years and years—sometimes the boy grows to be +a middle-aged man before he is allowed to publicly exhibit his power. +Imagine a Western boy or man being willing to study from early childhood +to middle-age before he may hope to be able to show what he has been +learning! Verily "the East is East, and the West is West"—the two poles +of human activity and expression.</p> + +<p>Another phase of psychic astral phenomena which should be mentioned, +although it is manifested but comparatively seldom, is that which has been +called "Telekinesis." By the term "telekinesis" is meant that class of +phenomena which manifests in the movement of physical objects without +physical contact with the person responsible for the movement. I +understand that the term itself was coined by Professor Cowes, with whose +works I am not personally familiar. It is derived from the two Greek words +TELE, meaning "far off," and KINESIS, meaning "to move."</p> + +<p>This class of phenomena is known better in the Western world by reason of +its manifestation in spiritualistic circles in the movement of tables, +etc.; the knocking or tapping on tables and doors, etc.; all of which are +usually attributed to the work of "spirits," but which occultists know are +generally produced, consciously or unconsciously, by means of the power in +the medium or others present, sometimes both. I would say here that I am +not trying to discredit genuine spiritualistic phenomena—I am not +considering the same in these lessons. All that I wish to say is that many +of the phenomena commonly attributed to "spirits" are really but results +of the psychic forces inherent in the living human being.</p> + +<p>Under certain conditions there may appear in the case of a person strongly +psychic, and also strongly charged with prana, the ability to extend a +portion of the astral body to a considerable distance, and to there +produce an effect upon some physical object. Those with strong clairvoyant +vision may actually perceive this astral extension, under favorable +circumstances. They perceive the astral arm of the person stretching out, +diminishing in size as it extends (just as a piece of flexible rubber +shrinks in diameter as it expands in length) and finally coming in contact +with the physical object it wishes to move or strike. Then is seen a +strong flow of prana along its length, which (by a peculiar form of +concentration) is able to produce the physical effect. I cannot enter into +the subject of astral physics at this place, for the subject is far too +technical to be treated in lessons designed for general study. I may at +least partially explain the phenomenon, however, by saying that the +projected astral arm acts in a manner almost precisely like that of an +extended physical arm, were such a thing possible in nature.</p> + +<p>This astral-body extension produces spirit raps on tables; table-tilting +and movement; levitation, or the lifting of solid objects in the air; +playing upon musical instruments such as the guitar, accordian, etc. In +some cases it is able to actually lift the person himself from the floor, +and carry him through the air, in the same way. It may also cause the +movement of a pencil in a closed slate, or bit of chalk upon a blackboard. +In fact, it may produce almost any form of movement possible to the +physical hand. In the case of the levitation of the person himself, the +astral arms, and sometimes the legs as well, extend to the floor and push +up the physical body into the air, and then propel it along. There are +many complex technical details to these manifestations, however, and in a +general statement these must be omitted.</p> + +<p>Some who are firmly wedded to the spiritistic theory resent the statement +of occultists that this form of phenomena may be explained without the +necessity of the "spirits." But the best ground for the statement of the +occultists is that many advanced occultists are able to produce such +phenomena, consciously, by an act of pure will, accompanied by the power +of mental picturing. They first picture the astral extension, and then +will the projection of the astral and the passage of the prana (or vital +force) around the pattern of the mental image. In the case of some very +highly developed occultists the astral thought-form of their body becomes +so charged with prana that it is able to move physical objects. There are +not mere theories, for they may be verified by any occultist of +sufficiently high development.</p> + +<p>I do not wish to intimate that the mediums are aware of the true nature of +this phenomena, and consciously deceive their followers. On the contrary, +most of them firmly believe that it is the "spirits" who do the work; +unaware that they are unconsciously projecting their astral bodies, +charged with prana, and performing the feat themselves. The best mediums, +however, will generally tell you that they strongly "wish" that the thing +be done, and a little cross-examination will reveal the fact that they +generally make a clear mental picture of the actual happening just before +it occurs. As I have already stated, however, the best proof is the fact +that advanced occultists are able to duplicate the phenomena deliberately, +consciously, and at will. I do not think that detracts from the wonder and +interest in the so-called "spiritistic" phenomena; on the contrary, I +think that it adds to it.</p> + +<p>Again invading the realm of the "spirits," I would say that occultists +know that many cases of so-called materialization of "spirit-forms" take +place by reason of the unconscious projection of the astral body of the +medium. Moreover, such a projection of the astral body may take on the +appearance of some departed soul, by reason of the mental picture of that +person in the mind of the medium. But, it may be asked if the medium has +never seen the dead person, how can he or she make a mental picture of him +or her. The answer is that the minds of the persons present who knew the +dead person tend to influence the appearance of the nebulous spirit form. +In fact, in most cases the medium is unable to produce the phenomenon +without the psychic assistance of those in the circle. In this case, also, +I would say that the advanced occultist is able to duplicate the phenomena +at will, as all who have enjoyed the privilege of close acquaintance with +such persons are aware.</p> + +<p>The fact the medium is usually in a trance condition aid materially in the +ease with which the phenomena are produced. With the conscious mind +stilled, and the subconscious mind active, the astral phenomena are +produced with much less trouble than would be the case if the medium were +in the ordinary condition.</p> + +<p>Now, I wish to impress upon the minds of those of my readers who have a +strong sympathy for the spiritistic teachings that I recognize the +validity and genuineness of much of the phenomena of spiritism—I know +these things to be true, for that matter; it is not a matter of mere +belief on my part. But I also know that much of the so-called spiritistic +phenomena is possible without the aid of "spirits," but by, the employment +of the psychic astral forces and powers as stated in these lessons. I see +no reason for any honest investigator of spiritism to be offended at such +statements, for it does not take away from the wonder of the phenomena; +and does not discredit the motives and power of the mediums. We must +search for truth wherever it is to be found; and we must not seek to dodge +the results of our investigations. There is too much wonderful phenomena +in spiritism to begrudge the explanation that the occultist offers for +certain of its phases.</p> + +<p>While I am on the subject of materialization however, I would direct the +attention of the student to my little book entitled "The Astral World," in +which I have explained briefly the phenomena of those planes of the astral +in which dwell the cast-off shells of souls which have moved on to the +higher planes of the great astral world. I have there shown that many +astral shells or shades, or other astral semi-entities may be +materialized, and thus mistaken for the "spirits" of departed friends. I +have also explained in the same little book how there are certain powerful +thought-forms which may be mistaken for spirit materializations. I have +also shown how many a honest medium is really a good clairvoyant, and by +reading the records of the astral light is able to give information which +seems to come from the departed soul. All of these things should be +familiar to the earnest investigator of spiritism, in order that he may be +able to classify the phenomena which he witnesses, and to avoid error and +disappointment.</p> + +<p>In this connection, before passing on to the consideration of other phases +of psychic phenomena, I would say that one of the best mediums known to +the modern Western world—a medium who has been consulted by eminent men, +university professors, psychologists, and others—and whose revelations +regarding past, present and future astounded careful and intelligent men +of international reputation—this medium at the height of her professional +success made a public announcement that she felt compelled, from +conscientious motives, to assert that she had come to the conclusion that +her message came not from departed "spirits" but rather from some unknown +realm of being, brought hither by the exercise of some faculty inherent in +her and developed to a high power in her for some reason, which power seem +to manifest more effectively when she shut off her ordinary physical +faculties and functioned on a plane higher than them. I think that the +student of the present lessons will be able to point out the nature of the +phenomena manifested by this medium, and also the source of her power. If +not, I shall feel disappointed at my work of instruction.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXVI"></a><h2>LESSON XVI.</h2> + +<p>PSYCHIC INFLUENCE; ITS LAWS AND PRINCIPLES</p> +<br /> + +<p>One of the phases of psychic phenomena that actively engage the attention +of the student from the very beginning is that which may be called Psychic +Influence. By this term is meant the influencing of one mind by +another—the effect of one mind over another. There has been much written +and said on this phase of the general subject in recent years, but few +writers, however, have gone deeply into the matter.</p> + +<p>In the first place, most of the writers on the subject seek to explain the +whole thing by means of ordinary telepathy. But this is merely a one-sided +view of the truth of the matter. For, while ordinary telepathy plays an +important part in the phenomena, still the higher form of telepathy, i.e., +astral thought-transference, is frequently involved. The student who has +followed me in the preceding lessons will understand readily what I mean +when I say this, so there is no necessity for repetition on this point at +this place.</p> + +<p>At this point, however, I must ask the student to consider the idea of +psychic vibrations and their inductive power. It is a great principle of +occultism, as well as of modern science, that everything is in a state of +vibration—everything has its own rate of vibration, and is constantly +manifesting it. Every mental state is accompanied by vibration of its own +plane: every emotional state or feeling has its own particular rate of +vibration. These rates of vibrations manifest just as do the vibrations of +musical sound which produce the several notes on the scale, one rising +above the other in rate of vibration. But the scale of mental and +emotional states is far more complex, and far more extended than is the +musical scale; there are thousands of different notes, and half-notes, on +the mental scale. There are harmonies and discords on that scale, also.</p> + +<p>To those to whom vibrations seem to be something merely connected with +sound-waves, etc., I would say that a general and hasty glance at some +elementary work on physical science will show that even the different +shades, hues and tints of the colors perceived by us arise from different +rates of vibrations. Color is nothing more than the result of certain +rates of vibrations of light recorded by our senses and interpreted by our +minds. From the low vibrations of red to the high vibrations of violet, +all the various colors of the spectrum have their own particular rate of +vibration. And, more than this, science knows that below the lowest red +vibrations, and above the highest violet vibrations, there are other +vibrations which our senses are unable to record, but which scientific +instruments register. The rays of light by which photographs are taken are +not perceived by the eye. There are a number of so-called chemical rays of +light which the eye does not perceive, but which may be caught by delicate +instruments. There is what science has called "dark light," which will +photograph in a room which appears pitch dark to the human sight.</p> + +<p>Above the ordinary scale of light vibrations are the vibrations of the +X-Rays and other fine forces—these are not perceived by the eye, but are +caught by delicate instruments and recorded. Moreover, though science has +not as yet discovered the fact, occultists know that the vibrations of +mental and emotional states are just as true and regular as are those of +sound or light, or heat. Again, above the plane of the physical vibrations +arising from the brain and nervous system, there are the vibrations of the +astral counterparts of these, which are much higher in the scale. For even +the astral faculties and organs, while above the physical, still are under +the universal rule of vibration, and have their own rate thereof. The old +occult axiom: "As above, so below; as below, so above" is always seen to +work out on all planes of universal energy.</p> + +<p>Closely following this idea of the universality of vibrations, and +intimately connected therewith, we have the principle of "induction," +which is likewise universal, and found manifesting on all planes of +energy. "What is induction?" you may ask. Well, it is very simple, or very +complex—just as you may look at it. The principle of induction (on any +plane) is that inherent quality or attribute of energy by which the +manifestation of energy tends to reproduce itself in a second object, by +setting up corresponding vibrations therein, though without direct contact +of the two objects.</p> + +<p>Thus, heat in one object tends to induce heat in another object within +its range of induction—the heated object "throws off" heat vibrations +which set up corresponding vibrations in the near-by second object and +make it hot. Likewise, the vibrations of light striking upon other objects +render them capable of radiating light. Again, a magnet will induce +magnetism in a piece of steel suspended nearby, though the two objects do +not actually touch, each other. An object which is electrified will by +induction electrify another object situated some distance away. A note +sounded on the piano, or violin, will cause a glass or vase in some +distant part of the room to vibrate and "sing," under certain conditions. +And, so on, in every form or phase of the manifestation of energy do we +see the principle of induction in full operation and manifestation.</p> + +<p>On the plane of ordinary thought and emotion, we find many instances of +this principle of induction. We know that one person vibrating strongly +with happiness or sorrow, cheerfulness or anger, as the case may be fends +to communicate his feeling and emotions, state to those with whom he comes +in contact. All of you have seen a whole room full of persons affected and +influenced in this way, under certain circumstances. You have also seen +how a magnetic orator, preacher, singer or actor is able to induce in his +audience a state of emotional vibration corresponding to that manifested +by himself. In the same manner the "mental atmospheres" of towns, cities, +etc., are induced.</p> + +<p>A well-known writer on this subject has truthfully told us: "We all know +how great waves of feeling spread over a town, city or country, sweeping +people off their balance. Great waves of political enthusiasm, or +war-spirit, or prejudice for or against certain persons, sweep over places +and cause men to act in a manner that they will afterward regret when they +come to themselves and consider their acts in cold blood. They will be +swayed by demagogues or magnetic leaders who wish to gain their votes or +patronage; and they will be led into acts of mob violence, or similar +atrocities, by yielding to these waves of contagious thought. On the other +hand, we all know how great waves of religious feeling sweep over a +community upon the occasion of some great 'revival' excitement or fervor."</p> + +<p>These things being perceived, and recognized as true, the next question +that presents itself to the mind of the intelligent student is this: "But +what causes the difference in power and effect between the thought and +feeling-vibrations of different persons?" This question is a valid one, +and arises from a perception of the underlying variety and difference in +the thought vibrations of different persons. The difference, my students, +is caused by three principal facts, viz., (1) difference in degree of +feeling; (2) difference in degree of visualization; and (3) difference in +degree of concentration. Let us examine each of these successively, so as +to get at the underlying principle.</p> + +<p>The element of emotional feeling is like the element of fire in the +production of steam. The more vivid and intense the feeling or emotion, +the greater the degree of heat and force to the thought wave or vibratory +stream projected. You will begin to see why the thought vibrations of +those animated and filled with strong desire, strong wish, strong +ambition, etc., must be more forceful than those of persons of the +opposite type.</p> + +<p>The person who is filled with a strong desire, wish or ambition, which has +been fanned into a fierce blaze by attention, is a dynamic power among +other persons, and his influence is felt. In fact, it may be asserted that +as a general rule no person is able to influence men and things unless he +have a strong desire, wish or ambition within him. The power of desire is +a wonderful one, as all occultists know, and it will accomplish much even +if the other elements be lacking; while, in proper combination with other +principles it will accomplish wonders. Likewise, a strong interest in a +thing will cause a certain strength to the thought-vibrations connected +therewith. Interest is really an emotional feeling, though we generally +think of it as merely something connected with the intellect. A cold +intellectual thought has very little force, unless backed up by strong +interest and concentration. But any intellectual thought backed up with +interest, and focused by concentration, will produce very strong thought +vibrations, with a marked inductive power.</p> + +<p>Now, let us consider the subject of visualization. Every person knows that +the person who wishes to accomplish anything, or who expects to do good +work along any line, must first know what he wishes to accomplish. In the +degree that he is able to see the thing in his mind's eye—to picture the +thing in his imagination—in that degree will he tend to manifest the +thing itself in material form and effect.</p> + +<p>Sir Francis Galton, an eminent authority upon psychology, says on this +point: "The free use of a high visualizing faculty is of much importance +in connection with the higher processes of generalized thought. A visual +image is the most perfect form of mental representation wherever the +shape, position, and relations of objects to space are concerned. The best +workmen are those who visualize the whole of what they propose to do +before they take a tool in their hands. Strategists, artists of all +denominations, physicists who contrive new experiments, and, in short, all +who do not follow routine, have need of it. A faculty that is of +importance in all technical and artistic occupations, that gives accuracy +to our perceptions and justice to our generalizations, is starved by lazy +disuse instead of being cultivated judiciously in such a way as will, on +the whole, bring best return. I believe that a serious study of the best +way of developing and utilizing this faculty, without prejudice to the +practice of abstract thought in symbols, is one of the pressing desirata +in the yet unformed science of education."</p> + +<p>Not only on the ordinary planes is the forming of strong mental images +important and useful, but when we come to consider the phenomena of the +astral plane we begin to see what an important part is played there by +strong mental images or visualized ideas. The better you know what you +desire, wish or aspire to, the stronger will be your thought vibrations of +that thing, of course. Well, then, the stronger that you are able to +picture the thing in your mind—to visualize it to yourself—the stronger +will be your actual knowledge and thought-form of that thing. Instead of +your thought vibrations being grouped in nebulous forms, lacking shape and +distinct figure, as in the ordinary case; when you form strong, clear +mental images of what you desire or wish to accomplish, then do the +thought vibrations group themselves in clear, strong distinct forms. This +being done, when the mind of other persons are affected by induction they +get the clear idea of the thought and feeling in your mind, and are +strongly influenced thereby.</p> + +<p>A little later on, I shall call your attention to the Attractive Power of +Thought. But at this point I wish to say to you that while thought +certainly attracts to you the things that you think of the most, still the +power of the attraction depends very materially upon the clearness and +distinctness of the mental image, or thought visualization, of the desired +thing that you have set up in your mind. The nearer you can actually see +the thing as you wish it to happen, even to the general details, the +stronger will be the attractive force thereof. But, I shall leave the +discussion of this phase of the subject until I reach it in its proper +order. For the present, I shall content myself with urging upon you the +importance of a clear mental image, or visualized thought, in the matter +of giving force and direction to the idea induced in the minds of other +persons. In order for the other persons to actually perceive clearly the +idea or feeling induced in them, it is necessary that the idea or feeling +be strongly visualized in the mind originating it; that is the whole thing +in one sentence.</p> + +<p>The next point of importance in thought-influence by induction, is that +which is concerned with the process of concentration. Concentration is the +act of mental focusing, or bringing to a single point or centre. It is +like the work of the sun-glass that converges the rays of the sun to a +single tiny point, thus immensely increasing its heat and power. Or, it is +like the fine point of a needle that will force its way through where a +blunt thing cannot penetrate. Or, it is like the strongly concentrated +essence of a chemical substance, of which one drop is as powerful as one +pint of the original thing. Think of the concentrated power of a tiny drop +of attar of roses—it has within its tiny space the concentrated odor of +thousands of roses; one drop of it will make a pint of extract, and a +gallon of weaker perfumery! Think of the concentrated power in a lightning +flash, as contrasted with the same amount of electricity diffused over a +large area. Or, think of the harmless flash of a small amount of gunpowder +ignited in the open air, as contrasted with the ignition of the same +amount of powder compelled to escape through the small opening in the +gun-barrel.</p> + +<p>The occult teachings lay great stress upon this power of mental +concentration. All students of the occult devote much time and care to the +cultivation of the powers of concentration, and the development of the +ability to employ them. The average person possesses but a very small +amount of concentration, and is able to concentrate his mind for but a few +moments at a time. The trained thinker obtains much of his mental power +from his acquired ability to concentrate on his task. The occultist trains +himself in fixing his concentrated attention upon the matter before him, +so as to bring to a focal centre all of his mental forces.</p> + +<p>The mind is a very restless thing, and is inclined to dance from one thing +to another, tiring of each thing after a few moment's consideration +thereof. The average person allows his involuntary attention to rest upon +every trifling thing, and to be distracted by the idlest appeals to the +senses. He finds it most difficult to either shut out these distracting +appeals to the senses, and equally hard to hold the attention to some +uninteresting thing. His attention is almost free of control by the will, +and the person is a slave to his perceptive powers and to his imagination, +instead of, being a master of both.</p> + +<p>The occultist, on the contrary, masters his attention, and controls his +imagination. He forces the one to concentrate when he wishes it to do so; +and he compels the latter to form the mental images he wishes to +visualize. But this a far different thing from the self-hypnotization +which some persons imagine to be concentration. A writer on the subject +has well said: "The trained occultist will concentrate upon a subject or +object with a wonderful intensity, seemingly completely absorbed in the +subject or object before him, and oblivious to all else in the world. And +yet, the task accomplished, or the given time expired, he will detach his +mind from the object and will be perfectly fresh, watchful and wide-awake +to the next matter before him. There is every difference between being +controlled by involuntary attention, which is species of +self-hypnotization, and the control of the attention, which is an evidence +of mastery." An eminent French psychologist once said: "The authority of +the attention is subject to the superior authority of the Ego. I yield it, +or I withhold it, as I please. I direct it in turn to several points. I +concentrate it upon each point, as long as my will can stand the effort."</p> + +<p>In an earlier lesson of this series, I have indicated in a general way the +methods whereby one may develop and train his powers of concentration. +There is no royal road to concentration; it may be developed only by +practice and exercise. The secret consists in managing the attention, so +as to fix it upon a subject, no matter how uninteresting; and to hold it +there for a reasonable length of time. Practice upon some disagreeable +study or other task is good exercise, for it serves to train the will in +spite of the influence of more attractive objects or subjects. And this +all serves to train the will, remember; for the will is actively concerned +in every act of voluntary attention. In fact, attention of this kind is +one of the most important and characteristic acts of the will.</p> + +<p>So, as you see, in order to be successful in influencing the minds of +others by means of mental induction, you must first cultivate a strong +feeling of interest in the idea which you wish to induce in the other +person, or a strong desire to produce the thing. Interest and desire +constitute the fire which generates the stream of will from the water of +mind, as some occultists have stated it. Secondly, you must cultivate the +faculty of forming strong and clear mental images of the idea or feeling +you wish to so induce; you must learn to actually "see" the thing in your +imagination, so as to give the idea strength and clearness. Thirdly, you +must learn to concentrate your mind and attention upon the idea or +feeling, shutting out all other ideas and feelings for the time being; +thus you give concentrated force and power to the vibrations and +thought-forms which you are projecting.</p> + +<p>These three principles underlie all of the many forms of mental induction, +or mental influence. We find them in active operation in cases in which +the person is seeking to attract to himself certain conditions, +environment, persons, things, or channels of expression, by setting into +motion the great laws of mental attraction. We see them also employed when +the person is endeavoring to produce an effect upon the mind of some +particular person, or number of persons. We see them in force in all +cases of mental or psychic healing, under whatever form it may be +employed. In short, these are general principles, and must therefore +underlie all forms and phases of mental or psychic influence. The sooner +the student realizes this fact, and the more actively does he set himself +to work in cultivating and developing these principles within himself, the +more successful and efficient will he become in this field of psychic +research and investigation. It is largely in the degree of the cultivation +of these three mental principles that the occultist is distinguished from +the ordinary man.</p> + +<p>It may be that you are not desirous of cultivating or practicing the power +of influencing other persons psychically. Well, that is for you to decide +for yourself. At any rate, you will do well to develop yourselves along +these lines, at least for self-protection. The cultivation of these three +mental principles will tend to make you active and positive, psychically, +as contrasted with the passive, negative mental state of the average +person. By becoming mentally active and positive you will be able to +resist any psychic influence that may be directed toward yourself, and to +surround yourself with a protective aura of positive, active mental +vibrations.</p> + +<p>And, moreover, if you are desirous of pursuing your investigations of +psychic and astral phenomena, you will find it of great importance to +cultivate and develop these three principles in your mind. For, then you +will be able to brush aside all distracting influences, and to proceed at +once to the task before you, with power, clearness and strength of purpose +and method.</p> + +<p>In the following chapters I shall give you a more or less detailed +presentation of the various phases or forms of psychic influence. Some of +these may seem at first to be something independent of the general +principles. But I ask that you carefully analyze all of these, so as to +discover that the same fundamental principles are under and back of each +and every instance presented. When you once fully grasp this fact, and +perfect yourselves in the few fundamental principles, then you are well +started on the road to mastery of all the various phases of psychic +phenomena. Instead of puzzling your mind over a hundred different phases +of disconnected phenomena, it is better to master the few actual +elementary principles, and then reason deductively from these to the +various manifestation thereof. Master the principles, and then learn to +apply them.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXVII"></a><h2>LESSON XVII.</h2> + +<p>PERSONAL PSYCHIC INFLUENCE OVER OTHERS</p> +<br /> + +<p>Psychic Influence, as the term is used in this book, may be said to be +divided into three general classes, viz., (1) Personal Influence, in which +the mind of another is directly influenced by induction while he is in the +presence of the person influencing; (2) Distant Influencing, in which the +psychic induction is directly manifested when the persons concerned are +distant from one another; and (3) Indirect Influence, in which the +induction is manifested in the minds of various persons coming in contact +with the thought vibrations of the person manifesting them, though no +attempt is made to directly influence any particular person. I shall now +present each of these three forms of psychic influence to you for +consideration, one after the other in the above order.</p> + +<p>Personal Influence, as above defined, ranges from cases in which the +strongest control (generally known as hypnotism) is manifested, down to +the cases in which merely a slight influence is exerted. But the general +principle underlying all of these cases is precisely the same. The great +characters of history, such as Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, +and Julius Caesar, manifested this power to a great degree, and were able +to sway men according to their will. All great leaders of men have this +power strongly manifested, else they would not be able to influence the +minds of men. Great orators, preachers, statesmen, and others of this +class, likewise manifest the power strongly. In fact, the very sign of +ability to influence and manage other persons is evidence of the +possession and manifestation of this mighty power.</p> + +<p>In developing this power to influence others directly and personally, you +should begin by impressing upon your mind the principles stated in the +preceding chapter, namely (1) Strong Desire; (2) Clear Visualization; and +(3) Concentration.</p> + +<p>You must begin by encouraging a strong desire in your mind to be a +positive individual; to exert and manifest a positive influence over +others with whom you come in contact, and especially over those whom you +wish to influence in some particular manner or direction. You must let the +fire of desire burn fiercely within you, until it becomes as strong as +physical hunger or thirst. You must "want to" as you want to breathe, to +live. You will find that the men who accomplish the great things in life +are those who have strong desire burning in their bosoms. There is a +strong radiative and inductive power in strong desire and wish—in fact, +some have thought this the main feature of what we generally call strong +will-power.</p> + +<p>The next step, of course, is the forming of a clear, positive, distinct +and dynamic mental picture of the idea or feeling that you wish to induce +in the other person. If it is an idea, you should make a strong clear +picture of it in your imagination, so as to give it distinctness and +force and a clear outline. If it is a feeling, you should picture it in +your imagination. If it is something that you wish the other person to do, +or some way in which you wish him to act, you should picture him as doing +the thing, or acting in that particular way. By so doing you furnish the +pattern or design for the induced mental or emotional states you wish to +induce in the other person. Upon the clearness and strength of these +mental patterns of the imagination depends largely the power of the +induced impression.</p> + +<p>The third step, of course, is the concentration of your mind upon the +impression you wish to induce in the mind of the other person. You must +learn to concentrate so forcibly and clearly that the idea will stand out +clearly in your mind like a bright star of a dark night, except that there +must be only one star instead of thousands. By so doing you really focus +the entire force of your mental and psychic energies into that one +particular idea or thought. This makes it act like the focused rays in the +sun-glass, or like the strong pipe-stream of water that will break down +the thing upon which it is turned. Diffused thought has but a +comparatively weak effect, whereas a concentrated stream of thought +vibrations will force its way through obstacles.</p> + +<p>Remember, always, this threefold mental condition: (1) STRONG DESIRE; (2) +CLEAR MENTAL PICTURE; and (3) CONCENTRATED THOUGHT. The greater the degree +in which you can manifest these three mental conditions, the greater will +be your success in any form of psychic influence, direct or indirect, +personal or general, present or distant.</p> + +<p>Before you proceed to develop the power to impress a particular idea or +feeling upon the mind of another person, you should first acquire a +positive mental atmosphere for yourself. This mental atmosphere is +produced in precisely the same way that you induce a special idea or +feeling in the mind of the other person. That is to say, you first +strongly desire it, then you clearly picture it, and then you apply +concentrated thought upon it.</p> + +<p>I will assume that you are filled with the strong desire for a positive +mental atmosphere around you. You want this very much indeed, and actually +crave and hunger for it. Then you must begin to picture yourself (in your +imagination) as surrounded with an aura of positive thought-vibrations +which protect you from the thought forces of other persons, and, at the +same time impress the strength of your personality upon the persons with +whom you come in contact. You will be aided in making these strong mental +pictures by holding the idea in your concentrated thought, and, at the +same time, silently stating to your mind just what you expect to do in the +desired direction. In stating your orders to your mind, always speak as if +the thing were already accomplished at that particular moment. Never say +that it "will be," but always hold fast to the "it is." The following will +give you a good example of the mental statements, which of course should +be accompanied by the concentrated idea of the thing, and the mental +picture of yourself as being just what you state.</p> + +<p>Here is the mental statement for the creation of a strong, positive +psychic atmosphere: "I am surrounded by an aura of strong, positive, +dynamic thought-vibrations. These render me positive to other persons, and +render them negative to me. I am positive of their thought-vibrations, but +they are negative to mine. They feel the strength of my psychic +atmosphere, while I easily repel the power of theirs. I dominate the +situation, and manifest my positive psychic qualities over theirs. My +atmosphere creates the vibration of strength and power on all sides of me, +which affect others with whom I come in contact. MY PSYCHIC ATMOSPHERE IS +STRONG AND POSITIVE!"</p> + +<p>The next step in Personal Influence is that of projecting your psychic +power directly upon and into the mind of the other person whom you wish to +influence. Sometimes, if the person is quite negative to you, this is a +very simple and easy matter; but where the person is near your own degree +of psychic positiveness you will have to assert your psychic superiority +to him, and get the psychic "upper hand" before you can proceed further. +This is accomplished by throwing into your psychic atmosphere some +particularly strong mental statements accompanied by clear visualizations +or mental pictures.</p> + +<p>Make positive your psychic atmosphere, particularly towards the person +whom you seek to influence, by statements and pictures something along +the following lines: "I am positive to this man"; "He is negative to me"; +"He feels my power and is beginning to yield to it"; "He is unable to +influence me in the slightest, while I can influence him easily"; "My +power is beginning to operate upon his mind and feelings." The exact words +are not important, but the idea behind them gives them their psychic force +and power.</p> + +<p>Then should you begin your direct attack upon him, or rather upon his +psychic powers. When I say "attack," I do not use the word in the sense of +warfare or actual desire to harm the other person—this is a far different +matter. What I mean to say is that there is usually a psychic battle for a +longer or shorter period between two persons of similar degrees of psychic +power and development. From this battle one always emerges victor at the +time, and one always is beaten for the time being, at least. And, as in +all battles, victory often goes to him who strikes the first hard blow. +The offensive tactics are the best in cases of this kind.</p> + +<p>A celebrated American author, Oliver Wendall Holmes, in one of his books +makes mention of these duels of psychic force between individuals, as +follows: "There is that deadly Indian hug in which men wrestle with their +eyes, over in five seconds, but which breaks one of their two backs, and +is good for three-score years and ten, one trial enough—settles the whole +matter—just as when two feathered songsters of the barnyard, game and +dunghill, come together. After a jump or two, and a few sharp kicks, there +is an end to it; and it is 'After you, monsieur' with the beaten party in +all the social relations for all the rest of his days."</p> + +<p>An English physician, Dr. Fothergill by name, wrote a number of years ago +about this struggle of wills, as he called it, but which is really a +struggle of psychic power. He says: "The conflict of will, the power to +command others, has been spoken of frequently. Yet what is this will-power +that influences others? What is it that makes us accept, and adopt too, +the advice of one person, while precisely the same advice from another has +been rejected? Is it the weight of force of will which insensibly +influences us; the force of will behind the advice? That is what it is! +The person who thus forces his or her advice upon us has no more power to +enforce it than others; but all the same we do as requested. We accept +from one what we reject from another. One person says of something +contemplated, 'Oh, but you must not,' yet we do it all the same, though +that person may be in a position to make us regret the rejection of that +counsel. Another person says, 'Oh, but you mustn't,' and we desist, though +we may, if so disposed, set this latter person's opinion at defiance with +impunity. It is not the fear of consequences, not of giving offense, which +determines the adaption of the latter person's advice, while it has been +rejected when given by the first. It depends upon the character or +will-power of the individual advising whether we accept the advice or +reject it. This character often depends little, if at all, in some cases, +upon the intellect, or even upon the moral qualities, the goodness or +badness, of the individual. It is itself an imponderable something; yet it +carries weight with it. There may be abler men, cleverer men; but it is +the one possessed of will who rises to the surface at these times—the one +who can by some subtle power make other men obey him.</p> + +<p>"The will-power goes on universally. In the young aristocrat who gets his +tailor to make another advance in defiance of his conviction that he will +never get his money back. It goes on between lawyer and client; betwixt +doctor and patient; between banker and borrower; betwixt buyer and seller. +It is not tact which enables the person behind the counter to induce +customers to buy what they did not intend to buy, and which bought, gives +them no satisfaction, though it is linked therewith for the effort to be +successful. Whenever two persons meet in business, or in any other +relation in life, up to love-making, there is this will-fight going on, +commonly enough without any consciousness of the struggle. There is a dim +consciousness of the result, but none of the processes. It often takes +years of the intimacy of married life to find out with whom of the pair +the mastery really lies. Often the far stronger character, to all +appearances, has to yield; it is this will-element which underlies the +statement: 'The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the +strong.' In Middle-march' we find in Lydgate a grand aggregation of +qualities, yet shallow, hard, selfish Rosamond masters him thoroughly in +the end. He was not deficient in will-power; possessed more than an +average amount of character; but in the fight he went down at last under +the onslaught of the intense, stubborn will of his narrow-minded spouse. +Their will-contest was the collision of a large warm nature, like a +capable human hand, with a hard, narrow selfish nature, like a steel +button; the hand only bruised itself while the button remained +unaffected."</p> + +<p>You must not, however, imagine that every person with whom you engage in +one of these psychic duels is conscious of what is going on. He usually +recognizes that some sort of conflict is under way, but he does not know +the laws and principles of psychic force, and so is in the dark regarding +the procedure. You will find that a little practice of this kind, in which +no great question is involved, will give you a certain knack or trick of +handling your psychic forces, and will, besides, give you that confidence +in yourself that comes only from actual practice and exercise. I can point +out the rules, and give you the principles, but you must learn the little +bits of technique yourself from actual practice.</p> + +<p>When you have crossed psychic swords with the other person, gaze at him +intently but not fiercely, and send him this positive strong +thought-vibration: "I am stronger than you, and I shall win!" At the same +time picture to yourself your forces beating down his and overcoming him. +Hold this idea and picture in your mind: "My vibrations are stronger than +are yours—I am beating you!" Follow this up with the idea and picture +of: "You are weakening and giving in—you are being overpowered!" A very +powerful psychic weapon is the following: "My vibrations are scattering +your forces—I am breaking your forces into bits—surrender, surrender +now, I tell you!"</p> + +<p>And now for some interesting and very valuable information concerning +psychic defense. You will notice that in the offensive psychic weapons +there is always an assertion of positive statement of your power and its +effect. Well, then, in using the psychic defensive weapon against one of +strong will or psychic force, you reverse the process. That is to say you +deny the force of his psychic powers and forces, and picture them as +melting into nothingness. Get this idea well fixed in your mind, for it is +very important in a conflict of this kind. The effect of this is to +neutralize all of the other person's power so far as its effect on +yourself is concerned—you really do not destroy it in him totally. You +simply render his forces powerless to affect you. This is important not +only when in a psychic conflict of this kind, but also when you wish to +render yourself immune from the psychic forces of other persons. You may +shut yourself up in a strong defensive armor in this way, and others will +be powerless to affect you.</p> + +<p>In the positive statement, "I deny!" you have the Occult Shield of +Defense, which is a mighty protection to you. Even if you do not feel +disposed to cultivate and develop your psychic powers in the direction of +influencing others, you should at least develop your defensive powers so +as to resist any psychic attacks upon yourself.</p> + +<p>You will find it helpful to practice these offensive and defensive weapons +when you are alone, standing before your mirror and "playing" that your +reflection in the glass is the other person. Send this imaginary other +person the psychic vibrations, accompanied by the mental picture suitable +for it. Act the part out seriously and earnestly, just as if the reflected +image were really another person. This will give you confidence in +yourself, and that indefinable "knack" of handling your psychic weapons +that comes only from practice. You will do well to perfect yourself in +these rehearsals, just as you would in case you were trying to master +anything else. By frequent earnest rehearsals, you will gain not only +familiarity with the process and methods, but you will also gain real +power and strength by the exercise of your psychic faculties which have +heretofore lain dormant. Just as you may develop the muscle of your arm by +calisthenic exercises, until it is able to perform real muscular work of +strength; so you may develop your psychic faculties in this rehearsal +work, so that you will be strongly equipped and armed for an actual +psychic conflict, besides having learned how to handle your psychic +weapons.</p> + +<p>After you have practiced sufficiently along the general offensive and +defensive lines, and have learned how to manifest these forces in actual +conflict, you will do well to practice special and specific commands to +others, in the same way. That is to say, practice them first on your +reflected image in the mirror. The following commands (with mental +pictures, of course) will give you good practice. Go about the work in +earnest, and act out the part seriously. Try these exercises: "Here! look +at me!" "Give me your undivided attention!" "Come this way!" "Come to me +at once!" "Go away from me—leave me at once!" "You like me—you like me +very much!" "You are afraid of me!" "You wish to please me!" "You will +agree to my proposition!" "You will do as I tell you!" Any special command +you wish to convey to another person, psychically, you will do well to +practice before the mirror in this way.</p> + +<p>When you have made satisfactory progress in the exercises above mentioned, +and are able, to demonstrate them with a fair degree of success in actual +practice, you may proceed to experiment with persons along the lines of +special and direct commands by psychic force. The following will give you +a clear idea of the nature of the experiments in question, but you may +enlarge upon and vary them indefinitely. Remember there is no virtue in +mere words—the effect comes from the power of the thought behind the +words. But, nevertheless, you will find that positive words, used in these +silent commands, will help you to fit in your feeling to the words. Always +make the command a real COMMAND, never a mere entreaty or appeal. Assume +the mental attitude of a master of men—of a commander and ruler of other +men. Here follow a number of interesting experiments along these lines, +which will be very useful to you in acquiring the art of personal +influence of this kind:</p> +<br /> + +<p>SEVEN VALUABLE EXERCISES</p> + +<p>EXERCISE 1: When walking down the street behind a person, make him turn +around in answer to your mental command. Select some person who does not +seem to be too much rushed or too busy—select some person who seems to +having nothing particular on his mind. Then desire earnestly that he shall +turn around when you mentally call to him to do so; at the same time +picture him as turning around in answer to your call; and at the same time +concentrate your attention and thought firmly upon him. After a few +moments of preparatory thought, send him the following message, silently +of course, with as much force, positiveness and vigor as possible: "Hey +there! turn around and look at me! Hey! turn around, turn around at once!" +While influencing him fix your gaze at the point on his neck where the +skull joins it—right at the base of the brain, in the back. In a number +of cases, you will find that the person will look around as if someone had +actually called him aloud. In other cases, he will seem puzzled, and will +look from side to side as if seeking some one. After a little practice you +will be surprised how many persons you can affect in this way.</p> + +<p>EXERCISE 2: When in a public place, such as a church, concert or theatre, +send a similar message to someone seated a little distance in front of +you. Use the same methods as in the first exercise, and you will obtain +similar results. It will seem queer to you at first to notice how the +other person will begin to fidget and move around in his seat, and finally +glance furtively around as if to see what is causing him the disturbance. +You, of course, will not let him suspect that it is you, but, instead will +gaze calmly ahead of you, and pretend not to notice him.</p> + +<p>EXERCISE 3: This is a variation of the first exercise. It is +practiced by sending to a person approaching you on the street, or walking +ahead of you in the same direction, a command to turn to the right, or to +the left, as you prefer. You will be surprised to see how often you will +be successful in this.</p> + +<p>EXERCISE 4: This is a variation of the second exercise. It is +practiced by sending to a person seated in front of you in a public place +the command to look to the right, or to the left, as you prefer. Do not +practice on the same person too long, after succeeding at first—it is not +right to torment people, remember.</p> + +<p>EXERCISE 5: After having attained proficiency in the foregoing +exercises, you many proceed to command a person to perform certain +unimportant motions, such as rising or sitting down, taking off his hat, +taking out his handkerchief, laying down a fan, umbrella, etc.</p> + +<p>EXERCISE 6: The next step is to command persons to say some +particular word having no important meaning; to "put words in his mouth" +while talking to him. Wait until the other person pauses as if in search +of a word, and then suddenly, sharply and forcibly put the word into his +mouth, silently of course. In a very susceptible person, well under your +psychic control, you may succeed in suggesting entire sentences and +phrases to him.</p> + +<p>EXERCISE 7: This is the summit of psychic influencing, and, of +course, is the most difficult. But you will be surprised to see how well +you will succeed in many cases, after you have acquired the knack and +habit of sending the psychic message. It consists of commanding the person +to obey the spoken command or request that you are about to make to him. +This is the art and secret of the success of many salesmen, solicitors, +and others working along the lines of influencing other people. It is +acquired by beginning with small things, and gradually proceeding to +greater, and still greater. At this point I should warn you that all the +best occult teachings warn students against using this power for base +ends, improper purposes, etc. Such practices tend to react and rebound +against the person using them, like a boomerang. Beware against using +psychic or occult forces for improper purposes—the psychic laws punish +the offender, just as do the physical laws.</p> + +<p>Finally, I caution the student against talking too much about his +developing powers. Beware of boasting or bragging about these things. Keep +silent, and keep your own counsel. When you make known your powers, you +set into operation the adverse and antagonistic thought of persons around +you who may be jealous of you, and who would wish to see you fail, or make +yourself ridiculous. The wise head keepeth a still tongue! One of the +oldest occult maxims is: "Learn! Dare! Do! Keep Silent!!!" You will do +well to adhere strictly to this warning caution.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXVIII"></a><h2>LESSON XVIII.</h2> + +<p>PSYCHIC INFLUENCE AT A DISTANCE</p> +<br /> + +<p>The second phase of Psychic Influence is that called Distant Psychic +Influence, in which psychic induction is manifested when the persons are +distant in space from one another—not in the presence of each other. +Here, of course, we see the principle of telepathy involved in connection +with the process of mental induction: and in some cases even the astral +telepathic sense is called into operation.</p> + +<p>The student who has followed my explanation and course of reasoning in the +preceding lessons will readily perceive that the principle involved in +this distant phase of psychic influence is precisely the same as that +employed in direct personal psychic influence. As I have explained in an +early lesson, it matters little whether the space to be covered by the +psychic vibratory waves is but one foot or a thousand miles, the principle +is exactly the same. There are, of course, other principles involved in +the case of two persons meeting face to face and calling into force their +psychic powers; for instance, there is the element of suggestion and +association, and other psychological principles which are not in force +when the two persons are out of the actual presence of each other. But so +far as the telepathic or astral psychic powers are concerned, the mere +extension of space does not change the principle.</p> + +<p>The student who has developed his power of psychic induction in the +phases mentioned in the preceding chapter, may begin to experiment and +practice psychic induction at long-range, if he so wishes. That is to say, +instead of causing psychic induction in the minds of persons actually in +his presence and sight, he may produce similar results in persons out of +his sight and presence. The person may be brought into presence and +psychic contact, for all practical purposes, by using the visualizing +powers for the purpose of bringing him into the en rapport condition. That +is to say, by using the imagination to bring into the mind a strong clear +picture of the other person, you may induce an en rapport condition in +which he will be practically in the same psychic relation to you as if he +were actually before you. Of course, if he is sufficiently well informed +regarding occult matters, he may shut you out by drawing a psychic circle +around himself which you cannot penetrate, or by surrounding himself with +psychic armor or atmosphere such as I have already mentioned in preceding +lessons. But as he will not likely know anything of this, the average +person may be reached in the manner just mentioned.</p> + +<p>Or again, you may establish en rapport conditions by psychometric methods, +by holding to your forehead an article which has been in the other +person's possession for some time; an article worn by him; a piece of his +hair; etc. Or, again, you may use the crystal to bring up his astral +vision before you. Or, again, you may erect an "astral tube" such as I +will mention a little further on in this chapter, and thus establish a +strong en rapport condition.</p> + +<p>Having established the en rapport condition with the other person, and +having thus practically brought him into your presence, psychically +speaking, you may proceed to send him commands or demands, just as you did +in the phase of personal psychic influence previously mentioned. You act +precisely as if the other person were present before you, and state your +commands or demands to him just as you would were he seated or standing in +your presence. This is the keynote of the whole thing; the rest is simply +an elaboration and stating of details of methods, etc. With the correct +principle once established, you may apply the same according to your own +wishes and discretion.</p> + +<p>This phase of distant psychic influence is at the bottom of all the +wonderful tales, stories and legends of supernatural powers, witchcraft, +sorcery, etc., with which the pages of history are filled. There is of +course always to be found much distortion and exaggeration in these +legends and tales, but they have truth at the bottom of them. In this +connection, let me call your attention to a very important psychic +principle involved. I have told you that by denying the power of any +person over you, you practically neutralize his psychic power—the +stronger and more positive your belief in your immunity, and your denial +of his power over you, the more do you rob him of any such power. The +average person, not knowing this, is more or less passive to psychic +influences of other persons, and may be affected by them to a greater or +less extent, depending upon the psychic development of the person seeking +to influence him. At the extreme of the sensitive pole of psychic +influence, we find those persons who believe firmly that the other person +has power over them, and who are more or less afraid of him. This belief +and fear acts to make them particularly sensitive and impressionable, and +easily affected by his psychic induction. This is the reason that the +so-called witches and sorcerers and others of evil repute have been able +to acquire such a power over their victims, and to cause so much trouble. +The secret is that the victims believed in the power of the other person, +and feared their power. The greater the belief in, and fear of, the power +of the person, the greater the susceptibility to his influence; the +greater the sense of power of neutralizing the power, and the disbelief in +his power to affect them, the greater the degree of immunity: this is the +rule!</p> + +<p>Accordingly we find that persons in various stages of the history of the +world have been affected by the influences of witches, sorcerers, and +other unprincipled persons. In most cases these so-called witches and +sorcerers themselves were under the delusion that they were assisted by +the devil or some other supernatural being. They did not realize that they +were simply using perfectly natural methods, and employing perfectly +natural forces. For that matter, you must remember that magnetism and +electricity, in ancient days, were considered as supernatural forces in +some way connected with demonic powers.</p> + +<p>Studying the history of witchcraft, sorcery, black-magic, and the like, +you will find that the devotees thereof usually employed some psychometric +method. In other cases they would mould little figures of clay, or of wax, +in the general shape and appearance of the person whom they wished to +affect. It was thought that these little figures were endowed with some +supernatural powers or attributes, but of course this was mere +superstition. The whole power of these little figures arose from the fact +that they aided the imagination of the spell-worker in forming a mental +image of the person sought to be influenced; and thus established a strong +en rapport condition. Added to this, you must remember that the fear and +belief of the public greatly aided the spell-worker and increased his +power and influence over these poor persons.</p> + +<p>I will give you a typical case, taken from an old German book, which +thoroughly illustrates the principles involved in cases of this kind. +Understand this case, and you will have the secret and working principle +of them all. The story is told by an eminent German physician of the last +century. He relates that he was consulted by one of his patients, a +wealthy farmer living near by. The farmer complained that he was disturbed +every night by strange noises which sounded like someone pounding iron. +The disturbances occurred between the hours of ten o'clock and midnight, +each and every night. The physician asked him if he suspected anyone of +causing the strange trouble. The farmer answered that he suspected an old +enemy of his, an old village blacksmith living several miles away from his +farm. It appears that an old long-standing feud between them had broken +out afresh, and that the blacksmith had made threats of employing his +"hex" (witchcraft) powers on the old farmer. The blacksmith was reputed to +be a sort of "hex" or male-witch, and the farmer believed in his diabolic +powers and was very much in fear of them. So you see the ideal condition +for psychic receptivity was present.</p> + +<p>The physician called on the blacksmith, and taking him by surprise, gazing +sternly into his eyes and asked him: "What do you do every night between +ten and twelve o'clock?" The blacksmith, frightened and disturbed, +stammered out: "I hammer a bar of iron every night at that time, and all +the while I think intently of a bad neighbor of mine who once cheated me +out of some money; and I 'will' at the same time that the noise will +disturb his rest, until he will pay me back my money to get peace and +quiet." The physician bade him to desist from his evil practices, under +threats of dire punishment; and then went to the farmer and made him +straighten out the financial dispute between the two. Thereafter, there +was no more trouble.</p> + +<p>So you see in this case all the necessary elements were present. First +there was the belief of the blacksmith in his own powers—this gave him +self-confidence and psychic power. Then there was the belief and fear on +the part of the farmer—this made him an easy subject, and very +susceptible to psychic induction, etc. Then there was the action of the +blacksmith beating the iron—this gave force and clearness to his +visualization of the idea he wished to induce in the mind of the other. +And, finally, there was his will employed in every stroke, going out in +the direction of the concentrated wish and purpose of influencing the +farmer. You see, then, that every psychic element was present. It was no +wonder that the old farmer was disturbed.</p> + +<p>Among the negroes of the South, in America; and among the Hawaiians; we +find marked instances of this kind. The negro Voodoo men and women work +black magic on those of their race who are superstitious and credulous, +and who have a mortal fear of the Voodoo. You see the conditions obtained +are much the same as in the case of the German case just cited. Travellers +who have visited the countries in which there is a large negro population, +have many interesting tales to recite of the terrible workings of these +Voodoo black magicians. In some cases, sickness and even death is the +result. But, mark you this! it is only those who believe in, and fear, the +power of the Voodoos that are affected. In Hawaii, the Kahunas or native +magicians are renowned for their power to cause sickness and death to +those who have offended them; or to those who have offended some client of +the Kahuna, and who have hired the latter to "pray" the enemy to sickness +or death. The poor ignorant Hawaiians, believing implicitly in the power +of the Kahunas, and being in deadly fear of them, are very susceptible to +their psychic influence, and naturally fall easy victims, unless they buy +of the Kahuna, or make peace with his client. White persons living in +Hawaii are not affected by the Kahunas, for they do not believe in them, +neither do they fear them. Unconsciously, but still strongly, they deny +the power, and are immune. So, you see, the principle working out here, +also. Once you have the master-key, you may unlock many doors of mystery +which have heretofore been closed to you.</p> + +<p>We do not have to fall back on cases of witchcraft, however, in order to +illustrate this phase of the use of psychic influence for selfish ends. In +Europe and America there are teachers of a low form of occultism who +instruct their pupils in the art of producing induced mental states in the +minds of others, for purposes of financial gain or other selfish ends. For +instance, there is a Western teacher who instructs his pupils to induce +desired mental states in prospective customers, or others whom they may +wish to influence for selfish reasons. This teacher tells his pupils to: +"Imagine your prospective customer, or other person, as seated in a chair +before which you are standing. Make the imagined picture as strong as +possible, for upon this depends your success. Then proceed to 'treat' this +person just as if he were actually present. Concentrate your will upon +him, and tell him what you expect to tell him when you meet him. Use all +of the arguments that you can think of, and at the same time hold the +thought that he must do as you say. Try to imagine him as complying with +your wishes in every respect, for this imagining will tend to 'come true' +when you really meet the person. This rule may be used, not only in the +case of prospective customers, but also in the case of persons whom you +wish to influence in any way whatsoever." Surely this is a case of +employing psychic powers for selfish purposes, if anything is.</p> + +<p>Again, in Europe and America, particularly in the latter country, we find +many persons who have picked up a smattering of occult knowledge by means +of some of the many healing cults and organizations which teach the power +of thought over physical diseases. In the instruction along the lines of +distant mental healing, the student is taught to visualize the patient as +strongly and clearly as possible, and to then proceed to make statements +of health and strength. The mind of the patient, and that of the healer, +cooperate and in many cases work wonderful cures. As you will see in the +last lesson of this course, there is great power in the mind to induce +healthful vibrations in the mind of others, and the work is a good and +worthy one. But, alas! as is so often the case, the good teaching is +sometimes perverted, and applied for unworthy and selfish ends. Some of +the persons who have picked up the principles of mental healing have +discovered that the same power may be used in a bad as well as in a good +direction. They accordingly, proceed to "treat" other persons with the +object of persuading them to do things calculated to benefit the person +using the psychic power. They seek to get these other persons under their +psychic influence, and to then take advantage of them in some way or +other.</p> + +<p>I hope that it is practically unnecessary for me to warn my students +against evil practices of this kind—I trust that I have not drawn any +students of this class to me. In case, however, that some of you may have +been, or may be in the future, tempted to use your psychic powers +improperly, in this way, I wish to caution and warn you positively against +so doing. Outside of the ordinary morality which should prevent you from +taking advantage of another person in this way, I wish to say to you that +anyone so misusing psychic or astral powers will inevitably bring down +upon his head, sooner or later, certain occult astral forces which will +prove disastrous to him. He will become involved in the web of his own +making, and will suffer greatly. Never by any means allow yourself to be +tempted into indulging in any of the practices of Black Magic, under any +form of disguise. You will live to regret it if you do. Employ your +powers, when you develop them, for the good of others; or at least, for +purely scientific investigation and knowledge.</p> + +<p>The scientific investigator of this phase of psychic influence, will wish +to become acquainted with what the occultists call "the astral tube." In +this phase of the phenomena, you manifest upon the astral plane, rather +than upon the physical. The astral form of telepathy is manifested, rather +than the ordinary form. While there are a number of technical points +involved in the production of the astral tube, I shall endeavor to +instruct you regarding its creation and use in as plain words as possible, +omitting all reference to technical occult details which would only serve +to distract your attention and confuse your mind. The advanced occult +student will understand these omitted technicalities without being told of +them; the others would not know what was meant by them, if mentioned, in +the absence of a long stage of preparatory teaching. After all, the theory +is not of so much importance to most of you as are the practical working +principles. I ask your careful attention to what I have to say in this +subject of the astral tube.</p> + +<p>The Astral Tube is formed by the person forming in his imagination (i.e., +on the astral plane by means of his imagination or visualizing powers), a +tube or small tunnel between himself and the person whom he wishes to +influence. He starts by picturing it in his mind a whirling vortex, +similar to the whirling ring of smoke emitted from a "coughing" engine, +and sometimes by a man smoking a cigar, about six inches to one foot in +diameter. He must will the imagined vortex-ring to move forward as if it +were actually boring a tunnel through the atmosphere. When the knack of +producing this astral tube is acquired, it will be found that the +visualized tunnel seems to vibrate with a peculiar intensity, and will +seem to be composed of a substance far more subtle than air. Then, at the +other end of this astral tube you must picture the other person, the one +whom you wish to influence. The person will seem as if viewed through the +wrong end of an opera-glass. When this condition is gained, there will be +found to be a high degree of en rapport between yourself and the other +person. The secret consists in the fact that you have really established a +form of clairvoyance between yourself and the person. When you have +induced this condition, proceed with your mental commands and pictures +just as if you were in the presence of the person himself. That is the +whole thing in a nutshell.</p> + +<p>In order that you may have another viewpoint from which to consider the +astral tube, or what corresponds to it, I wish to give you here a little +quotation from another writer on the subject, who presents the matter from +a somewhat more technical standpoint. Read this quotation in connection +with my own description of the astral tube, and you will form a pretty +complete and clear idea of the phenomenon. The writer mentioned says: "It +is impossible here to give an exhaustive disquisition on astral physics; +all I need say is that it is possible to make in the astral substance a +definite connecting-line that shall act as a telegraph wire to convey +vibrations by means of which all that is going on at the other end of it +may be seen. Such a line is established, be it understood, not by a direct +projection through space of astral matter, but by such action upon a line +(or rather many lines) of particles of that substance as will render them +capable of forming a conductor for vibrations of the character required. +This preliminary action can be set up in two ways—either by the +transmission of energy from particle to particle, until the line is +formed, or by the use of a force from a higher plane which is capable of +acting upon the whole line simultaneously. Of course this latter method +implies far greater development, since it involves the knowledge of (and +the power to use) forces of a considerably higher level.</p> + +<p>"Even the simpler and purely astral operation is a difficult one to +describe, though quite an easy one to perform. It may be said to partake +somewhat of the nature of the magnetization of a bar of steel; for it +consists in what we might call the polarization, by an effort of the human +will, of a number of astral atoms reaching from the operator to the scene +which he wishes to observe. All the atoms thus affected are held for the +time being with their axes rigidly parallel to one another, so that they +form a kind of temporary tube along which the clairvoyant may look. This +method has the disadvantage that the telegraph line is liable to +disarrangement or even destruction by any sufficiently strong astral +current which happens to cross its path; but if the original creative +effort were fairly definite, this would be a contingency of only +infrequent occurrence. The view of a distant scene obtained by means of +this 'astral current' is in many ways not unlike that seen through a +telescope. Human figures usually appear very small, like those on a +distant stage, but in spite of their diminutive size they are as clear as +though they were close by. Sometimes it is possible by this means to hear +what is said as well as to see what is done; but as in the majority of +cases this does not happen, we must consider it rather as the +manifestation of an additional power than as a necessary corollary of the +faculty of sight."</p> + +<p>I would feel that I had not done my whole duty to the student, or reader +of this book, were I to conclude this chapter without pointing out a means +of protection against the use of this phase of psychic influence against +them on the part of some unscrupulous person; or for that matter, against +the meddling influence of any person whatsoever, for any purpose +whatsoever, without one's permission and consent. Therefore, I wish now to +point out the general principles of self-protection or defense against +this class of psychic influence.</p> + +<p>In the first place, you must, of course, refuse to admit to your mind any +feeling of fear regarding the influence of other persons—for that is the +open door to their influence, as I have pointed out to you. If you have +been, or are fearful of any persons psychic influence, you must get to +work and drive out that feeling by positive and vigorous denials. The +denial, you remember, is the positive neutralizer of the psychic influence +of another person, providing you make it in full belief of its truth. You +must take the position (which is a true one) that you are immune to the +psychic attack or influence. You should say, mentally, "I deny to any +person the power to influence me psychically without my consent; I am +positive to all such influences, and they are negative to me; I neutralize +them by this denial!"</p> + +<p>If you feel sudden impulses to act in some way which you have not thought +of doing, or toward which you have had an aversion, pause a moment and +say, mentally, "If this is an outside influence, I deny its power over me; +I deny it, and send it back to its sender, to his defeat and confusion." +You will then experience a feeling of relief and freedom. In such cases +you may frequently be approached later on by the person who would have +been most benefitted by your action; he will appear surprised when you +"turn him down," and will act in a confused way. He may not have +consciously tried to influence you, but may have merely been wishing +strongly that you would do as he desired.</p> + +<p>It should encourage you to know that it requires much less force to repel +and neutralize psychic influence of this kind, than is required to send +forth the power; an ounce of denial and protection overcomes a pound of +psychic attacking power. Nature gives you the means of protection, and +gives you "the best end of the stick," and it is your own fault if you do +not effectively use it. A word to the wise is sufficient.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXIX"></a><h2>LESSON XIX.</h2> + +<p>LAWS OF PSYCHIC ATTRACTION</p> +<br /> + +<p>The third phase of Psychic Influence is that which may be called Indirect +Psychic Influence, in which psychic induction is manifested in the minds +of other persons coming in contact with the thought vibrations of the +person manifesting them, although no deliberate attempt is made to +influence the mind of any particular person or persons. Closely connected +with and involved in this phase of psychic influence, is that which is +called the Psychic Law of Attraction. So closely are these two connected +that I shall consider them together in this lesson.</p> + +<p>The fundamental principle of this phase of psychic influence is the +well-known psychic fact that mental and emotional states not only induce +similar vibrations in those who are similar attuned on the psychic +vibratory scale, but also tend to attract and draw to the person other +persons who are vibrating along similar lines, and also tend to repel +those who are vibrating in an opposing note or scale of psychic vibration.</p> + +<p>In the preceding lessons I have shown you how by induction we tend to +arouse in others mental and emotional states similar to our own. But there +is a law in effect here, which must be noted if you wish to thoroughly +understand this phase of psychic influences. Omitting all technical +explanations, and getting right down to the heart of the phenomenon, I +would say that the general principle is this: Psychic induction is +difficult in proportion to the opposing quality of the characteristic +mental and emotional states of the person affected; and easy in proportion +to the harmonious quality thereof. That is to say, in plain words, that if +a person's habitual thought and emotions are along the same lines that you +are trying to induce in him, you will find it easy to induce the same in +him; if, on the contrary, they are of an opposing nature, then you will +find it difficult to so influence him. The many degrees of agreement and +difference in the psychic vibrations of persons constitute a scale of +comparative response to any particular form of mental or emotional +vibrations.</p> + +<p>It is hard to change the spots of a leopard, or the skin of an Ethiopian, +as we are told on ancient authority. It is almost as difficult to change +the characteristic mental and emotional states of a person by psychic +induction, except after long and repeated efforts. On the contrary, let a +person have certain characteristic mental and emotional habits, then these +may be aroused in them with the greatest ease by means of psychic +induction. For instance, if a person is characteristically and habitually +peaceful, mild and calm, it will be very difficult to arouse in him by +psychic induction the vibrations of anger, fight and excitement. On the +other hand, if the other person is combative, fierce and easily excited to +wrath, it is the easiest possible thing to arouse these feelings in him by +psychic induction. So much for ordinary psychic induction; let us now +consider indirect psychic induction, in which the same principle operates.</p> + +<p>In indirect psychic induction, that is to say in cases in which psychic +vibrations are aroused by induction without deliberate attempt or design +to influence any particular person or persons, there is noted the +manifestation of a peculiar law of attraction and repulsion along psychic +lines. This psychic law operates in the direction of attracting to oneself +other persons who, actively or passively, vibrate on the same note, or on +some note or notes in general harmony therewith. In the same, way, the law +causes you to repel other persons who vibrate on a note or notes in +general inharmony or discord to yourself. So, in short, we go through life +attracting or repelling, psychically, others in harmonious or inharmonious +psychic relation to us, respectively. An understanding of this law and its +workings will throw light upon many things in your life which you have not +understood previously.</p> + +<p>You of course understand that you are constantly radiating currents of +psychic vibrations, some of which flow out to great distances from you, +and affect others often far removed from you in space. But you may not +also know that on the astral plane there is manifesting a similar sequence +of cause and effect. A strong emotional vibration, or a strong desire or +will, tends to manifest on the astral plane by attracting or repelling +others in psychic harmony or inharmony with you. This phenomenon is not so +common as is that of ordinary thought vibrations from brain to brain, but +it is far more common that is generally supposed. It is particularly +marked in cases of men of strong desire and will, and strong creative +imagination. These vibrations awakening response in the minds of those in +harmony with them, tend to draw to one those other persons whose general +character will fit in with the desires and ideas of the first person, or +to repel those who are not harmonious therewith. This explains the +peculiar phenomenon of strong men in business, politics and other walks of +life, drawing and attracting to them other men who will fit in with their +general plans and aims.</p> + +<p>This law works two ways. Not only do you draw such persons to you as will +fit in with your plans and purposes, but you are attracted to them by the +same law. Not only this, but you will find that through the peculiar +workings of this law even things and circumstances, as well as persons, +will seem to be moulded by your strong desires and ideas, providing your +psychic vibrations are sufficiently strong and clear. Have you never +noticed how a strong, resourceful magnetic man will seem to actually draw +to him the persons, things and circumstances that he needs to carry out +and manifest his plans and designs. To many, not understanding this great +law, these things have seemed positively uncanny and mysterious. But, +now-a-days, the big men of business and politics are beginning to +understand these psychic laws, and to apply them deliberately and with +purpose.</p> + +<p>Some of the great leaders in the business world, and in politics, are +known to deliberately start into operation strong psychic vibrations, and +to send out strong psychic currents of attraction, by the methods that I +have already explained to you. They, of course, are filled with a more +than ordinary degree of desire and will and, in the second place, they +create very strong and clear mental pictures of their plans working out +successfully to a finish; then concentrate strongly on the thing; and lo! +the effect is felt by all hands and on all sides. They "treat the public" +(to use the term favored by some of the metaphysical cults of the day) by +holding the mental picture of that which they strongly desire to come to +pass, and by concentrating their thought and will strongly upon it.</p> + +<p>A favorite mental picture of some of these men (who have been instructed +by teachers of occultism), is that of themselves as the centre of a great +psychic whirlpool, drawing to themselves the persons, things and +circumstances calculated to bring success and realization to them. Others +picture their thought-vibrations flowing from them like the rings in a +pond into which a stone had been dropped, influencing a constantly +widening circle of other persons; then they picture the persons being +drawn to them in the manner just mentioned. They persist in this practice +day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year—is it +any wonder that they draw to themselves that which they desire?</p> + +<p>Other persons of lesser caliber take similar advantage of the law in the +same way, but on a smaller scale. In every community there are certain +persons who seem to draw to themselves the patronage and custom of the +community, in some peculiar way. In most cases this may be traced back to +some form of psychic influence. I do not mean that these persons +consciously and deliberately set these forces into operation. On the +contrary, many of them do so more or less unconsciously, and without a +knowledge of the underlying psychic principles involved. Such persons have +stumbled on a portion of the psychic laws, and have used them more or less +unconsciously and without understanding the real reason of the happening. +They found out that certain mental states and certain mental pictures +tended to produce certain results—that they "worked out"—and so they +continued them. Some of these men think of the whole thing as something +supernatural, and get to believe that they are being helped by some +supernatural power; whereas, they are simply operating under a universal +psychic law of cause and effect.</p> + +<p>In America a number of teachers and writers have devoted much attention to +this phase of the general subject of psychic influence. Cults have been +formed upon this general basis, the main idea of their followers being +that of attracting financial and other success by means of this phase of +psychic force. One of the leading writers along this line, says: "An +individual who has cultivated the faculty of concentration, and has +acquired the art of creating sharp, clear, strong, mental images, and who +when engaged in an undertaking will so charge his mind with the idea of +success, will be bound to become an attracting centre. And if such an +individual will keep his mental picture ever in his mind, even though it +be in the background of his mind, when he is attending to the details and +planning of his affairs—if he will give his mental picture a prominent +place in his mental gallery, taking a frequent glance at it, and using his +will upon it to create new scenes of actual success, he will create for +himself a centre of radiating thought that will surely be felt by those +coming within its field of influence.</p> + +<p>"Such a man frequently 'sees people as coming to him and his enterprises, +and as falling in line with his plans. He mentally 'sees' money flowing in +to him, and all of his plans working out right. In short, he mentally +imagines each step of his plans a little ahead of the time for their +execution, and he concentrates forcibly and earnestly upon them. It is +astonishing to witness how events, people, circumstances, and things seem +to move in place in actual life as if urged by some mighty power to serve +to materialize the conditions so imaged in the mind of the man. But, +understand, there must be active mental effort behind the imaging. Day +dreamers do not materialize thought—they merely dissipate energy. The man +who converts thought in activity and material being throws energy into +the task, and puts forth his willpower through the pictured image. Without +the rays of the will there will be no picture projected, no matter how +beautifully the imagination has projected it. Thought pictured in mental +images, and then vitalized by the force of the desire, and will, tend to +objectify themselves into material being."</p> + +<p>The student will be interested in reading and hearing the various theories +and explanations given by different writers and teachers to account for +the phenomena of psychic influence. Once he has grasped the real +scientific principles involved, he will be able to see the same in +operation in all of the cases cited by the different teachers and writers, +and will find that this fundamental principle fully explains and accounts +for all of these cases, no matter how puzzling they may seem, or how +mysterious they may be claimed to be by those mentioning them. Truth is +very simple when we brush away the fantastic dressings which have been +placed around it by those who have lacked knowledge of the true +fundamental principles.</p> + +<p>We see this same law or principle operating in very many different ways +from those previously mentioned. For instance, we frequently find cases in +which one person has a strong desire for a certain kind of assistance in +his business or other work. He has almost given up hope of finding the +right kind of person, for those whom he has tried have failed to measure +up the requirements of the situation. If he will (and he sometimes does) +follow the general plan just mentioned, he will set into operation the +psychic forces which will attract that person to him, and him to that +person. In some peculiar way, the two will be thrown together, and the +combination will work out to the best advantage of both. In these cases, +each person is seeking the other, and the psychic forces of attraction, +once set into operation, serve to bring them together.</p> + +<p>In like manner, one often draws to himself certain knowledge and +information that he requires or is desirous of gaining. But, and you must +always remember this, no miracle is worked, for it is simply a matter of +the working out of natural laws of cause and effect—attraction and +response to attraction—on the psychic or astral plane. Such a person will +accidently (!) run across some other person who will be led to give him +the key to the knowledge he seeks. Perhaps a book may be mentioned, or +some reference to some writer be made. If the hint is followed up, the +desired information comes to light. Many persons have had the psychic +experience of being led to some book store and induced to examine a +particular shelf of books, whereupon a particular book presents itself +which changes the whole course of the person's life. Or, perhaps, one will +pick up a newspaper apparently at random, and without purpose; and therein +will find some information, or at least a hint in the direction where the +information may be found. When one accustoms himself to the workings of +psychic forces, these things soon become accepted as a matter of course, +and cease to arouse wonder or surprise. The workings of the Psychic Law of +Attraction is seen to be as natural and invariable as the law of +gravitation, or magnetic attraction, once one has mastered its principles, +and learned the methods of its application. Surely such a wonderful law is +well worth study, attention, investigation, and mastery, isn't it?</p> + +<p>A writer along the lines of Mental Science, which is really based on the +principles which have been stated in this book, has the following to say +regarding his system: "Wonderful results arise by reason of what has been +called 'The Law of Attraction,' by the workings of which each person is +continually drawing to himself the people, things, objects, and even +circumstances in harmony and accord with his prevailing mental states. +Like attracts like, and the mental states determine that which one draws +to himself. If you are not satisfied with what is coming to you, start to +work and change your mental attitudes and mental states, and you will see +a change gradually setting in, and then the things that you want will +begin to come your way. * * * A most important fact about the effect of +mental vibrations upon people lies in the principle that one is more +affected by vibrations in harmony with his own accustomed feelings and +mental states, than by those of an opposite nature. A man who is full of +evil schemes, and selfish aims, is more apt to be caught up by similar +vibrations than one who lives above that plane of thought. He is more +easily tempted by evil suggestions and influences, than one to whom these +things are abhorrent. And the same is true on every plane. A man whose +mental attitude is one of confidence and fearlessness, is not apt to be +affected by vibrations of a negative, pessimistic, gloomy nature, and vice +versa. Therefore, if you wish to receive the vibrations of the thoughts +and feelings of others, you must place yourself in a mental attitude +corresponding with those vibrations which you wish to receive. And if you +wish to avoid vibrations of a certain kind, the best way is to rise above +them in your own mind, and to cultivate the mental states opposite them. +The positive always overcomes the negative—and optimistic mental states +are always positive to pessimistic mental states."</p> + +<p>Another writer on, and practitioner of Mental Science, in America, several +years ago, explained her theory and practice by means of the term +"corelation of thoughts and things." She held that when one thought +positively, clearly and forcibly of a thing, he "related" himself to that +thing, and tended to attract it to him, and to be attracted toward it. She +held that true wisdom consists in so managing our thoughts that we shall +relate ourselves only to those things which we know to be desirable and +beneficial to ourselves, and to avoid thinking of those which are harmful +and detrimental to us. The student of this book will see how this +practical Mental Scientist was really using the same principles that we +have examined and become acquainted within this book, although she called +them by another name, and explained them by another theory. At the bottom +of all the teachings and theories you will always find the one same basic +principle and universal law.</p> + +<p>The advanced student of occultism knows that each and every one of us is +really a creator of his own circumstances, environment and conditions, to +a great extent. Each of us is able to so modify our mental activities as +to bring about such changes in our environment and surroundings as to +actually re-create them. The things accomplished by successful men are +really but materializations of that which they have previously held in +their mental vision. Everything is first created on the psychic plane, and +then manifested in the physical world. All the great works of man, the +great bridges, great buildings, tunnels, machinery, cities, railroads, +canals, works of art, musical compositions, etc., first existed in the +mind of their creators, and were then afterward materialized in physical +form and shape. And, so you see we are proceeding with our work of mental +creations whenever we think and make mental images. This, however, is no +new teaching. It is as old as the race of mankind. Over twenty-five +hundred years ago, Buddha said to his disciples: "All that we are is the +result of what we have thought; it is founded on our thoughts; it is made +up of our thoughts."</p> + +<p>I would be telling you but half the story did I not warn you that strong +Fear may play the part ordinarily filled by Desire in the production of +the psychic phenomena of materialization of mental pictures. Strange as +it may appear at first, a strong fear that a thing will come to pass will +act much the same as a strong desire that the happening will occur. +Consequently, many persons by continually dwelling upon the thing that +they fear may happen to them, actually attract that thing to them, just as +if they had actually desired and wished for it. I cannot go into occult +technicalities in explaining this strange fact; but the gist of the secret +may be said to consist in the fact that the person clearly and vividly +pictures in his mind the thing that he fears may happen to him. He thus +creates a strong mental-picture or image of it, which sets into forces the +attractive power of psychic influence and draws the feared thing into +material reality. As Job said: "The thing that I feared hath come upon +me." The moral of this is, of course, that persons should learn to stamp +out fear and mental images of things feared. Instead, they should make +strong positive mental denials of the things that they may find themselves +fearing. They should deny the reality of the feared thing, and assert +positively their own superiority to the thing, and their power to overcome +it.</p> + +<p>A great religious cult has sprung into existence which makes a leading +doctrine of this ability to materialize the things which one desires, and +to deny out of existence undesirable things. Many persons who have +witnessed the wonderful success of some of the followers of this cult or +organization, have been puzzled to account for the same on scientific and +rational grounds. A little understanding of fundamental occult and +psychic principles, as given in these lessons, will show the "why and +wherefore" of these strange and wonderful manifestations. In this +connection you must remember that the combined thought of the thousands of +persons composing this cult or organization undoubtedly gives additional +psychic force to the mental affirmations and denials of the individual +member thereof.</p> + +<p>In past and present, and probably in future time, there have been many +instances of magical procedures tending to bring about the results that we +have herein seen to come about by reason of psychic influence, in some of +its many phases. These magic procedures have usually been accompanied by +incantations, ceremonies, strange rites, evocations, etc., which were +supposed to have great virtue in bringing about desired results. But the +true occultists now know that these ceremonies and rites were merely hopes +to the imagination and aids to faith, and thus tended to bring about the +psychic phenomena. There was no virtue in these ceremonies themselves, and +the same results may be secured by simply following the procedure outlined +in this book. The wonders of ancient magic have been reproduced by the +modern occultists, without all the mumbo-jumbo of the past rites and +ceremonies.</p> + +<p>A gifted English writer upon the subject of the relation of mysticism and +magic, sums up the gist of the principles of Magic as follows:</p> + +<p>"The central doctrine of Magic may now be summed up thus:</p> + +<p>"(1) That a supersensible and real cosmic medium exists, which +interpenetrates, influences, and supports the tangible and apparent world, +and is amenable to the categories both of meta-physics and of physics." +[This of course is the astral plane, which is the container of the subtle +form or framework of all that exists on the physical plane.]</p> + +<p>"(2) That there is an established analogy and equilibrium between the real +(and unseen) world, and the illusory manifestation that we call the world +of sense." [By this of course is meant the correspondence and balance +between the subtle form of things and the material manifestation thereof. +Things created in the astral, tend to materialize on the physical plane. +All creation proceeds from the astral to the physical.]</p> + +<p>"(3) That this analogy may be discerned, and this equilibrium controlled, +by the disciplined will of man, which thus becomes master of itself and of +fate." [The essence of Will consists of strong desire accompanied by a +clear mental picture of the thing desired, and held steady and firm by +concentration.]</p> + +<p>So you see by reference to the above very clear statement of the central +doctrine of Magic, and my explanations thereof, that in these lessons you +have been taught the very essence of the wonderful, mysterious ancient +Magic, and its modern counterpart. As for the various rites and +ceremonies, as I have said, these are mere symbols and aids to mental +imaging and concentration. As an eminent occultist once said, "Ceremonies +being but artificial methods of creating certain habits of the will, they +cease to be necessary when these habits have become fixed." The master of +occultism sees ceremonies, rites, and ritual as but the playthings of the +kindergarten scholar—useful and important so far as they go, but serving +merely to teach the scholar, sooner or later, that he may proceed without +them.</p> + +<p>In this chapter I have condensed enough information to fill a whole book. +I trust that you will study it carefully, and not miss its main points.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXX"></a><h2>LESSON XX.</h2> + +<p>PSYCHIC AND MAGNETIC HEALING</p> +<br /> + +<p>Probably no phase of psychic influence is more familiar to the average +person of the Western world than is that of the healing of physical ills +and conditions by means of psychic influence under one name or another. +Great healing cults and organizations have been built up upon this basis, +and the interest in the subject has taken on the form of a great popular +movement.</p> + +<p>As is natural in cases of this kind, there have been hundreds of theories +advanced to account for the phenomena of psychic healing, and a still +greater number of methods of treatments devised to carry out the +principles of the theories. Ranging from the teaching of actual divine +interposition and influence arising from certain forms of belief and +practice, covering many intermediate stages, the theories even include a +semi-materialistic hypothesis in which mind is considered as an attribute +of matter, but having a magic influence over the forms of matter when +properly applied. But it is worthy of note that no matter what the general +or particular theory, or what the favored method of application, these +healing schools or cults, as well as the independent practitioners, meet +with a very fair degree of success and perform quite a number of cures.</p> + +<p>Many of these Western advocates and practitioners of psychic healing +practically hold that the whole system is of very recent discovery, and +that it has nothing whatsoever to do with ordinary occult science. The +occultists however are able to smile at these ideas and beliefs, for they +not only recognize the general principles involved, but they also are +aware that these principles, and their application, have been known to +advanced occultists for thousands of years. I do not say this in any +dispargement of the moderns schools of psychic healing, for I am in full +sympathy with their great work; I merely mention the matter that the +student may get the right historical perspective in considering this phase +of psychic phenomena and influence.</p> + +<p>So far as the methods of application are concerned, the true occultist +recognizes that most of the methods and forms of treatment are but outward +cloaks or disguises for the real psychic healing principle. The gist of +the real methods is to be found in the principles of the application of +psychic influence which I have presented to you in these lessons, viz: (1) +Strong desire to make the cure; (2) clear mental image or picture of the +desired condition as actually present in the patient at this time; and (3) +concentration of the attention and mind of the healer, so as to bring to a +focus to two preceding mental states. Here you have the real secret of +psychic healing methods—the rest are all elaborations thereof, dressed up +forms and ceremonies which affect the imagination, faith, belief and +confidence of the patient, and thus make the healing process much easier. +In fact, with the proper degree of faith and confidence on the part of the +patient, there is but little need of a healer, for the patient may treat +and cure himself. However, in most cases, the presence of the healer aids +materially in arousing the fate and confidence of the patient, and hastens +the cure.</p> + +<p>Again, so far as the theories underlying the cures are concerned, +occultists are able to reduce them all to a single working theory or +principle, which includes all the rest. Brushing aside all technical +details, and all attempts to trace back the healing process to the +ultimate facts of the universe, I may say that the gist of the principle +of all psychic healing is that of influencing the astral foundation of the +various organs and parts, cells and centres, so as to make it proceed to +manifest a more perfect physical counterpart. All psychic healing is +really accomplished on the astral body first—then the physical body +responds to the renewed activities of its astral counterpart. To get the +real significance of this statement it is necessary for you to realize +just what the astral body really is. This once grasped, the difficulties +vanish, and you are able to form a clear conception of the entire matter +and process.</p> + +<p>The astral body is a precise counterpart of the physical body, its organs, +its parts, its centres, and its cells. In fact, the astral body is the +pattern upon which the physical body is materialized. The astral body is +composed of an etheric substance of a very high rate of vibration. In one +sense it may be considered as a very subtle form of matter—in another as +a semi-materialized form of force or energy. It is finer and more subtle +that the rarest vapors or gases known to science. And, yet, it has a +strong degree of tenacity and cohesiveness that enables it to resist +attacks from the material side of nature. As I have said, each organ, +part, centre or cell, of the physical body has its astral pattern or +basis. In fact, the physical body has been built up, in whole and in all +of its parts, on the pattern and base of the astral body. Moreover, in +case of impaired functioning of the physical organs or parts, and impaired +activity of the physical body, its limbs, etc., if we can manage to arouse +the activities of the astral body we may cause it to re-materialize or +re-energize the physical body, and thus restore health and activity to it. +If the liver, for instance, is not functioning properly, we proceed to +start up the activities of the astral counterpart of that organ, to the +end that the physical organ may be re-energized, and recreated in a +measure. All true psychic healing work is performed on the astral plane, +before it manifests on the physical.</p> + +<p>At this point, I should also call your attention to the effect of "prana," +or life energy, in some cases of healing. This prana is what Western +healers mean when they speak of "human magnetism" in their healing work. +So far from being an imaginary force, as claimed by the physical +scientists and materialists, it is known to all occultists as an active +principle of the human body, and as of great efficacy in the psychic +treatment of disease. I shall mention the details of this form of +treatment as we proceed—I mention it at this place merely to call your +attention to the fact of its existence.</p> + +<p>Before passing on to the consideration of other phases of the subject +before us, I would like to call your attention to the fact that from the +earliest days of history there have been recorded instances of some form +of psychic healing. In the earlier days the psychic healing work was left +entirely in the hands of the priesthood of the various religions +prevailing in the several counties of the world. Claiming to have an +exclusive divine sanction to perform healing work, these priests used +various ceremonies, rites, incantations, etc., in order to obtain their +results. In many cases these priests were ignorant of the real psychic +forces invoked and set into operation; they merely practiced methods which +had been found to work out effectively, and which had been handed down to +them by their predecessors. In other cases, however, the priests +undoubtedly were skilled occultists, and had a very full knowledge of the +forces they were using; though, as the masses of the people were very +ignorant it was impossible to acquaint them with these things so far above +their understanding; and, consequently, the priests applied the healing +forces under the disguise of their religious ceremonies and rites.</p> + +<p>From time to time, however, as civilization progressed, there came into +prominence persons who worked cures of physical ills by means of magical +ceremonies and other similar methods, but who were outside of the +priesthood. Some of these men undoubtedly had a very fair knowledge of the +real secret of their cures, though they disguised them to suit the mental +condition of their patients, and, also, probably for purposes of self +glorification. In other cases, however, it is probable that these healers +had merely stumbled across the fact that certain things said in a certain +way tended to work cures; or that certain physical objects seemed to have +therapeutic virtue. They did not realize that the whole healing virtue of +their systems depended upon the strong idea in their own minds, coupled +with the strong faith and confidence in the mind of the patient. And so +the work went on.</p> + +<p>In some of the oldest records of the human race, the scriptures of the +various peoples, we find that "laying on of hands" was the favorite method +employed by the holy men and priests, and other performing healing work. +From the first there seems to have been an almost instinctive recognition +on the part of man of the fact that there is a healing power in the touch +of the hand. Even ignorant and savage mothers instinctively apply their +hands to the hurt bodies of their children—a custom that has its +counterpart in civilized races, by the way. The child is taught to expect +physical relief from the application of the mother's hands, and its mind +at once pictures relief. Not only is the mental picture created, but the +desire and confidence is established in the minds of both persons. The +same thing is true of all "laying on of hands," and thus are the +principles of all psychic influence brought into play. But this is not all +there is to it. In the first place, there is an actual transference of +prana from the body of the healer to that of the patient, which serves to +energize and revitalize the cells and centres of the body of the latter. +In the second place, there is the effect upon the astral body of the +patient, which tends to materialize better physical conditions. In the +third place, there is that combination and union of the minds of the two +persons, which gives extra force and power to psychic influence. Is it any +wonder that cures take place under these circumstances?</p> + +<p>In the modern revival of the almost lost art and science of psychic +healing among the general public, there has been unusual stress laid upon +the feature of "absent healing," in which the patient and the healer are +not in each other's presence. To many this has seemed actually miraculous, +and as a positive proof of divine interposition. But a little thought will +show the student that such cures are not unknown in the pages of history, +as a casual examination of the sacred books of almost any religion will +show. Moreover, the student will see that to the effect of certain +principles of psychic influence there needs but to be added the principles +of telepathic communication, or, better still, the principles of astral +communication by some phases of clairvoyance, to account for the entire +phenomena of "absent healing."</p> + +<p>Space is no barrier on the astral plane, as you have seen in the +preceding chapters of this book. Once the en rapport condition is +established between healer and patient, and the rest is simple—the astral +body is induced to energize more actively, and as a result the physical +manifestation is improved and normal functioning restored. Of course, all +this is wonderful enough—all psychic phenomena is, for that matter; but, +we see that we do not have to go outside of established occult laws, +principles and facts in order to account for some of these modern miracles +which have puzzled and perplexed so many good persons who have not known +of the occult teachings, and who fear that the world is being turned +upside down, and Nature's laws overturned by these "new fangled" ideas and +methods.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the most simple method of healing by psychic influence is that +which is at the same time the oldest method, i.e., the "laying on of +hands." This method was revived about twenty years ago in America and +Europe by the new school of "magnetic healing" which sprung rapidly into +public favor. The other schools of psychic healing, generally known as +"mental healing," "spiritual healing," "divine healing," etc., generally +frown upon the use of the hands in psychic healing, deeming it "too +material," and too much allied to hypnotism, etc. But this view is quite +bigoted and narrow, for this method has no relation to hypnotism, and, +moreover, it gives the patient the benefit of the flow of prana from the +healer, while at the same time producing the psychic effect on the astral +body, as I have just mentioned.</p> + +<p>I take the liberty of quoting here something on this subject from my +little book entitled "The Human Aura." In the chapter of that book devoted +to the consideration of the subject of "Auric Magnetism," I said: "In +cases of magnetic healing, etc., the healer by an effort of his will +(sometimes unconsciously applied) projects a supply of his pranic aura +vibrations into the body of his patient, by way of the nervous system of +the patient, and also by means of what may be called the induction of the +aura itself. The mere presence of a person strongly charged with prana, is +often enough to cause an overflow into the aura of other persons, with a +resulting feeling of new strength and energy. By the use of the hands of +the healer, a heightened effect is produced, by reason of certain +properties inherent in the nervous system of both healer and patient. +There is even a flow of etheric substance from the aura of the healer to +that of the patient, in cases in which the vitality of the latter is very +low. Many a healer has actually, and literally, pumped his life force and +etheric substance into the body of his patient, when the latter was +sinking into the weakness which precedes death, and has by so doing been +able to bring him back to strength and life. This is practically akin to +the transfusion of blood—except that it is upon the psychic plane instead +of the physical."</p> + +<p>But the true "magnetic healer" (call him by whatever name you wish) does +not make this pranic treatment the all-in-all of his psychic treatment. +On the contrary it is but the less subtle part, which leads up to the +higher phases. While treating his patients by the laying on of hands, he, +at the same time, strives to induce in the mind of the patient the mental +image of restored health and physical strength; he pictures the diseased +organ as restored to health and normal functioning; he sees the entire +physiological machinery operating properly, the work of nutrition, +assimilation, and excretion going on naturally and normally. By proper +words of advice L and encouragement he awakens hope and confidence in the +mind of the patient, and thus obtains the co-operation of that mind in +connection to his own mental efforts. The astral body responds to this +treatment, and begins to energize the physical organs and cells into +normal activity—and the journey toward health is begun.</p> + +<p>[In the little book just mention, "The Human Aura," I gave some valuable +information regarding the influence of colors in psychic healing, which I +do not reproduce here as it is outside the scope and field of the present +lessons. Those who may feel interested in the subject are respectfully +referred to the little manual itself. It is sold for a nominal price by +the publishers of the present work.]</p> + +<p>In the form of psychic treatment which comes under the head of Suggestive +Therapeutics, great insistence is laid upon the verbal suggestion to the +patient, on the part of the healer. The patient is told that he will get +well; that his organs will function normally; etc., etc. But the student +of the present lessons will readily see that the only virtue in the spoken +words consists in their power to evoke and induce the mental image of the +desired condition in the mind of the patient. The mental picture thus +evoked produces a corresponding effect in the astral body of the patient, +and sets into operation the materialization of desired results. In +addition, the words produce a strong mental picture in the mind of the +healer himself, and thus give form and strength to his psychic vibrations +which are being poured out toward the patient. This is really the secret +of suggestive treatment.</p> + +<p>The many cults of metaphysical healing, in America and Europe, lay great +stress upon what they call "affirmations," which are but statements of the +patient of his or her faith in the healing power of God, or of Mind, or +Spirit, or Principle (different names are used). The patient naturally has +confidence aroused, and as naturally begins to picture the desired +condition; this in turn reacting upon the astral body, and this upon the +physical body or organ. In addition, the healer's mind is also set to work +in the same way, and sets into motion the healing psychic forces in the +way just mentioned. You will notice that the same principle is always +involved and set into operation and manifestation.</p> + +<p>There is no particular virtue in the form of affirmation used by the +healer or patient, except the important virtue of being able to arouse +strong mental pictures of restored health, proper functioning, etc. There +is of course this also: certain forms of affirmations or mental statements +are better suited than others to the particular wants of certain persons. +For instance, a very religious person will be aroused better by +affirmations and statements filled with religious sentiments and ideas; +while a person of a purely scientific turn of mind will receive more +benefit from affirmations in which the precise physiological functions are +specifically mentioned; while the person who is fond of mystery and +strange ceremonies will be better served in the affirmations or statements +taken in the form of some magical incantation, etc. The difference, +however, lies in the mind of the patient, rather than in the words +themselves. Words are merely invokers of ideas—symbols of ideas. In +themselves, words are nothing—ideas are everything.</p> + +<p>If you wish to treat yourself psychically for some physical disorder, or +if you wish to do good to others in the same way, you have but to put into +operation the general principles of psychic influence herein described. +That is to say, you must first be filled with the strong desire and wish +to make the cure; then you must make a strong mental image of the desired +result, as actually present. (Do not think of it as "going to be;" instead +say and think that it "is now!"); then concentrate the attention firmly +and positively upon the idea. You may aid yourself and others by +affirmations or auto-suggestions (words creating desired ideas and mental +pictures) if you wish—you may get better results in this way. In this +connection, let me remind you that the healing work in many cases consists +largely in placing proper mental pictures in the mind of the patient, +thereby displacing improper and harmful mental pictures of disease, etc., +which have been given lodgment there before. Many persons are sick because +of improper and harmful mental pictures that they have allowed to be +placed there by the suggestions of others. Fear and dread of disease often +acts to bring about the feared condition, for reasons that you can readily +see.</p> + +<p>And, now, finally for the work of "absent healing" by psychic influence. I +can state this to you very simply; it is this: take what I have just told +you regarding personal treatments, and combine it with what I have told +you in previous lessons about "long distance psychic influence"—then you +will have the whole thing. Here is a sample of an effective distant +treatment; or "absent treatment," to use the popular term—it may be +varied and enlarged up to fit individual cases:</p> + +<p>Sit quietly in your own room, inducing a calm, peaceful mental attitude +and state. Then (in the way already told you in this book) make a mental +picture of the patient as sitting opposite to you, or lying down in front +of you. If you have never seen the patient, make simply a mental image of +a man, or a woman, as the case may be, and think of the figure as being +the patient. The best practitioners of distant psychic healing produce +such a strong mental image of the patient that they can often actually +"feel" his or her presence. (This of course is the result of a simple +form of clairvoyance.) Then make a strong mental picture of the condition +that you wish to induce in the patient—the healthy physical condition of +the organ, or part or body, as the case may be. See this condition as +existing at the present time, and not as merely to come in the future. At +the same time, you will do well to mentally speak to the patient, just as +you would in case he or she were sitting before you in the physical body. +Tell the patient just what you would in such case. Pour in the +suggestions, or affirmations, or whatever you may wish to call them. In +some cases in which an excellent en rapport condition is established, +patients become aware of the treatment, and sometimes can almost see and +feel the presence of the healer.</p> + +<p>A prominent Mental Scientist, of America, instructs his pupils to consider +each of the organs of the patient, or of themselves, as having a separate +intelligence; and, therefore, to "speak up to it" as if it really +understood what was being said to its organ-mind. I would say that such +form of treatment would be calculated to bring about very good results, +indeed. The principle of concentration and mental picturing would be +invoked very strongly in such a case, and the astral counterpart of the +organ should respond to such treatment quickly and effectively. It is an +occult fact that there is mind in every organ and cell of the body, and if +the same is awakened in the astral counterpart, it will respond to the +command, suggestion, or direction. The writer in question evidently is +well acquainted with this occult law, judging from his other writings, and +has simply veiled his knowledge with this easily understood method of +treatment which undoubtedly will "do the work," to use the American term.</p> + +<p>Finally, no matter what may be the theory, or method, given in connection +with psychic healing of any or all kinds, you will find the same general +principles underlying it that have been presented over and over again in +this book. In fact, many purely material and physical remedies owe their +success to the fact that they appeal to the imagination of the patient, +and also inspire confidence in him. Anything that will inspire confidence, +faith and hope in the mind of a patient, and will bring to his mind strong +mental pictures of restored health and normal functioning of his +organs—that thing will make for health for him. So, there you have the +whole theory and practice in a sentence!</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>I would remind the student that these are not lessons to be read but once +and then laid aside. In order to get from them all that they contain for +you, you will find it necessary to read them several times, with a +reasonable interval between readings for the knowledge to sink into your +mind. I feel sure that you will find with each reading that there are many +points that you over-looked before. The lessons cover a wide field, with +many little excursions into bye-paths and lanes of thought. I trust that +the reading and study will make you not only a wiser person, but also a +stronger and more efficient one. I thank you for your kind attention, and +trust that we shall meet again in the future.</p> +<br /> + +<p>FINIS.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> <img src="images/img3.gif" alt="The Art and Science of Personal Magnetism" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + <p><font size="-2"><i>Success can be made more certain by being able to + mold minds and to influence them to act as you wish</i>.</font></p> + <h2>The Art and<br /> + Science of<br /> + PERSONAL<br /> + MAGNETISM</h2> + <h3>By THERON Q. DUMONT</h3> + <br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + <p><font size="-2">A Chicago paper in a recent editorial said: "There are men in this + country in abundance, but good men, while in great demand, are as scarce + as the clams in chowder at a church supper."<br /> +<br /> +A man need not be a college graduate if he is to rise to the height of + power and success. Personal Magnetism will help to control and influence + others.<br /> +<br /> +This book contains 238 pages crammed with most interesting advice on + Personal Magnetism—what it is and how to develop it. It contains + 21 chapters dealing with the different phases of the subject. Here are + a few of the chapter headings:<br /> +<br /> +The Mental Phase—The Physical Phase—Physical Magnetism—Mental + Radiation—Mental Atmosphere—The Direct Flash—The Positive + Aura—The Direct Command—The Magnetic Duel—Magnetic Self-Defence—The + Power of Controlling Others<br /> +<br /> +No. 6, 238 Pages, Cloth Bound, Size 5x7.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<br /> +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> <img src="images/img4.gif" alt="" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + <h2>Medical <br /> + Hypnotism<br /> + and <br /> +Suggestion</h2> + <h3>By<br /> + Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P.</h3> + <br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + + <p><font size="-2">This book is full of secrets. It explains what + hypnotism (or mesmerism) is, and gives an interesting outline of its history. + It explains the great value of hypnotism in the cure of disease and in + surgical operations. It tells how to hypnotise a man, how to put him in + a trance for a week. There is an explanation on how to give an hypnotic + entertainment for your friends or on the stage, making your subjects do + things such as acting, singing, speechmaking, things that, in their ordinary + state, they would be unable to do. Further it explains the method of curing + bad habits—drinking, swearing, lying, stealing, gambling, betting, + smoking, envy, hatred, temper, etc.<br /> +<br /> +The author's object in writing this book is to give a brief but accurate + description of Hypnotism and Suggestive Therapeutics, as practiced by + the most advanced schools of the present day; and also to enlighten the + public mind on the great advantages of hypnotism in the treatment of disease, + as compared with the drug method now used in this and other countries. + Size 6 x 4-1/2.<br /> +<br /> +No. 12, 37 Pages, Paper Bound—Price Postpaid<br /> + Outside U.S.A.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> <img src="images/img5a.gif" alt="The Development of Seership" width="525" height="308" /><br /> + <img src="images/img5b.gif" alt="Hindoo and Oriental Methods" width="160" height="332" align="left" /> + <p><strong>By Swami Bhakta Vishita<br /> + <br /> + (Hindoo Master)</strong><br /> +<br /> + <font size="-2">Everyone possesses in the latent state the wonderful faculty + of Seership. This can be developed. You can train yourself so you can + foresee events and be your own adviser—see your own future.<br /> + <br /> + If you want to make the most of yourself, both in a human and divine sense, + you should read this book.<br /> + <br /> + The most profound and conscientious occult work published in years. Teaches + how to pierce the veil—enter at will into the spiritual world and + converse with your loved ones now across the border.<br /> + <br /> + No. 3. 384 Pages, Cloth Bound, Size, 5x7</font></p> + +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> <img src="images/img6.gif" alt="Practical Mind Reading" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + <br /> +<br /> + <h2>Practical<br /> + Mind Reading</h2> +<h3>By William Walker Atkinson</h3><br /> +<br /> + + <p><font size="-2"><i>A course of Lessons on Thought Transference, Telepathy, + Mental Currents, Mental Rapport, etc</i>.<br /> + <br /> + <br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + + This book is full of practical condensed instruction about every phase + of Mind Reading, Telepathy, etc. The exercises and directions are so plain + and simple that they can be understood and demonstrated by any person + of ordinary intelligence.<br /> + <br /> + Here you will find complete instruction in all the latest points about + Mind Reading. It tells how Thought Transference is practiced in the scientific + laboratory as well as by a public performer. It tells you how to perform + feats that will mystify an audience and arouse the deepest interest and + enthusiasm, or how you can conduct telepathic experiments with your friends + right in your own home.<br /> + Here are the titles of the lessons and a few of the subjects treated:<br /> + THE NATURE OF MIND READING—A vast, mysterious subject; Power of + Etheric Vibrations; Mental wireless telepathy; the mysteries of science; + Action of mind upon mind; The mental battery.<br /> + THE PROOFS OF MIND READING—The Psychic post office; Wonderful results; + A convincing experiment.<br /> + CONTACT MIND READING—The two classes of mind reading; The simplest + form; Nerve current theory; The truth about public performances.<br /> + DEVELOPMENT EXERCISES—How to begin; Rapport conditions—Rhythmic + breathing; Details of finding objects.<br /> + <br /> + PRICE POSTPAID—Outside U.S.A.<br /> + No. 8—95 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2</font></p> + +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> + <h2><img src="images/img7.gif" alt="" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + <br /> + THE<br /> + SOLAR PLEXUS</h2> + <h3>or<br /> + Abdominal Brain</h3> + <h4>BY THERON Q. DUMONT</h4> + <p><font size="-2">Man has four brains, and not merely one, as is commonly + believed to be the case. Each of the four brains have separate characteristics + and distinctive offices and functions.<br /> + <br /> + The Solar Plexus, or Abdominal Brain is situated in the upper part of + the abdomen, behind the stomach, in front of the great artery, and in + front of pillars of the diaphragm.<br /> + <br /> + The Solar Plexus is the great plexus, i.e., network of nerve-fibres, mass + of nerve-substance, etc., of the great sympathetic nervous system. It + is composed of both gray and white nervous substance, or brain-matter, + similar to that of the other three brains of man. It receives and distributes + nerve-impulses and currents to all the abdominal organs, and supplies + the main organs of nutrition, assimilation, etc., with nervous energy.<br /> + <br /> + It performs a most important work, supplying the nerve-energy which is + required for the process of nutrition, assimilation, growth, etc. In fact, + it is the great powerhouse of physical life-energy. The bodily functions + cannot be performed without it; when it is injured the entire physical + well-being is at once seriously affected; when it receives a severe shock, + death often ensues.<br /> + <br /> + Its name, "solar" was bestowed upon it by reason of its central + position; its filaments extend in all directions to the important abdominal + organs, like the rays of the sun; and it is recognized as being the powerhouse, + and great reservoir of "life force," just as the sun is the + great powerhouse and reservoir of material energy of our solar system.<br /> + <br /> + Not alone modern scientific investigators; but also many very ancient + investigators, such as the oriental occultists and sages, who many centuries + ago recognized certain subtle functions and offices of this wonderful + "fourth brain" of man, and taught their students many valuable + methods of effectively employing its finer forces and hidden energies.<br /> + <br /> + NO. 9, 64 PAGES, PAPER BOUND, SIZE 6x4-1/2<br /> + PRICE POSTPAID—OUTSIDE U.S.A.</font></p> + +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> <img src="images/img8.gif" alt="How to Know Your Future" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + <br /> + <br /> + <h2>HOW TO<br /> + KNOW YOUR<br /> + FUTURE</h2> + <h3>By<br /> + Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P.</h3> + <br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + + <p><font size="-2">As St. Paul points out, man has a natural (or material) + body and a spiritual body. There are also a material world and a spiritual + world. With the eye we can only see material things. To see the spiritual + world we must cultivate the spiritual sight. Seeing spiritual things with + the spiritual sight is called Clairvoyance (or "Second Sight").<br /> + <br /> + You can if you choose, cultivate clairvoyant faculty. If you do, you may + be able to see places and persons in the spiritual world. This may enable + you to describe to your friends, people in spirit life that they have + known here.<br /> + <br /> + It can also help you to see what is going on at a distance in this world. + To see into the past and the future. To obtain hidden information, and + to give advice, of the utmost value. This faculty when properly developed + enables one to trace hidden treasure, to find lost friends, animals, and + property. With the development of Clairvoyance it is also possible to + develop Clairaudience (Spiritual Hearing).<br /> + <br /> + Crystal Gazing means looking into a crystal ball or into something else + of a like kind. When this faculty is developed one sees a picture or image + in the crystal. Presently the picture will dissolve and another will take + its place. All the above matter is described in this book.</font></p> + <p><font size="-2">No. 15, 42 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2.<br /> + Price Postpaid—Outside U.S.A.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> <img src="images/img9.gif" alt="How to Converse with Spirit Friends" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + <h2>How to<br /> + Converse<br /> + with<br /> + Spirit Friends</h2> + <h3>By Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P.</h3> + <br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + + <p><font size="-2">A medium is a person whose presence is necessary before + a spirit can communicate. "How To Converse With Spirit Friends" + tells you how you may develop mediumistic powers, so as to be able to + receive messages from the other world when sitting alone.<br /> + <br /> + The book also tells you about different kinds of spirits, including apparitions + (ghosts) and spirit guides (the spirit friends that are constantly with + each of us); about spirit control (how spirits work through the organisms + of mediums); and about spirit-given premonitions, warnings, death-signs, + etc. The work, moreover, gives other interesting and valuable matter. + This work is calculated to "comfort those that mourn."<br /> + <br /> + This book is printed in very legible type and contains illustrations to + bring out points. One of the illustrations shows spirit forms as seen + by a medium. Size 6x4-1/2<br /> + <br /> + No. 14, 36 Pages, Paper Bound—Price Postpaid<br /> + Outside U.S.A.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> <img src="images/img10.gif" alt="The Power of Concentration" width="150" height="195" align="left" /> + <h2>THE POWER<br /> + OF CONCENTRATION</h2> + <h3>By Theron Q. Dumont </h3> + <p><font size="-2"><i>It is of the utmost value to learn + how to concentrate. To make the greatest success of anything, you must + be able to center your entire thought upon the idea you are working on. + The person who is able to concentrate, utilizes all constructive thoughts + and shuts out all destructive ones. The greatest man would accomplish + nothing if he lacked concentration.</i></font></p> + <br /> + + <div align="center"><font size="-2"><strong>TWENTY FAMOUS LESSONS IN CONCENTRATION</strong></font></div> + <p><font size="-2">In these twenty lessons, this famous author gives you in simple, concrete + form the results of his lifetime investigations. He shows you how to acquire + that mental quality of concentration which has made world-known leaders. + He shows you how to focus your ideas, to get away from mind wandering, + to eliminate day dreams—how to use your mind like an ever-ready + tool and to accomplish in hours what the man without this ability does + only in weeks or months. He tells clearly why some men lead, while others + with equal intelligence remain in the ranks. He shows the clear way to + make the utmost out of your mentality. No degree of success, within reason, + is impossible when one possesses the Power of Concentration.<br /> + <br /> + Read the principles laid down so clearly by Professor Dumont. Practice + the exercises which he has so carefully worked out. This training is as + much a guarantee of success as any other method known. Simply learn to + use your brains—learn to focus, to concentrate and the highway to + bigger things is open to you.</font></p> + + <div align="center"><font size="-2"><strong>A FEW OF THE TOPICS</strong></font></div> +<p><font size="-2">Opportunities Made Through Concentration. (Shows the plain road to the top.)<br /> +Self Mastery. (How to centralize attention.)<br /> +Training the Will. (A mighty force at your disposal.)<br /> +Mental Poise. (How to command conditions.) <br /> +Business Success. (How to coordinate forces by concentration.)<br /> +Attaining Wealth. (How to attract money bringing factors.)<br /> +How Courage is Gained. (Use of concentration to drive out fear.)<br /> +Memory by Concentration. (A very valuable lesson.)<br /> +Practical Exercises. (The actual application of the principles of concentration.)<br /> +Many more topics all as interesting and important as those listed.<br /> + <br /> + No. 5—186 Pages, Cloth Bound, Size 5x7<br /> + Price Postpaid—Outside + U.S.A.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> + <h2><img src="images/img11.gif" alt="Dynamic Thought" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + DYNAMIC<br /> + THOUGHT</h2> + <h3>How to Develop your<br /> + Personality</h3> + <h3>By</h3> + <h3>Henry Thomas Hamblin</h3><br /> +<br /> +<br /> + <p><font size="-2">This book develops your personality and the personal + power that sways and compels and gives you a powerful influence over the + minds of others.<br /> + <br /> + Dynamic Thought reveals new and marvelous facts about the human system. + Men and women achieve success according to the development of their own + powers. You have as much power within you as anyone, but it is lying dormant; + and this development can be attained.<br /> + <br /> + There are certain definite principles that rule human beings in their + attitude toward each other. When once you understand these principles + you can convert enemies into friends and can make almost everyone be friendly + toward you.<br /> + <br /> + No 1 298 pages, Cloth Bound, Size 5x7. Price Postpaid—Outside U.S.A.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> + <h2><img src="images/img12.gif" alt="Mental Influence" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + Mental<br /> + Influence</h2> + <h3><i>By William Walker Atkinson</i> </h3> + <p><i>A course of Lessons on Mental Vibration, Psychic Influence, Personal + Magnetism, Fascination, Psychic Self-Protection, etc.</i><br /> +<br /><br /> +<br /><br /> +<br /> + <font size="-2">LESSON 1.—Why one mind can be made to influence + another.<br /> + LESSON 2.—How thought waves manifest, and how they affect other + persons.<br /> + LESSON 3.—How mental states are transmitted.<br /> + LESSON 4.—What mental concentration is, and how it works. The occult + teachings regarding developing the powers of concentration. A course of + training described and explained.<br /> + LESSON 5.—How occultists form a mental image.<br /> + LESSON 6.—The secret of mental fascination and personal magnetism. + Why some have such a charming, irresistible influence. How it can be cultivated. + LESSON 7.—Difference between fascination and hypnotism. How hypnotic + influence upon others affects the person. The truth about hypnotism.<br /> + LESSON 8.—Influencing at a distance. How you can exert a mental + influence upon others at a distance. How distant treatments are given. + The most effective occult methods and practices.<br /> + LESSON 9.—How mental influence may be used to affect a great number + of people at the same time.<br /> + LESSON 10.—The need of instruction on the part of the public.<br /> + <br /> + No. 7—96 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> + <h2><img src="images/img13.gif" alt="Success and Happiness" width="200" height="260" align="left" />SUCCESS + AND HAPPINESS</h2> + + <h3>BY<br /> + SWAMI BRAHMA </h3> + <br /> + <p><font size="-2"><i>A guide to Success in matters relating<br /> +to Health, Friendship, Love, Marriage, etc.</i><br /><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + + "Success and Happiness" tells you how to develop magnetism and + to strengthen your will. It tells you how to influence people to act as + you so desire. It gives suggestions on how to relieve pain without medicine.<br /><br /> + + No matter what your condition or position may be, "Success and Happiness" + tells you how you may improve it. It gives you plain directions as to + how to achieve success tin friendship, love, matrimony, and business; + how to make money and how to secure happiness.<br /><br /> + + Send for this book at once and learn how magnetism and will-power enable + people to achieve success.<br /> + <br /> + No. 16, 40 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2 Price Postpaid—Outside + U.S.A.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img14a.gif" alt="Border" width="575" height="276" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img14c.gif" alt="Border" width="108" height="542" /></td> + <td> + <h2>GENUINE MEDIUMSHIP</h2> + + <h3>THE INVISIBLE POWERS<br /> + BY<br /> + SWAMI BHAKTA VISHITA</h3><br /> + This book will prove invaluable to anyone who feels that they might have + any kind of psychic power. It contains lengthy discussion of the following:<br /> + Mental vibrations and transmission—Thought transference—Clairvoyance + and kindred phenomena—Mediumship—Mediumistic conditions—How + to develop mediumship—Mediumistic phenomena—Higher spirit + manifestations.<br /> + This work explains clearly how to develop "mediumship." It tells + how to form a "medium" circle. Questioning the spirits, the + spirit communication code, persistent watchful waiting, building lines + of communication.<br /> + <br /> + No 2, 277 pages. Cloth Bound, Size 5x7. + </td> + <td><img src="images/img14b.gif" alt="" width="108" height="542" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"> </td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> + <h2><img src="images/img15.gif" alt="Practical Psychomancy and Crystal Gazing" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + PRACTICAL<br /> + PSYCHOMANCY AND<br /> + CRYSTAL GAZING<br /></h2> + <h3>BY<br /> + WILLIAM WALKER ATKINSON </h3> + <br /> +<br /> + <p><font size="-2"><i>A Series of Eleven Lessons on the Psychic; Phenomena + of Distant Sensing, Clairvoyance, Psychometry, Crystal Gazing, etc.</i><br /> +<br /> +<br /> + <strong>PARTIAL SYNOPSIS OF CONTENTS:</strong><br /> +Scientific principles underlying Psychomancy, Sensing +objects by the Astral Senses. Projection of the Astral Body.<br /> +<br /> +HOW TO DEVELOP YOURSELF. Development Methods. Concentration. +Visualization. Psychometry. How to use the Crystal and Mirror. General +Instruction.<br /> +Simple and Space Psychomancy and their difference. Seeing +Through Solid Objects. Seeing Down Into the Earth. Diagnosis of Disease +by Psychomancy.<br /> +<br /> +THE ASTRAL TUBE.<br /> +PSYCHOMETRY. Five Methods.<br /> +Various forms of Crystal Gazing. Directions of "How +to Do It," etc.<br /> +ASTRAL PROJECTION. What the Trained Experimenter may + do.<br /> +SPACE PSYCHOMANCY. What may be accomplished by means + of it.<br /> +Sensing the scenes, occurrences and objects of the Past, + by Astral Vision.<br /> +FUTURE TIME PSYCHOMANCY. Future events cast their shadows + before.<br /> +DREAM PSYCHOMANCY. This lesson will explain many instances + in your own experience.<br /> +This most interesting study is stated clearly, so that + all may readily understand the fundamental principle of Psychic communication.<br /> +<br /> +No. 20—Paper Bound, 93 Pages, Size 6x4-1/2 Price <br /> + + Postpaid—Outside U.S.A.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> <img src="images/img16.gif" alt="" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + <h2> TABLE RAPPING<br /> + AND <br /> + AUTOMATIC WRITING</h2> + <h3>By<br /> + Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P</h3> + <p align="center"><font size="-2"><strong>Founder and Principal of the British<br /> Psychological + Institute</strong></font></p> + <br /> +<br /> +<br /> + <p><font size="-2">"If a man die, shall he live again?" Does death + end all: or is it merely "the gate of life"? If there be a next + world, can we communicate with those that are in it?</font></p> + <p><font size="-2">These are questions that have agitated the minds of millions. + "Table Rapping and Automatic Writing" answers the questions. + It also does more, it tells you how you can answer them. It tells you + how to prove there is another life, and how to open up communication with + those who dwell therein. To the Materialist it says: "Belief is unnecessary. + You demand evidence—here it is."</font></p> + <p><font size="-2">"Table Rapping and Automatic Writing" gives + full instructions on how to form a Circle for receiving messages from + spirit friends; how to enable spirits to make themselves visible to ordinary + sight; how to get written messages, drawings, etc., from those who have + "passed over."</font></p> + <p><font size="-2">No. 18—25 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2 Price + Postpaid—Outside U.S.A.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> + <div align="center"><img src="images/img17.gif" alt="The Astral World" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + </div> + <h2 align="center">THE<br /> + ASTRAL WORLD</h2> + <h3 align="center"><i>Its Scenery, Dwellers and<br /> + Phenomena</i></h3> + <h3 align="center">By</h3> + <h3 align="center">Swami Panchadasi</h3> + <br /> + <p><font size="-2">Containing treatment on such matter as the following:</font></p> + <p><font size="-2">CHAPTER I.—The Seven Planes of Being. What is meant + by a Plane. A state rather than a place.<br /> + CHAPTER II.—Astral Regions. What is meant by an Astral Region. Where + located.<br /> + CHAPTER III.—Reality of the Astral. What one encounters on an astral + journey.<br /> + CHAPTER IV.—Passing the Border. Passing out of the physical body. + Alone in the astral body.<br /> + CHAPTER V.—Some Lower Sub-Planes. Why the soul sheds. The Astral + shell, bodies without souls, still seemingly alive and conscious.<br /> + CHAPTER VI.—Disembodied Souls. The resting place of the souls. Not + dead, but sleeping.<br /> + CHAPTER VII.—Scenes of the Astral. How the low entities pass their + time. Punished by their sins not for them.<br /> + CHAPTER VIII.—Life and Work on the Astral. Character and occupations + of the Astral Dwellers.<br /> + CHAPTER IX.—Higher Planes and beyond. The true home of the soul. + The Heaven worlds.<br /> + CHAPTER X.—The Astral Light. What the astral light is. A startling + presentation of a wonderful occult truth.<br /> + CHAPTER XI.—Astral Entities. Non-human dwellers on the astral.</font></p> + <p><font size="-2">No. 10, 94 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2 PRICE POSTPAID—Outside + U.S.A.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> <img src="images/img18.gif" alt="Practical Psychometry" width="200" height="260" align="left" /><br /> +<br /> + + <h2>PRACTICAL</h2> + <h2>PSYCHOMETRY</h2> + <h3>By</h3> + <h3>Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P.</h3> + <br /> + <br /><br /> + + <p><font size="-2">There is a great demand for good Psychometrists + at the present time, and in the near future there will be a greater demand + for the vast amount of good that can be done by the God-given science + of Psychometry (pronounced "Si-com-et-rie").<br /> +<br /> +A Psychometrist is a person able to see + these scenes, hear these sounds, read these thoughts, and "sense" + these feelings. If therefore, a lock of hair, a letter, a pocket-knife, + or anything belonging to a stranger be handed to a Psychometrist, he will + be able to understand much of the person's past, present, and future—about + their character, disposition, health, surroundings, capabilities, friends, + marriage, business, etc.<br /> +<br /> +In this way very valuable information + and advice can be obtained for oneself or given to others.<br /> +<br /> +Can you Psychometrize? If not, why not learn? You will + benefit yourself, and also astound and help your friends.<br /> +<br /> +Full and complete particulars are contained in this book.<br /> +No. 17—25 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<br /> +<br /> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12480 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/12480-h/images/frontise.gif b/12480-h/images/frontise.gif Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ee391e6 --- /dev/null +++ b/12480-h/images/frontise.gif diff --git a/12480-h/images/img1.gif b/12480-h/images/img1.gif Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..36ea453 --- /dev/null +++ b/12480-h/images/img1.gif diff --git a/12480-h/images/img10.gif b/12480-h/images/img10.gif Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..baf5eea --- /dev/null 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Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..db80a5c --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #12480 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12480) diff --git a/old/12480-h.zip b/old/12480-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1fd3092 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12480-h.zip diff --git a/old/12480-h/12480-h.htm b/old/12480-h/12480-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..73b528b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/12480-h/12480-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8904 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Clairvoyance and Occult Powers, by Swami Panchadasi</title> +<style type="text/css"> +body { font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; + background-color: #ffffff; + color: #000000; + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10% +} +a:link {color: #000000} +a:visited {color: #000000} +a:hover {color: #000000} +h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 {color: #666666; text-align: center} +pre {font-size: 9pt;} + +</style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Clairvoyance and Occult Powers, by Swami +Panchadasi</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Clairvoyance and Occult Powers</p> +<p>Author: Swami Panchadasi</p> +<p>Release Date: May 31, 2004 [eBook #12480]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: iso-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CLAIRVOYANCE AND OCCULT POWERS***</p> +<br /> +<br /> +<center><b>E-text prepared by Julie Barkley, Sjaani,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team</b></center> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<br /> +<br /> +<img src="images/frontise.gif" alt="Frontise" width="400" height="500" /> +<h1>CLAIRVOYANCE<br /> +and<br /> +Occult Powers</h1> + +<p><font size="-2">INCLUDING<br /> + CLAIRVOYANCE, CLAIRAUDIENCE<br /> + PREMONITION AND IMPRESSIONS<br /> + CLAIRVOYANT PSYCHOMETRY<br /> + CLAIRVOYANT CRYSTAL-GAZING<br /> + DISTANT CLAIRVOYANCE<br /> + PAST CLAIRVOYANCE<br /> + FUTURE CLAIRVOYANCE<br /> + SECOND-SIGHT<br /> + PREVISION<br /> + CLAIRVOYANT DEVELOPMENT<br /> + ASTRAL-BODY TRAVELING<br /> + ASTRAL-PLANE PHENOMENA<br /> + PSYCHIC INFLUENCE—Personal and Distant<br /> + PSYCHIC ATTRACTION<br /> + PSYCHIC HEALING<br /> + TELEPATHY<br /> + MIND-READING<br /> + THOUGHT TRANSFERENCE and other PSYCHIC PHENOMENA<br /> + </font> + </p> +<h3>By</h3> +<h2>Swami Panchadasi</h2> +<h4>Author of<br /> + "The Human Aura,"<br /> + "The Astral World," Etc.</h4> +<h3>1916</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>SYNOPSIS OF THE LESSONS</h2> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonI">LESSON I<br /> +THE ASTRAL SENSES</a><br /> + <font size="-1">The skeptical person who "believes only the evidence of + his senses." The man who has much to say about "horse sense." + "Common Sense" versus Uncommon Senses. The ordinary five senses are + not the only senses. The ordinary senses are not as infallible as many think + them. Illusions of the five physical senses. What is back of the organs of physical + sense. All senses an evolution of the sense of feeling. How the mind receives + the report of the senses. The Real Knower behind the senses. What the unfolding + of new senses means to man. The super-physical senses. The Astral Senses. Man + has seven physical senses, instead of merely five. Each physical sense has its + astral sense counterpart. What the astral senses are. Sensing on the astral + plane. How the mind functions on the astral plane, by means of the astral senses. + The unfolding of the Astral Senses opens up a new world of experience to man.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonII">LESSON II<br /> +TELEPATHY vs. CLAIRVOYANCE</a><br /> + <font size="-1">The two extra physical senses of man. The extra sense of "the + presence of other living things." The "telepathic sense." How + man may sense the presence of other living things apart from the operation of + his ordinary five physical senses. This power is strongly developed in savages + and barbarians, but has become atrophied in most civilized men, by continued + disuse. It is now vestigal in civilized man, but may be developed by practice. + Animals have this extra sense highly developed, and it plays a very important + part in their protection from enemies; their capture of prey, etc. The strange + actions of dogs, horses, etc., explained. How the geese saved Rome by reason + of this sense. All hunters have experienced evidences of the existence of this + sense on the part of animals. The physical telepathic sense. How it operates. + Interesting instances of its possession by animals, and savage tribes. Women + possess it strongly. The distinction between this form of thought-transference + and clairvoyance.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonIII">LESSON III<br /> +TELEPATHY EXPLAINED</a><br /> + <font size="-1">What "telepathy" means. The mental process by which + one "knows at a distance." The sending and receiving of waves and + currents of thought and feeling. Thought vibrations, and how they are caused. + The part played by the cerebrum, cerebellum, and medulla oblongata—the + three brains of man. The part played by the solar plexus and other great nervous + centres. How thought messages are received. How states of emotional excitement + are transmitted to others. The Pineal Gland: what it is, and what it does. The + important part it plays in telepathy and thought-transference. Mental atmospheres. + Psychic atmospheres of audiences, towns, houses, stores, etc. Why you are not + affected by all thought vibrations in equal measure and strength. How thought + vibrations are neutralized. Affinities and repulsions between different thought + vibrations. Interesting facts concerning telepathy. Scientific explanations + of telepathy.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonIV">LESSON IV<br /> +SCIENTIFIC TELEPATHY</a> + <font size="-1"><br /> + The important investigations of the Society for Psychical Research. True telepathy + and pseudo-telepathy; how they are distinguished by scientists. Strict tests + imposed in investigations. The celebrated "Creery Experiments," and + how they were conducted. The elaboration of the "guessing" game. Seventeen + cards chosen right, in straight succession. Precautions against fraud or collusion. + Two hundred and ten successes out of a possible three hundred and eighty-two. + Science pronounces the results as entirely beyond the law of coincidences and + mathematical probability; and that the phenomena were genuine and real telepathy. + Still more wonderful tests. Telepathy an incontestable reality. "A psychic + force transmitting ideas and thoughts." Interesting cases of spontaneous + telepathy, scientifically proven. Extracts from the scientific records. Cold + scientific reports read like a romance, and prove beyond doubt the reality of + this great field of phenomena.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonV">LESSON V<br /> +MIND-READING, AND BEYOND</a><br /> + <font size="-1">What "Mind-Reading" is. The two phases of Mind-Reading. + Mind-Reading with physical contact; and without physical contact. Why the scientific + investigators make the distinction. Why science has been over-cautious; and + how it falls short of the full understanding of contact Mind-Reading. How the + thought-waves flow along the nerves of the projector and recipient. Like telegraphy + over wires, as compared with the wireless method. How to learn by actual experience, + and not alone by reading books. How to experiment for yourself; and how to obtain + the best results in Mind-Reading. The working principles of Mind-Reading stated. + Full directions and instruction given for the successful performance of the + interesting feats. This lesson is really a little manual of practical instruction + in Mind-Reading, and the higher phases of Thought-Transference. The person carefully + studying and applying the principles taught therein should become very proficient + in both private and public manifestations.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonVI">LESSON VI<br /> +CLAIRVOYANT PSYCHOMETRY</a><br /> + <font size="-1">What Clairvoyance really is; and what it is not. The faculty + of acquiring super-normal knowledge of facts and happening at a distance, or + in past or future time, independent of the ordinary senses, and independent + of telepathic reading of the minds of others. The different kinds of Clairvoyance + described. What is Psychometry? Clairvoyant en rapport relations on the astral + plane, with distant, past or future happenings and events; by means of a connecting + material link. How to obtain the psychic affinity or astral relation to other + things by means of a bit of stone, lock of hair, article of wearing apparel, + etc. Interesting instances of clairvoyant psychometry. How to go about the work + of psychometrizing. How to develop the power. How to secure the best conditions; + and what to do when you have obtained them. Psychometry develops the occultist + for still higher clairvoyant powers.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonVII">LESSON VII<br /> +CLAIRVOYANT CRYSTAL-GAZING</a><br /> + <font size="-1">The second great method of securing clairvoyant en rapport relations + with the astral plane. How the crystal, magic-mirror, etc., serves to focus + the psychic energy of the clairvoyant person. The crystal serves the purpose + of a psychic microscope or telescope. How crystals tend to become polarized + to the vibrations of their owner. Why crystals should be preserved for the personal + use of their owners. The use of crystals, or other forms of shining objects, + by different peoples in ancient and modern times. How they are employed in Australia, + New Zealand, Fiji Islands, South America, etc., by the primitive tribes. Various + substitutes for the crystal. Full directions for Crystal Gazing. Complete instructions + and warnings. All stages described, from the first "milky mist" to + the clearly defined "psychic photograph." The Astral Tube, and the + part it plays in Crystal Gazing. A complete little text-book of the subject.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonVIII">LESSON VIII<br /> +CLAIRVOYANT REVERIE</a><br /> + <font size="-1">The higher forms of Clairvoyance, and how they may be cultivated + and acquired. Trance conditions not essential to highest Clairvoyance, although + often connected therewith. In Clairvoyant Reverie, the clairvoyant does not + become unconscious; but merely "shuts out" the outside world of sights + and sounds. Shifting the consciousness from the physical plane to the astral. + Clairvoyant Reverie may be safely and effectively induced by mental concentration + alone. Artificial methods dangerous, and not advised by best authorities. Abnormal + conditions not desirable. The "one pointed" mind. The Clairvoyant + "day dream" or "brown study." False "psychic development." + Use of hypnotic drugs strongly condemned. Scientific psychological methods stated + and taught. The laws of attention and concentration of the mind. How Clairvoyance + develops by this method. The true occult instruction given fully.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonIX">LESSON IX<br /> +SIMPLE CLAIRVOYANCE</a><br /> + <font size="-1">What the Clairvoyant senses in Simple Clairvoyance. Perception + of the Aura, and Auric Emanations of others; Psychic Vibrations; Astral Colors; + Thought Currents, Waves and Vibrations, etc., are features of Simple Clairvoyance. + The beautiful kaleidoscopic spectacle of the Auric changes. The Prana Aura, + and its appearances. The Mental and Emotional Aura, and its many interesting + phases. Perception of Astral Thought-Forms. Other Astral Phenomena. The Astral + World, and its Myriad Manifestations. Strange aspects of Astral Visioning. "Seeing + through a Brick-wall." The X-Ray Vision. Reading from closed books, sealed + envelopes, etc., and how it is explainable. Seeing into the depths of the earth, + and the occult explanation thereof. The Laws and Principles of this Extraordinary + Power. Magnifying and Diminishing Clairvoyant Vision. A wonderful field for + experiment opened out for the student.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonX">LESSON X<br /> +CLAIRVOYANCE OF DISTANT SCENES</a><br /> + <font size="-1">The characteristics of Space Clairvoyance. The Astral Seeing + of Distant Scenes; and through intervening objects. Remarkable instances of + this power, well authenticated and established. Interesting and instructive + historical cases recorded and explained. Testimony of the Society for Psychical + Research concerning this phase of Clairvoyance. The interesting case of W.T. + Stead, the celebrated English writer, who went down on the "Titanic." + The important testimony of Swedenborg, the eminent religious teacher. Other + well-authenticated cases happening to well-known persons. The evidence collected + by the Society for Psychical Research. Interesting German case. Why so many + cases of this kind happen when the person is on his death-bed, or seriously + ill. Why such experiences often occur in dreams. Actual "appearance" + of persons at a distance, and how explained. Important and interesting facts + recited in connection with this phase of Clairvoyance.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXI">LESSON XI<br /> +CLAIRVOYANCE OF THE PAST</a><br /> + <font size="-1">The clairvoyant perception of the facts, events and happenings + of past time. There is no difference in the nature of this strange phenomenon, + whether the past time be but five minutes or else five thousand years. How is + it possible to "see" a thing that no longer exists? The "just + how" of this strange happening. Nothing could be perceived if it had actually + disappeared from existence. But nothing entirely disappears in fact. On the + astral plane are recorded all things, events and happenings since the beginning + of the present world-cycle. The "Akashic Records;" or the "Astral + Light;" constitute the great record books of the past. The clairvoyant + gaining access to these may read the past like a book. Analogies in physical + science. Interesting scientific facts. What astronomy teaches on the subject. + How the records of the past are stored. How they are read by the clairvoyant. + A fascinating subject clearly presented and explained.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXII">LESSON XII<br /> +CLAIRVOYANCE OF THE FUTURE</a><br /> +The clairvoyant power manifest in all forms of perception of facts, +happenings and events of future time. Explanation of Prophecy, Prevision, +Foretelling, Second-Sight, etc. These powers not supernatural; but are +merely the development of the clairvoyant faculties. How may a thing be +"seen" years before it really exists. Nothing could be seen, unless it +existed in some form, at least potential and latent. Keen perception of +the subconscious faculties. Subconscious reasoning from cause to effect. +Coming events cast their shadows before. Fate vs. Free-Will. "Time is but +a relative mode of regarding things." "Events may, in some sense, exist +always, both past and future." Time like a moving-picture reel, containing +the future scene at the present moment, though out of sight. Analogy of +dream-time. An Absolute Consciousness in which past, present and future +exist as a single perception. A glimpse of a transcendental truth. How to +acquire the faculty of Future-Clairvoyance.</p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXIII">LESSON XIII<br /> +SECOND-SIGHT, PREVISION, ETC.</a><br /> + <font size="-1">Many persons, in all times, in all lands, have possessed the + gift of looking into the future. Not a superstition, but a scientific fact. + The Investigations of the scientific bodies. The Society for Psychical Research, + and its reports on this phase of Clairvoyance. Interesting case told by a leading + Theosophist. Tragedy and Funeral foreseen by Clairvoyant Prevision, or Second-Sight. + Historical instances. George Fox, the Quaker, and his Second-Sight. The prophecy + of the Death of Caesar. Biblical instances. The celebrated case of Cazotte, + which has become a matter of history. How Cazotte foretold the coming of the + French Revolution, including the fate of eminent personages present at the time + of the prophecy. A startling occurrence, well worthy of careful study. The historical + case of the assassination of Spencer Perceval, Chancellor of the Exchequer. + Other well-authenticated cases. Symbolic visions. Irish and Scotch cases.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXIV">LESSON XIV<br /> +ASTRAL-BODY TRAVELING</a><br /> + <font size="-1">Astral visioning in Clairvoyance, and visioning by means of + the Astral Body. The difference between the two phases of clairvoyant phenomena. + The characteristics of Astral-Body traveling. How one traveling in the Astral + Body may "see all around him," instead of merely gazing at an astral + picture. Limitations of Astral-Body visioning. What the Astral-Body really is; + and what it is like. How it disengages itself from the physical body, and travels + in space. Many persons "travel in the astral" during ordinary sleep. + Occult teachings regarding Astral-Body traveling. How dying persons often travel + in the astral-body, before death. Many interesting cases cited, all well-authenticated + by scientific investigation. Society for Psychical Research's records and reports + on such cases. Dangers of uninstructed persons going out on the astral, except + in dream state. "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." A timely + warning. A most important and interesting subject.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXV">LESSON XV<br /> +STRANGE ASTRAL PHENOMENA</a><br /> + <font size="-1">Additional phases of Astral Phenomena. Projection of Thought-Forms. + Something between ordinary Clairvoyance and Astral-Body perception. What a Thought-Form + is. How it is created. What it does. Where it goes. How a portion of one's consciousness + is projected in a Thought-Form. Using a Thought-Form as at cut-post, or observation + point. How things appear when viewed from a Thought-Form. A wonderful phase + of occult phenomena. Advantages and disadvantages of this form of clairvoyant + visioning. Hindu Psychic Magic, and how it is performed. Remarkable illusory + effects produced by Hindu Magicians. All is explained when the principle of + the creation and projection of Thought-Forms is understood. Why the Hindus excel + in this phase of occultism. An interesting description of Hindu Magic feats. + The power of concentrated "visualization." The phenomena of Levitation, + or the moving of articles at a distance. The occult explanation of this phenomenon. + Natural explanation for so-called "super-natural" occurrence.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXVI">LESSON XVI<br /> +PSYCHIC INFLUENCE: ITS LAWS AND PRINCIPLES</a><br /> + <font size="-1">The laws and principles underlying the power of one mind to + influence and affect another mind. More than ordinary telepathy. The inductive + power of mental vibrations. Everything is in vibration. Mental vibrations are + much higher in the scale than are physical vibrations. What "induction" + is. How a mental state, or an emotional feeling, tends to induce a similar state + in another mind. Many instances cited. The different degrees of vibratory influence, + and what causes the difference. The contagious effect of a "strong feeling." + Why a strong desire hag a dynamic effect in certain cases. The power of visualization + in Psychic Influence. The Attractive Power of Thought. The effect of Mental + Concentration. Focusing your Forces. Holding the mind to a state of "one-pointedness." + Why the occultist controls his imagination. Suggestions as to practice, and + rules of development. A few easily-mastered principles which give you the key + to the whole of this wonderful subject.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXVII">LESSON XVII<br /> +PERSONAL PSYCHIC INFLUENCE OVER OTHERS</a><br /> + <font size="-1">Psychic Influence exerted over others, when in their presence. + Different degrees of the influence. Possession of this power by Alexander the + Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, Julius Caesar, and other great leaders of men. The + ability to influence others is a sure sign of the possession of this psychic + power. The Three Underlying Principles of Psychic Influence. The importance + of strong desire to influence and exert power. The importance of clear, positive + mental pictures of what effect you wish to produce. The importance of the firm + concentration of your mind on the subject. The creation of a positive psychic + atmosphere. The Positive Psychic Aura. How to project your Psychic Power. The + Psychic Struggle between two persons. How to handle yourself in such conflicts + of Psychic Power. How to Neutralize the Psychic Power of others, and thus disarm + them. The Occult Shield of Defence. Valuable directions regarding practice and + development of Psychic Power. Scientific Exercises for Development. Important + Rules of Practice.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXVIII">LESSON XVIII<br /> +PSYCHIC INFLUENCE AT A DISTANCE</a><br /> + <font size="-1">Psychic Influence over others, manifested when they are distant + from the person exerting the influence. Distance no obstacle. Psychic Induction + at Long-Range. How to create the en rapport condition with the other person. + How to protect yourself against such influence at a distance. The Psychic Armor. + Psychometric Method of producing Distant En Rapport Condition. To proceed when + the en rapport condition is secured. The scientific explanation of the old tales + about sorcery, witchcraft, super-natural influence, etc. The effect of fear, + and belief, on the mind of the other person. The effect of Denial. The secret + of many strange cases made plain. Some typical cases. The Master-Key which unlocks + the doors of many Mysteries. Low forms of Occultism, and how they may be defeated. + Dangerous Teachings in some quarters. Warnings against their use. The Astral + Tube; how it is erected, used and employed. A simple, plain explanation of a + puzzling occult manifestation. Self-Protection.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXIX">LESSON XIX<br /> +LAWS OF PSYCHIC ATTRACTION</a><br /> + <font size="-1">How psychic vibrations tend to attract to their creator other + persons vibrating along the same lines; and things having a relation to the + things thought of. Harmony and Inharmony in the Psychic World. The Law of Psychic + Attraction. The Law of Psychic Repulsion. An important phase of Astral Phenomena. + The Law works two ways. It draws other persons and things to you; and you to + other persons and things. How the men of "big business" operate under + this Law of Attraction. How scheming exploiters of the public actually "treat + the public" by psychic means. The various forms of psychic influence employed + by persons of this kind. The Law of Attraction, and how it works out in Business + Life. The scientific facts behind the outward appearance of things. Instances + and examples of the working out of these laws and principles. The Law of Psychic + Attraction is as constant and invariable as the great Law of Gravitation, or + Magnetic Attraction. The Co-Relation of Thoughts and Things. How we may create + our own environment by Psychic Influence.</font></p> +<br /> + +<p><a href="#lessonXX">LESSON XX<br /> +PSYCHIC AND MAGNETIC HEALING</a><br /> + <font size="-1">The Psychic Principles underlying the many forms of psychic + or mental healing. Many theories—one set of principles. Psychic Healing + as old as the race. The Basic Principles of Psychic Healing. The Physiological + Principles involved. How the Astral Body is used in Psychic Healing. Human Magnetism, + and what it really is. All about Prana. The Laying-on of Hands in Healing; and + what is back of it. What happens in Magnetic Healing. The Secret of Absent Healing. + Space no barrier in Psychic Healing. The Human Aura and Psychic Healing. The + Secret of Suggestive Therapeutics. The effect of the "affirmations" + of the healers. How the Healing Cults obtain good results. Self-Healing by Psychic + Power. Absent Healing by Psychic Power. How to "treat" others by Absent + Treatment. Valuable Instructions and Practical Methods of Psychic Healing. The + whole subject condensed, and made plain, so that it may be applied by any person + of average intelligence. No fanciful theories; only plain, practical facts for + actual application.</font></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="INTRODUCTION"></a><h2>INTRODUCTION.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>In preparing this series of lessons for students of Western lands, I have +been compelled to proceed along lines exactly opposite to those which I +would have chosen had these lessons been for students in India. This +because of the diametrically opposite mental attitudes of the students of +these two several lands.</p> + +<p>The student in India expects the teacher to state positively the +principles involved, and the methods whereby these principles may be +manifested, together with frequent illustrations (generally in the nature +of fables or parables), serving to link the new knowledge to some already +known thing. The Hindu student never expects or demands anything in the +nature of "proof" of the teachers statements of principle or method; in +fact, he would regard it as an insult to the teacher to ask for the same. +Consequently, he does not look for, or ask, specific instances or +illustrations in the nature of scientific evidence or proof of the +principles taught. He may ask for more information, but solely for the +purpose of bringing out some point which he has not grasped; but he avoids +as a pestilence any question seeming to indicate argument, doubt of what +is being taught him, or of the nature of a demand for proof or evidence.</p> + +<p>The Western student, on the other hand, is accustomed to maintaining the +skeptical attitude of mind—the scientific attitude of doubt and demand +for proof—and the teacher so understands it. Both are accustomed to +illustrations bringing out the principles involved, but these +illustrations must not be fanciful or figurative—they must be actual +cases, well authenticated and vouched for as evidence. In short, the +Western teacher is expected to actually "prove" to his students his +principles and methods, before he may expect them to be accepted. This, of +course, not from any real doubt or suspicion of the veracity or ability of +the teacher, but merely because the Western mind expects to question, and +be questioned, in this way in the process of teaching and learning. +</p> +<p> +Consequently, in this series of lessons, I have sought to follow the +Western method rather than the Hindu. So far as is possible, I have +avoided the flat positive statement of principles and methods, and have +sought to prove each step of the teaching. Of course, I have been +compelled to assume the existence of certain fundamental principles, in +order to avoid long and technical metaphysical and philosophical +discussions. I have also had to content myself with the positive flat +assertion of the existence of the Astral Plane, Akashic Records, Prana, +etc., which are fundamental postulates of Hindu philosophy and occult +science—for these are established solely by the experience of those who +are able to function on the higher planes themselves. But, beyond this I +have sought to prove by direct and positive evidence (adapted to the +Western mind) every step of my teaching and methods.</p> + +<p>In offering this scientific proof, I have purposely omitted (except in a +few instances) all mention of occult or psychic phenomena occurring in +India, and have confined myself to instances occurring in Western lands to +Western persons. Moreover, I have avoided quoting and citing Hindu +authorities, and have, instead, quoted and cited from authorities well +known and respected in Western lands, such as the Society for Psychical +Research, and the prominent scientists interested in the work of the said +society. In this way I have sought to furnish the Western student with +examples, cases, and illustrations familiar to him, and easily referred +to. Had I cited Indian cases, I might be accused of offering proof that +could not be easily verified; and quoting persons unknown to my readers. +There is a wealth of such cases and illustration in India, naturally, but +these as a rule are traditional and not available in printed form; and +these would not likely be very satisfactory to the Western student. +</p> +<p>I must, however, positively and firmly state that while these cases and +illustrations, these quotations and citations, are purely Western, the +principles they illustrate and prove are among the oldest known to Hindu +occult science and philosophy. In fact, having been accepted as proved +truth in India, for centuries past, there is very little demand for +further proof thereof on the part of the Hindus. In the Western world, +however, these things are comparatively new, and must be proved and +attested accordingly. So, as I have said, I have cut the cloth of my +instruction to conform with the pattern favored for the Western garment of +knowledge. So far as the illustrations and cases, the quotations and +citations are concerned—these are purely Western and familiar to the +student. But, when it comes to the principles themselves, this is another +matter—I must be pardoned for stating that these are the outgrowth of +Hindu thought and investigation, and that he who would discover their +roots must dig around the tree of the Wisdom of the East, which has stood +the storms and winds of thousands of years. But the branches of this +mighty tree are wide-spreading, and there is room for many Western +students to rest in its shade and shelter.</p> + +<p>In these lessons I have referred occasionally to my two little books, +entitled "The Astral World," and "The Human Aura," respectively. To those +who are interested in these subjects, I recommend these little books; they +are sold at a nominal price, and contain much that will be helpful to the +student of Hindu Occult Science. They are not required, however, to +complete the understanding of the subjects treated upon in these lessons, +and are mentioned and recommended merely as supplementary reading for the +student who wishes to take little "side excursions" away from the main +trip covered in these lessons.</p> + +<p>I trust that my students will find the pleasure and satisfaction in +studying these lessons that I have in writing them.</p> + +<p>SWAMI PANCHADASI.</p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonI"></a><h2>LESSON I.</h2> + +<p>THE ASTRAL SENSES.</p> +<br /> + +<p>The student of occultism usually is quite familiar with the crass +individual who assumes the cheap skeptical attitude toward occult matters, +which attitude he expresses in his would-be "smart" remark that he +"believes only in what his senses perceive." He seems to think that his +cheap wit has finally disposed of the matter, the implication being that +the occultist is a credulous, "easy" person who believes in the existence +of things contrary to the evidence of the senses.</p> + +<p>While the opinion or views of persons of this class are, of course, +beneath the serious concern of any true student of occultism, nevertheless +the mental attitude of such persons are worthy of our passing +consideration, inasmuch as it serves to give us an object lesson regarding +the childlike attitude of the average so-called "practical" persons +regarding the matter of the evidence of the senses.</p> + +<p>These so-called practical persons have much to say regarding their senses. +They are fond of speaking of "the evidence of my senses." They also have +much to say about the possession of "good sense" on their part; of having +"sound common sense"; and often they make the strange boast that they have +"horse sense," seeming to consider this a great possession. Alas, for the +pretensions of this class of persons. They are usually found quite +credulous regarding matters beyond their everyday field of work and +thought, and accept without question the most ridiculous teachings and +dogmas reaching them from the voice of some claimed authority, while they +sneer at some advanced teaching which their minds are incapable of +comprehending. Anything which seems unusual to them is deemed "flighty," +and lacking in appeal to their much prized "horse sense."</p> + +<p>But, it is not my intention to spend time in discussing these +insignificant half-penny intellects. I have merely alluded to them in +order to bring to your mind the fact that to many persons the idea of +"sense" and that of "senses" is very closely allied. They consider all +knowledge and wisdom as "sense;" and all such sense as being derived +directly from their ordinary five senses. They ignore almost completely +the intuitional phases of the mind, and are unaware of many of the higher +processes of reasoning.</p> + +<p>Such persons accept as undoubted anything that their senses report to +them. They consider it heresy to question a report of the senses. One of +their favorite remarks is that "it almost makes me doubt my senses." They +fail to perceive that their senses, at the best, are very imperfect +instruments, and that the mind is constantly employed in correcting the +mistaken report of the ordinary five senses.</p> + +<p>Not to speak of the common phenomenon of color-blindness, in which one +color seems to be another, our senses are far from being exact. We may, +by suggestion, be made to imagine that we smell or taste certain things +which do not exist, and hypnotic subjects may be caused to see things that +have no existence save in the imagination of the person. The familiar +experiment of the person crossing his first two fingers, and placing them +on a small object, such as a pea or the top of a lead-pencil, shows us how +"mixed" the sense of feeling becomes at times. The many familiar instances +of optical delusions show us that even our sharp eyes may deceive +us—every conjuror knows how easy it is to deceive the eye by suggestion +and false movements.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the most familiar example of mistaken sense-reports is that of the +movement of the earth. The senses of every person report to him that the +earth is a fixed, immovable body, and that the sun, moon, planets, and +stars move around the earth every twenty-four hours. It is only when one +accepts the reports of the reasoning faculties, that he knows that the +earth not only whirls around on its axis every twenty-four hours, but that +it circles around the sun every three hundred and sixty-five days; and +that even the sun itself, carrying with it the earth and the other +planets, really moves along in space, moving toward or around some unknown +point far distant from it. If there is any one particular report of the +senses which would seem to be beyond doubt or question, it certainly would +be this elementary sense report of the fixedness of the earth beneath our +feet, and the movements of the heavenly bodies around it—and yet we know +that this is merely an illusion, and that the facts of the case are +totally different. Again, how few persons really realize that the eye +perceives things up-side-down, and that the mind only gradually acquires +the trick of adjusting the impression?</p> + +<p>I am not trying to make any of you doubt the report of his or her five +senses. That would be most foolish, for all of us must needs depend upon +these five senses in our everyday affairs, and would soon come to grief +were we to neglect their reports. Instead, I am trying to acquaint you +with the real nature of these five senses, that you may realize what they +are not, as well as what they are; and also that you may realize that +there is no absurdity in believing that there are more channels of +information open to the ego, or soul of the person, than these much used +five senses. When you once get a correct scientific conception of the real +nature of the five ordinary senses, you will be able to intelligently +grasp the nature of the higher psychic faculties or senses, and thus be +better fitted to use them. So, let us take a few moments time in order to +get this fundamental knowledge well fixed in our minds.</p> + +<p>What are the five senses, anyway. Your first answer will be: "Feeling, +seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling." But that is merely a recital of the +different forms of sensing. What is a "sense," when you get right down to +it? Well, you will find that the dictionary tells us that a sense is a +"faculty, possessed by animals, of perceiving external objects by means of +impressions made upon certain organs of the body." Getting right down to +the roots of the matter, we find that the five senses of man are the +channels through which he becomes aware or conscious of information +concerning objects outside of himself. But, these senses are not the +sense-organs alone. Back of the organs there is a peculiar arrangement of +the nervous system, or brain centres, which take up the messages received +through the organs; and back of this, again, is the ego, or soul, or mind, +which, at the last, is the real KNOWER. The eye is merely a camera; the +ear, merely a receiver of sound-waves; the nose, merely an arrangement of +sensitive mucous membrane; the mouth and tongue, simply a container of +taste-buds; the nervous system, merely a sensitive apparatus designed to +transmit messages to the brain and other centres—all being but part of +the physical machinery, and liable to impairment or destruction. Back of +all this apparatus is the real Knower who makes use of it.</p> + +<p>Science tells us that of all the five senses, that of Touch or Feeling was +the original—the fundamental sense. All the rest are held to be but +modifications of, and specialized forms of, this original sense of +feeling. I am telling you this not merely in the way of interesting and +instructive scientific information, but also because an understanding of +this fact will enable you to more clearly comprehend that which I shall +have to say to you about the higher faculties or senses.</p> + +<p>Many of the very lowly and simple forms of animal life have this one sense +only, and that but poorly developed. The elementary life form "feels" the +touch of its food, or of other objects which may touch it. The plants also +have something akin to this sense, which in some cases, like that of the +Sensitive Plant, for instance, is quite well developed. Long before the +sense of sight, or the sensitiveness to light appeared in animal-life, we +find evidences of taste, and something like rudimentary hearing or +sensitiveness to sounds. Smell gradually developed from the sense of +taste, with which even now it is closely connected. In some forms of lower +animal life the sense of smell is much more highly developed than in +mankind. Hearing evolved in due time from the rudimentary feeling of +vibrations. Sight, the highest of the senses, came last, and was an +evolution of the elementary sensitiveness to light.</p> + +<p>But, you see, all these senses are but modifications of the original sense +of feeling or touch. The eye records the touch or feeling of the +light-waves which strike upon it. The ear records the touch or feeling of +the sound-waves or vibrations of the air, which reach it. The tongue and +other seats of taste record the chemical touch of the particles of food, +or other substances, coming in contact with the taste-buds. The nose +records the chemical touch of the gases or fine particles of material +which touch its mucous membrane. The sensory-nerves record the presence of +outer objects coming in contact with the nerve ends in various parts of +the skin of the body. You see that all of these senses merely record the +contact or "touch" of outside objects.</p> + +<p>But the sense organs, themselves, do not do the knowing of the presence of +the objects. They are but pieces of delicate apparatus serving to record +or to receive primary impressions from outside. Wonderful as they are, +they have their counterparts in the works of man, as for instance: the +camera, or artificial eye; the phonograph, or, artificial ear; the +delicate chemical apparatus, or artificial taster and smeller; the +telegraph, or artificial nerves. Not only this, but there are always to be +found nerve telegraph wires conveying the messages of the eye, the ear, +the nose, the tongue, to the brain—telling the something in the brain of +what has been felt at the other end of the line. Sever the nerves leading +to the eye, and though the eye will continue to register perfectly, still +no message will reach the brain. And render the brain unconscious, and no +message will reach it from the nerves connecting with eye, ear, nose, +tongue, or surface of the body. There is much more to the receiving of +sense messages than you would think at first, you see.</p> + +<p>Now all this means that the ego, or soul, or mind, if you prefer the +term—is the real Knower who becomes aware of the outside world by means +of the messages of the senses. Cut off from these messages the mind would +be almost a blank, so far as outside objects are concerned. Every one of +the senses so cut off would mean a diminishing or cutting-off of a part of +the world of the ego. And, likewise, each new sense added to the list +tends to widen and increase the world of the ego. We do not realize this, +as a rule. Instead, we are in the habit of thinking that the world +consists of just so many things and facts, and that we know every possible +one of them. This is the reasoning of a child. Think how very much smaller +than the world of the average person is the world of the person born +blind, or the person born deaf! Likewise, think how very much greater and +wider, and more wonderful this world of ours would seem were each of us to +find ourselves suddenly endowed with a new sense! How much more we would +perceive. How much more we would feel. How much more we would know. How +much more we would have to talk about. Why, we are really in about the +same position as the poor girl, born blind, who said that she thought that +the color of scarlet must be something like the sound of a trumpet. Poor +thing, she could form no conception of color, never having seen a ray of +light—she could think and speak only in the terms of touch, sound, taste +and smell. Had she also been deaf, she would have been robbed of a still +greater share of her world. Think over these things a little.</p> + +<p>Suppose, on the contrary, that we had a new sense which would enable us to +sense the waves of electricity. In that case we would be able to "feel" +what was going on at another place—perhaps on the other side of the +world, or maybe, on one of the other planets. Or, suppose that we had an X +Ray sense—we could then see through a stone wall, inside the rooms of a +house. If our vision were improved by the addition of a telescopic +adjustment, we could see what is going on in Mars, and could send and +receive communications with those living there. Or, if with a microscopic +adjustment, we could see all the secrets of a drop of water—maybe it is +well that we cannot do this. On the other hand, if we had a well-developed +telepathic sense, we would be aware of the thought-waves of others to such +an extent that there would be no secrets left hidden to anyone—wouldn't +that alter life and human intercourse a great deal? These things would +really be no more wonderful than is the evolution of the senses we have. +We can do some of these things by apparatus designed by the brain of +man—and man really is but an imitator and adaptor of Nature. Perhaps, on +some other world or planet there may be beings having seven, nine or +fifteen senses, instead of the poor little five known to us. Who knows!</p> + +<p>But it is not necessary to exercise the imagination in the direction of +picturing beings on other planets endowed with more senses than have the +people of earth. While, as the occult teachings positively state, there +are beings on other planets whose senses are as much higher than the +earth-man's as the latter's are higher than those of the oyster, still we +do not have to go so far to find instances of the possession of much +higher and more active faculties than those employed by the ordinary man. +We have but to consider the higher psychical faculties of man, right here +and now, in order to see what new worlds are open to him. When you reach +a scientific understanding of these things, you will see that there really +is nothing at all supernatural about much of the great body of wonderful +experiences of men in all times which the "horse sense" man sneeringly +dismisses as "queer" and "contrary to sense." You will see that these +experiences are quite as natural as are those in which the ordinary five +senses are employed—though they are super-physical. There is the greatest +difference between supernatural and super-physical, you must realize.</p> + +<p>All occultists know that man has other senses than the ordinary five, +although but few men have developed them sufficiently well to use them +effectively. These super-physical senses are known to the occultists as +"the astral senses." The term "Astral," used so frequently by all +occultists, ancient and modern, is derived from the Greek word "astra," +meaning "star." It is used to indicate those planes of being immediately +above the physical plane. The astral senses are really the counterparts of +the physical senses of man, and are connected with the astral body of the +person just as the physical senses are connected with the physical body. +The office of these astral senses is to enable the person to receive +impressions on the astral plane, just as his physical senses enable him to +receive impressions on the physical plane. On the physical plane the mind +of man receives only the sense impressions of the physical organs of +sense; but when the mind functions and vibrates on the astral plane, it +requires astral senses in order to receive the impressions of that plane, +and these, as we shall see, are present.</p> + +<p>Each one of the physical senses of man has its astral counterpart. Thus +man has, in latency, the power of seeing, feeling, tasting, smelling, and +hearing, on the astral plane, by means of his five astral senses. More +than this, the best occultists know that man really has seven physical +senses instead of but five, though these two additional senses are not +unfolded in the case of the average person (though occultists who have +reached a certain stage are able to use them effectively). Even these two +extra physical senses have their counterparts on the astral plane.</p> + +<p>Persons who have developed the use of their astral senses are able to +receive the sense impressions of the astral plane just as clearly as they +receive those of the physical plane by means of the physical senses. For +instance, the person is thus able to perceive things occurring on the +astral plane; to read the Akashic Records of the past; to perceive things +that are happening in other parts of the world; to see past happenings as +well; and in cases of peculiar development, to catch glimpses of the +future, though this is far rarer than the other forms of astral sight.</p> + +<p>Again, by means of clairaudience, the person may hear the things of the +astral world, past as well as present, and in rare cases, the future. The +explanation is the same in each case—merely the receiving of vibrations +on the astral plane instead of on the physical plane. In the same way, +the astral senses of smelling, tasting, and feeling operate. But though we +have occasional instances of astral feeling, in certain phases of psychic +phenomena, we have practically no manifestation of astral smelling or +tasting, although the astral senses are there ready for use. It is only in +instances of travelling in the astral body that the last two mentioned +astral senses, viz., smell and taste, are manifested.</p> + +<p>The phenomena of telepathy, or thought transference, occurs on both the +physical and the mental plane. On the physical plane it is more or less +spontaneous and erratic in manifestation; while on the astral plane it is +as clear, reliable and responsive to demand as is astral sight, etc.</p> + +<p>The ordinary person has but occasional flashes of astral sensing, and as a +rule is not able to experience the phenomenon at will. The trained +occultist, on the contrary, is able to shift from one set of senses to the +other, by a simple act or effort of will, whenever he may wish to do so. +Advanced occultists are often able to function on both physical and astral +planes at the same time, though they do not often desire to do so. To +vision astrally, the trained occultist merely shifts his sensory mechanism +from physical to astral, or vice versa, just as the typewriter operator +shifts from the small-letter type to the capitals, by simply touching the +shift-key of his machine.</p> + +<p>Many persons suppose that it is necessary to travel on the astral plane, +in the astral body, in order to use the astral senses. This is a mistake. +In instances of clairvoyance, astral visioning, psychometry, etc., the +occultist remains in his physical body, and senses the phenomena of the +astral plane quite readily, by means of the astral senses, just as he is +able to sense the phenomena of the physical plane when he uses the +physical organs—quite more easily, in fact, in many instances. It is not +even necessary for the occultist to enter into the trance condition, in +the majority of cases.</p> + +<p>Travel in the astral body is quite another phase of occult phenomena, and +is far more difficult to manifest. The student should never attempt to +travel in the astral body except under the instruction of some competent +instructor.</p> + +<p>In Crystal Gazing, the occultist merely employs the crystal in order to +concentrate his power, and to bring to a focus his astral vision. There is +no supernatural virtue in the crystal itself—it is merely a means to an +end; a piece of useful apparatus to aid in the production of certain +phenomena.</p> + +<p>In Psychometry some object is used in order to bring the occulist "en +rapport" with the person or thing associated with it. But it is the astral +senses which are employed in describing either the past environment of the +thing, or else the present or past doings of the person in question, etc. +In short, the object is merely the loose end of the psychic ball of twine +which the psychometrist proceeds to wind or unwind at will. Psychometry +is merely one form of astral seeing; just as is crystal gazing.</p> + +<p>In what is known as Telekinesis, or movement at a distance, there is found +the employment of both astral sensing, and astral will action accompanied +in many cases by actual projection of a portion of the substance of the +astral body.</p> + +<p>In the case of Clairvoyance, we have an instance of the simplest form of +astral seeing, without the necessity of the "associated object" of +psychometry, or the focal point of the crystal in crystal gazing.</p> + +<p>This is true not only of the ordinary form of clairvoyance, in which the +occultist sees astrally the happenings and doings at some distant point, +at the moment of observation; it is also true of what is known as past +clairvoyance, or astral seeing of past events; and in the seeing of future +events, as in prophetic vision, etc. These are all simply different forms +of one and the same thing.</p> + +<p>Surely, some of you may say, "These things are supernatural, far above the +realm of natural law—and yet this man would have us believe otherwise." +Softly, softly, dear reader, do not jump at conclusions so readily. What +do you know about the limits of natural law and phenomena? What right have +you to assert that all beyond your customary range of sense experience is +outside of Nature? Do you not realize that you are attempting to place a +limit upon Nature, which in reality is illimitable?</p> + +<p>The man of a generation back of the present one would have been equally +justified in asserting that the marvels of wireless telegraphy were +supernatural, had he been told of the possibility of their manifestation. +Going back a little further, the father of that man would have said the +same thing regarding the telephone, had anyone been so bold as to have +prophesied it. Going back still another generation, imagine the opinion of +some of the old men of that time regarding the telegraph. And yet these +things are simply the discovery and application of certain of Nature's +wonderful powers and forces.</p> + +<p>Is it any more unreasonable to suppose that Nature has still a mine of +undiscovered treasure in the mind and constitution of man, as well as in +inorganic nature? No, friends, these things are as natural as the physical +senses, and not a whit more of a miracle. It is only that we are +accustomed to one, and not to the other, that makes the astral senses seem +more wonderful than the physical. Nature's workings are all +wonderful—none more so than the other. All are beyond our absolute +conception, when we get down to their real essence. So let us keep an open +mind!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonII"></a><h2>LESSON II.</h2> + +<p>TELEPATHY vs. CLAIRVOYANCE.</p> +<br /> + +<p>In this work I shall use the term "clairvoyance" in its broad sense of +"astral perception," as distinguished from perception by means of the +physical senses. As we proceed, you will see the general and special +meanings of the term, so there is no necessity for a special definition or +illustration of the term at this time.</p> + +<p>By "telepathy," I mean the sending and receiving of thought messages, and +mental and emotional states, consciously or unconsciously, by means of +what may be called "the sixth sense" of the physical plane. There is, of +course, a form of thought transference on the astral plane, but this I +include under the general term of clairvoyance, for reasons which will be +explained later on.</p> + +<p>You will remember that in the preceding chapter I told you that in +addition to the five ordinary physical senses of man there were also two +other physical senses comparatively undeveloped in the average person. +These two extra physical senses are, respectively, (1) the sense of the +presence of other living things; and (2) the telepathic sense. As I also +told you, these two extra physical senses have their astral counterparts. +They also have certain physical organs which are not generally recognized +by physiologists or psychologists, but which are well known to all +occultists. I shall now consider the first of the two above-mentioned +extra physical senses, in order to clear the way for our consideration of +the question of the distinction between ordinary telepathy and that form +of clairvoyance which is its astral counterpart.</p> + +<p>There is in every human being a sense which is not generally recognized as +such, although nearly every person has had more or less experience +regarding its workings. I refer to the sense of the presence of other +living things, separate and apart from the operation of any of the five +ordinary physical senses. I ask you to understand that I am not claiming +that this is a higher sense than the other physical senses, or that it has +come to man in a high state of evolution. On the contrary, this sense came +to living things far back in the scale of evolution. It is possessed by +the higher forms of the lower animals, such as the horse, dog, and the +majority of the wild beasts. Savage and barbaric men have it more highly +developed than it is in the case of the civilized man. In fact, this +physical sense may be termed almost vestigal in civilized man, because he +has not actively used it for many generations. For that matter, the +physical sense of smell is also deficient in man, and for the same reason, +whereas in the case of the lower animals, and savage man, the sense of +smell is very keen. I mention this for fear of misunderstanding. In my +little book, "The Astral World," I have said: "All occultists know that +man really has seven senses, instead of merely five, though the +additional two senses are not sufficiently developed for use in the +average person (though the occultist generally unfolds them into use)." +Some have taken this to mean that the occultist develops these two extra +physical senses, just as he does certain higher psychic or astral +faculties. But this is wrong. The occultist, in such case, merely +re-awakens these two senses which have been almost lost to the race. By +use and exercise he then develops them to a wonderful proficiency, for use +on the physical plane.</p> + +<p>Now, this sense of the presence of other living beings is very well +developed in the lower animals, particularly in those whose safety depends +upon the knowledge of the presence of their natural enemies. As might be +expected, the wild animals have it more highly developed than do the +domesticated animals. But even among the latter, we find instances of this +sense being in active use—in the case of dogs, horses, geese, etc., +especially. Who of us is not familiar with the strange actions of the dog, +or the horse, when the animal senses the unseen and unheard presence of +some person or animal? Very often we would scold or punish the animal for +its peculiar actions, simply because we are not able to see what is +worrying it. How often does the dog start suddenly, and bristle up its +hair, when nothing is in sight, or within hearing distance. How often does +the horse grow "skittish," or even panicky, when there is nothing within +sight or hearing. Domestic fowls, especially geese, manifest an uneasiness +at the presence of strange persons or animals, though they may not be +able to see or hear them. It is a matter of history that this sense, in a +flock of geese, once saved ancient Rome from an attack of the enemy. The +night was dark and stormy, and the trained eyesight and keen hearing of +the Roman outposts failed to reveal the approach of the enemy. But, the +keen sense of the geese felt the presence of strange men, and they started +to cackle loudly, aroused the guard, and Rome was saved. Skeptical persons +have sought to explain this historical case by the theory that the geese +heard the approaching enemy. But this explanation will not serve, for the +Roman soldiers were marching about on their posts and guard-duty, and the +geese remained silent until they sensed the approach of the small number +of the enemy's scouts, when they burst into wild cries. The ancient +Romans, themselves, were under no illusion about the matter—they +recognized the existence of some unusual power in the geese, and they gave +the animals the full credit therefor.</p> + +<p>Hunters in wild and strange lands have told us that often when they were +lying concealed for the purpose of shooting the wild animals when they +came within range, they have witnessed instances of the existence of this +strange faculty in the wild beasts. Though they could not see the +concealed hunters, nor smell them (as the wind was in the other direction) +all of a sudden one or more of the animals (generally an old female) would +start suddenly, and a shiver would be seen to pass over its body; then it +would utter a low warning note, and away would fly the pack. Nearly every +hunter has had the experience of watching his expected game, when all of a +sudden it would start off with a nervous jerk, and without waiting to +sniff the air, as is usual, would bolt precipitately from the scene. +Moreover, many beasts of prey are known to sense the presence of their +natural prey, even when the wind is in the other direction, and there is +no sound or movement made by the crouching, fearstricken animal. Certain +birds seem to sense the presence of particular worms upon which they feed, +though the latter be buried several inches in the earth, or in the bark of +trees.</p> + +<p>Savage man also has this faculty developed, as all travellers and +explorers well know. They are as keen as a wild animal to sense the +nearness of enemies, or, in some cases, the approach of man-eating beasts. +This does not mean that that these savages are more highly developed than +is civilized man—quite the reverse. This is the explanation: when man +became more civilized, and made himself more secure from his wild-beast +enemies, as well as from the sudden attacks of his human enemies, he began +to use this sense less and less. Finally, in the course of many +generations, it became almost atrophied from disuse, and ceased reporting +to the brain, or other nerve centres. Or, if you prefer viewing it from +another angle, it may be said that the nerve centres, and brain, began to +pay less and less attention to the reports of this sense (trusting more to +sight and hearing) until the consciousness failed to awaken to the +reports. You know how your consciousness will finally refuse to be +awakened by familiar sounds (such as the noise of machinery in the shop, +or ordinary noises in the house), although the ears receive the +sound-waves.</p> + +<p>Well, this is the way in the case of this neglected sense—for the two +reasons just mentioned, the average person is almost unaware of its +existence. Almost unaware I have said—not totally unaware. For probably +every one of us has had experiences in which we have actually "felt" the +presence of some strange person about the premises, or place. The effect +of the report of this sense is particularly noticed in the region of the +solar plexus, or the pit of the stomach. It manifests in a peculiar, +unpleasant feeling of "gone-ness" in that region—it produces a feeling of +"something wrong," which disturbs one in a strange way. This is generally +accompanied by a "bristling up," or "creepy" feeling along the spine. The +organs registering the presence of a strange or alien creature consist of +certain delicate nerves of the surface of the skin, generally connected +with the roots of the downy hair of the body—or resting where the hair +roots would naturally be, in the case of a hairless skin. These seem to +report directly to the solar-plexus, which then acts quickly by reflex +action on the other parts of the body, causing an instinctive feeling to +either fly the scene or else to crouch and hide oneself. This feeling, as +may be seen at once, is an inheritance from our savage ancestors, or +perhaps from our lowly-animal ancestral roots. It is a most unpleasant +feeling, and the race escapes much discomfort by reason of its comparative +absence.</p> + +<p>I have said that occultists have developed, or rather re-developed this +sense. They do this in order to have a harmonious well-developed +seven-fold sense system. It increases their general "awareness." Certain +other knowledge of the occultist neutralizes the unpleasant features of +the manifestation of this sense, and he finds it often a very valuable +adjunct to his senses of seeing and hearing, particularly in the cases in +which he is approached by persons having antagonistic or hostile feelings +toward him, as in such cases this faculty is particularly active. In +connection with the telepathic sense (to be described a little further on) +this sense operates to give a person that sense of warning when approached +by another person whose feelings are not friendly to him, no matter how +friendly the outward appearance of that person may be. These two extra +senses co-operate to give a person that instinctive feeling of warning, +which all of us know in our own experience.</p> + +<p>This particular, as well as the telepathic sense, may be cultivated or +developed by anyone who wishes to take the time and trouble to accomplish +the work. The principle is simple—merely the same principle that one uses +in developing any of the other physical attributes, namely, use and +exercise. The first step (a) is the recognition of the existence of the +sense itself; then (b) the attention given to its reports; then (c) +frequent use and exercise. Just think of how you would proceed to develop +any of the five ordinary senses—the hearing, sight, or touch, for +instance—then follow the same process in the cultivation of this extra +sense, or two senses, and you will accomplish the same kind of results.</p> + +<p>Now, let us consider the other extra physical sense—the "telepathic" +sense, or sense of becoming aware of the thought-waves, or emotional +waves, of other persons. Now, as strange as this may appear to some +persons—the most of persons in fact—this telepathic faculty is not a +"higher" faculty or sense, but is really a comparatively low one. Just +like the sense just described, it is possessed in a higher degree by many +of the lower animals, and by primitive and savage man. That which really +is "higher" in this kind of psychic phenomena is the manifestation of that +higher form of telepathy—by use of the astral counterpart of this +sense—which we shall consider, later, under the name of clairvoyance, for +this is really a particular phase of clairvoyance.</p> + +<p>As strange as it may appear to some of you, the lower animals possess a +kind of telepathic sense. An animal is usually aware of your feelings +toward it, and your purposes regarding it. Domestic animals lose some of +this by generations of confinement, while the wild animals have the sense +highly developed. But even some of the domestic animals have more or less +of it. You will readily recognize this fact if you have ever tried to +"cut out" a certain animal from a herd or flock. You will find that the +animal in some way has sensed your designs upon it, no matter how +indirectly you approach it, and it will begin circling around the other +animals, twisting in and out in its endeavors to be lost to your sight. +The other animals, likewise, will seem to know that you are after only +that particular one, and will manifest but little fright or distrust, +comparatively.</p> + +<p>I have frequently seen this thing, in my own country and in others, among +poultry raisers. The poultryman will think, to himself, "Now, I am going +to get that black hen with the yellow legs—that fat, clumsy one," and he +will move toward the flock slowly and with an air of unconcern. But, lo! +as soon as he gets near the creatures, that black hen will be seen edging +her way to the outer circle of the flock, on the opposite side from the +man. When the man moves around to her side, she will be found to have +plunged into the crowd, and it is hard to find her. Sometimes she will +actually try to sneak off, and conceal herself in some dark corner, or +back of some large object. Every poultryman will smile when this +occurrence is mentioned to him—he knows by experience that hens have a +way of sensing what he has in his mind regarding them.</p> + +<p>Moreover, as every farmer knows, the crow family has a most uncanny way of +sensing the intentions of the farmer who is trying to destroy them, and +shows great sagacity in defeating those intentions. But, while the crow is +a very intelligent bird—one of the wisest of the bird family, in +fact—it obtains its knowledge of what is in the mind of the man not alone +from "figuring on his intentions," but rather from that instinctive +sensing of his mental states. The hen, as all know, is a very stupid bird, +showing but little intelligent activity. But, nevertheless, she is very +quick about sensing the poultryman's designs on her, though generally very +stupid about planning out a skillful escape.</p> + +<p>Every owner of dogs, cats and horses, has had many opportunities for +observing the manifestation of this sense on the part of those animals. +Every dog feels the emotional states of his owner, and others. The horse +knows when his owner seeks to throw the halter over his neck, or when, on +the contrary, he is merely walking through the field. Cats sense their +owners' feelings and thoughts, and often resent them. Of course, the lower +animals can sense merely elementary mental states, and generally <i>only</i> +emotional states, as their minds are not developed so as to interpret the +more complex mental states. Primitive men likewise almost instinctively +sense the feelings and designs of other men. They do not reason the thing +out, but rather merely "feel" the ideas and designs of the others. The +women of the lower races are more adept in interpreting these sense +reports than are the men. Women are more sensitive, as a rule, than are +men—on any point on the scale of development.</p> + +<p>When we come to consider ordinary telepathy in the case of men of +civilized countries, we find a more complex state of affairs. While +civilized man, as a whole, has lost some of the quick telepathic +perception of the lower races, he has, in some exceptional cases, acquired +a faculty of receiving and interpreting more complex thought-forms and +mental states. The investigations of the Society for Psychical Research, +and those of private investigators as well, have shown us that a picture +of a complicated geometrical design held in the mind of one person may be +carried to and received by the mind of another person, who reproduces the +design on paper. In the same way, complicated thoughts have been +transmitted and received. But these are only exceptional cases. In many +cases this sense seems almost dead in the ordinary civilized individual, +except when aroused in exceptional cases.</p> + +<p>But, nevertheless, the majority of persons have occasional flashes of +telepathy—just enough to make them realize that "there is something in +it." The renewed interest in the subject, of late years, has directed the +public mind to the phenomena of telepathy, and, consequently, more persons +are now taking note of the cases of thought-transference coming under +their personal notice. It must be remembered, of course, that all of us +are constantly receiving thought-waves, and feeling thought-influence, +unconsciously. I am speaking now only of the conscious perception of the +thought-waves.</p> + +<p>Many investigators have so developed their telepathic sense that they are +able, at times, to obtain wonderful test results. But, it has been a +source of disappointment to many of them to discover that at other times, +under apparently similar conditions, their success was very slight. So +true is this that many authorities have accepted the theory that telepathy +is more or less spontaneous, and cannot be produced to order. This theory +is true as far as it goes, but there is a side of the case that these +investigators overlook, probably because of their lack of the occult +principles involved in the phenomena. I mean this: that their most +brilliant successes have been obtained by reason of their unconscious +"switching on" of the astral telepathic sense, the clairvoyant sense. +While in this condition, they obtained startling results; but the next +time they tried, they failed to awaken the astral sense, and, therefore, +had to depend entirely upon the physical telepathic sense, and, +consequently, their results were comparatively poor.</p> + +<p>You will understand the difference and distinction between physical-sense +telepathy, and astral-sense telepathy, if you will carefully consider the +nature of each, as I shall now present it to you. I ask your close +attention to what I shall have to say on this subject in the remaining +pages of this chapter. Do not pass over these explanations as "dry," for +unless you have a clear fundamental understanding of the thing, you will +never be able to get the best results. This is true of every phase of +learning, physical as well as psychical—one must get started right, in +order to obtain the best results.</p> + +<p>In the first place, every thought process, every emotional activity, +every creation of ideas, is accompanied by a manifestation of force—in +fact, is the result of the manifestation of a force. Without entering at +all into the question of what mind is, in itself, we may rest firmly on +the natural fact that every manifestation of mental or emotional activity +is the result of an action of the brain or nervous system, manifesting in +a form of vibrations. Just as in the case of the manifestation of +electricity in which certain chemical elements are consumed, or +transformed, so in the case of mental or emotional activity there is a +consuming or transformation of the substance of which the nervous system +is composed. When I say "nervous system" in this connection, I include the +brain, or brains of man—for these are but a part of his great nervous +system in which all emotional or mental activity is manifested.</p> + +<p>Moreover, just as there is no real destruction of matter in any of +Nature's processes—all seeming destruction being but a transformation—so +in the case before us there is a transformation of the energy released in +the thought or emotional process. We may grasp this idea more clearly if +we consider what takes place into transformation of electrical energy. For +instance, transmit a strong current of electricity over a fine wire, or +filament of carbon, and lo! the current is transformed into light. Use +another kind of channel of transmission, and the current is transformed +into heat. Every electric light, or electric heating apparatus is proof +of this. In the same way, the electric current is sent into space in the +form of wireless waves. These waves coming in contact with certain forms +of apparatus are transformed into forms of force which are registered and +interpreted by the wireless operator.</p> + +<p>In the same way, the telepathic waves of energy are sent forth by the +activity released by the thought or emotion state. These waves travel in +every direction, and when they come in contact with physical apparatus +sufficiently sensitive to register them, they may be reproduced or +retransformed into thought or mental states similar to those which +originally sent them forth. You talk into the receiver of the telephone, +and the sound waves are transformed into waves of electricity. These +electric waves travel over the wires, and on reaching the other end of the +telephone circuit are again transformed into sound-waves which are heard +by the ear of the listener. Well, then, when your brain sends out thought +waves, these travel until they are received by the apparatus in the brain +of another person, when they are re-transformed into thoughts of the same +kind that originally caused the thought-waves. I will have much more to +say on this subject in the next chapter. I will pause here to point out +the difference between the phenomena of this form of telepathy, and the +higher form which is really a phase of clairvoyance.</p> + +<p>Now, in the case of what may be called a clairvoyant-telepathy, or astral +telepathy, the ordinary thought-waves play but a small part. Instead of +these, there is a transmission of force along the channels of the astral +plane. It is almost impossible to describe the phenomena of the astral +plane in the terms of the physical. I may illustrate the matter, in a +general way, by saying that is something like your astral self actually +extending itself out until it touches the astral self of the other person, +and thus actually "feels" the astral activities there, instead of it being +a case of something like waves travelling along space between brain and +brain. Do you get this clearly? This is about as near to it as I can +explain it to you at this place. Telepathy is simply a matter of the +transmission and receiving of waves of vibratory force which have +travelled along the ether between two persons. But clairvoyance or +astral-telepathy is something like your mind being extended out until it +actually touches the mind of the other person and sees what is there.</p> + +<p>I shall have much to say regarding the working out of the processes of +clairvoyance, as we proceed. I have merely given the above explanation for +the purpose of distinguishing between ordinary telepathy and clairvoyance, +so as to prevent you from falling into a common error. Now let us consider +the phenomena of ordinary telepathy—this is very wonderful in itself, +although it is on a lower plane of activity than its astral or clairvoyant +counterpart.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonIII"></a><h2>LESSON III.</h2> + +<p>TELEPATHY EXPLAINED.</p> +<br /> + +<p>Telepathy, meaning Thought-Transference, bears a misleading title. +Literally translated, it means "suffering at a distance," or, perhaps, +"feeling pain at a distance." The name should really indicate "knowing at +a distance," in order to be properly descriptive. But as the term has +acquired a forced meaning by reason of years of usage, it will probably be +continued in popular favor. After all, names do not count, so long as the +meaning is accepted and understood.</p> + +<p>While the term itself has been generally used in the sense of conscious +and deliberate sending and receiving of thought-waves, there is a far +wider field of phenomena really covered by it, viz., the unconscious +sending and receiving of mental and emotional vibrations. I shall take up +this phase of the subject in a moment, after I have called your attention +to the mechanism whereby the waves of thought and emotion are transmitted.</p> + +<p>In the last chapter, you will remember that I called your attention to the +fact that there is a manifestation of energy or force (in the form of +vibrations) in every mental or emotional state. This is true not only in +the case of deep thought or vivid feeling, but also in the case of general +mental "feelings," and emotional states. During such manifestations there +is a radiation of mental or emotional vibrations from the brain or nervous +centres of the system, which flows out in all directions just as do light +and wireless electricity. The principal seats or centres of these +radiations are (1) the several brains of man, viz., the cerebrum, +cerebellum, and the medulla oblongata, respectfully; and (2) the several +great centres of nerve substance in the human system, called the plexi, +such as the solar plexus, etc.</p> + +<p>The vibrations arising from emotional excitement are sent out principally +from the plexi, or great centres of the sympathetic nervous system. Those +arising from the more strictly mental states emanate from certain centres +and points of the brain, or brains, of the person manifesting them. +Certain forms of these vibrations constitute the real essence of what is +generally called "human magnetism," which will be treated upon in the +proper place in these lessons.</p> + +<p>I do not think it advisable to go into the technical details of the +generation and mechanism of transmission of these thought and emotional +vibrations, in these lessons. To understand the same would require a +technical knowledge of physiology and organic chemistry, which is not +possessed by the average person. Moreover, such details are neither +interesting nor instructive to the general student of occultism. But, I +think it proper to give at least a brief description of the receiving of +such vibratory-waves by other individuals.</p> + +<p>In the first place, every great plexus, or groups of nerve ganglia, in the +human system is a receiving station, as well as a sending station. A +person manifesting strong emotional excitement tends to awaken similar +states in the nervous centres of other persons in whom the conditions are +favorable. This explains why the vibrations of anger, fear, panic, are so +contagious. It also explains the strong effect of the vibrations emanating +from the nerve centres controlling the reproductive system, in certain +cases of strong sexual excitation. Each human sympathetic nervous system +contains many receiving stations where emotional vibrations are received, +and where they tend to be transformed into similar feeling in the +receiving system, unless neutralized by other mental and emotional states +in the person.</p> + +<p>When we come to consider the apparatus by which is received the vibrations +arising from what may be called "purely mental" operations of the brain, +such as intellectual thought, constructive imagination, etc., we find a +more specialized arrangement, as might be expected. There are several +minor receiving points of mental vibrations, regarding which I do not +consider it worth while to go into detail, because of the technical +features involved. The principal apparatus for receiving thought +vibrations of this kind is that which is known as the "pineal gland," +which I shall now describe.</p> + +<p>The pineal gland is a peculiar mass of nervous substance which is embedded +in the human brain, in a position near the middle of the skull almost +directly above the extreme top of the spinal column. It is shaped like a +small cone; and is of a reddish-gray color. It lies in front of the +cerebellum, and is attached to the floor of the third ventricle of the +brain. It contains a small quantity of peculiar particles of gritty, +sand-like substance, which are sometimes called "brain-sand." It derives +its scientific name from its shape, which, as I have said, resembles a +pine-cone. Physiologists are at sea regarding the function of this strange +organ, and generally content themselves with the statement that "its +functions are not understood." But occultists know that the pineal gland, +with its peculiar arrangement of nerve-cell corpuscles, and its tiny +grains of "brain-sand," is the physical telepathic receiving instrument. +Students of wireless telegraphy have noticed a startling resemblance +between the pineal gland and a part of the receiving instrument employed +in wireless telegraphy.</p> + +<p>The thought vibrations coming in contact with the nervous system of the +receiving person, set up a peculiar vibration in the substance of the +pineal gland and thus the first step in the transformation of these +vibrations into thought-forms in the mind of the person is under way. The +remainder of the process is too technical, both in the physiological as +well as in the occult sense, to be taken up in detail at this place. The +student will do well to get the idea of the workings of wireless +telegraphy well fixed in his mind, for this will set up the right +conception of the working of ordinary telepathy, without the necessity of +complicated technical diagrams and descriptions.</p> + +<p>And, now then, let us see what results from the sending forth and +receiving of these mental and emotional waves of force and energy. It is a +most interesting subject, I assure you. While the phenomena of the astral +plane is probably more fascinating to the average student, I would impress +upon you the importance of mastering the occult phenomena of the physical +plane, before passing on to that of the higher planes.</p> + +<p>In the first place, as all occultists know, each person is constantly +surrounded with what has been called an "atmosphere" composed of mental +and emotional vibrations which are emanated from his personality. The +atmosphere of each person depends upon the general character of the +thoughts and feelings of the person in question. Consequently, as no two +persons are precisely alike in character, it follows that no two personal +atmospheres are exactly alike. Each person has a psychic atmosphere of his +or her own. These atmospheric vibrations do not extend very far from the +presence of the person, and, consequently affect only those coming near to +him.</p> + +<p>In the same way, every group or crowd of persons has its own psychic +atmosphere, composed of a blending of the individual psychic atmospheres +of the persons composing the crowd, group or assemblage, and representing +the general average of the thought and feelings of the crowd. There are no +two group atmospheres exactly alike, for the reason that no two groups of +persons, large or small, are exactly alike. Actors know that each audience +which they face has its own psychic atmosphere, and the actors are +affected by it. Preachers, lawyers, and speakers in general are quite +aware of this fact, and freely admit it, though they may not be acquainted +with the causes or laws governing the phenomena.</p> + +<p>Following the same psychic law, it will be found that every town or large +city, or even every small village or section of a larger town, will be +found to have its own distinctive psychic atmosphere, which is very +perceptible to strangers visiting the place, and which affect those who +take up their residence in the place. In large cities, it has been noticed +that every building has its own peculiar vibrations which arise from the +general character of those occupying it. Different church buildings +likewise reflect the character of the general habits of thought and +feeling of those worshipping in them. Likewise, certain business streets +have pleasant or unpleasant vibrations in their atmosphere, from the same +causes. Every person recognizes the truth of these statements, though but +few are able to account for the facts in a scientific manner.</p> + +<p>The beginner in the study of psychic phenomena often asks how these things +can be, when the thought which has occasioned the vibrations have long +since passed away. The explanation is simple, when properly explained. It +is something like this: just as heat remains in a room after the stove has +ceased to throw out heat-waves, so do the vibrations of thought and +feeling persist long after the thought or feeling has died away. Or, if +you prefer a more material illustration, we may say that if a package of +perfumery has been opened in a room, and then removed, the air will remain +charged with the odor for a long time afterwards.</p> + +<p>So, you see, the same principle applies in the case of psychic vibrations. +The person carries around with him the general atmosphere of his +characteristic mental and emotional vibrations. And, in the same way, the +house, store, church, street, town, or city, etc., is permeated with the +psychic vibrations of those who have frequented them. Nearly every one +realizes the different feeling that impresses him when he enters a strange +house, apartment, store or church. Each one has its own difference of +psychic effect. And, so does each person create his or her psychic effect +upon those coming in contact with him or her, or who comes into his or her +presence or vicinity.</p> + +<p>The next question asked by the thoughtful new student is this: If persons +are constantly sending forth psychic vibrations, and if such vibrations +persist for some time, why are we not overwhelmed with the force of them; +and why are they not all so mixed up as to lose all their effect. I shall +now answer this very important question.</p> + +<p>In the first place, though we are constantly affected more or less by the +multitude of psychic vibrations beating upon us, still the greater part of +them do not consciously impress us. For an example, we have but to +consider how few of the sounds or sights of a busy street are impressed +upon our consciousness. We hear and see only a few of the things which +attract our attention and interest. The rest are lost to us, although our +eyes and ears receive them all. In the same way, we are impressed only by +the stronger vibrations which reach us, and then only by those which we +have attracted to ourselves, or which prove attractive to us by reason of +our own likes and dislikes.</p> + +<p>In the second place, the effect of certain thought vibrations is +neutralized by the effect of the vibrations of thoughts of an opposite +character. Just as a mixture of black and white produces the neutral color +of grey, so do two currents of opposing thought vibrations tend to resolve +themselves into a neutral vibration which has little or no effect upon +those coming in contact with them. You may think of numerous +correspondences to this in the world of material things. For instance, a +mixture of very hot and very cold water, will produce a neutral lukewarm +liquid, neither hot nor cold. In the same way, two things of opposing +taste characteristics, when blended, will produce a neutral taste having +but little effect upon one. The principle is universal, and is readily +understood.</p> + +<p>In the third place, there is that which we may call an "affinity" between +thoughts and feelings of a similar character. Not only do the vibrations +of similar thoughts tend to coalesce and combine; but, more than this, +each one of us attracts to himself or herself the thought vibrations which +are in general accord with corresponding thoughts in our own minds, or +feelings in our own nature. Like attracts like. In the same way, the +character of our thoughts and feelings act to repel thought or emotional +vibrations of an opposite or inharmonious nature. As all occultists know, +everyone draws thought vibrations in harmony with his or her own; and also +repels thought vibrations of an inharmonious nature.</p> + +<p>These are the general laws and principles governing the phenomena of this +phase of telepathic vibrations. There is much more to be said on the +subject, of course, but if you will note carefully the leading principles +and laws of manifestation just mentioned, you will be able to reason +correctly regarding any phase of this class of phenomena which may come +before you for attention. Once you learn a general rule, the rest becomes +merely a matter of application and interpretation. Let us now proceed to a +consideration of other phases of the general subject of telepathic +influence.</p> + +<p>We now come to the phase of what may be called direct telepathy—that is +where a thought is consciously, and more or less purposely, directed +toward another person. We come across many interesting cases of this kind +where persons find themselves thinking intently of certain other persons, +and afterwards are told by the other persons that "I found myself thinking +intently about you, at such and such a time," etc. In some of these cases +it is difficult to determine which one started the thinking. Again, how +often do we find ourselves thinking of a person, when all of a sudden the +person comes into sight. Again, we think intently and earnestly about a +certain question; and then, all of a sudden, other folks whom we meet +begin talking to us about the same thing. These instances are too common +to need more than a passing notice.</p> + +<p>A little more purpose is displayed in that class of phenomena in which we +intently wish that a certain person shall do a certain thing, and lo! we +soon learn that that certain person has done it. A number of years ago, a +popular writer wrote an article in which he mentioned what seemed to him +to be a curious instance of some form of mental influence or telepathy. He +said that he had found out that if he would sit down and carefully write a +letter to some person from whom he had not heard for a long time, and then +destroy the letter instead of sending it, he would be almost certain to +receive a letter from that person within a few days. He did not attempt to +account for the phenomenon, he merely called the attention of his readers +to it. Many persons have followed the suggestion, often with very +wonderful results. There is nothing miraculous, or supernatural about such +occurrences. It is merely one phase of telepathy. The concentrated thought +of the writer of the letter is directed toward the other person, and that +person begins to think of the first one; then he thinks he will write to +him; then he actually does write. Distance, space, and direction have no +importance in this experiment—it is not necessary to even know where the +second person is, in fact.</p> + +<p>There are often found persons so closely in psychic harmony with each +other that they very often are able to ask questions and receive answers +from each other, even though great distances separate them. Some +particular times there is a better psychic harmony existing between the +same persons than is found at other times. All this, of course, affects +the success of the experiment. It is surprising what wonderful results +along these lines may be obtained by almost any person of average +intelligence, after a little careful, patient, conscientious practice.</p> + +<p>But there have been phenomena obtained as the result of long series of +careful experiments which are, in a way, even more wonderful than these +somewhat less deliberate experiments just mentioned. I allude to the +experiments of a number of earnest, careful scientific students, who +surrounded themselves with every precaution against over-enthusiasm, +fraud, and coincidence. Prominent among this class of investigations we +find those conducted by the Society for Psychical Research, of England, +which really established a firm basis for the work of other investigators +who followed the general methods of the said society. In the following +chapter, I shall give you a somewhat extended statement of the results of +such investigations, because this information is important to every +student of psychic phenomena, not only because it establishes a firm +scientific basis for his studies and beliefs, but also because it gives +him important information which he may apply in the course of his own +experimental work.</p> + +<p>I may mention that the investigations into the subject of telepathy, and +kindred subjects, under the auspices of the society just mentioned, were +conducted by men of careful scientific training and experience, and under +the general supervision and approval of the officers of the society, among +which have been numbered such eminent men as Prof. Henry Sidgwick, of +Cambridge University; Prof. Balfour Stewart, a Fellow of the Royal Society +of England; Rt. Hon. A.J. Balfour, the eminent English statesman; Prof. +William James, the eminent American psychologist; Sir William Crookes, the +great chemist and discoverer of physical laws, who invented the celebrated +"Crookes' Tubes," without which the discovery of the X Rays, +radio-activity, etc., would have been impossible; Frederick W.H. Myers, +the celebrated explorer of the astral planes, and writer upon psychic +phenomena; Sir Oliver Lodge, the popular English scientist; and other men +of international reputation and high standing. The character of these men +at once gives the stamp of honesty and scientific accuracy to all the work +of the society.</p> + +<p>In order that you may understand the spirit which animated these +scientific investigators in their work of the exploration of this new and +strange region of Nature, I ask you to carefully read the following words +of the presidential address of Sir William Crookes, before the Royal +Society, at Bristol, England, in 1898. Remember, please, that this address +was made before an assemblage of distinguished scientists, many of them +rank materialists and, quite skeptical of all occult phenomena—this was +nearly twenty years ago, remember. Sir William Crookes, facing this +gathering, as its president, said:</p> + +<p>"Were I now introducing for the first time these inquiries to the world of +science, I should choose a starting point different from that of old +(where we formerly began). It would be well to begin with Telepathy; with +that fundamental law, as I believe it to be, that thoughts and images may +be transferred from one mind to another without the agency of the +recognized organs of sense—that knowledge may enter the human mind +without being communicated in any hitherto known or recognized ways. * * * +If telepathy takes place, we have two physical facts—the physical change +in the brain of A, the suggestor, and the analogous physical change in the +brain of B, the recipient of the suggestion. Between these two physical +events there must exist a train of physical causes. * * * It is +unscientific to call in the aid of mysterious agencies, when with every +fresh advance in knowledge it is shown that either vibrations have powers +and attributes abundantly able to any demand—even the transmission of +thought.</p> + +<p>"It is supposed by some physiologists that the essential cells of nerves +do not actually touch, but are separated by a narrow gap which widens in +sleep while it narrows almost to extinction during mental activity. This +condition is so singularly like a Branly or Lodge coherer (a device which +led to the discovery of wireless telegraphy) as to suggest a further +analogy. The structure of brain and nerve being similar, it is conceivable +that there may be present masses of such nerve coherers in the brain, +whose special function it may be to receive impulses brought from without, +through the connecting sequence of ether waves of appropriate order of +magnitude.</p> + +<p>"Roentgen has familiarized us with an order of vibrations of extreme +minuteness as compared with the smallest waves with which we have hitherto +been acquainted: and there is no reason to suppose that we have here +reached the limit of frequency. It is known that the action of thought is +accompanied by certain molecular movements in the brain, and here we have +physical vibrations capable from their extreme minuteness of acting direct +upon individual molecules, while their rapidity approaches that of +internal and external movements of the atoms themselves. A formidable +range of phenomena must be scientifically sifted before we effectually +grasp a faculty so strange, so bewildering, and for ages so inscrutable, +as the direct action of mind upon mind.</p> + +<p>"In the old Egyptian days, a well known inscription was carved over the +portal of the Temple of Isis: 'I am whatever has been, is, or ever will +be; and my veil no man hath yet lifted.' Not thus do modern seekers after +truth confront Nature—the word that stands for the baffling mysteries of +the Universe. Steadily, unflinchingly, we strive to pierce the inmost +heart of Nature, from what she is to reconstruct what she has been, and +to prophesy what she shall be. Veil after veil we have lifted, and her +face grows more beautiful, august and wonderful, with every barrier that +is withdrawn."</p> + +<p>You will notice that this address made nearly twenty years ago, and from +the standpoint of physical science is in full accord with the ideas of +occultism as old as the hills. And yet, the speaker had worked out the +idea independently. He also investigated higher forms of psychic +phenomena, with results that startled the world. But, you will notice that +he does not attempt to give any other than purely physical laws the credit +for the ordinary phenomena of telepathy. And he was thoroughly right in +this, as we have seen. He escaped the common error of confusing +physical-sense phenomena with the phenomena of the astral-senses. Each +plane has its own phenomena—and each class is surely wonderful enough. +And, again, remember that both physical and astral phenomena are purely +natural; there is no need for seeking any supernatural agencies to account +for these natural facts.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonIV"></a><h2>LESSON IV.</h2> + +<p>SCIENTIFIC TELEPATHY.</p> +<br /> + +<p>The investigators of the Society for Psychical Research, of England, +started by giving a broad definition of Telepathy, as follows: "Telepathy +is the communication of impressions of any kind from one mind to another, +independently of the recognized channels of sense." They took the rational +position that the actual distance between the projector and the recipient +of the telepathic message is not material; and that all that is required +is such a separation of the two persons that no known operation of the +senses can bridge the space between them. They wisely held that telepathy +between two persons in the same room is as much telepathy as when the two +persons are located at opposite sides of the world.</p> + +<p>The investigators then ruled out all instances of thought-transmission in +which there was even the slightest muscular contact between the projector +and the recipient. They held that though there might be genuine telepathy +in such cases, nevertheless, there was always the possibility of fraud or +collusion, or of unconscious muscular action on the part of the projector. +They demanded absolute and actual separation of the two persons, in order +that their experiments might be above suspicion. They were wise in this, +for while there is undoubtedly a psychic communication in the cases in +which there is the slight physical connection between the two persons (as +I shall point out to you a little further on), still the element of doubt +or suspicion must be entirely eliminated from a scientific test, in order +to render it valuable and valid.</p> + +<p>They, therefore, confined their investigations in Telepathy to the two +following classes, viz.: (1) where actions are performed without physical +contact with the person willing; and (2) where some number, word, or card +is guessed apparently without any of the ordinary means of communication. +The investigators recognized the possibility that in the first of the +above-mentioned two classes of experiments there is a possibility of +suspicion of collusion, fraud, or unconscious suggestion, in the matter of +the motion of the eyes of the party, or some member of it, which might be +seized upon, perhaps unconsciously, by the recipient, and used to guide +him to the object which was being thought of by the projector or the +party. They sought to obviate this difficulty by blindfolding the +percipient, and by placing non-conductors of sound over his ears. But, +finally, they came to the conclusion that even these precautions might not +prove sufficient; and, accordingly, they devoted their attention to the +second class of experiments, in which all ordinary means of communication +between projector and recipient were impossible. They took the additional +precautions of limiting their circle to a small number of investigators of +scientific reputations, and well known to each other, always avoiding a +promiscuous company for obvious reasons.</p> + +<p>One of the earliest series of investigations by these special committees +of investigators was that of the family of the Rev. A.M. Creery, in +Derbyshire, England. The children of this family had acquired a reputation +in what was known as the "guessing game," in which one of the children, +previously placed outside of the room, then returned to the room and +attempted to "guess" the name or location of some object agreed upon by +the party during her absence. The results were very interesting, and quite +satisfactory, and have frequently been referred to in works on the subject +written since that time. I think it well to give the results of this +series of experiments in some little detail, for they form a basis for +experiments on the part of those who read these lessons.</p> + +<p>Prof. W.F. Barrett, Professor of Physics in the Royal College of Science +for Ireland, conducted the most of the experiments. The report to the +Society says: "We began by selecting the simplest objects in the room; +then chose names of towns, people, dates, cards out of a pack, lines from +different poems, etc., in fact, any thing or series of ideas that those +present could keep in their minds steadily. The children seldom made a +mistake. I have seen seventeen cards chosen by myself named right in +succession without any mistake. We soon found that a great deal depended +on the steadiness with which the ideas were kept before the minds of the +thinkers, and upon the energy with which they willed the ideas to pass. I +may say that this faculty is not by any means confined to the members of +one family; it is much more general than we imagine. To verify this +conclusion, I invited two of a neighbor's children to join us in our +experiments, with excellent results."</p> + +<p>The report gives the methods of the experiments, as follows: "The inquiry +has taken place partly in Mr. Creery's house, and partly in lodgings, or +at a hotel occupied by some of our number. Having selected at random one +child, whom we desired to leave the room and wait at some distance, we +would choose a pack of cards, or write on a piece of paper a name of a +number which occurred to us at the moment. Generally, but not always, this +was shown to the members of the family present in the room; but no one +member was always present, and we were sometimes entirely alone. We then +recalled the child, one of us always assuring himself that, when the door +was suddenly opened, she was at a considerable distance, though this was +usually a superfluity of caution, as our habit was to avoid all utterances +of what was chosen. On re-entering, she stood—sometimes turned by us with +her face toward the wall, oftener with her eyes directed toward the +ground, and usually close to us and remote from the family—for a period +of silence varying from a few seconds to a minute, till she called out to +us some number, card, or whatever it might be."</p> + +<p>In the first experiments, in "guessing" the name of objects, the child +guessed correctly six out of fourteen. She then guessed correctly the +name of small objects held in the hands of one of the committee—five +times out of six. She guessed fictitious names chosen by the +committee—five out of ten, at the first trial. The committee then tested +her by writing down the name of some object in the house, fixed at random, +and then, after all had thought intently of the thing, they sent for the +child and bade her try to find the thing thought of, the +thought-concentration of course continuing during the search. The result +is thus reported: "In this way I wrote down, among other things, a +hair-brush—it was brought; an orange—it was brought; a wine-glass—it +was brought; an apple—it was brought; and so on, until many objects had +been selected and found by the child."</p> + +<p>Passing over the details of many other experiments we find that the +following remarkable results were obtained by the committee: "Altogether, +three hundred and eighty-two trials were made in this series. In the case +of letters of the alphabet, of cards, and of numbers of two figures, the +chances of success on a first trial would naturally be 25 to 1, 52 to 1, +and 89 to 1, respectively; in the case of surnames they would of course be +infinitely greater. Cards were far most frequently employed, and the odds +in their case may be taken as a fair medium sample, according to which, +out of a whole series of three hundred and eighty-two trials, the average +number of successes at the first attempt by an ordinary guesser would be +seven and one-third. Of our trials, one hundred and twenty-seven were +successes on the first attempt, fifty-six on the second, nineteen on the +third—MAKING TWO HUNDRED AND TWO, OUT OF A POSSIBLE THREE HUNDRED AND +EIGHTY-TWO!" Think of this, while the law of averages called for only +seven and one-third successes at first trial, the children obtained one +hundred and twenty-seven, which, given a second and third trial, they +raised to two hundred and two! You see, this takes the matter entirely out +of the possibility of coincidence or mathematical probability.</p> + +<p>But this was not all. Listen to the further report of the committee on +this point: "The following was the result of one of the series. The thing +selected was divulged to none of the family, and five cards running were +named correctly on a first trial. The odds against this happening once in +a series were considerably over a million to one. There were other similar +batches, the two longest runs being eight consecutive guesses, once with +cards, and once with names; where the adverse odds in the former case were +over one hundred and forty-two millions to one; and in the other, +something incalculably greater." The opinion of eminent mathematicians who +have examined the above results is that the hypothesis of mere coincidence +is practically excluded in the scientific consideration of the matter. The +committee calls special attention to the fact that in many of the most +important tests none of the Creery family were cognizant of the object +selected, and that, therefore, the hypothesis of fraud or collusion is +absolutely eliminated. The committee naturally came to the conclusion +that the phenomena was genuine and real telepathy.</p> + +<p>Prof. Balfour Stewart, LL.D., F.R.S., who was present at some of these +experiments, though not a member of the committee, expressed great +amazement at some of the results. He reports: "The thought-reader was +outside a door. The object or thing thought of was written on paper and +silently handed to the company in the room. The thought reader was then +called in, and in the course of a minute the answer was given. Definite +objects in the room, for instance, were first thought of, and in the +majority of the cases the answers were correct. Then numbers were thought +of, and the answers were generally right, though, of course, there were +some cases of error. The names of towns were thought of, and a good many +of these were right. Then fancy names were thought of. I was asked to +think of certain fancy names, and mark them down and hand them round to +the company. I thought of and wrote on paper, 'Blue-beard,' 'Tom Thumb,' +'Cinderella.' and the answers were all correct!"</p> + +<p>The committee also conducted a number of experiments with other +recipients, with very satisfactory results. Colors were correctly guessed +with a percentage of successes quite beyond the average or probable +number. Names of towns in all parts of the world, were correctly "guessed" +by certain recipients with a wonderful degree of success. But, probably +most wonderful of all, was the correct reproduction of diagrams of +geometrical and other figures and shapes. In one case, the recipient, in a +series of nine trials, succeeded in drawing them all correctly, except +that he frequently reversed them, making the upper-side down, and the +right-hand side to the left. The Society, has published these reproduced +diagrams in its Illustrated reports, and they have convinced the most +skeptical of critics. Some of the diagrams were quite complicated, +unusual, and even grotesque, and yet they were reproduced with marvelous +accuracy, not in a hesitating manner, but deliberately and continuously, +as if the recipient were actually copying a drawing in full sight. Similar +results have been obtained by other investigators who have followed the +lead of these original ones.</p> + +<p>So you see, the seal of scientific authority has been placed upon the +phenomena of telepathy. It is no longer in the realm of the supernatural +or uncanny. As Camille Flammarion, the eminent French scientist, has said: +"The action of one mind upon another at a distance—the transmission of +thought, mental suggestion, communication at a distance—all these are not +more extraordinary than the action of the magnet on iron, the influence of +the moon on the sea, the transportation of the human voice by electricity, +the revolution of the chemical constituents of a star by the analysis of +its light, or, indeed, all the wonders of contemporary science. Only these +psychic communications are of a more elevated kind, and may serve to put +us on the track of a knowledge of human nature. What is certain is: That +telepathy can and ought to be henceforth considered by Science as an +incontestable reality; that minds are able to act upon each other without +the intervention of the senses; that psychic force exists, though its +nature is yet unknown. * * * We say that this force is of a psychic order, +and not physical, or physiological, or chemical, or mechanical, because it +produces and transmits ideas and thoughts, and because it manifests itself +without the co-operation of our senses, soul to soul, mind to mind."</p> + +<p>In addition to investigating the above mentioned classes of telepathic +phenomena, the English Society for Psychical Research investigated many +remarkable cases of a somewhat higher phase of telepathy. They took down +the stories told by persons deemed responsible, and then carefully +examined, and cross-examined other witnesses to the strange phenomena. The +record of these experiments, and investigations, fill a number of good +sized volumes of the Society's reports, which are well worth reading by +all students of the subject. They may be found in the libraries of nearly +any large city. I shall, however, select a number of the most interesting +of the cases therein reported, to give my students an idea of the +character of the phenomena so investigated and found genuine by the +committees having this class of telepathy under investigation.</p> + +<p>An interesting case of spontaneous telepathy is that related by Dr. Ede, +as follows: "There is a house about a half-mile from my own, inhabited by +some ladies, friends of our family. They have a large alarm bell outside +their house. One night I awoke suddenly and said to my wife: 'I am sure I +hear Mrs. F's alarm bell ringing.' After listening for some time, we heard +nothing, and I went to sleep again. The next day Mrs. F. called upon my +wife and said to her: 'We were wishing for your husband last night, for we +were alarmed by thieves. We were all up, and I was about to pull the alarm +bell, hoping that he would hear it, saying to my daughters, "I am sure it +will soon bring Dr. Ede," but we did not ring it.' My wife asked what time +this had happened, and Mrs. F. said that it was about half past one. That +was the time I awoke thinking that I heard the bell."</p> + +<p>In this case there was manifested simply ordinary physical plane +telepathy. Had the bell actually been rung, and heard psychically, it +would have been a case of astral plane hearing, known as clairaudience. As +it was, merely the thought in the mind of Mrs. F., and her strong idea to +ring the bell, caused a transmission of thought waves which struck Dr. Ede +with great force and awakened him. This case is interesting because it is +typical of many cases of a similar nature within the experience of many +persons. It is seen that a strong feeling, or excitement, accompanied by a +strong desire or wish to summon another person, tends to give great power +and effect to the thought waves emitted. They strike the mind of the +recipient like the sudden ringing of an alarm clock bell.</p> + +<p>Another interesting case is that of two ladies, both well known to members +of the committee, and vouched for as of strict veracity. This case is +unusual for the reason that two different persons received the +thought-waves at the same time. Here is an abridgment of the case: "Lady +G. and her sister had been spending the evening with their mother, who was +in her usual health and spirits when they left her. In the middle of the +night the sister awoke in her fright and said to her husband: 'I must go +to my mother at once; do order the carriage. I am sure that she is taken +ill.' On the way to her mother's house, where two roads meet, she saw Lady +G.'s carriage approaching. When they met each asked the other why she was +there. They both related the same experience and impression. When they +reached their mother's house, they found that she was dying, and had +expressed an earnest wish to see them."</p> + +<p>Another case of a similar nature is this: "At the siege of Mooltan, Major +General R., then adjutant of his regiment, was severely wounded and +supposed himself to be dying. He requested that his ring be taken off his +finger and sent to his wife. At the same time his wife was at Ferozepore, +one hundred and fifty miles distant, lying on her bed, in a state half way +between waking and sleeping. She saw her husband being taken off the +field, and heard his voice saying: 'Take this ring off my finger, and send +it to my wife.'"</p> + +<p>This case bears the marks of very strong telepathy, but also has a +suspicious resemblance to clairvoyance accompanied by clairaudience. Or +perhaps it is a combination of both telepathy and clairvoyance. It is +impossible to determine which, in absence of more detailed information. +The message of persons dying, or believing themselves to be approaching +death, are frequently very strong, for certain reasons well known to +occultists. But there is nothing supernatural about the phenomena, and in +most cases it is merely a case of strong telepathy.</p> + +<p>The Society also reports the following interesting case: "A. was awake, +and strongly willed to make himself known to two friends who at that time +(one o'clock in the morning) were asleep. When he met them a few days +afterward, they both told him that at one o'clock they had awakened under +the impression that he was in their room. The experience was so vivid that +they could not go to sleep for some time, and looked at their watches to +note the time." Cases of this kind are quite common, and many +experimenters have had equally good results with this phase of thought +transference. You will remember that there is no actual projection of the +astral body, in most of these cases, but merely a strong impression caused +by concentrated thought.</p> + +<p>Another interesting case is that of the late Bishop Wilberforce, and is +recorded in his biography, as follows: The Bishop was in his library at +Cuddleson, with three or four of his clergy with him at the same table. +The Bishop suddenly raised his hand to his head, and exclaimed: "I am +certain that something has happened to one of my sons." It afterwards +transpired that just at that time his eldest son's foot was badly crushed +by an accident on board his ship, the son being at sea. The Bishop himself +recorded the circumstance in a letter to Miss Noel, saying: "It is curious +that at the time of his accident I was so possessed with the depressing +consciousness of some evil having befallen my son, Herbert, that at the +last, I wrote down that I was unable to shake off the impression that +something had happened to him, and noted this down for remembrance." There +is nothing unusual about this case, for it has been duplicated in the +experience of many persons. Its chief importance lies in the fact that it +is recorded by a man of wide reputation and high standing, and also that +the Bishop had taken the precaution to note down the thing at the time, +instead of merely recalling it after he had heard of the accident.</p> + +<p>You will notice that in many cases of this kind the phenomenon closely +approaches the aspect of true clairvoyance, or astral sensing. In some +cases there appears to be a blending of both telepathy and astral +clairvoyance. In fact, there is but very little difference between the +highest phases of ordinary telepathy, and the more common phases of +clairvoyance. Here, as in many other cases of Nature's forces, there seems +to be a gradual blending, rather than a sharp dividing line between the +two classes of phenomena. Moreover, the student developing his telepathic +powers will frequently find that he is beginning to unfold at least +occasional flashes of clairvoyance.</p> + +<p>In the case of telepathy, the recipient merely senses what is in the mind +of the projector. In some cases a picture in the mind of the projector may +be seen by the recipient, and may thus be mistaken for a case of pure +clairvoyance. But, in investigating closely, it will be found that the +real scene was slightly different from the impression, in which case it +shows that the impression was simply telepathic. Clairvoyant vision shows +the scene as it really is, or rather as the physical eye of the recipient +would have seen it. The astral sight really sees the scene, and does not +merely receive the mental impression of the projector. The first is +original seeing; the second, merely a reproduction of images already in +the mind of the projector, and colored by his personality, etc.</p> + +<p>In the next lesson, I shall give you a number of exercises and methods +designed to develop your telepathic powers. You will find the practice of +these most interesting and entertaining, and at the same time most +instructive. You will find that as you practice the exercises given +therein, you will become more and more adept and proficient in producing +telepathic phenomena. From the lower stages, you will be able to proceed +to the higher. And, in time, you will be surprised to find that almost +unconsciously you have passed into the stage in which you will have at +least occasional manifestations of clairvoyance, psychometry, etc.</p> + +<p>In fact, there is no better way known to practical occultists to develop +in a student the powers of clairvoyance than just this method of starting +the student with the exercises designed to develop the telepathic power. +It has been found by centuries of experience that the student who develops +telepathic power, in a systematic way, will gradually unfold and evolve +the clairvoyant and psychometric power. It constitutes the first rungs on +the ladder of psychic development.</p> + +<p>Of course, under the head of clairvoyance, etc., you will be given methods +and exercise designed to develop clairvoyant powers—some of them very +valuable and effective methods, at that. But, notwithstanding this, I feel +that I should impress upon you the importance of laying a firm foundation +for such instruction, by developing yourself first along the lines of +telepathic power. Such a course will not only keenly sharpen your powers +of receptivity to such vibrations as you may wish to receive; but it will +also train your mind in the direction of translating, interpreting, and +recording such impressions when received.</p> + +<p>You must remember that proficiency in a mental art is attained only by +means of training the attention to concentrate upon the task. It is the +same way in clairvoyance and psychometry. Telepathy trains your attention +to concentrate upon the reception of impressions, and to hold them firmly +and clearly in consciousness. The result is that when you really develop +clairvoyant receptivity, your attention has already been trained to do +the necessary work. I need not tell you what an advantage this gives you +over the clairvoyant who has not received this training, for your own good +common sense will assure you of it.</p> + +<p>So, now for our training in telepathy—not only for itself, but also as a +means of preparing for the higher stages.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonV"></a><h2>LESSON V.</h2> + +<p>MIND READING, AND BEYOND.</p> +<br /> + +<p>The simpler forms of telepathic phenomena have received the name "Mind +Reading" and by some have been regarded as something not quite within the +class of real telepathy. This last impression has been heightened by the +fact that there has been offered the public many spectacular exhibitions +of pseudo mind-reading, that is to say, imitation or counterfeit +mind-reading, in which the result has been obtained by trickery, +collusion, or clever artifice. But, notwithstanding this fact, genuine +mind-reading is actually a phase of true telepathy.</p> + +<p>What is generally known as mind-reading may be divided into two classes, +as follows: (1) where there is an actual physical contact between the +projector and the receiver; and (2) where there is no actual physical +contact, but where there is a close relation in space between the two +parties, as in the case of the "willing game." In the first class belong +all cases in which the projector touches the recipient, or at least is +connected with him by a material object. In the second class belong those +cases in which the recipient seeks to find an object which is being +thought of by either a single projector, or by a number of persons in the +same room. You will notice that both of these classes were omitted from +the experiments of the Society for Psychical Research, because of the +possibility of fraud or collusion. But, nevertheless, the student will do +well to acquire proficiency in manifesting this form of telepathy, not +alone for its own sake, but, also, because it naturally leads to higher +development.</p> + +<p>In the case of the first class of mind-reading namely, that in which +actual physical contact is had between the projector and the recipient, +there has been a disposition on the part of some authorities to explain +the whole matter by the theory of unconscious muscular impulse of the +projector; but those who have carefully studied this subject, and who have +themselves performed the feats of this class of mind-reading, know that +there is far more than this to it. Those familiar with the subject know +that there is a decided transference of thought-waves from the projector +to the recipient, and that the latter actually "feels" the same as they +strike upon his mental receiving apparatus. The whole difference between +this and the higher forms of telepathy is that in this the +thought-currents generally run along the wires of the nervous system, +instead of leaping across the space between the two persons.</p> + +<p>It is known to all who have conducted this class of experiments, that at +times there will be experienced a change or shifting in the transmission +of the thought-currents. For a time, the thought-waves will be felt +flowing in along the nerves of the hands and arms when, all of a sudden +this will cease, and there will be experienced the passage of the current +direct from brain to brain. It is impossible to describe this feeling in +mere words, to those who have never experienced it. But those to whom it +has once been manifested will recognize at once just what I mean by this +statement. It is a different sensation from any other in the experience of +a human being, and must actually be experienced to be understood. The +nearest analogy I can offer is that feeling experienced by the person when +a forgotten name for which he has vainly sought, suddenly flashes or leaps +into his consciousness—it is felt to come from somewhere outside of the +conscious field. Well, in the case of the thought-current the feeling is +much the same, only there is a fuller sense of the "outsideness" of the +source of the thought.</p> + +<p>In order to make you understand the distinction between the two classes of +mind-reading more clearly, I will say that you may think of one as akin to +the ordinary telegraphy over wires; and of the other as akin to wireless +telegraphy. It is the same force in both cases, the difference being +simply one of the details of transmission. Fix this idea firmly in your +mind, and you will have no trouble in always having the right conception +of any kind of case of mind-reading, or telepathy. But, you must remember, +there are cases in which there is a combination of both methods of +transmission, either simultaneously, or else shifting and changing from +one to the other.</p> + +<p>I will here remind the student that he will learn more by a half-dozen +actual experiments in mind-reading, than he will by reading a dozen books +on the subject. It is very good to read the books in order to get the +correct theory well fixed in mind, and also in order to learn the best +methods as taught by those who have had a wide experience in the subject; +but the real "how" of the matter is learned only through actual +experience. So, I shall now give you advice and instructions concerning +actual experimental work.</p> + +<p>You, the student, should begin by making yourself a good recipient—that +is a good "mind reader," allowing others to play the part of projector. +Later on, you may play the part of projector, if you so desire, but the +real "fine work" is done by the recipient, and, for that reason that is +the part you should learn to play by frequent rehearsals.</p> + +<p>I advise you to begin your experiments with friends who are in sympathy +with you, and who are interested in the subject. Avoid particularly all +early experiments with uncongenial or unsympathetic persons; and avoid as +you would a pestilence all those who are antagonistic either to yourself +or to the general subject of telepathy and kindred subjects. As you must +make yourself especially "sensitive" in order to successfully conduct a +mind-reading test, you will find yourself particularly susceptible to the +mental attitude of those around you at such times, and therefore should +surround yourself only with those who are congenial and sympathetic.</p> + +<p>You will find that there is a great difference between the several persons +whom you "try out" as projectors. Some will be more "en rapport" with you +than are others who may be equally good friends. "En rapport," you know, +means "in vibrational harmony." When two persons are en rapport with each +other, they are like two wireless telegraphic instruments perfectly +attuned to each other. In such cases there are obtained the very best +results. You will soon learn to distinguish the degree of en rapport +conditions between yourself and different persons—you soon learn to +"feel" this condition. In the beginning, it will be well for you to try +several persons, one after the other, in your mind-reading experiments, in +order to pick out the best one, and also to learn the "feel" of the +different degrees of en rapport condition.</p> + +<p>Even in cases of persons in whom the en rapport conditions are good, it is +well to establish a rhythmic unison between you. This is done by both you +and the person breathing in rhythmic unison a few moments. Begin by +counting "one-two-three-four," like the slow ticking of a large clock. +Have the other person join with you in so counting, until your minds both +work in the same rhythmic time. Then you should have him breathe in unison +with you, making a mental count with you at the same time, so that you +will "breathe together." Count (mentally) "one-two-three-four," as you +inhale; the "one-two," holding the breath; and, then "one-two-three-four," +exhaling or breathing-out. Try this several times, and, you will find that +you have established a rhythmic unison between yourself and the other +person. In the progress of an experiment, if you should find that the +conditions are not as good as might be desired, you will do well to pause +for a few moments and re-establish the proper rhythmic harmony by this +method of harmonious rhythmic breathing.</p> + +<p>Begin by having the projector select some prominent object in the room, a +chair, or table for instance. Then have him take your left hand in his +right hand. Raise your left hand, held in his right hand, to your +forehead; then close your eyes and remain passive a few moments. Have him +concentrate his mind intently on the selected object—and will that you +should move toward it. Have him think of nothing else except that object, +and to will you to move toward it, with all his power. Close your eyes, +and quiet your mind, opening your consciousness to every mental impression +that he may send you. Instruct him to think not merely "chair," for +instance, but rather "there—go there." The main thought in his mind must +be that of direction. He must will that you move toward that chair.</p> + +<p>After a moment or two, you will begin to feel a vague, general impulse to +move your feet. Obey the impulse. Take a few slow steps in any direction +that seems easy to you. Sometimes this will take you in an opposite +direction from that of the chair, but it will "get you going," and you +will soon begin to feel that the direction is "all wrong," and will begin +to be mentally pulled in the right direction. You will have to actually +experience this feeling, before you will fully understand just what I +mean.</p> + +<p>After some little practice, you will begin to feel quite distinctly the +mental direction, or will-force, of the projector, which will seem to tell +you to "come this way—now stop—now turn a little to the right—now a +little to the left—now stop where you are, and put out your right +hand—lower your hand—move your hand a little to the right—that's it, +now you have got it all right." You will soon learn to distinguish between +the "no, that's wrong" thought, and the "that's right" one; and between +the "go on," and the "come on" one. By making yourself completely passive, +and receptive and obedient to the thought and will-impulses of the +projector, you will soon act like a ship under the influence of the rudder +in the hand of the projector.</p> + +<p>After you have attained proficiency in receiving the mental impressions +and directions, you will find yourself attracted or drawn, like a piece of +steel to the magnet, toward the object selected. It will sometimes seem as +if you were being moved to it even against your own will—and as if +someone else were actually moving your feet for you. Sometimes the impulse +will come so strong that you will actually rush ahead of the projector, +dragging him along with you, instead of having him a little in advance, or +by your side. It is all a matter of practice.</p> + +<p>You will soon discover the great difference between different projectors. +Some of them will be in perfect en rapport condition with you, while +others will fail to get into tune with you. Some projectors do not seem +to know what is required of them, and usually forget to "will" you to the +object. It helps sometimes to tell them that the whole thing depends upon +their will power, and that the stronger their will is, the easier it is +for you to find the thing. This puts them on their mettle, and makes them +use their will more vigorously.</p> + +<p>You will soon learn to recognize that peculiar feeling of "all right," +that comes when you finally stand in front of the desired object. Then you +begin to move your right hand up and down and around, until you get the +right "feel" about that also, when you should place your hand on the place +which seems to attract you most. You will find that the hand is just as +responsive to the mental force, as are the feet. You will soon learn to +distinguish between the mental signals: "up," "down," "to the right," "to +the left," "stop now, you're right," etc. I cannot tell you just the +difference—you must learn to "feel" them, and you will soon become expert +in this. It is like learning to skate, run an automobile, operate a +typewriter or anything else—all a matter of exercise and practice. But it +is astonishing how rapidly one may learn; and how, at times, one seems to +progress by great leaps and bounds. Now I shall give you the different +stages or steps, which you will do well to follow in your exercises, +progressing from the more simple to the more complex—but be sure to +thoroughly master the simple ones, before you pass on to the more complex +one. Be honest and strict with yourself—make yourself "pass the +examination" before promotion, in each and every step.</p> + +<p>1. LOCATIONS. Begin by finding particular locations in a room; +corners, alcoves, doors, etc.</p> + +<p>2. LARGE OBJECTS. Then begin to find large objects, such as tables, +chairs, book-cases, etc.</p> + +<p>3. SMALL OBJECTS. Then proceed to find small objects, such as books +on a table, sofa-cushions, ornaments, paper-knives, etc. Gradually work +down to very small objects, such as scarf-pins, articles of jewelry, +pocket-knives, etc.</p> + +<p>4. CONCEALED OBJECTS. Then proceed to find small objects that have +been concealed under other objects, such as a pocket-book beneath a +sofa-cushion, etc.; or a key in a book; or a key under a rug, etc.</p> + +<p>5. MINUTE OBJECTS. Then proceed to discover very small objects, +either concealed or else placed in an inconspicuous place, such as a pin +stuck in the wall, etc.; or a small bean under a vase, etc.</p> + +<p>The public performers of mind reading vary the above by sensational +combinations, but you will readily see that these are but ingenious +arrangements of the above general experiments, and that no new principle +is involved. As these lessons are designed for serious study and +experiment, and not for sensational public performances, I shall not enter +into this phase of the subject in these pages. The student who understands +the general principles, and is able to perform the above experiments +successfully, will have no difficulty in reproducing the genuine feats of +the public mind readers, by simply using his ingenuity in arranging the +stage-effects, etc. Among other things, he will find that he will be able +to obtain results by interposing a third person between the projector and +himself; or by using a short piece of wire to connect himself and the +projector. Drawing pictures on a blackboard, or writing out names on a +slate, by means of thought direction, are simply the result of a fine +development of the power of finding the small article—the impulse to move +the hand in a certain direction comes in precisely the same way. The +public driving feats of the professional mind-reader are but a more +complicated form of the same general principle—the impression of +"direction" once obtained, the rest is a mere matter of detail. The +opening of the combination of a safe, though requiring wonderful +proficiency on the part of the operator, is simply an elaboration of the +"direction" movement.</p> + +<p>Some recipients are, of course, far more proficient than are others; but +each and every person—any person of average intelligence—will be able to +secure more or less proficiency in these experiments, provided that +patience and practice are employed. There is no such thing as an absolute +failure possible to anyone who will proceed intelligently, and will +practice sufficiently. Sometimes, after many discouraging attempts, the +whole thing will flash into one's mind at once, and after that there will +be little or no trouble. If you are able to witness the demonstrations of +some good mind-reader, professional or amateurs it will help you to +"catch the knack" at once.</p> + +<p>You will find that these experiments will tend to greatly and rapidly +develop your psychic receptivity in the direction of the higher phases of +psychic phenomena. You will be surprised to find yourself catching flashes +or glimpses of ^higher telepathy, or even clairvoyance. I would advise +every person wishing to cultivate the higher psychic faculties, to begin +by perfecting himself or herself in these simpler forms of mind-reading. +Besides the benefits obtained, the practice proves very interesting, and +opens many doors to pleasant social entertainment. But, never allow the +desire for social praise or popularity, in these matters, to spoil you for +serious investigation and experiment.</p> + +<p>THE SECOND STEP OF DEVELOPMENT. The student, having perfected himself +in the experiments along the lines of the first class of mind-reading, +viz., where there is no actual physical contact between the projector and +recipient, but where there is a close relation in space between the two.</p> + +<p>Now, the thoughtful student will naturally wish to ask a question here, +something like this: "You have told us that there is no real difference +between telepathy at a great distance, and that in which there is only the +slightest difference in the position of the projector and recipient, +providing, always, that there is no actual physical contact. This being +so, why your insistence upon the 'close relation in space' just +mentioned?—what is the reason for this nearness?" Well, it is like this: +While there is no distinction of space in true telepathy, still in +experiments such as I shall now describe, the physical nearness of the +projector enables him to concentrate more forcibly, and also gives +confidence to the new beginner in receiving mind-currents. The benefit is +solely that of the psychological effect upon the minds of the two persons, +and has nothing to do with the actual power of the telepathic waves. It is +much easier for a person to concentrate his thought and will upon a person +in actual physical sight before him, than upon one out of sight. And, +likewise, the recipient finds himself more confident and at ease when in +the actual physical of the person sending the thoughts and will power. +That is all there is to it. When the persons have acquired familiarity +with projecting and receiving, then this obstacle is overcome, and long +distances have no terror for them.</p> + +<p>The best way for the student to start in on this class of mind-reading, is +for him to experiment occasionally while performing his physical contact +mind-reading experiments. For instance, while engaged in searching for an +object let him disengage his hand from that of the projector for a moment +or so, and then endeavor to receive the impressions without contact. (This +should be done only in private experiments, not in public ones.) He will +soon discover that he is receiving thought impulses in spite of the lack +of physical contact—faint, perhaps, but still perceptible. A little +practice of this kind will soon convince him that he is receiving the +mental currents direct from brain to brain. This effect will be increased +if he arranges to have several persons concentrate their thoughts and will +power upon him during the experiment. From this stage, he will gradually +develop into the stage of the Willing Game.</p> + +<p>The Willing Game, quite popular in some circles, is played by one person +(usually blind-folded) being brought into the room in which a number of +persons have previously agreed upon some object to be found by him, they +concentrating their thought firmly upon the object. The audience should be +taught to not only to think but also to actively "will" the progress of +the recipient from the start to the finish of the hunt. They should "will" +him along each step of his journey, and then "will" his hand to the object +itself wherever it be hidden.</p> + +<p>An adept in the receiving end of the Willing Game will be able to perform +all the experiments that I have just pointed out to you in the contact +mind-reading class. In the Willing Game, you must remember that there is +no taking hold of hands or any other form of physical contact between +projector and recipient. The transmission of the mental currents must be +direct, from brain to brain. Otherwise, the two classes of experiments are +almost identical. There is the same "willing" toward the object on the +part of the projectors, and the same passive obedience of the recipient. +All the difference is that the current now passes over the ether of +space, as in the case of the wireless message, instead of over the wires +of the nervous system of the two persons.</p> + +<p>The next step is that of "guessing" the name of things thought of by the +party. I can give you no better directions than those followed by the +investigators in the Creery children, as related in a preceding chapter of +this book. When you become sufficiently proficient in this class of +mind-reading, you should be able to reproduce every experiment there +mentioned, with at least a fair degree of success. It is all a matter of +patience, perseverance and practice.</p> + +<p>After you have become very proficient in this class of experiments, you +may begin to try experiments at "long distance," that is where the +projector is out of your physical presence. It makes no difference whether +the distance be merely that between two adjoining rooms, or else of miles +of space. At first, however, nearness adds confidence in the majority of +cases. Confidence once gained, the distance may be lengthened +indefinitely, without impairing the success of the experiments. The long +distance experiments may consist either of the receiving of single words, +names, etc., or else distinct, clear messages or ideas. Some find it no +more difficult to reproduce simile geometrical designs, such as circles, +squares, triangles, etc., than to reproduce words or ideas.</p> + +<p>In long distance experiments, it is well for the projector to write down +the word or thought he wishes to transmit, and for the recipient to write +down the impressions he receives. These memoranda will serve as a record +of progress, and will, moreover, give a scientific value to the +experiments.</p> + +<p>Some experimenters have been quite successful in experiments along the +lines of Automatic Writing from living persons, produced by means of long +distance telepathy. In these cases the recipient sits passively at the +hour agreed upon for the experiment, and the projector concentrates +intently upon a sentence, or several sentences, one word at a time—at the +same time "willing" the other person to write the word. The famous +investigator of psychic phenomena, the late W.T. Stead, editor of a London +newspaper, who went down on the "Titanic," was very successful in +experiments of this kind. His written records of these are very +interesting and instructive.</p> + +<p>You will, of course, understand that in all cases of long distance +telepathic experiments there should be an understanding between the two +persons regarding the time and duration of the experiment, so as to obtain +the best results. Personally, however, I have known of some very excellent +results in which the receiving of the message occurred several hours after +the sending—thus showing that telepathy is in a measure independent of +time, as well as of space. But, as a rule, the best results are obtained +when the two persons "sit" simultaneously.</p> + +<p>Do not rest content with accepting the reports of others regarding these +things. Try them for yourself. You will open up a wonderful world of new +experiences for yourself. But, remember always, you must proceed step by +step, perfecting yourself at each step before proceeding to the next.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonVI"></a><h2>LESSON VI.</h2> + +<p>CLAIRVOYANT PSYCHOMETRY.</p> +<br /> + +<p>The word "clairvoyance" means "clear seeing." In its present usage it +covers a wide field of psychic phenomena; and is used by different writers +to designate phases of psychic phenomena differing widely from each other. +The student is apt to become confused when he meets these apparently +conflicting definitions and usages. In the glossary of the Society for +Psychical Research, the term is defined as: "The faculty or act of +perceiving, as though visually, with some coincidental truth, some distant +scene; it is used sometimes, but hardly properly, for transcendental +vision, or the perception of beings regarded as on another plane of +existence."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Henry Sidgwick, a distinguished writer on the subject of psychic +phenomena, in one of her reports to the Society for Psychical Research, +says: "The word clairvoyant is often used very loosely and with widely +different meanings. I denote by it a faculty of acquiring supernormally, +but not by reading the minds of persons present, a knowledge of facts such +as we normally acquire by the use of our senses. I do not limit it to +knowledge that would normally be acquired by the sense of sight, nor do I +limit it to a knowledge of present facts. A similar knowledge of the past, +and if necessary, of future facts may be included. On the other hand, I +exclude the mere faculty of seeing apparitions or visions, which is +sometimes called clairvoyance."</p> + +<p>The above definitive explanation of the term clairvoyance agrees with the +idea of the best authorities, and distinguishes between the phenomena of +clairvoyance and that of telepathy, on the one hand; and between the +former and that of seeing apparitions, on the other hand. I, personally, +accept this distinction as both scientific in form, and as agreeing with +the facts of the case. You will, of course, see that the acceptance of the +existence of the astral senses throws light on many obscure points about +which the psychic researchers are in doubt, and reconciles many apparently +opposing facts.</p> + +<p>All scientific authorities, as well as the best occultists, divide the +phenomena of clairvoyance into several well-distinguished classes. The +following classification is simple, and indicates clearly the principal +forms of clairvoyant phenomena:</p> + +<p>(1) Simple Clairvoyance, in which the clairvoyant person merely senses the +auric emanations of other persons, such as the auric vibrations, colors, +etc.; currents of thought-vibrations, etc.; but does not see events or +scenes removed in space or time from the observer.</p> + +<p>(2) Clairvoyance in Space, in which the clairvoyant person senses scenes +and events removed in space from the observer; and, often also is able to +sense such things even when they are concealed or obscured by intervening +material objects.</p> + +<p>(3) Clairvoyance in Time, in which the clairvoyant person senses scenes +and events which have had their original place in past time; or scenes +and events which will have their original place in the future.</p> + +<p>I shall describe each of these three classes, with their many variations, +as we reach them in their proper places in these lessons. Before doing so +however, I wish to explain to you the several methods by which clairvoyant +vision is usually induced. These methods may be designated as follows:</p> + +<p>(1) Psychometry, or the method of getting en rapport with the astral plane +by means of some physical object connected with the person, thing, or +scene about which you desire to be informed.</p> + +<p>(2) Crystal Gazing, etc., or the method of getting en rapport with the +astral plane by means of gazing into a crystal, magic mirror, etc.</p> + +<p>(3) Clairvoyant Reverie, or the method of getting en rapport with the +astral plane by means of psychic states in which the sights, sounds and +thoughts of the material and physical plane are shut out of consciousness.</p> + +<p>I shall now proceed to give the details regarding each one of these three +great classes of methods inducing clairvoyant vision, or en rapport +conditions with the astral plane.</p> + +<p>Psychometry. Psychometry is that form of clairvoyant phenomena in which +the clairvoyant gets into en rapport relation with the astral plane by +means of the connecting link of material objects, such as bit of stone, +piece of hair, article of wearing apparel etc., which has had previous +associations with the thing, person or scene regarding which clairvoyant +vision is required.</p> + +<p>Without going into technical occult explanations, I would say that the +virtue of these articles consists entirely of their associative value. +That is to say, they carry in them certain vibrations of past experience +which serve as a connecting link, or associated filament, with the thing +which is sought to be brought into the field of clairvoyant vision.</p> + +<p>To reach clairvoyantly a thing, scene, or person in this way is akin to +the unwinding of a ball of yarn, when you hold the loose end in your hand. +Or, it is like giving a keen-scented dog a sniff at a handkerchief once +carried by the person whom you wish him to nose out for you.</p> + +<p>A well-known authority on the subject of psychic phenomena has said on +this point: "The untrained clairvoyant usually cannot find any particular +astral picture when it is wanted, without some special link to put him en +rapport with the subject required. Psychometry is an instance in point. It +seems as though there were a sort of magnetic attachment or affinity +between any particle of matter and the record which contains its +history—an affinity which enables it to act as a kind of conductor +between that record and the faculties of anyone who can read it. For +instance, I once brought from Stonehenge a tiny fragment of stone, not +larger than a pin's head, and on putting this into an envelope and handing +it to a psychometer who had no idea what it was, she at once began to +describe that wonderful ruin and the desolate country surrounding it, and +then went on to picture vividly what were evidently scenes from its early +history, showing that the infinitessimal fragment had been sufficient to +put her into communication with the records connected with the spot from +which it came. The scenes through which we pass in the course of our life +seem to act in the same way upon the cells of our brain as did the history +of Stonehenge upon that particle of stone. They establish a connection +with those cells by means of which our mind is put en rapport with that +particular portion of the records, and so we 'remember' what we have +seen."</p> + +<p>One of the simplest and most common form of psychometry is that in which +the psychometrist is able to tell the physical condition of a person by +means of holding to the forehead, or even in the hand, some trinket or +small article such as a handkerchief recently worn on the person of the +individual regarding whom the information is sought. In the case of some +very sensitive psychometrists, the psychic person "takes on" the condition +of the other person whose former article of clothing, trinket, etc., she +is holding. She will often actually experience the physical pain and +distress of the person, and will be able to indicate from what ailment the +person is suffering. Some persons attain great proficiency in this +direction, and are a great assistance to wise physicians who avail +themselves of their services. Some successful physicians themselves +possess this faculty well developed, and use it to great advantage, +though, as a rule they keep very quiet about it, from fear of creating +unfavorable comment from their fellow-physicians and from the general +public who "do not believe in such tom-foolery."</p> + +<p>A step further is the power of some psychometrists to correctly describe +the personal characteristics, and even the past history of persons with +whom they come in contact, or whose "associated article" they have in +their hands. Some very remarkable instances of this phase of psychometry +are related in the books containing the history of clairvoyance. An +interesting case is that related by Zschokke, the eminent German writer, +who relates in his autobiography his wonderful experience in this +direction. Listen to the story in his own words: "It has happened to me +occasionally at the first meeting with a total stranger, when I have been +listening in silence to his conversation, that his past life up to the +present moment, with many minute circumstances belonging to one or other +particular scene in it, has come across me like a dream, but distinctly, +entirely involuntarily and unsought, occupying in duration a few minutes. +For a long time I was disposed to consider these fleeting visions as a +trick of the fancy—the more so as my dream-vision displayed to me the +dress and movements of the actors, the appearance of the room, the +furniture, and other accidents of the scene; till on one occasion, in a +gamesome mood, I narrated to my family the secret history of a seamstress +who had just quitted the room. I had never seen the person before. +Nevertheless, the hearers were astonished, and laughed and would not be +persuaded but that I had a previous acquaintance with the former life of +the person, inasmuch as what I had stated was perfectly true.</p> + +<p>"I was not less astonished to find that my dream vision agreed with +reality. I then gave more attention to the subject, and as often as +propriety allowed of it, I related to those whose lives had so passed +before me the substance of my dream-vision, to obtain from them its +contradiction or confirmation. On every occasion its confirmation +followed, not without amazement on the part of those who gave it. On a +certain fair-day I went into the town of Waldshut accompanied by two young +foresters, who are still alive. It was evening, and, tired with our walk, +we went into an inn called the 'Vine.' We took our supper with a numerous +company at the public table, when it happened that they made themselves +merry over the peculiarities of the Swiss in connection with the belief in +mesmerism, Lavater's physiognomical system, and the like. One of my +companions, whose national pride was touched by their raillery, begged me +to make some reply, particularly in answer to a young man of superior +appearance who sat opposite, and had indulged in unrestrained ridicule.</p> + +<p>"It happened that the events of this person's life had just previously +passed before my mind. I turned to him with the question whether he would +reply to me with truth and candor, if I narrated to him the most secret +passages of his history, he being as little known to me as I to him. That +would, I suggested, go something beyond Lavater's physiognomical skill. He +promised that if I told the truth he would admit it openly. Then I +narrated the events with which my dream vision had furnished me, and the +table learned the history of the young tradesman's life, of his school +years, his peccadilloes, and finally, of a little act of roguery committed +by him on the strongbox of his employer. I described the uninhabited room +with its white walls, where to the right of the brown door there had stood +upon the table the small money-chest, etc. The man, much struck, admitted +the correctness of each circumstance—even, which I could not expect, of +the last."</p> + +<p>The above incident is typical of this class of psychometry, and many +persons have had at least flashes of this phase of the power. The only +remarkable thing about this particular case is its faithfulness regarding +details—this shows a very fine development of the astral sense. The +feature that makes it psychometric, instead of pure clairvoyance, is that +the presence of the other person was necessary to produce the +phenomenon—a bit of clothing would probably have answered as well. +Zschokke does not seem to have been able to manifest time-clairvoyance +independent of the presence of the person concerned—he needs the +associated link, or loose end of the psychic ball of yarn.</p> + +<p>Next in order in the list of the phenomena of psychometry is that in which +the psychometrist is able to describe a distant scene by means of a bit +of mineral, plant, or similar object, once located at that place. In such +cases, the psychometrist gets en rapport with the distant scene by means +of the connecting link mentioned. Having obtained this, he is able to +relate the events that are happening on that scene at that particular +moment. Some very interesting cases are mentioned in which the +psychometrist has been able to "spy" in on a certain place, by means of +some small article which has recently been located in that place. For +instance I once gave a young psychometrist a penholder from the office of +a lawyer, a friend of mine, located about eight hundred miles from the +psychometrist. She gave a perfect picture of the interior of the office, +the scene across the street visible from the office window, and certain +events that were happening in the office at that moment, which were +verified by careful inquiry as to persons and time. Every occultist, or +investigator of psychic phenomena has experienced many cases of this kind.</p> + +<p>Another phase of psychometry is that in which the psychometer is able to +sense the conditions existing underground, by means of a piece of mineral +or metal which originally was located there. Some wonderful instances of +phychometric discernment of mines, etc., have been recorded. In this phase +of psychometry, all that is needed is a piece of the coal, mineral or +metal which has come from the mine. Following up this psychic "lead" the +psychometrist is able to describe the veins or strata of the surrounding +land, although they have not yet been uncovered or discovered.</p> + +<p>Still another form of psychometric discernment is that in which the +psychometrist gets en rapport with the past history of an object, or of +its surroundings, by means of the object itself. In this way, the +psychometrist holding in his hand, or pressing to his head, a bullet from +a battle field, is able to picture the battle itself. Or, given a piece of +ancient pottery or stone implement, the psychometrist is able to picture +the time and peoples connected with the object in the past—sometimes +after many centuries are past. I once handed a good psychometrist a bit of +ornament taken from an Egyptian mummy over three thousand years old. +Though the psychometrist did not know what the object was, or from whence +it had come, she was able to picture not only the scenes in which the +Egyptian had lived, but also the scenes connected with the manufacture of +the ornament, some three hundred years before that time—for it turned out +that the ornament itself was an antique when the Egyptian had acquired it. +In another case, I had the psychometrist describe in detail the animal +life, and the physical phenomena, of the age in which a fossil had existed +when alive—many thousands of years ago. In the proper place in this book, +I will explain just how it is possible to penetrate the secrets of the +past by psychometric vision—that is to say, the psychic laws making the +same possible.</p> + +<p>Some of the most remarkable of recorded instances of this form of +psychometry known to the Western world are those related in the works of a +geologist named Denton, who some fifty years ago conducted a series of +investigations into the phenomena of psychometry. His recorded experiments +fill several volumes. Being a geologist, he was able to select the best +subjects for the experiments, and also to verify and decide upon the +accuracy of the reports given by the psychometrists. His wife, herself, +was a gifted psychometrist, and it has been said of her, by good +authority, that "she is able, by putting a piece of matter (whatever be +its nature) to her head, to see, either with her eyes closed or open, all +that the piece of matter, figuratively speaking, ever saw, heard, or +experienced." The following examples will give a good idea of the Denton +experiments, which are typical of this class of psychometry.</p> + +<p>Dr. Denton gave the psychometrist a small fragment broken from a large +meteorite. She held it to her head, and reported: "This is curious. There +is nothing at all to be seen. I feel as if I were in the air. No, not in +the air either, but in nothing, no place. I am utterly unable to describe +it; it seems high, however I feel as though I were rising, and my eyes are +carried upwards; but I look around in vain; there is nothing to be seen. I +see clouds, now, but nothing else. They are so close to me that I seem to +be in them. My head, and neck and eyes are affected. My eyes are carried +up, and I cannot roll them down. Now the clouds appear lighter and +lighter, and look as though the sunlight would burst through them. As the +clouds separate, I can see a star or two, and then the moon instead of the +sun. The moon seems near, and looks coarse and rough, and paler and larger +in size than I ever saw it before. What a strange feeling comes over me! +It appears as if I were going right to the moon, and it looks as if the +moon were coming to me. It affects me terribly."</p> + +<p>Dr. Denton adds: "She was too much affected to continue the experiment +longer. Had this aerolite at some period of its history, come within the +sphere of the moon's attraction, and had its velocity so increased that +its augmented centrifugal force had carried it off into space again, +whence, drawn by the superior attractive force of the earth, it had fallen +and ended its career forever?"</p> + +<p>At another time, Dr. Denton tested the psychometrist with a whalebone +walking cane. She supposed it to be wood, but when she began to report her +psychic impressions, they came as follows: "I feel as though I were a +monster. There is nothing of a tree about it, and it is useless for me to +go further. I feel like vomiting. Now I want to plunge into the water. I +believe that I am going to have a fit. My jaws are large enough to take +down a house at a gulp. I now know what this is—it is whalebone. I see +the inside of the whale's mouth. It has no teeth. It has a slimy look, but +I only get a glimpse of it. Now, I see the whole animal. What an awful +looking creature."</p> + +<p>Another time, Dr. Denton gave the psychometrist a minute piece of the +enamel of the tooth of a mastodon, which had been found thirty feet below +the surface of the earth. The psychometrist had not the slightest +knowledge of the character of the tiny flake of enamel handed her, but +nevertheless reported: "My impression is that it is a part of some +monstrous animal, probably part of a tooth. I feel like a perfect monster, +with heavy legs, unwieldy head, and very large body. I go down to a +shallow stream to drink. I can hardly speak, my jaws are so heavy. I feel +like getting down on all fours. What a noise comes through the woods. I +have an impulse to answer it. My ears are very large and leathery, and I +can almost fancy they flap in my face as I move my head. There are some +older ones than I. It seems so out of keeping to be talking with these +heavy jaws. They are dark brown, as if they had been completely tanned. +There is one old fellow, with large tusks, that looks very tough. I see +several younger ones. In fact, there is a whole herd. My upper lip moves +curiously; I can flap it up. It seems strange to me how it is done. There +is a plant growing here, higher than my head. It is nearly as thick as my +wrist, very juicy, sweet, and tender—something like green corn in taste, +but sweeter. It is not the taste it would have to a human being—oh no! it +is sickenish, and very unpleasant to the human taste." These instances +might be multiplied indefinitely, but the principle is the same in each. +In my own experience, I gave a small piece from the Great Pyramid of Egypt +to a psychometrist who was uneducated and who knew nothing of ancient +Egypt or its history. Notwithstanding this, she gave me such a detailed +and complete account of the life of ancient Egypt, which was in such +complete accordance with the opinions of the best authorities, that I +would hesitate about publishing the report, for it certainly would be +regarded as rank imposture by the average scientific authority. Some day, +however, I may publish this.</p> + +<p>There are no special directions to be given the student in psychometry. +All that can be done is to suggest that each person should try the +experiments for himself, in order to find out whether he has, or has not, +the psychometric faculty. It may be developed by the methods that will be +given to develop all psychic powers, in another part of this book. But +much will depend upon actual practice and exercise. Take strange objects, +and, sitting in a quiet room with the object held to your forehead, shut +out all thoughts of the outside world, and forget all personal affairs. In +a short time, if the conditions are all right, you will begin to have +flashes of scenes connected with the history of the object. At first +rather disconnected and more or less confused, there will soon come to you +a clearing away of the scene, and the pictures will become quite plain. +Practice will develop the power. Practice only when alone, or when in the +presence of some sympathetic friend or friends. Always avoid discordant +and inharmonious company when practicing psychic powers. The best +psychometrists usually keep the physical eyes closed when practicing their +power.</p> + +<p>You have doubtless heard the sensing of sealed letters spoken of as +clairvoyance. But this is merely one form of psychometry. The letter is a +very good connecting medium in psychometric experiments. I advise you to +begin your experiments with old letters. You will be surprised to discover +how readily you will begin to receive psychic impressions from the +letters, either from the person who wrote them, or from the place in which +they were written, or from some one connected with the subsequent history. +One of the most interesting experiments I ever witnessed in psychometry, +was a case in which a letter that had been forwarded from place to place, +until it had gone completely around the globe, was psychometrized by a +young Hindu maiden. Although ignorant of the outside world, she was able +to picture the people and scenery of every part of the globe in which the +letter had traveled. Her report was really an interesting "travelogue" of +a trip around the world, given in tabloid form. You may obtain some +interesting results in psychometrizing old letters—but always be +conscientious about it, and refrain from divulging the secrets that will +become yours in the course of these experiments. Be honorable on the +astral plane, as well as on the physical—more so, rather than less.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonVII"></a><h2>LESSON VII.</h2> + +<p>CLAIRVOYANT CRYSTAL GAZING.</p> +<br /> + +<p>As I have informed you in the preceding lesson, Crystal Gazing is the +second method of getting en rapport with the astral plane. Under the +general term "Crystal Gazing" I include the entire body of phenomena +connected with the use of the crystal, magic mirror, etc., the underlying +principle being the same in all of such cases.</p> + +<p>The crystal, etc., serves to focus the psychic energy of the person, in +such a way that the astral senses are induced to function more readily +than ordinarily. The student is cautioned against regarding the crystal, +or magic mirror, as possessing any particular magic power in itself. On +the contrary, the crystal, or magic mirror serves merely as a physical +instrument for the astral vision, just as the telescope or microscope +performs a similar office for the physical vision. Some persons are +superstitious regarding the crystal, and accord to it some weird +supernatural power, but the true occultist, understanding the laws of the +phenomena arising from its use, does not fall into this error.</p> + +<p>But, notwithstanding what I have just said, I would be neglecting my full +duty in the matter if I failed to call your attention to the fact that the +continued use of a particular crystal often has the effect of polarizing +its molecules so as to render it a far more efficient instrument as time +passes by. The longer the crystal is used by one person, the better does +it seem to serve the uses of that person. I agree with many users of the +crystal in their belief that each person should keep his crystal for his +own personal use, and not allow it to be used indiscriminately by +strangers or persons not in sympathy with occult thought. The crystal +tends to become polarized according to the requirements of the person +habitually using it, and it is foolish to allow this to be interfered +with.</p> + +<p>The use of crystals and other bright, shining objects, has been common to +psychic investigators of all times, and in practically all lands. In the +earlier days of the race, pieces of clear quartz or shining pebbles were +generally employed. Sometimes pieces of polished metal were so used. In +fact, nearly every object capable of being polished has been employed in +this way at some time, by some person. In our own day, the same condition +exists. In Australia the native sooth-sayers and magicians employ water +and other shining objects, and, in some cases, even bright flame, sparks, +or glowing embers. In New Zealand, the natives frequently employ drops of +blood held in the hollow of the hand. The Fijians fill a hole with water, +and gaze into it. South American tribes use the polished surface of black, +or dark colored stones. The American Indians use water, or shining pieces +or flint or quartz. Shining pieces of metal are frequently used by the +primitive races. Lang, writing on the subject, has said: "They stare into +a crystal ball; a cup; a mirror; a blot of ink (Egypt and India); a drop +of blood (the Maoris of New Zealand); a bowl of water (American Indians); +a pond (Roman and African); water in a glass bowl (Fez); or almost any +polished surface, etc."</p> + +<p>In the present-day revival of interest in crystal-gazing among the +wealthier classes of Europe and America, some of the high-priced teachers +have insisted upon their pupils purchasing pure crystal globes, claiming +that these alone are capable of serving the purpose fully. But, as such +crystals are very expensive, this advice has prevented many from +experimenting. But, the advice is erroneous, for any globe of clear +quartz, or even moulded glass, will serve the purpose equally well, and +there is no need of spending twenty-five to fifty dollars for a pure +crystal globe.</p> + +<p>For that matter, you may obtain very good results from the use of a +watch-crystal laid over a piece of black velvet. Some, today, use with the +best effect small polished pieces of silver or other bright metal. Others +follow the old plan of using a large drop of ink, poured into a small +butter plate. Some have small cups painted black on the inside, into which +they pour water—and obtain excellent results therefrom.</p> + +<p>Above all, I caution the student to pay no attention to instructions +regarding the necessity of performing incantations or ceremonies over the +crystal or other object employed in crystal-gazing. This is but a bit of +idle superstition, and serves no useful purpose except, possibly, that of +giving the person confidence in the thing. All ceremonies of this kind +have for their purpose merely the holding of the attention of the person +investigating, and giving him confidence in-the result—the latter having +a decided psychological value, of course.</p> + +<p>There are but few general directions necessary for the person wishing to +experiment in crystal gazing. The principal thing is to maintain quiet, +and an earnest, serious state of mind—do not make a merry game of it, if +you wish to obtain results. Again, always have the light behind your back, +instead of facing you. Gaze calmly at the crystal, but do not strain your +eyes. Do not try to avoid winking your eyes—there is a difference between +"gazing" and "staring," remember. Some good authorities advise making +funnels of the hands, and using them as you would a pair of opera glasses.</p> + +<p>In many cases, a number of trials are required before you will be able to +get good results. In others, at least some results are obtained at the +first trial. It is a good plan to try to bring into vision something that +you have already seen with the physical eyes—some familiar object. The +first sign of actual psychic seeing in the crystal usually appears as a +cloudy appearance, or "milky-mist," the crystal gradually losing its +transparency. In this milky cloud then gradually appears a form, or face, +or scene of some kind, more or less plainly defined. If you have ever +developed a photographic film or plate, you will know how the picture +gradually comes into view.</p> + +<p>W.T. Stead, the eminent English investigator of psychic phenomena, has +written as follows regarding the phenomena of crystal-gazing: "There are +some persons who cannot look into an ordinary globular bottle without +seeing pictures form themselves without any effort or will on their part, +in the crystal globe. Crystal-gazing seems to be the least dangerous and +most simple of all forms of experimenting. You simply look into a crystal +globe the size of a five-shilling piece, or a water-bottle which is full +of clear water, and which is placed so that too much light does not fall +upon it, and then simply look at it. You make no incantations, and engage +in no mumbo-jumbo business; you simply look at it for two or three +minutes, taking care not to tire yourself, winking as much as you please, +but fixing your thought upon whatever you wish to see. Then, if you have +the faculty, the glass will cloud over with a milky mist, and in the +centre the image is gradually precipitated in just the same way as a +photograph forms on the sensitive plate."</p> + +<p>The same authority relates the following interesting experiment with the +crystal: "Miss X., upon looking into the crystal on two occasions as a +test, to see if she could see me when she was several miles off, saw not +me, but a different friend of mine on each occasion. She had never seen +either of my friends before, but immediately identified them both on +seeing them afterward at my office. On one of the evenings on which we +experimented in the vain attempts to photograph a 'double,' I dined with +Madam C. and her friend at a neighboring restaurant. As she glanced at the +water-bottle, Madam C. saw a picture beginning to form, and, looking at it +from curiosity, described with considerable detail an elderly gentleman +whom she had never seen before, and whom I did not in the least recognize +from her description at the moment. Three hours afterward, when the seance +was over, Madam C., entered the room and recognized Mr. Elliott, of +Messrs. Elliott & Fry, as the gentleman whom she had seen and described in +the water-bottle at the restaurant. On another occasion the picture was +less agreeable; it was an old man lying dead in bed with some one weeping +at his feet; but who it was, or what it related to, no one knew."</p> + +<p>Andrew Lang, another prominent investigator of psychic phenomena, gives +the following interesting experiment in crystal-gazing: "I had given a +glass ball to a young lady, Miss Baillie, who had scarcely any success +with it. She lent it to Miss Leslie, who saw a large, square, +old-fashioned red sofa covered with muslin (which she, afterward found in +the next country-house she visited). Miss Baillie's brother, a young +athlete, laughed at these experiments, took the ball into his study, and +came back looking 'gey gash.' He admitted that he had seen a +vision—somebody he knew, under a lamp. He said that he would discover +during the week whether or not he had seen right. This was at 5:30 on a +Sunday afternoon. On Tuesday, Mr. Baillie was at a dance in a town forty +miles from his home, and met a Miss Preston. 'On Sunday,' he said, 'about +half-past-five, you were sitting under a standard lamp, in a dress I never +saw you wear, a blue blouse with lace over the shoulders, pouring out tea +for a man in blue serge, whose back was toward me, so that I only saw the +tip of his mustache.' 'Why, the blinds must have been up,' said Miss +Preston. 'I was at Dulby,' said Mr. Baillie, and he undeniably was."</p> + +<p>Miss X., the well-known contributor to the English magazine, "Borderland," +several years ago, made a somewhat extended inquiry into the phenomena of +crystal-gazing. From her experiments, she made the following +classification of the phenomena of crystal-vision, which I herewith +reproduce for your benefit. Her classification is as follows:</p> + +<p>1. Images of something unconsciously observed. New reproductions, +voluntary or spontaneous, and bringing no fresh knowledge to the mind.</p> + +<p>2. Images of ideas unconsciously acquired from others. Some memory or +imaginative effect, which does not come from the gazer's ordinary self. +Revivals of memory. Illustrations of thought.</p> + +<p>3. Images, clairvoyant or prophetic. Pictures giving information as to +something past, present, or future, which the gazer has no other chance of +knowing.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, each and every form or phase of clairvoyance possible +under other methods of inducing clairvoyant vision, is possible in +crystal-gazing. It is a mistake to consider crystal-gazing as a separate +and distinct form of psychic phenomena. Crystal-gazing is merely one +particular form or method of inducing psychic or clairvoyant vision. If +you will keep this in mind, you will avoid many common errors and +misunderstandings in the matter.</p> + +<p>In order to give you the benefit of as many points of view as possible, I +shall now quote from an old English writer on the subject of the use of +the crystal. I do this realizing that sometimes a particular student will +get more from one point of view, than from another—some particular +phrasing will seem to reach his understanding, where others fail. The +directions of the English authority are as follows:</p> + +<p>"What is desired through the regular use of the translucent sphere is to +cultivate a personal degree of clairvoyant power, so that visions of +things or events, past, present, and future, may appear clearly to the +interior vision, or eye of the soul. In the pursuit of this effort only, +the crystal becomes at once both a beautiful, interesting and harmless +channel of pleasure and instruction, shorn of dangers, and rendered +conducive to mental development.</p> + +<p>"To the attainment of this desirable end, attention is asked to the +following practical directions, which, if carefully followed, will lead to +success:</p> + +<p>"(1) Select a quiet room where you will be entirely undisturbed, taking +care that it is as far as possible free from mirrors, ornaments, +pictures, glaring colors, and the like, which may otherwise district the +attention. The room should be of comfortable temperature, in accordance +with the time of year, neither hot nor cold. About 60 to 65 deg. Fahr. is +suitable in most cases, though allowance can be made where necessary for +natural differences in the temperaments of various persons. Thus thin, +nervous, delicately-organized individuals, and those of lymphatic and +soft, easy-going, passive types, require a slightly warmer apartment than +the more positive class who are known by their dark eyes, hair and +complexion, combined with prominent joints. Should a fire, or any form of +artificial light be necessary, it should be well screened off, so as to +prevent the light rays from being reflected in, or in any manner directly +reaching the crystal. The room should not be dark, but rather shadowed, or +charged with a dull light, somewhat such as prevails on a cloudy or wet +day.</p> + +<p>"(2) The crystal should be placed on its stand on a table, or it may rest +on a black velvet cushion, but in either case it should be partially +surrounded by a black silk or similar wrap or screen, so adjusted as to +cut off any undesirable reflection. Before beginning to experiment, +remember that most frequently nothing will be seen on the first occasion, +and possibly not for several sittings; though some sitters, if strongly +gifted with psychic powers in a state of unconscious, and sometimes +conscious degree of unfoldment, may be fortunate enough to obtain good +results at the very first trial. If, therefore, nothing is perceived +during the first few attempts, do not despair or become impatient, or +imagine that you will never see anything. There is a royal road to crystal +vision, but it is open only to the combined password of Calmness, +Patience, and Perseverance. If at the first attempt to ride a bicycle, +failure ensues, the only way to learn is to pay attention to the necessary +rules, and to persevere daily until the ability to ride comes naturally. +Thus it is with the would-be seer. Persevere in accordance with these +simple directions, and success will sooner or later crown your efforts.</p> + +<p>"(3) Commence by sitting comfortably with the eyes fixed upon the crystal, +not by a fierce stare, but with a steady, calm gaze, for ten minutes only, +on the first occasion. In taking the time it is best to hang your watch at +a distance, where, while the face is clearly visible, the ticking is +rendered inaudible. When the time is up, carefully put the crystal away in +its case, and keep it in a dark place, under lock and key, allowing no one +but yourself to handle it. At the second sitting, which should be at the +same place, in the same position, and at the same time, you may increase +the length of the effort to fifteen minutes, and continue for this period +during the next five or six sittings, after which the time may be +gradually increased, but should in no case exceed one hour. The precise +order of repetition is always to be followed until the experimenter has +developed an almost automatic ability to readily obtain results, when it +needs no longer to be adhered to.</p> + +<p>"(4) Any person, or persons, admitted to the room, and allowed to remain +while you sit, should (a) keep absolute silence, and (b) remain seated at +a distance from you. When you have developed your latent powers, questions +may, of course, be put to you by one of those present, but even then in a +very gentle, or low and slow tone of voice; never suddenly, or in a +forceful manner.</p> + +<p>"(5) When you find the crystal begins to look dull or cloudy, with small +pin-points of light glittering therein, like tiny stars, you may know that +you are commencing to obtain that for which you seek—viz., crystalline +vision. Therefore, persevere with confidence. This condition may, or may +not, continue for several sittings, the crystal seeming at times to +alternately appear and disappear, as in a mist. By and by this hazy +appearance, in its turn, will give place quite suddenly to a blindness of +the senses to all else but a blue or bluish ocean of space, against which, +as if it were a background, the vision will be clearly apparent.</p> + +<p>"(6) The crystal should not be used soon after taking a meal, and care +should be taken in matters of diet to partake only of digestible foods, +and to avoid alcoholic beverages. Plain and nourishing food, and outdoor +exercise, with contentment of mind, or love of simplicity in living, are +great aids to success. Mental anxiety, or ill-health, are not conducive to +the desired end. Attention to correct, breathing is of importance.</p> + +<p>"(7) As regards the time at which events seen will come to pass, each seer +is usually impressed with regard thereto; but, as a general rule, visions +appearing in the extreme background indicate time more remote, either past +or future, than those perceived nearer at hand, while those appearing in +the foreground, or closer to the seer, denote the present or immediate +future.</p> + +<p>"(8) Two principal classes of vision will present themselves to the +sitter—(a) the Symbolic, indicated by the appearance of symbols such as a +flag, boat, knife, gold, etc., and (b) Actual Scenes and Personages, in +action or otherwise. Persons of a positive type of organization, the more +active, excitable, yet decided type, are most likely to perceive +symbolically, or allegorically; while those of a passive nature usually +receive direct or literal revelations. Both classes will find it necessary +to carefully cultivate truthfulness, unselfishness, gratitude for what is +shown, and absolute confidence in the love, wisdom, and guidance of God +Himself."</p> + +<p>As the student proceeds with the study of these lessons, he will become +acquainted with various details and methods concerned with the various +phases of clairvoyance, which knowledge he may then combine with the +above, the whole aiding him in the successful manifestation of the psychic +phenomena of crystal-gazing, which, as I have said, is merely one phase of +clairvoyance and under the same general laws and rules of manifestation. +Remember that present, past and future clairvoyance all is possible to +the highly developed crystal gazer.</p> + +<p>THE ASTRAL TUBE. Closely allied with the phenomena of crystal-gazing, +and that of psychometry, is that which occultists know as "the astral +tube," although this psychic channel may be developed in ordinary +clairvoyance by means of the power of concentrated attention, etc. I shall +not enter into a detailed or technical discussion of the astral tube, at +this place, but I wish to give you a general and comprehensive view of it +and its workings.</p> + +<p>In case of the strong concentration of the mind, in cases of psychometry +or crystal-gazing, a channel or "line of force" is set up in the astral +substance which composes the basis of the astral plane. This is like the +wake of a ship made on the surface of the water through which the ship has +passed. Or it is like a current of magnetic force in the ether. It is +caused by a polarization of the particles composing the astral substance, +which manifest in a current of intense vibrations in the astral substance, +which thus serve as a ready channel for the transmission of psychic force +or astral energy.</p> + +<p>The astral tube serves as a ready conductor of the vibrations, currents +and waves of energy on the astral plane which carry to the astral senses +of the person the perception of the things, objects and scenes far removed +from him in space and time. How these things far removed in space and time +are perceived by the astral seer is explained in subsequent lessons of +this course. At this place we are concerned merely with the "channel" +through which the currents of energy flow, and which has been called the +astral tube.</p> + +<p>As a writer well says: "Through the astral tube the astral senses actually +'sense' the sights, and often the sounds, being manifested at a distance, +just as one may see distant sights through a telescope, or hear distant +sounds through a telephone. The astral tube is used in a variety of forms +of psychic phenomena. It is often used unconsciously, and springs into +existence spontaneously, under the strong influence of a vivid emotion, +desire or will. It is used by the trained psychometrist, without the use +of any 'starting point,' or 'focal centre,' simply by the use of his +trained, developed and concentrated will. But its most familiar and common +use is in connection with some object serving as a starting point or focal +centre. The starting point or focal centre, above mentioned, is generally +either what is known as the 'associated object' in the class of phenomena +generally known as psychometry, or else a glass or crystal ball, or +similar polished surface, in what is known as crystal-gazing."</p> + +<p>Another authority tells his readers that: "Astral sight, when it is +cramped by being directed along what is practically a tube, is limited +very much as physical sight would be under similar circumstances, though +if possessed in perfection it will continue to show, even at that +distance, the auras, and therefore all the emotions and most of the +thoughts of the people under observation. * * * But, it may be said, the +mere fact that he is using astral sight ought to enable him to see things +from all sides at once. And so it would, if he were using that sight in a +normal way upon an object which was fairly near him—within his astral +reach, as it were; but at a distance of hundreds or thousands of miles the +case is very different. Astral sight gives us the advantage of an +additional dimension, but there is still such a thing as position in that +dimension, and it is naturally a potent factor in limiting the use of the +powers on that plane. * * * The limitations resemble those of a man using +a telescope on the physical plane. The experimenter, for example, has a +particular field of view which cannot be enlarged or altered; he is +looking at his scene from a certain direction, and he cannot suddenly turn +it all around and see how it looks from the other side. If he has +sufficient psychic energy to spare, he may drop altogether the telescope +he is using, and manufacture an entirely new one for himself which will +approach his objective somewhat differently; but this is not a course at +all likely to be adopted in practice."</p> + +<p>The student will find that, as we progress, many of these points which now +seem complicated and obscure will gradually take on the aspect of +simplicity and clearness. We must crawl before we can walk, in psychic +research as well as in everything else.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonVIII"></a><h2>LESSON VIII.</h2> + +<p>CLAIRVOYANT REVERIE.</p> +<br /> + +<p>In the preceding two chapters, I have asked you to consider the first two +methods of inducing the clairvoyant phenomena, namely, Psychometry, and +Crystal-Gazing, respectively. In these cases you have seen how the +clairvoyant gets en rapport with the astral plane by means of physical +objects, in the case of psychometric clairvoyance; or by means of a +shining object, in the case of crystal gazing. Let us now consider the +third method of inducing the clairvoyant condition or state, i.e., by +means of what may be called Clairvoyant Reverie, in which the clairvoyant +gets en rapport with the astral plane by means of psychic states in which +the sights, sounds and thoughts of the material and physical plane are +shut out of consciousness.</p> + +<p>The student of the general subject of clairvoyance will soon be impressed +with two facts concerning the production of clairvoyant phenomena, namely, +(1) that in the majority of the recorded cases of the investigators the +clairvoyant phenomena were obtained when the clairvoyant was in the state +of sleep, or at least semi-sleep or drowsiness, the visioning appearing +more or less like a vivid dream; and (2) that in the case of the +clairvoyant voluntarily entering en rapport with the astral plane, he or +she would enter into what seemed to be a kind of trance condition, in some +cases an absolute unconsciousness of the outside world being manifested. +The student, noting these facts, is apt to arrive at the conclusion that +all clairvoyance is accompanied by the condition of sleep, or trance, and +that no clairvoyant phenomena are possible unless this psychic condition +is first obtained. But this is only a half-truth as we shall see in a +moment.</p> + +<p>In the first place, the student arriving at this conclusion seems to have +ignored the fact that the phenomena of psychometry and crystal gazing, +respectively, are as true instances of clairvoyance as are those which are +manifested in the sleep or trance condition. It is true that some +psychometrists produce phenomena when they are in a state of psychic +quiescence, but, on the other hand, many clairvoyant psychometrists merely +concentrate the attention on the object before them, and remain perfectly +wide-awake and conscious on the physical plane. Likewise, the average +crystal gazer remains perfectly wide-awake and conscious on the physical +plane. When the student takes these facts into consideration, he begins to +see that the trance condition, and similar psychic states, are simply +particular methods of inducing the en rapport condition for the +clairvoyant, and are not inseparably bound up with the phenomena of +clairvoyance.</p> + +<p>As the student progresses, moreover, he will see that even in the case of +Clairvoyant Reverie, the third method of inducing the astral en rapport +condition, the clairvoyant does not always lose consciousness. In the case +of many advanced and exceptionally well-developed clairvoyants, no trance +or sleep condition is induced. In such cases the clairvoyant merely "shuts +out" the outside world of sights, sounds and thoughts, by an effort of +trained will, and then concentrates steadily on the phenomena of the +astral plane. For that matter, the skilled and advanced occultist is able +to function on the astral plane by simply shifting his consciousness from +one plane to another, as the typist shifts from the small letters of the +keyboard to the capital letters, by a mere pressure on the shift-key of +the typewriter.</p> + +<p>The only reason that many clairvoyants manifesting along the lines of the +third method, known as "clairvoyant reverie," fall into the trance or +sleep condition, is that they have not as yet acquired the rare art of +controlling their conscious attention at will—this is something that +requires great practice. They find it easier to drop into the condition of +semi-trance, or semi-sleep, than it is to deliberately shut out the outer +world by an act of pure will. Moreover, you will find that in the majority +of the recorded cases of the investigators, the clairvoyance was more or +less spontaneous on the part of the clairvoyant person, and was not +produced by an act of will. As we proceed to consider the various forms +and phases of clairvoyant phenomena, in these lessons, you will notice +this fact. There are but few recorded cases of voluntary clairvoyance in +the books of the investigators—the skilled clairvoyants, and more +particularly the advanced occultists, avoid the investigators rather than +seek them; they have no desire to be reported as "typical cases" of +interesting psychic phenomena—they leave that to the amateurs, and those +to whom the phenomena come as a wonderful revelation akin to a miracle. +This accounts for the apparent predominance of this form of +clairvoyance—the secret is that the net of the investigators has caught +only a certain kind of psychic fish, while the others escape attention.</p> + +<p>All this would be of no practical importance, however, were it not for the +fact that the average student is so impressed by the fact that he must +learn to induce the trance condition in order to manifest clairvoyant +phenomena, that he does not even think of attempting to do the work +otherwise. The power of auto-suggestion operates here, as you will see by +a moment's thought, and erects an obstacle to his advance along voluntary +lines. More than this, this mistaken idea tends to encourage the student +to cultivate the trance condition, or at least some abnormal psychic +condition, by artificial means. I am positively opposed to the inducing of +psychic conditions by artificial means, for I consider such practices most +injurious and harmful for the person using such methods. Outside of +anything else, it tends to render the person negative, psychically, +instead of positive—it tends to make him or her subject to the psychic +influence of others, on both the physical and astral plane, instead of +retaining his or her own self-control and mastery.</p> + +<p>The best authorities among the occultists instruct their pupils that the +state of clairvoyant reverie may be safely and effectively induced by the +practice of mental concentration alone. They advice positively against +artificial methods. A little common sense will show that they are right in +this matter. All that is needed is that the consciousness shall be focused +to a point—become "one pointed" as the Hindu Yogis say. The intelligent +practice of concentration accomplishes this, without the necessity of any +artificial methods of development, or the induction of abnormal psychic +states.</p> + +<p>If you will stop a moment and realize how easily you concentrate your +attention when you are witnessing an interesting play, or listening to a +beautiful rendition of some great masterpiece of musical composition, or +gazing at some miracle of art, you will see what I mean. In the cases just +mentioned, while your attention is completely occupied with the +interesting thing before you, so that you have almost completely shut out +the outer world of sound, sight and thought, you are, nevertheless, +perfectly wide awake and your consciousness is alert. The same thing is +true when you are reading a very interesting book—the world is shut out +from your consciousness, and you are oblivious to the sights and sounds +around you. At the risk of being considered flippant, I would remind you +of the common spectacle of two lovers so wrapped up in each other's +company that they forget that there is a smiling world of people around +them—time and space are forgotten to the two lovers—to them there is +only one world, with but two persons in it. Again, how often have you +fallen into what is known as a "brown study," or "day dream," in which you +have been so occupied with the thoughts and fancies floating through your +mind, that you forgot all else. Well, then, this will give you a +common-sense idea of the state that the occultists teach may be induced in +order to enter into the state of en rapport with the astral plane—the +state in which clairvoyance is possible. Whether you are seeking +clairvoyance by the method of psychometry, or by crystal gazing, or by +clairvoyant reverie—this will give you the key to the state. It is a +perfectly natural state—nothing abnormal about it, you will notice.</p> + +<p>To some who may think that I am laying too much stress on the +undesirability of artificial methods of inducing the clairvoyant +condition, I would say that they are probably not aware of the erroneous +and often harmful teachings on the subject that are being promulgated by +ignorant or misinformed teachers—"a little learning is a dangerous +thing," in many cases. It may surprise some of my students to learn that +some of this class of teachers are instructing their pupils to practice +methods of self-hypnosis by gazing steadily at a bright object until they +fall unconscious; or by gazing "cross eyed" at the tip of the nose, or at +an object held between the two eyebrows. These are familiar methods of +certain schools of hypnotism, and result in producing a state of +artificial hypnosis, more or less deep. Such a state is most undesirable, +not only by reason of its immediate effects, but also by reason of the +fact that it often results in a condition of abnormal sensitiveness to the +will of others, or even to the thoughts and feelings of others, on both +the astral and the physical planes of life. I emphatically warn my +students against any such practices, or anything resembling them.</p> + +<p>While I dislike to dwell on the subject, I feel that I should call the +attention of my students to the fact that certain teachers seek to produce +the abnormal psychic condition by means of exhausting breathing exercises, +which make the person dizzy and sleepy. This is all wrong. While rhythmic +breathing exercises have a certain value in psychic phenomena, and are +harmless when properly practiced, nevertheless such practices as those to +which I have alluded are harmful to the nervous system of the person, and +also tend to induce undesirable psychic conditions. Again, some teachers +have sought to have their students hold their breath for comparatively +long periods of time in order to bring about abnormal psychic states. The +slightest knowledge of physiology informs one that such a practice must be +harmful; it causes the blood to become thick and impure, and deficient in +oxygen. It certainly will produce a kind of drowsiness, for the same +reason that impure air in a room will do the same thing—in both cases the +blood stream is poisoned and made impure. The purpose of rational and +normal breathing is to obviate just this thing—so these teachers are +reversing a natural law of the body, in order to produce an abnormal +psychic state. With all the energy in me, I caution you against this kind +of thing.</p> + +<p>Along the same line, I protest and warn you against the practices advised +by certain teachers of "psychic development," who seek to have their +pupils induce abnormal physical and psychic conditions by means of drugs, +odor of certain chemicals, gases, etc. Such practices, as all true +occultists know, belong to the clans of the Black Magicians, or devil +worshippers, of the savage races—they have no place in true occult +teachings. Common sense alone should warn persons away from such +things—but it seems to fail some of them. I assert without fear of +intelligent contradiction, that no true occultist ever countenances any +such practices as these.</p> + +<p>All the true teachers are vigorous in their denunciation of such false +teachings and harmful practices. In this same category, I place the +methods which are taught by certain persons, namely, that of inducing +abnormal physical and psychic condition of giddiness and haziness by means +of "whirling" around in a circle until one drops from giddiness, or until +one "feels queer in the head." This is a revival of the practices of +certain fanatics in Persia and India, who perform it as a religious rite +until they fall into what they consider a "holy sleep," but which is +nothing more than an abnormal and unhealthful physical and psychic +condition. Such practices are a downward step, not an upward one. It seems +a pity that the necessity has arisen for such warnings as these—but my +duty, as I see it, is very plain. To all who are tempted to "develop" in +this way, I say, positively, "DON'T!"</p> + +<p>The scientific, rational way to develop the astral senses is to first +acquire the art of concentrating. Bear in mind that in concentration the +person, while shutting out the impressions of the outside world in +general, nevertheless focuses and concentrates his attention upon the one +matter before him. This is quite a different thing from making oneself +sensitive to every current of thought and feeling that may be in the +psychic atmosphere. True concentration renders one positive, while the +other methods render one negative. Contrary to the common opinion, psychic +concentration is a positive state, not a negative—an active state, not a +passive one. The person who is able to concentrate strongly is a master, +while one who opens himself to "control," either physical or astral, is +more or less of a slave to other minds.</p> + +<p>The student who will begin by experimenting along the lines of contact +mind-reading, and who then advances along the lines of true telepathy, as +explained in the earlier chapters of this book, will have made a good +start, and considerable progress, along the road to clairvoyant +development. The rest will be largely a matter of exercise and practice. +He will be aided by practicing concentration along the general lines of +the best occult teaching. Such practice may consist of concentration upon +almost any physical object, keeping the thing well before the mind and +attention. Do not tire the attention by practicing too long at one time. +The following general rules will help you in developing concentration:</p> + +<p>(1) The attention attaches more readily to interesting rather than +uninteresting things. Therefore, select some interesting thing to study +and analyze by concentrated thought.</p> + +<p>(2) The attention will decline in strength unless there is a variation in +the stimulus. Therefore, keep up the power of concentration by either +changing the object you are observing; or else by discovering some new +properties, qualities or attributes in it.</p> + +<p>(3) The things you wish to shut out of consciousness can best be shut out +by your concentration upon some other thing—the attention can dwell only +upon one thing at a time, if focused upon that one thing.</p> + +<p>(4) The power of applying your attention, steady and undissipated, to a +single object, is a mark of strong will and superior mental +discipline—weak-minds cannot do this. Therefore, in cultivating +concentrated attention you are really strengthening your mind and will.</p> + +<p>(5) To develop concentrated attention, you must learn to analyze, analyze, +and analyze the thing upon which you are bestowing concentrated attention. +Therefore, proceed by selecting an object and analyzing it by concentrated +attention, taking one part after another, one by one, until you have +analyzed and mastered the whole object. Give it the same attention that +the lover gives his loved one; the musician his favorite composition; the +artist his favorite work of art; and the booklover his favorite book—when +you have accomplished this, you have mastered concentration, and will be +able to apply the mind "one pointed" upon anything you wish, physical or +astral; and, consequently will have no trouble in shutting-out disturbing +impressions.</p> + +<p>(6) Learn to concentrate on the physical plane, and you will be able to +concentrate on the astral plane as well. By the one who has mastered +concentration, trances and abnormal psychic states will not be needed. The +needle-pointed mind is able to pierce the astral veil at will, while the +blunt-pointed mind is resisted and defeated by the astral envelope, which +while thin is very tough and unyielding.</p> + +<p>A well-known authority on psychic development has well said: "Occasional +flashes of clairvoyance sometimes come to the highly cultured and +spiritual-minded man, even though he may never have heard of the +possibility of training such a faculty. In his case such glimpses usually +signify that he is approaching that stage in his evolution when these +powers will naturally begin to manifest themselves. Their appearance +should serve as an additional stimulus to him to strive to maintain that +high standard of moral purity and mental balance without which +clairvoyance is a curse and not a blessing to its possessor. Between those +who are entirely unimpressionable and those who are in full possession of +clairvoyant power, there are many intermediate stages. Students often ask +how this clairvoyant faculty will first be manifested in themselves—how +they may know when they have reached the stage at which its first faint +foreshadowings are beginning to be visible. Cases differ so widely that it +is impossible to give to this question any answer that will be universally +applicable.</p> + +<p>"Some people begin by a plunge, as it were, and under some unusual +stimulus become able just for once to see some striking vision; and very +often in such a case, because the experience does not repeat itself, the +seer comes in time to believe that on that occasion he must have been the +victim of hallucination. Others begin by becoming intermittently conscious +of the brilliant colors and vibrations of the human aura; yet others find +themselves with increasing frequency seeing and hearing something to which +those around them are blind and deaf; others, again, see faces, +landscapes, or colored clouds floating before their eyes in the dark +before they sink to rest; while perhaps the commonest experience of all is +that of those who begin to recollect with greater and greater clearness +what they have seen and heard on other planes during sleep."</p> + +<p>The authority in question gives the following excellent advice regarding +the subject of the development of clairvoyant power and astral visioning: +"Now the fact is that there are many methods by which it may be developed, +but only one which can be at all safely recommended for general use—that +of which we shall speak last of all. Among the less advanced nations of +the world the clairvoyant state has been produced in various objectionable +ways; among some of the non-Aryan tribes of India, by the use of +intoxicating drugs or the inhaling of stupefying fumes; among the +dervishes, by whirling in a mad dance of religious fervor until vertigo +and insensibility supervene; among the followers of the abominable +practices of the Voodoo cult, by frightful sacrifices and loathsome rites +of black magic. Methods such as these are happily not in vogue in our own +race, yet even among us large numbers of dabblers in this ancient art +adopt some plan of self-hypnotization, such as gazing at a bright spot, or +the repetition of some formula until a condition of semi-stupefaction is +produced; while yet another school among them would endeavor to arrive at +similar results by the use of some of the Indian systems of regulation of +the breath. All these methods are unequivocally to be condemned as quite +unsafe for the practice of the ordinary man who has no idea of what he is +doing—who is simply making vague experiments in an unknown world. Even +the method of obtaining clairvoyance by allowing oneself to be mesmerized +by another person is one from which I should myself shrink with the most +decided distaste; and assuredly it should never be attempted except under +conditions of absolute trust and affection between the magnetizer and the +magnetized, and a perfection of purity in heart and soul, in mind and +intention, such as is rarely to be seen among any but the greatest of +saints.</p> + +<p>"Yet there is one practice which is advised by all religions alike—which +if adopted carefully and reverently can do no harm to any human being, yet +from which a very pure type of clairvoyance has sometimes been developed; +and that is the practice of meditation. Let a man choose a certain time +every day—a time when he can rely upon being quiet and undisturbed, +though preferably in the daytime rather than at night—and set himself at +that time to keep his mind for a few minutes entirely free from all +earthly thoughts of any kind whatever, and, when that is achieved, to +direct the whole force of his being towards the highest ideal that he +happens to know. He will find that to gain such perfect control of thought +is enormously more difficult than he supposes, but when he attains it it +cannot but be in every way most beneficial to him, and as he grows more +and more able to elevate and concentrate his thought, he may gradually +find that new worlds are opening before his sight. As a preliminary +training towards the satisfactory achievement of such meditation, he will +find it desirable to make a practice of concentration in the affairs of +daily life—even in the smallest of them. If he writes a letter, let him +think of nothing else but that letter until it is finished; if he reads a +book, let him see to it that his thought is never allowed to wander from +his author's meaning. He must learn to hold his mind in check, and to be +master of that also, as well as of his lower passions; he must patiently +labor to acquire absolute control of his thoughts, so that he will always +know exactly what he is thinking about, and why—so that he can use his +mind, and turn it or hold it still, as a practiced swordsman turns his +weapon where he will."</p> + +<p>I have given the above full quotation from this authority, not merely +because that from another angle he states the same general principles as +do I; but also because his personal experience in actual clairvoyant +phenomena is so extended and varied that any word from him on the subject +of the development of clairvoyant power must have a value of its own. +While I differ from this authority on some points of detail of theory and +practice, nevertheless I gladly testify to the soundness of his views as +above quoted, and pass them on to my students for careful consideration +and attention. The student will do well to heed what he has to say, and to +combine such opinion with what I have uttered in the earlier part of this +chapter—there will be found a close agreement in principle and practice.</p> + +<p>And, now let us pass on to a consideration of the various forms and phases +of the clairvoyant phenomena itself. The subject is fascinating, and I am +sure that you will enjoy this little excursion into the strange realm of +thought regarding the astral phenomena of clairvoyance. But, be sure to +master each lesson before proceeding to the rest, as otherwise you will +have to turn back the leaves of the course in order to pick up some point +of teaching that you have neglected.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonIX"></a><h2>LESSON IX.</h2> + +<p>SIMPLE CLAIRVOYANCE.</p> +<br /> + +<p>In a previous chapter we have seen that there are three well-defined +classes of clairvoyance, namely, (1) Simple clairvoyance; (2) Clairvoyance +in space; and (3) Clairvoyance in Time. I shall now consider these in +sequence, beginning with the first, Simple Clairvoyance.</p> + +<p>In simple clairvoyance the clairvoyant person merely senses the auric +emanations of other persons, such as the auric vibrations, colors, etc., +currents of thought vibrations, etc., but does not see events or scenes +removed in space or time from the observer. There are other phenomena +peculiar to this class of clairvoyance which I shall note as we progress +with this chapter.</p> + +<p>An authority on the subject of astral phenomena has written interestingly, +as follows, regarding some of the phases of simple clairvoyance: "When we +come to consider the additional facilities which it offers in the +observation of animate objects, we see still more clearly the advantages +of astral vision. It exhibits to the clairvoyant the aura of plants and +animals, and thus in the case of the latter their desires and emotions, +and whatever thoughts they may have, are all plainly shown before his +eyes. But it is in dealing with human beings that he will most appreciate +the value of this faculty, for he will often be able to help them far more +effectually when he guides himself by the information which it gives him.</p> + +<p>"He will be able to see the aura as far up as the astral body, and though +that leaves all the higher part of a man still hidden from his gaze, he +will nevertheless find it possible by careful observation to learn a good +deal about the higher part from what is within his reach. His capacity of +examination of the etheric double will give him considerable advantage in +locating and classifying any defects or diseases of the nervous system, +while from the appearance of the astral body he will at once be aware of +all the emotions, passions, desires and tendencies of the man before him, +and even of very many of his thoughts also.</p> + +<p>"As he looks at a person he will see him surrounded by the luminous mist +of the astral aura, flashing with all sorts of brilliant colors, and +constantly changing in hue and brilliancy with every variation of the +person's thoughts and feelings. He will see this aura flooded with the +beautiful rose-color of pure affection, the rich blue of devotional +feeling, the hard, dull brown of selfishness, the deep scarlet of anger, +the horrible lurid red of sensuality, the livid grey of fear, the black +clouds of hatred and malice, or any of the other hundredfold indications +so easily to be read in it by the practiced eye; and thus it will be +impossible for any persons to conceal from him the real state of their +feelings on any subject. Not only does the astral aura show him the +temporary result of the emotion passing through it at the moment, but it +also gives him, by an arrangement and proportion of its colors when in a +condition of comparative rest, a clue to the general disposition and +character of its owner."</p> + +<p>By simple clairvoyance in a certain stage of development the clairvoyant +person is able to sense the presence of the human aura, by means of his +astral sight. The human aura, as all students of occultism know, is that +peculiar emanation of astral vibrations that extends from each living +human being, surrounding him in an egg-shaped form for a distance of two +to three feet on all sides. This peculiar nebulous envelope is not visible +to the physical sight, and may be discerned only by means of the astral +senses. It, however, may be dimly "felt" by many persons coming into the +presence of other persons, and constitutes a personal atmosphere which is +sensed by other persons.</p> + +<p>The trained clairvoyant vision sees the human aura as a nebulous hazy +substance, like a luminous cloud, surrounding the person for two or three +feet on each side of his body, being more dense near the body and +gradually becoming less dense as it extends away from the body. It has a +phosphorescent appearance, with a peculiar tremulous motion manifesting +through its substance. The clairvoyant sees the human aura as composed of +all the colors of the spectrum, the combination shifting with the changing +mental and emotional states of the person. But, in a general way, it may +be said that each person has his or her or distinctive astral auric +colors, depending upon his or her general character or personality. Each +mental state, or emotional manifestation, has its own particular shade or +combination of shades of auric coloring. This beautiful kaleidoscopic +spectacle has its own meaning to the advanced occultist with clairvoyant +vision, for he is able to read the character and general mental states of +the person by means of studying his astral auric colors. I have explained +these auric colors, and their meanings, in my little book entitled "The +Human Aura."</p> + +<p>The human aura is not always in a state of calm phosphorescence, however. +On the contrary, it sometimes manifests great flames, like those of a +fiery furnace, which shoot forth in great tongues, and dart forth suddenly +in certain directions toward the objects attracting them. Under great +emotional excitement the auric flames move around in swift circling +whirlpools, or else swirl away from a centre. Again, it seems to throw +forth tiny glistening sparks of astral vibrations, some of which travel +for great distance.</p> + +<p>The clairvoyant vision is also able to discern what is called the "prana +aura" of a person. By this term is indicated that peculiar emanation of +vital force which surrounds the physical body of each and every person. In +fact, many persons of but slight clairvoyant power, who cannot sense the +auric colors, are able to perceive this prana-aura without trouble. It is +sometimes called the "health aura," or "physical aura." It is colorless, +or rather about the shade of clear glass, diamond, or water. It is +streaked with very minute, bristle-like lines. In a state of good health, +these fine lines are stiff like toothbrush bristles; while, in cases of +poor health, these lines droop, curl and present a furlike appearance. It +is sometimes filled with minute sparkling particles, like tiny electric +sparks in rapid vibratory motion.</p> + +<p>To the clairvoyant vision the prana-aura appears like the vibrating heated +air arising from a fire, or stove, or from the heated earth in summer. If +the student will close his eyes partially, and will peer through narrowed +eyelids, he will in all probability be able to perceive this prana-aura +surrounding the body of some healthy, vigorous person—particularly if the +person is sitting in a dim light. Looking closely, he will see the +peculiar vibratory motion, like heated air, at a distance of about two +inches from the body of the person. It requires a little practice in order +to acquire the knack of perceiving these vibrations—a little +experimenting in order to get just the right light on the person—but +practice will bring success, and you will be repaid for your trouble.</p> + +<p>In the same way, the student may by practice acquire the faculty to +perceiving his own prana-aura. The simplest way to obtain this last +mentioned result is to place your fingers (spread out in fan-shape) +against a black background, in a dim light. Then gaze at the fingers with +narrowed eyelids, and half-closed eyes. After a little practice, you will +see a fine thin line surrounding your fingers on all sides—a +semi-luminous border of prana-aura. In most cases this border of aura is +colorless, but sometimes a very pale yellowish hue is perceived. The +stronger the vital force of the person, the stronger and brighter will +this border of prana-aura appear. The aura surrounding the fingers will +appear very much like the semi-luminous radiance surrounding a gas-flame, +or the flame of a candle, which is familiar to nearly everyone.</p> + +<p>Another peculiar phenomenon of the astral plane, perceived by clairvoyants +of a certain degree of development, is that which is known as the +"thought-form." A thought-form is a specialized grouping of astral +substance, crystalized by the strong thought impulses or vibrations of a +person thinking, or manifesting strong emotional excitement. It is +generated in the aura of the person, in the first place, but is then +thrown off or emitted from the atmosphere of the person, and is sent off +into space. A thought-form is really but a strongly manifested thought or +feeling which has taken form in the astral substance. Its power and +duration depend upon the degree of force of the thought or feeling +manifesting it.</p> + +<p>These thought-forms differ very materially from one another in form and +general appearance. The most common form is that of a tiny series of +waves, similar to those caused by the dropping of a pebble in a pond of +water. Sometimes the thought-form takes on the appearance of a whirlpool, +rotating around a centre, and moving through space as well. Another form +is like that of the pin-wheel fireworks, swirling away from its centre as +it moves through space. Still another form is that of a whirling ring, +like that emitted from a smokestack of a locomotive, or the mouth of a +smoker—the familiar "ring" of the smoker. Others have the form and +appearance of semi-luminous globes, glowing like a giant opal.</p> + +<p>Other thought-forms are emitted in jet-like streams, like steam puffed out +from a tea-kettle. Again, it will appear as a series of short puffs of +steam-like appearance. Again, it will twist along like an eel or snake. +Another time it will twist its way like a corkscrew. At other times it +will appear as a bomb, or series of bombs projected from the aura of the +thinker. Sometimes, as in the case of a vigorous thinker or speaker, these +thought-form bombs will be seen to explode when they reach the aura of the +person addressed or thought of. Other forms appear like nebulous things +resembling an octopus, whose twining tentacles twist around the person to +whom they are directed.</p> + +<p>Each thought-form bears the same color that it possessed when generated in +the aura of its creator, though the colors seem to fade with time. Many of +them glow with a dull phosphorescence, instead of bright coloring. The +atmosphere of every person, and every place, is filled with various +thought-forms emanated from the person, or persons who inhabit the place. +Each building has its own distinctive thought-forms, which permeate its +mental atmosphere, and which are clearly discernible by trained +clairvoyant vision.</p> + +<p>I here take the liberty of quoting a few paragraphs from my little book +entitled "The Astral World," in which the phenomena of the astral plane +are explained in detail. I reproduce them here in order to show you what +you may see on the astral plane when your clairvoyant vision is +sufficiently developed to function there. The words are addressed to one +who is sensing on the astral, plane.</p> + +<p>"Notice that beautiful spiritual blue around that woman's head! And see +that ugly muddy red around that man passing her! Here comes an +intellectual giant—see that beautiful golden yellow around his head, like +a nimbus! But I don't exactly like that shade of red around his body—and +there is too marked an absence of blue in his aura! He lacks harmonious +development. Do you notice those great clouds of semi-luminous substance, +which are slowly floating along?—notice how the colors vary in them. +Those are clouds of thought-vibrations, representing the composite thought +of a multitude of people. Also notice how each body of thought is drawing +to itself little fragments of similar thought-forms and energy. You see +here the tendency of thought-forms to attract others of their kind—how +like the proverbial birds of a feather, they flock together—how thoughts +come home, bringing their friends with them—how each man creates his own +thought atmosphere.</p> + +<p>"Speaking of atmospheres, do you notice that each shop we pass has its own +peculiar thought-atmosphere? If you look into the houses on either side of +the street, you will see that the same thing is true. The very street +itself has its own atmosphere, created by the composite thought of those +inhabiting and frequenting it. No! do not pass down that side street—its +astral atmosphere is too depressing, and its colors too horrible and +disgusting for you to witness just now—you might get discouraged and fly +back to your physical body for relief. Look at those thought-forms flying +through the atmosphere! What a variety of form and coloring! Some most +beautiful, the majority quite neutral in tint, and occasionally a fierce, +fiery one tearing its way along toward its mark. Observe those whirling +and swirling thought-forms as they are thrown off from that +business-house. Across the street, notice that great octopus monster of a +thought-form, with its great tentacles striving to wind around persons and +draw them into that flashy dance-hall and dram-shop. A devilish monster +which we would do well to destroy. Turn your concentrated thought upon it, +and will it out of existence—there, that's the right way; watch it sicken +and shrivel! But, alas! more of its kind will come forth from that place."</p> + +<p>The above represents the sights common to the advanced occultist who +explores the astral plane either in his astral body, or else by means of +clairvoyant vision. To such a one, these sights are just as natural as +those of the physical plane to the person functioning by ordinary physical +senses. One is as natural as is the other—there is nothing supernatural +about either.</p> + +<p>But there are other, and even more wonderful attributes of astral +visioning than that which we have just related. Let us take a general +survey of these, so that you may be familiar with what you hope to see on +the astral plane, and which you will see when you have sufficiently +developed your clairvoyant powers.</p> + +<p>What would you think if you could "see through a brick wall?" Well, the +clairvoyant is able to do this. For that matter, the physical X Rays are +able to penetrate through solid substances, and the astral vibrations are +even more subtle than these. It seems strange to hear of this kind of +visioning as purely natural, doesn't it? It smacks strongly of the old +supernatural tales—but it is as simply natural as is the X Ray. The +advanced clairvoyant is able to see through the most solid objects, and +inside of anything, for that matter. The astral senses register the subtle +vibrations of the astral plane, just as the physical eye registers the +ordinary rays of light-energy. You are able to see through solid glass, +with the physical eye, are you not? Well, in the same way the clairvoyant +sees through solid steel or granite. It is all a matter of registering +vibrations of energy—nothing more, and nothing less.</p> + +<p>It is in this way that the trained clairvoyant is able to read from closed +books, sealed letters, etc. In the same way, he is able to pierce the +dense soil, and to see far down into the depths of the earth, subject to +certain limitations. Veins of coal, oil, and other substances have been +discovered clairvoyantly in this way. Not every clairvoyant is able to do +this, but the advanced ones have done it. In the same way, the trained +clairvoyant is able to see inside the bodies of sick persons, and to +diagnose their ailments, providing, of course, he is familiar with the +appearance of the organs in health and in disease, and has a sufficient +knowledge of physiology and pathology to interpret what he sees.</p> + +<p>An authority on the phenomena of the astral plane has written +entertainingly and correctly regarding this phase of simple clairvoyance, +as follows: "The possession of this extraordinary and scarcely expressible +power, then, must always be borne in mind through all that follows. It +lays every point in the interior of every solid body absolutely open to +the gaze of the seer, just as every point in the interior of a circle lies +open to the gaze of a man looking down upon it. But even this is by no +means all that it gives to its possessor. He sees not only the inside as +well as the outside of every object, but also its astral counterpart. +Every atom and molecule of physical matter has its corresponding astral +atoms and molecules, and the mass which is built up out of these is +clearly visible to the clairvoyant. Usually the astral form of any object +projects somewhat beyond the physical part of it, and thus metals, stones +and other things are seen surrounded by an astral aura.</p> + +<p>"It will be seen at once that even in the study of inorganic matter a man +gains immensely by the acquisition of this vision. Not only does he see +the astral part of the object at which he looks, which before was wholly +hidden from him; not only does he see much more of its physical +constitution than he did before, but even what was visible to him before +is now seen much more clearly and truly. * * * Another strange power of +which he may find himself in possession is that of magnifying at will the +minutest physical or astral particle to any desired size, as through a +microscope—though no microscope ever made, or ever likely to be made, +possesses even a thousandth part of this psychic magnifying power. By its +means the hypothetical molecule and atom postulated by science become +visible and living realities to the occult student, and on this closer +examination he finds them to be much more complex in their structure than +the scientific man has yet realized them to be. It also enables him to +follow with the closest attention and the most lively interest all kinds +of electrical, magnetic, and other etheric action; and when some of the +specialists in these branches of science are able to develop the power to +see these things whereof they write so facilely, some very wonderful and +beautiful revelations may be expected.</p> + +<p>"This is one of the SIDDIHIS or powers described in the Oriental +books as accruing to the man who devotes himself to spiritual development, +though the name under which it is there mentioned might not be immediately +recognizable. It is referred to as 'the power of making oneself large or +small at will,' and the reason of a description which appears so oddly to +reverse the fact is that in reality the method by which this feat is +performed is precisely that indicated in these ancient books. It is by the +use of temporary visual machinery of inconceivable minuteness that the +world of the infinitely little is so clearly seen; and in the same way (or +rather in the opposite way) it is by enormously increasing the size of the +machinery used that it becomes possible to increase the breadth of one's +view—in the physical sense as well as, let us hope, in the moral—far +beyond anything that science has ever dreamt of as possible for man. So +that the alteration in size is really in the vehicle of the student's +consciousness, and not in anything outside of himself; and the old +Oriental books have, after all, put the case more accurately than have we. +I have indicated, though only in the roughest outlines, what a trained +student, possessed of full astral vision, would see in the immensely wider +world to which that vision introduced him; but I have said nothing of the +stupendous change in his mental attitude which comes from the experimental +certainty regarding matters of paramount importance. The difference +between even the profoundest intellectual conviction, and the precise +knowledge gained by direct personal experience, must be felt in order to +be appreciated."</p> + +<p>Now, here at this place, I wish to call the attention of the student to +the fact that while the above stated, phenomena strictly belong to the +class of "simple clairvoyance," rather than to "space clairvoyance," or +"time clairvoyance" respectively, nevertheless the same phenomena may be +manifested in connection with that of these other classes of clairvoyance. +For instance, in space clairvoyance the trained clairvoyant is able not +only to perceive things happening at points far distant, but may also (if +highly developed psychically) be able to perceive the details just +mentioned as well as if he were at that distant point in person. Likewise, +in time clairvoyance, the clairvoyant may exercise the power of magnifying +vision regarding the object far distant in time, just as if he were living +in that time. So here as elsewhere we find the different classes of +phenomena shading and blending into each other. At the best, +classifications are useful principally for convenience in intellectual +consideration and reasoning.</p> + +<p>In the same way, the clairvoyant may manifest the above mentioned forms of +astral sensing in cases when the astral vision has been awakened by +psychometry, or by crystal gazing, as well as in those cases in which the +condition has been brought about through meditation, or similar methods.</p> + +<p>I would also call the attention of the student to the fact that in the +above description of the phenomena of simple clairvoyance I have made no +mention of the sights of the astral plane which often become visible to +the clairvoyant, and which have to do with astral bodies, astral shells, +the disembodied souls of those who have passed on to other planes of +existence, etc. I shall take up these matters in other parts of this +course, and shall not dwell upon them in this place. But, I wish you to +remember that the same power which enables you to sense other objects by +means of the astral scenes, is the same that is called into operation in +the cases to which I have just referred.</p> + +<p>The astral plane is a wonderful plane or field of being, containing many +strange and wonderful beings and things. The person living on the physical +plane may visit the astral plane in the astral body; and, again, he may +perceive the happenings and scenes of that plane by means of the awakened +and developed astral senses. Some clairvoyants find it easy to function in +one way, and some in another. It is reserved for the scientifically +developed clairvoyant to manifest the well-rounded power to perceive the +phenomena of the astral plane in its wonderful entirety.</p> + +<p>Finally, you will see by reference to other chapters of this book, that +one may manifest simple clairvoyant powers (as well as the more +complicated ones of time and space clairvoyance) not only in the ordinary +waking state, but also in the state of dreams. In fact, some of the most +striking psychic phenomena are manifested when the seer is in the dream +state. As we proceed, you will find that every phase of the great subject +will fit into its place, and will be found to blend with every other +phase. There will be found a logical harmony and unity of thought +pervading the whole subject. But we must use single bricks and stones as +we build—it is only in the completed structure that we may perceive the +harmonious unity.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonX"></a><h2>LESSON X.</h2> + +<p>CLAIRVOYANCE OF DISTANT SCENES.</p> +<br /> + +<p>Let us now consider the phenomena of the second class of clairvoyance, +namely, Clairvoyance in Space.</p> + +<p>In space clairvoyance the clairvoyant person senses scenes and events +removed in space from the observer—that is to say, scenes and events +situated outside of the range of the physical vision of the clairvoyant. +In this class also is included certain phenomena in which the clairvoyant +vision is able to discern things that may be concealed or obscured by +intervening material objects. Some of the many different forms and phases +of space clairvoyance are illustrated by the following examples, all taken +from the best sources.</p> + +<p>Bushnell relates the following well-known case of space clairvoyance: +"Capt. Yount, of Napa Valley, California, one midwinter's night had a +dream in which he saw what appeared to be a company of emigrants arrested +by the snows of the mountains, and perishing rapidly by cold and hunger. +He noted the very cast of the scenery, marked by a huge, perpendicular +front of white-rock cliff; he saw the men cutting off what appeared to be +tree-tops rising out of deep gulfs of snow; he distinguished the very +features of the persons, and their look of peculiar distress. He awoke +profoundly impressed by the distinctness and apparent reality of the +dream. He at length fell asleep, and dreamed exactly the same dream over +again. In the morning he could not expel it from his mind. Falling in +shortly after with an old hunter comrade, he told his story, and was only +the more deeply impressed by him recognizing without hesitation the +scenery of the dream. This comrade came over the Sierra by the Carson +Valley Pass, and declared that a spot in the Pass exactly answered his +description.</p> + +<p>"By this the unsophistical patriarch was decided. He immediately collected +a company of men, with mules and blankets and all necessary provisions. +The neighbors were laughing meantime at his credulity. 'No matter,' he +said, 'I am able to do this, and I will, for I verily believe that the +fact is according to my dream.' The men were sent into the mountains one +hundred and fifty miles distant, direct to the Carson Valley Pass. And +there they found the company exactly in the condition of the dream, and +brought in the remnant alive."</p> + +<p>In connection with this case, some leading, occultists are of the opinion +that the thought-waves from the minds of the distressed lost persons +reached Capt. Yount in his sleep, and awakened his subconscious attention. +Having natural clairvoyant power, though previously unaware of it, he +naturally directed his astral vision to the source of the mental currents, +and perceived clairvoyantly the scene described in the story. Not having +any acquaintance with any of the lost party, it was only by reason of the +mental currents of distress so sent out that his attention was attracted. +This is a very interesting case, because several psychic factors are +involved in it, as I have just said.</p> + +<p>In the following case, there is found a connecting link of acquaintance +with a person playing a prominent part in the scene, although there was no +conscious appeal to the clairvoyant, nor conscious interest on her part +regarding the case. The story is well-known, and appears in the +Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research. It runs as follows:</p> + +<p>Mrs. Broughton awoke one night in 1844, and roused her husband, telling +him that something dreadful had happened in France. He begged her to go +asleep again, and not trouble him. She assured him that she was not asleep +when she saw what she insisted on telling him—what she saw in fact. She +saw, first, a carriage accident, or rather, the scene of such an accident +which had occurred a few moments before. What she saw was the result of +the accident—a broken carriage, a crowd collected, a figure gently raised +and carried into the nearest house, then a figure lying on a bed, which +she recognized as the Duke of Orleans. Gradually friends collected around +the bed—among them several members of the French royal family—the queen, +then the king, all silently, tearfully, watching the evidently dying duke. +One man (she could see his back, but did not know who he was) was a +doctor. He stood bending over the duke, feeling his pulse, with his watch +in the other hand. And then all passed away, and she saw no more. "As +soon as it was daylight she wrote down in her journal all that she had +seen. It was before the days of the telegraph, and two or more days passed +before the newspapers announced 'The Death of the Duke of Orleans.' +Visiting Paris a short time afterwards, she saw and recognized the place +of the accident, and received the explanation of her impression. The +doctor who attended the dying duke was an old friend of hers, and as he +watched by the bed his mind had been constantly occupied with her and her +family."</p> + +<p>In many cases of clairvoyance of this kind, there is found to exist a +strong connecting link of mutual interest or affection, over which flows +the strong attention-arousing force of need or distress, which calls into +operation the clairvoyant visioning.</p> + +<p>In other cases there seems to be lacking any connecting link, although, +even in such cases there may be a subconscious link connecting the +clairvoyant with the scene or event. An interesting example of this last +mentioned phase is that related by W.T. Stead, the English editor and +author, as having happened to himself. Mr. Stead's recital follows:</p> + +<p>"I got into bed and was not able to go to sleep. I shut my eyes and waited +for sleep to come; instead of sleep, however, there came to me a +succession of curiously vivid clairvoyant pictures. There was no light in +the room, and it was perfectly dark; I had my eyes shut also. But, +notwithstanding the darkness, I suddenly was conscious of looking at a +scene of singular beauty. It was as if I saw a living miniature about the +size of a magic-lantern slide. At this moment I can recall the scene as if +I saw it again. It was a seaside piece. The moon was shining upon the +water, which rippled slowly on to the beach. Right before me a long mole +ran into the water. On either side of the mole irregular rocks stood up +above the sea-level. On the shore stood several houses, square and rude, +which resembled nothing that I had ever seen in house architecture. No one +was stirring, but the moon was there and the sea and the gleam of the +moonlight on the rippling waters, just as if I had been looking on the +actual scene. It was so beautiful that I remember thinking that if it +continued I should be so interested in looking at it that I should never +go asleep. I was wide awake, and at the same time that I saw the scene I +distinctly heard the dripping of the rain outside the window. Then, +suddenly without any apparent object or reason, the scene changed.</p> + +<p>"The moonlight sea vanished, and in us place I was looking right into the +interior of a reading-room. It seemed as if it had been used as a +school-room in the daytime, and was employed as a reading-room in the +evening. I remember seeing one reader who had a curious resemblance to Tim +Harrington, although it was not he, hold up a magazine or book in his hand +and laugh. It was not a picture—it was there. The scene was just as if +you were looking through an opera glass; you saw the play of the muscles, +the gleaming of the eye, every movement of the unknown persons in the +unnamed place into which you were gazing. I saw all that without opening +my eyes, nor did my eyes have anything to do with it. You see such things +as these as if it were with another sense which is more inside your head +than in your eyes. The pictures were apropos of nothing; they had been +suggested by nothing I had been reading or talking of; they simply came as +if I had been able to look through a glass at what was occurring somewhere +else in the world. I had my peep, and then it passed."</p> + +<p>An interesting case of space clairvoyance is that related of Swedenborg, +on the best authority. The story runs that in the latter part of +September, 1759, at four o'clock one Saturday afternoon, Swedenborg +arrived home from England, and disembarked at the town of Gothenburg. A +friend, Mr. W. Castel, met him and invited him to dinner, at which meal +there were fifteen persons gathered around the table in honor of the +guest. At six o'clock, Swedenborg went out a few minutes, returning to the +table shortly thereafter, looking pale and excited. When questioned by the +guests he replied that there was a fire at Stockholm, two hundred miles +distant, and that the fire was steadily spreading. He grew very restless, +and frequently left the room. He said that the house of one of his +friends, whose name he mentioned, was already in ashes, and that his own +was in danger. At eight o'clock, after he had been out again, he returned +crying out cheerfully, "Thank heaven! the fire is out, the third door +from my house!" The news of the strange happening greatly excited the +people of the town, and the city officials made inquiry regarding it. +Swedenborg was summoned before the authorities, and requested to relate in +detail what he had seen. Answering the questions put to him, he told when +and how the fire started; how it had begun; how, when and where it had +stopped; the time it had lasted; the number of houses destroyed or +damaged, and the number of persons injured. On the following Monday +morning a courier arrived from Stockholm, bringing news of the fire, +having left the town while it was still burning. On the next day after, +Tuesday morning, another courier arrived at the city hall with a full +report of the fire, which corresponded precisely with the vision of +Swedenborg. The fire had stopped precisely at eight o'clock, the very +minute that Swedenborg had so announced it to the company.</p> + +<p>A similar case is related by Stead, having been told to him by the wife of +a Dean in the Episcopal Church. He relates it as follows: "I was staying +in Virginia, some hundred miles away from home, when one morning about +eleven o'clock I felt an overpowering sleepiness, which drowsiness was +quite unusual, and which caused me to lie down. In my sleep I saw quite +distinctly my home in Richmond in flames. The fire had broken out in one +wing of the house, which I saw with dismay was where I kept all my best +dresses. The people were all trying to check the flames, but it was no +use. My husband was there, walking about before the burning house, +carrying a portrait in his hand. Everything was quite clear and distinct, +exactly as if I had actually been present and seen everything. After a +time, I woke up, and going down stairs told my friends the strange dream I +had had. They laughed at me, and made such game of my vision that I did my +best to think no more about it. I was traveling about, a day or two +passed, and when Sunday came I found myself in a church where some +relatives were worshipping. When I entered the pew they looked very +strange, and as soon as the service was over I asked them what was the +matter. 'Don't be alarmed,' they said, 'there is nothing serious.' Then +they handed me a post-card from my husband which simply said, 'House +burned out; covered by insurance.' The day was the date upon which my +dream occurred. I hastened home, and then I learned that everything had +happened exactly as I had seen it. The fire had broken out in the wing I +had seen blazing. My clothes were all burned, and the oddest thing about +it was that my husband, having rescued a favorite picture from the burning +building, had carried it about among the crowd for some time before he +could find a place in which to put it safely."</p> + +<p>Another case, related by Stead, the same authority, runs as follows: "The +father of a son who had sailed on the 'Strathmore,' an emigrant ship +outbound from the Clyde saw one night the ship foundering amid the waves, +and saw that his son, with some others, had escaped safely to a desert +island near which the wreck had taken place. He was so much impressed by +this vision that he wrote to the owner of the 'Strathmore' telling him +what he had seen. His information was scouted; but after a while the +'Strathmore' became overdue, and the owner became uneasy. Day followed +day, and still no tidings of the missing ship. Then like Pharaoh's butler, +the owner remembered his sins one day, and hunted up the letter describing +the vision. It supplied at least a theory to account for the ship's +disappearance. All outward-bound ships were requested to look out for any +survivors on the island indicated in the vision. These orders were obeyed, +and the survivors of the 'Strathmore' were found exactly where the father +had seen them."</p> + +<p>The Society for Psychical Research mentions another interesting case, as +follows: "Dr. Golinski, a physician of Kremeutchug, Russia, was taking an +after-dinner nap in the afternoon, about half-past three o'clock. He had a +vision in which he saw himself called out on a professional visit, which +took him to a little room with dark hangings. To the right of the door he +saw a chest of drawers, upon which rested a little paraffine lamp of +special pattern, different from anything he had ever seen before. On the +left of the door, he saw a woman suffering from a severe hemorrhage. He +then saw himself giving her professional treatment. Then he awoke, +suddenly, and saw that it was just half-past four o'clock. Within ten +minutes after he awoke, he was called out on a professional visit, and on +entering the bedroom he saw all the details that had appeared to him in +his vision. There was the chest of drawers—there was the peculiar +lamp—there was the woman on the bed, suffering from the hemorrhage. Upon +inquiry, he found that she had grown worse between three and four o'clock, +and had anxiously desired that he come to her about that time, finally +dispatching a messenger for him at half-past four, the moment at which he +awoke."</p> + +<p>Another, and a most peculiar, phase of space clairvoyance is that in which +certain persons so awaken the astral senses of other persons that these +persons perceive the first person—usually in the form of seemingly seeing +the person present in the immediate vicinity, just as one would see a +ghostly visitor. In some cases there is manifested double-clairvoyance, +both persons visioning clairvoyantly; in other cases, only the person +"visited" astrally senses the occurrence. The following cases illustrate +this form of space clairvoyance.</p> + +<p>W.T. Stead relates the case of a lady well known to him, who spontaneously +developed the power of awakening astral perception in others. She seemed +to "materialize" in their presence. Her power in this direction became a +source of considerable anxiety and worry to her friends to whom she would +pay unexpected and involuntary visits, frightening them out of their wits +by the appearance of her "ghost." They naturally thought that she had died +suddenly and had appeared to them in ghostly form. The lady, her self, +was totally unconscious of the appearance, though she admitted that at or +about the times of the appearances she had been thinking of her friends +whom she visited astrally.</p> + +<p>The German writer, Jung Stilling, mentions the case of a man of good +character who had developed power of this kind, but also was conscious of +his visits. He exerted the power consciously by an effort of will, it +seems. At one time he was consulted by the wife of a sea captain whose +husband was on a long voyage to Europe and Asia (sailing from America). +His ship was long overdue, and his wife was quite worried about him. She +consulted the gentleman in question, and he promised to do what he could +for her. Leaving the room he threw himself on a couch and was seen by the +lady (who peered through the half-opened door) to be in a state of +semi-trance. Finally he returned and told her that he had visited her +husband in a coffee-house in London, and gave her husband's reasons for +not writing, adding that her husband would soon return to America. When +her husband returned several months later, the wife asked him about the +matter. He informed her that the clairvoyant's report was correct in every +particular. Upon being introduced to the clairvoyant, the captain +manifested great surprise, saying that he had met the man in question on a +certain day in a coffee-house in London, and that the man had told him +that his wife was worried about him, and that he had told the man that he +had been prevented from writing for several reasons, and that he was on +the eve of beginning his return voyage to America. He added that when he +looked for the man a few moments afterwards, the stranger had apparently +lost himself in the crowd, disappeared and was seen no more by him.</p> + +<p>The Society for Psychical Research gives prominence to the celebrated case +of the member of the London Stock Exchange, whose identity it conceals +under the initials "S.H.B.," who possessed this power of voluntary +awakening of astral sight in others by means of his "appearance" to them. +The man relates his experience to the Society as follows: "One Sunday +night in November, 1881, I was in Kildare Gardens, when I willed very +strongly that I would visit in the spirit two lady friends, the Misses X., +who were living three miles off, in Hogarth Road. I willed that I should +do this at one o'clock in the morning, and having willed it, I went to +sleep. Next Thursday, when I first met my friends, the elder lady told me +that she woke up and saw my apparition advancing to her bedside. She +screamed and woke her sisters, who also saw me." (The report includes the +signed statement of the ladies, giving the time of the appearance, and the +details thereof.)</p> + +<p>"Again, on December 1, 1882, I was at Southall. At half-past nine I sat +down to endeavor to fix my mind so strongly upon the interior of a house +at Kew, where Miss V. and her sister lived, that I seemed to be actually +in the house. I was conscious, but was in a kind of mesmeric sleep. When +I went to bed that night, I willed to be in the front bedroom of that +house at Kew at twelve; and to make my presence felt by the inmates. Next +day I went to Kew. Miss V.'s married sister told me, without any prompting +from me, that she had seen me in the passage going from one room to +another at half-past nine o'clock, and that at twelve, when she was wide +awake, she saw me come to the front bedroom, where she slept, and take her +hair, which is very long, into my hand. She said I then took her hand, and +gazed into the palm intently. She said, 'You need not look at the lines, +for I never have any trouble.' She then woke her sister. When Mrs. L. told +me this, I took out the entry that I had made the previous night and read +it to her. Mrs. L. is quite sure she was not dreaming. She had only seen +me once before, two years previously. Again, on March 22, 1884, I wrote to +Mr. Gurney, of the Psychical Research Society, telling him that I was +going to make my presence felt by Miss V., at 44 Norland Square, at +midnight. Ten days afterwards, I saw Miss V., when she voluntarily told me +that on Saturday at midnight, she distinctly saw me, when she was quite +wide awake."</p> + +<p>The records of the psychic researchers are filled with numerous accounts +of cases in which similar astral projections have occurred when the person +was on his or her death-bed, but was still alive. It would seem that under +such circumstances the astral senses are very much freer from the +interference of the physical senses, and tend to manifest very strongly +in the form of appearances to persons in whom the dying person is attached +by the ties of affection. Many who read this course have known of cases of +this kind, for they are of quite frequent occurrence.</p> + +<p>The student will notice that in the majority of the cases cited in this +chapter the clairvoyant has been in a state of sleep, or semi-sleep—often +in a dream condition. But you must not jump to the conclusion that this +condition is always necessary for the manifestation of this phenomenon. On +the contrary, the advanced and well developed clairvoyants usually assume +merely a condition of deep reverie or meditation, shutting out the sounds +and thoughts of the physical plane, so as to be able to function better on +the astral plane.</p> + +<p>The reason that so many recorded cases have occurred when the clairvoyant +person was asleep, and the vision appeared as a dream, is simply because +in such a condition the physical senses of the person are stilled and at +rest, and there is less likelihood of interference from them, and a better +opportunity for the astral senses to function effectively. It is like the +familiar cases in which one becomes so wrapped up in viewing a beautiful +work of art, or in listening to a beautiful musical rendition, that he or +she forgets all about the sights and sounds of the world outside. One +sometimes gets into this same condition when reading an interesting book, +or when witnessing an interesting play. When the psychic powers are +concentrated upon any one channel of vision, the others fail to register +a clear impression. The same rule holds good on the astral plane, as on +the physical.</p> + +<p>There are certain psychic conditions which are especially conducive to the +manifestation of clairvoyant phenomena, as all students of the subject +know very well. These conditions are somewhat hard to induce, at least +until the clairvoyant has had considerable experience and practice. But, +in the state of sleep, the person induces the desired conditions, in many +cases, though he is not consciously doing so. As might naturally be +expected, therefore, the majority of the recorded cases of clairvoyance +have occurred when the clairvoyant person has been asleep.</p> + +<p>I should also state, once more, that in many cases in which the +clairvoyant has witnessed the "appearance" of another person, as in the +cases such as I have just mentioned, there is always the possibility of +the person having actually appeared in his astral body, unconsciously to +himself of course. No one but a skilled occultist is able to distinguish +between cases of this kind. The line between this class of clairvoyance +and astral appearance is very thin, and, in fact, the two classes of +phenomena shade and blend into each other. In reality, when one gets down +to bottom principles, there is very little difference between the actual +appearance in the astral body, and the strong projection of one's presence +by means of will, conscious or unconscious, along the lines of awakening +the clairvoyant vision of others. To attempt to explain the slight points +of difference here, would only involve the student in a mass of technical +description which would tend to confuse, rather than to enlighten +him—from this I refrain.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXI"></a><h2>LESSON XI.</h2> + +<p>CLAIRVOYANCE OF THE PAST</p> +<br /> + +<p>The third great class of clairvoyant phenomena, known as Time +Clairvoyance, is divided into two sub-classes, as follows: (1) Past-Time +Clairvoyance; and (2) Future-Time Clairvoyance. The characteristics of +each of these sub-classes is indicated by its name.</p> + +<p>Past-Time Clairvoyance, as indicated by the name, is that class of +clairvoyant phenomena which is concerned with the perception of facts, +events and happenings of past time. Whether the happening is that of five +minutes ago, or of five thousand years ago, the principles involved are +precisely the same. One is no more or less wonderful than is the other.</p> + +<p>Many students confess themselves perplexed when they are first confronted +with this class of phenomena. While they find it comparatively easy to see +how by astral vision the clairvoyant is able to sense events happening at +that moment, though thousands of miles away from the observer, they cannot +at first understand how one can "see" a thing no longer in existence, but +which disappeared from sight thousands of years ago. Naturally, they ask +to be informed how this is possible, before proceeding to develop the +faculty itself. Believing that this question is now being asked by you, +the student of these lessons, I shall pause for a few moments and show you +"just how" this wonderful thing becomes possible to the clairvoyant.</p> + +<p>In the first place, it would undoubtedly be impossible to perceive a +thing, even by astral vision, if it had entirely disappeared at some time +in the past—this would be beyond all natural powers, astral as well as +physical. But, as a matter of fact, the things of the past have not +entirely disappeared, but, on the contrary, while having disappeared on +the physical plane they still exist on the astral plane. I shall endeavor +to explain this wonderful fact of nature to you in plain terms, although +it belongs to one of the most mysterious classes of the occult facts of +the universe.</p> + +<p>In the occult teachings we find many references to "the Akashic Records," +or what is sometimes called "the records of the Astral Light." Without +going into technical occult definitions and explanations, I will say to +you that the gist of this occult teaching is that in that high form of the +universal substance which is called the Universal Ether there is found to +be recorded all the happenings of the entire World Cycle of which the +present time is a part. All that has happened from the very beginning of +this World Cycle, millions of years ago, is preserved on these astral +records, and may be read by the advanced clairvoyant or other person +possessing occult powers of this kind. These records perish only with the +termination of a World Cycle, which will not happen for millions of years +yet to come.</p> + +<p>To those who cannot accept the reasonableness of this occult fact, I would +say that there are analogies to be found on other planes of natural +manifestation. For instance, as astronomy teaches us, a star may be +blotted out of existence, and yet its light will persist long after +(perhaps until the end of world-time) traveling along at the rate of +186,000 miles each second. The light that we now see coming from the +distant stars has left those stars many years ago—in some cases thousands +of years ago. We see them not as they are now, but as they were at the +time the ray of light left them, many years ago; The astronomers inform us +that if one of these stars had been +[*Transcribers Note: Text missing from original] +sands) of years ago, we would still see it as in actual existence. In +fact, it is believed that some of these stars which we see twinkling at +night have actually been blotted out hundreds of years ago. We will not be +aware of this fact until the light rays suddenly cease reaching us, after +their journey of billions of miles and hundreds of years. A star blotted +out of existence today would be seen by our children, and children's +children.</p> + +<p>The heat from a stove will be felt in a room long after the stove has been +removed from it. A room will long contain the odor of something that has +been removed from it. It is said that in one of the old mosques of Persia +there may be perceived the faint odor of the musk that was exposed there +hundreds of years ago—the very walls are saturated with the pungent odor. +Again, is it not wonderful that our memories preserve the images of the +sounds and forms which were placed there perhaps fifty years and more +ago? How do these memory images survive and exist? Though we may have +thought of the past thing for half a lifetime, yet, suddenly its image +flashes into our consciousness. Surely this is as wonderful as the Akashic +Records, though its "commonness" makes it lose its wonderful appearance to +us.</p> + +<p>Camille Flammarion, the eminent French astronomer, in a book written over +twenty-five years ago, and which is now out of print, I believe, pictured +a possible condition of affairs in which a disembodied soul would be able +to perceive events that happened in the past, by simply taking a position +in space in which he would be able to catch the light-waves that emanated +from a distant planet at that particular time in the past the happenings +of which he wanted to perceive. The little book was called "Lumen"—I +advise you to read it, if you can find it in your public libraries.</p> + +<p>Another writer has written somewhat along the same lines. I herewith give +you a quotation from him, that you may get the idea he wishes to +express—it will help you in your conception of the Akashic Records. He +says: "When we see anything, whether it be the book we hold in our hands, +or a star millions of miles away, we do so by means of a vibration in the +ether, commonly called a ray of light, which passes from the object seen +to our eyes. Now the speed with which this vibration passes is so +great—about 186,000 miles in a second—that when we are considering any +object in our own world we may regard it as practically instantaneous. +When, however, we come to deal with interplanetary distances we have to +take the speed of light into consideration, for an appreciable period is +occupied in traversing these vast spaces. For example, it takes eight +minutes and a quarter for light to travel to us from the sun, so that when +we look at the solar orb we see it by means of a ray of light which left +it more than eight minutes ago. From this follows a very curious result. +The ray of light by which we see the sun can obviously report to us only +the state of affairs' which existed in that luminary when it started on +its journey, and would not be in the least affected by anything that +happened after it left; so that we really see the sun not as it is, but as +it was eight minutes ago. That is to say that if anything important took +place in the sun—the formation of a new sun-spot, for instance—an +astronomer who was watching the orb through his telescope at the time +would be unaware of the incident while it was happening, since the ray of +light bearing the news would not reach him until more than eight minutes +later.</p> + +<p>"The difference is more striking when we consider the fixed stars, because +in their case the distances are so enormously greater. The pole star, for +example, is so far off that light, traveling at the inconceivable speed +above mentioned, takes a little more than fifty years to reach our eyes; +and from that follows the strange but inevitable inference that we see the +pole star not as or where it is at this moment, but as and where it was +fifty years ago. Nay, if tomorrow some cosmic catastrophe were to shatter +the pole star into fragments, we should still see it peacefully shining in +the sky all the rest of our lives; our children would grow up to +middle-age and gather their children about them in turn before the news of +that tremendous accident reached any terrestial eye. In the same way there +are other stars so far distant that light takes thousands of years to +travel from them to us, and with reference to their condition our +information is therefore thousands of years behind time. Now carry the +argument a step farther. Suppose that we were able to place a man at the +distance of 186,000 miles from the earth, and yet to endow him with the +wonderful faculty of being able from that distance to see what was +happening here as clearly as though he were still close beside us. It is +evident that a man so placed would see everything a second after the time +it really happened, and so at the present moment he would be seeing what +happened a second ago. Double that distance, and he would be two seconds +behind time, and so on; remove him to the distance of the sun (still +allowing him to preserve the same mysterious power of sight) and he would +look down and watch you doing not what you are doing now, but what you +were doing eight minutes and a quarter ago. Carry him to the pole star, +and he would see passing before his eyes the events of fifty years ago; he +would be watching the childish gambols of those who at the same moment +were really middle-aged men. Marvellous as this may sound, it is +literally and scientifically true, and cannot be denied."</p> + +<p>Flammarion, in his story, called "Lumen," makes his spirit hero pass at +will along the ray of light from the earth, seeing the things of different +eras of earth-time. He even made him travel backward along that ray, thus +seeing the happenings in reverse order, as in a moving picture running +backward. This story is of the greatest interest to the occultist, for +while the Akashic Records are not the same as the light records, yet the +analogy is so marked in many ways that the occultist sees here another +exemplification of the old occult axiom that "as above, so below; as +below, so above."</p> + +<p>I take the liberty of quoting here from my little book, "The Astral +World," in order to give you some further idea of the nature of these +records in the Astral Light. The reader is supposed to be travelling in +his astral body, having the phenomena of the astral pointed out to him by +a competent occultist acting as his guide. The occultist-guide says to the +student: "Changing our vibrations, we find ourselves entering a strange +region, the nature of which you at first fail to discern. Pausing a moment +until your astral vision becomes attuned to the peculiar vibrations of +this region, you will find that you are becoming gradually aware of what +may be called an immense picture gallery, spreading out in all directions, +and apparently bearing a direct relation to every point of space on the +surface of the earth. At first, you find it difficult to decipher the +meaning of this great array of pictures. The trouble arises from the fact +that they are arranged not one after the other in sequence on a flat +plane; but rather in sequence, one after another, in a peculiar order +which may be called the order of 'X-ness in space,' because it is neither +the dimension of length, breadth, or depth—it is practically the order of +the fourth dimension in space, which cannot be described in terms of +ordinary spatial dimension. Again, you find upon closely examining the +pictures that they are very minute—practically microscopic in size—and +require the use of the peculiar magnifying power of astral vision to bring +them up to a size capable of being recognized by your faculty of visual +recognition.</p> + +<p>"The astral vision, when developed, is capable of magnifying any object, +material or astral, to an enormous degree—for instance, the trained +occultist is able to perceive the whirling atoms and corpuscles of matter, +by means of this peculiarity of astral vision. Likewise, he is able to +plainly perceive many fine vibrations of light which are invisible to the +ordinary sight. In fact, the peculiar Astral Light which pervades this +region is due to the power of the astral vision to perceive and register +these fine vibrations of light. Bring this power of magnifying into +operation, and you will see that each of the little points and details of +the great world picture so spread before you in the Astral Light is really +a complete scene of a certain place on earth, at a certain period in the +history of the earth. It resembles one of the small views in a series of +moving pictures—a single view of a roll-film. It is fixed, and not in +motion, and yet we can move forward along the fourth dimension, and thus +obtain a moving picture of the history of any point on the surface of the +earth, or even combine the various points into a large moving picture, in +the same way. Let us prove this by actual experiment. Close your eyes for +a moment, while we travel back in time (so to speak) along the series of +these astral records—for, indeed, they travel back to the beginning of +the history of the earth. Now open your eyes! Looking around you, you +perceive the pictured representation of strange scenes filled with persons +wearing a peculiar garb—but all is still, no life, no motion.</p> + +<p>"Now, let us move forward in time, at much higher rate than that in which +the astral views were registered. You now see flying before you the great +movement of life on a certain point of space, in a far distant age. From +birth to death you see the life of these strange people, all in the space +of a few moments. Great battles are fought, and cities rise before your +eyes, all in a great moving picture flying at a tremendous speed. Now +stop, and then let us move backward in time, still gazing at the moving +pictures. You see a strange sight, like that of 'reversing the film' in a +moving picture. You see everything moving backward—cities crumbling into +nothingness, men arising from their graves, and growing younger each +second until they are finally born as babes—everything moving backward in +time, instead of forward. You can thus witness any great historical event, +or follow the career of any great personage from birth to death—or +backward. You will notice, moreover, that everything is semi-transparent, +and that accordingly you can see the picture of what is going on inside of +buildings as well as outside of them. Nothing escapes the Astral Light +Records. Nothing can be concealed from it. By traveling to any point in +time, on the fourth dimension, you may begin at that point, and see a +moving picture of the history of any part of the earth from that time to +the present—or you may reverse the sequence by travelling backward, as we +have seen. You may also travel in the Astral, on ordinary space +dimensions, and thus see what happened simultaneously all over the earth, +at any special moment of past-time, if you wish."</p> + +<p>Now, I do not for a moment wish you to understand that the above +experience is possible to every clairvoyant who is able to sense past-time +events and happenings. On the contrary, the above experience is possible +only to the advanced occultist, or to the student whom he may take with +him on an astral trip, in the astral body. The clairvoyant merely catches +glimpses of certain phases and fields of the great astral record region or +state. For that matter, the ordinary clairvoyant merely sees a reflection +of the true Astral-Light pictures—a reflection similar to that of a +landscape reflected in a pond. Moreover, this reflection may be (and +frequently is) disturbed as if by the ripples and waves of the pond in +which the landscape is reflected. But, still, even the ordinary +clairvoyant is able to secure results which are wonderful enough in all +truth, and which far transcend the power of the person functioning on the +physical plane alone.</p> + +<p>Past-time clairvoyance is frequently induced by means of psychometry, in +which the clairvoyant is able to have "the loose end" to unwind the ball +of time. But, still, in some cases the clairvoyant is able to get en +rapport with the astral records of past-time by the ordinary methods of +meditation, etc. The main obstacle in the last mentioned case is the +difficulty of coming in contact with the exact period of past-time sought +for—in psychometry, the vibrations of the "associated object" supplies +the missing-link.</p> + +<p>Lacking the "associated object," the clairvoyant may obtain the link by +bringing into the imagination some associated scene of that +time—something else that happened about the same time. All that is needed +is to get hold of something associated in space or in time with the sought +for scene. All that is needed is the "loose end" of association. Sometimes +the clairvoyant senses some past-time experience, the place and time of +which is unknown to him. In such cases, it is necessary for him to get +hold of some "loose end" by which he may work out the solution. For +instance, the picture of a certain building or personage, or historical +happening, may give the key to the mystery.</p> + +<p>In very high forms of past-time clairvoyance, the clairvoyant is able not +only to perceive the actual happenings of the past, but also to actually +sense the thought and feelings of the actors therein—for these, too, are +recorded on the astral plane. In other cases, the clairvoyant person is +able to picture scenes and happenings relating to his past incarnations, +even though he is not able to sense other past-time events and scenes. +But, here again, many good past-time clairvoyants are not able to catch +these glimpses of their own past lives, though able to perceive those of +other persons. All these variations are due to certain technical +differences into which I cannot go into detail at this place. Again some +persons are able to perceive events that have happened to persons present +before them, but are not able to contact past-time events in the ordinary +way. There are a thousand-and-one variations in clairvoyant work. Only the +highly advanced occultist is master of all of them. But, still every one +may develop himself or herself, from humble beginnings.</p> + +<p>In concluding this lesson, I wish to call your attention to the following +advice from a man well advanced in the knowledge of the astral plane. He +says: "It would be well for all students to bear in mind that occultism is +the apotheosis of common-sense, and that every vision that comes to them +is not necessarily a picture from the Akashic Records, nor every +experience a revelation from on high. It is far better to err on the side +of healthy skepticism, than of over-credulity, and it is an admirable +rule never to hunt about for an occult explanation of anything when a +plain and obvious physical one is available. Our duty is to endeaveor to +keep our balance always, and never to lose our self-control, but to take a +reasonable, common-sense view of whatever may happen to us, so that we may +be wiser occultists, and more useful helpers than we have ever been +before.</p> + +<p>"We find examples of all degrees of the power to see into this 'memory of +nature,' from the trained man who can consult the records for himself at +will, down to the person who gets nothing but occasional vague glimpses, +or has perhaps had only once such glimpse. But even the man who possesses +this faculty only partially and occasionally still finds it of the deepest +interest. The psychometer, who needs an object physically connected with +the past in order to bring it all into life again around him; and the +crystal-gazer who can sometimes direct his less certain astral telescope +to some historic scene of long ago, may both derive the greatest enjoyment +from the exercise of their respective gifts, even though they may not +always understand exactly how their results are obtained, and may not have +them fully under control under all circumstances.</p> + +<p>"In many cases of the lower manifestations of these powers we find that +they are exercised unconsciously. Many a crystal-gazer watches scenes from +the past without being able to distinguish them from visions of the +present. And many a vaguely-psychic person finds pictures constantly +arising before his eyes, without ever realizing that he is in effect +psychometrizing the various objects around him, as he happens to touch +them or stand near them. An interesting variant of this class of psychics +is the man who is able to psychometrize persons only, and not inanimate +objects as is more usual. In most cases this faculty shows itself +erratically, so that such a psychic will, when introduced to a stranger, +often see in a flash some prominent event in that stranger's earlier life, +but on similar occasions will receive no special impression. More rarely +we meet with someone who gets detailed visions of the past life of nearly +everyone whom he encounters. It may easily happen, moreover, that a person +may see a picture of the past without recognizing it as such, unless there +happens to be in it something which attracts special attention, such as a +figure in armor, or in antique costume. Its probable, therefore, that +occasional glimpses of these astral reflections of the akashic records are +commoner than the published accounts would lead us to believe."</p> + +<p>I would say to my students, make haste slowly. Do not try to rush +development too rapidly. Perfect and develop yourself in one line of +psychic power, before seeking another. Take things cooly, and do not lose +your head because you happen to achieve some wonderful phenomena. Do not +become conceited and vain-glorious. And, finally, do not prostitute your +powers to ignoble ends, and make a cheap show of them. By cheapening and +prostituting the higher psychic powers, the student frequently ends by +losing them altogether. Moderation in all things is the safe policy. And +it always is well for the occultist to resist temptation to use his powers +for unworthy, sensational, or purely selfish purposes.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXII"></a><h2>LESSON XII.</h2> + +<p>CLAIRVOYANCE OF THE FUTURE</p> +<br /> + +<p>Future-Time Clairvoyance, as indicated by its name, is that class of +clairvoyant phenomena which is concerned with the perception of facts, +events and happenings of future time. In this class of clairvoyant +phenomena naturally fall all genuine cases of prophecy, prevision, +foretelling, second-sight, etc. History, theological and secular, is +filled with instances of the foretelling of the future by prophets, wise +men, and others. By many, such powers are generally regarded as +supernatural or divine. Without wishing to combat such theories and +beliefs, I would say that the advanced occultists account for all such +phenomena under the general laws of clairvoyance.</p> + +<p>But while the phenomena itself is very well known, and is accepted as +genuine in even many cases in which past-time clairvoyance is doubted, +still it is even more difficult to explain than is past-time clairvoyance +based on the Akashic Records or the Astral Light. To the person not well +versed in occult knowledge, and esoteric principles, it is deemed +impossible to intelligently account for the perception of an event before +it has actually happened—perhaps years before its actual happening. While +I cannot hope to make this matter absolutely clear to the person who is +not an advanced student of occultism, still I shall try to throw at least +some light on the underlying principles of this wonderful class of occult +phenomena. The main point for the student to realize is that there are +natural laws underlying this phenomenon, and that it is not a matter of +supernatural power, or necessarily of divine special dispensation.</p> + +<p>In the first place, in some of the simpler forms of future-time +clairvoyance, there is merely a high development of subconscious reasoning +from analogy. That is to say, the subconscious mental faculties of the +person reason out that such-and-so being the case, then it follows that +so-and-so will result, unless something entirely unexpected should prevent +or intervene. This is merely an extension of certain forms of reasoning +that we perform ordinarily. For instance, we see a child playing with a +sharp tool, and we naturally reason that it will cut itself. We see a man +acting in certain ways which generally lead to certain ends, and we +naturally reason that the expected result will occur. The more experience +that the observer has had, and the keener his faculty of perception and +his power of deductive reasoning, the wider will be the range of his power +in the direction of predicting future results from present happenings and +conditions.</p> + +<p>In this connection, we must remember that the ordinary clairvoyant has +easier access to his subconscious mentality than has the average person. +The subconscious mind perceives and notes many little things that the +conscious mind overlooks, and therefore has better data from which to +reason. Moreover, as all students of the subconscious know, these +wonderful subconscious mental factulties have a very highly developed +power of reasoning deductively from a given premise or fact. In fact, the +subconscious faculties are almost perfect reasoning machines, providing +they are supplied with correct data in the first place. Much of the +so-called "intuitive reasoning" of persons arises from the operations of +the subconscious mental faculties just mentioned.</p> + +<p>But, you may say, this is very interesting, but it is not clairvoyance. +Certainly, good student, but still clairvoyance plays an important part +even in this elementary form of prevision and future-seeing. You must +remember that by clairvoyant vision the real thoughts and feelings of a +person may be perceived. But, unless the attention of the clairvoyant is +specially directed to this, the conscious mind does not note it, and the +matter reaches the subconscious faculties without interference or +conscious knowledge on the part of the clairvoyant. This being so, it will +be seen that the subconscious mind of the clairvoyant is able to reason +deductively, in such cases, far beyond the power of even the subconscious +mind of the ordinary person—it has fuller data and more complete material +to work upon, of course.</p> + +<p>It has become a proverb of the race that "coming events cast their shadows +before"; and many persons frequently have little flashes of future-time +seeing without realizing that they are really exercising elementary +clairvoyant powers. The combination of even a simple form of clairvoyance +and an active subconscious mind will often produce very wonderful +results—although not of course the more complex phenomena of full +clairvoyance and prevision. Some persons have claimed that even this form +of prevision implies something like fate or predestination, but this is +not fully true, for we must remember the fact that in some cases it is +possible to so act in accordance with a clairvoyant warning of this kind +that the impending calamity may be escaped. But, on the other hand, we +must also remember that every event is the result of certain preceding +events, without which it could not have happened, and which existing it +must happen unless some new element intervenes. There is such a thing as +cause and effect, we must remember—and if we can reason clearly from one +to the other with sufficient clearness, then we may actually prophesy +certain things in advance, always making allowance for the intervention of +the unexpected.</p> + +<p>An authority says on this phase of the question: "There is no doubt +whatever that, just as what is happening now is the result of causes set +in motion in the past, so what will happen in the future will be the +result of causes already in operation. Even on this plane of life we can +calculate that if certain actions are performed, certain results will +follow; but our reckoning is constantly liable to be disturbed by the +interference of factors which we have not been able to take into account. +But if we raise our consciousness to the higher planes we can see much +further into the results of our actions. We can trace, for example, the +effect of a casual word, not only upon the person to whom it was +addressed, but through him on many others as it is passed on in widening +circles, until it seems to have affected the whole country; and one +glimpse of such a vision is more efficient than any number of moral +precepts in impressing upon us the necessity of extreme circumspection in +thought, word, and deed. Not only can we from that plane see thus fully +the result of every action, but we can also see where and in what way the +results of other actions apparently quite unconnected with it will +interfere with and modify it. In fact, it may be said that the results of +all causes at present in action are clearly visible—that the future, as +it would be if no entirely new causes should arise, lies open before our +gaze.</p> + +<p>"New causes of course do arise, because man's will is free; but in the +case of all ordinary people the use which they make of their freedom may +be calculated beforehand with considerable accuracy. The average man has +so little real will that he is very much the creature of circumstances; +his action in previous lives places him amid certain surroundings, and +their influence upon him is so very much the most important factor in his +life-story that his future course may be predicted with almost +mathematical certainty. With the developed man the case is different; for +him also the main events of life are arranged by his past actions, but the +way in which he will allow them to affect him, the methods by which he +will deal with them and perhaps triumph over them—these are all his own, +and they cannot be foreseen even on the mental plane except as +probabilities.</p> + +<p>"Looking down on man's life in this way from above, it seems as though his +free will could be exercised only in certain crises in his career. He +arrives at a point in his life where there are obviously two or three +alternative courses open before him; he is absolutely free to choose which +of them he pleases, and although someone who knew his nature thoroughly +well might feel almost certain what his choice would be, such knowledge on +his friend's part is in no sense a compelling force. But when he has +chosen, he has to go through with it and take the consequences; having +entered upon a particular path he may, in many cases, be forced to go on +for a very long time before he has any opportunity to turn aside. His +position is somewhat like that of a driver of a train; when he comes to a +junction he may have the points set either this way or that, and so can +pass on to whichever line he pleases, but when he has passed on to one of +them he is compelled to run on along the line which he has selected until +he reaches another set of points, where again an opportunity of choice is +offered to him."</p> + +<p>But, interesting and wonderful as this phase of future-time clairvoyance +undoubtedly is, it pales before the fuller and more complete phases. And, +in the latter, we must look elsewhere for the explanation—or approach to +an explanation. The explanation of this higher form of future-time +clairvoyance must be looked for in a new conception of the nature and +meaning of time. It is difficult to approach this question without +becoming at once involved in technical metaphysical discussion. As an +example of this difficulty, I invite you to consider the following from +Sir Oliver Lodge, in his address to the British Association, at Cardiff, +several years ago. While what he says is very clear to the mind of a +person trained along these lines of subtle thought, it will be almost like +Greek to the average person. Sir Oliver Lodge said:</p> + +<p>"A luminous and helpful idea is that time is but a relative mode of +regarding things; we progress through phenomena at a certain definite +pace, and this subjective advance we interpret in an objective manner, as +if events moved necessarily in this order and at this precise rate. But +that may be only one mode of regarding them. The events may be in some +sense of existence always, both past and future, and it may be we who are +arriving at them, not they which are happening. The analogy of a traveller +in a railway train is useful; if he could never leave the train nor alter +its pace he would probably consider the landscapes as necessarily +successive and be unable to conceive their co-existence * * * We perceive, +therefore, a possible fourth dimensional aspect about time, the +inexorableness of whose flow may be a natural part of our present +limitations. And if we once grasp the idea that past and future may be +actually existing, we can recognize that they may have a controlling +influence on all present action, and the two together may constitute the +'higher plane' or totality of things after which, as it seems to me, we +are impelled to seek, in connection with the directing of form or +determinism, and the action of living being consciously directed to a +definite and preconceived end."</p> + +<p>Sir Oliver's illustration is somewhat akin to that of a person who sees a +moving-picture show for the first time, and does not know how it is +produced. To him it looks as if the events of the pictured story actually +were developing and happening in time, whereas, in reality the whole +picture is existing at one time. Its past, present and future is already +pictured, and may be seen by one who knows the secret and how to look for +the past or future scene; while, to the ordinary observer, the scene +progresses in sequence, the present being followed by something else which +is at this moment "in the future," and therefore, unknowable. To the +senses of the ordinary observer only the present is in existence; while, +in fact, the "future" is equally truly in existence at the same time, +although not evident to the senses of the observer. Think over this a +little, and let the idea sink into your mind—it may help you to +understand something concerning the mystery of future-time clairvoyance, +prevision, or second-sight.</p> + +<p>Time, you know, is far more relative than we generally conceive it. It is +a scientific fact that a person in the dream state may cover years of +time in a dream that occupies only a few seconds of time. Persons have +nodded and awakened immediately afterwards (as proved by others present in +the room), and yet in that moment's time they have dreamed of long +journeys to foreign lands, great campaigns of war, etc. Moreover, a loud +sound (a pistol shot, for instance) which has awakened a sleeping person, +has also set into effect a dream-state train of circumstances, +constituting a long dream-state story which, after many events and +happenings, terminated in the shot of a firing-squad—and then the man +awoke. Now in this last mentioned case, not only has the dreamer +experienced events covering a long time, all in the space of a second of +time; but, also, the very sound which terminated the dream, also induced +it from the very beginning—the last thing caused the first things to +appear and proceed in sequence to the last! Persons under the influence of +chloroform, or "laughing gas," have similar experiences—often the first +sound heard at the moment of recovering consciousness seems to be the last +thing in a long dream which preceded it, though the long dream was really +caused by the final sound. Now, remember, that here not only did past, +present and future exist at the same moment of time; but, also, the future +caused the past and present to come into being.</p> + +<p>On the physical plane, we have analogies illustrating this fact. It is +said that in every acorn rests and exists, in miniature, the form of the +future oak. And, some go so far as to say that the oak is the "ultimate +cause" of the acorn—that the idea of the oak caused the acorn to be at +all. In the same way, the "idea" of the man must be in the infant boy, +from the moment of birth, and even from the moment of conception. +But, let us pass on to the bold conception of the most advanced +metaphysicians—they have a still more dazzling explanation, let us listen +to it.</p> + +<p>These occultists and metaphysicians who have thought long and deeply upon +the ultimate facts and nature of the universe, have dared to think that +there must exist some absolute consciousness—some absolute mind—which +must perceive the past, present and future of the universe as one +happening; as simultaneously and actively present at one moment of +absolute time. They reason that just as man may see as one happening of a +moment of his time some particular event which might appear as a year to +some minute form of life and mind—the microscopic creatures in a drop of +water, for instance; so that which seems as a year, or a hundred years, to +the mind of man may appear as the happening of a single moment of a higher +scale of time to some exalted Being or form of consciousness on a higher +plane. You remember that it is said that "a thousand years is but as a day +to the Lord;" and the Hindu Vedas tell us that "the creation, duration, +and destruction of the universe, is as but the time of the twinkling of an +eye to Brahman." I shall not proceed further along this line—I have given +you a very strong hint here; you must work it out for yourself, if you +feel so disposed. But there are certain consequences arising from this +ultimate universal fact, which I must mention before passing on.</p> + +<p>The high occult teachings hold that there is a plane of the higher astral +world which may be said to carry a reflection of the Universal Mind—just +as a lake contains a reflection of the distant mountain. Well, then, the +clairvoyant vision at times is able to penetrate to the realm of that +astral reflecting medium, and see somewhat dimly what is pictured there. +As the future may be discerned in this reflected picture, by the +clairvoyant mind, we see how future-seeing, prevision, and second-sight +may be explained scientifically.</p> + +<p>A writer has said: "On this plane, in some manner which down here is +totally inexplicable, the past, the present, and the future, are all there +existing simultaneously. One can only accept this fact, for its cause lies +in the faculty of that exalted plane, and the way in which this higher +faculty works is naturally quite incomprehensible to the physical brain. +Yet now and then one may meet with a hint that seems to bring us a trifle +nearer to a dim possibility of comprehension. When the pupil's +consciousness is fully developed upon this higher plane, therefore, +perfect prevision is possible to him, though he may not—nay, he certainly +will not—be able to bring the whole result of his sight through fully and +in order into his physical consciousness. Still, a great deal of clear +foresight is obviously within his power whenever he likes to exercise it; +and even when he is not exercising it, frequent flashes of foreknowledge +come through into his ordinary life, so that he often has an instantaneous +intuition as to how things will turn out."</p> + +<p>The same writer says: "Short of perfect prevision we find that all degrees +of this type of clairvoyance exist, from the occasional vague premonitions +which cannot in any true sense be called sight at all, up to frequent and +fairly complete second-sight. The faculty to which this latter somewhat +misleading name has been given is an extremely interesting one, and would +well repay more careful and systematic study than has hitherto been given +to it. It is best known to us as a not infrequent possession of the +Scottish Highlanders, though it is by no means confined to them. +Occasional instances of it have appeared in almost every nation, but it +has always been commonest among mountaineers and men of lonely life. With +us in England it is often spoken of as if it were the exclusive appanage +of the Celtic race, but in reality it has appeared among similarly +situated peoples the world over, it is stated, for example, to be very +common among the Westphalian peasantry.</p> + +<p>"Sometimes the second-sight consists of a picture clearly foreshowing some +coming event; more frequently, perhaps, the glimpse of the future is given +in some symbolical appearance. It is noteworthy that the events foreseen +are invariably unpleasant ones—death being the commonest of all; I do not +recollect a single instance in which the second-sight has shown anything +which was not of the most gloomy nature. It has a ghastly symbolism of +its own—a symbolism of shrouds and corpse-candles, and other funeral +horrors. In some cases it appears to be to a certain extent dependent upon +locality, for it is stated that inhabitants of the Isle of Skye who +possess the faculty often lose it when they leave the island, even though +it be only to cross to the mainland. The gift of such sight is sometimes +hereditary in a family for generations, but this is not an invariable +rule, for it often appears sporadically in one member of a family +otherwise free from its lugubrious influence.</p> + +<p>"There may be still some people who deny the possibility of prevision, but +such denial simply shows their ignorance of the evidence on the subject. +The large number of authenticated cases leave no room for doubt as to the +fact, but many of them are of such a nature as to render a reasonable +explanation by no means easy to find. It is evident that the Ego possesses +a certain amount of previsional faculty, and if the events foreseen were +always of great importance, one might suppose that an extraordinary +stimulus had enabled him for that occasion only to make a clear impression +of what he saw upon his lower personality. No doubt that is the +explanation of many of the cases in which death or grave disaster is +foreseen, but there are a large number of instances on record to which it +does not seem to apply, since the events foretold are frequently trivial +and unimportant."</p> + +<p>In the following chapter I shall present to your consideration some very +remarkable cases of future-time clairvoyance, prevision, or second-sight; +some of these are historical cases, and all are vouched for by the best +authorities. I quote these cases not merely for their own interesting +features, but also to give you an idea of how remarkable some of these +instances are; and also to give you a clear conception of the way in which +this form of clairvoyance tends to manifest itself.</p> + +<p>Before passing on to these interesting cases, however, I wish to remind +you that in future-time clairvoyance, as well as in past-time +clairvoyance, the phenomenon may be manifested in many ways and according +to several methods. That is to say, that in future-time clairvoyance the +vision may come in the state of meditation or reverie; it may come along +the lines of psychometry, some associated object or person supplying the +connecting link; or, again, it may come as the result of crystal-gazing, +etc. This is as we might naturally expect, for this form of clairvoyance +is merely one special and particular phase of clairvoyance in general, and +of course, comes under the general laws and rules governing all +clairvoyant phenomena.</p> + +<p>Future-time clairvoyance, prevision and second-sight may, like any other +form of clairvoyance, be developed and unfolded, by means of the same +rules and methods that I have already suggested to you in the preceding +lessons. It is all a matter of attention, application, patience, exercise +and practice. I may say, however, that the strong desire and wish for the +perception of future events, held firmly in mind during the practicing and +exercising, will tend to unfold and develop the clairvoyant faculties in +this particular direction. Strong desire, and earnest attention in the +desired direction, will do much to cultivate, develop and unfold any +psychic faculty.</p> + +<p>Just as meditation and reverie about past times and things tend to develop +past-time clairvoyance, so will meditation and reverie about future time +and things tend to develop prevision and the seeing of future things. +This, indeed, is the very first step toward the attainment of this form of +clairvoyance. The attention clears the psychic path, over which the astral +faculties travel. In the astral, as on the physical, the rule is: always +look where you are going—look ahead on the path over which you wish to +travel.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXIII"></a><h2>LESSON XIII.</h2> + +<p>SECOND-SIGHT, PREVISION, ETC.</p> +<br /> + +<p>Notwithstanding the difficulties in the way of an intelligent explanation +of the phenomena of future-time clairvoyance, second-sight, prevision, +etc., of which I have spoken in the preceding lesson, the human race has +always had a lively reminder of the existence of such phenomena; and the +records of the race have always contained many instances of the +manifestation thereof. Among all peoples, in all lands, in all times, +there have been noted remarkable instances of the power of certain persons +to peer into, and correctly report from, the mysterious regions of the +future. Passing from the traditional reports of the race, and the minor +instances known to almost every person, we find that the scientific +investigators of psychic phenomena have gathered together an enormous +array of well authenticated cases of this class. The reports of the +Society for Psychical research contain hundreds of such cases, which the +student may read and study with interest and profit.</p> + +<p>It is not my intention to present a full history of the reports of this +character. Rather, I shall call your attention to a few striking cases, in +order to illustrate the phenomenon clearly and forcibly. There is such a +wealth of material of this kind that it embarrases one who wishes to +select from it. However, I shall do the best I can in that direction. +Following, to commence with, I give you extracts from a well known case +reported by a prominent member of the Theosophical Society, which has +attracted much attention. It was related to this person by one of the +actors in the scene. It happened in India. A party of English army +officers was entering a dense jungle. Then follows the story, as below:</p> + +<p>"We plunged into the jungle, and had walked on for about an hour without +much success, when Cameron, who happened to be next to me, stopped +suddenly, turned pale as death, and, pointing straight before him, cried +in accents of horror: 'See! see! merciful heavens, look there!' 'Where? +what? what is it?' we all shouted confusedly, as we rushed up to him, and +looked around in expectation of encountering a tiger—a cobra—we hardly +knew what, but assuredly something terrible, since it had been sufficient +to cause such evident emotion in our usually self-contained comrade. But +neither tiger nor cobra was visible—nothing but Cameron pointing with +ghastly haggard face and starting eyeballs at something we could not see.</p> + +<p>"'Cameron! Cameron!' cried I, seizing his arm, 'for heavens sake speak! +What is the matter?' Scarcely were the words out of my mouth when a low +but very peculiar sound struck upon my ear, and Cameron, dropping his +pointing hand, said in a hoarse, strained voice, 'There! you heard it? +Thank God it's over!' and fell to the ground insensible. There was a +momentary confusion while we unfastened his collar, and I dashed in his +face some water which I fortunately had in my flask, while another tried +to pour brandy between his clenched teeth; and under cover of it I +whispered to the man next to me (one of our greatest skeptics, by the +way), 'Beauchamp, did you hear anything?' 'Why, yes,' he replied, 'a +curious sound, very; a sort of crash or rattle far away in the distance, +yet very distinct; if the thing were not utterly impossible, I could have +sworn that it was the rattle of musketry.' 'Just my impression,' murmured +I; 'but hush! he is recovering.'</p> + +<p>"In a minute or two he was able to speak feebly, and began to thank us and +apologize for giving trouble; and soon he sat up, leaning against a tree, +and in a firm, though low voice said: 'My dear friends, I feel that I owe +you an explanation of my extraordinary behavior. It is an explanation that +I would fain avoid giving; but it must come some time, and so may as well +be given now. You may perhaps have noticed that when during our voyage you +all joined in scoffing at dreams, portents and visions, I invariably +avoided giving any opinion on the subject. I did so because, while I had +no desire to court ridicule or provoke discussion, I was unable to agree +with you, knowing only too well from my own dread experience that the +world which men agree to call that of the supernatural is just as real +as—nay, perhaps even more real than—this world we see about us. In other +words, I, like many of my countrymen, am cursed with the gift of +second-sight—that awful faculty which foretells in vision calamities +that are shortly to occur.</p> + +<p>"'Such a vision I had just now, and its exceptional horror moved me as you +have seen. I saw before me a corpse—not that of one who has died a +peaceful, natural death, but that of the victim of some terrible accident; +a ghastly, shapeless mass, with a face swollen, crushed, unrecognizable. I +saw this dreadful object placed in a coffin, and the funeral service +performed over it. I saw the burial-ground, I saw the clergyman: and +though I had never seen either before, I can picture both perfectly in my +mind's eye now; I saw you, myself, Beauchamp, all of us and many more, +standing round as mourners; I saw the soldiers raise their muskets after +the service was over; I heard the volley they fired—and then I knew no +more.' As he spoke of that volley of musketry I glanced across with a +shudder at Beauchamp, and the look of stony horror on that handsome +skeptic's face was not to be forgotten."</p> + +<p>Omitting the somewhat long recital of events which followed, I would say +that later in the same day the party of young officers and soldiers +discovered the body of their commanding officer in the shocking condition +so vividly and graphically described by young Cameron. The story proceeds +as follows:</p> + +<p>"When, on the following evening, we arrived at our destination, and our +melancholy deposition had been taken down by the proper authorities, +Cameron and I went out for a quiet walk, to endeavor with the assistance +of the soothing influence of nature to shake off something of the gloom +which paralyzed our spirits. Suddenly he clutched my arm, and, pointing +through some rude railings, said in a trembling voice, 'Yes, there it is! +that is the burial-ground of yesterday.' And, when later on we were +introduced to the chaplain of the post, I noticed, though my friends did +not, the irrepressible shudder with which Cameron took his hand, and I +knew that he had recognized the clergyman of his vision."</p> + +<p>The story concludes with the statement that in all the little details, as +well as the main points, the scene at the burial of the commanding officer +corresponded exactly with the vision of Cameron. This story brings out the +fact that the Scotch people are especially given to manifestations of +second-sight—particularly the Highlanders or mountain people of that +land. It is hard to find a Scotchman, who, in his heart, does not believe +in second-sight, and who has not known of some well authenticated instance +of its manifestation. In other lands, certain races, or sub-races, seem to +be specially favored (or cursed, as Cameron asserted) with this power. It +will be noticed, usually, that such people dwell, or have dwelt in the +highlands or mountains of their country. There seems to be something in +the mountains and hills which tends to develop and encourage this power in +those dwelling among them. The story is also remarkable in the fact that +the impression was so strong in the mind of Cameron that it actually +communicated itself by clairaudience to those near to him—this is quite +unusual, though not without correspondence in other cases. Otherwise, the +case is merely a typical one, and may be duplicated in the experience of +thousands of other men and women.</p> + +<p>George Fox, the pioneer Quaker, had this faculty well developed, and +numerous instances of its manifestation by him are recorded. For instance, +he foretold the death of Cromwell, when he met him riding at Hampton +Court; he said that he felt "a waft of death" around and about Cromwell; +and Cromwell died shortly afterwards. Fox also publicly foretold the +dissolution of the Rump Parliament of England; the restoration of Charles +II; and the Great Fire of London—these are historical facts, remember. +For that matter, history contains many instances of this kind: the +prophecy of Caesar's death, and its further prevision by his wife, for +instance. The Bible prophecies and predictions, major and minor, give us +semi-historical instances.</p> + +<p>A celebrated historical instance of remarkable second-sight and prevision, +is that of Cazotte, whose wonderful prediction and its literal fulfilment +are matters of French history. Dumas has woven the fact into one of his +stories, in a dramatic manner—but even so he does not make the tale any +more wonderful than the bare facts. Here is the recital of the case by La +Harpe, the French writer, who was a personal witness of the occurrence, +and whose testimony was corroborated by many others who were present at +the time. La Harpe says:</p> + +<p>"It appears as but yesterday, and yet, nevertheless, it was at the +beginning of the year 1788. We were dining with one of our brethren at the +Academy—a man of considerable wealth and genius. The conversation became +serious; much admiration was expressed on the revolution in thought which +Voltaire had effected, and it was agreed that it was his first claim to +the reputation he enjoyed. We concluded that the revolution must soon be +consummated; that it was indispensible that superstition and fanaticism +should give way to philosophy, and we began to calculate the probability +of the period when this should be, and which of the present company should +live to see it. The oldest complained that they could scarcely flatter +themselves with the hope; the younger rejoiced that they might entertain +this very probable expectation; and they congratulated the Academy +especially for having prepared this great work, and for having been the +rallying point, the centre, and the prime mover of the liberty of thought.</p> + +<p>"One only of the guests had not taken part in all the joyousness of this +conversation, and had even gently and cheerfully checked our splendid +enthusiasm. This was Cazotte, an amiable and original man, but unhappily +infatuated with the reveries of the illumaniti. He spoke, and with the +most serious tone, saying: 'Gentleman, be satisfied; you will all see this +great and sublime revolution, which you so much desire. You know that I am +a little inclined to prophesy; I repeat, you will see it,' He was answered +by the common rejoinder: 'One need not be a conjuror to see that.' He +answered: 'Be it so; but perhaps one must be a little more than conjuror +for what remains for me to tell you. Do you know what will be the +consequences of this revolution—what will be the consequence to all of +you, and what will be the immediate result—the well-established +effect—the thoroughly recognized consequences to all of you who are here +present?'</p> + +<p>"'Ah' said Condorcet, with his insolent and half-suppressed smile, 'let us +hear—a philosopher is not sorry to encounter a prophet—let us hear!' +Cazotte replied: 'You, Monsier de Condorcet—you will yield up your last +breath on the floor of a dungeon; you will die from poison, which you will +have taken in order to escape from execution—from poison which the +happiness of that time will oblige you to carry about your person. You, +Monsieur de Chamfort, you will open your veins with twenty-two cuts of a +razor, and yet will not die till some months afterward.' These personages +looked at each other, and laughed again. Cazotte continued: 'You, Monsieur +Vicq d'Azir, you will not open your own veins, but you will cause yourself +to be bled six times in one day, during a paroxysm of the gout, in order +to make more sure of your end, and you will die in the night.'</p> + +<p>"Cazotte went on: 'You, Monsieur de Nicolai, you will die on the scaffold; +you, Monsieur Bailly, on the scaffold; you, Monsieur de Malesherbes, on +the scaffold. 'Ah, God be thanked,' exclaimed Roucher, 'and what of I?' +Cazotte replied: 'You? you also will die on the scaffold.' 'Yes,' replied +Chamfort, 'but when will all this happen?' Cazotte answered: 'Six years +will not pass over, before all that I have said to you shall be +accomplished.' Here I (La Harpe) spoke, saying: 'Here are some astonishing +miracles, but you have not included me in your list.' Cazotte answered me, +saying: 'But you will be there, as an equally extraordinary miracle; you +will then be a Christian!' Vehement exclamations on all sides followed +this startling assertion. 'Ah!' said Chamfort, 'I am conforted; if we +shall perish only when La Harpe shall be a Christian, we are immortal;'</p> + +<p>"Then observed Madame la Duchesse de Grammont: 'As for that, we women, we +are happy to be counted for nothing in these revolutions: when I say for +nothing, it is not that we do not always mix ourselves up with them a +little; but it is a received maxim that they take no notice of us, and of +our sex.' 'Your sex, ladies' said Cazotte, 'your sex will not protect you +this time; and you had far better meddle with nothing, for you will be +treated entirely as men, without any difference whatever.' 'But what, +then, are you really telling us of Monsieur Cazotte? You are preaching to +us the end of the world.' 'I know nothing on that subject; but what I do +know is, that you Madame la Duchesse, will be conducted to the scaffold, +you and many other ladies with you, in the cart of the executioner, and +with your hands tied behind your backs. 'Ah! I hope that in that case, I +shall at least have a carriage hung in black.' 'No, madame; higher ladies +than yourself will go, like you, in the common car, with their hands tied +behind them.' 'Higher ladies! what! the princesses of the blood?' 'Yea, +and still more exalted personages!' replied Cazotte.</p> + +<p>"Here a sensible emotion pervaded the whole company, and the countenance +of the host was dark and lowering—they began to feel that the joke was +becoming too serious. Madame de Grammont, in order to dissipate the cloud, +took no notice of the reply, and contented herself with saying in a +careless tone: 'You see, that he will not leave me even a confessor!' 'No, +madame!' replied Cazotte, 'you will not have one—neither you, nor any one +besides. The last victim to whom this favor will be afforded will be—' +Here he stopped for a moment. 'Well! who then will be the happy mortal to +whom this prerogative will be given?' Cazotte replied: 'It is the only one +which he will have then retained—and that will be the King of France!'" +This last startling prediction caused the company to disband in something +like terror and dismay, for the mere mention of such thing was akin to +treason.</p> + +<p>The amazing sequel to this strange story is that within the six years +allotted by the prophecy, every detail thereof was verified absolutely. +The facts are known to all students of the French Revolution, and may be +verified by reference to any history of that terrible period. To +appreciate the startling nature of the prophecy when made, one needs but +to be acquainted with the position and characteristics of the persons +whose destinies were foretold. This celebrated instance of highly advanced +future-time clairvoyance, or prevision, has never been equalled. The +reason, perhaps, is that Cazotte indeed was an advanced and highly +developed occultist—the account mentions this, you will notice. This +class of persons very seldom prophecy in this way, for reasons known to +all occultists. The ordinary cases recorded are those in which the +manifestation is that of a person of lesser powers and less perfect +development.</p> + +<p>Advanced occultists know the danger of a careless use of this power. They +know that (omitting other and very important reasons) such revelations +would work a terrible effect upon the minds of persons not sufficiently +well balanced to stand the disclosure. Moreover, they know that if the +average person knew the principal details of his future life on earth, +then he would lose interest in it—it would become stale and would lose +the attraction of the unknown. In such a case, the pleasant things to come +would lose their attractiveness by reason of having been dwelt on so long +that their flavor was lost; and the unpleasant things would become +unbearable by reason of the continual anticipation of them. We are apt to +discount our pleasures by dwelling too much upon them in anticipation; +and, as we all know, the dread of a coming evil often is worse than the +thing itself—we suffer a thousand pangs in anticipation to one in +reality. But, as I have intimated, there are other, and still more serious +reasons why the advanced occultists do not indulge in public prophecies +of this kind. It is probable that Cazotte decided to, and was permitted +to, make his celebrated prophecy for some important occult reason of which +La Harpe had no knowledge—it doubtless was a part of the working out of +some great plan, and it may have accomplished results undreamed of by us. +At any rate, it was something very much out of the; ordinary, even in the +case of advanced occultists and masters of esoteric knowledge.</p> + +<p>Another case which has a historic value is the well-known case concerning +the assassination of Spencer Perceval, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in +England, which occurred in the lobby of the House of Commons. The persons +who have a knowledge of the case report that some nine days before the +tragic occurrence a Cornish mine manager, named John Williams, had a +vision, three times in succession, in which he saw a small man, dressed in +a blue coat and white waistcoat, enter the lobby of the House of Commons; +whereupon another man, dressed in a snuff-colored coat, stepped forward, +and, drawing a pistol from an inside pocket fired at and shot the small +man, the bullet lodging in the left breast. In the vision, Williams turned +and asked some bystander the name of the victim; the bystander replied +that the stricken man was Mr. Spencer Perceval, the Chancellor of the +Exchequer. The valuable feature of the case, from a scientific standpoint, +lies in the fact that Williams was very much impressed by his +thrice-repeated vision, and was greatly disturbed thereby. His anxiety +was so great that he spoke of the matter to several friends, and asked +them whether it would not be well for him to go to London for the purpose +of warning Mr. Perceval. His friends ridiculed the whole matter, and +persuaded him to give up the idea of visiting London for the purpose +named. Those who had a knowledge of the vision were greatly startled and +shocked when several days afterward the assassination occurred, agreeing +in perfect detail with the vision of the Cornishman. The case, vouched for +as it was by a number of reliable persons who had been consulted by +Williams, attracted much attention at the time, and has since passed into +the history of remarkable instances of prevision.</p> + +<p>In some cases, however, the prevision seems to come as a warning, and in +many cases the heeding of the warning has prevented the unpleasant +features from materializing as seen in the vision. Up to the point of the +action upon the warning the occurrence agree perfectly with the +vision—but the moment the warned person acts so as to prevent the +occurrence, the whole train of circumstances is broken. There is an occult +explanation of this, but it is too technical to mention at this place.</p> + +<p>What is known to psychic researchers as "the Hannah Green case" is of this +character. This story, briefly, is that Hannah Green, a housekeeper of +Oxfordshire, dreamt that she, having been left alone in the house of a +Sunday evening, heard a knock at the door. Opening the door she found a +tramp who tried to force his way into the house. She struggled to prevent +his entrance, but he struck her with a bludgeon and rendered her +insensible, whereupon he entered the house and robbed it. She related the +vision to her friends, but, as nothing happened for some time, the matter +almost passed from her mind. But, some seven years afterward, she was left +in charge of the house on a certain Sunday evening; during the evening she +was startled by a sudden knock at the door, and her former vision was +recalled to her memory quite vividly. She refused to go to the door, +remembering the warning, but instead went up to a landing on the stair and +looked out the window, she saw at the door the very tramp whom she had +seen in the vision some seven years before, armed with a bludgeon and +striving to force an entrance into the house. She took steps to frighten +away the rascal, and she was saved from the unpleasant conclusion of her +vision. Many similar cases are recorded.</p> + +<p>In some cases persons have been warned by symbols of various kinds; or +else have had prevision in the same way. For instance, many cases are +known in which the vision is that of the undertaker's wagon standing +before the door of the person who dies sometime afterward. Or, the person +is visioned clad in a shroud. The variations of this class are +innumerable. Speak to the average dweller in the highlands of Scotland, or +certain counties in Ireland, regarding this—you will be furnished with a +wealth of illustrations and examples.</p> + +<p>This phase of the general subject of clairvoyance is very fascinating to +the student and investigator, and is one in which the highest psychic or +astral powers of sensing are called into play. In fact, as I have said, +there is here a reflection of something very much higher than the astral +or psychic planes of being. The student catches a glimpse of regions +infinitely higher and grander. He begins to realize at least something of +the existence of that Universal Consciousness "in which we live, and move, +and have our being;" and of the reality of the Eternal Now, in which past, +present and future are blended as one fact of infinite consciousness. He +sees the signboard pointing to marvelous truths!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXIV"></a><h2>LESSON XIV.</h2> + +<p>ASTRAL-BODY TRAVELING</p> +<br /> + +<p>There is much confusion existing in the minds of the average students of +occultism concerning the distinction between astral visioning by means of +the astral senses in clairvoyance, and the visioning of the astral senses +during the travels of the astral body away from the physical body. There +is such a close connection between the two several phases of occult +phenomena that it is easy to mistake one for the other; in fact, there is +often such a blending of the two that it is quite difficult to distinguish +between them. However, in this lesson I shall endeavor to bring out the +characteristics of astral body visioning, that the student may learn to +distinguish them from those of the ordinary clairvoyant astral visioning, +and recognize them when he experiences them.</p> + +<p>The main points of distinction are these: When visioning clairvoyantly by +means of the astral senses, as described in the preceding chapters of this +book, the clairvoyant usually perceives the scene, person or event as a +picture on a flat surface. It is true that there is generally a perfect +perspective, similar to that of a good stereoscopic view, or that of a +high-grade moving picture photograph—the figures "stand out," and do not +appear "flat" as in the case of an ordinary photograph; but still at the +best it is like looking at a moving picture, inasmuch as the whole scene +is all in front of you. Visioning in the astral body, on the contrary, +gives you an "all around" view of the scene. That is to say, in such case +you see the thing just as you would were you there in your physical +body—you see in front of you; on the sides of you, out of the corner of +your eye; if you turn your head, you may see in any direction; and you may +turn around and see what is happening behind you. In the first case you +are merely gazing at an astral picture in front of you; while in the +second place you are ACTUALLY THERE IN PERSON.</p> + +<p>There are some limitations to this "seeing all around" when in the astral +body, however, which I should note in passing. For instance, if when in +the astral body you examine the akashic records of the past, or else peer +into the scenes of the future, you will see these things merely as a +picture, and will not be conscious of being present personally in the +scene. (An apparent exception is to be noted here, also, viz., if your +past-time visioning includes the perception of yourself in a former +incarnation, you may be conscious of living and acting in your former +personality; again, if you are psychometrizing from fossil remains, or +anything concerned with a living creature of the past, you may "take on" +the mental or emotional conditions of that creature, and seem to sense +things from the inside, rather than from the outside. This, of course, is +also a characteristic of the ordinary clairvoyant vision of the past.) But +when, in the astral body, you perceive a present-time scene in space, you +are, to all intents and purposes, an actual participant—you are actually +present at the place and time. The sense of "being actually present in +the body" is the leading characteristic of the astral body visioning, and +distinguishes it from the "picture seeing" sensing of ordinary +clairvoyance. This is stating the matter is as plain and simple form as is +possible, ignoring many technical details and particulars.</p> + +<p>You, being a student of occultism, of course know that the astral body is +a fine counterpart of the physical body, composed of a far more subtle +form of substance than is the latter, that under certain conditions you +may travel in your astral body, detached from your physical body (except +being connected with it with a slender astral cord, bearing a close +resemblance to the umbilical cord which connects the newborn babe with the +placenta in the womb of its mother), and explore the realms of the astral +plane. This projection of the astral body, as a rule, occurs only when the +physical body is stilled in sleep, or in trance condition. In fact, the +astral body frequently is projected by us during the course of our +ordinary sleep, but we fail to remember what we have seen in our astral +journeys, except, occasionally, dim flashes of partial recollection upon +awakening. In some cases, however, our astral visioning is so distinct and +vivid, that we awaken with a sense of having had a peculiar experience, +and as having actually been out of the physical body at the time.</p> + +<p>In some cases, the person traveling in the astral is able to actually take +part in the distant scene, and may, under certain circumstances actually +materialize himself so as to be seen by persons in their physical bodies. +I am speaking now, of course, of the untrained person. The trained and +developed occultist, of course, is able to do these things deliberately +and consciously, instead of unconsciously and without intention as in the +case of the ordinary person. I shall quote here from another writer on the +subject, whose point of view, in connection with my own, may serve to +bring about a clear understanding in the mind of the student—it is always +well to view any subject from as many angles as possible. This writer +says:</p> + +<p>"We enter here upon an entirely new variety of clairvoyance, in which the +consciousness of the seer no longer remains in or closely connected with +his physical body, but is definitely transferred to the scene which he is +examining. Though it has no doubt greater dangers for the untrained seer +than either of the other methods, it is yet quite the most satisfactory +form of clairvoyance open to him. In this case, the man's body is either +asleep or in a trance, and its organs are consequently not available for +use while the vision is going on, so that all description of what is seen, +and all questioning as to further particulars, must be postponed until the +wanderer returns to this plane. On the other hand, the sight is much +fuller and more perfect; the man hears as well as sees everything which +passes before him, and can move about freely at will within the very wide +limits of the astral plane. He has also the immense advantage of being +able to take part, as it were, in the scenes which come before his +eyes—of conversing at will with various entities on the astral plane, and +from whom so much information that is curious and interesting may be +obtained. If in addition he can learn how to materialize himself (a matter +of no great difficulty for him when once the knack is acquired), he will +be able to take part in physical events or conversations at a distance, +and to show himself to an absent friend at will.</p> + +<p>"Again, he will have the additional power of being able to hunt about for +what he wants. By means of the other varieties of clairvoyance, for all +practical purposes he may find a person or place only when he is already +acquainted with it; or, when he is put en rapport with it by touching +something physically connected with it, as in psychometry. By the use of +the astral body, however, a man can move about quite freely and rapidly in +any direction, and can (for example) find without difficulty any place +pointed out upon a map, without either any previous knowledge of the spot +or any object to establish a connection with it. He can also readily rise +high into the air so as to gain a bird's eye view of the country which he +is examining, so as to observe its extent, the contour of its coastline, +or its general character. Indeed, in every way his power and freedom are +far greater when he uses this method than they are in any of the lesser +forms of clairvoyance."</p> + +<p>In many well authenticated cases, we may see that the soul of a dying +person, one whose physical end is approaching, visits friends and +relatives in the astral body, and in many cases materializes and even +speaks to them. In such cases the dying person accomplishes the feat of +astral manifestation without any special occult knowledge; the weakened +links between the physical and the higher phases of the soul render the +temporary passing-out comparatively easy, and the strong desire of the +dying person furnishes the motive power necessary. Such visits, however, +are often found to be merely the strongly charged thought of the dying +person, along the lines of telepathy, as I have previously explained to +you. But in many cases there can be no doubt that the phenomenon is a +clear case of astral visitation and materialization.</p> + +<p>The records of the Society for Psychical Research contain many instances +of this kind; and similar instances are to be found in other records of +psychical research. I shall quote a few of these cases for you, that you +may get a clear idea of the characteristics thereof. Andrew Lang, an +eminent student and investigator along the lines of the psychic and +occult, gives us the following case, of which he says, "Not many stories +have such good evidence in their favor." The story as related by Mr. Lang +in one of his books is as follows:</p> + +<p>"Mary, the wife of John Goffe of Rochester, being afflicted with a long +illness, removed to her father's house at West Mailing, about nine miles +from her own. The day before her death she grew very impatiently desirous +to see her two children, whom she had left at home to the care of a +nurse. She was too ill to be moved, and between one and two o'clock in the +morning she fell into a trance. One widow, Turner, who watched with her +that night, says that her eyes were open and fixed, and her jaw fallen. +Mrs. Turner put her hand to her mouth, but could perceive no breath. She +thought her to be in a fit, and doubted whether she were dead or alive. +The next morning the dying woman told her mother that she had been at home +with her children, saying, 'I was with them last night when I was asleep.'</p> + +<p>"The nurse at Rochester, widow Alexander by name, affirms that a little +before two o'clock that morning she saw the likeness of the said Mary +Goffe come out of the next chamber (where the elder child lay in a bed by +itself), the door being left open, and stood by her bedside for about a +quarter of an hour; the younger child was there lying by her. Her eyes +moved and her mouth went, but she said nothing. The nurse, moreover says +that she was perfectly awake; it was then daylight, being one of the +longest days of the year. She sat up in bed and looked steadfastly on the +apparition. In that time she heard the bridge clock strike two, and a +while after said: 'In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, what art +thou?' Thereupon the apparition removed and went away; she slipped out of +her clothes and followed, but what became on't she cannot tell."</p> + +<p>In the case just mentioned, Mr. Lang states that the nurse was so +frightened that she was afraid to return to bed. As soon as the neighbors +were up and about she told them of what she had seen; but they told her +that she had been dreaming. It was only when, later on, news came of what +had happened at the other end of the line—the bedside of the dying woman, +that they realized just what had happened.</p> + +<p>In a work by Rev. F.G. Lee, there are several other cases of this kind +quoted, all of which are stated by Mr. Lee to be thoroughly well +authenticated. In one of the cases a mother, when dying in Egypt, appears +to her children in Torquay, and is clearly seen in broad daylight by all +five children and also by the nursemaid. In another, a Quaker lady dying +at Cockermouth is clearly seen and recognized in daylight by her three +children at Seattle, the remainder of the story being almost identical +with that of the Goffe case just quoted.</p> + +<p>In the records of the Society for Psychical Research, the following case +appears, the person reporting it being said to be of good character and +reputation for truthfulness and reliability. The story is as follows: "One +morning in December, 1836, A. had the following dream, or he would prefer +to call it, revelation. He found himself suddenly at the gate of Major +N.M.'s avenue, many miles from his home. Close to him was a group of +persons, one of whom was a woman with a basket on her arm, the rest were +men, four of whom were tenants of his own, while the others were unknown +to him. Some of the strangers seemed to be assaulting H.W., one of his +tenants, and he interfered. A. says, 'I struck violently at the man on my +left, and then with greater violence at the man's face on my right. +Finding, to my surprise, that I had not knocked down either, I struck +again and again with all the violence of a man frenzied at the sight of my +poor friend's murder. To my great amazement I saw my arms, although +visible to my eye, were without substance, and the bodies of the men I +struck at and my own came close together after each blow, through the +shadowy arms I struck with. My blows were delivered with more extreme +violence than I ever think I exerted, but I became painfully convinced of +my incompetency. I have no consciousness of what happened after this +feeling of unsubstantiality came upon me.'</p> + +<p>"Next morning, A. experienced the stiffness and soreness of violent bodily +exercise, and was informed by his wife that in the course of the night he +had much alarmed her by striking out again and again in a terrific manner, +'as if fighting for his life.' He, in turn, informed her of his dream, and +begged her to remember the names of those actors in it who were known to +him. On the morning of the following day (Wednesday) A. received a letter +from his agent, who resided in the town close to the scene of the dream, +informing him that his tenant had been found on Tuesday morning at Major +N.M.'s gate, speechless and apparently dying from a fracture of the +skull, and that there was no trace of the murderers.</p> + +<p>"That night A. started for the town, and arrived there on Thursday +morning. On his way to a meeting of magistrates, he met the senior +magistrate of that part of the country, and requested him to give orders +for the arrest of the three men whom, besides H.W., he had recognized in +his dream, and to have them examined separately. This was at once done. +The three men gave identical accounts of the occurrence, and all named the +woman who was with them. She was then arrested and gave precisely similar +testimony. They said that between eleven and twelve on the Monday night +they had been walking homewards altogether along the road, when they were +overtaken by three strangers, two of whom savagely assaulted H.W., while +the other prevented his friends from interfering. H.W. did not die, but +was never the same man afterwards; he subsequently emigrated."</p> + +<p>Stead, the English editor and psychical researcher, relates the following +case, which he accepts as truthful and correct, after careful +investigation of the circumstances and of the character and reputation of +the person relating it. The story proceeds as follows:</p> + +<p>"St. Eglos is situated about ten miles from the Atlantic, and not quite so +far from the old market town of Trebodwina. Hart and George Northey were +brothers, and from childhood their lives had been marked by the strongest +brotherly affection. Hart and George Northey had never been separated +from their birth until George became a sailor, Hart meantime joining his +father in business. On the 8th of February, 1840, while George Northey's +ship was lying in port at St. Helena, he had the following strange dream:</p> + +<p>"Last night I dreamt that my brother was at Trebodwina Market, and that I +was with him, quite close by his side, during the whole of the market +transactions. Although I could see and hear which passed around me, I felt +sure that it was not my bodily presence which thus accompanied him, but my +shadow or rather my spiritual presence, for he seemed quite unconscious +that I was near him. I felt that my being thus present in this strange way +betokened some hidden danger which he was destined to meet, and which I +know my presence could not avert, for I could not speak to warn him of his +peril."</p> + +<p>The story then proceeds to relate how Hart collected considerable money at +Trebodwina Market, and then started to ride homeward. George tells what +happened to his brother on the way, as follows:</p> + +<p>"My terror gradually increased as Hart approached the hamlet of Polkerrow, +until I was in a perfect frenzy, frantically desirous, yet unable to warn +my brother in some way and prevent him from going further. I suddenly +became aware of two dark shadows thrown across the road. I felt that my +brother's hour had come, and I was powerless to aid him! Two men appeared, +whom I instantly recognized as notorious poachers who lived in a lonely +wood near St. Eglos. They wished him 'Good night, mister!' civilly +enough. He replied, and entered into conversation with them about some +work he had promised them. After a few minutes they asked him for some +money. The elder of the two brothers, who was standing near the horse's +head, said: 'Mr. Northey, we know you have just come from Trebodwina +Market with plenty of money in your pockets; we are desperate men, and you +bean't going to leave this place until we've got that money; so hand +over!' My brother made no reply except to slash at him with the whip, and +spur the horse at him.</p> + +<p>"The younger of the ruffians instantly drew a pistol, and fired. Hart +dropped lifeless from the saddle, and one of the villains held him by the +throat with a grip of iron for some minutes, as thought to make assurance +doubly sure, and crush out any particle of life my poor brother might have +left. The murderers secured the horse to a tree in the orchard, and, +having rifled the corpse, they dragged it up the stream, concealing it +under the overhanging banks of the water-course. Then they carefully +covered over all marks of blood on the road, and hid the pistol in the +thatch of a disused hut close to the roadside; then, setting the horse +free to gallop home alone, they decamped across the country to their own +cottage."</p> + +<p>The story then relates how George Northey's vessel left St. Helena the +next day after the dream, and reached Plymouth in due time. George carried +with him a very vivid recollection of his vision on the return voyage, +and never doubted for an instant that his brother had been actually +murdered in the manner and by the persons named, as seen in the vision. He +carried with him the determination to bring the villains to justice and +was filled with the conviction that through his efforts retribution would +fall upon the murderers.</p> + +<p>In England, justice was at work—but the missing link was needed. The +crime aroused universal horror and indignation, and the authorities left +nothing undone in the direction of discovering the murderers and bringing +them to justice. Two brothers named Hightwood were suspected, and in their +cottage were found blood-stained garments. But no pistol was found, +although the younger brother admitted having owned but lost one. They were +arrested and brought before the magistrates. The evidence against them was +purely circumstantial, and not any too strong at that; but their actions +were those of guilty men. They were committed for trial. Each confessed, +in hopes of saving his life and obtaining imprisonment instead. But both +were convicted and sentenced to be hanged. There was doubt in the minds of +some, however, about the pistol. The story continues:</p> + +<p>"Before the execution, George Northey arrived from St. Helena, and +declared that the pistol was in the thatch of the old cottage close by the +place where they had murdered Hart Northey, and where they had hid it. +'How do you know?' he was asked. George replied: 'I saw the foul deed +committed in a dream I had the night of the murder, when at St. Helena.' +The pistol was found, as George Northey had predicted, in the thatch of +the ruined cottage." Investigation revealed that the details of the crime +were identical with those seen in the vision.</p> + +<p>It is a fact known to all occultists that many persons frequently travel +in the astral body during sleep; and in many cases retain a faint +recollection of some of the things they have seen and heard during their +travels in the astral. Nearly everyone knows the experience of waking up +in the morning feeling physically tired and "used up;" in some cases a dim +recollection of walking or working during the dream being had. Who among +us has not had the experience of "walking on the air," or in the air, +without the feet touching the ground, being propelled simply by the effort +of the will? And who of us has had not experienced that dreadful—"falling +through space" sensation, in dreams, with the sudden awakening just before +we actually struck earth? And who has not had the mortifying dream +experience of walking along the street, or in some public place, and being +suddenly overcome by the consciousness that we were in our night-clothes, +or perhaps without any clothing at all? All of these things are more or +less distorted recollection of astral journeyings.</p> + +<p>But while these dream excursions in the astral are harmless, the conscious +"going out in the astral" is not so. There are many planes of the astral +into which it is dangerous and unpleasant for the uninstructed person to +travel; unless accompanied by a capable occultist as guide. Therefore, I +caution all students against trying to force development in that +direction. Nature surrounds you with safeguards, and interposes obstacles +for your own protection and good. Do not try to break through these +obstacles without knowledge of what you are doing. "Fools rush in where +angels fear to tread," remember; and "a little learning is a dangerous +thing." When you have reached the stage of development in which it will be +safe for you to undertake conscious astral explorations, then will your +guide be at hand, and the instruction furnished you by those capable of +giving it to you. Do not try to break into the astral without due +preparation, and full knowledge, lest you find yourself in the state of +the fish who leaped out of the water onto the banks of the stream. Your +dream trips are safe; they will increase in variety and clearness, and you +will remember more about them—all this before you may begin to try to +consciously "go out into the astral" as do the occultists. Be content to +crawl before you may walk. Learn to add, multiply, subtract and divide, +before you undertake the higher mathematics, algebra, geometry, etc., of +occultism.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXV"></a><h2>LESSON XV.</h2> + +<p>STRANGE ASTRAL PHENOMENA.</p> +<br /> + +<p>There are several phases of astral phenomena other than those mentioned in +the preceding chapters, which it will be better for the student to become +acquainted with in order to round out his general knowledge of the +subject, although the manifestations are comparatively rare, and not so +generally recognized in works on this subject.</p> + +<p>One of the first of these several phases of astral phenomena is that which +may be called Thought-Form Projection. This manifestation comes in the +place on the psychic scale just between ordinary clairvoyance on the one +hand, and astral body projection on the other. It has some of the +characteristics of each, and is often mistaken for one or the other of +these phases.</p> + +<p>To understand this phenomena, the student should know something regarding +the fact that thought frequently takes on astral form, and that these +manifestations are known as thought-forms. I have spoken of these in some +of the preceding lessons. The ordinary thought-form is quite simple, as a +rule, and does not bear any particular resemblance to the sender thereof. +But in some cases a person may, consciously or unconsciously, strongly and +clearly think of himself as present at some other place, and thus actually +create a thought-form of himself at that place, which may be discerned by +those having clairvoyant vision. Moreover, this thought-form of himself +is connected psychically with himself and affords a channel of psychic +information for him. As a rule these thought-forms are only projected by +those who have trained their minds and will along occult lines; but +occasionally under the stress of strong emotion or desire an ordinary +person may focus his psychic power to such an extent that the phenomena is +manifested.</p> + +<p>Here I will quote from an English investigator of astral phenomena, who +has had much experience on that plane. He says: "All students are aware +that thought takes form, at any rate upon its own plane, and in the +majority of cases upon the astral plane also; but it may not be so +generally known that if a man thinks strongly of himself as present at any +given place, the form assumed by that particular thought will be a +likeness of the thinker himself, which will appear at the place in +question. Essentially this form must be composed of the matter of the +mental plane, but in very many cases it would draw round itself matter of +the astral plane also, and so would approach much nearer to visibility. +There are, in fact, many instances in which it has been seen by the person +thought of—most probably by means of the unconscious influence emanating +from the original thinker. None of the consciousness of the thinker would, +however, be included within this thought-form. When once sent out from +him, it would normally be a quite separate entity—not indeed absolutely +unconnected with its maker, but practically so as far as the possibility +of receiving any impression through it is concerned.</p> + +<p>"This type of clairvoyance consists, then, in the power to retain so much +connection with and so much hold over a newly-created thought-form as will +render it possible to receive impressions by means of it. Such impressions +as were made upon the form would in this case be transmitted to the +thinker—not along an astral telegraph line, but by a sympathetic +vibration. In a perfect case of this kind of clairvoyance it is almost as +though the seer projected a part of his consciousness into the +thought-form, and used it as a kind of outpost, from which observation was +possible. He sees almost as well as he would if he himself stood in the +place of his thought-form. The figures at which he is looking will appear +to him as of life-size and close to hand, instead of tiny and at a +distance as in the case of some other forms of clairvoyance; and he will +find it possible to shift his point of view if he wishes to do so. +Clairaudience is perhaps less frequently associated with this type of +clairvoyance than with the others, but its place is to some extent taken +by a kind of mental perception of the thoughts and intentions of those who +are seen.</p> + +<p>"Since the man's consciousness is still in the physical body, he will be +able (even when exercising this faculty) to hear and to speak, in so far +as he can do this without any distraction of his attention. The moment +that the intentness of his thought fails, the whole vision is gone, and he +will have to construct a fresh thought-form before he can resume it. +Instances in which this kind of sight is possessed with any degree of +perfection by untrained people are naturally rarer than in the other types +of clairvoyance, because the capacity for mental control required, and the +generally finer nature of the forces employed."</p> + +<p>I may mention that this particular method is frequently employed by +advanced occultists of all countries, being preferred for various reasons. +Some of the reasons of this preference as follows: (a) The ability to +shift the vision, and to turn around almost as well as in the case of +actual astral-body projection—this gives quite an advantage to this +method over the method of ordinary clairvoyance; (b) it does away with +certain disadvantages of "going out into the astral" in the astral-body, +which only trained occultists realize—it gives almost the same results as +astral-body clairvoyance, without a number of disadvantages and +inconveniences.</p> + +<p>In India, especially, this form of clairvoyance is comparatively frequent. +This by reason of the fact that the Hindus, as a race, are far more +psychic than are those of the Western lands, all else considered; and, +besides, there are a much greater number of highly developed occultists +there than in the West. Moreover, there is a certain psychic atmosphere +surrounding India, by reason of its thousands of years of deep interest in +things psychic and spiritual, all of which renders the production of +psychic phenomena far easier than in other lands.</p> + +<p>In India, moreover, we find many instances of another form of psychic, or +astral phenomena. I allude to the production of thought-form pictures +which are plainly visible to one or more persons. This phase of psychic +phenomena is the real basis for many of the wonder tales which Western +travellers bring back with them from India. The wonderful cases of magical +appearance of living creatures and plants, and other objects, out of the +clear air are the result of this psychic phenomena. That is to say, the +creatures and objects are not really produced—they are but astral +appearances resulting from the projection of powerful thought-forms from +the mind of the magician or other wonder-worker, of whom India has a +plentiful supply. Even the ignorant fakirs (I use the word in its true +sense, not in the sense given it by American slang)—even these itinerant +showmen of psychic phenomena, are able to produce phenomena of this kind +which seems miraculous to those witnessing them. As for the trained +occultists of India, I may say that their feats (when they deign to +produce them) seem to overturn every theory and principle of materialistic +philosophy and science. But in nearly every case the explanation is the +same—the projection of a strong and clear thought-form on a large scale.</p> + +<p>Although I have purposely omitted reference to Hindu psychic phenomena in +this book (for the reason given in my Introduction), I find it necessary +to quote cases in India in this connection, for the simple reason that +there are but few counterparts in the Western world. There are no +itinerent wonder-workers of this kind in Western lands, and the trained +occultists of the West of course would not consent to perform feats of +this kind for the amusement of persons seeking merely sensations. The +trained wills of the West are given rather to materializing objectively on +the physical plane, creating great railroads, buildings, bridges, etc., +from the mental pictures, rather than devoting the same time, energy and +will to the production of astral though-forms and pictures. There is a +great difference in temperament, as well as a difference in the general +psychic atmosphere, between East and West, which serves to explain matters +of this kind.</p> + +<p>An American writer truly says: "The first principle underlying the whole +business of Hindu wonder-working is that of a strong will; and the first +necessary condition of producing a magical effect is an increase in the +power of thought. The Hindus, owing to that intense love for solitary +meditation, which has been one of the most pronounced characteristics from +time immemorial, have acquired mental faculties of which we of the Western +and younger civilization are totally ignorant. The Hindu has attained a +past master's degree in speculative philosophy. He has for years retired +for meditation to the silent places in his land, lived a hermit, subdued +the body and developed the mind, thus winning control over other minds."</p> + +<p>In India, I have seen scenes of far distant places appearing as a mirage +in clear air, even the colors being present to the scenes. This, though +some what uncommon, was simply a remarkable instance of thought-form +projection from the mind of a man highly developed along occult lines. You +must remember that in order to produce a picture in the astral, of this +kind, the occultist must not only have the power of will and mind to cause +such a picture to materialize, but he must also have a remarkable memory +for detail in the picture—for nothing appears in the picture unless it +has already been pictured in the mind of the mind of the man himself. Such +a memory and perception of detail is very rare—in the Western world it is +possessed by only exceptional artists; however, anyone may cultivate this +perception and memory if he will give the time and care to it that the +Hindu magicians do.</p> + +<p>You have heard of the Hindu Mango Trick, in which the magician takes a +mango seed, plants it in the ground, waves his hands over it, and then +causes first a tiny shoot to appear from the surface of the ground, this +followed by a tiny trunk, and leaves, which grow and grow, until at last +appears a full sized mango tree, which first shows blossoms and then ripe +fruit. In short, in a few moments the magician has produced that which +Nature require years to do—that is he apparently does this. What he +really does is to produce a wonderful thought-form in the astral, from +seed stage to tree and fruit stage; the astral picture reproducing +perfectly the picture in his own mind. It is as if he were creating a +moving picture film-roll in his mind, and then projecting this upon the +screen of the air. There is no mango tree there, and never was, outside +of the mind of the magician and the minds of his audience.</p> + +<p>In the same way, the magician will seem to throw the end of a rope up into +the air. It travels far up until the end is lost sight of. Then he sends a +boy climbing up after it, until he too disappears from sight. Then he +causes the whole thing to disappear, and lo! the boy is seen standing +among the audience. The boy is real, of course, but he never left the +spot—the rest was all an appearance caused by the mind and will of the +magician, pictured in the astral as a thought-form. In the same way the +magician will seem to cut the boy into bits, and then cause the severed +parts to spring together and reassemble themselves. These feats may be +varied indefinitely but the principle is ever the same—thought-form +projection.</p> + +<p>Western visitors have sought to obtain photographs of these feats of the +Hindu magicians, but their plates and films invariably show nothing +whatever except the old fakir sitting quietly in the centre, with a +peculiar expression in his eyes. This is as might be expected, for the +picture exists only in the astral, and is perceived only by the awakened +astral senses of those present, which have been stimulated into activity +by the power of the magician—by sympathetic vibration, to be exact. +Moreover, in certain instances it has been found that the vision is +confined to a limited area; persons outside of the limit-ring see nothing, +and those moving nearer to the magician lose sight of what they had +previously seen. There are scientific reasons for this last fact, which +need not be gone into at this place. The main point I am seeking to bring +out is that these wonderful scenes are simply and wholly thought-form +pictures in the astral, perceived by the awakened astral vision of those +present. This to be sure is wonderful enough—but still no miracle has +been worked!</p> + +<p>I may mention here that these magicians begin their training from early +youth. In addition to certain instruction concerning astral phenomena +which is handed down from father to son among them they are set to work +practicing "visualization" of things previously perceived. They are set to +work upon, say, a rose. They must impress upon their memory the perfect +picture of the rose—no easy matter, I may tell you. Then they proceed to +more difficult objects, slowly and gradually, along well known principles +of memory development. Along with this they practice the art of +reproducing that which they remember—projecting it in thought-form state. +And so the young magician proceeds, from simple to complex things; from +easy to difficult; until, finally, he is pronounced fit to give public +exhibitions. All this takes years and years—sometimes the boy grows to be +a middle-aged man before he is allowed to publicly exhibit his power. +Imagine a Western boy or man being willing to study from early childhood +to middle-age before he may hope to be able to show what he has been +learning! Verily "the East is East, and the West is West"—the two poles +of human activity and expression.</p> + +<p>Another phase of psychic astral phenomena which should be mentioned, +although it is manifested but comparatively seldom, is that which has been +called "Telekinesis." By the term "telekinesis" is meant that class of +phenomena which manifests in the movement of physical objects without +physical contact with the person responsible for the movement. I +understand that the term itself was coined by Professor Cowes, with whose +works I am not personally familiar. It is derived from the two Greek words +TELE, meaning "far off," and KINESIS, meaning "to move."</p> + +<p>This class of phenomena is known better in the Western world by reason of +its manifestation in spiritualistic circles in the movement of tables, +etc.; the knocking or tapping on tables and doors, etc.; all of which are +usually attributed to the work of "spirits," but which occultists know are +generally produced, consciously or unconsciously, by means of the power in +the medium or others present, sometimes both. I would say here that I am +not trying to discredit genuine spiritualistic phenomena—I am not +considering the same in these lessons. All that I wish to say is that many +of the phenomena commonly attributed to "spirits" are really but results +of the psychic forces inherent in the living human being.</p> + +<p>Under certain conditions there may appear in the case of a person strongly +psychic, and also strongly charged with prana, the ability to extend a +portion of the astral body to a considerable distance, and to there +produce an effect upon some physical object. Those with strong clairvoyant +vision may actually perceive this astral extension, under favorable +circumstances. They perceive the astral arm of the person stretching out, +diminishing in size as it extends (just as a piece of flexible rubber +shrinks in diameter as it expands in length) and finally coming in contact +with the physical object it wishes to move or strike. Then is seen a +strong flow of prana along its length, which (by a peculiar form of +concentration) is able to produce the physical effect. I cannot enter into +the subject of astral physics at this place, for the subject is far too +technical to be treated in lessons designed for general study. I may at +least partially explain the phenomenon, however, by saying that the +projected astral arm acts in a manner almost precisely like that of an +extended physical arm, were such a thing possible in nature.</p> + +<p>This astral-body extension produces spirit raps on tables; table-tilting +and movement; levitation, or the lifting of solid objects in the air; +playing upon musical instruments such as the guitar, accordian, etc. In +some cases it is able to actually lift the person himself from the floor, +and carry him through the air, in the same way. It may also cause the +movement of a pencil in a closed slate, or bit of chalk upon a blackboard. +In fact, it may produce almost any form of movement possible to the +physical hand. In the case of the levitation of the person himself, the +astral arms, and sometimes the legs as well, extend to the floor and push +up the physical body into the air, and then propel it along. There are +many complex technical details to these manifestations, however, and in a +general statement these must be omitted.</p> + +<p>Some who are firmly wedded to the spiritistic theory resent the statement +of occultists that this form of phenomena may be explained without the +necessity of the "spirits." But the best ground for the statement of the +occultists is that many advanced occultists are able to produce such +phenomena, consciously, by an act of pure will, accompanied by the power +of mental picturing. They first picture the astral extension, and then +will the projection of the astral and the passage of the prana (or vital +force) around the pattern of the mental image. In the case of some very +highly developed occultists the astral thought-form of their body becomes +so charged with prana that it is able to move physical objects. There are +not mere theories, for they may be verified by any occultist of +sufficiently high development.</p> + +<p>I do not wish to intimate that the mediums are aware of the true nature of +this phenomena, and consciously deceive their followers. On the contrary, +most of them firmly believe that it is the "spirits" who do the work; +unaware that they are unconsciously projecting their astral bodies, +charged with prana, and performing the feat themselves. The best mediums, +however, will generally tell you that they strongly "wish" that the thing +be done, and a little cross-examination will reveal the fact that they +generally make a clear mental picture of the actual happening just before +it occurs. As I have already stated, however, the best proof is the fact +that advanced occultists are able to duplicate the phenomena deliberately, +consciously, and at will. I do not think that detracts from the wonder and +interest in the so-called "spiritistic" phenomena; on the contrary, I +think that it adds to it.</p> + +<p>Again invading the realm of the "spirits," I would say that occultists +know that many cases of so-called materialization of "spirit-forms" take +place by reason of the unconscious projection of the astral body of the +medium. Moreover, such a projection of the astral body may take on the +appearance of some departed soul, by reason of the mental picture of that +person in the mind of the medium. But, it may be asked if the medium has +never seen the dead person, how can he or she make a mental picture of him +or her. The answer is that the minds of the persons present who knew the +dead person tend to influence the appearance of the nebulous spirit form. +In fact, in most cases the medium is unable to produce the phenomenon +without the psychic assistance of those in the circle. In this case, also, +I would say that the advanced occultist is able to duplicate the phenomena +at will, as all who have enjoyed the privilege of close acquaintance with +such persons are aware.</p> + +<p>The fact the medium is usually in a trance condition aid materially in the +ease with which the phenomena are produced. With the conscious mind +stilled, and the subconscious mind active, the astral phenomena are +produced with much less trouble than would be the case if the medium were +in the ordinary condition.</p> + +<p>Now, I wish to impress upon the minds of those of my readers who have a +strong sympathy for the spiritistic teachings that I recognize the +validity and genuineness of much of the phenomena of spiritism—I know +these things to be true, for that matter; it is not a matter of mere +belief on my part. But I also know that much of the so-called spiritistic +phenomena is possible without the aid of "spirits," but by, the employment +of the psychic astral forces and powers as stated in these lessons. I see +no reason for any honest investigator of spiritism to be offended at such +statements, for it does not take away from the wonder of the phenomena; +and does not discredit the motives and power of the mediums. We must +search for truth wherever it is to be found; and we must not seek to dodge +the results of our investigations. There is too much wonderful phenomena +in spiritism to begrudge the explanation that the occultist offers for +certain of its phases.</p> + +<p>While I am on the subject of materialization however, I would direct the +attention of the student to my little book entitled "The Astral World," in +which I have explained briefly the phenomena of those planes of the astral +in which dwell the cast-off shells of souls which have moved on to the +higher planes of the great astral world. I have there shown that many +astral shells or shades, or other astral semi-entities may be +materialized, and thus mistaken for the "spirits" of departed friends. I +have also explained in the same little book how there are certain powerful +thought-forms which may be mistaken for spirit materializations. I have +also shown how many a honest medium is really a good clairvoyant, and by +reading the records of the astral light is able to give information which +seems to come from the departed soul. All of these things should be +familiar to the earnest investigator of spiritism, in order that he may be +able to classify the phenomena which he witnesses, and to avoid error and +disappointment.</p> + +<p>In this connection, before passing on to the consideration of other phases +of psychic phenomena, I would say that one of the best mediums known to +the modern Western world—a medium who has been consulted by eminent men, +university professors, psychologists, and others—and whose revelations +regarding past, present and future astounded careful and intelligent men +of international reputation—this medium at the height of her professional +success made a public announcement that she felt compelled, from +conscientious motives, to assert that she had come to the conclusion that +her message came not from departed "spirits" but rather from some unknown +realm of being, brought hither by the exercise of some faculty inherent in +her and developed to a high power in her for some reason, which power seem +to manifest more effectively when she shut off her ordinary physical +faculties and functioned on a plane higher than them. I think that the +student of the present lessons will be able to point out the nature of the +phenomena manifested by this medium, and also the source of her power. If +not, I shall feel disappointed at my work of instruction.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXVI"></a><h2>LESSON XVI.</h2> + +<p>PSYCHIC INFLUENCE; ITS LAWS AND PRINCIPLES</p> +<br /> + +<p>One of the phases of psychic phenomena that actively engage the attention +of the student from the very beginning is that which may be called Psychic +Influence. By this term is meant the influencing of one mind by +another—the effect of one mind over another. There has been much written +and said on this phase of the general subject in recent years, but few +writers, however, have gone deeply into the matter.</p> + +<p>In the first place, most of the writers on the subject seek to explain the +whole thing by means of ordinary telepathy. But this is merely a one-sided +view of the truth of the matter. For, while ordinary telepathy plays an +important part in the phenomena, still the higher form of telepathy, i.e., +astral thought-transference, is frequently involved. The student who has +followed me in the preceding lessons will understand readily what I mean +when I say this, so there is no necessity for repetition on this point at +this place.</p> + +<p>At this point, however, I must ask the student to consider the idea of +psychic vibrations and their inductive power. It is a great principle of +occultism, as well as of modern science, that everything is in a state of +vibration—everything has its own rate of vibration, and is constantly +manifesting it. Every mental state is accompanied by vibration of its own +plane: every emotional state or feeling has its own particular rate of +vibration. These rates of vibrations manifest just as do the vibrations of +musical sound which produce the several notes on the scale, one rising +above the other in rate of vibration. But the scale of mental and +emotional states is far more complex, and far more extended than is the +musical scale; there are thousands of different notes, and half-notes, on +the mental scale. There are harmonies and discords on that scale, also.</p> + +<p>To those to whom vibrations seem to be something merely connected with +sound-waves, etc., I would say that a general and hasty glance at some +elementary work on physical science will show that even the different +shades, hues and tints of the colors perceived by us arise from different +rates of vibrations. Color is nothing more than the result of certain +rates of vibrations of light recorded by our senses and interpreted by our +minds. From the low vibrations of red to the high vibrations of violet, +all the various colors of the spectrum have their own particular rate of +vibration. And, more than this, science knows that below the lowest red +vibrations, and above the highest violet vibrations, there are other +vibrations which our senses are unable to record, but which scientific +instruments register. The rays of light by which photographs are taken are +not perceived by the eye. There are a number of so-called chemical rays of +light which the eye does not perceive, but which may be caught by delicate +instruments. There is what science has called "dark light," which will +photograph in a room which appears pitch dark to the human sight.</p> + +<p>Above the ordinary scale of light vibrations are the vibrations of the +X-Rays and other fine forces—these are not perceived by the eye, but are +caught by delicate instruments and recorded. Moreover, though science has +not as yet discovered the fact, occultists know that the vibrations of +mental and emotional states are just as true and regular as are those of +sound or light, or heat. Again, above the plane of the physical vibrations +arising from the brain and nervous system, there are the vibrations of the +astral counterparts of these, which are much higher in the scale. For even +the astral faculties and organs, while above the physical, still are under +the universal rule of vibration, and have their own rate thereof. The old +occult axiom: "As above, so below; as below, so above" is always seen to +work out on all planes of universal energy.</p> + +<p>Closely following this idea of the universality of vibrations, and +intimately connected therewith, we have the principle of "induction," +which is likewise universal, and found manifesting on all planes of +energy. "What is induction?" you may ask. Well, it is very simple, or very +complex—just as you may look at it. The principle of induction (on any +plane) is that inherent quality or attribute of energy by which the +manifestation of energy tends to reproduce itself in a second object, by +setting up corresponding vibrations therein, though without direct contact +of the two objects.</p> + +<p>Thus, heat in one object tends to induce heat in another object within +its range of induction—the heated object "throws off" heat vibrations +which set up corresponding vibrations in the near-by second object and +make it hot. Likewise, the vibrations of light striking upon other objects +render them capable of radiating light. Again, a magnet will induce +magnetism in a piece of steel suspended nearby, though the two objects do +not actually touch, each other. An object which is electrified will by +induction electrify another object situated some distance away. A note +sounded on the piano, or violin, will cause a glass or vase in some +distant part of the room to vibrate and "sing," under certain conditions. +And, so on, in every form or phase of the manifestation of energy do we +see the principle of induction in full operation and manifestation.</p> + +<p>On the plane of ordinary thought and emotion, we find many instances of +this principle of induction. We know that one person vibrating strongly +with happiness or sorrow, cheerfulness or anger, as the case may be fends +to communicate his feeling and emotions, state to those with whom he comes +in contact. All of you have seen a whole room full of persons affected and +influenced in this way, under certain circumstances. You have also seen +how a magnetic orator, preacher, singer or actor is able to induce in his +audience a state of emotional vibration corresponding to that manifested +by himself. In the same manner the "mental atmospheres" of towns, cities, +etc., are induced.</p> + +<p>A well-known writer on this subject has truthfully told us: "We all know +how great waves of feeling spread over a town, city or country, sweeping +people off their balance. Great waves of political enthusiasm, or +war-spirit, or prejudice for or against certain persons, sweep over places +and cause men to act in a manner that they will afterward regret when they +come to themselves and consider their acts in cold blood. They will be +swayed by demagogues or magnetic leaders who wish to gain their votes or +patronage; and they will be led into acts of mob violence, or similar +atrocities, by yielding to these waves of contagious thought. On the other +hand, we all know how great waves of religious feeling sweep over a +community upon the occasion of some great 'revival' excitement or fervor."</p> + +<p>These things being perceived, and recognized as true, the next question +that presents itself to the mind of the intelligent student is this: "But +what causes the difference in power and effect between the thought and +feeling-vibrations of different persons?" This question is a valid one, +and arises from a perception of the underlying variety and difference in +the thought vibrations of different persons. The difference, my students, +is caused by three principal facts, viz., (1) difference in degree of +feeling; (2) difference in degree of visualization; and (3) difference in +degree of concentration. Let us examine each of these successively, so as +to get at the underlying principle.</p> + +<p>The element of emotional feeling is like the element of fire in the +production of steam. The more vivid and intense the feeling or emotion, +the greater the degree of heat and force to the thought wave or vibratory +stream projected. You will begin to see why the thought vibrations of +those animated and filled with strong desire, strong wish, strong +ambition, etc., must be more forceful than those of persons of the +opposite type.</p> + +<p>The person who is filled with a strong desire, wish or ambition, which has +been fanned into a fierce blaze by attention, is a dynamic power among +other persons, and his influence is felt. In fact, it may be asserted that +as a general rule no person is able to influence men and things unless he +have a strong desire, wish or ambition within him. The power of desire is +a wonderful one, as all occultists know, and it will accomplish much even +if the other elements be lacking; while, in proper combination with other +principles it will accomplish wonders. Likewise, a strong interest in a +thing will cause a certain strength to the thought-vibrations connected +therewith. Interest is really an emotional feeling, though we generally +think of it as merely something connected with the intellect. A cold +intellectual thought has very little force, unless backed up by strong +interest and concentration. But any intellectual thought backed up with +interest, and focused by concentration, will produce very strong thought +vibrations, with a marked inductive power.</p> + +<p>Now, let us consider the subject of visualization. Every person knows that +the person who wishes to accomplish anything, or who expects to do good +work along any line, must first know what he wishes to accomplish. In the +degree that he is able to see the thing in his mind's eye—to picture the +thing in his imagination—in that degree will he tend to manifest the +thing itself in material form and effect.</p> + +<p>Sir Francis Galton, an eminent authority upon psychology, says on this +point: "The free use of a high visualizing faculty is of much importance +in connection with the higher processes of generalized thought. A visual +image is the most perfect form of mental representation wherever the +shape, position, and relations of objects to space are concerned. The best +workmen are those who visualize the whole of what they propose to do +before they take a tool in their hands. Strategists, artists of all +denominations, physicists who contrive new experiments, and, in short, all +who do not follow routine, have need of it. A faculty that is of +importance in all technical and artistic occupations, that gives accuracy +to our perceptions and justice to our generalizations, is starved by lazy +disuse instead of being cultivated judiciously in such a way as will, on +the whole, bring best return. I believe that a serious study of the best +way of developing and utilizing this faculty, without prejudice to the +practice of abstract thought in symbols, is one of the pressing desirata +in the yet unformed science of education."</p> + +<p>Not only on the ordinary planes is the forming of strong mental images +important and useful, but when we come to consider the phenomena of the +astral plane we begin to see what an important part is played there by +strong mental images or visualized ideas. The better you know what you +desire, wish or aspire to, the stronger will be your thought vibrations of +that thing, of course. Well, then, the stronger that you are able to +picture the thing in your mind—to visualize it to yourself—the stronger +will be your actual knowledge and thought-form of that thing. Instead of +your thought vibrations being grouped in nebulous forms, lacking shape and +distinct figure, as in the ordinary case; when you form strong, clear +mental images of what you desire or wish to accomplish, then do the +thought vibrations group themselves in clear, strong distinct forms. This +being done, when the mind of other persons are affected by induction they +get the clear idea of the thought and feeling in your mind, and are +strongly influenced thereby.</p> + +<p>A little later on, I shall call your attention to the Attractive Power of +Thought. But at this point I wish to say to you that while thought +certainly attracts to you the things that you think of the most, still the +power of the attraction depends very materially upon the clearness and +distinctness of the mental image, or thought visualization, of the desired +thing that you have set up in your mind. The nearer you can actually see +the thing as you wish it to happen, even to the general details, the +stronger will be the attractive force thereof. But, I shall leave the +discussion of this phase of the subject until I reach it in its proper +order. For the present, I shall content myself with urging upon you the +importance of a clear mental image, or visualized thought, in the matter +of giving force and direction to the idea induced in the minds of other +persons. In order for the other persons to actually perceive clearly the +idea or feeling induced in them, it is necessary that the idea or feeling +be strongly visualized in the mind originating it; that is the whole thing +in one sentence.</p> + +<p>The next point of importance in thought-influence by induction, is that +which is concerned with the process of concentration. Concentration is the +act of mental focusing, or bringing to a single point or centre. It is +like the work of the sun-glass that converges the rays of the sun to a +single tiny point, thus immensely increasing its heat and power. Or, it is +like the fine point of a needle that will force its way through where a +blunt thing cannot penetrate. Or, it is like the strongly concentrated +essence of a chemical substance, of which one drop is as powerful as one +pint of the original thing. Think of the concentrated power of a tiny drop +of attar of roses—it has within its tiny space the concentrated odor of +thousands of roses; one drop of it will make a pint of extract, and a +gallon of weaker perfumery! Think of the concentrated power in a lightning +flash, as contrasted with the same amount of electricity diffused over a +large area. Or, think of the harmless flash of a small amount of gunpowder +ignited in the open air, as contrasted with the ignition of the same +amount of powder compelled to escape through the small opening in the +gun-barrel.</p> + +<p>The occult teachings lay great stress upon this power of mental +concentration. All students of the occult devote much time and care to the +cultivation of the powers of concentration, and the development of the +ability to employ them. The average person possesses but a very small +amount of concentration, and is able to concentrate his mind for but a few +moments at a time. The trained thinker obtains much of his mental power +from his acquired ability to concentrate on his task. The occultist trains +himself in fixing his concentrated attention upon the matter before him, +so as to bring to a focal centre all of his mental forces.</p> + +<p>The mind is a very restless thing, and is inclined to dance from one thing +to another, tiring of each thing after a few moment's consideration +thereof. The average person allows his involuntary attention to rest upon +every trifling thing, and to be distracted by the idlest appeals to the +senses. He finds it most difficult to either shut out these distracting +appeals to the senses, and equally hard to hold the attention to some +uninteresting thing. His attention is almost free of control by the will, +and the person is a slave to his perceptive powers and to his imagination, +instead of, being a master of both.</p> + +<p>The occultist, on the contrary, masters his attention, and controls his +imagination. He forces the one to concentrate when he wishes it to do so; +and he compels the latter to form the mental images he wishes to +visualize. But this a far different thing from the self-hypnotization +which some persons imagine to be concentration. A writer on the subject +has well said: "The trained occultist will concentrate upon a subject or +object with a wonderful intensity, seemingly completely absorbed in the +subject or object before him, and oblivious to all else in the world. And +yet, the task accomplished, or the given time expired, he will detach his +mind from the object and will be perfectly fresh, watchful and wide-awake +to the next matter before him. There is every difference between being +controlled by involuntary attention, which is species of +self-hypnotization, and the control of the attention, which is an evidence +of mastery." An eminent French psychologist once said: "The authority of +the attention is subject to the superior authority of the Ego. I yield it, +or I withhold it, as I please. I direct it in turn to several points. I +concentrate it upon each point, as long as my will can stand the effort."</p> + +<p>In an earlier lesson of this series, I have indicated in a general way the +methods whereby one may develop and train his powers of concentration. +There is no royal road to concentration; it may be developed only by +practice and exercise. The secret consists in managing the attention, so +as to fix it upon a subject, no matter how uninteresting; and to hold it +there for a reasonable length of time. Practice upon some disagreeable +study or other task is good exercise, for it serves to train the will in +spite of the influence of more attractive objects or subjects. And this +all serves to train the will, remember; for the will is actively concerned +in every act of voluntary attention. In fact, attention of this kind is +one of the most important and characteristic acts of the will.</p> + +<p>So, as you see, in order to be successful in influencing the minds of +others by means of mental induction, you must first cultivate a strong +feeling of interest in the idea which you wish to induce in the other +person, or a strong desire to produce the thing. Interest and desire +constitute the fire which generates the stream of will from the water of +mind, as some occultists have stated it. Secondly, you must cultivate the +faculty of forming strong and clear mental images of the idea or feeling +you wish to so induce; you must learn to actually "see" the thing in your +imagination, so as to give the idea strength and clearness. Thirdly, you +must learn to concentrate your mind and attention upon the idea or +feeling, shutting out all other ideas and feelings for the time being; +thus you give concentrated force and power to the vibrations and +thought-forms which you are projecting.</p> + +<p>These three principles underlie all of the many forms of mental induction, +or mental influence. We find them in active operation in cases in which +the person is seeking to attract to himself certain conditions, +environment, persons, things, or channels of expression, by setting into +motion the great laws of mental attraction. We see them also employed when +the person is endeavoring to produce an effect upon the mind of some +particular person, or number of persons. We see them in force in all +cases of mental or psychic healing, under whatever form it may be +employed. In short, these are general principles, and must therefore +underlie all forms and phases of mental or psychic influence. The sooner +the student realizes this fact, and the more actively does he set himself +to work in cultivating and developing these principles within himself, the +more successful and efficient will he become in this field of psychic +research and investigation. It is largely in the degree of the cultivation +of these three mental principles that the occultist is distinguished from +the ordinary man.</p> + +<p>It may be that you are not desirous of cultivating or practicing the power +of influencing other persons psychically. Well, that is for you to decide +for yourself. At any rate, you will do well to develop yourselves along +these lines, at least for self-protection. The cultivation of these three +mental principles will tend to make you active and positive, psychically, +as contrasted with the passive, negative mental state of the average +person. By becoming mentally active and positive you will be able to +resist any psychic influence that may be directed toward yourself, and to +surround yourself with a protective aura of positive, active mental +vibrations.</p> + +<p>And, moreover, if you are desirous of pursuing your investigations of +psychic and astral phenomena, you will find it of great importance to +cultivate and develop these three principles in your mind. For, then you +will be able to brush aside all distracting influences, and to proceed at +once to the task before you, with power, clearness and strength of purpose +and method.</p> + +<p>In the following chapters I shall give you a more or less detailed +presentation of the various phases or forms of psychic influence. Some of +these may seem at first to be something independent of the general +principles. But I ask that you carefully analyze all of these, so as to +discover that the same fundamental principles are under and back of each +and every instance presented. When you once fully grasp this fact, and +perfect yourselves in the few fundamental principles, then you are well +started on the road to mastery of all the various phases of psychic +phenomena. Instead of puzzling your mind over a hundred different phases +of disconnected phenomena, it is better to master the few actual +elementary principles, and then reason deductively from these to the +various manifestation thereof. Master the principles, and then learn to +apply them.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXVII"></a><h2>LESSON XVII.</h2> + +<p>PERSONAL PSYCHIC INFLUENCE OVER OTHERS</p> +<br /> + +<p>Psychic Influence, as the term is used in this book, may be said to be +divided into three general classes, viz., (1) Personal Influence, in which +the mind of another is directly influenced by induction while he is in the +presence of the person influencing; (2) Distant Influencing, in which the +psychic induction is directly manifested when the persons concerned are +distant from one another; and (3) Indirect Influence, in which the +induction is manifested in the minds of various persons coming in contact +with the thought vibrations of the person manifesting them, though no +attempt is made to directly influence any particular person. I shall now +present each of these three forms of psychic influence to you for +consideration, one after the other in the above order.</p> + +<p>Personal Influence, as above defined, ranges from cases in which the +strongest control (generally known as hypnotism) is manifested, down to +the cases in which merely a slight influence is exerted. But the general +principle underlying all of these cases is precisely the same. The great +characters of history, such as Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, +and Julius Caesar, manifested this power to a great degree, and were able +to sway men according to their will. All great leaders of men have this +power strongly manifested, else they would not be able to influence the +minds of men. Great orators, preachers, statesmen, and others of this +class, likewise manifest the power strongly. In fact, the very sign of +ability to influence and manage other persons is evidence of the +possession and manifestation of this mighty power.</p> + +<p>In developing this power to influence others directly and personally, you +should begin by impressing upon your mind the principles stated in the +preceding chapter, namely (1) Strong Desire; (2) Clear Visualization; and +(3) Concentration.</p> + +<p>You must begin by encouraging a strong desire in your mind to be a +positive individual; to exert and manifest a positive influence over +others with whom you come in contact, and especially over those whom you +wish to influence in some particular manner or direction. You must let the +fire of desire burn fiercely within you, until it becomes as strong as +physical hunger or thirst. You must "want to" as you want to breathe, to +live. You will find that the men who accomplish the great things in life +are those who have strong desire burning in their bosoms. There is a +strong radiative and inductive power in strong desire and wish—in fact, +some have thought this the main feature of what we generally call strong +will-power.</p> + +<p>The next step, of course, is the forming of a clear, positive, distinct +and dynamic mental picture of the idea or feeling that you wish to induce +in the other person. If it is an idea, you should make a strong clear +picture of it in your imagination, so as to give it distinctness and +force and a clear outline. If it is a feeling, you should picture it in +your imagination. If it is something that you wish the other person to do, +or some way in which you wish him to act, you should picture him as doing +the thing, or acting in that particular way. By so doing you furnish the +pattern or design for the induced mental or emotional states you wish to +induce in the other person. Upon the clearness and strength of these +mental patterns of the imagination depends largely the power of the +induced impression.</p> + +<p>The third step, of course, is the concentration of your mind upon the +impression you wish to induce in the mind of the other person. You must +learn to concentrate so forcibly and clearly that the idea will stand out +clearly in your mind like a bright star of a dark night, except that there +must be only one star instead of thousands. By so doing you really focus +the entire force of your mental and psychic energies into that one +particular idea or thought. This makes it act like the focused rays in the +sun-glass, or like the strong pipe-stream of water that will break down +the thing upon which it is turned. Diffused thought has but a +comparatively weak effect, whereas a concentrated stream of thought +vibrations will force its way through obstacles.</p> + +<p>Remember, always, this threefold mental condition: (1) STRONG DESIRE; (2) +CLEAR MENTAL PICTURE; and (3) CONCENTRATED THOUGHT. The greater the degree +in which you can manifest these three mental conditions, the greater will +be your success in any form of psychic influence, direct or indirect, +personal or general, present or distant.</p> + +<p>Before you proceed to develop the power to impress a particular idea or +feeling upon the mind of another person, you should first acquire a +positive mental atmosphere for yourself. This mental atmosphere is +produced in precisely the same way that you induce a special idea or +feeling in the mind of the other person. That is to say, you first +strongly desire it, then you clearly picture it, and then you apply +concentrated thought upon it.</p> + +<p>I will assume that you are filled with the strong desire for a positive +mental atmosphere around you. You want this very much indeed, and actually +crave and hunger for it. Then you must begin to picture yourself (in your +imagination) as surrounded with an aura of positive thought-vibrations +which protect you from the thought forces of other persons, and, at the +same time impress the strength of your personality upon the persons with +whom you come in contact. You will be aided in making these strong mental +pictures by holding the idea in your concentrated thought, and, at the +same time, silently stating to your mind just what you expect to do in the +desired direction. In stating your orders to your mind, always speak as if +the thing were already accomplished at that particular moment. Never say +that it "will be," but always hold fast to the "it is." The following will +give you a good example of the mental statements, which of course should +be accompanied by the concentrated idea of the thing, and the mental +picture of yourself as being just what you state.</p> + +<p>Here is the mental statement for the creation of a strong, positive +psychic atmosphere: "I am surrounded by an aura of strong, positive, +dynamic thought-vibrations. These render me positive to other persons, and +render them negative to me. I am positive of their thought-vibrations, but +they are negative to mine. They feel the strength of my psychic +atmosphere, while I easily repel the power of theirs. I dominate the +situation, and manifest my positive psychic qualities over theirs. My +atmosphere creates the vibration of strength and power on all sides of me, +which affect others with whom I come in contact. MY PSYCHIC ATMOSPHERE IS +STRONG AND POSITIVE!"</p> + +<p>The next step in Personal Influence is that of projecting your psychic +power directly upon and into the mind of the other person whom you wish to +influence. Sometimes, if the person is quite negative to you, this is a +very simple and easy matter; but where the person is near your own degree +of psychic positiveness you will have to assert your psychic superiority +to him, and get the psychic "upper hand" before you can proceed further. +This is accomplished by throwing into your psychic atmosphere some +particularly strong mental statements accompanied by clear visualizations +or mental pictures.</p> + +<p>Make positive your psychic atmosphere, particularly towards the person +whom you seek to influence, by statements and pictures something along +the following lines: "I am positive to this man"; "He is negative to me"; +"He feels my power and is beginning to yield to it"; "He is unable to +influence me in the slightest, while I can influence him easily"; "My +power is beginning to operate upon his mind and feelings." The exact words +are not important, but the idea behind them gives them their psychic force +and power.</p> + +<p>Then should you begin your direct attack upon him, or rather upon his +psychic powers. When I say "attack," I do not use the word in the sense of +warfare or actual desire to harm the other person—this is a far different +matter. What I mean to say is that there is usually a psychic battle for a +longer or shorter period between two persons of similar degrees of psychic +power and development. From this battle one always emerges victor at the +time, and one always is beaten for the time being, at least. And, as in +all battles, victory often goes to him who strikes the first hard blow. +The offensive tactics are the best in cases of this kind.</p> + +<p>A celebrated American author, Oliver Wendall Holmes, in one of his books +makes mention of these duels of psychic force between individuals, as +follows: "There is that deadly Indian hug in which men wrestle with their +eyes, over in five seconds, but which breaks one of their two backs, and +is good for three-score years and ten, one trial enough—settles the whole +matter—just as when two feathered songsters of the barnyard, game and +dunghill, come together. After a jump or two, and a few sharp kicks, there +is an end to it; and it is 'After you, monsieur' with the beaten party in +all the social relations for all the rest of his days."</p> + +<p>An English physician, Dr. Fothergill by name, wrote a number of years ago +about this struggle of wills, as he called it, but which is really a +struggle of psychic power. He says: "The conflict of will, the power to +command others, has been spoken of frequently. Yet what is this will-power +that influences others? What is it that makes us accept, and adopt too, +the advice of one person, while precisely the same advice from another has +been rejected? Is it the weight of force of will which insensibly +influences us; the force of will behind the advice? That is what it is! +The person who thus forces his or her advice upon us has no more power to +enforce it than others; but all the same we do as requested. We accept +from one what we reject from another. One person says of something +contemplated, 'Oh, but you must not,' yet we do it all the same, though +that person may be in a position to make us regret the rejection of that +counsel. Another person says, 'Oh, but you mustn't,' and we desist, though +we may, if so disposed, set this latter person's opinion at defiance with +impunity. It is not the fear of consequences, not of giving offense, which +determines the adaption of the latter person's advice, while it has been +rejected when given by the first. It depends upon the character or +will-power of the individual advising whether we accept the advice or +reject it. This character often depends little, if at all, in some cases, +upon the intellect, or even upon the moral qualities, the goodness or +badness, of the individual. It is itself an imponderable something; yet it +carries weight with it. There may be abler men, cleverer men; but it is +the one possessed of will who rises to the surface at these times—the one +who can by some subtle power make other men obey him.</p> + +<p>"The will-power goes on universally. In the young aristocrat who gets his +tailor to make another advance in defiance of his conviction that he will +never get his money back. It goes on between lawyer and client; betwixt +doctor and patient; between banker and borrower; betwixt buyer and seller. +It is not tact which enables the person behind the counter to induce +customers to buy what they did not intend to buy, and which bought, gives +them no satisfaction, though it is linked therewith for the effort to be +successful. Whenever two persons meet in business, or in any other +relation in life, up to love-making, there is this will-fight going on, +commonly enough without any consciousness of the struggle. There is a dim +consciousness of the result, but none of the processes. It often takes +years of the intimacy of married life to find out with whom of the pair +the mastery really lies. Often the far stronger character, to all +appearances, has to yield; it is this will-element which underlies the +statement: 'The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the +strong.' In Middle-march' we find in Lydgate a grand aggregation of +qualities, yet shallow, hard, selfish Rosamond masters him thoroughly in +the end. He was not deficient in will-power; possessed more than an +average amount of character; but in the fight he went down at last under +the onslaught of the intense, stubborn will of his narrow-minded spouse. +Their will-contest was the collision of a large warm nature, like a +capable human hand, with a hard, narrow selfish nature, like a steel +button; the hand only bruised itself while the button remained +unaffected."</p> + +<p>You must not, however, imagine that every person with whom you engage in +one of these psychic duels is conscious of what is going on. He usually +recognizes that some sort of conflict is under way, but he does not know +the laws and principles of psychic force, and so is in the dark regarding +the procedure. You will find that a little practice of this kind, in which +no great question is involved, will give you a certain knack or trick of +handling your psychic forces, and will, besides, give you that confidence +in yourself that comes only from actual practice and exercise. I can point +out the rules, and give you the principles, but you must learn the little +bits of technique yourself from actual practice.</p> + +<p>When you have crossed psychic swords with the other person, gaze at him +intently but not fiercely, and send him this positive strong +thought-vibration: "I am stronger than you, and I shall win!" At the same +time picture to yourself your forces beating down his and overcoming him. +Hold this idea and picture in your mind: "My vibrations are stronger than +are yours—I am beating you!" Follow this up with the idea and picture +of: "You are weakening and giving in—you are being overpowered!" A very +powerful psychic weapon is the following: "My vibrations are scattering +your forces—I am breaking your forces into bits—surrender, surrender +now, I tell you!"</p> + +<p>And now for some interesting and very valuable information concerning +psychic defense. You will notice that in the offensive psychic weapons +there is always an assertion of positive statement of your power and its +effect. Well, then, in using the psychic defensive weapon against one of +strong will or psychic force, you reverse the process. That is to say you +deny the force of his psychic powers and forces, and picture them as +melting into nothingness. Get this idea well fixed in your mind, for it is +very important in a conflict of this kind. The effect of this is to +neutralize all of the other person's power so far as its effect on +yourself is concerned—you really do not destroy it in him totally. You +simply render his forces powerless to affect you. This is important not +only when in a psychic conflict of this kind, but also when you wish to +render yourself immune from the psychic forces of other persons. You may +shut yourself up in a strong defensive armor in this way, and others will +be powerless to affect you.</p> + +<p>In the positive statement, "I deny!" you have the Occult Shield of +Defense, which is a mighty protection to you. Even if you do not feel +disposed to cultivate and develop your psychic powers in the direction of +influencing others, you should at least develop your defensive powers so +as to resist any psychic attacks upon yourself.</p> + +<p>You will find it helpful to practice these offensive and defensive weapons +when you are alone, standing before your mirror and "playing" that your +reflection in the glass is the other person. Send this imaginary other +person the psychic vibrations, accompanied by the mental picture suitable +for it. Act the part out seriously and earnestly, just as if the reflected +image were really another person. This will give you confidence in +yourself, and that indefinable "knack" of handling your psychic weapons +that comes only from practice. You will do well to perfect yourself in +these rehearsals, just as you would in case you were trying to master +anything else. By frequent earnest rehearsals, you will gain not only +familiarity with the process and methods, but you will also gain real +power and strength by the exercise of your psychic faculties which have +heretofore lain dormant. Just as you may develop the muscle of your arm by +calisthenic exercises, until it is able to perform real muscular work of +strength; so you may develop your psychic faculties in this rehearsal +work, so that you will be strongly equipped and armed for an actual +psychic conflict, besides having learned how to handle your psychic +weapons.</p> + +<p>After you have practiced sufficiently along the general offensive and +defensive lines, and have learned how to manifest these forces in actual +conflict, you will do well to practice special and specific commands to +others, in the same way. That is to say, practice them first on your +reflected image in the mirror. The following commands (with mental +pictures, of course) will give you good practice. Go about the work in +earnest, and act out the part seriously. Try these exercises: "Here! look +at me!" "Give me your undivided attention!" "Come this way!" "Come to me +at once!" "Go away from me—leave me at once!" "You like me—you like me +very much!" "You are afraid of me!" "You wish to please me!" "You will +agree to my proposition!" "You will do as I tell you!" Any special command +you wish to convey to another person, psychically, you will do well to +practice before the mirror in this way.</p> + +<p>When you have made satisfactory progress in the exercises above mentioned, +and are able, to demonstrate them with a fair degree of success in actual +practice, you may proceed to experiment with persons along the lines of +special and direct commands by psychic force. The following will give you +a clear idea of the nature of the experiments in question, but you may +enlarge upon and vary them indefinitely. Remember there is no virtue in +mere words—the effect comes from the power of the thought behind the +words. But, nevertheless, you will find that positive words, used in these +silent commands, will help you to fit in your feeling to the words. Always +make the command a real COMMAND, never a mere entreaty or appeal. Assume +the mental attitude of a master of men—of a commander and ruler of other +men. Here follow a number of interesting experiments along these lines, +which will be very useful to you in acquiring the art of personal +influence of this kind:</p> +<br /> + +<p>SEVEN VALUABLE EXERCISES</p> + +<p>EXERCISE 1: When walking down the street behind a person, make him turn +around in answer to your mental command. Select some person who does not +seem to be too much rushed or too busy—select some person who seems to +having nothing particular on his mind. Then desire earnestly that he shall +turn around when you mentally call to him to do so; at the same time +picture him as turning around in answer to your call; and at the same time +concentrate your attention and thought firmly upon him. After a few +moments of preparatory thought, send him the following message, silently +of course, with as much force, positiveness and vigor as possible: "Hey +there! turn around and look at me! Hey! turn around, turn around at once!" +While influencing him fix your gaze at the point on his neck where the +skull joins it—right at the base of the brain, in the back. In a number +of cases, you will find that the person will look around as if someone had +actually called him aloud. In other cases, he will seem puzzled, and will +look from side to side as if seeking some one. After a little practice you +will be surprised how many persons you can affect in this way.</p> + +<p>EXERCISE 2: When in a public place, such as a church, concert or theatre, +send a similar message to someone seated a little distance in front of +you. Use the same methods as in the first exercise, and you will obtain +similar results. It will seem queer to you at first to notice how the +other person will begin to fidget and move around in his seat, and finally +glance furtively around as if to see what is causing him the disturbance. +You, of course, will not let him suspect that it is you, but, instead will +gaze calmly ahead of you, and pretend not to notice him.</p> + +<p>EXERCISE 3: This is a variation of the first exercise. It is +practiced by sending to a person approaching you on the street, or walking +ahead of you in the same direction, a command to turn to the right, or to +the left, as you prefer. You will be surprised to see how often you will +be successful in this.</p> + +<p>EXERCISE 4: This is a variation of the second exercise. It is +practiced by sending to a person seated in front of you in a public place +the command to look to the right, or to the left, as you prefer. Do not +practice on the same person too long, after succeeding at first—it is not +right to torment people, remember.</p> + +<p>EXERCISE 5: After having attained proficiency in the foregoing +exercises, you many proceed to command a person to perform certain +unimportant motions, such as rising or sitting down, taking off his hat, +taking out his handkerchief, laying down a fan, umbrella, etc.</p> + +<p>EXERCISE 6: The next step is to command persons to say some +particular word having no important meaning; to "put words in his mouth" +while talking to him. Wait until the other person pauses as if in search +of a word, and then suddenly, sharply and forcibly put the word into his +mouth, silently of course. In a very susceptible person, well under your +psychic control, you may succeed in suggesting entire sentences and +phrases to him.</p> + +<p>EXERCISE 7: This is the summit of psychic influencing, and, of +course, is the most difficult. But you will be surprised to see how well +you will succeed in many cases, after you have acquired the knack and +habit of sending the psychic message. It consists of commanding the person +to obey the spoken command or request that you are about to make to him. +This is the art and secret of the success of many salesmen, solicitors, +and others working along the lines of influencing other people. It is +acquired by beginning with small things, and gradually proceeding to +greater, and still greater. At this point I should warn you that all the +best occult teachings warn students against using this power for base +ends, improper purposes, etc. Such practices tend to react and rebound +against the person using them, like a boomerang. Beware against using +psychic or occult forces for improper purposes—the psychic laws punish +the offender, just as do the physical laws.</p> + +<p>Finally, I caution the student against talking too much about his +developing powers. Beware of boasting or bragging about these things. Keep +silent, and keep your own counsel. When you make known your powers, you +set into operation the adverse and antagonistic thought of persons around +you who may be jealous of you, and who would wish to see you fail, or make +yourself ridiculous. The wise head keepeth a still tongue! One of the +oldest occult maxims is: "Learn! Dare! Do! Keep Silent!!!" You will do +well to adhere strictly to this warning caution.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXVIII"></a><h2>LESSON XVIII.</h2> + +<p>PSYCHIC INFLUENCE AT A DISTANCE</p> +<br /> + +<p>The second phase of Psychic Influence is that called Distant Psychic +Influence, in which psychic induction is manifested when the persons are +distant in space from one another—not in the presence of each other. +Here, of course, we see the principle of telepathy involved in connection +with the process of mental induction: and in some cases even the astral +telepathic sense is called into operation.</p> + +<p>The student who has followed my explanation and course of reasoning in the +preceding lessons will readily perceive that the principle involved in +this distant phase of psychic influence is precisely the same as that +employed in direct personal psychic influence. As I have explained in an +early lesson, it matters little whether the space to be covered by the +psychic vibratory waves is but one foot or a thousand miles, the principle +is exactly the same. There are, of course, other principles involved in +the case of two persons meeting face to face and calling into force their +psychic powers; for instance, there is the element of suggestion and +association, and other psychological principles which are not in force +when the two persons are out of the actual presence of each other. But so +far as the telepathic or astral psychic powers are concerned, the mere +extension of space does not change the principle.</p> + +<p>The student who has developed his power of psychic induction in the +phases mentioned in the preceding chapter, may begin to experiment and +practice psychic induction at long-range, if he so wishes. That is to say, +instead of causing psychic induction in the minds of persons actually in +his presence and sight, he may produce similar results in persons out of +his sight and presence. The person may be brought into presence and +psychic contact, for all practical purposes, by using the visualizing +powers for the purpose of bringing him into the en rapport condition. That +is to say, by using the imagination to bring into the mind a strong clear +picture of the other person, you may induce an en rapport condition in +which he will be practically in the same psychic relation to you as if he +were actually before you. Of course, if he is sufficiently well informed +regarding occult matters, he may shut you out by drawing a psychic circle +around himself which you cannot penetrate, or by surrounding himself with +psychic armor or atmosphere such as I have already mentioned in preceding +lessons. But as he will not likely know anything of this, the average +person may be reached in the manner just mentioned.</p> + +<p>Or again, you may establish en rapport conditions by psychometric methods, +by holding to your forehead an article which has been in the other +person's possession for some time; an article worn by him; a piece of his +hair; etc. Or, again, you may use the crystal to bring up his astral +vision before you. Or, again, you may erect an "astral tube" such as I +will mention a little further on in this chapter, and thus establish a +strong en rapport condition.</p> + +<p>Having established the en rapport condition with the other person, and +having thus practically brought him into your presence, psychically +speaking, you may proceed to send him commands or demands, just as you did +in the phase of personal psychic influence previously mentioned. You act +precisely as if the other person were present before you, and state your +commands or demands to him just as you would were he seated or standing in +your presence. This is the keynote of the whole thing; the rest is simply +an elaboration and stating of details of methods, etc. With the correct +principle once established, you may apply the same according to your own +wishes and discretion.</p> + +<p>This phase of distant psychic influence is at the bottom of all the +wonderful tales, stories and legends of supernatural powers, witchcraft, +sorcery, etc., with which the pages of history are filled. There is of +course always to be found much distortion and exaggeration in these +legends and tales, but they have truth at the bottom of them. In this +connection, let me call your attention to a very important psychic +principle involved. I have told you that by denying the power of any +person over you, you practically neutralize his psychic power—the +stronger and more positive your belief in your immunity, and your denial +of his power over you, the more do you rob him of any such power. The +average person, not knowing this, is more or less passive to psychic +influences of other persons, and may be affected by them to a greater or +less extent, depending upon the psychic development of the person seeking +to influence him. At the extreme of the sensitive pole of psychic +influence, we find those persons who believe firmly that the other person +has power over them, and who are more or less afraid of him. This belief +and fear acts to make them particularly sensitive and impressionable, and +easily affected by his psychic induction. This is the reason that the +so-called witches and sorcerers and others of evil repute have been able +to acquire such a power over their victims, and to cause so much trouble. +The secret is that the victims believed in the power of the other person, +and feared their power. The greater the belief in, and fear of, the power +of the person, the greater the susceptibility to his influence; the +greater the sense of power of neutralizing the power, and the disbelief in +his power to affect them, the greater the degree of immunity: this is the +rule!</p> + +<p>Accordingly we find that persons in various stages of the history of the +world have been affected by the influences of witches, sorcerers, and +other unprincipled persons. In most cases these so-called witches and +sorcerers themselves were under the delusion that they were assisted by +the devil or some other supernatural being. They did not realize that they +were simply using perfectly natural methods, and employing perfectly +natural forces. For that matter, you must remember that magnetism and +electricity, in ancient days, were considered as supernatural forces in +some way connected with demonic powers.</p> + +<p>Studying the history of witchcraft, sorcery, black-magic, and the like, +you will find that the devotees thereof usually employed some psychometric +method. In other cases they would mould little figures of clay, or of wax, +in the general shape and appearance of the person whom they wished to +affect. It was thought that these little figures were endowed with some +supernatural powers or attributes, but of course this was mere +superstition. The whole power of these little figures arose from the fact +that they aided the imagination of the spell-worker in forming a mental +image of the person sought to be influenced; and thus established a strong +en rapport condition. Added to this, you must remember that the fear and +belief of the public greatly aided the spell-worker and increased his +power and influence over these poor persons.</p> + +<p>I will give you a typical case, taken from an old German book, which +thoroughly illustrates the principles involved in cases of this kind. +Understand this case, and you will have the secret and working principle +of them all. The story is told by an eminent German physician of the last +century. He relates that he was consulted by one of his patients, a +wealthy farmer living near by. The farmer complained that he was disturbed +every night by strange noises which sounded like someone pounding iron. +The disturbances occurred between the hours of ten o'clock and midnight, +each and every night. The physician asked him if he suspected anyone of +causing the strange trouble. The farmer answered that he suspected an old +enemy of his, an old village blacksmith living several miles away from his +farm. It appears that an old long-standing feud between them had broken +out afresh, and that the blacksmith had made threats of employing his +"hex" (witchcraft) powers on the old farmer. The blacksmith was reputed to +be a sort of "hex" or male-witch, and the farmer believed in his diabolic +powers and was very much in fear of them. So you see the ideal condition +for psychic receptivity was present.</p> + +<p>The physician called on the blacksmith, and taking him by surprise, gazing +sternly into his eyes and asked him: "What do you do every night between +ten and twelve o'clock?" The blacksmith, frightened and disturbed, +stammered out: "I hammer a bar of iron every night at that time, and all +the while I think intently of a bad neighbor of mine who once cheated me +out of some money; and I 'will' at the same time that the noise will +disturb his rest, until he will pay me back my money to get peace and +quiet." The physician bade him to desist from his evil practices, under +threats of dire punishment; and then went to the farmer and made him +straighten out the financial dispute between the two. Thereafter, there +was no more trouble.</p> + +<p>So you see in this case all the necessary elements were present. First +there was the belief of the blacksmith in his own powers—this gave him +self-confidence and psychic power. Then there was the belief and fear on +the part of the farmer—this made him an easy subject, and very +susceptible to psychic induction, etc. Then there was the action of the +blacksmith beating the iron—this gave force and clearness to his +visualization of the idea he wished to induce in the mind of the other. +And, finally, there was his will employed in every stroke, going out in +the direction of the concentrated wish and purpose of influencing the +farmer. You see, then, that every psychic element was present. It was no +wonder that the old farmer was disturbed.</p> + +<p>Among the negroes of the South, in America; and among the Hawaiians; we +find marked instances of this kind. The negro Voodoo men and women work +black magic on those of their race who are superstitious and credulous, +and who have a mortal fear of the Voodoo. You see the conditions obtained +are much the same as in the case of the German case just cited. Travellers +who have visited the countries in which there is a large negro population, +have many interesting tales to recite of the terrible workings of these +Voodoo black magicians. In some cases, sickness and even death is the +result. But, mark you this! it is only those who believe in, and fear, the +power of the Voodoos that are affected. In Hawaii, the Kahunas or native +magicians are renowned for their power to cause sickness and death to +those who have offended them; or to those who have offended some client of +the Kahuna, and who have hired the latter to "pray" the enemy to sickness +or death. The poor ignorant Hawaiians, believing implicitly in the power +of the Kahunas, and being in deadly fear of them, are very susceptible to +their psychic influence, and naturally fall easy victims, unless they buy +of the Kahuna, or make peace with his client. White persons living in +Hawaii are not affected by the Kahunas, for they do not believe in them, +neither do they fear them. Unconsciously, but still strongly, they deny +the power, and are immune. So, you see, the principle working out here, +also. Once you have the master-key, you may unlock many doors of mystery +which have heretofore been closed to you.</p> + +<p>We do not have to fall back on cases of witchcraft, however, in order to +illustrate this phase of the use of psychic influence for selfish ends. In +Europe and America there are teachers of a low form of occultism who +instruct their pupils in the art of producing induced mental states in the +minds of others, for purposes of financial gain or other selfish ends. For +instance, there is a Western teacher who instructs his pupils to induce +desired mental states in prospective customers, or others whom they may +wish to influence for selfish reasons. This teacher tells his pupils to: +"Imagine your prospective customer, or other person, as seated in a chair +before which you are standing. Make the imagined picture as strong as +possible, for upon this depends your success. Then proceed to 'treat' this +person just as if he were actually present. Concentrate your will upon +him, and tell him what you expect to tell him when you meet him. Use all +of the arguments that you can think of, and at the same time hold the +thought that he must do as you say. Try to imagine him as complying with +your wishes in every respect, for this imagining will tend to 'come true' +when you really meet the person. This rule may be used, not only in the +case of prospective customers, but also in the case of persons whom you +wish to influence in any way whatsoever." Surely this is a case of +employing psychic powers for selfish purposes, if anything is.</p> + +<p>Again, in Europe and America, particularly in the latter country, we find +many persons who have picked up a smattering of occult knowledge by means +of some of the many healing cults and organizations which teach the power +of thought over physical diseases. In the instruction along the lines of +distant mental healing, the student is taught to visualize the patient as +strongly and clearly as possible, and to then proceed to make statements +of health and strength. The mind of the patient, and that of the healer, +cooperate and in many cases work wonderful cures. As you will see in the +last lesson of this course, there is great power in the mind to induce +healthful vibrations in the mind of others, and the work is a good and +worthy one. But, alas! as is so often the case, the good teaching is +sometimes perverted, and applied for unworthy and selfish ends. Some of +the persons who have picked up the principles of mental healing have +discovered that the same power may be used in a bad as well as in a good +direction. They accordingly, proceed to "treat" other persons with the +object of persuading them to do things calculated to benefit the person +using the psychic power. They seek to get these other persons under their +psychic influence, and to then take advantage of them in some way or +other.</p> + +<p>I hope that it is practically unnecessary for me to warn my students +against evil practices of this kind—I trust that I have not drawn any +students of this class to me. In case, however, that some of you may have +been, or may be in the future, tempted to use your psychic powers +improperly, in this way, I wish to caution and warn you positively against +so doing. Outside of the ordinary morality which should prevent you from +taking advantage of another person in this way, I wish to say to you that +anyone so misusing psychic or astral powers will inevitably bring down +upon his head, sooner or later, certain occult astral forces which will +prove disastrous to him. He will become involved in the web of his own +making, and will suffer greatly. Never by any means allow yourself to be +tempted into indulging in any of the practices of Black Magic, under any +form of disguise. You will live to regret it if you do. Employ your +powers, when you develop them, for the good of others; or at least, for +purely scientific investigation and knowledge.</p> + +<p>The scientific investigator of this phase of psychic influence, will wish +to become acquainted with what the occultists call "the astral tube." In +this phase of the phenomena, you manifest upon the astral plane, rather +than upon the physical. The astral form of telepathy is manifested, rather +than the ordinary form. While there are a number of technical points +involved in the production of the astral tube, I shall endeavor to +instruct you regarding its creation and use in as plain words as possible, +omitting all reference to technical occult details which would only serve +to distract your attention and confuse your mind. The advanced occult +student will understand these omitted technicalities without being told of +them; the others would not know what was meant by them, if mentioned, in +the absence of a long stage of preparatory teaching. After all, the theory +is not of so much importance to most of you as are the practical working +principles. I ask your careful attention to what I have to say in this +subject of the astral tube.</p> + +<p>The Astral Tube is formed by the person forming in his imagination (i.e., +on the astral plane by means of his imagination or visualizing powers), a +tube or small tunnel between himself and the person whom he wishes to +influence. He starts by picturing it in his mind a whirling vortex, +similar to the whirling ring of smoke emitted from a "coughing" engine, +and sometimes by a man smoking a cigar, about six inches to one foot in +diameter. He must will the imagined vortex-ring to move forward as if it +were actually boring a tunnel through the atmosphere. When the knack of +producing this astral tube is acquired, it will be found that the +visualized tunnel seems to vibrate with a peculiar intensity, and will +seem to be composed of a substance far more subtle than air. Then, at the +other end of this astral tube you must picture the other person, the one +whom you wish to influence. The person will seem as if viewed through the +wrong end of an opera-glass. When this condition is gained, there will be +found to be a high degree of en rapport between yourself and the other +person. The secret consists in the fact that you have really established a +form of clairvoyance between yourself and the person. When you have +induced this condition, proceed with your mental commands and pictures +just as if you were in the presence of the person himself. That is the +whole thing in a nutshell.</p> + +<p>In order that you may have another viewpoint from which to consider the +astral tube, or what corresponds to it, I wish to give you here a little +quotation from another writer on the subject, who presents the matter from +a somewhat more technical standpoint. Read this quotation in connection +with my own description of the astral tube, and you will form a pretty +complete and clear idea of the phenomenon. The writer mentioned says: "It +is impossible here to give an exhaustive disquisition on astral physics; +all I need say is that it is possible to make in the astral substance a +definite connecting-line that shall act as a telegraph wire to convey +vibrations by means of which all that is going on at the other end of it +may be seen. Such a line is established, be it understood, not by a direct +projection through space of astral matter, but by such action upon a line +(or rather many lines) of particles of that substance as will render them +capable of forming a conductor for vibrations of the character required. +This preliminary action can be set up in two ways—either by the +transmission of energy from particle to particle, until the line is +formed, or by the use of a force from a higher plane which is capable of +acting upon the whole line simultaneously. Of course this latter method +implies far greater development, since it involves the knowledge of (and +the power to use) forces of a considerably higher level.</p> + +<p>"Even the simpler and purely astral operation is a difficult one to +describe, though quite an easy one to perform. It may be said to partake +somewhat of the nature of the magnetization of a bar of steel; for it +consists in what we might call the polarization, by an effort of the human +will, of a number of astral atoms reaching from the operator to the scene +which he wishes to observe. All the atoms thus affected are held for the +time being with their axes rigidly parallel to one another, so that they +form a kind of temporary tube along which the clairvoyant may look. This +method has the disadvantage that the telegraph line is liable to +disarrangement or even destruction by any sufficiently strong astral +current which happens to cross its path; but if the original creative +effort were fairly definite, this would be a contingency of only +infrequent occurrence. The view of a distant scene obtained by means of +this 'astral current' is in many ways not unlike that seen through a +telescope. Human figures usually appear very small, like those on a +distant stage, but in spite of their diminutive size they are as clear as +though they were close by. Sometimes it is possible by this means to hear +what is said as well as to see what is done; but as in the majority of +cases this does not happen, we must consider it rather as the +manifestation of an additional power than as a necessary corollary of the +faculty of sight."</p> + +<p>I would feel that I had not done my whole duty to the student, or reader +of this book, were I to conclude this chapter without pointing out a means +of protection against the use of this phase of psychic influence against +them on the part of some unscrupulous person; or for that matter, against +the meddling influence of any person whatsoever, for any purpose +whatsoever, without one's permission and consent. Therefore, I wish now to +point out the general principles of self-protection or defense against +this class of psychic influence.</p> + +<p>In the first place, you must, of course, refuse to admit to your mind any +feeling of fear regarding the influence of other persons—for that is the +open door to their influence, as I have pointed out to you. If you have +been, or are fearful of any persons psychic influence, you must get to +work and drive out that feeling by positive and vigorous denials. The +denial, you remember, is the positive neutralizer of the psychic influence +of another person, providing you make it in full belief of its truth. You +must take the position (which is a true one) that you are immune to the +psychic attack or influence. You should say, mentally, "I deny to any +person the power to influence me psychically without my consent; I am +positive to all such influences, and they are negative to me; I neutralize +them by this denial!"</p> + +<p>If you feel sudden impulses to act in some way which you have not thought +of doing, or toward which you have had an aversion, pause a moment and +say, mentally, "If this is an outside influence, I deny its power over me; +I deny it, and send it back to its sender, to his defeat and confusion." +You will then experience a feeling of relief and freedom. In such cases +you may frequently be approached later on by the person who would have +been most benefitted by your action; he will appear surprised when you +"turn him down," and will act in a confused way. He may not have +consciously tried to influence you, but may have merely been wishing +strongly that you would do as he desired.</p> + +<p>It should encourage you to know that it requires much less force to repel +and neutralize psychic influence of this kind, than is required to send +forth the power; an ounce of denial and protection overcomes a pound of +psychic attacking power. Nature gives you the means of protection, and +gives you "the best end of the stick," and it is your own fault if you do +not effectively use it. A word to the wise is sufficient.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXIX"></a><h2>LESSON XIX.</h2> + +<p>LAWS OF PSYCHIC ATTRACTION</p> +<br /> + +<p>The third phase of Psychic Influence is that which may be called Indirect +Psychic Influence, in which psychic induction is manifested in the minds +of other persons coming in contact with the thought vibrations of the +person manifesting them, although no deliberate attempt is made to +influence the mind of any particular person or persons. Closely connected +with and involved in this phase of psychic influence, is that which is +called the Psychic Law of Attraction. So closely are these two connected +that I shall consider them together in this lesson.</p> + +<p>The fundamental principle of this phase of psychic influence is the +well-known psychic fact that mental and emotional states not only induce +similar vibrations in those who are similar attuned on the psychic +vibratory scale, but also tend to attract and draw to the person other +persons who are vibrating along similar lines, and also tend to repel +those who are vibrating in an opposing note or scale of psychic vibration.</p> + +<p>In the preceding lessons I have shown you how by induction we tend to +arouse in others mental and emotional states similar to our own. But there +is a law in effect here, which must be noted if you wish to thoroughly +understand this phase of psychic influences. Omitting all technical +explanations, and getting right down to the heart of the phenomenon, I +would say that the general principle is this: Psychic induction is +difficult in proportion to the opposing quality of the characteristic +mental and emotional states of the person affected; and easy in proportion +to the harmonious quality thereof. That is to say, in plain words, that if +a person's habitual thought and emotions are along the same lines that you +are trying to induce in him, you will find it easy to induce the same in +him; if, on the contrary, they are of an opposing nature, then you will +find it difficult to so influence him. The many degrees of agreement and +difference in the psychic vibrations of persons constitute a scale of +comparative response to any particular form of mental or emotional +vibrations.</p> + +<p>It is hard to change the spots of a leopard, or the skin of an Ethiopian, +as we are told on ancient authority. It is almost as difficult to change +the characteristic mental and emotional states of a person by psychic +induction, except after long and repeated efforts. On the contrary, let a +person have certain characteristic mental and emotional habits, then these +may be aroused in them with the greatest ease by means of psychic +induction. For instance, if a person is characteristically and habitually +peaceful, mild and calm, it will be very difficult to arouse in him by +psychic induction the vibrations of anger, fight and excitement. On the +other hand, if the other person is combative, fierce and easily excited to +wrath, it is the easiest possible thing to arouse these feelings in him by +psychic induction. So much for ordinary psychic induction; let us now +consider indirect psychic induction, in which the same principle operates.</p> + +<p>In indirect psychic induction, that is to say in cases in which psychic +vibrations are aroused by induction without deliberate attempt or design +to influence any particular person or persons, there is noted the +manifestation of a peculiar law of attraction and repulsion along psychic +lines. This psychic law operates in the direction of attracting to oneself +other persons who, actively or passively, vibrate on the same note, or on +some note or notes in general harmony therewith. In the same, way, the law +causes you to repel other persons who vibrate on a note or notes in +general inharmony or discord to yourself. So, in short, we go through life +attracting or repelling, psychically, others in harmonious or inharmonious +psychic relation to us, respectively. An understanding of this law and its +workings will throw light upon many things in your life which you have not +understood previously.</p> + +<p>You of course understand that you are constantly radiating currents of +psychic vibrations, some of which flow out to great distances from you, +and affect others often far removed from you in space. But you may not +also know that on the astral plane there is manifesting a similar sequence +of cause and effect. A strong emotional vibration, or a strong desire or +will, tends to manifest on the astral plane by attracting or repelling +others in psychic harmony or inharmony with you. This phenomenon is not so +common as is that of ordinary thought vibrations from brain to brain, but +it is far more common that is generally supposed. It is particularly +marked in cases of men of strong desire and will, and strong creative +imagination. These vibrations awakening response in the minds of those in +harmony with them, tend to draw to one those other persons whose general +character will fit in with the desires and ideas of the first person, or +to repel those who are not harmonious therewith. This explains the +peculiar phenomenon of strong men in business, politics and other walks of +life, drawing and attracting to them other men who will fit in with their +general plans and aims.</p> + +<p>This law works two ways. Not only do you draw such persons to you as will +fit in with your plans and purposes, but you are attracted to them by the +same law. Not only this, but you will find that through the peculiar +workings of this law even things and circumstances, as well as persons, +will seem to be moulded by your strong desires and ideas, providing your +psychic vibrations are sufficiently strong and clear. Have you never +noticed how a strong, resourceful magnetic man will seem to actually draw +to him the persons, things and circumstances that he needs to carry out +and manifest his plans and designs. To many, not understanding this great +law, these things have seemed positively uncanny and mysterious. But, +now-a-days, the big men of business and politics are beginning to +understand these psychic laws, and to apply them deliberately and with +purpose.</p> + +<p>Some of the great leaders in the business world, and in politics, are +known to deliberately start into operation strong psychic vibrations, and +to send out strong psychic currents of attraction, by the methods that I +have already explained to you. They, of course, are filled with a more +than ordinary degree of desire and will and, in the second place, they +create very strong and clear mental pictures of their plans working out +successfully to a finish; then concentrate strongly on the thing; and lo! +the effect is felt by all hands and on all sides. They "treat the public" +(to use the term favored by some of the metaphysical cults of the day) by +holding the mental picture of that which they strongly desire to come to +pass, and by concentrating their thought and will strongly upon it.</p> + +<p>A favorite mental picture of some of these men (who have been instructed +by teachers of occultism), is that of themselves as the centre of a great +psychic whirlpool, drawing to themselves the persons, things and +circumstances calculated to bring success and realization to them. Others +picture their thought-vibrations flowing from them like the rings in a +pond into which a stone had been dropped, influencing a constantly +widening circle of other persons; then they picture the persons being +drawn to them in the manner just mentioned. They persist in this practice +day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year—is it +any wonder that they draw to themselves that which they desire?</p> + +<p>Other persons of lesser caliber take similar advantage of the law in the +same way, but on a smaller scale. In every community there are certain +persons who seem to draw to themselves the patronage and custom of the +community, in some peculiar way. In most cases this may be traced back to +some form of psychic influence. I do not mean that these persons +consciously and deliberately set these forces into operation. On the +contrary, many of them do so more or less unconsciously, and without a +knowledge of the underlying psychic principles involved. Such persons have +stumbled on a portion of the psychic laws, and have used them more or less +unconsciously and without understanding the real reason of the happening. +They found out that certain mental states and certain mental pictures +tended to produce certain results—that they "worked out"—and so they +continued them. Some of these men think of the whole thing as something +supernatural, and get to believe that they are being helped by some +supernatural power; whereas, they are simply operating under a universal +psychic law of cause and effect.</p> + +<p>In America a number of teachers and writers have devoted much attention to +this phase of the general subject of psychic influence. Cults have been +formed upon this general basis, the main idea of their followers being +that of attracting financial and other success by means of this phase of +psychic force. One of the leading writers along this line, says: "An +individual who has cultivated the faculty of concentration, and has +acquired the art of creating sharp, clear, strong, mental images, and who +when engaged in an undertaking will so charge his mind with the idea of +success, will be bound to become an attracting centre. And if such an +individual will keep his mental picture ever in his mind, even though it +be in the background of his mind, when he is attending to the details and +planning of his affairs—if he will give his mental picture a prominent +place in his mental gallery, taking a frequent glance at it, and using his +will upon it to create new scenes of actual success, he will create for +himself a centre of radiating thought that will surely be felt by those +coming within its field of influence.</p> + +<p>"Such a man frequently 'sees people as coming to him and his enterprises, +and as falling in line with his plans. He mentally 'sees' money flowing in +to him, and all of his plans working out right. In short, he mentally +imagines each step of his plans a little ahead of the time for their +execution, and he concentrates forcibly and earnestly upon them. It is +astonishing to witness how events, people, circumstances, and things seem +to move in place in actual life as if urged by some mighty power to serve +to materialize the conditions so imaged in the mind of the man. But, +understand, there must be active mental effort behind the imaging. Day +dreamers do not materialize thought—they merely dissipate energy. The man +who converts thought in activity and material being throws energy into +the task, and puts forth his willpower through the pictured image. Without +the rays of the will there will be no picture projected, no matter how +beautifully the imagination has projected it. Thought pictured in mental +images, and then vitalized by the force of the desire, and will, tend to +objectify themselves into material being."</p> + +<p>The student will be interested in reading and hearing the various theories +and explanations given by different writers and teachers to account for +the phenomena of psychic influence. Once he has grasped the real +scientific principles involved, he will be able to see the same in +operation in all of the cases cited by the different teachers and writers, +and will find that this fundamental principle fully explains and accounts +for all of these cases, no matter how puzzling they may seem, or how +mysterious they may be claimed to be by those mentioning them. Truth is +very simple when we brush away the fantastic dressings which have been +placed around it by those who have lacked knowledge of the true +fundamental principles.</p> + +<p>We see this same law or principle operating in very many different ways +from those previously mentioned. For instance, we frequently find cases in +which one person has a strong desire for a certain kind of assistance in +his business or other work. He has almost given up hope of finding the +right kind of person, for those whom he has tried have failed to measure +up the requirements of the situation. If he will (and he sometimes does) +follow the general plan just mentioned, he will set into operation the +psychic forces which will attract that person to him, and him to that +person. In some peculiar way, the two will be thrown together, and the +combination will work out to the best advantage of both. In these cases, +each person is seeking the other, and the psychic forces of attraction, +once set into operation, serve to bring them together.</p> + +<p>In like manner, one often draws to himself certain knowledge and +information that he requires or is desirous of gaining. But, and you must +always remember this, no miracle is worked, for it is simply a matter of +the working out of natural laws of cause and effect—attraction and +response to attraction—on the psychic or astral plane. Such a person will +accidently (!) run across some other person who will be led to give him +the key to the knowledge he seeks. Perhaps a book may be mentioned, or +some reference to some writer be made. If the hint is followed up, the +desired information comes to light. Many persons have had the psychic +experience of being led to some book store and induced to examine a +particular shelf of books, whereupon a particular book presents itself +which changes the whole course of the person's life. Or, perhaps, one will +pick up a newspaper apparently at random, and without purpose; and therein +will find some information, or at least a hint in the direction where the +information may be found. When one accustoms himself to the workings of +psychic forces, these things soon become accepted as a matter of course, +and cease to arouse wonder or surprise. The workings of the Psychic Law of +Attraction is seen to be as natural and invariable as the law of +gravitation, or magnetic attraction, once one has mastered its principles, +and learned the methods of its application. Surely such a wonderful law is +well worth study, attention, investigation, and mastery, isn't it?</p> + +<p>A writer along the lines of Mental Science, which is really based on the +principles which have been stated in this book, has the following to say +regarding his system: "Wonderful results arise by reason of what has been +called 'The Law of Attraction,' by the workings of which each person is +continually drawing to himself the people, things, objects, and even +circumstances in harmony and accord with his prevailing mental states. +Like attracts like, and the mental states determine that which one draws +to himself. If you are not satisfied with what is coming to you, start to +work and change your mental attitudes and mental states, and you will see +a change gradually setting in, and then the things that you want will +begin to come your way. * * * A most important fact about the effect of +mental vibrations upon people lies in the principle that one is more +affected by vibrations in harmony with his own accustomed feelings and +mental states, than by those of an opposite nature. A man who is full of +evil schemes, and selfish aims, is more apt to be caught up by similar +vibrations than one who lives above that plane of thought. He is more +easily tempted by evil suggestions and influences, than one to whom these +things are abhorrent. And the same is true on every plane. A man whose +mental attitude is one of confidence and fearlessness, is not apt to be +affected by vibrations of a negative, pessimistic, gloomy nature, and vice +versa. Therefore, if you wish to receive the vibrations of the thoughts +and feelings of others, you must place yourself in a mental attitude +corresponding with those vibrations which you wish to receive. And if you +wish to avoid vibrations of a certain kind, the best way is to rise above +them in your own mind, and to cultivate the mental states opposite them. +The positive always overcomes the negative—and optimistic mental states +are always positive to pessimistic mental states."</p> + +<p>Another writer on, and practitioner of Mental Science, in America, several +years ago, explained her theory and practice by means of the term +"corelation of thoughts and things." She held that when one thought +positively, clearly and forcibly of a thing, he "related" himself to that +thing, and tended to attract it to him, and to be attracted toward it. She +held that true wisdom consists in so managing our thoughts that we shall +relate ourselves only to those things which we know to be desirable and +beneficial to ourselves, and to avoid thinking of those which are harmful +and detrimental to us. The student of this book will see how this +practical Mental Scientist was really using the same principles that we +have examined and become acquainted within this book, although she called +them by another name, and explained them by another theory. At the bottom +of all the teachings and theories you will always find the one same basic +principle and universal law.</p> + +<p>The advanced student of occultism knows that each and every one of us is +really a creator of his own circumstances, environment and conditions, to +a great extent. Each of us is able to so modify our mental activities as +to bring about such changes in our environment and surroundings as to +actually re-create them. The things accomplished by successful men are +really but materializations of that which they have previously held in +their mental vision. Everything is first created on the psychic plane, and +then manifested in the physical world. All the great works of man, the +great bridges, great buildings, tunnels, machinery, cities, railroads, +canals, works of art, musical compositions, etc., first existed in the +mind of their creators, and were then afterward materialized in physical +form and shape. And, so you see we are proceeding with our work of mental +creations whenever we think and make mental images. This, however, is no +new teaching. It is as old as the race of mankind. Over twenty-five +hundred years ago, Buddha said to his disciples: "All that we are is the +result of what we have thought; it is founded on our thoughts; it is made +up of our thoughts."</p> + +<p>I would be telling you but half the story did I not warn you that strong +Fear may play the part ordinarily filled by Desire in the production of +the psychic phenomena of materialization of mental pictures. Strange as +it may appear at first, a strong fear that a thing will come to pass will +act much the same as a strong desire that the happening will occur. +Consequently, many persons by continually dwelling upon the thing that +they fear may happen to them, actually attract that thing to them, just as +if they had actually desired and wished for it. I cannot go into occult +technicalities in explaining this strange fact; but the gist of the secret +may be said to consist in the fact that the person clearly and vividly +pictures in his mind the thing that he fears may happen to him. He thus +creates a strong mental-picture or image of it, which sets into forces the +attractive power of psychic influence and draws the feared thing into +material reality. As Job said: "The thing that I feared hath come upon +me." The moral of this is, of course, that persons should learn to stamp +out fear and mental images of things feared. Instead, they should make +strong positive mental denials of the things that they may find themselves +fearing. They should deny the reality of the feared thing, and assert +positively their own superiority to the thing, and their power to overcome +it.</p> + +<p>A great religious cult has sprung into existence which makes a leading +doctrine of this ability to materialize the things which one desires, and +to deny out of existence undesirable things. Many persons who have +witnessed the wonderful success of some of the followers of this cult or +organization, have been puzzled to account for the same on scientific and +rational grounds. A little understanding of fundamental occult and +psychic principles, as given in these lessons, will show the "why and +wherefore" of these strange and wonderful manifestations. In this +connection you must remember that the combined thought of the thousands of +persons composing this cult or organization undoubtedly gives additional +psychic force to the mental affirmations and denials of the individual +member thereof.</p> + +<p>In past and present, and probably in future time, there have been many +instances of magical procedures tending to bring about the results that we +have herein seen to come about by reason of psychic influence, in some of +its many phases. These magic procedures have usually been accompanied by +incantations, ceremonies, strange rites, evocations, etc., which were +supposed to have great virtue in bringing about desired results. But the +true occultists now know that these ceremonies and rites were merely hopes +to the imagination and aids to faith, and thus tended to bring about the +psychic phenomena. There was no virtue in these ceremonies themselves, and +the same results may be secured by simply following the procedure outlined +in this book. The wonders of ancient magic have been reproduced by the +modern occultists, without all the mumbo-jumbo of the past rites and +ceremonies.</p> + +<p>A gifted English writer upon the subject of the relation of mysticism and +magic, sums up the gist of the principles of Magic as follows:</p> + +<p>"The central doctrine of Magic may now be summed up thus:</p> + +<p>"(1) That a supersensible and real cosmic medium exists, which +interpenetrates, influences, and supports the tangible and apparent world, +and is amenable to the categories both of meta-physics and of physics." +[This of course is the astral plane, which is the container of the subtle +form or framework of all that exists on the physical plane.]</p> + +<p>"(2) That there is an established analogy and equilibrium between the real +(and unseen) world, and the illusory manifestation that we call the world +of sense." [By this of course is meant the correspondence and balance +between the subtle form of things and the material manifestation thereof. +Things created in the astral, tend to materialize on the physical plane. +All creation proceeds from the astral to the physical.]</p> + +<p>"(3) That this analogy may be discerned, and this equilibrium controlled, +by the disciplined will of man, which thus becomes master of itself and of +fate." [The essence of Will consists of strong desire accompanied by a +clear mental picture of the thing desired, and held steady and firm by +concentration.]</p> + +<p>So you see by reference to the above very clear statement of the central +doctrine of Magic, and my explanations thereof, that in these lessons you +have been taught the very essence of the wonderful, mysterious ancient +Magic, and its modern counterpart. As for the various rites and +ceremonies, as I have said, these are mere symbols and aids to mental +imaging and concentration. As an eminent occultist once said, "Ceremonies +being but artificial methods of creating certain habits of the will, they +cease to be necessary when these habits have become fixed." The master of +occultism sees ceremonies, rites, and ritual as but the playthings of the +kindergarten scholar—useful and important so far as they go, but serving +merely to teach the scholar, sooner or later, that he may proceed without +them.</p> + +<p>In this chapter I have condensed enough information to fill a whole book. +I trust that you will study it carefully, and not miss its main points.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<a name="lessonXX"></a><h2>LESSON XX.</h2> + +<p>PSYCHIC AND MAGNETIC HEALING</p> +<br /> + +<p>Probably no phase of psychic influence is more familiar to the average +person of the Western world than is that of the healing of physical ills +and conditions by means of psychic influence under one name or another. +Great healing cults and organizations have been built up upon this basis, +and the interest in the subject has taken on the form of a great popular +movement.</p> + +<p>As is natural in cases of this kind, there have been hundreds of theories +advanced to account for the phenomena of psychic healing, and a still +greater number of methods of treatments devised to carry out the +principles of the theories. Ranging from the teaching of actual divine +interposition and influence arising from certain forms of belief and +practice, covering many intermediate stages, the theories even include a +semi-materialistic hypothesis in which mind is considered as an attribute +of matter, but having a magic influence over the forms of matter when +properly applied. But it is worthy of note that no matter what the general +or particular theory, or what the favored method of application, these +healing schools or cults, as well as the independent practitioners, meet +with a very fair degree of success and perform quite a number of cures.</p> + +<p>Many of these Western advocates and practitioners of psychic healing +practically hold that the whole system is of very recent discovery, and +that it has nothing whatsoever to do with ordinary occult science. The +occultists however are able to smile at these ideas and beliefs, for they +not only recognize the general principles involved, but they also are +aware that these principles, and their application, have been known to +advanced occultists for thousands of years. I do not say this in any +dispargement of the moderns schools of psychic healing, for I am in full +sympathy with their great work; I merely mention the matter that the +student may get the right historical perspective in considering this phase +of psychic phenomena and influence.</p> + +<p>So far as the methods of application are concerned, the true occultist +recognizes that most of the methods and forms of treatment are but outward +cloaks or disguises for the real psychic healing principle. The gist of +the real methods is to be found in the principles of the application of +psychic influence which I have presented to you in these lessons, viz: (1) +Strong desire to make the cure; (2) clear mental image or picture of the +desired condition as actually present in the patient at this time; and (3) +concentration of the attention and mind of the healer, so as to bring to a +focus to two preceding mental states. Here you have the real secret of +psychic healing methods—the rest are all elaborations thereof, dressed up +forms and ceremonies which affect the imagination, faith, belief and +confidence of the patient, and thus make the healing process much easier. +In fact, with the proper degree of faith and confidence on the part of the +patient, there is but little need of a healer, for the patient may treat +and cure himself. However, in most cases, the presence of the healer aids +materially in arousing the fate and confidence of the patient, and hastens +the cure.</p> + +<p>Again, so far as the theories underlying the cures are concerned, +occultists are able to reduce them all to a single working theory or +principle, which includes all the rest. Brushing aside all technical +details, and all attempts to trace back the healing process to the +ultimate facts of the universe, I may say that the gist of the principle +of all psychic healing is that of influencing the astral foundation of the +various organs and parts, cells and centres, so as to make it proceed to +manifest a more perfect physical counterpart. All psychic healing is +really accomplished on the astral body first—then the physical body +responds to the renewed activities of its astral counterpart. To get the +real significance of this statement it is necessary for you to realize +just what the astral body really is. This once grasped, the difficulties +vanish, and you are able to form a clear conception of the entire matter +and process.</p> + +<p>The astral body is a precise counterpart of the physical body, its organs, +its parts, its centres, and its cells. In fact, the astral body is the +pattern upon which the physical body is materialized. The astral body is +composed of an etheric substance of a very high rate of vibration. In one +sense it may be considered as a very subtle form of matter—in another as +a semi-materialized form of force or energy. It is finer and more subtle +that the rarest vapors or gases known to science. And, yet, it has a +strong degree of tenacity and cohesiveness that enables it to resist +attacks from the material side of nature. As I have said, each organ, +part, centre or cell, of the physical body has its astral pattern or +basis. In fact, the physical body has been built up, in whole and in all +of its parts, on the pattern and base of the astral body. Moreover, in +case of impaired functioning of the physical organs or parts, and impaired +activity of the physical body, its limbs, etc., if we can manage to arouse +the activities of the astral body we may cause it to re-materialize or +re-energize the physical body, and thus restore health and activity to it. +If the liver, for instance, is not functioning properly, we proceed to +start up the activities of the astral counterpart of that organ, to the +end that the physical organ may be re-energized, and recreated in a +measure. All true psychic healing work is performed on the astral plane, +before it manifests on the physical.</p> + +<p>At this point, I should also call your attention to the effect of "prana," +or life energy, in some cases of healing. This prana is what Western +healers mean when they speak of "human magnetism" in their healing work. +So far from being an imaginary force, as claimed by the physical +scientists and materialists, it is known to all occultists as an active +principle of the human body, and as of great efficacy in the psychic +treatment of disease. I shall mention the details of this form of +treatment as we proceed—I mention it at this place merely to call your +attention to the fact of its existence.</p> + +<p>Before passing on to the consideration of other phases of the subject +before us, I would like to call your attention to the fact that from the +earliest days of history there have been recorded instances of some form +of psychic healing. In the earlier days the psychic healing work was left +entirely in the hands of the priesthood of the various religions +prevailing in the several counties of the world. Claiming to have an +exclusive divine sanction to perform healing work, these priests used +various ceremonies, rites, incantations, etc., in order to obtain their +results. In many cases these priests were ignorant of the real psychic +forces invoked and set into operation; they merely practiced methods which +had been found to work out effectively, and which had been handed down to +them by their predecessors. In other cases, however, the priests +undoubtedly were skilled occultists, and had a very full knowledge of the +forces they were using; though, as the masses of the people were very +ignorant it was impossible to acquaint them with these things so far above +their understanding; and, consequently, the priests applied the healing +forces under the disguise of their religious ceremonies and rites.</p> + +<p>From time to time, however, as civilization progressed, there came into +prominence persons who worked cures of physical ills by means of magical +ceremonies and other similar methods, but who were outside of the +priesthood. Some of these men undoubtedly had a very fair knowledge of the +real secret of their cures, though they disguised them to suit the mental +condition of their patients, and, also, probably for purposes of self +glorification. In other cases, however, it is probable that these healers +had merely stumbled across the fact that certain things said in a certain +way tended to work cures; or that certain physical objects seemed to have +therapeutic virtue. They did not realize that the whole healing virtue of +their systems depended upon the strong idea in their own minds, coupled +with the strong faith and confidence in the mind of the patient. And so +the work went on.</p> + +<p>In some of the oldest records of the human race, the scriptures of the +various peoples, we find that "laying on of hands" was the favorite method +employed by the holy men and priests, and other performing healing work. +From the first there seems to have been an almost instinctive recognition +on the part of man of the fact that there is a healing power in the touch +of the hand. Even ignorant and savage mothers instinctively apply their +hands to the hurt bodies of their children—a custom that has its +counterpart in civilized races, by the way. The child is taught to expect +physical relief from the application of the mother's hands, and its mind +at once pictures relief. Not only is the mental picture created, but the +desire and confidence is established in the minds of both persons. The +same thing is true of all "laying on of hands," and thus are the +principles of all psychic influence brought into play. But this is not all +there is to it. In the first place, there is an actual transference of +prana from the body of the healer to that of the patient, which serves to +energize and revitalize the cells and centres of the body of the latter. +In the second place, there is the effect upon the astral body of the +patient, which tends to materialize better physical conditions. In the +third place, there is that combination and union of the minds of the two +persons, which gives extra force and power to psychic influence. Is it any +wonder that cures take place under these circumstances?</p> + +<p>In the modern revival of the almost lost art and science of psychic +healing among the general public, there has been unusual stress laid upon +the feature of "absent healing," in which the patient and the healer are +not in each other's presence. To many this has seemed actually miraculous, +and as a positive proof of divine interposition. But a little thought will +show the student that such cures are not unknown in the pages of history, +as a casual examination of the sacred books of almost any religion will +show. Moreover, the student will see that to the effect of certain +principles of psychic influence there needs but to be added the principles +of telepathic communication, or, better still, the principles of astral +communication by some phases of clairvoyance, to account for the entire +phenomena of "absent healing."</p> + +<p>Space is no barrier on the astral plane, as you have seen in the +preceding chapters of this book. Once the en rapport condition is +established between healer and patient, and the rest is simple—the astral +body is induced to energize more actively, and as a result the physical +manifestation is improved and normal functioning restored. Of course, all +this is wonderful enough—all psychic phenomena is, for that matter; but, +we see that we do not have to go outside of established occult laws, +principles and facts in order to account for some of these modern miracles +which have puzzled and perplexed so many good persons who have not known +of the occult teachings, and who fear that the world is being turned +upside down, and Nature's laws overturned by these "new fangled" ideas and +methods.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the most simple method of healing by psychic influence is that +which is at the same time the oldest method, i.e., the "laying on of +hands." This method was revived about twenty years ago in America and +Europe by the new school of "magnetic healing" which sprung rapidly into +public favor. The other schools of psychic healing, generally known as +"mental healing," "spiritual healing," "divine healing," etc., generally +frown upon the use of the hands in psychic healing, deeming it "too +material," and too much allied to hypnotism, etc. But this view is quite +bigoted and narrow, for this method has no relation to hypnotism, and, +moreover, it gives the patient the benefit of the flow of prana from the +healer, while at the same time producing the psychic effect on the astral +body, as I have just mentioned.</p> + +<p>I take the liberty of quoting here something on this subject from my +little book entitled "The Human Aura." In the chapter of that book devoted +to the consideration of the subject of "Auric Magnetism," I said: "In +cases of magnetic healing, etc., the healer by an effort of his will +(sometimes unconsciously applied) projects a supply of his pranic aura +vibrations into the body of his patient, by way of the nervous system of +the patient, and also by means of what may be called the induction of the +aura itself. The mere presence of a person strongly charged with prana, is +often enough to cause an overflow into the aura of other persons, with a +resulting feeling of new strength and energy. By the use of the hands of +the healer, a heightened effect is produced, by reason of certain +properties inherent in the nervous system of both healer and patient. +There is even a flow of etheric substance from the aura of the healer to +that of the patient, in cases in which the vitality of the latter is very +low. Many a healer has actually, and literally, pumped his life force and +etheric substance into the body of his patient, when the latter was +sinking into the weakness which precedes death, and has by so doing been +able to bring him back to strength and life. This is practically akin to +the transfusion of blood—except that it is upon the psychic plane instead +of the physical."</p> + +<p>But the true "magnetic healer" (call him by whatever name you wish) does +not make this pranic treatment the all-in-all of his psychic treatment. +On the contrary it is but the less subtle part, which leads up to the +higher phases. While treating his patients by the laying on of hands, he, +at the same time, strives to induce in the mind of the patient the mental +image of restored health and physical strength; he pictures the diseased +organ as restored to health and normal functioning; he sees the entire +physiological machinery operating properly, the work of nutrition, +assimilation, and excretion going on naturally and normally. By proper +words of advice L and encouragement he awakens hope and confidence in the +mind of the patient, and thus obtains the co-operation of that mind in +connection to his own mental efforts. The astral body responds to this +treatment, and begins to energize the physical organs and cells into +normal activity—and the journey toward health is begun.</p> + +<p>[In the little book just mention, "The Human Aura," I gave some valuable +information regarding the influence of colors in psychic healing, which I +do not reproduce here as it is outside the scope and field of the present +lessons. Those who may feel interested in the subject are respectfully +referred to the little manual itself. It is sold for a nominal price by +the publishers of the present work.]</p> + +<p>In the form of psychic treatment which comes under the head of Suggestive +Therapeutics, great insistence is laid upon the verbal suggestion to the +patient, on the part of the healer. The patient is told that he will get +well; that his organs will function normally; etc., etc. But the student +of the present lessons will readily see that the only virtue in the spoken +words consists in their power to evoke and induce the mental image of the +desired condition in the mind of the patient. The mental picture thus +evoked produces a corresponding effect in the astral body of the patient, +and sets into operation the materialization of desired results. In +addition, the words produce a strong mental picture in the mind of the +healer himself, and thus give form and strength to his psychic vibrations +which are being poured out toward the patient. This is really the secret +of suggestive treatment.</p> + +<p>The many cults of metaphysical healing, in America and Europe, lay great +stress upon what they call "affirmations," which are but statements of the +patient of his or her faith in the healing power of God, or of Mind, or +Spirit, or Principle (different names are used). The patient naturally has +confidence aroused, and as naturally begins to picture the desired +condition; this in turn reacting upon the astral body, and this upon the +physical body or organ. In addition, the healer's mind is also set to work +in the same way, and sets into motion the healing psychic forces in the +way just mentioned. You will notice that the same principle is always +involved and set into operation and manifestation.</p> + +<p>There is no particular virtue in the form of affirmation used by the +healer or patient, except the important virtue of being able to arouse +strong mental pictures of restored health, proper functioning, etc. There +is of course this also: certain forms of affirmations or mental statements +are better suited than others to the particular wants of certain persons. +For instance, a very religious person will be aroused better by +affirmations and statements filled with religious sentiments and ideas; +while a person of a purely scientific turn of mind will receive more +benefit from affirmations in which the precise physiological functions are +specifically mentioned; while the person who is fond of mystery and +strange ceremonies will be better served in the affirmations or statements +taken in the form of some magical incantation, etc. The difference, +however, lies in the mind of the patient, rather than in the words +themselves. Words are merely invokers of ideas—symbols of ideas. In +themselves, words are nothing—ideas are everything.</p> + +<p>If you wish to treat yourself psychically for some physical disorder, or +if you wish to do good to others in the same way, you have but to put into +operation the general principles of psychic influence herein described. +That is to say, you must first be filled with the strong desire and wish +to make the cure; then you must make a strong mental image of the desired +result, as actually present. (Do not think of it as "going to be;" instead +say and think that it "is now!"); then concentrate the attention firmly +and positively upon the idea. You may aid yourself and others by +affirmations or auto-suggestions (words creating desired ideas and mental +pictures) if you wish—you may get better results in this way. In this +connection, let me remind you that the healing work in many cases consists +largely in placing proper mental pictures in the mind of the patient, +thereby displacing improper and harmful mental pictures of disease, etc., +which have been given lodgment there before. Many persons are sick because +of improper and harmful mental pictures that they have allowed to be +placed there by the suggestions of others. Fear and dread of disease often +acts to bring about the feared condition, for reasons that you can readily +see.</p> + +<p>And, now, finally for the work of "absent healing" by psychic influence. I +can state this to you very simply; it is this: take what I have just told +you regarding personal treatments, and combine it with what I have told +you in previous lessons about "long distance psychic influence"—then you +will have the whole thing. Here is a sample of an effective distant +treatment; or "absent treatment," to use the popular term—it may be +varied and enlarged up to fit individual cases:</p> + +<p>Sit quietly in your own room, inducing a calm, peaceful mental attitude +and state. Then (in the way already told you in this book) make a mental +picture of the patient as sitting opposite to you, or lying down in front +of you. If you have never seen the patient, make simply a mental image of +a man, or a woman, as the case may be, and think of the figure as being +the patient. The best practitioners of distant psychic healing produce +such a strong mental image of the patient that they can often actually +"feel" his or her presence. (This of course is the result of a simple +form of clairvoyance.) Then make a strong mental picture of the condition +that you wish to induce in the patient—the healthy physical condition of +the organ, or part or body, as the case may be. See this condition as +existing at the present time, and not as merely to come in the future. At +the same time, you will do well to mentally speak to the patient, just as +you would in case he or she were sitting before you in the physical body. +Tell the patient just what you would in such case. Pour in the +suggestions, or affirmations, or whatever you may wish to call them. In +some cases in which an excellent en rapport condition is established, +patients become aware of the treatment, and sometimes can almost see and +feel the presence of the healer.</p> + +<p>A prominent Mental Scientist, of America, instructs his pupils to consider +each of the organs of the patient, or of themselves, as having a separate +intelligence; and, therefore, to "speak up to it" as if it really +understood what was being said to its organ-mind. I would say that such +form of treatment would be calculated to bring about very good results, +indeed. The principle of concentration and mental picturing would be +invoked very strongly in such a case, and the astral counterpart of the +organ should respond to such treatment quickly and effectively. It is an +occult fact that there is mind in every organ and cell of the body, and if +the same is awakened in the astral counterpart, it will respond to the +command, suggestion, or direction. The writer in question evidently is +well acquainted with this occult law, judging from his other writings, and +has simply veiled his knowledge with this easily understood method of +treatment which undoubtedly will "do the work," to use the American term.</p> + +<p>Finally, no matter what may be the theory, or method, given in connection +with psychic healing of any or all kinds, you will find the same general +principles underlying it that have been presented over and over again in +this book. In fact, many purely material and physical remedies owe their +success to the fact that they appeal to the imagination of the patient, +and also inspire confidence in him. Anything that will inspire confidence, +faith and hope in the mind of a patient, and will bring to his mind strong +mental pictures of restored health and normal functioning of his +organs—that thing will make for health for him. So, there you have the +whole theory and practice in a sentence!</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>I would remind the student that these are not lessons to be read but once +and then laid aside. In order to get from them all that they contain for +you, you will find it necessary to read them several times, with a +reasonable interval between readings for the knowledge to sink into your +mind. I feel sure that you will find with each reading that there are many +points that you over-looked before. The lessons cover a wide field, with +many little excursions into bye-paths and lanes of thought. I trust that +the reading and study will make you not only a wiser person, but also a +stronger and more efficient one. I thank you for your kind attention, and +trust that we shall meet again in the future.</p> +<br /> + +<p>FINIS.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> <img src="images/img3.gif" alt="The Art and Science of Personal Magnetism" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + <p><font size="-2"><i>Success can be made more certain by being able to + mold minds and to influence them to act as you wish</i>.</font></p> + <h2>The Art and<br /> + Science of<br /> + PERSONAL<br /> + MAGNETISM</h2> + <h3>By THERON Q. DUMONT</h3> + <br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + <p><font size="-2">A Chicago paper in a recent editorial said: "There are men in this + country in abundance, but good men, while in great demand, are as scarce + as the clams in chowder at a church supper."<br /> +<br /> +A man need not be a college graduate if he is to rise to the height of + power and success. Personal Magnetism will help to control and influence + others.<br /> +<br /> +This book contains 238 pages crammed with most interesting advice on + Personal Magnetism—what it is and how to develop it. It contains + 21 chapters dealing with the different phases of the subject. Here are + a few of the chapter headings:<br /> +<br /> +The Mental Phase—The Physical Phase—Physical Magnetism—Mental + Radiation—Mental Atmosphere—The Direct Flash—The Positive + Aura—The Direct Command—The Magnetic Duel—Magnetic Self-Defence—The + Power of Controlling Others<br /> +<br /> +No. 6, 238 Pages, Cloth Bound, Size 5x7.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<br /> +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> <img src="images/img4.gif" alt="" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + <h2>Medical <br /> + Hypnotism<br /> + and <br /> +Suggestion</h2> + <h3>By<br /> + Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P.</h3> + <br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + + <p><font size="-2">This book is full of secrets. It explains what + hypnotism (or mesmerism) is, and gives an interesting outline of its history. + It explains the great value of hypnotism in the cure of disease and in + surgical operations. It tells how to hypnotise a man, how to put him in + a trance for a week. There is an explanation on how to give an hypnotic + entertainment for your friends or on the stage, making your subjects do + things such as acting, singing, speechmaking, things that, in their ordinary + state, they would be unable to do. Further it explains the method of curing + bad habits—drinking, swearing, lying, stealing, gambling, betting, + smoking, envy, hatred, temper, etc.<br /> +<br /> +The author's object in writing this book is to give a brief but accurate + description of Hypnotism and Suggestive Therapeutics, as practiced by + the most advanced schools of the present day; and also to enlighten the + public mind on the great advantages of hypnotism in the treatment of disease, + as compared with the drug method now used in this and other countries. + Size 6 x 4-1/2.<br /> +<br /> +No. 12, 37 Pages, Paper Bound—Price Postpaid<br /> + Outside U.S.A.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> <img src="images/img5a.gif" alt="The Development of Seership" width="525" height="308" /><br /> + <img src="images/img5b.gif" alt="Hindoo and Oriental Methods" width="160" height="332" align="left" /> + <p><strong>By Swami Bhakta Vishita<br /> + <br /> + (Hindoo Master)</strong><br /> +<br /> + <font size="-2">Everyone possesses in the latent state the wonderful faculty + of Seership. This can be developed. You can train yourself so you can + foresee events and be your own adviser—see your own future.<br /> + <br /> + If you want to make the most of yourself, both in a human and divine sense, + you should read this book.<br /> + <br /> + The most profound and conscientious occult work published in years. Teaches + how to pierce the veil—enter at will into the spiritual world and + converse with your loved ones now across the border.<br /> + <br /> + No. 3. 384 Pages, Cloth Bound, Size, 5x7</font></p> + +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> <img src="images/img6.gif" alt="Practical Mind Reading" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + <br /> +<br /> + <h2>Practical<br /> + Mind Reading</h2> +<h3>By William Walker Atkinson</h3><br /> +<br /> + + <p><font size="-2"><i>A course of Lessons on Thought Transference, Telepathy, + Mental Currents, Mental Rapport, etc</i>.<br /> + <br /> + <br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + + This book is full of practical condensed instruction about every phase + of Mind Reading, Telepathy, etc. The exercises and directions are so plain + and simple that they can be understood and demonstrated by any person + of ordinary intelligence.<br /> + <br /> + Here you will find complete instruction in all the latest points about + Mind Reading. It tells how Thought Transference is practiced in the scientific + laboratory as well as by a public performer. It tells you how to perform + feats that will mystify an audience and arouse the deepest interest and + enthusiasm, or how you can conduct telepathic experiments with your friends + right in your own home.<br /> + Here are the titles of the lessons and a few of the subjects treated:<br /> + THE NATURE OF MIND READING—A vast, mysterious subject; Power of + Etheric Vibrations; Mental wireless telepathy; the mysteries of science; + Action of mind upon mind; The mental battery.<br /> + THE PROOFS OF MIND READING—The Psychic post office; Wonderful results; + A convincing experiment.<br /> + CONTACT MIND READING—The two classes of mind reading; The simplest + form; Nerve current theory; The truth about public performances.<br /> + DEVELOPMENT EXERCISES—How to begin; Rapport conditions—Rhythmic + breathing; Details of finding objects.<br /> + <br /> + PRICE POSTPAID—Outside U.S.A.<br /> + No. 8—95 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2</font></p> + +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> + <h2><img src="images/img7.gif" alt="" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + <br /> + THE<br /> + SOLAR PLEXUS</h2> + <h3>or<br /> + Abdominal Brain</h3> + <h4>BY THERON Q. DUMONT</h4> + <p><font size="-2">Man has four brains, and not merely one, as is commonly + believed to be the case. Each of the four brains have separate characteristics + and distinctive offices and functions.<br /> + <br /> + The Solar Plexus, or Abdominal Brain is situated in the upper part of + the abdomen, behind the stomach, in front of the great artery, and in + front of pillars of the diaphragm.<br /> + <br /> + The Solar Plexus is the great plexus, i.e., network of nerve-fibres, mass + of nerve-substance, etc., of the great sympathetic nervous system. It + is composed of both gray and white nervous substance, or brain-matter, + similar to that of the other three brains of man. It receives and distributes + nerve-impulses and currents to all the abdominal organs, and supplies + the main organs of nutrition, assimilation, etc., with nervous energy.<br /> + <br /> + It performs a most important work, supplying the nerve-energy which is + required for the process of nutrition, assimilation, growth, etc. In fact, + it is the great powerhouse of physical life-energy. The bodily functions + cannot be performed without it; when it is injured the entire physical + well-being is at once seriously affected; when it receives a severe shock, + death often ensues.<br /> + <br /> + Its name, "solar" was bestowed upon it by reason of its central + position; its filaments extend in all directions to the important abdominal + organs, like the rays of the sun; and it is recognized as being the powerhouse, + and great reservoir of "life force," just as the sun is the + great powerhouse and reservoir of material energy of our solar system.<br /> + <br /> + Not alone modern scientific investigators; but also many very ancient + investigators, such as the oriental occultists and sages, who many centuries + ago recognized certain subtle functions and offices of this wonderful + "fourth brain" of man, and taught their students many valuable + methods of effectively employing its finer forces and hidden energies.<br /> + <br /> + NO. 9, 64 PAGES, PAPER BOUND, SIZE 6x4-1/2<br /> + PRICE POSTPAID—OUTSIDE U.S.A.</font></p> + +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> <img src="images/img8.gif" alt="How to Know Your Future" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + <br /> + <br /> + <h2>HOW TO<br /> + KNOW YOUR<br /> + FUTURE</h2> + <h3>By<br /> + Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P.</h3> + <br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + + <p><font size="-2">As St. Paul points out, man has a natural (or material) + body and a spiritual body. There are also a material world and a spiritual + world. With the eye we can only see material things. To see the spiritual + world we must cultivate the spiritual sight. Seeing spiritual things with + the spiritual sight is called Clairvoyance (or "Second Sight").<br /> + <br /> + You can if you choose, cultivate clairvoyant faculty. If you do, you may + be able to see places and persons in the spiritual world. This may enable + you to describe to your friends, people in spirit life that they have + known here.<br /> + <br /> + It can also help you to see what is going on at a distance in this world. + To see into the past and the future. To obtain hidden information, and + to give advice, of the utmost value. This faculty when properly developed + enables one to trace hidden treasure, to find lost friends, animals, and + property. With the development of Clairvoyance it is also possible to + develop Clairaudience (Spiritual Hearing).<br /> + <br /> + Crystal Gazing means looking into a crystal ball or into something else + of a like kind. When this faculty is developed one sees a picture or image + in the crystal. Presently the picture will dissolve and another will take + its place. All the above matter is described in this book.</font></p> + <p><font size="-2">No. 15, 42 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2.<br /> + Price Postpaid—Outside U.S.A.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> <img src="images/img9.gif" alt="How to Converse with Spirit Friends" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + <h2>How to<br /> + Converse<br /> + with<br /> + Spirit Friends</h2> + <h3>By Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P.</h3> + <br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + + <p><font size="-2">A medium is a person whose presence is necessary before + a spirit can communicate. "How To Converse With Spirit Friends" + tells you how you may develop mediumistic powers, so as to be able to + receive messages from the other world when sitting alone.<br /> + <br /> + The book also tells you about different kinds of spirits, including apparitions + (ghosts) and spirit guides (the spirit friends that are constantly with + each of us); about spirit control (how spirits work through the organisms + of mediums); and about spirit-given premonitions, warnings, death-signs, + etc. The work, moreover, gives other interesting and valuable matter. + This work is calculated to "comfort those that mourn."<br /> + <br /> + This book is printed in very legible type and contains illustrations to + bring out points. One of the illustrations shows spirit forms as seen + by a medium. Size 6x4-1/2<br /> + <br /> + No. 14, 36 Pages, Paper Bound—Price Postpaid<br /> + Outside U.S.A.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> <img src="images/img10.gif" alt="The Power of Concentration" width="150" height="195" align="left" /> + <h2>THE POWER<br /> + OF CONCENTRATION</h2> + <h3>By Theron Q. Dumont </h3> + <p><font size="-2"><i>It is of the utmost value to learn + how to concentrate. To make the greatest success of anything, you must + be able to center your entire thought upon the idea you are working on. + The person who is able to concentrate, utilizes all constructive thoughts + and shuts out all destructive ones. The greatest man would accomplish + nothing if he lacked concentration.</i></font></p> + <br /> + + <div align="center"><font size="-2"><strong>TWENTY FAMOUS LESSONS IN CONCENTRATION</strong></font></div> + <p><font size="-2">In these twenty lessons, this famous author gives you in simple, concrete + form the results of his lifetime investigations. He shows you how to acquire + that mental quality of concentration which has made world-known leaders. + He shows you how to focus your ideas, to get away from mind wandering, + to eliminate day dreams—how to use your mind like an ever-ready + tool and to accomplish in hours what the man without this ability does + only in weeks or months. He tells clearly why some men lead, while others + with equal intelligence remain in the ranks. He shows the clear way to + make the utmost out of your mentality. No degree of success, within reason, + is impossible when one possesses the Power of Concentration.<br /> + <br /> + Read the principles laid down so clearly by Professor Dumont. Practice + the exercises which he has so carefully worked out. This training is as + much a guarantee of success as any other method known. Simply learn to + use your brains—learn to focus, to concentrate and the highway to + bigger things is open to you.</font></p> + + <div align="center"><font size="-2"><strong>A FEW OF THE TOPICS</strong></font></div> +<p><font size="-2">Opportunities Made Through Concentration. (Shows the plain road to the top.)<br /> +Self Mastery. (How to centralize attention.)<br /> +Training the Will. (A mighty force at your disposal.)<br /> +Mental Poise. (How to command conditions.) <br /> +Business Success. (How to coordinate forces by concentration.)<br /> +Attaining Wealth. (How to attract money bringing factors.)<br /> +How Courage is Gained. (Use of concentration to drive out fear.)<br /> +Memory by Concentration. (A very valuable lesson.)<br /> +Practical Exercises. (The actual application of the principles of concentration.)<br /> +Many more topics all as interesting and important as those listed.<br /> + <br /> + No. 5—186 Pages, Cloth Bound, Size 5x7<br /> + Price Postpaid—Outside + U.S.A.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> + <h2><img src="images/img11.gif" alt="Dynamic Thought" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + DYNAMIC<br /> + THOUGHT</h2> + <h3>How to Develop your<br /> + Personality</h3> + <h3>By</h3> + <h3>Henry Thomas Hamblin</h3><br /> +<br /> +<br /> + <p><font size="-2">This book develops your personality and the personal + power that sways and compels and gives you a powerful influence over the + minds of others.<br /> + <br /> + Dynamic Thought reveals new and marvelous facts about the human system. + Men and women achieve success according to the development of their own + powers. You have as much power within you as anyone, but it is lying dormant; + and this development can be attained.<br /> + <br /> + There are certain definite principles that rule human beings in their + attitude toward each other. When once you understand these principles + you can convert enemies into friends and can make almost everyone be friendly + toward you.<br /> + <br /> + No 1 298 pages, Cloth Bound, Size 5x7. Price Postpaid—Outside U.S.A.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> + <h2><img src="images/img12.gif" alt="Mental Influence" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + Mental<br /> + Influence</h2> + <h3><i>By William Walker Atkinson</i> </h3> + <p><i>A course of Lessons on Mental Vibration, Psychic Influence, Personal + Magnetism, Fascination, Psychic Self-Protection, etc.</i><br /> +<br /><br /> +<br /><br /> +<br /> + <font size="-2">LESSON 1.—Why one mind can be made to influence + another.<br /> + LESSON 2.—How thought waves manifest, and how they affect other + persons.<br /> + LESSON 3.—How mental states are transmitted.<br /> + LESSON 4.—What mental concentration is, and how it works. The occult + teachings regarding developing the powers of concentration. A course of + training described and explained.<br /> + LESSON 5.—How occultists form a mental image.<br /> + LESSON 6.—The secret of mental fascination and personal magnetism. + Why some have such a charming, irresistible influence. How it can be cultivated. + LESSON 7.—Difference between fascination and hypnotism. How hypnotic + influence upon others affects the person. The truth about hypnotism.<br /> + LESSON 8.—Influencing at a distance. How you can exert a mental + influence upon others at a distance. How distant treatments are given. + The most effective occult methods and practices.<br /> + LESSON 9.—How mental influence may be used to affect a great number + of people at the same time.<br /> + LESSON 10.—The need of instruction on the part of the public.<br /> + <br /> + No. 7—96 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> + <h2><img src="images/img13.gif" alt="Success and Happiness" width="200" height="260" align="left" />SUCCESS + AND HAPPINESS</h2> + + <h3>BY<br /> + SWAMI BRAHMA </h3> + <br /> + <p><font size="-2"><i>A guide to Success in matters relating<br /> +to Health, Friendship, Love, Marriage, etc.</i><br /><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + + "Success and Happiness" tells you how to develop magnetism and + to strengthen your will. It tells you how to influence people to act as + you so desire. It gives suggestions on how to relieve pain without medicine.<br /><br /> + + No matter what your condition or position may be, "Success and Happiness" + tells you how you may improve it. It gives you plain directions as to + how to achieve success tin friendship, love, matrimony, and business; + how to make money and how to secure happiness.<br /><br /> + + Send for this book at once and learn how magnetism and will-power enable + people to achieve success.<br /> + <br /> + No. 16, 40 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2 Price Postpaid—Outside + U.S.A.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img14a.gif" alt="Border" width="575" height="276" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img14c.gif" alt="Border" width="108" height="542" /></td> + <td> + <h2>GENUINE MEDIUMSHIP</h2> + + <h3>THE INVISIBLE POWERS<br /> + BY<br /> + SWAMI BHAKTA VISHITA</h3><br /> + This book will prove invaluable to anyone who feels that they might have + any kind of psychic power. It contains lengthy discussion of the following:<br /> + Mental vibrations and transmission—Thought transference—Clairvoyance + and kindred phenomena—Mediumship—Mediumistic conditions—How + to develop mediumship—Mediumistic phenomena—Higher spirit + manifestations.<br /> + This work explains clearly how to develop "mediumship." It tells + how to form a "medium" circle. Questioning the spirits, the + spirit communication code, persistent watchful waiting, building lines + of communication.<br /> + <br /> + No 2, 277 pages. Cloth Bound, Size 5x7. + </td> + <td><img src="images/img14b.gif" alt="" width="108" height="542" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"> </td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> + <h2><img src="images/img15.gif" alt="Practical Psychomancy and Crystal Gazing" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + PRACTICAL<br /> + PSYCHOMANCY AND<br /> + CRYSTAL GAZING<br /></h2> + <h3>BY<br /> + WILLIAM WALKER ATKINSON </h3> + <br /> +<br /> + <p><font size="-2"><i>A Series of Eleven Lessons on the Psychic; Phenomena + of Distant Sensing, Clairvoyance, Psychometry, Crystal Gazing, etc.</i><br /> +<br /> +<br /> + <strong>PARTIAL SYNOPSIS OF CONTENTS:</strong><br /> +Scientific principles underlying Psychomancy, Sensing +objects by the Astral Senses. Projection of the Astral Body.<br /> +<br /> +HOW TO DEVELOP YOURSELF. Development Methods. Concentration. +Visualization. Psychometry. How to use the Crystal and Mirror. General +Instruction.<br /> +Simple and Space Psychomancy and their difference. Seeing +Through Solid Objects. Seeing Down Into the Earth. Diagnosis of Disease +by Psychomancy.<br /> +<br /> +THE ASTRAL TUBE.<br /> +PSYCHOMETRY. Five Methods.<br /> +Various forms of Crystal Gazing. Directions of "How +to Do It," etc.<br /> +ASTRAL PROJECTION. What the Trained Experimenter may + do.<br /> +SPACE PSYCHOMANCY. What may be accomplished by means + of it.<br /> +Sensing the scenes, occurrences and objects of the Past, + by Astral Vision.<br /> +FUTURE TIME PSYCHOMANCY. Future events cast their shadows + before.<br /> +DREAM PSYCHOMANCY. This lesson will explain many instances + in your own experience.<br /> +This most interesting study is stated clearly, so that + all may readily understand the fundamental principle of Psychic communication.<br /> +<br /> +No. 20—Paper Bound, 93 Pages, Size 6x4-1/2 Price <br /> + + Postpaid—Outside U.S.A.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> <img src="images/img16.gif" alt="" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + <h2> TABLE RAPPING<br /> + AND <br /> + AUTOMATIC WRITING</h2> + <h3>By<br /> + Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P</h3> + <p align="center"><font size="-2"><strong>Founder and Principal of the British<br /> Psychological + Institute</strong></font></p> + <br /> +<br /> +<br /> + <p><font size="-2">"If a man die, shall he live again?" Does death + end all: or is it merely "the gate of life"? If there be a next + world, can we communicate with those that are in it?</font></p> + <p><font size="-2">These are questions that have agitated the minds of millions. + "Table Rapping and Automatic Writing" answers the questions. + It also does more, it tells you how you can answer them. It tells you + how to prove there is another life, and how to open up communication with + those who dwell therein. To the Materialist it says: "Belief is unnecessary. + You demand evidence—here it is."</font></p> + <p><font size="-2">"Table Rapping and Automatic Writing" gives + full instructions on how to form a Circle for receiving messages from + spirit friends; how to enable spirits to make themselves visible to ordinary + sight; how to get written messages, drawings, etc., from those who have + "passed over."</font></p> + <p><font size="-2">No. 18—25 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2 Price + Postpaid—Outside U.S.A.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> + +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> + <div align="center"><img src="images/img17.gif" alt="The Astral World" width="200" height="260" align="left" /> + </div> + <h2 align="center">THE<br /> + ASTRAL WORLD</h2> + <h3 align="center"><i>Its Scenery, Dwellers and<br /> + Phenomena</i></h3> + <h3 align="center">By</h3> + <h3 align="center">Swami Panchadasi</h3> + <br /> + <p><font size="-2">Containing treatment on such matter as the following:</font></p> + <p><font size="-2">CHAPTER I.—The Seven Planes of Being. What is meant + by a Plane. A state rather than a place.<br /> + CHAPTER II.—Astral Regions. What is meant by an Astral Region. Where + located.<br /> + CHAPTER III.—Reality of the Astral. What one encounters on an astral + journey.<br /> + CHAPTER IV.—Passing the Border. Passing out of the physical body. + Alone in the astral body.<br /> + CHAPTER V.—Some Lower Sub-Planes. Why the soul sheds. The Astral + shell, bodies without souls, still seemingly alive and conscious.<br /> + CHAPTER VI.—Disembodied Souls. The resting place of the souls. Not + dead, but sleeping.<br /> + CHAPTER VII.—Scenes of the Astral. How the low entities pass their + time. Punished by their sins not for them.<br /> + CHAPTER VIII.—Life and Work on the Astral. Character and occupations + of the Astral Dwellers.<br /> + CHAPTER IX.—Higher Planes and beyond. The true home of the soul. + The Heaven worlds.<br /> + CHAPTER X.—The Astral Light. What the astral light is. A startling + presentation of a wonderful occult truth.<br /> + CHAPTER XI.—Astral Entities. Non-human dwellers on the astral.</font></p> + <p><font size="-2">No. 10, 94 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2 PRICE POSTPAID—Outside + U.S.A.</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> +<table width="575" border="0" align="center"> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + <td> <img src="images/img18.gif" alt="Practical Psychometry" width="200" height="260" align="left" /><br /> +<br /> + + <h2>PRACTICAL</h2> + <h2>PSYCHOMETRY</h2> + <h3>By</h3> + <h3>Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P.</h3> + <br /> + <br /><br /> + + <p><font size="-2">There is a great demand for good Psychometrists + at the present time, and in the near future there will be a greater demand + for the vast amount of good that can be done by the God-given science + of Psychometry (pronounced "Si-com-et-rie").<br /> +<br /> +A Psychometrist is a person able to see + these scenes, hear these sounds, read these thoughts, and "sense" + these feelings. If therefore, a lock of hair, a letter, a pocket-knife, + or anything belonging to a stranger be handed to a Psychometrist, he will + be able to understand much of the person's past, present, and future—about + their character, disposition, health, surroundings, capabilities, friends, + marriage, business, etc.<br /> +<br /> +In this way very valuable information + and advice can be obtained for oneself or given to others.<br /> +<br /> +Can you Psychometrize? If not, why not learn? You will + benefit yourself, and also astound and help your friends.<br /> +<br /> +Full and complete particulars are contained in this book.<br /> +No. 17—25 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2</font></p> +</td> + <td><img src="images/img1.gif" width="25" height="575" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3"><img src="images/img2.gif" width="575" height="25" alt="border" /></td> + </tr> +</table> +<br /> +<br /> +<hr /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CLAIRVOYANCE AND OCCULT POWERS***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 12480-h.txt or 12480-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/4/8/12480">https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/4/8/12480</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Clairvoyance and Occult Powers + +Author: Swami Panchadasi + +Release Date: May 31, 2004 [eBook #12480] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CLAIRVOYANCE AND OCCULT POWERS*** + + +E-text prepared by Julie Barkley, Sjaani, and the Project Gutenberg Online +Distributed Proofreading Team + + + +CLAIRVOYANCE AND OCCULT POWERS + +INCLUDING +CLAIRVOYANCE, CLAIRAUDIENCE +PREMONITION AND IMPRESSIONS +CLAIRVOYANT PSYCHOMETRY +CLAIRVOYANT CRYSTAL-GAZING +DISTANT CLAIRVOYANCE +PAST CLAIRVOYANCE +FUTURE CLAIRVOYANCE +SECOND-SIGHT +PREVISION +CLAIRVOYANT DEVELOPMENT +ASTRAL-BODY TRAVELING +ASTRAL-PLANE PHENOMENA +PSYCHIC INFLUENCE--Personal + and Distant +PSYCHIC ATTRACTION +PSYCHIC HEALING +TELEPATHY +MIND-READING +THOUGHT TRANSFERENCE and + other PSYCHIC PHENOMENA + +By + +Swami Panchadasi + +Author of "The Human Aura," "The Astral World," Etc. + +1916 + + + + + + + +SYNOPSIS OF THE LESSONS + + +LESSON I +THE ASTRAL SENSES +The skeptical person who "believes only the evidence of his senses." The +man who has much to say about "horse sense." "Common Sense" versus +Uncommon Senses. The ordinary five senses are not the only senses. The +ordinary senses are not as infallible as many think them. Illusions of the +five physical senses. What is back of the organs of physical sense. All +senses an evolution of the sense of feeling. How the mind receives the +report of the senses. The Real Knower behind the senses. What the +unfolding of new senses means to man. The super-physical senses. The +Astral Senses. Man has seven physical senses, instead of merely five. Each +physical sense has its astral sense counterpart. What the astral senses +are. Sensing on the astral plane. How the mind functions on the astral +plane, by means of the astral senses. The unfolding of the Astral Senses +opens up a new world of experience to man. + + +LESSON II +TELEPATHY vs. CLAIRVOYANCE +The two extra physical senses of man. The extra sense of "the presence of +other living things." The "telepathic sense." How man may sense the +presence of other living things apart from the operation of his ordinary +five physical senses. This power is strongly developed in savages and +barbarians, but has become atrophied in most civilized men, by continued +disuse. It is now vestigal in civilized man, but may be developed by +practice. Animals have this extra sense highly developed, and it plays a +very important part in their protection from enemies; their capture of +prey, etc. The strange actions of dogs, horses, etc., explained. How the +geese saved Rome by reason of this sense. All hunters have experienced +evidences of the existence of this sense on the part of animals. The +physical telepathic sense. How it operates. Interesting instances of its +possession by animals, and savage tribes. Women possess it strongly. The +distinction between this form of thought-transference and clairvoyance. + + +LESSON III +TELEPATHY EXPLAINED +What "telepathy" means. The mental process by which one "knows at a +distance." The sending and receiving of waves and currents of thought and +feeling. Thought vibrations, and how they are caused. The part played by +the cerebrum, cerebellum, and medulla oblongata--the three brains of man. +The part played by the solar plexus and other great nervous centres. How +thought messages are received. How states of emotional excitement are +transmitted to others. The Pineal Gland: what it is, and what it does. The +important part it plays in telepathy and thought-transference. Mental +atmospheres. Psychic atmospheres of audiences, towns, houses, stores, etc. +Why you are not affected by all thought vibrations in equal measure and +strength. How thought vibrations are neutralized. Affinities and +repulsions between different thought vibrations. Interesting facts +concerning telepathy. Scientific explanations of telepathy. + + +LESSON IV +SCIENTIFIC TELEPATHY +The important investigations of the Society for Psychical Research. True +telepathy and pseudo-telepathy; how they are distinguished by scientists. +Strict tests imposed in investigations. The celebrated "Creery +Experiments," and how they were conducted. The elaboration of the +"guessing" game. Seventeen cards chosen right, in straight succession. +Precautions against fraud or collusion. Two hundred and ten successes out +of a possible three hundred and eighty-two. Science pronounces the results +as entirely beyond the law of coincidences and mathematical probability; +and that the phenomena were genuine and real telepathy. Still more +wonderful tests. Telepathy an incontestable reality. "A psychic force +transmitting ideas and thoughts." Interesting cases of spontaneous +telepathy, scientifically proven. Extracts from the scientific records. +Cold scientific reports read like a romance, and prove beyond doubt the +reality of this great field of phenomena. + + +LESSON V +MIND-READING, AND BEYOND +What "Mind-Reading" is. The two phases of Mind-Reading. Mind-Reading with +physical contact; and without physical contact. Why the scientific +investigators make the distinction. Why science has been over-cautious; +and how it falls short of the full understanding of contact Mind-Reading. +How the thought-waves flow along the nerves of the projector and +recipient. Like telegraphy over wires, as compared with the wireless +method. How to learn by actual experience, and not alone by reading books. +How to experiment for yourself; and how to obtain the best results in +Mind-Reading. The working principles of Mind-Reading stated. Full +directions and instruction given for the successful performance of the +interesting feats. This lesson is really a little manual of +practical instruction in Mind-Reading, and the higher phases of +Thought-Transference. The person carefully studying and applying the +principles taught therein should become very proficient in both private +and public manifestations. + + +LESSON VI +CLAIRVOYANT PSYCHOMETRY +What Clairvoyance really is; and what it is not. The faculty of acquiring +super-normal knowledge of facts and happening at a distance, or in past or +future time, independent of the ordinary senses, and independent of +telepathic reading of the minds of others. The different kinds of +Clairvoyance described. What is Psychometry? Clairvoyant en rapport +relations on the astral plane, with distant, past or future happenings and +events; by means of a connecting material link. How to obtain the psychic +affinity or astral relation to other things by means of a bit of stone, +lock of hair, article of wearing apparel, etc. Interesting instances of +clairvoyant psychometry. How to go about the work of psychometrizing. How +to develop the power. How to secure the best conditions; and what to do +when you have obtained them. Psychometry develops the occultist for still +higher clairvoyant powers. + + +LESSON VII +CLAIRVOYANT CRYSTAL-GAZING +The second great method of securing clairvoyant en rapport relations with +the astral plane. How the crystal, magic-mirror, etc., serves to focus the +psychic energy of the clairvoyant person. The crystal serves the purpose +of a psychic microscope or telescope. How crystals tend to become +polarized to the vibrations of their owner. Why crystals should be +preserved for the personal use of their owners. The use of crystals, or +other forms of shining objects, by different peoples in ancient and modern +times. How they are employed in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, +South America, etc., by the primitive tribes. Various substitutes for the +crystal. Full directions for Crystal Gazing. Complete instructions and +warnings. All stages described, from the first "milky mist" to the clearly +defined "psychic photograph." The Astral Tube, and the part it plays in +Crystal Gazing. A complete little text-book of the subject. + + +LESSON VIII +CLAIRVOYANT REVERIE +The higher forms of Clairvoyance, and how they may be cultivated and +acquired. Trance conditions not essential to highest Clairvoyance, +although often connected therewith. In Clairvoyant Reverie, the +clairvoyant does not become unconscious; but merely "shuts out" the +outside world of sights and sounds. Shifting the consciousness from the +physical plane to the astral. Clairvoyant Reverie may be safely and +effectively induced by mental concentration alone. Artificial methods +dangerous, and not advised by best authorities. Abnormal conditions not +desirable. The "one pointed" mind. The Clairvoyant "day dream" or "brown +study." False "psychic development." Use of hypnotic drugs strongly +condemned. Scientific psychological methods stated and taught. The laws of +attention and concentration of the mind. How Clairvoyance develops by this +method. The true occult instruction given fully. + + +LESSON IX +SIMPLE CLAIRVOYANCE +What the Clairvoyant senses in Simple Clairvoyance. Perception of the +Aura, and Auric Emanations of others; Psychic Vibrations; Astral Colors; +Thought Currents, Waves and Vibrations, etc., are features of Simple +Clairvoyance. The beautiful kaleidoscopic spectacle of the Auric changes. +The Prana Aura, and its appearances. The Mental and Emotional Aura, and +its many interesting phases. Perception of Astral Thought-Forms. Other +Astral Phenomena. The Astral World, and its Myriad Manifestations. Strange +aspects of Astral Visioning. "Seeing through a Brick-wall." The X-Ray +Vision. Reading from closed books, sealed envelopes, etc., and how it is +explainable. Seeing into the depths of the earth, and the occult +explanation thereof. The Laws and Principles of this Extraordinary Power. +Magnifying and Diminishing Clairvoyant Vision. A wonderful field for +experiment opened out for the student. + + +LESSON X +CLAIRVOYANCE OF DISTANT SCENES +The characteristics of Space Clairvoyance. The Astral Seeing of Distant +Scenes; and through intervening objects. Remarkable instances of this +power, well authenticated and established. Interesting and instructive +historical cases recorded and explained. Testimony of the Society for +Psychical Research concerning this phase of Clairvoyance. The interesting +case of W.T. Stead, the celebrated English writer, who went down on the +"Titanic." The important testimony of Swedenborg, the eminent religious +teacher. Other well-authenticated cases happening to well-known persons. +The evidence collected by the Society for Psychical Research. Interesting +German case. Why so many cases of this kind happen when the person is on +his death-bed, or seriously ill. Why such experiences often occur in +dreams. Actual "appearance" of persons at a distance, and how explained. +Important and interesting facts recited in connection with this phase of +Clairvoyance. + + +LESSON XI +CLAIRVOYANCE OF THE PAST +The clairvoyant perception of the facts, events and happenings of past +time. There is no difference in the nature of this strange phenomenon, +whether the past time be but five minutes or else five thousand years. How +is it possible to "see" a thing that no longer exists? The "just how" of +this strange happening. Nothing could be perceived if it had actually +disappeared from existence. But nothing entirely disappears in fact. On +the astral plane are recorded all things, events and happenings since the +beginning of the present world-cycle. The "Akashic Records;" or the +"Astral Light;" constitute the great record books of the past. The +clairvoyant gaining access to these may read the past like a book. +Analogies in physical science. Interesting scientific facts. What +astronomy teaches on the subject. How the records of the past are stored. +How they are read by the clairvoyant. A fascinating subject clearly +presented and explained. + + +LESSON XII +CLAIRVOYANCE OF THE FUTURE +The clairvoyant power manifest in all forms of perception of facts, +happenings and events of future time. Explanation of Prophecy, Prevision, +Foretelling, Second-Sight, etc. These powers not supernatural; but are +merely the development of the clairvoyant faculties. How may a thing be +"seen" years before it really exists. Nothing could be seen, unless it +existed in some form, at least potential and latent. Keen perception of +the subconscious faculties. Subconscious reasoning from cause to effect. +Coming events cast their shadows before. Fate vs. Free-Will. "Time is but +a relative mode of regarding things." "Events may, in some sense, exist +always, both past and future." Time like a moving-picture reel, containing +the future scene at the present moment, though out of sight. Analogy of +dream-time. An Absolute Consciousness in which past, present and future +exist as a single perception. A glimpse of a transcendental truth. How to +acquire the faculty of Future-Clairvoyance. + + +LESSON XIII +SECOND-SIGHT, PREVISION, ETC. +Many persons, in all times, in all lands, have possessed the gift of +looking into the future. Not a superstition, but a scientific fact. The +Investigations of the scientific bodies. The Society for Psychical +Research, and its reports on this phase of Clairvoyance. Interesting case +told by a leading Theosophist. Tragedy and Funeral foreseen by Clairvoyant +Prevision, or Second-Sight. Historical instances. George Fox, the Quaker, +and his Second-Sight. The prophecy of the Death of Caesar. Biblical +instances. The celebrated case of Cazotte, which has become a matter of +history. How Cazotte foretold the coming of the French Revolution, +including the fate of eminent personages present at the time of the +prophecy. A startling occurrence, well worthy of careful study. The +historical case of the assassination of Spencer Perceval, Chancellor of +the Exchequer. Other well-authenticated cases. Symbolic visions. Irish and +Scotch cases. + + +LESSON XIV +ASTRAL-BODY TRAVELING +Astral visioning in Clairvoyance, and visioning by means of the Astral +Body. The difference between the two phases of clairvoyant phenomena. The +characteristics of Astral-Body traveling. How one traveling in the Astral +Body may "see all around him," instead of merely gazing at an astral +picture. Limitations of Astral-Body visioning. What the Astral-Body really +is; and what it is like. How it disengages itself from the physical body, +and travels in space. Many persons "travel in the astral" during ordinary +sleep. Occult teachings regarding Astral-Body traveling. How dying persons +often travel in the astral-body, before death. Many interesting cases +cited, all well-authenticated by scientific investigation. Society for +Psychical Research's records and reports on such cases. Dangers of +uninstructed persons going out on the astral, except in dream state. +"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." A timely warning. A most +important and interesting subject. + + +LESSON XV +STRANGE ASTRAL PHENOMENA +Additional phases of Astral Phenomena. Projection of Thought-Forms. +Something between ordinary Clairvoyance and Astral-Body perception. What a +Thought-Form is. How it is created. What it does. Where it goes. How a +portion of one's consciousness is projected in a Thought-Form. Using a +Thought-Form as at cut-post, or observation point. How things appear when +viewed from a Thought-Form. A wonderful phase of occult phenomena. +Advantages and disadvantages of this form of clairvoyant visioning. Hindu +Psychic Magic, and how it is performed. Remarkable illusory effects +produced by Hindu Magicians. All is explained when the principle of the +creation and projection of Thought-Forms is understood. Why the Hindus +excel in this phase of occultism. An interesting description of Hindu +Magic feats. The power of concentrated "visualization." The phenomena of +Levitation, or the moving of articles at a distance. The occult +explanation of this phenomenon. Natural explanation for so-called +"super-natural" occurrence. + + +LESSON XVI +PSYCHIC INFLUENCE: ITS LAWS AND PRINCIPLES +The laws and principles underlying the power of one mind to influence and +affect another mind. More than ordinary telepathy. The inductive power of +mental vibrations. Everything is in vibration. Mental vibrations are much +higher in the scale than are physical vibrations. What "induction" is. How +a mental state, or an emotional feeling, tends to induce a similar state +in another mind. Many instances cited. The different degrees of vibratory +influence, and what causes the difference. The contagious effect of a +"strong feeling." Why a strong desire hag a dynamic effect in certain +cases. The power of visualization in Psychic Influence. The Attractive +Power of Thought. The effect of Mental Concentration. Focusing your +Forces. Holding the mind to a state of "one-pointedness." Why the +occultist controls his imagination. Suggestions as to practice, and rules +of development. A few easily-mastered principles which give you the key to +the whole of this wonderful subject. + + +LESSON XVII +PERSONAL PSYCHIC INFLUENCE OVER OTHERS +Psychic Influence exerted over others, when in their presence. Different +degrees of the influence. Possession of this power by Alexander the Great, +Napoleon Bonaparte, Julius Caesar, and other great leaders of men. The +ability to influence others is a sure sign of the possession of this +psychic power. The Three Underlying Principles of Psychic Influence. The +importance of strong desire to influence and exert power. The importance +of clear, positive mental pictures of what effect you wish to produce. The +importance of the firm concentration of your mind on the subject. The +creation of a positive psychic atmosphere. The Positive Psychic Aura. How +to project your Psychic Power. The Psychic Struggle between two persons. +How to handle yourself in such conflicts of Psychic Power. How to +Neutralize the Psychic Power of others, and thus disarm them. The Occult +Shield of Defence. Valuable directions regarding practice and development +of Psychic Power. Scientific Exercises for Development. Important Rules of +Practice. + + +LESSON XVIII +PSYCHIC INFLUENCE AT A DISTANCE +Psychic Influence over others, manifested when they are distant from the +person exerting the influence. Distance no obstacle. Psychic Induction at +Long-Range. How to create the en rapport condition with the other person. +How to protect yourself against such influence at a distance. The Psychic +Armor. Psychometric Method of producing Distant En Rapport Condition. To +proceed when the en rapport condition is secured. The scientific +explanation of the old tales about sorcery, witchcraft, super-natural +influence, etc. The effect of fear, and belief, on the mind of the other +person. The effect of Denial. The secret of many strange cases made plain. +Some typical cases. The Master-Key which unlocks the doors of many +Mysteries. Low forms of Occultism, and how they may be defeated. Dangerous +Teachings in some quarters. Warnings against their use. The Astral Tube; +how it is erected, used and employed. A simple, plain explanation of a +puzzling occult manifestation. Self-Protection. + + +LESSON XIX +LAWS OF PSYCHIC ATTRACTION +How psychic vibrations tend to attract to their creator other persons +vibrating along the same lines; and things having a relation to the things +thought of. Harmony and Inharmony in the Psychic World. The Law of Psychic +Attraction. The Law of Psychic Repulsion. An important phase of Astral +Phenomena. The Law works two ways. It draws other persons and things to +you; and you to other persons and things. How the men of "big business" +operate under this Law of Attraction. How scheming exploiters of the +public actually "treat the public" by psychic means. The various forms of +psychic influence employed by persons of this kind. The Law of Attraction, +and how it works out in Business Life. The scientific facts behind the +outward appearance of things. Instances and examples of the working out of +these laws and principles. The Law of Psychic Attraction is as constant +and invariable as the great Law of Gravitation, or Magnetic Attraction. +The Co-Relation of Thoughts and Things. How we may create our own +environment by Psychic Influence. + + +LESSON XX +PSYCHIC AND MAGNETIC HEALING +The Psychic Principles underlying the many forms of psychic or mental +healing. Many theories--one set of principles. Psychic Healing as old as +the race. The Basic Principles of Psychic Healing. The Physiological +Principles involved. How the Astral Body is used in Psychic Healing. Human +Magnetism, and what it really is. All about Prana. The Laying-on of Hands +in Healing; and what is back of it. What happens in Magnetic Healing. The +Secret of Absent Healing. Space no barrier in Psychic Healing. The Human +Aura and Psychic Healing. The Secret of Suggestive Therapeutics. The +effect of the "affirmations" of the healers. How the Healing Cults obtain +good results. Self-Healing by Psychic Power. Absent Healing by Psychic +Power. How to "treat" others by Absent Treatment. Valuable Instructions +and Practical Methods of Psychic Healing. The whole subject condensed, and +made plain, so that it may be applied by any person of average +intelligence. No fanciful theories; only plain, practical facts for actual +application. + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +In preparing this series of lessons for students of Western lands, I have +been compelled to proceed along lines exactly opposite to those which I +would have chosen had these lessons been for students in India. This +because of the diametrically opposite mental attitudes of the students of +these two several lands. + +The student in India expects the teacher to state positively the +principles involved, and the methods whereby these principles may be +manifested, together with frequent illustrations (generally in the nature +of fables or parables), serving to link the new knowledge to some already +known thing. The Hindu student never expects or demands anything in the +nature of "proof" of the teachers statements of principle or method; in +fact, he would regard it as an insult to the teacher to ask for the same. +Consequently, he does not look for, or ask, specific instances or +illustrations in the nature of scientific evidence or proof of the +principles taught. He may ask for more information, but solely for the +purpose of bringing out some point which he has not grasped; but he avoids +as a pestilence any question seeming to indicate argument, doubt of what +is being taught him, or of the nature of a demand for proof or evidence. + +The Western student, on the other hand, is accustomed to maintaining the +skeptical attitude of mind--the scientific attitude of doubt and demand +for proof--and the teacher so understands it. Both are accustomed to +illustrations bringing out the principles involved, but these +illustrations must not be fanciful or figurative--they must be actual +cases, well authenticated and vouched for as evidence. In short, the +Western teacher is expected to actually "prove" to his students his +principles and methods, before he may expect them to be accepted. This, of +course, not from any real doubt or suspicion of the veracity or ability of +the teacher, but merely because the Western mind expects to question, and +be questioned, in this way in the process of teaching and learning. + +Consequently, in this series of lessons, I have sought to follow the +Western method rather than the Hindu. So far as is possible, I have +avoided the flat positive statement of principles and methods, and have +sought to prove each step of the teaching. Of course, I have been +compelled to assume the existence of certain fundamental principles, in +order to avoid long and technical metaphysical and philosophical +discussions. I have also had to content myself with the positive flat +assertion of the existence of the Astral Plane, Akashic Records, Prana, +etc., which are fundamental postulates of Hindu philosophy and occult +science--for these are established solely by the experience of those who +are able to function on the higher planes themselves. But, beyond this I +have sought to prove by direct and positive evidence (adapted to the +Western mind) every step of my teaching and methods. + +In offering this scientific proof, I have purposely omitted (except in a +few instances) all mention of occult or psychic phenomena occurring in +India, and have confined myself to instances occurring in Western lands to +Western persons. Moreover, I have avoided quoting and citing Hindu +authorities, and have, instead, quoted and cited from authorities well +known and respected in Western lands, such as the Society for Psychical +Research, and the prominent scientists interested in the work of the said +society. In this way I have sought to furnish the Western student with +examples, cases, and illustrations familiar to him, and easily referred +to. Had I cited Indian cases, I might be accused of offering proof that +could not be easily verified; and quoting persons unknown to my readers. +There is a wealth of such cases and illustration in India, naturally, but +these as a rule are traditional and not available in printed form; and +these would not likely be very satisfactory to the Western student. + +I must, however, positively and firmly state that while these cases and +illustrations, these quotations and citations, are purely Western, the +principles they illustrate and prove are among the oldest known to Hindu +occult science and philosophy. In fact, having been accepted as proved +truth in India, for centuries past, there is very little demand for +further proof thereof on the part of the Hindus. In the Western world, +however, these things are comparatively new, and must be proved and +attested accordingly. So, as I have said, I have cut the cloth of my +instruction to conform with the pattern favored for the Western garment of +knowledge. So far as the illustrations and cases, the quotations and +citations are concerned--these are purely Western and familiar to the +student. But, when it comes to the principles themselves, this is another +matter--I must be pardoned for stating that these are the outgrowth of +Hindu thought and investigation, and that he who would discover their +roots must dig around the tree of the Wisdom of the East, which has stood +the storms and winds of thousands of years. But the branches of this +mighty tree are wide-spreading, and there is room for many Western +students to rest in its shade and shelter. + +In these lessons I have referred occasionally to my two little books, +entitled "The Astral World," and "The Human Aura," respectively. To those +who are interested in these subjects, I recommend these little books; they +are sold at a nominal price, and contain much that will be helpful to the +student of Hindu Occult Science. They are not required, however, to +complete the understanding of the subjects treated upon in these lessons, +and are mentioned and recommended merely as supplementary reading for the +student who wishes to take little "side excursions" away from the main +trip covered in these lessons. + +I trust that my students will find the pleasure and satisfaction in +studying these lessons that I have in writing them. + +SWAMI PANCHADASI. + + + + + +LESSON I. + +THE ASTRAL SENSES. + + +The student of occultism usually is quite familiar with the crass +individual who assumes the cheap skeptical attitude toward occult matters, +which attitude he expresses in his would-be "smart" remark that he +"believes only in what his senses perceive." He seems to think that his +cheap wit has finally disposed of the matter, the implication being that +the occultist is a credulous, "easy" person who believes in the existence +of things contrary to the evidence of the senses. + +While the opinion or views of persons of this class are, of course, +beneath the serious concern of any true student of occultism, nevertheless +the mental attitude of such persons are worthy of our passing +consideration, inasmuch as it serves to give us an object lesson regarding +the childlike attitude of the average so-called "practical" persons +regarding the matter of the evidence of the senses. + +These so-called practical persons have much to say regarding their senses. +They are fond of speaking of "the evidence of my senses." They also have +much to say about the possession of "good sense" on their part; of having +"sound common sense"; and often they make the strange boast that they have +"horse sense," seeming to consider this a great possession. Alas, for the +pretensions of this class of persons. They are usually found quite +credulous regarding matters beyond their everyday field of work and +thought, and accept without question the most ridiculous teachings and +dogmas reaching them from the voice of some claimed authority, while they +sneer at some advanced teaching which their minds are incapable of +comprehending. Anything which seems unusual to them is deemed "flighty," +and lacking in appeal to their much prized "horse sense." + +But, it is not my intention to spend time in discussing these +insignificant half-penny intellects. I have merely alluded to them in +order to bring to your mind the fact that to many persons the idea of +"sense" and that of "senses" is very closely allied. They consider all +knowledge and wisdom as "sense;" and all such sense as being derived +directly from their ordinary five senses. They ignore almost completely +the intuitional phases of the mind, and are unaware of many of the higher +processes of reasoning. + +Such persons accept as undoubted anything that their senses report to +them. They consider it heresy to question a report of the senses. One of +their favorite remarks is that "it almost makes me doubt my senses." They +fail to perceive that their senses, at the best, are very imperfect +instruments, and that the mind is constantly employed in correcting the +mistaken report of the ordinary five senses. + +Not to speak of the common phenomenon of color-blindness, in which one +color seems to be another, our senses are far from being exact. We may, +by suggestion, be made to imagine that we smell or taste certain things +which do not exist, and hypnotic subjects may be caused to see things that +have no existence save in the imagination of the person. The familiar +experiment of the person crossing his first two fingers, and placing them +on a small object, such as a pea or the top of a lead-pencil, shows us how +"mixed" the sense of feeling becomes at times. The many familiar instances +of optical delusions show us that even our sharp eyes may deceive +us--every conjuror knows how easy it is to deceive the eye by suggestion +and false movements. + +Perhaps the most familiar example of mistaken sense-reports is that of the +movement of the earth. The senses of every person report to him that the +earth is a fixed, immovable body, and that the sun, moon, planets, and +stars move around the earth every twenty-four hours. It is only when one +accepts the reports of the reasoning faculties, that he knows that the +earth not only whirls around on its axis every twenty-four hours, but that +it circles around the sun every three hundred and sixty-five days; and +that even the sun itself, carrying with it the earth and the other +planets, really moves along in space, moving toward or around some unknown +point far distant from it. If there is any one particular report of the +senses which would seem to be beyond doubt or question, it certainly would +be this elementary sense report of the fixedness of the earth beneath our +feet, and the movements of the heavenly bodies around it--and yet we know +that this is merely an illusion, and that the facts of the case are +totally different. Again, how few persons really realize that the eye +perceives things up-side-down, and that the mind only gradually acquires +the trick of adjusting the impression? + +I am not trying to make any of you doubt the report of his or her five +senses. That would be most foolish, for all of us must needs depend upon +these five senses in our everyday affairs, and would soon come to grief +were we to neglect their reports. Instead, I am trying to acquaint you +with the real nature of these five senses, that you may realize what they +are not, as well as what they are; and also that you may realize that +there is no absurdity in believing that there are more channels of +information open to the ego, or soul of the person, than these much used +five senses. When you once get a correct scientific conception of the real +nature of the five ordinary senses, you will be able to intelligently +grasp the nature of the higher psychic faculties or senses, and thus be +better fitted to use them. So, let us take a few moments time in order to +get this fundamental knowledge well fixed in our minds. + +What are the five senses, anyway. Your first answer will be: "Feeling, +seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling." But that is merely a recital of the +different forms of sensing. What is a "sense," when you get right down to +it? Well, you will find that the dictionary tells us that a sense is a +"faculty, possessed by animals, of perceiving external objects by means of +impressions made upon certain organs of the body." Getting right down to +the roots of the matter, we find that the five senses of man are the +channels through which he becomes aware or conscious of information +concerning objects outside of himself. But, these senses are not the +sense-organs alone. Back of the organs there is a peculiar arrangement of +the nervous system, or brain centres, which take up the messages received +through the organs; and back of this, again, is the ego, or soul, or mind, +which, at the last, is the real KNOWER. The eye is merely a camera; the +ear, merely a receiver of sound-waves; the nose, merely an arrangement of +sensitive mucous membrane; the mouth and tongue, simply a container of +taste-buds; the nervous system, merely a sensitive apparatus designed to +transmit messages to the brain and other centres--all being but part of +the physical machinery, and liable to impairment or destruction. Back of +all this apparatus is the real Knower who makes use of it. + +Science tells us that of all the five senses, that of Touch or Feeling was +the original--the fundamental sense. All the rest are held to be but +modifications of, and specialized forms of, this original sense of +feeling. I am telling you this not merely in the way of interesting and +instructive scientific information, but also because an understanding of +this fact will enable you to more clearly comprehend that which I shall +have to say to you about the higher faculties or senses. + +Many of the very lowly and simple forms of animal life have this one sense +only, and that but poorly developed. The elementary life form "feels" the +touch of its food, or of other objects which may touch it. The plants also +have something akin to this sense, which in some cases, like that of the +Sensitive Plant, for instance, is quite well developed. Long before the +sense of sight, or the sensitiveness to light appeared in animal-life, we +find evidences of taste, and something like rudimentary hearing or +sensitiveness to sounds. Smell gradually developed from the sense of +taste, with which even now it is closely connected. In some forms of lower +animal life the sense of smell is much more highly developed than in +mankind. Hearing evolved in due time from the rudimentary feeling of +vibrations. Sight, the highest of the senses, came last, and was an +evolution of the elementary sensitiveness to light. + +But, you see, all these senses are but modifications of the original sense +of feeling or touch. The eye records the touch or feeling of the +light-waves which strike upon it. The ear records the touch or feeling of +the sound-waves or vibrations of the air, which reach it. The tongue and +other seats of taste record the chemical touch of the particles of food, +or other substances, coming in contact with the taste-buds. The nose +records the chemical touch of the gases or fine particles of material +which touch its mucous membrane. The sensory-nerves record the presence of +outer objects coming in contact with the nerve ends in various parts of +the skin of the body. You see that all of these senses merely record the +contact or "touch" of outside objects. + +But the sense organs, themselves, do not do the knowing of the presence of +the objects. They are but pieces of delicate apparatus serving to record +or to receive primary impressions from outside. Wonderful as they are, +they have their counterparts in the works of man, as for instance: the +camera, or artificial eye; the phonograph, or, artificial ear; the +delicate chemical apparatus, or artificial taster and smeller; the +telegraph, or artificial nerves. Not only this, but there are always to be +found nerve telegraph wires conveying the messages of the eye, the ear, +the nose, the tongue, to the brain--telling the something in the brain of +what has been felt at the other end of the line. Sever the nerves leading +to the eye, and though the eye will continue to register perfectly, still +no message will reach the brain. And render the brain unconscious, and no +message will reach it from the nerves connecting with eye, ear, nose, +tongue, or surface of the body. There is much more to the receiving of +sense messages than you would think at first, you see. + +Now all this means that the ego, or soul, or mind, if you prefer the +term--is the real Knower who becomes aware of the outside world by means +of the messages of the senses. Cut off from these messages the mind would +be almost a blank, so far as outside objects are concerned. Every one of +the senses so cut off would mean a diminishing or cutting-off of a part of +the world of the ego. And, likewise, each new sense added to the list +tends to widen and increase the world of the ego. We do not realize this, +as a rule. Instead, we are in the habit of thinking that the world +consists of just so many things and facts, and that we know every possible +one of them. This is the reasoning of a child. Think how very much smaller +than the world of the average person is the world of the person born +blind, or the person born deaf! Likewise, think how very much greater and +wider, and more wonderful this world of ours would seem were each of us to +find ourselves suddenly endowed with a new sense! How much more we would +perceive. How much more we would feel. How much more we would know. How +much more we would have to talk about. Why, we are really in about the +same position as the poor girl, born blind, who said that she thought that +the color of scarlet must be something like the sound of a trumpet. Poor +thing, she could form no conception of color, never having seen a ray of +light--she could think and speak only in the terms of touch, sound, taste +and smell. Had she also been deaf, she would have been robbed of a still +greater share of her world. Think over these things a little. + +Suppose, on the contrary, that we had a new sense which would enable us to +sense the waves of electricity. In that case we would be able to "feel" +what was going on at another place--perhaps on the other side of the +world, or maybe, on one of the other planets. Or, suppose that we had an X +Ray sense--we could then see through a stone wall, inside the rooms of a +house. If our vision were improved by the addition of a telescopic +adjustment, we could see what is going on in Mars, and could send and +receive communications with those living there. Or, if with a microscopic +adjustment, we could see all the secrets of a drop of water--maybe it is +well that we cannot do this. On the other hand, if we had a well-developed +telepathic sense, we would be aware of the thought-waves of others to such +an extent that there would be no secrets left hidden to anyone--wouldn't +that alter life and human intercourse a great deal? These things would +really be no more wonderful than is the evolution of the senses we have. +We can do some of these things by apparatus designed by the brain of +man--and man really is but an imitator and adaptor of Nature. Perhaps, on +some other world or planet there may be beings having seven, nine or +fifteen senses, instead of the poor little five known to us. Who knows! + +But it is not necessary to exercise the imagination in the direction of +picturing beings on other planets endowed with more senses than have the +people of earth. While, as the occult teachings positively state, there +are beings on other planets whose senses are as much higher than the +earth-man's as the latter's are higher than those of the oyster, still we +do not have to go so far to find instances of the possession of much +higher and more active faculties than those employed by the ordinary man. +We have but to consider the higher psychical faculties of man, right here +and now, in order to see what new worlds are open to him. When you reach +a scientific understanding of these things, you will see that there really +is nothing at all supernatural about much of the great body of wonderful +experiences of men in all times which the "horse sense" man sneeringly +dismisses as "queer" and "contrary to sense." You will see that these +experiences are quite as natural as are those in which the ordinary five +senses are employed--though they are super-physical. There is the greatest +difference between supernatural and super-physical, you must realize. + +All occultists know that man has other senses than the ordinary five, +although but few men have developed them sufficiently well to use them +effectively. These super-physical senses are known to the occultists as +"the astral senses." The term "Astral," used so frequently by all +occultists, ancient and modern, is derived from the Greek word "astra," +meaning "star." It is used to indicate those planes of being immediately +above the physical plane. The astral senses are really the counterparts of +the physical senses of man, and are connected with the astral body of the +person just as the physical senses are connected with the physical body. +The office of these astral senses is to enable the person to receive +impressions on the astral plane, just as his physical senses enable him to +receive impressions on the physical plane. On the physical plane the mind +of man receives only the sense impressions of the physical organs of +sense; but when the mind functions and vibrates on the astral plane, it +requires astral senses in order to receive the impressions of that plane, +and these, as we shall see, are present. + +Each one of the physical senses of man has its astral counterpart. Thus +man has, in latency, the power of seeing, feeling, tasting, smelling, and +hearing, on the astral plane, by means of his five astral senses. More +than this, the best occultists know that man really has seven physical +senses instead of but five, though these two additional senses are not +unfolded in the case of the average person (though occultists who have +reached a certain stage are able to use them effectively). Even these two +extra physical senses have their counterparts on the astral plane. + +Persons who have developed the use of their astral senses are able to +receive the sense impressions of the astral plane just as clearly as they +receive those of the physical plane by means of the physical senses. For +instance, the person is thus able to perceive things occurring on the +astral plane; to read the Akashic Records of the past; to perceive things +that are happening in other parts of the world; to see past happenings as +well; and in cases of peculiar development, to catch glimpses of the +future, though this is far rarer than the other forms of astral sight. + +Again, by means of clairaudience, the person may hear the things of the +astral world, past as well as present, and in rare cases, the future. The +explanation is the same in each case--merely the receiving of vibrations +on the astral plane instead of on the physical plane. In the same way, +the astral senses of smelling, tasting, and feeling operate. But though we +have occasional instances of astral feeling, in certain phases of psychic +phenomena, we have practically no manifestation of astral smelling or +tasting, although the astral senses are there ready for use. It is only in +instances of travelling in the astral body that the last two mentioned +astral senses, viz., smell and taste, are manifested. + +The phenomena of telepathy, or thought transference, occurs on both the +physical and the mental plane. On the physical plane it is more or less +spontaneous and erratic in manifestation; while on the astral plane it is +as clear, reliable and responsive to demand as is astral sight, etc. + +The ordinary person has but occasional flashes of astral sensing, and as a +rule is not able to experience the phenomenon at will. The trained +occultist, on the contrary, is able to shift from one set of senses to the +other, by a simple act or effort of will, whenever he may wish to do so. +Advanced occultists are often able to function on both physical and astral +planes at the same time, though they do not often desire to do so. To +vision astrally, the trained occultist merely shifts his sensory mechanism +from physical to astral, or vice versa, just as the typewriter operator +shifts from the small-letter type to the capitals, by simply touching the +shift-key of his machine. + +Many persons suppose that it is necessary to travel on the astral plane, +in the astral body, in order to use the astral senses. This is a mistake. +In instances of clairvoyance, astral visioning, psychometry, etc., the +occultist remains in his physical body, and senses the phenomena of the +astral plane quite readily, by means of the astral senses, just as he is +able to sense the phenomena of the physical plane when he uses the +physical organs--quite more easily, in fact, in many instances. It is not +even necessary for the occultist to enter into the trance condition, in +the majority of cases. + +Travel in the astral body is quite another phase of occult phenomena, and +is far more difficult to manifest. The student should never attempt to +travel in the astral body except under the instruction of some competent +instructor. + +In Crystal Gazing, the occultist merely employs the crystal in order to +concentrate his power, and to bring to a focus his astral vision. There is +no supernatural virtue in the crystal itself--it is merely a means to an +end; a piece of useful apparatus to aid in the production of certain +phenomena. + +In Psychometry some object is used in order to bring the occulist "en +rapport" with the person or thing associated with it. But it is the astral +senses which are employed in describing either the past environment of the +thing, or else the present or past doings of the person in question, etc. +In short, the object is merely the loose end of the psychic ball of twine +which the psychometrist proceeds to wind or unwind at will. Psychometry +is merely one form of astral seeing; just as is crystal gazing. + +In what is known as Telekinesis, or movement at a distance, there is found +the employment of both astral sensing, and astral will action accompanied +in many cases by actual projection of a portion of the substance of the +astral body. + +In the case of Clairvoyance, we have an instance of the simplest form of +astral seeing, without the necessity of the "associated object" of +psychometry, or the focal point of the crystal in crystal gazing. + +This is true not only of the ordinary form of clairvoyance, in which the +occultist sees astrally the happenings and doings at some distant point, +at the moment of observation; it is also true of what is known as past +clairvoyance, or astral seeing of past events; and in the seeing of future +events, as in prophetic vision, etc. These are all simply different forms +of one and the same thing. + +Surely, some of you may say, "These things are supernatural, far above the +realm of natural law--and yet this man would have us believe otherwise." +Softly, softly, dear reader, do not jump at conclusions so readily. What +do you know about the limits of natural law and phenomena? What right have +you to assert that all beyond your customary range of sense experience is +outside of Nature? Do you not realize that you are attempting to place a +limit upon Nature, which in reality is illimitable? + +The man of a generation back of the present one would have been equally +justified in asserting that the marvels of wireless telegraphy were +supernatural, had he been told of the possibility of their manifestation. +Going back a little further, the father of that man would have said the +same thing regarding the telephone, had anyone been so bold as to have +prophesied it. Going back still another generation, imagine the opinion of +some of the old men of that time regarding the telegraph. And yet these +things are simply the discovery and application of certain of Nature's +wonderful powers and forces. + +Is it any more unreasonable to suppose that Nature has still a mine of +undiscovered treasure in the mind and constitution of man, as well as in +inorganic nature? No, friends, these things are as natural as the physical +senses, and not a whit more of a miracle. It is only that we are +accustomed to one, and not to the other, that makes the astral senses seem +more wonderful than the physical. Nature's workings are all +wonderful--none more so than the other. All are beyond our absolute +conception, when we get down to their real essence. So let us keep an open +mind! + + + + +LESSON II. + +TELEPATHY vs. CLAIRVOYANCE. + + +In this work I shall use the term "clairvoyance" in its broad sense of +"astral perception," as distinguished from perception by means of the +physical senses. As we proceed, you will see the general and special +meanings of the term, so there is no necessity for a special definition or +illustration of the term at this time. + +By "telepathy," I mean the sending and receiving of thought messages, and +mental and emotional states, consciously or unconsciously, by means of +what may be called "the sixth sense" of the physical plane. There is, of +course, a form of thought transference on the astral plane, but this I +include under the general term of clairvoyance, for reasons which will be +explained later on. + +You will remember that in the preceding chapter I told you that in +addition to the five ordinary physical senses of man there were also two +other physical senses comparatively undeveloped in the average person. +These two extra physical senses are, respectively, (1) the sense of the +presence of other living things; and (2) the telepathic sense. As I also +told you, these two extra physical senses have their astral counterparts. +They also have certain physical organs which are not generally recognized +by physiologists or psychologists, but which are well known to all +occultists. I shall now consider the first of the two above-mentioned +extra physical senses, in order to clear the way for our consideration of +the question of the distinction between ordinary telepathy and that form +of clairvoyance which is its astral counterpart. + +There is in every human being a sense which is not generally recognized as +such, although nearly every person has had more or less experience +regarding its workings. I refer to the sense of the presence of other +living things, separate and apart from the operation of any of the five +ordinary physical senses. I ask you to understand that I am not claiming +that this is a higher sense than the other physical senses, or that it has +come to man in a high state of evolution. On the contrary, this sense came +to living things far back in the scale of evolution. It is possessed by +the higher forms of the lower animals, such as the horse, dog, and the +majority of the wild beasts. Savage and barbaric men have it more highly +developed than it is in the case of the civilized man. In fact, this +physical sense may be termed almost vestigal in civilized man, because he +has not actively used it for many generations. For that matter, the +physical sense of smell is also deficient in man, and for the same reason, +whereas in the case of the lower animals, and savage man, the sense of +smell is very keen. I mention this for fear of misunderstanding. In my +little book, "The Astral World," I have said: "All occultists know that +man really has seven senses, instead of merely five, though the +additional two senses are not sufficiently developed for use in the +average person (though the occultist generally unfolds them into use)." +Some have taken this to mean that the occultist develops these two extra +physical senses, just as he does certain higher psychic or astral +faculties. But this is wrong. The occultist, in such case, merely +re-awakens these two senses which have been almost lost to the race. By +use and exercise he then develops them to a wonderful proficiency, for use +on the physical plane. + +Now, this sense of the presence of other living beings is very well +developed in the lower animals, particularly in those whose safety depends +upon the knowledge of the presence of their natural enemies. As might be +expected, the wild animals have it more highly developed than do the +domesticated animals. But even among the latter, we find instances of this +sense being in active use--in the case of dogs, horses, geese, etc., +especially. Who of us is not familiar with the strange actions of the dog, +or the horse, when the animal senses the unseen and unheard presence of +some person or animal? Very often we would scold or punish the animal for +its peculiar actions, simply because we are not able to see what is +worrying it. How often does the dog start suddenly, and bristle up its +hair, when nothing is in sight, or within hearing distance. How often does +the horse grow "skittish," or even panicky, when there is nothing within +sight or hearing. Domestic fowls, especially geese, manifest an uneasiness +at the presence of strange persons or animals, though they may not be +able to see or hear them. It is a matter of history that this sense, in a +flock of geese, once saved ancient Rome from an attack of the enemy. The +night was dark and stormy, and the trained eyesight and keen hearing of +the Roman outposts failed to reveal the approach of the enemy. But, the +keen sense of the geese felt the presence of strange men, and they started +to cackle loudly, aroused the guard, and Rome was saved. Skeptical persons +have sought to explain this historical case by the theory that the geese +heard the approaching enemy. But this explanation will not serve, for the +Roman soldiers were marching about on their posts and guard-duty, and the +geese remained silent until they sensed the approach of the small number +of the enemy's scouts, when they burst into wild cries. The ancient +Romans, themselves, were under no illusion about the matter--they +recognized the existence of some unusual power in the geese, and they gave +the animals the full credit therefor. + +Hunters in wild and strange lands have told us that often when they were +lying concealed for the purpose of shooting the wild animals when they +came within range, they have witnessed instances of the existence of this +strange faculty in the wild beasts. Though they could not see the +concealed hunters, nor smell them (as the wind was in the other direction) +all of a sudden one or more of the animals (generally an old female) would +start suddenly, and a shiver would be seen to pass over its body; then it +would utter a low warning note, and away would fly the pack. Nearly every +hunter has had the experience of watching his expected game, when all of a +sudden it would start off with a nervous jerk, and without waiting to +sniff the air, as is usual, would bolt precipitately from the scene. +Moreover, many beasts of prey are known to sense the presence of their +natural prey, even when the wind is in the other direction, and there is +no sound or movement made by the crouching, fearstricken animal. Certain +birds seem to sense the presence of particular worms upon which they feed, +though the latter be buried several inches in the earth, or in the bark of +trees. + +Savage man also has this faculty developed, as all travellers and +explorers well know. They are as keen as a wild animal to sense the +nearness of enemies, or, in some cases, the approach of man-eating beasts. +This does not mean that that these savages are more highly developed than +is civilized man--quite the reverse. This is the explanation: when man +became more civilized, and made himself more secure from his wild-beast +enemies, as well as from the sudden attacks of his human enemies, he began +to use this sense less and less. Finally, in the course of many +generations, it became almost atrophied from disuse, and ceased reporting +to the brain, or other nerve centres. Or, if you prefer viewing it from +another angle, it may be said that the nerve centres, and brain, began to +pay less and less attention to the reports of this sense (trusting more to +sight and hearing) until the consciousness failed to awaken to the +reports. You know how your consciousness will finally refuse to be +awakened by familiar sounds (such as the noise of machinery in the shop, +or ordinary noises in the house), although the ears receive the +sound-waves. + +Well, this is the way in the case of this neglected sense--for the two +reasons just mentioned, the average person is almost unaware of its +existence. Almost unaware I have said--not totally unaware. For probably +every one of us has had experiences in which we have actually "felt" the +presence of some strange person about the premises, or place. The effect +of the report of this sense is particularly noticed in the region of the +solar plexus, or the pit of the stomach. It manifests in a peculiar, +unpleasant feeling of "gone-ness" in that region--it produces a feeling of +"something wrong," which disturbs one in a strange way. This is generally +accompanied by a "bristling up," or "creepy" feeling along the spine. The +organs registering the presence of a strange or alien creature consist of +certain delicate nerves of the surface of the skin, generally connected +with the roots of the downy hair of the body--or resting where the hair +roots would naturally be, in the case of a hairless skin. These seem to +report directly to the solar-plexus, which then acts quickly by reflex +action on the other parts of the body, causing an instinctive feeling to +either fly the scene or else to crouch and hide oneself. This feeling, as +may be seen at once, is an inheritance from our savage ancestors, or +perhaps from our lowly-animal ancestral roots. It is a most unpleasant +feeling, and the race escapes much discomfort by reason of its comparative +absence. + +I have said that occultists have developed, or rather re-developed this +sense. They do this in order to have a harmonious well-developed +seven-fold sense system. It increases their general "awareness." Certain +other knowledge of the occultist neutralizes the unpleasant features of +the manifestation of this sense, and he finds it often a very valuable +adjunct to his senses of seeing and hearing, particularly in the cases in +which he is approached by persons having antagonistic or hostile feelings +toward him, as in such cases this faculty is particularly active. In +connection with the telepathic sense (to be described a little further on) +this sense operates to give a person that sense of warning when approached +by another person whose feelings are not friendly to him, no matter how +friendly the outward appearance of that person may be. These two extra +senses co-operate to give a person that instinctive feeling of warning, +which all of us know in our own experience. + +This particular, as well as the telepathic sense, may be cultivated or +developed by anyone who wishes to take the time and trouble to accomplish +the work. The principle is simple--merely the same principle that one uses +in developing any of the other physical attributes, namely, use and +exercise. The first step (a) is the recognition of the existence of the +sense itself; then (b) the attention given to its reports; then (c) +frequent use and exercise. Just think of how you would proceed to develop +any of the five ordinary senses--the hearing, sight, or touch, for +instance--then follow the same process in the cultivation of this extra +sense, or two senses, and you will accomplish the same kind of results. + +Now, let us consider the other extra physical sense--the "telepathic" +sense, or sense of becoming aware of the thought-waves, or emotional +waves, of other persons. Now, as strange as this may appear to some +persons--the most of persons in fact--this telepathic faculty is not a +"higher" faculty or sense, but is really a comparatively low one. Just +like the sense just described, it is possessed in a higher degree by many +of the lower animals, and by primitive and savage man. That which really +is "higher" in this kind of psychic phenomena is the manifestation of that +higher form of telepathy--by use of the astral counterpart of this +sense--which we shall consider, later, under the name of clairvoyance, for +this is really a particular phase of clairvoyance. + +As strange as it may appear to some of you, the lower animals possess a +kind of telepathic sense. An animal is usually aware of your feelings +toward it, and your purposes regarding it. Domestic animals lose some of +this by generations of confinement, while the wild animals have the sense +highly developed. But even some of the domestic animals have more or less +of it. You will readily recognize this fact if you have ever tried to +"cut out" a certain animal from a herd or flock. You will find that the +animal in some way has sensed your designs upon it, no matter how +indirectly you approach it, and it will begin circling around the other +animals, twisting in and out in its endeavors to be lost to your sight. +The other animals, likewise, will seem to know that you are after only +that particular one, and will manifest but little fright or distrust, +comparatively. + +I have frequently seen this thing, in my own country and in others, among +poultry raisers. The poultryman will think, to himself, "Now, I am going +to get that black hen with the yellow legs--that fat, clumsy one," and he +will move toward the flock slowly and with an air of unconcern. But, lo! +as soon as he gets near the creatures, that black hen will be seen edging +her way to the outer circle of the flock, on the opposite side from the +man. When the man moves around to her side, she will be found to have +plunged into the crowd, and it is hard to find her. Sometimes she will +actually try to sneak off, and conceal herself in some dark corner, or +back of some large object. Every poultryman will smile when this +occurrence is mentioned to him--he knows by experience that hens have a +way of sensing what he has in his mind regarding them. + +Moreover, as every farmer knows, the crow family has a most uncanny way of +sensing the intentions of the farmer who is trying to destroy them, and +shows great sagacity in defeating those intentions. But, while the crow is +a very intelligent bird--one of the wisest of the bird family, in +fact--it obtains its knowledge of what is in the mind of the man not alone +from "figuring on his intentions," but rather from that instinctive +sensing of his mental states. The hen, as all know, is a very stupid bird, +showing but little intelligent activity. But, nevertheless, she is very +quick about sensing the poultryman's designs on her, though generally very +stupid about planning out a skillful escape. + +Every owner of dogs, cats and horses, has had many opportunities for +observing the manifestation of this sense on the part of those animals. +Every dog feels the emotional states of his owner, and others. The horse +knows when his owner seeks to throw the halter over his neck, or when, on +the contrary, he is merely walking through the field. Cats sense their +owners' feelings and thoughts, and often resent them. Of course, the lower +animals can sense merely elementary mental states, and generally _only_ +emotional states, as their minds are not developed so as to interpret the +more complex mental states. Primitive men likewise almost instinctively +sense the feelings and designs of other men. They do not reason the thing +out, but rather merely "feel" the ideas and designs of the others. The +women of the lower races are more adept in interpreting these sense +reports than are the men. Women are more sensitive, as a rule, than are +men--on any point on the scale of development. + +When we come to consider ordinary telepathy in the case of men of +civilized countries, we find a more complex state of affairs. While +civilized man, as a whole, has lost some of the quick telepathic +perception of the lower races, he has, in some exceptional cases, acquired +a faculty of receiving and interpreting more complex thought-forms and +mental states. The investigations of the Society for Psychical Research, +and those of private investigators as well, have shown us that a picture +of a complicated geometrical design held in the mind of one person may be +carried to and received by the mind of another person, who reproduces the +design on paper. In the same way, complicated thoughts have been +transmitted and received. But these are only exceptional cases. In many +cases this sense seems almost dead in the ordinary civilized individual, +except when aroused in exceptional cases. + +But, nevertheless, the majority of persons have occasional flashes of +telepathy--just enough to make them realize that "there is something in +it." The renewed interest in the subject, of late years, has directed the +public mind to the phenomena of telepathy, and, consequently, more persons +are now taking note of the cases of thought-transference coming under +their personal notice. It must be remembered, of course, that all of us +are constantly receiving thought-waves, and feeling thought-influence, +unconsciously. I am speaking now only of the conscious perception of the +thought-waves. + +Many investigators have so developed their telepathic sense that they are +able, at times, to obtain wonderful test results. But, it has been a +source of disappointment to many of them to discover that at other times, +under apparently similar conditions, their success was very slight. So +true is this that many authorities have accepted the theory that telepathy +is more or less spontaneous, and cannot be produced to order. This theory +is true as far as it goes, but there is a side of the case that these +investigators overlook, probably because of their lack of the occult +principles involved in the phenomena. I mean this: that their most +brilliant successes have been obtained by reason of their unconscious +"switching on" of the astral telepathic sense, the clairvoyant sense. +While in this condition, they obtained startling results; but the next +time they tried, they failed to awaken the astral sense, and, therefore, +had to depend entirely upon the physical telepathic sense, and, +consequently, their results were comparatively poor. + +You will understand the difference and distinction between physical-sense +telepathy, and astral-sense telepathy, if you will carefully consider the +nature of each, as I shall now present it to you. I ask your close +attention to what I shall have to say on this subject in the remaining +pages of this chapter. Do not pass over these explanations as "dry," for +unless you have a clear fundamental understanding of the thing, you will +never be able to get the best results. This is true of every phase of +learning, physical as well as psychical--one must get started right, in +order to obtain the best results. + +In the first place, every thought process, every emotional activity, +every creation of ideas, is accompanied by a manifestation of force--in +fact, is the result of the manifestation of a force. Without entering at +all into the question of what mind is, in itself, we may rest firmly on +the natural fact that every manifestation of mental or emotional activity +is the result of an action of the brain or nervous system, manifesting in +a form of vibrations. Just as in the case of the manifestation of +electricity in which certain chemical elements are consumed, or +transformed, so in the case of mental or emotional activity there is a +consuming or transformation of the substance of which the nervous system +is composed. When I say "nervous system" in this connection, I include the +brain, or brains of man--for these are but a part of his great nervous +system in which all emotional or mental activity is manifested. + +Moreover, just as there is no real destruction of matter in any of +Nature's processes--all seeming destruction being but a transformation--so +in the case before us there is a transformation of the energy released in +the thought or emotional process. We may grasp this idea more clearly if +we consider what takes place into transformation of electrical energy. For +instance, transmit a strong current of electricity over a fine wire, or +filament of carbon, and lo! the current is transformed into light. Use +another kind of channel of transmission, and the current is transformed +into heat. Every electric light, or electric heating apparatus is proof +of this. In the same way, the electric current is sent into space in the +form of wireless waves. These waves coming in contact with certain forms +of apparatus are transformed into forms of force which are registered and +interpreted by the wireless operator. + +In the same way, the telepathic waves of energy are sent forth by the +activity released by the thought or emotion state. These waves travel in +every direction, and when they come in contact with physical apparatus +sufficiently sensitive to register them, they may be reproduced or +retransformed into thought or mental states similar to those which +originally sent them forth. You talk into the receiver of the telephone, +and the sound waves are transformed into waves of electricity. These +electric waves travel over the wires, and on reaching the other end of the +telephone circuit are again transformed into sound-waves which are heard +by the ear of the listener. Well, then, when your brain sends out thought +waves, these travel until they are received by the apparatus in the brain +of another person, when they are re-transformed into thoughts of the same +kind that originally caused the thought-waves. I will have much more to +say on this subject in the next chapter. I will pause here to point out +the difference between the phenomena of this form of telepathy, and the +higher form which is really a phase of clairvoyance. + +Now, in the case of what may be called a clairvoyant-telepathy, or astral +telepathy, the ordinary thought-waves play but a small part. Instead of +these, there is a transmission of force along the channels of the astral +plane. It is almost impossible to describe the phenomena of the astral +plane in the terms of the physical. I may illustrate the matter, in a +general way, by saying that is something like your astral self actually +extending itself out until it touches the astral self of the other person, +and thus actually "feels" the astral activities there, instead of it being +a case of something like waves travelling along space between brain and +brain. Do you get this clearly? This is about as near to it as I can +explain it to you at this place. Telepathy is simply a matter of the +transmission and receiving of waves of vibratory force which have +travelled along the ether between two persons. But clairvoyance or +astral-telepathy is something like your mind being extended out until it +actually touches the mind of the other person and sees what is there. + +I shall have much to say regarding the working out of the processes of +clairvoyance, as we proceed. I have merely given the above explanation for +the purpose of distinguishing between ordinary telepathy and clairvoyance, +so as to prevent you from falling into a common error. Now let us consider +the phenomena of ordinary telepathy--this is very wonderful in itself, +although it is on a lower plane of activity than its astral or clairvoyant +counterpart. + + + + +LESSON III. + +TELEPATHY EXPLAINED. + + +Telepathy, meaning Thought-Transference, bears a misleading title. +Literally translated, it means "suffering at a distance," or, perhaps, +"feeling pain at a distance." The name should really indicate "knowing at +a distance," in order to be properly descriptive. But as the term has +acquired a forced meaning by reason of years of usage, it will probably be +continued in popular favor. After all, names do not count, so long as the +meaning is accepted and understood. + +While the term itself has been generally used in the sense of conscious +and deliberate sending and receiving of thought-waves, there is a far +wider field of phenomena really covered by it, viz., the unconscious +sending and receiving of mental and emotional vibrations. I shall take up +this phase of the subject in a moment, after I have called your attention +to the mechanism whereby the waves of thought and emotion are transmitted. + +In the last chapter, you will remember that I called your attention to the +fact that there is a manifestation of energy or force (in the form of +vibrations) in every mental or emotional state. This is true not only in +the case of deep thought or vivid feeling, but also in the case of general +mental "feelings," and emotional states. During such manifestations there +is a radiation of mental or emotional vibrations from the brain or nervous +centres of the system, which flows out in all directions just as do light +and wireless electricity. The principal seats or centres of these +radiations are (1) the several brains of man, viz., the cerebrum, +cerebellum, and the medulla oblongata, respectfully; and (2) the several +great centres of nerve substance in the human system, called the plexi, +such as the solar plexus, etc. + +The vibrations arising from emotional excitement are sent out principally +from the plexi, or great centres of the sympathetic nervous system. Those +arising from the more strictly mental states emanate from certain centres +and points of the brain, or brains, of the person manifesting them. +Certain forms of these vibrations constitute the real essence of what is +generally called "human magnetism," which will be treated upon in the +proper place in these lessons. + +I do not think it advisable to go into the technical details of the +generation and mechanism of transmission of these thought and emotional +vibrations, in these lessons. To understand the same would require a +technical knowledge of physiology and organic chemistry, which is not +possessed by the average person. Moreover, such details are neither +interesting nor instructive to the general student of occultism. But, I +think it proper to give at least a brief description of the receiving of +such vibratory-waves by other individuals. + +In the first place, every great plexus, or groups of nerve ganglia, in the +human system is a receiving station, as well as a sending station. A +person manifesting strong emotional excitement tends to awaken similar +states in the nervous centres of other persons in whom the conditions are +favorable. This explains why the vibrations of anger, fear, panic, are so +contagious. It also explains the strong effect of the vibrations emanating +from the nerve centres controlling the reproductive system, in certain +cases of strong sexual excitation. Each human sympathetic nervous system +contains many receiving stations where emotional vibrations are received, +and where they tend to be transformed into similar feeling in the +receiving system, unless neutralized by other mental and emotional states +in the person. + +When we come to consider the apparatus by which is received the vibrations +arising from what may be called "purely mental" operations of the brain, +such as intellectual thought, constructive imagination, etc., we find a +more specialized arrangement, as might be expected. There are several +minor receiving points of mental vibrations, regarding which I do not +consider it worth while to go into detail, because of the technical +features involved. The principal apparatus for receiving thought +vibrations of this kind is that which is known as the "pineal gland," +which I shall now describe. + +The pineal gland is a peculiar mass of nervous substance which is embedded +in the human brain, in a position near the middle of the skull almost +directly above the extreme top of the spinal column. It is shaped like a +small cone; and is of a reddish-gray color. It lies in front of the +cerebellum, and is attached to the floor of the third ventricle of the +brain. It contains a small quantity of peculiar particles of gritty, +sand-like substance, which are sometimes called "brain-sand." It derives +its scientific name from its shape, which, as I have said, resembles a +pine-cone. Physiologists are at sea regarding the function of this strange +organ, and generally content themselves with the statement that "its +functions are not understood." But occultists know that the pineal gland, +with its peculiar arrangement of nerve-cell corpuscles, and its tiny +grains of "brain-sand," is the physical telepathic receiving instrument. +Students of wireless telegraphy have noticed a startling resemblance +between the pineal gland and a part of the receiving instrument employed +in wireless telegraphy. + +The thought vibrations coming in contact with the nervous system of the +receiving person, set up a peculiar vibration in the substance of the +pineal gland and thus the first step in the transformation of these +vibrations into thought-forms in the mind of the person is under way. The +remainder of the process is too technical, both in the physiological as +well as in the occult sense, to be taken up in detail at this place. The +student will do well to get the idea of the workings of wireless +telegraphy well fixed in his mind, for this will set up the right +conception of the working of ordinary telepathy, without the necessity of +complicated technical diagrams and descriptions. + +And, now then, let us see what results from the sending forth and +receiving of these mental and emotional waves of force and energy. It is a +most interesting subject, I assure you. While the phenomena of the astral +plane is probably more fascinating to the average student, I would impress +upon you the importance of mastering the occult phenomena of the physical +plane, before passing on to that of the higher planes. + +In the first place, as all occultists know, each person is constantly +surrounded with what has been called an "atmosphere" composed of mental +and emotional vibrations which are emanated from his personality. The +atmosphere of each person depends upon the general character of the +thoughts and feelings of the person in question. Consequently, as no two +persons are precisely alike in character, it follows that no two personal +atmospheres are exactly alike. Each person has a psychic atmosphere of his +or her own. These atmospheric vibrations do not extend very far from the +presence of the person, and, consequently affect only those coming near to +him. + +In the same way, every group or crowd of persons has its own psychic +atmosphere, composed of a blending of the individual psychic atmospheres +of the persons composing the crowd, group or assemblage, and representing +the general average of the thought and feelings of the crowd. There are no +two group atmospheres exactly alike, for the reason that no two groups of +persons, large or small, are exactly alike. Actors know that each audience +which they face has its own psychic atmosphere, and the actors are +affected by it. Preachers, lawyers, and speakers in general are quite +aware of this fact, and freely admit it, though they may not be acquainted +with the causes or laws governing the phenomena. + +Following the same psychic law, it will be found that every town or large +city, or even every small village or section of a larger town, will be +found to have its own distinctive psychic atmosphere, which is very +perceptible to strangers visiting the place, and which affect those who +take up their residence in the place. In large cities, it has been noticed +that every building has its own peculiar vibrations which arise from the +general character of those occupying it. Different church buildings +likewise reflect the character of the general habits of thought and +feeling of those worshipping in them. Likewise, certain business streets +have pleasant or unpleasant vibrations in their atmosphere, from the same +causes. Every person recognizes the truth of these statements, though but +few are able to account for the facts in a scientific manner. + +The beginner in the study of psychic phenomena often asks how these things +can be, when the thought which has occasioned the vibrations have long +since passed away. The explanation is simple, when properly explained. It +is something like this: just as heat remains in a room after the stove has +ceased to throw out heat-waves, so do the vibrations of thought and +feeling persist long after the thought or feeling has died away. Or, if +you prefer a more material illustration, we may say that if a package of +perfumery has been opened in a room, and then removed, the air will remain +charged with the odor for a long time afterwards. + +So, you see, the same principle applies in the case of psychic vibrations. +The person carries around with him the general atmosphere of his +characteristic mental and emotional vibrations. And, in the same way, the +house, store, church, street, town, or city, etc., is permeated with the +psychic vibrations of those who have frequented them. Nearly every one +realizes the different feeling that impresses him when he enters a strange +house, apartment, store or church. Each one has its own difference of +psychic effect. And, so does each person create his or her psychic effect +upon those coming in contact with him or her, or who comes into his or her +presence or vicinity. + +The next question asked by the thoughtful new student is this: If persons +are constantly sending forth psychic vibrations, and if such vibrations +persist for some time, why are we not overwhelmed with the force of them; +and why are they not all so mixed up as to lose all their effect. I shall +now answer this very important question. + +In the first place, though we are constantly affected more or less by the +multitude of psychic vibrations beating upon us, still the greater part of +them do not consciously impress us. For an example, we have but to +consider how few of the sounds or sights of a busy street are impressed +upon our consciousness. We hear and see only a few of the things which +attract our attention and interest. The rest are lost to us, although our +eyes and ears receive them all. In the same way, we are impressed only by +the stronger vibrations which reach us, and then only by those which we +have attracted to ourselves, or which prove attractive to us by reason of +our own likes and dislikes. + +In the second place, the effect of certain thought vibrations is +neutralized by the effect of the vibrations of thoughts of an opposite +character. Just as a mixture of black and white produces the neutral color +of grey, so do two currents of opposing thought vibrations tend to resolve +themselves into a neutral vibration which has little or no effect upon +those coming in contact with them. You may think of numerous +correspondences to this in the world of material things. For instance, a +mixture of very hot and very cold water, will produce a neutral lukewarm +liquid, neither hot nor cold. In the same way, two things of opposing +taste characteristics, when blended, will produce a neutral taste having +but little effect upon one. The principle is universal, and is readily +understood. + +In the third place, there is that which we may call an "affinity" between +thoughts and feelings of a similar character. Not only do the vibrations +of similar thoughts tend to coalesce and combine; but, more than this, +each one of us attracts to himself or herself the thought vibrations which +are in general accord with corresponding thoughts in our own minds, or +feelings in our own nature. Like attracts like. In the same way, the +character of our thoughts and feelings act to repel thought or emotional +vibrations of an opposite or inharmonious nature. As all occultists know, +everyone draws thought vibrations in harmony with his or her own; and also +repels thought vibrations of an inharmonious nature. + +These are the general laws and principles governing the phenomena of this +phase of telepathic vibrations. There is much more to be said on the +subject, of course, but if you will note carefully the leading principles +and laws of manifestation just mentioned, you will be able to reason +correctly regarding any phase of this class of phenomena which may come +before you for attention. Once you learn a general rule, the rest becomes +merely a matter of application and interpretation. Let us now proceed to a +consideration of other phases of the general subject of telepathic +influence. + +We now come to the phase of what may be called direct telepathy--that is +where a thought is consciously, and more or less purposely, directed +toward another person. We come across many interesting cases of this kind +where persons find themselves thinking intently of certain other persons, +and afterwards are told by the other persons that "I found myself thinking +intently about you, at such and such a time," etc. In some of these cases +it is difficult to determine which one started the thinking. Again, how +often do we find ourselves thinking of a person, when all of a sudden the +person comes into sight. Again, we think intently and earnestly about a +certain question; and then, all of a sudden, other folks whom we meet +begin talking to us about the same thing. These instances are too common +to need more than a passing notice. + +A little more purpose is displayed in that class of phenomena in which we +intently wish that a certain person shall do a certain thing, and lo! we +soon learn that that certain person has done it. A number of years ago, a +popular writer wrote an article in which he mentioned what seemed to him +to be a curious instance of some form of mental influence or telepathy. He +said that he had found out that if he would sit down and carefully write a +letter to some person from whom he had not heard for a long time, and then +destroy the letter instead of sending it, he would be almost certain to +receive a letter from that person within a few days. He did not attempt to +account for the phenomenon, he merely called the attention of his readers +to it. Many persons have followed the suggestion, often with very +wonderful results. There is nothing miraculous, or supernatural about such +occurrences. It is merely one phase of telepathy. The concentrated thought +of the writer of the letter is directed toward the other person, and that +person begins to think of the first one; then he thinks he will write to +him; then he actually does write. Distance, space, and direction have no +importance in this experiment--it is not necessary to even know where the +second person is, in fact. + +There are often found persons so closely in psychic harmony with each +other that they very often are able to ask questions and receive answers +from each other, even though great distances separate them. Some +particular times there is a better psychic harmony existing between the +same persons than is found at other times. All this, of course, affects +the success of the experiment. It is surprising what wonderful results +along these lines may be obtained by almost any person of average +intelligence, after a little careful, patient, conscientious practice. + +But there have been phenomena obtained as the result of long series of +careful experiments which are, in a way, even more wonderful than these +somewhat less deliberate experiments just mentioned. I allude to the +experiments of a number of earnest, careful scientific students, who +surrounded themselves with every precaution against over-enthusiasm, +fraud, and coincidence. Prominent among this class of investigations we +find those conducted by the Society for Psychical Research, of England, +which really established a firm basis for the work of other investigators +who followed the general methods of the said society. In the following +chapter, I shall give you a somewhat extended statement of the results of +such investigations, because this information is important to every +student of psychic phenomena, not only because it establishes a firm +scientific basis for his studies and beliefs, but also because it gives +him important information which he may apply in the course of his own +experimental work. + +I may mention that the investigations into the subject of telepathy, and +kindred subjects, under the auspices of the society just mentioned, were +conducted by men of careful scientific training and experience, and under +the general supervision and approval of the officers of the society, among +which have been numbered such eminent men as Prof. Henry Sidgwick, of +Cambridge University; Prof. Balfour Stewart, a Fellow of the Royal Society +of England; Rt. Hon. A.J. Balfour, the eminent English statesman; Prof. +William James, the eminent American psychologist; Sir William Crookes, the +great chemist and discoverer of physical laws, who invented the celebrated +"Crookes' Tubes," without which the discovery of the X Rays, +radio-activity, etc., would have been impossible; Frederick W.H. Myers, +the celebrated explorer of the astral planes, and writer upon psychic +phenomena; Sir Oliver Lodge, the popular English scientist; and other men +of international reputation and high standing. The character of these men +at once gives the stamp of honesty and scientific accuracy to all the work +of the society. + +In order that you may understand the spirit which animated these +scientific investigators in their work of the exploration of this new and +strange region of Nature, I ask you to carefully read the following words +of the presidential address of Sir William Crookes, before the Royal +Society, at Bristol, England, in 1898. Remember, please, that this address +was made before an assemblage of distinguished scientists, many of them +rank materialists and, quite skeptical of all occult phenomena--this was +nearly twenty years ago, remember. Sir William Crookes, facing this +gathering, as its president, said: + +"Were I now introducing for the first time these inquiries to the world of +science, I should choose a starting point different from that of old +(where we formerly began). It would be well to begin with Telepathy; with +that fundamental law, as I believe it to be, that thoughts and images may +be transferred from one mind to another without the agency of the +recognized organs of sense--that knowledge may enter the human mind +without being communicated in any hitherto known or recognized ways. * * * +If telepathy takes place, we have two physical facts--the physical change +in the brain of A, the suggestor, and the analogous physical change in the +brain of B, the recipient of the suggestion. Between these two physical +events there must exist a train of physical causes. * * * It is +unscientific to call in the aid of mysterious agencies, when with every +fresh advance in knowledge it is shown that either vibrations have powers +and attributes abundantly able to any demand--even the transmission of +thought. + +"It is supposed by some physiologists that the essential cells of nerves +do not actually touch, but are separated by a narrow gap which widens in +sleep while it narrows almost to extinction during mental activity. This +condition is so singularly like a Branly or Lodge coherer (a device which +led to the discovery of wireless telegraphy) as to suggest a further +analogy. The structure of brain and nerve being similar, it is conceivable +that there may be present masses of such nerve coherers in the brain, +whose special function it may be to receive impulses brought from without, +through the connecting sequence of ether waves of appropriate order of +magnitude. + +"Roentgen has familiarized us with an order of vibrations of extreme +minuteness as compared with the smallest waves with which we have hitherto +been acquainted: and there is no reason to suppose that we have here +reached the limit of frequency. It is known that the action of thought is +accompanied by certain molecular movements in the brain, and here we have +physical vibrations capable from their extreme minuteness of acting direct +upon individual molecules, while their rapidity approaches that of +internal and external movements of the atoms themselves. A formidable +range of phenomena must be scientifically sifted before we effectually +grasp a faculty so strange, so bewildering, and for ages so inscrutable, +as the direct action of mind upon mind. + +"In the old Egyptian days, a well known inscription was carved over the +portal of the Temple of Isis: 'I am whatever has been, is, or ever will +be; and my veil no man hath yet lifted.' Not thus do modern seekers after +truth confront Nature--the word that stands for the baffling mysteries of +the Universe. Steadily, unflinchingly, we strive to pierce the inmost +heart of Nature, from what she is to reconstruct what she has been, and +to prophesy what she shall be. Veil after veil we have lifted, and her +face grows more beautiful, august and wonderful, with every barrier that +is withdrawn." + +You will notice that this address made nearly twenty years ago, and from +the standpoint of physical science is in full accord with the ideas of +occultism as old as the hills. And yet, the speaker had worked out the +idea independently. He also investigated higher forms of psychic +phenomena, with results that startled the world. But, you will notice that +he does not attempt to give any other than purely physical laws the credit +for the ordinary phenomena of telepathy. And he was thoroughly right in +this, as we have seen. He escaped the common error of confusing +physical-sense phenomena with the phenomena of the astral-senses. Each +plane has its own phenomena--and each class is surely wonderful enough. +And, again, remember that both physical and astral phenomena are purely +natural; there is no need for seeking any supernatural agencies to account +for these natural facts. + + + + +LESSON IV. + +SCIENTIFIC TELEPATHY. + + +The investigators of the Society for Psychical Research, of England, +started by giving a broad definition of Telepathy, as follows: "Telepathy +is the communication of impressions of any kind from one mind to another, +independently of the recognized channels of sense." They took the rational +position that the actual distance between the projector and the recipient +of the telepathic message is not material; and that all that is required +is such a separation of the two persons that no known operation of the +senses can bridge the space between them. They wisely held that telepathy +between two persons in the same room is as much telepathy as when the two +persons are located at opposite sides of the world. + +The investigators then ruled out all instances of thought-transmission in +which there was even the slightest muscular contact between the projector +and the recipient. They held that though there might be genuine telepathy +in such cases, nevertheless, there was always the possibility of fraud or +collusion, or of unconscious muscular action on the part of the projector. +They demanded absolute and actual separation of the two persons, in order +that their experiments might be above suspicion. They were wise in this, +for while there is undoubtedly a psychic communication in the cases in +which there is the slight physical connection between the two persons (as +I shall point out to you a little further on), still the element of doubt +or suspicion must be entirely eliminated from a scientific test, in order +to render it valuable and valid. + +They, therefore, confined their investigations in Telepathy to the two +following classes, viz.: (1) where actions are performed without physical +contact with the person willing; and (2) where some number, word, or card +is guessed apparently without any of the ordinary means of communication. +The investigators recognized the possibility that in the first of the +above-mentioned two classes of experiments there is a possibility of +suspicion of collusion, fraud, or unconscious suggestion, in the matter of +the motion of the eyes of the party, or some member of it, which might be +seized upon, perhaps unconsciously, by the recipient, and used to guide +him to the object which was being thought of by the projector or the +party. They sought to obviate this difficulty by blindfolding the +percipient, and by placing non-conductors of sound over his ears. But, +finally, they came to the conclusion that even these precautions might not +prove sufficient; and, accordingly, they devoted their attention to the +second class of experiments, in which all ordinary means of communication +between projector and recipient were impossible. They took the additional +precautions of limiting their circle to a small number of investigators of +scientific reputations, and well known to each other, always avoiding a +promiscuous company for obvious reasons. + +One of the earliest series of investigations by these special committees +of investigators was that of the family of the Rev. A.M. Creery, in +Derbyshire, England. The children of this family had acquired a reputation +in what was known as the "guessing game," in which one of the children, +previously placed outside of the room, then returned to the room and +attempted to "guess" the name or location of some object agreed upon by +the party during her absence. The results were very interesting, and quite +satisfactory, and have frequently been referred to in works on the subject +written since that time. I think it well to give the results of this +series of experiments in some little detail, for they form a basis for +experiments on the part of those who read these lessons. + +Prof. W.F. Barrett, Professor of Physics in the Royal College of Science +for Ireland, conducted the most of the experiments. The report to the +Society says: "We began by selecting the simplest objects in the room; +then chose names of towns, people, dates, cards out of a pack, lines from +different poems, etc., in fact, any thing or series of ideas that those +present could keep in their minds steadily. The children seldom made a +mistake. I have seen seventeen cards chosen by myself named right in +succession without any mistake. We soon found that a great deal depended +on the steadiness with which the ideas were kept before the minds of the +thinkers, and upon the energy with which they willed the ideas to pass. I +may say that this faculty is not by any means confined to the members of +one family; it is much more general than we imagine. To verify this +conclusion, I invited two of a neighbor's children to join us in our +experiments, with excellent results." + +The report gives the methods of the experiments, as follows: "The inquiry +has taken place partly in Mr. Creery's house, and partly in lodgings, or +at a hotel occupied by some of our number. Having selected at random one +child, whom we desired to leave the room and wait at some distance, we +would choose a pack of cards, or write on a piece of paper a name of a +number which occurred to us at the moment. Generally, but not always, this +was shown to the members of the family present in the room; but no one +member was always present, and we were sometimes entirely alone. We then +recalled the child, one of us always assuring himself that, when the door +was suddenly opened, she was at a considerable distance, though this was +usually a superfluity of caution, as our habit was to avoid all utterances +of what was chosen. On re-entering, she stood--sometimes turned by us with +her face toward the wall, oftener with her eyes directed toward the +ground, and usually close to us and remote from the family--for a period +of silence varying from a few seconds to a minute, till she called out to +us some number, card, or whatever it might be." + +In the first experiments, in "guessing" the name of objects, the child +guessed correctly six out of fourteen. She then guessed correctly the +name of small objects held in the hands of one of the committee--five +times out of six. She guessed fictitious names chosen by the +committee--five out of ten, at the first trial. The committee then tested +her by writing down the name of some object in the house, fixed at random, +and then, after all had thought intently of the thing, they sent for the +child and bade her try to find the thing thought of, the +thought-concentration of course continuing during the search. The result +is thus reported: "In this way I wrote down, among other things, a +hair-brush--it was brought; an orange--it was brought; a wine-glass--it +was brought; an apple--it was brought; and so on, until many objects had +been selected and found by the child." + +Passing over the details of many other experiments we find that the +following remarkable results were obtained by the committee: "Altogether, +three hundred and eighty-two trials were made in this series. In the case +of letters of the alphabet, of cards, and of numbers of two figures, the +chances of success on a first trial would naturally be 25 to 1, 52 to 1, +and 89 to 1, respectively; in the case of surnames they would of course be +infinitely greater. Cards were far most frequently employed, and the odds +in their case may be taken as a fair medium sample, according to which, +out of a whole series of three hundred and eighty-two trials, the average +number of successes at the first attempt by an ordinary guesser would be +seven and one-third. Of our trials, one hundred and twenty-seven were +successes on the first attempt, fifty-six on the second, nineteen on the +third--MAKING TWO HUNDRED AND TWO, OUT OF A POSSIBLE THREE HUNDRED AND +EIGHTY-TWO!" Think of this, while the law of averages called for only +seven and one-third successes at first trial, the children obtained one +hundred and twenty-seven, which, given a second and third trial, they +raised to two hundred and two! You see, this takes the matter entirely out +of the possibility of coincidence or mathematical probability. + +But this was not all. Listen to the further report of the committee on +this point: "The following was the result of one of the series. The thing +selected was divulged to none of the family, and five cards running were +named correctly on a first trial. The odds against this happening once in +a series were considerably over a million to one. There were other similar +batches, the two longest runs being eight consecutive guesses, once with +cards, and once with names; where the adverse odds in the former case were +over one hundred and forty-two millions to one; and in the other, +something incalculably greater." The opinion of eminent mathematicians who +have examined the above results is that the hypothesis of mere coincidence +is practically excluded in the scientific consideration of the matter. The +committee calls special attention to the fact that in many of the most +important tests none of the Creery family were cognizant of the object +selected, and that, therefore, the hypothesis of fraud or collusion is +absolutely eliminated. The committee naturally came to the conclusion +that the phenomena was genuine and real telepathy. + +Prof. Balfour Stewart, LL.D., F.R.S., who was present at some of these +experiments, though not a member of the committee, expressed great +amazement at some of the results. He reports: "The thought-reader was +outside a door. The object or thing thought of was written on paper and +silently handed to the company in the room. The thought reader was then +called in, and in the course of a minute the answer was given. Definite +objects in the room, for instance, were first thought of, and in the +majority of the cases the answers were correct. Then numbers were thought +of, and the answers were generally right, though, of course, there were +some cases of error. The names of towns were thought of, and a good many +of these were right. Then fancy names were thought of. I was asked to +think of certain fancy names, and mark them down and hand them round to +the company. I thought of and wrote on paper, 'Blue-beard,' 'Tom Thumb,' +'Cinderella.' and the answers were all correct!" + +The committee also conducted a number of experiments with other +recipients, with very satisfactory results. Colors were correctly guessed +with a percentage of successes quite beyond the average or probable +number. Names of towns in all parts of the world, were correctly "guessed" +by certain recipients with a wonderful degree of success. But, probably +most wonderful of all, was the correct reproduction of diagrams of +geometrical and other figures and shapes. In one case, the recipient, in a +series of nine trials, succeeded in drawing them all correctly, except +that he frequently reversed them, making the upper-side down, and the +right-hand side to the left. The Society, has published these reproduced +diagrams in its Illustrated reports, and they have convinced the most +skeptical of critics. Some of the diagrams were quite complicated, +unusual, and even grotesque, and yet they were reproduced with marvelous +accuracy, not in a hesitating manner, but deliberately and continuously, +as if the recipient were actually copying a drawing in full sight. Similar +results have been obtained by other investigators who have followed the +lead of these original ones. + +So you see, the seal of scientific authority has been placed upon the +phenomena of telepathy. It is no longer in the realm of the supernatural +or uncanny. As Camille Flammarion, the eminent French scientist, has said: +"The action of one mind upon another at a distance--the transmission of +thought, mental suggestion, communication at a distance--all these are not +more extraordinary than the action of the magnet on iron, the influence of +the moon on the sea, the transportation of the human voice by electricity, +the revolution of the chemical constituents of a star by the analysis of +its light, or, indeed, all the wonders of contemporary science. Only these +psychic communications are of a more elevated kind, and may serve to put +us on the track of a knowledge of human nature. What is certain is: That +telepathy can and ought to be henceforth considered by Science as an +incontestable reality; that minds are able to act upon each other without +the intervention of the senses; that psychic force exists, though its +nature is yet unknown. * * * We say that this force is of a psychic order, +and not physical, or physiological, or chemical, or mechanical, because it +produces and transmits ideas and thoughts, and because it manifests itself +without the co-operation of our senses, soul to soul, mind to mind." + +In addition to investigating the above mentioned classes of telepathic +phenomena, the English Society for Psychical Research investigated many +remarkable cases of a somewhat higher phase of telepathy. They took down +the stories told by persons deemed responsible, and then carefully +examined, and cross-examined other witnesses to the strange phenomena. The +record of these experiments, and investigations, fill a number of good +sized volumes of the Society's reports, which are well worth reading by +all students of the subject. They may be found in the libraries of nearly +any large city. I shall, however, select a number of the most interesting +of the cases therein reported, to give my students an idea of the +character of the phenomena so investigated and found genuine by the +committees having this class of telepathy under investigation. + +An interesting case of spontaneous telepathy is that related by Dr. Ede, +as follows: "There is a house about a half-mile from my own, inhabited by +some ladies, friends of our family. They have a large alarm bell outside +their house. One night I awoke suddenly and said to my wife: 'I am sure I +hear Mrs. F's alarm bell ringing.' After listening for some time, we heard +nothing, and I went to sleep again. The next day Mrs. F. called upon my +wife and said to her: 'We were wishing for your husband last night, for we +were alarmed by thieves. We were all up, and I was about to pull the alarm +bell, hoping that he would hear it, saying to my daughters, "I am sure it +will soon bring Dr. Ede," but we did not ring it.' My wife asked what time +this had happened, and Mrs. F. said that it was about half past one. That +was the time I awoke thinking that I heard the bell." + +In this case there was manifested simply ordinary physical plane +telepathy. Had the bell actually been rung, and heard psychically, it +would have been a case of astral plane hearing, known as clairaudience. As +it was, merely the thought in the mind of Mrs. F., and her strong idea to +ring the bell, caused a transmission of thought waves which struck Dr. Ede +with great force and awakened him. This case is interesting because it is +typical of many cases of a similar nature within the experience of many +persons. It is seen that a strong feeling, or excitement, accompanied by a +strong desire or wish to summon another person, tends to give great power +and effect to the thought waves emitted. They strike the mind of the +recipient like the sudden ringing of an alarm clock bell. + +Another interesting case is that of two ladies, both well known to members +of the committee, and vouched for as of strict veracity. This case is +unusual for the reason that two different persons received the +thought-waves at the same time. Here is an abridgment of the case: "Lady +G. and her sister had been spending the evening with their mother, who was +in her usual health and spirits when they left her. In the middle of the +night the sister awoke in her fright and said to her husband: 'I must go +to my mother at once; do order the carriage. I am sure that she is taken +ill.' On the way to her mother's house, where two roads meet, she saw Lady +G.'s carriage approaching. When they met each asked the other why she was +there. They both related the same experience and impression. When they +reached their mother's house, they found that she was dying, and had +expressed an earnest wish to see them." + +Another case of a similar nature is this: "At the siege of Mooltan, Major +General R., then adjutant of his regiment, was severely wounded and +supposed himself to be dying. He requested that his ring be taken off his +finger and sent to his wife. At the same time his wife was at Ferozepore, +one hundred and fifty miles distant, lying on her bed, in a state half way +between waking and sleeping. She saw her husband being taken off the +field, and heard his voice saying: 'Take this ring off my finger, and send +it to my wife.'" + +This case bears the marks of very strong telepathy, but also has a +suspicious resemblance to clairvoyance accompanied by clairaudience. Or +perhaps it is a combination of both telepathy and clairvoyance. It is +impossible to determine which, in absence of more detailed information. +The message of persons dying, or believing themselves to be approaching +death, are frequently very strong, for certain reasons well known to +occultists. But there is nothing supernatural about the phenomena, and in +most cases it is merely a case of strong telepathy. + +The Society also reports the following interesting case: "A. was awake, +and strongly willed to make himself known to two friends who at that time +(one o'clock in the morning) were asleep. When he met them a few days +afterward, they both told him that at one o'clock they had awakened under +the impression that he was in their room. The experience was so vivid that +they could not go to sleep for some time, and looked at their watches to +note the time." Cases of this kind are quite common, and many +experimenters have had equally good results with this phase of thought +transference. You will remember that there is no actual projection of the +astral body, in most of these cases, but merely a strong impression caused +by concentrated thought. + +Another interesting case is that of the late Bishop Wilberforce, and is +recorded in his biography, as follows: The Bishop was in his library at +Cuddleson, with three or four of his clergy with him at the same table. +The Bishop suddenly raised his hand to his head, and exclaimed: "I am +certain that something has happened to one of my sons." It afterwards +transpired that just at that time his eldest son's foot was badly crushed +by an accident on board his ship, the son being at sea. The Bishop himself +recorded the circumstance in a letter to Miss Noel, saying: "It is curious +that at the time of his accident I was so possessed with the depressing +consciousness of some evil having befallen my son, Herbert, that at the +last, I wrote down that I was unable to shake off the impression that +something had happened to him, and noted this down for remembrance." There +is nothing unusual about this case, for it has been duplicated in the +experience of many persons. Its chief importance lies in the fact that it +is recorded by a man of wide reputation and high standing, and also that +the Bishop had taken the precaution to note down the thing at the time, +instead of merely recalling it after he had heard of the accident. + +You will notice that in many cases of this kind the phenomenon closely +approaches the aspect of true clairvoyance, or astral sensing. In some +cases there appears to be a blending of both telepathy and astral +clairvoyance. In fact, there is but very little difference between the +highest phases of ordinary telepathy, and the more common phases of +clairvoyance. Here, as in many other cases of Nature's forces, there seems +to be a gradual blending, rather than a sharp dividing line between the +two classes of phenomena. Moreover, the student developing his telepathic +powers will frequently find that he is beginning to unfold at least +occasional flashes of clairvoyance. + +In the case of telepathy, the recipient merely senses what is in the mind +of the projector. In some cases a picture in the mind of the projector may +be seen by the recipient, and may thus be mistaken for a case of pure +clairvoyance. But, in investigating closely, it will be found that the +real scene was slightly different from the impression, in which case it +shows that the impression was simply telepathic. Clairvoyant vision shows +the scene as it really is, or rather as the physical eye of the recipient +would have seen it. The astral sight really sees the scene, and does not +merely receive the mental impression of the projector. The first is +original seeing; the second, merely a reproduction of images already in +the mind of the projector, and colored by his personality, etc. + +In the next lesson, I shall give you a number of exercises and methods +designed to develop your telepathic powers. You will find the practice of +these most interesting and entertaining, and at the same time most +instructive. You will find that as you practice the exercises given +therein, you will become more and more adept and proficient in producing +telepathic phenomena. From the lower stages, you will be able to proceed +to the higher. And, in time, you will be surprised to find that almost +unconsciously you have passed into the stage in which you will have at +least occasional manifestations of clairvoyance, psychometry, etc. + +In fact, there is no better way known to practical occultists to develop +in a student the powers of clairvoyance than just this method of starting +the student with the exercises designed to develop the telepathic power. +It has been found by centuries of experience that the student who develops +telepathic power, in a systematic way, will gradually unfold and evolve +the clairvoyant and psychometric power. It constitutes the first rungs on +the ladder of psychic development. + +Of course, under the head of clairvoyance, etc., you will be given methods +and exercise designed to develop clairvoyant powers--some of them very +valuable and effective methods, at that. But, notwithstanding this, I feel +that I should impress upon you the importance of laying a firm foundation +for such instruction, by developing yourself first along the lines of +telepathic power. Such a course will not only keenly sharpen your powers +of receptivity to such vibrations as you may wish to receive; but it will +also train your mind in the direction of translating, interpreting, and +recording such impressions when received. + +You must remember that proficiency in a mental art is attained only by +means of training the attention to concentrate upon the task. It is the +same way in clairvoyance and psychometry. Telepathy trains your attention +to concentrate upon the reception of impressions, and to hold them firmly +and clearly in consciousness. The result is that when you really develop +clairvoyant receptivity, your attention has already been trained to do +the necessary work. I need not tell you what an advantage this gives you +over the clairvoyant who has not received this training, for your own good +common sense will assure you of it. + +So, now for our training in telepathy--not only for itself, but also as a +means of preparing for the higher stages. + + + + +LESSON V. + +MIND READING, AND BEYOND. + + +The simpler forms of telepathic phenomena have received the name "Mind +Reading" and by some have been regarded as something not quite within the +class of real telepathy. This last impression has been heightened by the +fact that there has been offered the public many spectacular exhibitions +of pseudo mind-reading, that is to say, imitation or counterfeit +mind-reading, in which the result has been obtained by trickery, +collusion, or clever artifice. But, notwithstanding this fact, genuine +mind-reading is actually a phase of true telepathy. + +What is generally known as mind-reading may be divided into two classes, +as follows: (1) where there is an actual physical contact between the +projector and the receiver; and (2) where there is no actual physical +contact, but where there is a close relation in space between the two +parties, as in the case of the "willing game." In the first class belong +all cases in which the projector touches the recipient, or at least is +connected with him by a material object. In the second class belong those +cases in which the recipient seeks to find an object which is being +thought of by either a single projector, or by a number of persons in the +same room. You will notice that both of these classes were omitted from +the experiments of the Society for Psychical Research, because of the +possibility of fraud or collusion. But, nevertheless, the student will do +well to acquire proficiency in manifesting this form of telepathy, not +alone for its own sake, but, also, because it naturally leads to higher +development. + +In the case of the first class of mind-reading namely, that in which +actual physical contact is had between the projector and the recipient, +there has been a disposition on the part of some authorities to explain +the whole matter by the theory of unconscious muscular impulse of the +projector; but those who have carefully studied this subject, and who have +themselves performed the feats of this class of mind-reading, know that +there is far more than this to it. Those familiar with the subject know +that there is a decided transference of thought-waves from the projector +to the recipient, and that the latter actually "feels" the same as they +strike upon his mental receiving apparatus. The whole difference between +this and the higher forms of telepathy is that in this the +thought-currents generally run along the wires of the nervous system, +instead of leaping across the space between the two persons. + +It is known to all who have conducted this class of experiments, that at +times there will be experienced a change or shifting in the transmission +of the thought-currents. For a time, the thought-waves will be felt +flowing in along the nerves of the hands and arms when, all of a sudden +this will cease, and there will be experienced the passage of the current +direct from brain to brain. It is impossible to describe this feeling in +mere words, to those who have never experienced it. But those to whom it +has once been manifested will recognize at once just what I mean by this +statement. It is a different sensation from any other in the experience of +a human being, and must actually be experienced to be understood. The +nearest analogy I can offer is that feeling experienced by the person when +a forgotten name for which he has vainly sought, suddenly flashes or leaps +into his consciousness--it is felt to come from somewhere outside of the +conscious field. Well, in the case of the thought-current the feeling is +much the same, only there is a fuller sense of the "outsideness" of the +source of the thought. + +In order to make you understand the distinction between the two classes of +mind-reading more clearly, I will say that you may think of one as akin to +the ordinary telegraphy over wires; and of the other as akin to wireless +telegraphy. It is the same force in both cases, the difference being +simply one of the details of transmission. Fix this idea firmly in your +mind, and you will have no trouble in always having the right conception +of any kind of case of mind-reading, or telepathy. But, you must remember, +there are cases in which there is a combination of both methods of +transmission, either simultaneously, or else shifting and changing from +one to the other. + +I will here remind the student that he will learn more by a half-dozen +actual experiments in mind-reading, than he will by reading a dozen books +on the subject. It is very good to read the books in order to get the +correct theory well fixed in mind, and also in order to learn the best +methods as taught by those who have had a wide experience in the subject; +but the real "how" of the matter is learned only through actual +experience. So, I shall now give you advice and instructions concerning +actual experimental work. + +You, the student, should begin by making yourself a good recipient--that +is a good "mind reader," allowing others to play the part of projector. +Later on, you may play the part of projector, if you so desire, but the +real "fine work" is done by the recipient, and, for that reason that is +the part you should learn to play by frequent rehearsals. + +I advise you to begin your experiments with friends who are in sympathy +with you, and who are interested in the subject. Avoid particularly all +early experiments with uncongenial or unsympathetic persons; and avoid as +you would a pestilence all those who are antagonistic either to yourself +or to the general subject of telepathy and kindred subjects. As you must +make yourself especially "sensitive" in order to successfully conduct a +mind-reading test, you will find yourself particularly susceptible to the +mental attitude of those around you at such times, and therefore should +surround yourself only with those who are congenial and sympathetic. + +You will find that there is a great difference between the several persons +whom you "try out" as projectors. Some will be more "en rapport" with you +than are others who may be equally good friends. "En rapport," you know, +means "in vibrational harmony." When two persons are en rapport with each +other, they are like two wireless telegraphic instruments perfectly +attuned to each other. In such cases there are obtained the very best +results. You will soon learn to distinguish the degree of en rapport +conditions between yourself and different persons--you soon learn to +"feel" this condition. In the beginning, it will be well for you to try +several persons, one after the other, in your mind-reading experiments, in +order to pick out the best one, and also to learn the "feel" of the +different degrees of en rapport condition. + +Even in cases of persons in whom the en rapport conditions are good, it is +well to establish a rhythmic unison between you. This is done by both you +and the person breathing in rhythmic unison a few moments. Begin by +counting "one-two-three-four," like the slow ticking of a large clock. +Have the other person join with you in so counting, until your minds both +work in the same rhythmic time. Then you should have him breathe in unison +with you, making a mental count with you at the same time, so that you +will "breathe together." Count (mentally) "one-two-three-four," as you +inhale; the "one-two," holding the breath; and, then "one-two-three-four," +exhaling or breathing-out. Try this several times, and, you will find that +you have established a rhythmic unison between yourself and the other +person. In the progress of an experiment, if you should find that the +conditions are not as good as might be desired, you will do well to pause +for a few moments and re-establish the proper rhythmic harmony by this +method of harmonious rhythmic breathing. + +Begin by having the projector select some prominent object in the room, a +chair, or table for instance. Then have him take your left hand in his +right hand. Raise your left hand, held in his right hand, to your +forehead; then close your eyes and remain passive a few moments. Have him +concentrate his mind intently on the selected object--and will that you +should move toward it. Have him think of nothing else except that object, +and to will you to move toward it, with all his power. Close your eyes, +and quiet your mind, opening your consciousness to every mental impression +that he may send you. Instruct him to think not merely "chair," for +instance, but rather "there--go there." The main thought in his mind must +be that of direction. He must will that you move toward that chair. + +After a moment or two, you will begin to feel a vague, general impulse to +move your feet. Obey the impulse. Take a few slow steps in any direction +that seems easy to you. Sometimes this will take you in an opposite +direction from that of the chair, but it will "get you going," and you +will soon begin to feel that the direction is "all wrong," and will begin +to be mentally pulled in the right direction. You will have to actually +experience this feeling, before you will fully understand just what I +mean. + +After some little practice, you will begin to feel quite distinctly the +mental direction, or will-force, of the projector, which will seem to tell +you to "come this way--now stop--now turn a little to the right--now a +little to the left--now stop where you are, and put out your right +hand--lower your hand--move your hand a little to the right--that's it, +now you have got it all right." You will soon learn to distinguish between +the "no, that's wrong" thought, and the "that's right" one; and between +the "go on," and the "come on" one. By making yourself completely passive, +and receptive and obedient to the thought and will-impulses of the +projector, you will soon act like a ship under the influence of the rudder +in the hand of the projector. + +After you have attained proficiency in receiving the mental impressions +and directions, you will find yourself attracted or drawn, like a piece of +steel to the magnet, toward the object selected. It will sometimes seem as +if you were being moved to it even against your own will--and as if +someone else were actually moving your feet for you. Sometimes the impulse +will come so strong that you will actually rush ahead of the projector, +dragging him along with you, instead of having him a little in advance, or +by your side. It is all a matter of practice. + +You will soon discover the great difference between different projectors. +Some of them will be in perfect en rapport condition with you, while +others will fail to get into tune with you. Some projectors do not seem +to know what is required of them, and usually forget to "will" you to the +object. It helps sometimes to tell them that the whole thing depends upon +their will power, and that the stronger their will is, the easier it is +for you to find the thing. This puts them on their mettle, and makes them +use their will more vigorously. + +You will soon learn to recognize that peculiar feeling of "all right," +that comes when you finally stand in front of the desired object. Then you +begin to move your right hand up and down and around, until you get the +right "feel" about that also, when you should place your hand on the place +which seems to attract you most. You will find that the hand is just as +responsive to the mental force, as are the feet. You will soon learn to +distinguish between the mental signals: "up," "down," "to the right," "to +the left," "stop now, you're right," etc. I cannot tell you just the +difference--you must learn to "feel" them, and you will soon become expert +in this. It is like learning to skate, run an automobile, operate a +typewriter or anything else--all a matter of exercise and practice. But it +is astonishing how rapidly one may learn; and how, at times, one seems to +progress by great leaps and bounds. Now I shall give you the different +stages or steps, which you will do well to follow in your exercises, +progressing from the more simple to the more complex--but be sure to +thoroughly master the simple ones, before you pass on to the more complex +one. Be honest and strict with yourself--make yourself "pass the +examination" before promotion, in each and every step. + +1. LOCATIONS. Begin by finding particular locations in a room; +corners, alcoves, doors, etc. + +2. LARGE OBJECTS. Then begin to find large objects, such as tables, +chairs, book-cases, etc. + +3. SMALL OBJECTS. Then proceed to find small objects, such as books +on a table, sofa-cushions, ornaments, paper-knives, etc. Gradually work +down to very small objects, such as scarf-pins, articles of jewelry, +pocket-knives, etc. + +4. CONCEALED OBJECTS. Then proceed to find small objects that have +been concealed under other objects, such as a pocket-book beneath a +sofa-cushion, etc.; or a key in a book; or a key under a rug, etc. + +5. MINUTE OBJECTS. Then proceed to discover very small objects, +either concealed or else placed in an inconspicuous place, such as a pin +stuck in the wall, etc.; or a small bean under a vase, etc. + +The public performers of mind reading vary the above by sensational +combinations, but you will readily see that these are but ingenious +arrangements of the above general experiments, and that no new principle +is involved. As these lessons are designed for serious study and +experiment, and not for sensational public performances, I shall not enter +into this phase of the subject in these pages. The student who understands +the general principles, and is able to perform the above experiments +successfully, will have no difficulty in reproducing the genuine feats of +the public mind readers, by simply using his ingenuity in arranging the +stage-effects, etc. Among other things, he will find that he will be able +to obtain results by interposing a third person between the projector and +himself; or by using a short piece of wire to connect himself and the +projector. Drawing pictures on a blackboard, or writing out names on a +slate, by means of thought direction, are simply the result of a fine +development of the power of finding the small article--the impulse to move +the hand in a certain direction comes in precisely the same way. The +public driving feats of the professional mind-reader are but a more +complicated form of the same general principle--the impression of +"direction" once obtained, the rest is a mere matter of detail. The +opening of the combination of a safe, though requiring wonderful +proficiency on the part of the operator, is simply an elaboration of the +"direction" movement. + +Some recipients are, of course, far more proficient than are others; but +each and every person--any person of average intelligence--will be able to +secure more or less proficiency in these experiments, provided that +patience and practice are employed. There is no such thing as an absolute +failure possible to anyone who will proceed intelligently, and will +practice sufficiently. Sometimes, after many discouraging attempts, the +whole thing will flash into one's mind at once, and after that there will +be little or no trouble. If you are able to witness the demonstrations of +some good mind-reader, professional or amateurs it will help you to +"catch the knack" at once. + +You will find that these experiments will tend to greatly and rapidly +develop your psychic receptivity in the direction of the higher phases of +psychic phenomena. You will be surprised to find yourself catching flashes +or glimpses of ^higher telepathy, or even clairvoyance. I would advise +every person wishing to cultivate the higher psychic faculties, to begin +by perfecting himself or herself in these simpler forms of mind-reading. +Besides the benefits obtained, the practice proves very interesting, and +opens many doors to pleasant social entertainment. But, never allow the +desire for social praise or popularity, in these matters, to spoil you for +serious investigation and experiment. + +THE SECOND STEP OF DEVELOPMENT. The student, having perfected himself +in the experiments along the lines of the first class of mind-reading, +viz., where there is no actual physical contact between the projector and +recipient, but where there is a close relation in space between the two. + +Now, the thoughtful student will naturally wish to ask a question here, +something like this: "You have told us that there is no real difference +between telepathy at a great distance, and that in which there is only the +slightest difference in the position of the projector and recipient, +providing, always, that there is no actual physical contact. This being +so, why your insistence upon the 'close relation in space' just +mentioned?--what is the reason for this nearness?" Well, it is like this: +While there is no distinction of space in true telepathy, still in +experiments such as I shall now describe, the physical nearness of the +projector enables him to concentrate more forcibly, and also gives +confidence to the new beginner in receiving mind-currents. The benefit is +solely that of the psychological effect upon the minds of the two persons, +and has nothing to do with the actual power of the telepathic waves. It is +much easier for a person to concentrate his thought and will upon a person +in actual physical sight before him, than upon one out of sight. And, +likewise, the recipient finds himself more confident and at ease when in +the actual physical of the person sending the thoughts and will power. +That is all there is to it. When the persons have acquired familiarity +with projecting and receiving, then this obstacle is overcome, and long +distances have no terror for them. + +The best way for the student to start in on this class of mind-reading, is +for him to experiment occasionally while performing his physical contact +mind-reading experiments. For instance, while engaged in searching for an +object let him disengage his hand from that of the projector for a moment +or so, and then endeavor to receive the impressions without contact. (This +should be done only in private experiments, not in public ones.) He will +soon discover that he is receiving thought impulses in spite of the lack +of physical contact--faint, perhaps, but still perceptible. A little +practice of this kind will soon convince him that he is receiving the +mental currents direct from brain to brain. This effect will be increased +if he arranges to have several persons concentrate their thoughts and will +power upon him during the experiment. From this stage, he will gradually +develop into the stage of the Willing Game. + +The Willing Game, quite popular in some circles, is played by one person +(usually blind-folded) being brought into the room in which a number of +persons have previously agreed upon some object to be found by him, they +concentrating their thought firmly upon the object. The audience should be +taught to not only to think but also to actively "will" the progress of +the recipient from the start to the finish of the hunt. They should "will" +him along each step of his journey, and then "will" his hand to the object +itself wherever it be hidden. + +An adept in the receiving end of the Willing Game will be able to perform +all the experiments that I have just pointed out to you in the contact +mind-reading class. In the Willing Game, you must remember that there is +no taking hold of hands or any other form of physical contact between +projector and recipient. The transmission of the mental currents must be +direct, from brain to brain. Otherwise, the two classes of experiments are +almost identical. There is the same "willing" toward the object on the +part of the projectors, and the same passive obedience of the recipient. +All the difference is that the current now passes over the ether of +space, as in the case of the wireless message, instead of over the wires +of the nervous system of the two persons. + +The next step is that of "guessing" the name of things thought of by the +party. I can give you no better directions than those followed by the +investigators in the Creery children, as related in a preceding chapter of +this book. When you become sufficiently proficient in this class of +mind-reading, you should be able to reproduce every experiment there +mentioned, with at least a fair degree of success. It is all a matter of +patience, perseverance and practice. + +After you have become very proficient in this class of experiments, you +may begin to try experiments at "long distance," that is where the +projector is out of your physical presence. It makes no difference whether +the distance be merely that between two adjoining rooms, or else of miles +of space. At first, however, nearness adds confidence in the majority of +cases. Confidence once gained, the distance may be lengthened +indefinitely, without impairing the success of the experiments. The long +distance experiments may consist either of the receiving of single words, +names, etc., or else distinct, clear messages or ideas. Some find it no +more difficult to reproduce simile geometrical designs, such as circles, +squares, triangles, etc., than to reproduce words or ideas. + +In long distance experiments, it is well for the projector to write down +the word or thought he wishes to transmit, and for the recipient to write +down the impressions he receives. These memoranda will serve as a record +of progress, and will, moreover, give a scientific value to the +experiments. + +Some experimenters have been quite successful in experiments along the +lines of Automatic Writing from living persons, produced by means of long +distance telepathy. In these cases the recipient sits passively at the +hour agreed upon for the experiment, and the projector concentrates +intently upon a sentence, or several sentences, one word at a time--at the +same time "willing" the other person to write the word. The famous +investigator of psychic phenomena, the late W.T. Stead, editor of a London +newspaper, who went down on the "Titanic," was very successful in +experiments of this kind. His written records of these are very +interesting and instructive. + +You will, of course, understand that in all cases of long distance +telepathic experiments there should be an understanding between the two +persons regarding the time and duration of the experiment, so as to obtain +the best results. Personally, however, I have known of some very excellent +results in which the receiving of the message occurred several hours after +the sending--thus showing that telepathy is in a measure independent of +time, as well as of space. But, as a rule, the best results are obtained +when the two persons "sit" simultaneously. + +Do not rest content with accepting the reports of others regarding these +things. Try them for yourself. You will open up a wonderful world of new +experiences for yourself. But, remember always, you must proceed step by +step, perfecting yourself at each step before proceeding to the next. + + + + +LESSON VI. + +CLAIRVOYANT PSYCHOMETRY. + + +The word "clairvoyance" means "clear seeing." In its present usage it +covers a wide field of psychic phenomena; and is used by different writers +to designate phases of psychic phenomena differing widely from each other. +The student is apt to become confused when he meets these apparently +conflicting definitions and usages. In the glossary of the Society for +Psychical Research, the term is defined as: "The faculty or act of +perceiving, as though visually, with some coincidental truth, some distant +scene; it is used sometimes, but hardly properly, for transcendental +vision, or the perception of beings regarded as on another plane of +existence." + +Mrs. Henry Sidgwick, a distinguished writer on the subject of psychic +phenomena, in one of her reports to the Society for Psychical Research, +says: "The word clairvoyant is often used very loosely and with widely +different meanings. I denote by it a faculty of acquiring supernormally, +but not by reading the minds of persons present, a knowledge of facts such +as we normally acquire by the use of our senses. I do not limit it to +knowledge that would normally be acquired by the sense of sight, nor do I +limit it to a knowledge of present facts. A similar knowledge of the past, +and if necessary, of future facts may be included. On the other hand, I +exclude the mere faculty of seeing apparitions or visions, which is +sometimes called clairvoyance." + +The above definitive explanation of the term clairvoyance agrees with the +idea of the best authorities, and distinguishes between the phenomena of +clairvoyance and that of telepathy, on the one hand; and between the +former and that of seeing apparitions, on the other hand. I, personally, +accept this distinction as both scientific in form, and as agreeing with +the facts of the case. You will, of course, see that the acceptance of the +existence of the astral senses throws light on many obscure points about +which the psychic researchers are in doubt, and reconciles many apparently +opposing facts. + +All scientific authorities, as well as the best occultists, divide the +phenomena of clairvoyance into several well-distinguished classes. The +following classification is simple, and indicates clearly the principal +forms of clairvoyant phenomena: + +(1) Simple Clairvoyance, in which the clairvoyant person merely senses the +auric emanations of other persons, such as the auric vibrations, colors, +etc.; currents of thought-vibrations, etc.; but does not see events or +scenes removed in space or time from the observer. + +(2) Clairvoyance in Space, in which the clairvoyant person senses scenes +and events removed in space from the observer; and, often also is able to +sense such things even when they are concealed or obscured by intervening +material objects. + +(3) Clairvoyance in Time, in which the clairvoyant person senses scenes +and events which have had their original place in past time; or scenes +and events which will have their original place in the future. + +I shall describe each of these three classes, with their many variations, +as we reach them in their proper places in these lessons. Before doing so +however, I wish to explain to you the several methods by which clairvoyant +vision is usually induced. These methods may be designated as follows: + +(1) Psychometry, or the method of getting en rapport with the astral plane +by means of some physical object connected with the person, thing, or +scene about which you desire to be informed. + +(2) Crystal Gazing, etc., or the method of getting en rapport with the +astral plane by means of gazing into a crystal, magic mirror, etc. + +(3) Clairvoyant Reverie, or the method of getting en rapport with the +astral plane by means of psychic states in which the sights, sounds and +thoughts of the material and physical plane are shut out of consciousness. + +I shall now proceed to give the details regarding each one of these three +great classes of methods inducing clairvoyant vision, or en rapport +conditions with the astral plane. + +Psychometry. Psychometry is that form of clairvoyant phenomena in which +the clairvoyant gets into en rapport relation with the astral plane by +means of the connecting link of material objects, such as bit of stone, +piece of hair, article of wearing apparel etc., which has had previous +associations with the thing, person or scene regarding which clairvoyant +vision is required. + +Without going into technical occult explanations, I would say that the +virtue of these articles consists entirely of their associative value. +That is to say, they carry in them certain vibrations of past experience +which serve as a connecting link, or associated filament, with the thing +which is sought to be brought into the field of clairvoyant vision. + +To reach clairvoyantly a thing, scene, or person in this way is akin to +the unwinding of a ball of yarn, when you hold the loose end in your hand. +Or, it is like giving a keen-scented dog a sniff at a handkerchief once +carried by the person whom you wish him to nose out for you. + +A well-known authority on the subject of psychic phenomena has said on +this point: "The untrained clairvoyant usually cannot find any particular +astral picture when it is wanted, without some special link to put him en +rapport with the subject required. Psychometry is an instance in point. It +seems as though there were a sort of magnetic attachment or affinity +between any particle of matter and the record which contains its +history--an affinity which enables it to act as a kind of conductor +between that record and the faculties of anyone who can read it. For +instance, I once brought from Stonehenge a tiny fragment of stone, not +larger than a pin's head, and on putting this into an envelope and handing +it to a psychometer who had no idea what it was, she at once began to +describe that wonderful ruin and the desolate country surrounding it, and +then went on to picture vividly what were evidently scenes from its early +history, showing that the infinitessimal fragment had been sufficient to +put her into communication with the records connected with the spot from +which it came. The scenes through which we pass in the course of our life +seem to act in the same way upon the cells of our brain as did the history +of Stonehenge upon that particle of stone. They establish a connection +with those cells by means of which our mind is put en rapport with that +particular portion of the records, and so we 'remember' what we have +seen." + +One of the simplest and most common form of psychometry is that in which +the psychometrist is able to tell the physical condition of a person by +means of holding to the forehead, or even in the hand, some trinket or +small article such as a handkerchief recently worn on the person of the +individual regarding whom the information is sought. In the case of some +very sensitive psychometrists, the psychic person "takes on" the condition +of the other person whose former article of clothing, trinket, etc., she +is holding. She will often actually experience the physical pain and +distress of the person, and will be able to indicate from what ailment the +person is suffering. Some persons attain great proficiency in this +direction, and are a great assistance to wise physicians who avail +themselves of their services. Some successful physicians themselves +possess this faculty well developed, and use it to great advantage, +though, as a rule they keep very quiet about it, from fear of creating +unfavorable comment from their fellow-physicians and from the general +public who "do not believe in such tom-foolery." + +A step further is the power of some psychometrists to correctly describe +the personal characteristics, and even the past history of persons with +whom they come in contact, or whose "associated article" they have in +their hands. Some very remarkable instances of this phase of psychometry +are related in the books containing the history of clairvoyance. An +interesting case is that related by Zschokke, the eminent German writer, +who relates in his autobiography his wonderful experience in this +direction. Listen to the story in his own words: "It has happened to me +occasionally at the first meeting with a total stranger, when I have been +listening in silence to his conversation, that his past life up to the +present moment, with many minute circumstances belonging to one or other +particular scene in it, has come across me like a dream, but distinctly, +entirely involuntarily and unsought, occupying in duration a few minutes. +For a long time I was disposed to consider these fleeting visions as a +trick of the fancy--the more so as my dream-vision displayed to me the +dress and movements of the actors, the appearance of the room, the +furniture, and other accidents of the scene; till on one occasion, in a +gamesome mood, I narrated to my family the secret history of a seamstress +who had just quitted the room. I had never seen the person before. +Nevertheless, the hearers were astonished, and laughed and would not be +persuaded but that I had a previous acquaintance with the former life of +the person, inasmuch as what I had stated was perfectly true. + +"I was not less astonished to find that my dream vision agreed with +reality. I then gave more attention to the subject, and as often as +propriety allowed of it, I related to those whose lives had so passed +before me the substance of my dream-vision, to obtain from them its +contradiction or confirmation. On every occasion its confirmation +followed, not without amazement on the part of those who gave it. On a +certain fair-day I went into the town of Waldshut accompanied by two young +foresters, who are still alive. It was evening, and, tired with our walk, +we went into an inn called the 'Vine.' We took our supper with a numerous +company at the public table, when it happened that they made themselves +merry over the peculiarities of the Swiss in connection with the belief in +mesmerism, Lavater's physiognomical system, and the like. One of my +companions, whose national pride was touched by their raillery, begged me +to make some reply, particularly in answer to a young man of superior +appearance who sat opposite, and had indulged in unrestrained ridicule. + +"It happened that the events of this person's life had just previously +passed before my mind. I turned to him with the question whether he would +reply to me with truth and candor, if I narrated to him the most secret +passages of his history, he being as little known to me as I to him. That +would, I suggested, go something beyond Lavater's physiognomical skill. He +promised that if I told the truth he would admit it openly. Then I +narrated the events with which my dream vision had furnished me, and the +table learned the history of the young tradesman's life, of his school +years, his peccadilloes, and finally, of a little act of roguery committed +by him on the strongbox of his employer. I described the uninhabited room +with its white walls, where to the right of the brown door there had stood +upon the table the small money-chest, etc. The man, much struck, admitted +the correctness of each circumstance--even, which I could not expect, of +the last." + +The above incident is typical of this class of psychometry, and many +persons have had at least flashes of this phase of the power. The only +remarkable thing about this particular case is its faithfulness regarding +details--this shows a very fine development of the astral sense. The +feature that makes it psychometric, instead of pure clairvoyance, is that +the presence of the other person was necessary to produce the +phenomenon--a bit of clothing would probably have answered as well. +Zschokke does not seem to have been able to manifest time-clairvoyance +independent of the presence of the person concerned--he needs the +associated link, or loose end of the psychic ball of yarn. + +Next in order in the list of the phenomena of psychometry is that in which +the psychometrist is able to describe a distant scene by means of a bit +of mineral, plant, or similar object, once located at that place. In such +cases, the psychometrist gets en rapport with the distant scene by means +of the connecting link mentioned. Having obtained this, he is able to +relate the events that are happening on that scene at that particular +moment. Some very interesting cases are mentioned in which the +psychometrist has been able to "spy" in on a certain place, by means of +some small article which has recently been located in that place. For +instance I once gave a young psychometrist a penholder from the office of +a lawyer, a friend of mine, located about eight hundred miles from the +psychometrist. She gave a perfect picture of the interior of the office, +the scene across the street visible from the office window, and certain +events that were happening in the office at that moment, which were +verified by careful inquiry as to persons and time. Every occultist, or +investigator of psychic phenomena has experienced many cases of this kind. + +Another phase of psychometry is that in which the psychometer is able to +sense the conditions existing underground, by means of a piece of mineral +or metal which originally was located there. Some wonderful instances of +phychometric discernment of mines, etc., have been recorded. In this phase +of psychometry, all that is needed is a piece of the coal, mineral or +metal which has come from the mine. Following up this psychic "lead" the +psychometrist is able to describe the veins or strata of the surrounding +land, although they have not yet been uncovered or discovered. + +Still another form of psychometric discernment is that in which the +psychometrist gets en rapport with the past history of an object, or of +its surroundings, by means of the object itself. In this way, the +psychometrist holding in his hand, or pressing to his head, a bullet from +a battle field, is able to picture the battle itself. Or, given a piece of +ancient pottery or stone implement, the psychometrist is able to picture +the time and peoples connected with the object in the past--sometimes +after many centuries are past. I once handed a good psychometrist a bit of +ornament taken from an Egyptian mummy over three thousand years old. +Though the psychometrist did not know what the object was, or from whence +it had come, she was able to picture not only the scenes in which the +Egyptian had lived, but also the scenes connected with the manufacture of +the ornament, some three hundred years before that time--for it turned out +that the ornament itself was an antique when the Egyptian had acquired it. +In another case, I had the psychometrist describe in detail the animal +life, and the physical phenomena, of the age in which a fossil had existed +when alive--many thousands of years ago. In the proper place in this book, +I will explain just how it is possible to penetrate the secrets of the +past by psychometric vision--that is to say, the psychic laws making the +same possible. + +Some of the most remarkable of recorded instances of this form of +psychometry known to the Western world are those related in the works of a +geologist named Denton, who some fifty years ago conducted a series of +investigations into the phenomena of psychometry. His recorded experiments +fill several volumes. Being a geologist, he was able to select the best +subjects for the experiments, and also to verify and decide upon the +accuracy of the reports given by the psychometrists. His wife, herself, +was a gifted psychometrist, and it has been said of her, by good +authority, that "she is able, by putting a piece of matter (whatever be +its nature) to her head, to see, either with her eyes closed or open, all +that the piece of matter, figuratively speaking, ever saw, heard, or +experienced." The following examples will give a good idea of the Denton +experiments, which are typical of this class of psychometry. + +Dr. Denton gave the psychometrist a small fragment broken from a large +meteorite. She held it to her head, and reported: "This is curious. There +is nothing at all to be seen. I feel as if I were in the air. No, not in +the air either, but in nothing, no place. I am utterly unable to describe +it; it seems high, however I feel as though I were rising, and my eyes are +carried upwards; but I look around in vain; there is nothing to be seen. I +see clouds, now, but nothing else. They are so close to me that I seem to +be in them. My head, and neck and eyes are affected. My eyes are carried +up, and I cannot roll them down. Now the clouds appear lighter and +lighter, and look as though the sunlight would burst through them. As the +clouds separate, I can see a star or two, and then the moon instead of the +sun. The moon seems near, and looks coarse and rough, and paler and larger +in size than I ever saw it before. What a strange feeling comes over me! +It appears as if I were going right to the moon, and it looks as if the +moon were coming to me. It affects me terribly." + +Dr. Denton adds: "She was too much affected to continue the experiment +longer. Had this aerolite at some period of its history, come within the +sphere of the moon's attraction, and had its velocity so increased that +its augmented centrifugal force had carried it off into space again, +whence, drawn by the superior attractive force of the earth, it had fallen +and ended its career forever?" + +At another time, Dr. Denton tested the psychometrist with a whalebone +walking cane. She supposed it to be wood, but when she began to report her +psychic impressions, they came as follows: "I feel as though I were a +monster. There is nothing of a tree about it, and it is useless for me to +go further. I feel like vomiting. Now I want to plunge into the water. I +believe that I am going to have a fit. My jaws are large enough to take +down a house at a gulp. I now know what this is--it is whalebone. I see +the inside of the whale's mouth. It has no teeth. It has a slimy look, but +I only get a glimpse of it. Now, I see the whole animal. What an awful +looking creature." + +Another time, Dr. Denton gave the psychometrist a minute piece of the +enamel of the tooth of a mastodon, which had been found thirty feet below +the surface of the earth. The psychometrist had not the slightest +knowledge of the character of the tiny flake of enamel handed her, but +nevertheless reported: "My impression is that it is a part of some +monstrous animal, probably part of a tooth. I feel like a perfect monster, +with heavy legs, unwieldy head, and very large body. I go down to a +shallow stream to drink. I can hardly speak, my jaws are so heavy. I feel +like getting down on all fours. What a noise comes through the woods. I +have an impulse to answer it. My ears are very large and leathery, and I +can almost fancy they flap in my face as I move my head. There are some +older ones than I. It seems so out of keeping to be talking with these +heavy jaws. They are dark brown, as if they had been completely tanned. +There is one old fellow, with large tusks, that looks very tough. I see +several younger ones. In fact, there is a whole herd. My upper lip moves +curiously; I can flap it up. It seems strange to me how it is done. There +is a plant growing here, higher than my head. It is nearly as thick as my +wrist, very juicy, sweet, and tender--something like green corn in taste, +but sweeter. It is not the taste it would have to a human being--oh no! it +is sickenish, and very unpleasant to the human taste." These instances +might be multiplied indefinitely, but the principle is the same in each. +In my own experience, I gave a small piece from the Great Pyramid of Egypt +to a psychometrist who was uneducated and who knew nothing of ancient +Egypt or its history. Notwithstanding this, she gave me such a detailed +and complete account of the life of ancient Egypt, which was in such +complete accordance with the opinions of the best authorities, that I +would hesitate about publishing the report, for it certainly would be +regarded as rank imposture by the average scientific authority. Some day, +however, I may publish this. + +There are no special directions to be given the student in psychometry. +All that can be done is to suggest that each person should try the +experiments for himself, in order to find out whether he has, or has not, +the psychometric faculty. It may be developed by the methods that will be +given to develop all psychic powers, in another part of this book. But +much will depend upon actual practice and exercise. Take strange objects, +and, sitting in a quiet room with the object held to your forehead, shut +out all thoughts of the outside world, and forget all personal affairs. In +a short time, if the conditions are all right, you will begin to have +flashes of scenes connected with the history of the object. At first +rather disconnected and more or less confused, there will soon come to you +a clearing away of the scene, and the pictures will become quite plain. +Practice will develop the power. Practice only when alone, or when in the +presence of some sympathetic friend or friends. Always avoid discordant +and inharmonious company when practicing psychic powers. The best +psychometrists usually keep the physical eyes closed when practicing their +power. + +You have doubtless heard the sensing of sealed letters spoken of as +clairvoyance. But this is merely one form of psychometry. The letter is a +very good connecting medium in psychometric experiments. I advise you to +begin your experiments with old letters. You will be surprised to discover +how readily you will begin to receive psychic impressions from the +letters, either from the person who wrote them, or from the place in which +they were written, or from some one connected with the subsequent history. +One of the most interesting experiments I ever witnessed in psychometry, +was a case in which a letter that had been forwarded from place to place, +until it had gone completely around the globe, was psychometrized by a +young Hindu maiden. Although ignorant of the outside world, she was able +to picture the people and scenery of every part of the globe in which the +letter had traveled. Her report was really an interesting "travelogue" of +a trip around the world, given in tabloid form. You may obtain some +interesting results in psychometrizing old letters--but always be +conscientious about it, and refrain from divulging the secrets that will +become yours in the course of these experiments. Be honorable on the +astral plane, as well as on the physical--more so, rather than less. + + + + +LESSON VII. + +CLAIRVOYANT CRYSTAL GAZING. + + +As I have informed you in the preceding lesson, Crystal Gazing is the +second method of getting en rapport with the astral plane. Under the +general term "Crystal Gazing" I include the entire body of phenomena +connected with the use of the crystal, magic mirror, etc., the underlying +principle being the same in all of such cases. + +The crystal, etc., serves to focus the psychic energy of the person, in +such a way that the astral senses are induced to function more readily +than ordinarily. The student is cautioned against regarding the crystal, +or magic mirror, as possessing any particular magic power in itself. On +the contrary, the crystal, or magic mirror serves merely as a physical +instrument for the astral vision, just as the telescope or microscope +performs a similar office for the physical vision. Some persons are +superstitious regarding the crystal, and accord to it some weird +supernatural power, but the true occultist, understanding the laws of the +phenomena arising from its use, does not fall into this error. + +But, notwithstanding what I have just said, I would be neglecting my full +duty in the matter if I failed to call your attention to the fact that the +continued use of a particular crystal often has the effect of polarizing +its molecules so as to render it a far more efficient instrument as time +passes by. The longer the crystal is used by one person, the better does +it seem to serve the uses of that person. I agree with many users of the +crystal in their belief that each person should keep his crystal for his +own personal use, and not allow it to be used indiscriminately by +strangers or persons not in sympathy with occult thought. The crystal +tends to become polarized according to the requirements of the person +habitually using it, and it is foolish to allow this to be interfered +with. + +The use of crystals and other bright, shining objects, has been common to +psychic investigators of all times, and in practically all lands. In the +earlier days of the race, pieces of clear quartz or shining pebbles were +generally employed. Sometimes pieces of polished metal were so used. In +fact, nearly every object capable of being polished has been employed in +this way at some time, by some person. In our own day, the same condition +exists. In Australia the native sooth-sayers and magicians employ water +and other shining objects, and, in some cases, even bright flame, sparks, +or glowing embers. In New Zealand, the natives frequently employ drops of +blood held in the hollow of the hand. The Fijians fill a hole with water, +and gaze into it. South American tribes use the polished surface of black, +or dark colored stones. The American Indians use water, or shining pieces +or flint or quartz. Shining pieces of metal are frequently used by the +primitive races. Lang, writing on the subject, has said: "They stare into +a crystal ball; a cup; a mirror; a blot of ink (Egypt and India); a drop +of blood (the Maoris of New Zealand); a bowl of water (American Indians); +a pond (Roman and African); water in a glass bowl (Fez); or almost any +polished surface, etc." + +In the present-day revival of interest in crystal-gazing among the +wealthier classes of Europe and America, some of the high-priced teachers +have insisted upon their pupils purchasing pure crystal globes, claiming +that these alone are capable of serving the purpose fully. But, as such +crystals are very expensive, this advice has prevented many from +experimenting. But, the advice is erroneous, for any globe of clear +quartz, or even moulded glass, will serve the purpose equally well, and +there is no need of spending twenty-five to fifty dollars for a pure +crystal globe. + +For that matter, you may obtain very good results from the use of a +watch-crystal laid over a piece of black velvet. Some, today, use with the +best effect small polished pieces of silver or other bright metal. Others +follow the old plan of using a large drop of ink, poured into a small +butter plate. Some have small cups painted black on the inside, into which +they pour water--and obtain excellent results therefrom. + +Above all, I caution the student to pay no attention to instructions +regarding the necessity of performing incantations or ceremonies over the +crystal or other object employed in crystal-gazing. This is but a bit of +idle superstition, and serves no useful purpose except, possibly, that of +giving the person confidence in the thing. All ceremonies of this kind +have for their purpose merely the holding of the attention of the person +investigating, and giving him confidence in-the result--the latter having +a decided psychological value, of course. + +There are but few general directions necessary for the person wishing to +experiment in crystal gazing. The principal thing is to maintain quiet, +and an earnest, serious state of mind--do not make a merry game of it, if +you wish to obtain results. Again, always have the light behind your back, +instead of facing you. Gaze calmly at the crystal, but do not strain your +eyes. Do not try to avoid winking your eyes--there is a difference between +"gazing" and "staring," remember. Some good authorities advise making +funnels of the hands, and using them as you would a pair of opera glasses. + +In many cases, a number of trials are required before you will be able to +get good results. In others, at least some results are obtained at the +first trial. It is a good plan to try to bring into vision something that +you have already seen with the physical eyes--some familiar object. The +first sign of actual psychic seeing in the crystal usually appears as a +cloudy appearance, or "milky-mist," the crystal gradually losing its +transparency. In this milky cloud then gradually appears a form, or face, +or scene of some kind, more or less plainly defined. If you have ever +developed a photographic film or plate, you will know how the picture +gradually comes into view. + +W.T. Stead, the eminent English investigator of psychic phenomena, has +written as follows regarding the phenomena of crystal-gazing: "There are +some persons who cannot look into an ordinary globular bottle without +seeing pictures form themselves without any effort or will on their part, +in the crystal globe. Crystal-gazing seems to be the least dangerous and +most simple of all forms of experimenting. You simply look into a crystal +globe the size of a five-shilling piece, or a water-bottle which is full +of clear water, and which is placed so that too much light does not fall +upon it, and then simply look at it. You make no incantations, and engage +in no mumbo-jumbo business; you simply look at it for two or three +minutes, taking care not to tire yourself, winking as much as you please, +but fixing your thought upon whatever you wish to see. Then, if you have +the faculty, the glass will cloud over with a milky mist, and in the +centre the image is gradually precipitated in just the same way as a +photograph forms on the sensitive plate." + +The same authority relates the following interesting experiment with the +crystal: "Miss X., upon looking into the crystal on two occasions as a +test, to see if she could see me when she was several miles off, saw not +me, but a different friend of mine on each occasion. She had never seen +either of my friends before, but immediately identified them both on +seeing them afterward at my office. On one of the evenings on which we +experimented in the vain attempts to photograph a 'double,' I dined with +Madam C. and her friend at a neighboring restaurant. As she glanced at the +water-bottle, Madam C. saw a picture beginning to form, and, looking at it +from curiosity, described with considerable detail an elderly gentleman +whom she had never seen before, and whom I did not in the least recognize +from her description at the moment. Three hours afterward, when the seance +was over, Madam C., entered the room and recognized Mr. Elliott, of +Messrs. Elliott & Fry, as the gentleman whom she had seen and described in +the water-bottle at the restaurant. On another occasion the picture was +less agreeable; it was an old man lying dead in bed with some one weeping +at his feet; but who it was, or what it related to, no one knew." + +Andrew Lang, another prominent investigator of psychic phenomena, gives +the following interesting experiment in crystal-gazing: "I had given a +glass ball to a young lady, Miss Baillie, who had scarcely any success +with it. She lent it to Miss Leslie, who saw a large, square, +old-fashioned red sofa covered with muslin (which she, afterward found in +the next country-house she visited). Miss Baillie's brother, a young +athlete, laughed at these experiments, took the ball into his study, and +came back looking 'gey gash.' He admitted that he had seen a +vision--somebody he knew, under a lamp. He said that he would discover +during the week whether or not he had seen right. This was at 5:30 on a +Sunday afternoon. On Tuesday, Mr. Baillie was at a dance in a town forty +miles from his home, and met a Miss Preston. 'On Sunday,' he said, 'about +half-past-five, you were sitting under a standard lamp, in a dress I never +saw you wear, a blue blouse with lace over the shoulders, pouring out tea +for a man in blue serge, whose back was toward me, so that I only saw the +tip of his mustache.' 'Why, the blinds must have been up,' said Miss +Preston. 'I was at Dulby,' said Mr. Baillie, and he undeniably was." + +Miss X., the well-known contributor to the English magazine, "Borderland," +several years ago, made a somewhat extended inquiry into the phenomena of +crystal-gazing. From her experiments, she made the following +classification of the phenomena of crystal-vision, which I herewith +reproduce for your benefit. Her classification is as follows: + +1. Images of something unconsciously observed. New reproductions, +voluntary or spontaneous, and bringing no fresh knowledge to the mind. + +2. Images of ideas unconsciously acquired from others. Some memory or +imaginative effect, which does not come from the gazer's ordinary self. +Revivals of memory. Illustrations of thought. + +3. Images, clairvoyant or prophetic. Pictures giving information as to +something past, present, or future, which the gazer has no other chance of +knowing. + +As a matter of fact, each and every form or phase of clairvoyance possible +under other methods of inducing clairvoyant vision, is possible in +crystal-gazing. It is a mistake to consider crystal-gazing as a separate +and distinct form of psychic phenomena. Crystal-gazing is merely one +particular form or method of inducing psychic or clairvoyant vision. If +you will keep this in mind, you will avoid many common errors and +misunderstandings in the matter. + +In order to give you the benefit of as many points of view as possible, I +shall now quote from an old English writer on the subject of the use of +the crystal. I do this realizing that sometimes a particular student will +get more from one point of view, than from another--some particular +phrasing will seem to reach his understanding, where others fail. The +directions of the English authority are as follows: + +"What is desired through the regular use of the translucent sphere is to +cultivate a personal degree of clairvoyant power, so that visions of +things or events, past, present, and future, may appear clearly to the +interior vision, or eye of the soul. In the pursuit of this effort only, +the crystal becomes at once both a beautiful, interesting and harmless +channel of pleasure and instruction, shorn of dangers, and rendered +conducive to mental development. + +"To the attainment of this desirable end, attention is asked to the +following practical directions, which, if carefully followed, will lead to +success: + +"(1) Select a quiet room where you will be entirely undisturbed, taking +care that it is as far as possible free from mirrors, ornaments, +pictures, glaring colors, and the like, which may otherwise district the +attention. The room should be of comfortable temperature, in accordance +with the time of year, neither hot nor cold. About 60 to 65 deg. Fahr. is +suitable in most cases, though allowance can be made where necessary for +natural differences in the temperaments of various persons. Thus thin, +nervous, delicately-organized individuals, and those of lymphatic and +soft, easy-going, passive types, require a slightly warmer apartment than +the more positive class who are known by their dark eyes, hair and +complexion, combined with prominent joints. Should a fire, or any form of +artificial light be necessary, it should be well screened off, so as to +prevent the light rays from being reflected in, or in any manner directly +reaching the crystal. The room should not be dark, but rather shadowed, or +charged with a dull light, somewhat such as prevails on a cloudy or wet +day. + +"(2) The crystal should be placed on its stand on a table, or it may rest +on a black velvet cushion, but in either case it should be partially +surrounded by a black silk or similar wrap or screen, so adjusted as to +cut off any undesirable reflection. Before beginning to experiment, +remember that most frequently nothing will be seen on the first occasion, +and possibly not for several sittings; though some sitters, if strongly +gifted with psychic powers in a state of unconscious, and sometimes +conscious degree of unfoldment, may be fortunate enough to obtain good +results at the very first trial. If, therefore, nothing is perceived +during the first few attempts, do not despair or become impatient, or +imagine that you will never see anything. There is a royal road to crystal +vision, but it is open only to the combined password of Calmness, +Patience, and Perseverance. If at the first attempt to ride a bicycle, +failure ensues, the only way to learn is to pay attention to the necessary +rules, and to persevere daily until the ability to ride comes naturally. +Thus it is with the would-be seer. Persevere in accordance with these +simple directions, and success will sooner or later crown your efforts. + +"(3) Commence by sitting comfortably with the eyes fixed upon the crystal, +not by a fierce stare, but with a steady, calm gaze, for ten minutes only, +on the first occasion. In taking the time it is best to hang your watch at +a distance, where, while the face is clearly visible, the ticking is +rendered inaudible. When the time is up, carefully put the crystal away in +its case, and keep it in a dark place, under lock and key, allowing no one +but yourself to handle it. At the second sitting, which should be at the +same place, in the same position, and at the same time, you may increase +the length of the effort to fifteen minutes, and continue for this period +during the next five or six sittings, after which the time may be +gradually increased, but should in no case exceed one hour. The precise +order of repetition is always to be followed until the experimenter has +developed an almost automatic ability to readily obtain results, when it +needs no longer to be adhered to. + +"(4) Any person, or persons, admitted to the room, and allowed to remain +while you sit, should (a) keep absolute silence, and (b) remain seated at +a distance from you. When you have developed your latent powers, questions +may, of course, be put to you by one of those present, but even then in a +very gentle, or low and slow tone of voice; never suddenly, or in a +forceful manner. + +"(5) When you find the crystal begins to look dull or cloudy, with small +pin-points of light glittering therein, like tiny stars, you may know that +you are commencing to obtain that for which you seek--viz., crystalline +vision. Therefore, persevere with confidence. This condition may, or may +not, continue for several sittings, the crystal seeming at times to +alternately appear and disappear, as in a mist. By and by this hazy +appearance, in its turn, will give place quite suddenly to a blindness of +the senses to all else but a blue or bluish ocean of space, against which, +as if it were a background, the vision will be clearly apparent. + +"(6) The crystal should not be used soon after taking a meal, and care +should be taken in matters of diet to partake only of digestible foods, +and to avoid alcoholic beverages. Plain and nourishing food, and outdoor +exercise, with contentment of mind, or love of simplicity in living, are +great aids to success. Mental anxiety, or ill-health, are not conducive to +the desired end. Attention to correct, breathing is of importance. + +"(7) As regards the time at which events seen will come to pass, each seer +is usually impressed with regard thereto; but, as a general rule, visions +appearing in the extreme background indicate time more remote, either past +or future, than those perceived nearer at hand, while those appearing in +the foreground, or closer to the seer, denote the present or immediate +future. + +"(8) Two principal classes of vision will present themselves to the +sitter--(a) the Symbolic, indicated by the appearance of symbols such as a +flag, boat, knife, gold, etc., and (b) Actual Scenes and Personages, in +action or otherwise. Persons of a positive type of organization, the more +active, excitable, yet decided type, are most likely to perceive +symbolically, or allegorically; while those of a passive nature usually +receive direct or literal revelations. Both classes will find it necessary +to carefully cultivate truthfulness, unselfishness, gratitude for what is +shown, and absolute confidence in the love, wisdom, and guidance of God +Himself." + +As the student proceeds with the study of these lessons, he will become +acquainted with various details and methods concerned with the various +phases of clairvoyance, which knowledge he may then combine with the +above, the whole aiding him in the successful manifestation of the psychic +phenomena of crystal-gazing, which, as I have said, is merely one phase of +clairvoyance and under the same general laws and rules of manifestation. +Remember that present, past and future clairvoyance all is possible to +the highly developed crystal gazer. + +THE ASTRAL TUBE. Closely allied with the phenomena of crystal-gazing, +and that of psychometry, is that which occultists know as "the astral +tube," although this psychic channel may be developed in ordinary +clairvoyance by means of the power of concentrated attention, etc. I shall +not enter into a detailed or technical discussion of the astral tube, at +this place, but I wish to give you a general and comprehensive view of it +and its workings. + +In case of the strong concentration of the mind, in cases of psychometry +or crystal-gazing, a channel or "line of force" is set up in the astral +substance which composes the basis of the astral plane. This is like the +wake of a ship made on the surface of the water through which the ship has +passed. Or it is like a current of magnetic force in the ether. It is +caused by a polarization of the particles composing the astral substance, +which manifest in a current of intense vibrations in the astral substance, +which thus serve as a ready channel for the transmission of psychic force +or astral energy. + +The astral tube serves as a ready conductor of the vibrations, currents +and waves of energy on the astral plane which carry to the astral senses +of the person the perception of the things, objects and scenes far removed +from him in space and time. How these things far removed in space and time +are perceived by the astral seer is explained in subsequent lessons of +this course. At this place we are concerned merely with the "channel" +through which the currents of energy flow, and which has been called the +astral tube. + +As a writer well says: "Through the astral tube the astral senses actually +'sense' the sights, and often the sounds, being manifested at a distance, +just as one may see distant sights through a telescope, or hear distant +sounds through a telephone. The astral tube is used in a variety of forms +of psychic phenomena. It is often used unconsciously, and springs into +existence spontaneously, under the strong influence of a vivid emotion, +desire or will. It is used by the trained psychometrist, without the use +of any 'starting point,' or 'focal centre,' simply by the use of his +trained, developed and concentrated will. But its most familiar and common +use is in connection with some object serving as a starting point or focal +centre. The starting point or focal centre, above mentioned, is generally +either what is known as the 'associated object' in the class of phenomena +generally known as psychometry, or else a glass or crystal ball, or +similar polished surface, in what is known as crystal-gazing." + +Another authority tells his readers that: "Astral sight, when it is +cramped by being directed along what is practically a tube, is limited +very much as physical sight would be under similar circumstances, though +if possessed in perfection it will continue to show, even at that +distance, the auras, and therefore all the emotions and most of the +thoughts of the people under observation. * * * But, it may be said, the +mere fact that he is using astral sight ought to enable him to see things +from all sides at once. And so it would, if he were using that sight in a +normal way upon an object which was fairly near him--within his astral +reach, as it were; but at a distance of hundreds or thousands of miles the +case is very different. Astral sight gives us the advantage of an +additional dimension, but there is still such a thing as position in that +dimension, and it is naturally a potent factor in limiting the use of the +powers on that plane. * * * The limitations resemble those of a man using +a telescope on the physical plane. The experimenter, for example, has a +particular field of view which cannot be enlarged or altered; he is +looking at his scene from a certain direction, and he cannot suddenly turn +it all around and see how it looks from the other side. If he has +sufficient psychic energy to spare, he may drop altogether the telescope +he is using, and manufacture an entirely new one for himself which will +approach his objective somewhat differently; but this is not a course at +all likely to be adopted in practice." + +The student will find that, as we progress, many of these points which now +seem complicated and obscure will gradually take on the aspect of +simplicity and clearness. We must crawl before we can walk, in psychic +research as well as in everything else. + + + + +LESSON VIII. + +CLAIRVOYANT REVERIE. + + +In the preceding two chapters, I have asked you to consider the first two +methods of inducing the clairvoyant phenomena, namely, Psychometry, and +Crystal-Gazing, respectively. In these cases you have seen how the +clairvoyant gets en rapport with the astral plane by means of physical +objects, in the case of psychometric clairvoyance; or by means of a +shining object, in the case of crystal gazing. Let us now consider the +third method of inducing the clairvoyant condition or state, i.e., by +means of what may be called Clairvoyant Reverie, in which the clairvoyant +gets en rapport with the astral plane by means of psychic states in which +the sights, sounds and thoughts of the material and physical plane are +shut out of consciousness. + +The student of the general subject of clairvoyance will soon be impressed +with two facts concerning the production of clairvoyant phenomena, namely, +(1) that in the majority of the recorded cases of the investigators the +clairvoyant phenomena were obtained when the clairvoyant was in the state +of sleep, or at least semi-sleep or drowsiness, the visioning appearing +more or less like a vivid dream; and (2) that in the case of the +clairvoyant voluntarily entering en rapport with the astral plane, he or +she would enter into what seemed to be a kind of trance condition, in some +cases an absolute unconsciousness of the outside world being manifested. +The student, noting these facts, is apt to arrive at the conclusion that +all clairvoyance is accompanied by the condition of sleep, or trance, and +that no clairvoyant phenomena are possible unless this psychic condition +is first obtained. But this is only a half-truth as we shall see in a +moment. + +In the first place, the student arriving at this conclusion seems to have +ignored the fact that the phenomena of psychometry and crystal gazing, +respectively, are as true instances of clairvoyance as are those which are +manifested in the sleep or trance condition. It is true that some +psychometrists produce phenomena when they are in a state of psychic +quiescence, but, on the other hand, many clairvoyant psychometrists merely +concentrate the attention on the object before them, and remain perfectly +wide-awake and conscious on the physical plane. Likewise, the average +crystal gazer remains perfectly wide-awake and conscious on the physical +plane. When the student takes these facts into consideration, he begins to +see that the trance condition, and similar psychic states, are simply +particular methods of inducing the en rapport condition for the +clairvoyant, and are not inseparably bound up with the phenomena of +clairvoyance. + +As the student progresses, moreover, he will see that even in the case of +Clairvoyant Reverie, the third method of inducing the astral en rapport +condition, the clairvoyant does not always lose consciousness. In the case +of many advanced and exceptionally well-developed clairvoyants, no trance +or sleep condition is induced. In such cases the clairvoyant merely "shuts +out" the outside world of sights, sounds and thoughts, by an effort of +trained will, and then concentrates steadily on the phenomena of the +astral plane. For that matter, the skilled and advanced occultist is able +to function on the astral plane by simply shifting his consciousness from +one plane to another, as the typist shifts from the small letters of the +keyboard to the capital letters, by a mere pressure on the shift-key of +the typewriter. + +The only reason that many clairvoyants manifesting along the lines of the +third method, known as "clairvoyant reverie," fall into the trance or +sleep condition, is that they have not as yet acquired the rare art of +controlling their conscious attention at will--this is something that +requires great practice. They find it easier to drop into the condition of +semi-trance, or semi-sleep, than it is to deliberately shut out the outer +world by an act of pure will. Moreover, you will find that in the majority +of the recorded cases of the investigators, the clairvoyance was more or +less spontaneous on the part of the clairvoyant person, and was not +produced by an act of will. As we proceed to consider the various forms +and phases of clairvoyant phenomena, in these lessons, you will notice +this fact. There are but few recorded cases of voluntary clairvoyance in +the books of the investigators--the skilled clairvoyants, and more +particularly the advanced occultists, avoid the investigators rather than +seek them; they have no desire to be reported as "typical cases" of +interesting psychic phenomena--they leave that to the amateurs, and those +to whom the phenomena come as a wonderful revelation akin to a miracle. +This accounts for the apparent predominance of this form of +clairvoyance--the secret is that the net of the investigators has caught +only a certain kind of psychic fish, while the others escape attention. + +All this would be of no practical importance, however, were it not for the +fact that the average student is so impressed by the fact that he must +learn to induce the trance condition in order to manifest clairvoyant +phenomena, that he does not even think of attempting to do the work +otherwise. The power of auto-suggestion operates here, as you will see by +a moment's thought, and erects an obstacle to his advance along voluntary +lines. More than this, this mistaken idea tends to encourage the student +to cultivate the trance condition, or at least some abnormal psychic +condition, by artificial means. I am positively opposed to the inducing of +psychic conditions by artificial means, for I consider such practices most +injurious and harmful for the person using such methods. Outside of +anything else, it tends to render the person negative, psychically, +instead of positive--it tends to make him or her subject to the psychic +influence of others, on both the physical and astral plane, instead of +retaining his or her own self-control and mastery. + +The best authorities among the occultists instruct their pupils that the +state of clairvoyant reverie may be safely and effectively induced by the +practice of mental concentration alone. They advice positively against +artificial methods. A little common sense will show that they are right in +this matter. All that is needed is that the consciousness shall be focused +to a point--become "one pointed" as the Hindu Yogis say. The intelligent +practice of concentration accomplishes this, without the necessity of any +artificial methods of development, or the induction of abnormal psychic +states. + +If you will stop a moment and realize how easily you concentrate your +attention when you are witnessing an interesting play, or listening to a +beautiful rendition of some great masterpiece of musical composition, or +gazing at some miracle of art, you will see what I mean. In the cases just +mentioned, while your attention is completely occupied with the +interesting thing before you, so that you have almost completely shut out +the outer world of sound, sight and thought, you are, nevertheless, +perfectly wide awake and your consciousness is alert. The same thing is +true when you are reading a very interesting book--the world is shut out +from your consciousness, and you are oblivious to the sights and sounds +around you. At the risk of being considered flippant, I would remind you +of the common spectacle of two lovers so wrapped up in each other's +company that they forget that there is a smiling world of people around +them--time and space are forgotten to the two lovers--to them there is +only one world, with but two persons in it. Again, how often have you +fallen into what is known as a "brown study," or "day dream," in which you +have been so occupied with the thoughts and fancies floating through your +mind, that you forgot all else. Well, then, this will give you a +common-sense idea of the state that the occultists teach may be induced in +order to enter into the state of en rapport with the astral plane--the +state in which clairvoyance is possible. Whether you are seeking +clairvoyance by the method of psychometry, or by crystal gazing, or by +clairvoyant reverie--this will give you the key to the state. It is a +perfectly natural state--nothing abnormal about it, you will notice. + +To some who may think that I am laying too much stress on the +undesirability of artificial methods of inducing the clairvoyant +condition, I would say that they are probably not aware of the erroneous +and often harmful teachings on the subject that are being promulgated by +ignorant or misinformed teachers--"a little learning is a dangerous +thing," in many cases. It may surprise some of my students to learn that +some of this class of teachers are instructing their pupils to practice +methods of self-hypnosis by gazing steadily at a bright object until they +fall unconscious; or by gazing "cross eyed" at the tip of the nose, or at +an object held between the two eyebrows. These are familiar methods of +certain schools of hypnotism, and result in producing a state of +artificial hypnosis, more or less deep. Such a state is most undesirable, +not only by reason of its immediate effects, but also by reason of the +fact that it often results in a condition of abnormal sensitiveness to the +will of others, or even to the thoughts and feelings of others, on both +the astral and the physical planes of life. I emphatically warn my +students against any such practices, or anything resembling them. + +While I dislike to dwell on the subject, I feel that I should call the +attention of my students to the fact that certain teachers seek to produce +the abnormal psychic condition by means of exhausting breathing exercises, +which make the person dizzy and sleepy. This is all wrong. While rhythmic +breathing exercises have a certain value in psychic phenomena, and are +harmless when properly practiced, nevertheless such practices as those to +which I have alluded are harmful to the nervous system of the person, and +also tend to induce undesirable psychic conditions. Again, some teachers +have sought to have their students hold their breath for comparatively +long periods of time in order to bring about abnormal psychic states. The +slightest knowledge of physiology informs one that such a practice must be +harmful; it causes the blood to become thick and impure, and deficient in +oxygen. It certainly will produce a kind of drowsiness, for the same +reason that impure air in a room will do the same thing--in both cases the +blood stream is poisoned and made impure. The purpose of rational and +normal breathing is to obviate just this thing--so these teachers are +reversing a natural law of the body, in order to produce an abnormal +psychic state. With all the energy in me, I caution you against this kind +of thing. + +Along the same line, I protest and warn you against the practices advised +by certain teachers of "psychic development," who seek to have their +pupils induce abnormal physical and psychic conditions by means of drugs, +odor of certain chemicals, gases, etc. Such practices, as all true +occultists know, belong to the clans of the Black Magicians, or devil +worshippers, of the savage races--they have no place in true occult +teachings. Common sense alone should warn persons away from such +things--but it seems to fail some of them. I assert without fear of +intelligent contradiction, that no true occultist ever countenances any +such practices as these. + +All the true teachers are vigorous in their denunciation of such false +teachings and harmful practices. In this same category, I place the +methods which are taught by certain persons, namely, that of inducing +abnormal physical and psychic condition of giddiness and haziness by means +of "whirling" around in a circle until one drops from giddiness, or until +one "feels queer in the head." This is a revival of the practices of +certain fanatics in Persia and India, who perform it as a religious rite +until they fall into what they consider a "holy sleep," but which is +nothing more than an abnormal and unhealthful physical and psychic +condition. Such practices are a downward step, not an upward one. It seems +a pity that the necessity has arisen for such warnings as these--but my +duty, as I see it, is very plain. To all who are tempted to "develop" in +this way, I say, positively, "DON'T!" + +The scientific, rational way to develop the astral senses is to first +acquire the art of concentrating. Bear in mind that in concentration the +person, while shutting out the impressions of the outside world in +general, nevertheless focuses and concentrates his attention upon the one +matter before him. This is quite a different thing from making oneself +sensitive to every current of thought and feeling that may be in the +psychic atmosphere. True concentration renders one positive, while the +other methods render one negative. Contrary to the common opinion, psychic +concentration is a positive state, not a negative--an active state, not a +passive one. The person who is able to concentrate strongly is a master, +while one who opens himself to "control," either physical or astral, is +more or less of a slave to other minds. + +The student who will begin by experimenting along the lines of contact +mind-reading, and who then advances along the lines of true telepathy, as +explained in the earlier chapters of this book, will have made a good +start, and considerable progress, along the road to clairvoyant +development. The rest will be largely a matter of exercise and practice. +He will be aided by practicing concentration along the general lines of +the best occult teaching. Such practice may consist of concentration upon +almost any physical object, keeping the thing well before the mind and +attention. Do not tire the attention by practicing too long at one time. +The following general rules will help you in developing concentration: + +(1) The attention attaches more readily to interesting rather than +uninteresting things. Therefore, select some interesting thing to study +and analyze by concentrated thought. + +(2) The attention will decline in strength unless there is a variation in +the stimulus. Therefore, keep up the power of concentration by either +changing the object you are observing; or else by discovering some new +properties, qualities or attributes in it. + +(3) The things you wish to shut out of consciousness can best be shut out +by your concentration upon some other thing--the attention can dwell only +upon one thing at a time, if focused upon that one thing. + +(4) The power of applying your attention, steady and undissipated, to a +single object, is a mark of strong will and superior mental +discipline--weak-minds cannot do this. Therefore, in cultivating +concentrated attention you are really strengthening your mind and will. + +(5) To develop concentrated attention, you must learn to analyze, analyze, +and analyze the thing upon which you are bestowing concentrated attention. +Therefore, proceed by selecting an object and analyzing it by concentrated +attention, taking one part after another, one by one, until you have +analyzed and mastered the whole object. Give it the same attention that +the lover gives his loved one; the musician his favorite composition; the +artist his favorite work of art; and the booklover his favorite book--when +you have accomplished this, you have mastered concentration, and will be +able to apply the mind "one pointed" upon anything you wish, physical or +astral; and, consequently will have no trouble in shutting-out disturbing +impressions. + +(6) Learn to concentrate on the physical plane, and you will be able to +concentrate on the astral plane as well. By the one who has mastered +concentration, trances and abnormal psychic states will not be needed. The +needle-pointed mind is able to pierce the astral veil at will, while the +blunt-pointed mind is resisted and defeated by the astral envelope, which +while thin is very tough and unyielding. + +A well-known authority on psychic development has well said: "Occasional +flashes of clairvoyance sometimes come to the highly cultured and +spiritual-minded man, even though he may never have heard of the +possibility of training such a faculty. In his case such glimpses usually +signify that he is approaching that stage in his evolution when these +powers will naturally begin to manifest themselves. Their appearance +should serve as an additional stimulus to him to strive to maintain that +high standard of moral purity and mental balance without which +clairvoyance is a curse and not a blessing to its possessor. Between those +who are entirely unimpressionable and those who are in full possession of +clairvoyant power, there are many intermediate stages. Students often ask +how this clairvoyant faculty will first be manifested in themselves--how +they may know when they have reached the stage at which its first faint +foreshadowings are beginning to be visible. Cases differ so widely that it +is impossible to give to this question any answer that will be universally +applicable. + +"Some people begin by a plunge, as it were, and under some unusual +stimulus become able just for once to see some striking vision; and very +often in such a case, because the experience does not repeat itself, the +seer comes in time to believe that on that occasion he must have been the +victim of hallucination. Others begin by becoming intermittently conscious +of the brilliant colors and vibrations of the human aura; yet others find +themselves with increasing frequency seeing and hearing something to which +those around them are blind and deaf; others, again, see faces, +landscapes, or colored clouds floating before their eyes in the dark +before they sink to rest; while perhaps the commonest experience of all is +that of those who begin to recollect with greater and greater clearness +what they have seen and heard on other planes during sleep." + +The authority in question gives the following excellent advice regarding +the subject of the development of clairvoyant power and astral visioning: +"Now the fact is that there are many methods by which it may be developed, +but only one which can be at all safely recommended for general use--that +of which we shall speak last of all. Among the less advanced nations of +the world the clairvoyant state has been produced in various objectionable +ways; among some of the non-Aryan tribes of India, by the use of +intoxicating drugs or the inhaling of stupefying fumes; among the +dervishes, by whirling in a mad dance of religious fervor until vertigo +and insensibility supervene; among the followers of the abominable +practices of the Voodoo cult, by frightful sacrifices and loathsome rites +of black magic. Methods such as these are happily not in vogue in our own +race, yet even among us large numbers of dabblers in this ancient art +adopt some plan of self-hypnotization, such as gazing at a bright spot, or +the repetition of some formula until a condition of semi-stupefaction is +produced; while yet another school among them would endeavor to arrive at +similar results by the use of some of the Indian systems of regulation of +the breath. All these methods are unequivocally to be condemned as quite +unsafe for the practice of the ordinary man who has no idea of what he is +doing--who is simply making vague experiments in an unknown world. Even +the method of obtaining clairvoyance by allowing oneself to be mesmerized +by another person is one from which I should myself shrink with the most +decided distaste; and assuredly it should never be attempted except under +conditions of absolute trust and affection between the magnetizer and the +magnetized, and a perfection of purity in heart and soul, in mind and +intention, such as is rarely to be seen among any but the greatest of +saints. + +"Yet there is one practice which is advised by all religions alike--which +if adopted carefully and reverently can do no harm to any human being, yet +from which a very pure type of clairvoyance has sometimes been developed; +and that is the practice of meditation. Let a man choose a certain time +every day--a time when he can rely upon being quiet and undisturbed, +though preferably in the daytime rather than at night--and set himself at +that time to keep his mind for a few minutes entirely free from all +earthly thoughts of any kind whatever, and, when that is achieved, to +direct the whole force of his being towards the highest ideal that he +happens to know. He will find that to gain such perfect control of thought +is enormously more difficult than he supposes, but when he attains it it +cannot but be in every way most beneficial to him, and as he grows more +and more able to elevate and concentrate his thought, he may gradually +find that new worlds are opening before his sight. As a preliminary +training towards the satisfactory achievement of such meditation, he will +find it desirable to make a practice of concentration in the affairs of +daily life--even in the smallest of them. If he writes a letter, let him +think of nothing else but that letter until it is finished; if he reads a +book, let him see to it that his thought is never allowed to wander from +his author's meaning. He must learn to hold his mind in check, and to be +master of that also, as well as of his lower passions; he must patiently +labor to acquire absolute control of his thoughts, so that he will always +know exactly what he is thinking about, and why--so that he can use his +mind, and turn it or hold it still, as a practiced swordsman turns his +weapon where he will." + +I have given the above full quotation from this authority, not merely +because that from another angle he states the same general principles as +do I; but also because his personal experience in actual clairvoyant +phenomena is so extended and varied that any word from him on the subject +of the development of clairvoyant power must have a value of its own. +While I differ from this authority on some points of detail of theory and +practice, nevertheless I gladly testify to the soundness of his views as +above quoted, and pass them on to my students for careful consideration +and attention. The student will do well to heed what he has to say, and to +combine such opinion with what I have uttered in the earlier part of this +chapter--there will be found a close agreement in principle and practice. + +And, now let us pass on to a consideration of the various forms and phases +of the clairvoyant phenomena itself. The subject is fascinating, and I am +sure that you will enjoy this little excursion into the strange realm of +thought regarding the astral phenomena of clairvoyance. But, be sure to +master each lesson before proceeding to the rest, as otherwise you will +have to turn back the leaves of the course in order to pick up some point +of teaching that you have neglected. + + + + +LESSON IX. + +SIMPLE CLAIRVOYANCE. + + +In a previous chapter we have seen that there are three well-defined +classes of clairvoyance, namely, (1) Simple clairvoyance; (2) Clairvoyance +in space; and (3) Clairvoyance in Time. I shall now consider these in +sequence, beginning with the first, Simple Clairvoyance. + +In simple clairvoyance the clairvoyant person merely senses the auric +emanations of other persons, such as the auric vibrations, colors, etc., +currents of thought vibrations, etc., but does not see events or scenes +removed in space or time from the observer. There are other phenomena +peculiar to this class of clairvoyance which I shall note as we progress +with this chapter. + +An authority on the subject of astral phenomena has written interestingly, +as follows, regarding some of the phases of simple clairvoyance: "When we +come to consider the additional facilities which it offers in the +observation of animate objects, we see still more clearly the advantages +of astral vision. It exhibits to the clairvoyant the aura of plants and +animals, and thus in the case of the latter their desires and emotions, +and whatever thoughts they may have, are all plainly shown before his +eyes. But it is in dealing with human beings that he will most appreciate +the value of this faculty, for he will often be able to help them far more +effectually when he guides himself by the information which it gives him. + +"He will be able to see the aura as far up as the astral body, and though +that leaves all the higher part of a man still hidden from his gaze, he +will nevertheless find it possible by careful observation to learn a good +deal about the higher part from what is within his reach. His capacity of +examination of the etheric double will give him considerable advantage in +locating and classifying any defects or diseases of the nervous system, +while from the appearance of the astral body he will at once be aware of +all the emotions, passions, desires and tendencies of the man before him, +and even of very many of his thoughts also. + +"As he looks at a person he will see him surrounded by the luminous mist +of the astral aura, flashing with all sorts of brilliant colors, and +constantly changing in hue and brilliancy with every variation of the +person's thoughts and feelings. He will see this aura flooded with the +beautiful rose-color of pure affection, the rich blue of devotional +feeling, the hard, dull brown of selfishness, the deep scarlet of anger, +the horrible lurid red of sensuality, the livid grey of fear, the black +clouds of hatred and malice, or any of the other hundredfold indications +so easily to be read in it by the practiced eye; and thus it will be +impossible for any persons to conceal from him the real state of their +feelings on any subject. Not only does the astral aura show him the +temporary result of the emotion passing through it at the moment, but it +also gives him, by an arrangement and proportion of its colors when in a +condition of comparative rest, a clue to the general disposition and +character of its owner." + +By simple clairvoyance in a certain stage of development the clairvoyant +person is able to sense the presence of the human aura, by means of his +astral sight. The human aura, as all students of occultism know, is that +peculiar emanation of astral vibrations that extends from each living +human being, surrounding him in an egg-shaped form for a distance of two +to three feet on all sides. This peculiar nebulous envelope is not visible +to the physical sight, and may be discerned only by means of the astral +senses. It, however, may be dimly "felt" by many persons coming into the +presence of other persons, and constitutes a personal atmosphere which is +sensed by other persons. + +The trained clairvoyant vision sees the human aura as a nebulous hazy +substance, like a luminous cloud, surrounding the person for two or three +feet on each side of his body, being more dense near the body and +gradually becoming less dense as it extends away from the body. It has a +phosphorescent appearance, with a peculiar tremulous motion manifesting +through its substance. The clairvoyant sees the human aura as composed of +all the colors of the spectrum, the combination shifting with the changing +mental and emotional states of the person. But, in a general way, it may +be said that each person has his or her or distinctive astral auric +colors, depending upon his or her general character or personality. Each +mental state, or emotional manifestation, has its own particular shade or +combination of shades of auric coloring. This beautiful kaleidoscopic +spectacle has its own meaning to the advanced occultist with clairvoyant +vision, for he is able to read the character and general mental states of +the person by means of studying his astral auric colors. I have explained +these auric colors, and their meanings, in my little book entitled "The +Human Aura." + +The human aura is not always in a state of calm phosphorescence, however. +On the contrary, it sometimes manifests great flames, like those of a +fiery furnace, which shoot forth in great tongues, and dart forth suddenly +in certain directions toward the objects attracting them. Under great +emotional excitement the auric flames move around in swift circling +whirlpools, or else swirl away from a centre. Again, it seems to throw +forth tiny glistening sparks of astral vibrations, some of which travel +for great distance. + +The clairvoyant vision is also able to discern what is called the "prana +aura" of a person. By this term is indicated that peculiar emanation of +vital force which surrounds the physical body of each and every person. In +fact, many persons of but slight clairvoyant power, who cannot sense the +auric colors, are able to perceive this prana-aura without trouble. It is +sometimes called the "health aura," or "physical aura." It is colorless, +or rather about the shade of clear glass, diamond, or water. It is +streaked with very minute, bristle-like lines. In a state of good health, +these fine lines are stiff like toothbrush bristles; while, in cases of +poor health, these lines droop, curl and present a furlike appearance. It +is sometimes filled with minute sparkling particles, like tiny electric +sparks in rapid vibratory motion. + +To the clairvoyant vision the prana-aura appears like the vibrating heated +air arising from a fire, or stove, or from the heated earth in summer. If +the student will close his eyes partially, and will peer through narrowed +eyelids, he will in all probability be able to perceive this prana-aura +surrounding the body of some healthy, vigorous person--particularly if the +person is sitting in a dim light. Looking closely, he will see the +peculiar vibratory motion, like heated air, at a distance of about two +inches from the body of the person. It requires a little practice in order +to acquire the knack of perceiving these vibrations--a little +experimenting in order to get just the right light on the person--but +practice will bring success, and you will be repaid for your trouble. + +In the same way, the student may by practice acquire the faculty to +perceiving his own prana-aura. The simplest way to obtain this last +mentioned result is to place your fingers (spread out in fan-shape) +against a black background, in a dim light. Then gaze at the fingers with +narrowed eyelids, and half-closed eyes. After a little practice, you will +see a fine thin line surrounding your fingers on all sides--a +semi-luminous border of prana-aura. In most cases this border of aura is +colorless, but sometimes a very pale yellowish hue is perceived. The +stronger the vital force of the person, the stronger and brighter will +this border of prana-aura appear. The aura surrounding the fingers will +appear very much like the semi-luminous radiance surrounding a gas-flame, +or the flame of a candle, which is familiar to nearly everyone. + +Another peculiar phenomenon of the astral plane, perceived by clairvoyants +of a certain degree of development, is that which is known as the +"thought-form." A thought-form is a specialized grouping of astral +substance, crystalized by the strong thought impulses or vibrations of a +person thinking, or manifesting strong emotional excitement. It is +generated in the aura of the person, in the first place, but is then +thrown off or emitted from the atmosphere of the person, and is sent off +into space. A thought-form is really but a strongly manifested thought or +feeling which has taken form in the astral substance. Its power and +duration depend upon the degree of force of the thought or feeling +manifesting it. + +These thought-forms differ very materially from one another in form and +general appearance. The most common form is that of a tiny series of +waves, similar to those caused by the dropping of a pebble in a pond of +water. Sometimes the thought-form takes on the appearance of a whirlpool, +rotating around a centre, and moving through space as well. Another form +is like that of the pin-wheel fireworks, swirling away from its centre as +it moves through space. Still another form is that of a whirling ring, +like that emitted from a smokestack of a locomotive, or the mouth of a +smoker--the familiar "ring" of the smoker. Others have the form and +appearance of semi-luminous globes, glowing like a giant opal. + +Other thought-forms are emitted in jet-like streams, like steam puffed out +from a tea-kettle. Again, it will appear as a series of short puffs of +steam-like appearance. Again, it will twist along like an eel or snake. +Another time it will twist its way like a corkscrew. At other times it +will appear as a bomb, or series of bombs projected from the aura of the +thinker. Sometimes, as in the case of a vigorous thinker or speaker, these +thought-form bombs will be seen to explode when they reach the aura of the +person addressed or thought of. Other forms appear like nebulous things +resembling an octopus, whose twining tentacles twist around the person to +whom they are directed. + +Each thought-form bears the same color that it possessed when generated in +the aura of its creator, though the colors seem to fade with time. Many of +them glow with a dull phosphorescence, instead of bright coloring. The +atmosphere of every person, and every place, is filled with various +thought-forms emanated from the person, or persons who inhabit the place. +Each building has its own distinctive thought-forms, which permeate its +mental atmosphere, and which are clearly discernible by trained +clairvoyant vision. + +I here take the liberty of quoting a few paragraphs from my little book +entitled "The Astral World," in which the phenomena of the astral plane +are explained in detail. I reproduce them here in order to show you what +you may see on the astral plane when your clairvoyant vision is +sufficiently developed to function there. The words are addressed to one +who is sensing on the astral, plane. + +"Notice that beautiful spiritual blue around that woman's head! And see +that ugly muddy red around that man passing her! Here comes an +intellectual giant--see that beautiful golden yellow around his head, like +a nimbus! But I don't exactly like that shade of red around his body--and +there is too marked an absence of blue in his aura! He lacks harmonious +development. Do you notice those great clouds of semi-luminous substance, +which are slowly floating along?--notice how the colors vary in them. +Those are clouds of thought-vibrations, representing the composite thought +of a multitude of people. Also notice how each body of thought is drawing +to itself little fragments of similar thought-forms and energy. You see +here the tendency of thought-forms to attract others of their kind--how +like the proverbial birds of a feather, they flock together--how thoughts +come home, bringing their friends with them--how each man creates his own +thought atmosphere. + +"Speaking of atmospheres, do you notice that each shop we pass has its own +peculiar thought-atmosphere? If you look into the houses on either side of +the street, you will see that the same thing is true. The very street +itself has its own atmosphere, created by the composite thought of those +inhabiting and frequenting it. No! do not pass down that side street--its +astral atmosphere is too depressing, and its colors too horrible and +disgusting for you to witness just now--you might get discouraged and fly +back to your physical body for relief. Look at those thought-forms flying +through the atmosphere! What a variety of form and coloring! Some most +beautiful, the majority quite neutral in tint, and occasionally a fierce, +fiery one tearing its way along toward its mark. Observe those whirling +and swirling thought-forms as they are thrown off from that +business-house. Across the street, notice that great octopus monster of a +thought-form, with its great tentacles striving to wind around persons and +draw them into that flashy dance-hall and dram-shop. A devilish monster +which we would do well to destroy. Turn your concentrated thought upon it, +and will it out of existence--there, that's the right way; watch it sicken +and shrivel! But, alas! more of its kind will come forth from that place." + +The above represents the sights common to the advanced occultist who +explores the astral plane either in his astral body, or else by means of +clairvoyant vision. To such a one, these sights are just as natural as +those of the physical plane to the person functioning by ordinary physical +senses. One is as natural as is the other--there is nothing supernatural +about either. + +But there are other, and even more wonderful attributes of astral +visioning than that which we have just related. Let us take a general +survey of these, so that you may be familiar with what you hope to see on +the astral plane, and which you will see when you have sufficiently +developed your clairvoyant powers. + +What would you think if you could "see through a brick wall?" Well, the +clairvoyant is able to do this. For that matter, the physical X Rays are +able to penetrate through solid substances, and the astral vibrations are +even more subtle than these. It seems strange to hear of this kind of +visioning as purely natural, doesn't it? It smacks strongly of the old +supernatural tales--but it is as simply natural as is the X Ray. The +advanced clairvoyant is able to see through the most solid objects, and +inside of anything, for that matter. The astral senses register the subtle +vibrations of the astral plane, just as the physical eye registers the +ordinary rays of light-energy. You are able to see through solid glass, +with the physical eye, are you not? Well, in the same way the clairvoyant +sees through solid steel or granite. It is all a matter of registering +vibrations of energy--nothing more, and nothing less. + +It is in this way that the trained clairvoyant is able to read from closed +books, sealed letters, etc. In the same way, he is able to pierce the +dense soil, and to see far down into the depths of the earth, subject to +certain limitations. Veins of coal, oil, and other substances have been +discovered clairvoyantly in this way. Not every clairvoyant is able to do +this, but the advanced ones have done it. In the same way, the trained +clairvoyant is able to see inside the bodies of sick persons, and to +diagnose their ailments, providing, of course, he is familiar with the +appearance of the organs in health and in disease, and has a sufficient +knowledge of physiology and pathology to interpret what he sees. + +An authority on the phenomena of the astral plane has written +entertainingly and correctly regarding this phase of simple clairvoyance, +as follows: "The possession of this extraordinary and scarcely expressible +power, then, must always be borne in mind through all that follows. It +lays every point in the interior of every solid body absolutely open to +the gaze of the seer, just as every point in the interior of a circle lies +open to the gaze of a man looking down upon it. But even this is by no +means all that it gives to its possessor. He sees not only the inside as +well as the outside of every object, but also its astral counterpart. +Every atom and molecule of physical matter has its corresponding astral +atoms and molecules, and the mass which is built up out of these is +clearly visible to the clairvoyant. Usually the astral form of any object +projects somewhat beyond the physical part of it, and thus metals, stones +and other things are seen surrounded by an astral aura. + +"It will be seen at once that even in the study of inorganic matter a man +gains immensely by the acquisition of this vision. Not only does he see +the astral part of the object at which he looks, which before was wholly +hidden from him; not only does he see much more of its physical +constitution than he did before, but even what was visible to him before +is now seen much more clearly and truly. * * * Another strange power of +which he may find himself in possession is that of magnifying at will the +minutest physical or astral particle to any desired size, as through a +microscope--though no microscope ever made, or ever likely to be made, +possesses even a thousandth part of this psychic magnifying power. By its +means the hypothetical molecule and atom postulated by science become +visible and living realities to the occult student, and on this closer +examination he finds them to be much more complex in their structure than +the scientific man has yet realized them to be. It also enables him to +follow with the closest attention and the most lively interest all kinds +of electrical, magnetic, and other etheric action; and when some of the +specialists in these branches of science are able to develop the power to +see these things whereof they write so facilely, some very wonderful and +beautiful revelations may be expected. + +"This is one of the SIDDIHIS or powers described in the Oriental +books as accruing to the man who devotes himself to spiritual development, +though the name under which it is there mentioned might not be immediately +recognizable. It is referred to as 'the power of making oneself large or +small at will,' and the reason of a description which appears so oddly to +reverse the fact is that in reality the method by which this feat is +performed is precisely that indicated in these ancient books. It is by the +use of temporary visual machinery of inconceivable minuteness that the +world of the infinitely little is so clearly seen; and in the same way (or +rather in the opposite way) it is by enormously increasing the size of the +machinery used that it becomes possible to increase the breadth of one's +view--in the physical sense as well as, let us hope, in the moral--far +beyond anything that science has ever dreamt of as possible for man. So +that the alteration in size is really in the vehicle of the student's +consciousness, and not in anything outside of himself; and the old +Oriental books have, after all, put the case more accurately than have we. +I have indicated, though only in the roughest outlines, what a trained +student, possessed of full astral vision, would see in the immensely wider +world to which that vision introduced him; but I have said nothing of the +stupendous change in his mental attitude which comes from the experimental +certainty regarding matters of paramount importance. The difference +between even the profoundest intellectual conviction, and the precise +knowledge gained by direct personal experience, must be felt in order to +be appreciated." + +Now, here at this place, I wish to call the attention of the student to +the fact that while the above stated, phenomena strictly belong to the +class of "simple clairvoyance," rather than to "space clairvoyance," or +"time clairvoyance" respectively, nevertheless the same phenomena may be +manifested in connection with that of these other classes of clairvoyance. +For instance, in space clairvoyance the trained clairvoyant is able not +only to perceive things happening at points far distant, but may also (if +highly developed psychically) be able to perceive the details just +mentioned as well as if he were at that distant point in person. Likewise, +in time clairvoyance, the clairvoyant may exercise the power of magnifying +vision regarding the object far distant in time, just as if he were living +in that time. So here as elsewhere we find the different classes of +phenomena shading and blending into each other. At the best, +classifications are useful principally for convenience in intellectual +consideration and reasoning. + +In the same way, the clairvoyant may manifest the above mentioned forms of +astral sensing in cases when the astral vision has been awakened by +psychometry, or by crystal gazing, as well as in those cases in which the +condition has been brought about through meditation, or similar methods. + +I would also call the attention of the student to the fact that in the +above description of the phenomena of simple clairvoyance I have made no +mention of the sights of the astral plane which often become visible to +the clairvoyant, and which have to do with astral bodies, astral shells, +the disembodied souls of those who have passed on to other planes of +existence, etc. I shall take up these matters in other parts of this +course, and shall not dwell upon them in this place. But, I wish you to +remember that the same power which enables you to sense other objects by +means of the astral scenes, is the same that is called into operation in +the cases to which I have just referred. + +The astral plane is a wonderful plane or field of being, containing many +strange and wonderful beings and things. The person living on the physical +plane may visit the astral plane in the astral body; and, again, he may +perceive the happenings and scenes of that plane by means of the awakened +and developed astral senses. Some clairvoyants find it easy to function in +one way, and some in another. It is reserved for the scientifically +developed clairvoyant to manifest the well-rounded power to perceive the +phenomena of the astral plane in its wonderful entirety. + +Finally, you will see by reference to other chapters of this book, that +one may manifest simple clairvoyant powers (as well as the more +complicated ones of time and space clairvoyance) not only in the ordinary +waking state, but also in the state of dreams. In fact, some of the most +striking psychic phenomena are manifested when the seer is in the dream +state. As we proceed, you will find that every phase of the great subject +will fit into its place, and will be found to blend with every other +phase. There will be found a logical harmony and unity of thought +pervading the whole subject. But we must use single bricks and stones as +we build--it is only in the completed structure that we may perceive the +harmonious unity. + + + + +LESSON X. + +CLAIRVOYANCE OF DISTANT SCENES. + + +Let us now consider the phenomena of the second class of clairvoyance, +namely, Clairvoyance in Space. + +In space clairvoyance the clairvoyant person senses scenes and events +removed in space from the observer--that is to say, scenes and events +situated outside of the range of the physical vision of the clairvoyant. +In this class also is included certain phenomena in which the clairvoyant +vision is able to discern things that may be concealed or obscured by +intervening material objects. Some of the many different forms and phases +of space clairvoyance are illustrated by the following examples, all taken +from the best sources. + +Bushnell relates the following well-known case of space clairvoyance: +"Capt. Yount, of Napa Valley, California, one midwinter's night had a +dream in which he saw what appeared to be a company of emigrants arrested +by the snows of the mountains, and perishing rapidly by cold and hunger. +He noted the very cast of the scenery, marked by a huge, perpendicular +front of white-rock cliff; he saw the men cutting off what appeared to be +tree-tops rising out of deep gulfs of snow; he distinguished the very +features of the persons, and their look of peculiar distress. He awoke +profoundly impressed by the distinctness and apparent reality of the +dream. He at length fell asleep, and dreamed exactly the same dream over +again. In the morning he could not expel it from his mind. Falling in +shortly after with an old hunter comrade, he told his story, and was only +the more deeply impressed by him recognizing without hesitation the +scenery of the dream. This comrade came over the Sierra by the Carson +Valley Pass, and declared that a spot in the Pass exactly answered his +description. + +"By this the unsophistical patriarch was decided. He immediately collected +a company of men, with mules and blankets and all necessary provisions. +The neighbors were laughing meantime at his credulity. 'No matter,' he +said, 'I am able to do this, and I will, for I verily believe that the +fact is according to my dream.' The men were sent into the mountains one +hundred and fifty miles distant, direct to the Carson Valley Pass. And +there they found the company exactly in the condition of the dream, and +brought in the remnant alive." + +In connection with this case, some leading, occultists are of the opinion +that the thought-waves from the minds of the distressed lost persons +reached Capt. Yount in his sleep, and awakened his subconscious attention. +Having natural clairvoyant power, though previously unaware of it, he +naturally directed his astral vision to the source of the mental currents, +and perceived clairvoyantly the scene described in the story. Not having +any acquaintance with any of the lost party, it was only by reason of the +mental currents of distress so sent out that his attention was attracted. +This is a very interesting case, because several psychic factors are +involved in it, as I have just said. + +In the following case, there is found a connecting link of acquaintance +with a person playing a prominent part in the scene, although there was no +conscious appeal to the clairvoyant, nor conscious interest on her part +regarding the case. The story is well-known, and appears in the +Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research. It runs as follows: + +Mrs. Broughton awoke one night in 1844, and roused her husband, telling +him that something dreadful had happened in France. He begged her to go +asleep again, and not trouble him. She assured him that she was not asleep +when she saw what she insisted on telling him--what she saw in fact. She +saw, first, a carriage accident, or rather, the scene of such an accident +which had occurred a few moments before. What she saw was the result of +the accident--a broken carriage, a crowd collected, a figure gently raised +and carried into the nearest house, then a figure lying on a bed, which +she recognized as the Duke of Orleans. Gradually friends collected around +the bed--among them several members of the French royal family--the queen, +then the king, all silently, tearfully, watching the evidently dying duke. +One man (she could see his back, but did not know who he was) was a +doctor. He stood bending over the duke, feeling his pulse, with his watch +in the other hand. And then all passed away, and she saw no more. "As +soon as it was daylight she wrote down in her journal all that she had +seen. It was before the days of the telegraph, and two or more days passed +before the newspapers announced 'The Death of the Duke of Orleans.' +Visiting Paris a short time afterwards, she saw and recognized the place +of the accident, and received the explanation of her impression. The +doctor who attended the dying duke was an old friend of hers, and as he +watched by the bed his mind had been constantly occupied with her and her +family." + +In many cases of clairvoyance of this kind, there is found to exist a +strong connecting link of mutual interest or affection, over which flows +the strong attention-arousing force of need or distress, which calls into +operation the clairvoyant visioning. + +In other cases there seems to be lacking any connecting link, although, +even in such cases there may be a subconscious link connecting the +clairvoyant with the scene or event. An interesting example of this last +mentioned phase is that related by W.T. Stead, the English editor and +author, as having happened to himself. Mr. Stead's recital follows: + +"I got into bed and was not able to go to sleep. I shut my eyes and waited +for sleep to come; instead of sleep, however, there came to me a +succession of curiously vivid clairvoyant pictures. There was no light in +the room, and it was perfectly dark; I had my eyes shut also. But, +notwithstanding the darkness, I suddenly was conscious of looking at a +scene of singular beauty. It was as if I saw a living miniature about the +size of a magic-lantern slide. At this moment I can recall the scene as if +I saw it again. It was a seaside piece. The moon was shining upon the +water, which rippled slowly on to the beach. Right before me a long mole +ran into the water. On either side of the mole irregular rocks stood up +above the sea-level. On the shore stood several houses, square and rude, +which resembled nothing that I had ever seen in house architecture. No one +was stirring, but the moon was there and the sea and the gleam of the +moonlight on the rippling waters, just as if I had been looking on the +actual scene. It was so beautiful that I remember thinking that if it +continued I should be so interested in looking at it that I should never +go asleep. I was wide awake, and at the same time that I saw the scene I +distinctly heard the dripping of the rain outside the window. Then, +suddenly without any apparent object or reason, the scene changed. + +"The moonlight sea vanished, and in us place I was looking right into the +interior of a reading-room. It seemed as if it had been used as a +school-room in the daytime, and was employed as a reading-room in the +evening. I remember seeing one reader who had a curious resemblance to Tim +Harrington, although it was not he, hold up a magazine or book in his hand +and laugh. It was not a picture--it was there. The scene was just as if +you were looking through an opera glass; you saw the play of the muscles, +the gleaming of the eye, every movement of the unknown persons in the +unnamed place into which you were gazing. I saw all that without opening +my eyes, nor did my eyes have anything to do with it. You see such things +as these as if it were with another sense which is more inside your head +than in your eyes. The pictures were apropos of nothing; they had been +suggested by nothing I had been reading or talking of; they simply came as +if I had been able to look through a glass at what was occurring somewhere +else in the world. I had my peep, and then it passed." + +An interesting case of space clairvoyance is that related of Swedenborg, +on the best authority. The story runs that in the latter part of +September, 1759, at four o'clock one Saturday afternoon, Swedenborg +arrived home from England, and disembarked at the town of Gothenburg. A +friend, Mr. W. Castel, met him and invited him to dinner, at which meal +there were fifteen persons gathered around the table in honor of the +guest. At six o'clock, Swedenborg went out a few minutes, returning to the +table shortly thereafter, looking pale and excited. When questioned by the +guests he replied that there was a fire at Stockholm, two hundred miles +distant, and that the fire was steadily spreading. He grew very restless, +and frequently left the room. He said that the house of one of his +friends, whose name he mentioned, was already in ashes, and that his own +was in danger. At eight o'clock, after he had been out again, he returned +crying out cheerfully, "Thank heaven! the fire is out, the third door +from my house!" The news of the strange happening greatly excited the +people of the town, and the city officials made inquiry regarding it. +Swedenborg was summoned before the authorities, and requested to relate in +detail what he had seen. Answering the questions put to him, he told when +and how the fire started; how it had begun; how, when and where it had +stopped; the time it had lasted; the number of houses destroyed or +damaged, and the number of persons injured. On the following Monday +morning a courier arrived from Stockholm, bringing news of the fire, +having left the town while it was still burning. On the next day after, +Tuesday morning, another courier arrived at the city hall with a full +report of the fire, which corresponded precisely with the vision of +Swedenborg. The fire had stopped precisely at eight o'clock, the very +minute that Swedenborg had so announced it to the company. + +A similar case is related by Stead, having been told to him by the wife of +a Dean in the Episcopal Church. He relates it as follows: "I was staying +in Virginia, some hundred miles away from home, when one morning about +eleven o'clock I felt an overpowering sleepiness, which drowsiness was +quite unusual, and which caused me to lie down. In my sleep I saw quite +distinctly my home in Richmond in flames. The fire had broken out in one +wing of the house, which I saw with dismay was where I kept all my best +dresses. The people were all trying to check the flames, but it was no +use. My husband was there, walking about before the burning house, +carrying a portrait in his hand. Everything was quite clear and distinct, +exactly as if I had actually been present and seen everything. After a +time, I woke up, and going down stairs told my friends the strange dream I +had had. They laughed at me, and made such game of my vision that I did my +best to think no more about it. I was traveling about, a day or two +passed, and when Sunday came I found myself in a church where some +relatives were worshipping. When I entered the pew they looked very +strange, and as soon as the service was over I asked them what was the +matter. 'Don't be alarmed,' they said, 'there is nothing serious.' Then +they handed me a post-card from my husband which simply said, 'House +burned out; covered by insurance.' The day was the date upon which my +dream occurred. I hastened home, and then I learned that everything had +happened exactly as I had seen it. The fire had broken out in the wing I +had seen blazing. My clothes were all burned, and the oddest thing about +it was that my husband, having rescued a favorite picture from the burning +building, had carried it about among the crowd for some time before he +could find a place in which to put it safely." + +Another case, related by Stead, the same authority, runs as follows: "The +father of a son who had sailed on the 'Strathmore,' an emigrant ship +outbound from the Clyde saw one night the ship foundering amid the waves, +and saw that his son, with some others, had escaped safely to a desert +island near which the wreck had taken place. He was so much impressed by +this vision that he wrote to the owner of the 'Strathmore' telling him +what he had seen. His information was scouted; but after a while the +'Strathmore' became overdue, and the owner became uneasy. Day followed +day, and still no tidings of the missing ship. Then like Pharaoh's butler, +the owner remembered his sins one day, and hunted up the letter describing +the vision. It supplied at least a theory to account for the ship's +disappearance. All outward-bound ships were requested to look out for any +survivors on the island indicated in the vision. These orders were obeyed, +and the survivors of the 'Strathmore' were found exactly where the father +had seen them." + +The Society for Psychical Research mentions another interesting case, as +follows: "Dr. Golinski, a physician of Kremeutchug, Russia, was taking an +after-dinner nap in the afternoon, about half-past three o'clock. He had a +vision in which he saw himself called out on a professional visit, which +took him to a little room with dark hangings. To the right of the door he +saw a chest of drawers, upon which rested a little paraffine lamp of +special pattern, different from anything he had ever seen before. On the +left of the door, he saw a woman suffering from a severe hemorrhage. He +then saw himself giving her professional treatment. Then he awoke, +suddenly, and saw that it was just half-past four o'clock. Within ten +minutes after he awoke, he was called out on a professional visit, and on +entering the bedroom he saw all the details that had appeared to him in +his vision. There was the chest of drawers--there was the peculiar +lamp--there was the woman on the bed, suffering from the hemorrhage. Upon +inquiry, he found that she had grown worse between three and four o'clock, +and had anxiously desired that he come to her about that time, finally +dispatching a messenger for him at half-past four, the moment at which he +awoke." + +Another, and a most peculiar, phase of space clairvoyance is that in which +certain persons so awaken the astral senses of other persons that these +persons perceive the first person--usually in the form of seemingly seeing +the person present in the immediate vicinity, just as one would see a +ghostly visitor. In some cases there is manifested double-clairvoyance, +both persons visioning clairvoyantly; in other cases, only the person +"visited" astrally senses the occurrence. The following cases illustrate +this form of space clairvoyance. + +W.T. Stead relates the case of a lady well known to him, who spontaneously +developed the power of awakening astral perception in others. She seemed +to "materialize" in their presence. Her power in this direction became a +source of considerable anxiety and worry to her friends to whom she would +pay unexpected and involuntary visits, frightening them out of their wits +by the appearance of her "ghost." They naturally thought that she had died +suddenly and had appeared to them in ghostly form. The lady, her self, +was totally unconscious of the appearance, though she admitted that at or +about the times of the appearances she had been thinking of her friends +whom she visited astrally. + +The German writer, Jung Stilling, mentions the case of a man of good +character who had developed power of this kind, but also was conscious of +his visits. He exerted the power consciously by an effort of will, it +seems. At one time he was consulted by the wife of a sea captain whose +husband was on a long voyage to Europe and Asia (sailing from America). +His ship was long overdue, and his wife was quite worried about him. She +consulted the gentleman in question, and he promised to do what he could +for her. Leaving the room he threw himself on a couch and was seen by the +lady (who peered through the half-opened door) to be in a state of +semi-trance. Finally he returned and told her that he had visited her +husband in a coffee-house in London, and gave her husband's reasons for +not writing, adding that her husband would soon return to America. When +her husband returned several months later, the wife asked him about the +matter. He informed her that the clairvoyant's report was correct in every +particular. Upon being introduced to the clairvoyant, the captain +manifested great surprise, saying that he had met the man in question on a +certain day in a coffee-house in London, and that the man had told him +that his wife was worried about him, and that he had told the man that he +had been prevented from writing for several reasons, and that he was on +the eve of beginning his return voyage to America. He added that when he +looked for the man a few moments afterwards, the stranger had apparently +lost himself in the crowd, disappeared and was seen no more by him. + +The Society for Psychical Research gives prominence to the celebrated case +of the member of the London Stock Exchange, whose identity it conceals +under the initials "S.H.B.," who possessed this power of voluntary +awakening of astral sight in others by means of his "appearance" to them. +The man relates his experience to the Society as follows: "One Sunday +night in November, 1881, I was in Kildare Gardens, when I willed very +strongly that I would visit in the spirit two lady friends, the Misses X., +who were living three miles off, in Hogarth Road. I willed that I should +do this at one o'clock in the morning, and having willed it, I went to +sleep. Next Thursday, when I first met my friends, the elder lady told me +that she woke up and saw my apparition advancing to her bedside. She +screamed and woke her sisters, who also saw me." (The report includes the +signed statement of the ladies, giving the time of the appearance, and the +details thereof.) + +"Again, on December 1, 1882, I was at Southall. At half-past nine I sat +down to endeavor to fix my mind so strongly upon the interior of a house +at Kew, where Miss V. and her sister lived, that I seemed to be actually +in the house. I was conscious, but was in a kind of mesmeric sleep. When +I went to bed that night, I willed to be in the front bedroom of that +house at Kew at twelve; and to make my presence felt by the inmates. Next +day I went to Kew. Miss V.'s married sister told me, without any prompting +from me, that she had seen me in the passage going from one room to +another at half-past nine o'clock, and that at twelve, when she was wide +awake, she saw me come to the front bedroom, where she slept, and take her +hair, which is very long, into my hand. She said I then took her hand, and +gazed into the palm intently. She said, 'You need not look at the lines, +for I never have any trouble.' She then woke her sister. When Mrs. L. told +me this, I took out the entry that I had made the previous night and read +it to her. Mrs. L. is quite sure she was not dreaming. She had only seen +me once before, two years previously. Again, on March 22, 1884, I wrote to +Mr. Gurney, of the Psychical Research Society, telling him that I was +going to make my presence felt by Miss V., at 44 Norland Square, at +midnight. Ten days afterwards, I saw Miss V., when she voluntarily told me +that on Saturday at midnight, she distinctly saw me, when she was quite +wide awake." + +The records of the psychic researchers are filled with numerous accounts +of cases in which similar astral projections have occurred when the person +was on his or her death-bed, but was still alive. It would seem that under +such circumstances the astral senses are very much freer from the +interference of the physical senses, and tend to manifest very strongly +in the form of appearances to persons in whom the dying person is attached +by the ties of affection. Many who read this course have known of cases of +this kind, for they are of quite frequent occurrence. + +The student will notice that in the majority of the cases cited in this +chapter the clairvoyant has been in a state of sleep, or semi-sleep--often +in a dream condition. But you must not jump to the conclusion that this +condition is always necessary for the manifestation of this phenomenon. On +the contrary, the advanced and well developed clairvoyants usually assume +merely a condition of deep reverie or meditation, shutting out the sounds +and thoughts of the physical plane, so as to be able to function better on +the astral plane. + +The reason that so many recorded cases have occurred when the clairvoyant +person was asleep, and the vision appeared as a dream, is simply because +in such a condition the physical senses of the person are stilled and at +rest, and there is less likelihood of interference from them, and a better +opportunity for the astral senses to function effectively. It is like the +familiar cases in which one becomes so wrapped up in viewing a beautiful +work of art, or in listening to a beautiful musical rendition, that he or +she forgets all about the sights and sounds of the world outside. One +sometimes gets into this same condition when reading an interesting book, +or when witnessing an interesting play. When the psychic powers are +concentrated upon any one channel of vision, the others fail to register +a clear impression. The same rule holds good on the astral plane, as on +the physical. + +There are certain psychic conditions which are especially conducive to the +manifestation of clairvoyant phenomena, as all students of the subject +know very well. These conditions are somewhat hard to induce, at least +until the clairvoyant has had considerable experience and practice. But, +in the state of sleep, the person induces the desired conditions, in many +cases, though he is not consciously doing so. As might naturally be +expected, therefore, the majority of the recorded cases of clairvoyance +have occurred when the clairvoyant person has been asleep. + +I should also state, once more, that in many cases in which the +clairvoyant has witnessed the "appearance" of another person, as in the +cases such as I have just mentioned, there is always the possibility of +the person having actually appeared in his astral body, unconsciously to +himself of course. No one but a skilled occultist is able to distinguish +between cases of this kind. The line between this class of clairvoyance +and astral appearance is very thin, and, in fact, the two classes of +phenomena shade and blend into each other. In reality, when one gets down +to bottom principles, there is very little difference between the actual +appearance in the astral body, and the strong projection of one's presence +by means of will, conscious or unconscious, along the lines of awakening +the clairvoyant vision of others. To attempt to explain the slight points +of difference here, would only involve the student in a mass of technical +description which would tend to confuse, rather than to enlighten +him--from this I refrain. + + + + +LESSON XI. + +CLAIRVOYANCE OF THE PAST + + +The third great class of clairvoyant phenomena, known as Time +Clairvoyance, is divided into two sub-classes, as follows: (1) Past-Time +Clairvoyance; and (2) Future-Time Clairvoyance. The characteristics of +each of these sub-classes is indicated by its name. + +Past-Time Clairvoyance, as indicated by the name, is that class of +clairvoyant phenomena which is concerned with the perception of facts, +events and happenings of past time. Whether the happening is that of five +minutes ago, or of five thousand years ago, the principles involved are +precisely the same. One is no more or less wonderful than is the other. + +Many students confess themselves perplexed when they are first confronted +with this class of phenomena. While they find it comparatively easy to see +how by astral vision the clairvoyant is able to sense events happening at +that moment, though thousands of miles away from the observer, they cannot +at first understand how one can "see" a thing no longer in existence, but +which disappeared from sight thousands of years ago. Naturally, they ask +to be informed how this is possible, before proceeding to develop the +faculty itself. Believing that this question is now being asked by you, +the student of these lessons, I shall pause for a few moments and show you +"just how" this wonderful thing becomes possible to the clairvoyant. + +In the first place, it would undoubtedly be impossible to perceive a +thing, even by astral vision, if it had entirely disappeared at some time +in the past--this would be beyond all natural powers, astral as well as +physical. But, as a matter of fact, the things of the past have not +entirely disappeared, but, on the contrary, while having disappeared on +the physical plane they still exist on the astral plane. I shall endeavor +to explain this wonderful fact of nature to you in plain terms, although +it belongs to one of the most mysterious classes of the occult facts of +the universe. + +In the occult teachings we find many references to "the Akashic Records," +or what is sometimes called "the records of the Astral Light." Without +going into technical occult definitions and explanations, I will say to +you that the gist of this occult teaching is that in that high form of the +universal substance which is called the Universal Ether there is found to +be recorded all the happenings of the entire World Cycle of which the +present time is a part. All that has happened from the very beginning of +this World Cycle, millions of years ago, is preserved on these astral +records, and may be read by the advanced clairvoyant or other person +possessing occult powers of this kind. These records perish only with the +termination of a World Cycle, which will not happen for millions of years +yet to come. + +To those who cannot accept the reasonableness of this occult fact, I would +say that there are analogies to be found on other planes of natural +manifestation. For instance, as astronomy teaches us, a star may be +blotted out of existence, and yet its light will persist long after +(perhaps until the end of world-time) traveling along at the rate of +186,000 miles each second. The light that we now see coming from the +distant stars has left those stars many years ago--in some cases thousands +of years ago. We see them not as they are now, but as they were at the +time the ray of light left them, many years ago; The astronomers inform us +that if one of these stars had been +[*Transcribers Note: Text missing from original] +sands) of years ago, we would still see it as in actual existence. In +fact, it is believed that some of these stars which we see twinkling at +night have actually been blotted out hundreds of years ago. We will not be +aware of this fact until the light rays suddenly cease reaching us, after +their journey of billions of miles and hundreds of years. A star blotted +out of existence today would be seen by our children, and children's +children. + +The heat from a stove will be felt in a room long after the stove has been +removed from it. A room will long contain the odor of something that has +been removed from it. It is said that in one of the old mosques of Persia +there may be perceived the faint odor of the musk that was exposed there +hundreds of years ago--the very walls are saturated with the pungent odor. +Again, is it not wonderful that our memories preserve the images of the +sounds and forms which were placed there perhaps fifty years and more +ago? How do these memory images survive and exist? Though we may have +thought of the past thing for half a lifetime, yet, suddenly its image +flashes into our consciousness. Surely this is as wonderful as the Akashic +Records, though its "commonness" makes it lose its wonderful appearance to +us. + +Camille Flammarion, the eminent French astronomer, in a book written over +twenty-five years ago, and which is now out of print, I believe, pictured +a possible condition of affairs in which a disembodied soul would be able +to perceive events that happened in the past, by simply taking a position +in space in which he would be able to catch the light-waves that emanated +from a distant planet at that particular time in the past the happenings +of which he wanted to perceive. The little book was called "Lumen"--I +advise you to read it, if you can find it in your public libraries. + +Another writer has written somewhat along the same lines. I herewith give +you a quotation from him, that you may get the idea he wishes to +express--it will help you in your conception of the Akashic Records. He +says: "When we see anything, whether it be the book we hold in our hands, +or a star millions of miles away, we do so by means of a vibration in the +ether, commonly called a ray of light, which passes from the object seen +to our eyes. Now the speed with which this vibration passes is so +great--about 186,000 miles in a second--that when we are considering any +object in our own world we may regard it as practically instantaneous. +When, however, we come to deal with interplanetary distances we have to +take the speed of light into consideration, for an appreciable period is +occupied in traversing these vast spaces. For example, it takes eight +minutes and a quarter for light to travel to us from the sun, so that when +we look at the solar orb we see it by means of a ray of light which left +it more than eight minutes ago. From this follows a very curious result. +The ray of light by which we see the sun can obviously report to us only +the state of affairs' which existed in that luminary when it started on +its journey, and would not be in the least affected by anything that +happened after it left; so that we really see the sun not as it is, but as +it was eight minutes ago. That is to say that if anything important took +place in the sun--the formation of a new sun-spot, for instance--an +astronomer who was watching the orb through his telescope at the time +would be unaware of the incident while it was happening, since the ray of +light bearing the news would not reach him until more than eight minutes +later. + +"The difference is more striking when we consider the fixed stars, because +in their case the distances are so enormously greater. The pole star, for +example, is so far off that light, traveling at the inconceivable speed +above mentioned, takes a little more than fifty years to reach our eyes; +and from that follows the strange but inevitable inference that we see the +pole star not as or where it is at this moment, but as and where it was +fifty years ago. Nay, if tomorrow some cosmic catastrophe were to shatter +the pole star into fragments, we should still see it peacefully shining in +the sky all the rest of our lives; our children would grow up to +middle-age and gather their children about them in turn before the news of +that tremendous accident reached any terrestial eye. In the same way there +are other stars so far distant that light takes thousands of years to +travel from them to us, and with reference to their condition our +information is therefore thousands of years behind time. Now carry the +argument a step farther. Suppose that we were able to place a man at the +distance of 186,000 miles from the earth, and yet to endow him with the +wonderful faculty of being able from that distance to see what was +happening here as clearly as though he were still close beside us. It is +evident that a man so placed would see everything a second after the time +it really happened, and so at the present moment he would be seeing what +happened a second ago. Double that distance, and he would be two seconds +behind time, and so on; remove him to the distance of the sun (still +allowing him to preserve the same mysterious power of sight) and he would +look down and watch you doing not what you are doing now, but what you +were doing eight minutes and a quarter ago. Carry him to the pole star, +and he would see passing before his eyes the events of fifty years ago; he +would be watching the childish gambols of those who at the same moment +were really middle-aged men. Marvellous as this may sound, it is +literally and scientifically true, and cannot be denied." + +Flammarion, in his story, called "Lumen," makes his spirit hero pass at +will along the ray of light from the earth, seeing the things of different +eras of earth-time. He even made him travel backward along that ray, thus +seeing the happenings in reverse order, as in a moving picture running +backward. This story is of the greatest interest to the occultist, for +while the Akashic Records are not the same as the light records, yet the +analogy is so marked in many ways that the occultist sees here another +exemplification of the old occult axiom that "as above, so below; as +below, so above." + +I take the liberty of quoting here from my little book, "The Astral +World," in order to give you some further idea of the nature of these +records in the Astral Light. The reader is supposed to be travelling in +his astral body, having the phenomena of the astral pointed out to him by +a competent occultist acting as his guide. The occultist-guide says to the +student: "Changing our vibrations, we find ourselves entering a strange +region, the nature of which you at first fail to discern. Pausing a moment +until your astral vision becomes attuned to the peculiar vibrations of +this region, you will find that you are becoming gradually aware of what +may be called an immense picture gallery, spreading out in all directions, +and apparently bearing a direct relation to every point of space on the +surface of the earth. At first, you find it difficult to decipher the +meaning of this great array of pictures. The trouble arises from the fact +that they are arranged not one after the other in sequence on a flat +plane; but rather in sequence, one after another, in a peculiar order +which may be called the order of 'X-ness in space,' because it is neither +the dimension of length, breadth, or depth--it is practically the order of +the fourth dimension in space, which cannot be described in terms of +ordinary spatial dimension. Again, you find upon closely examining the +pictures that they are very minute--practically microscopic in size--and +require the use of the peculiar magnifying power of astral vision to bring +them up to a size capable of being recognized by your faculty of visual +recognition. + +"The astral vision, when developed, is capable of magnifying any object, +material or astral, to an enormous degree--for instance, the trained +occultist is able to perceive the whirling atoms and corpuscles of matter, +by means of this peculiarity of astral vision. Likewise, he is able to +plainly perceive many fine vibrations of light which are invisible to the +ordinary sight. In fact, the peculiar Astral Light which pervades this +region is due to the power of the astral vision to perceive and register +these fine vibrations of light. Bring this power of magnifying into +operation, and you will see that each of the little points and details of +the great world picture so spread before you in the Astral Light is really +a complete scene of a certain place on earth, at a certain period in the +history of the earth. It resembles one of the small views in a series of +moving pictures--a single view of a roll-film. It is fixed, and not in +motion, and yet we can move forward along the fourth dimension, and thus +obtain a moving picture of the history of any point on the surface of the +earth, or even combine the various points into a large moving picture, in +the same way. Let us prove this by actual experiment. Close your eyes for +a moment, while we travel back in time (so to speak) along the series of +these astral records--for, indeed, they travel back to the beginning of +the history of the earth. Now open your eyes! Looking around you, you +perceive the pictured representation of strange scenes filled with persons +wearing a peculiar garb--but all is still, no life, no motion. + +"Now, let us move forward in time, at much higher rate than that in which +the astral views were registered. You now see flying before you the great +movement of life on a certain point of space, in a far distant age. From +birth to death you see the life of these strange people, all in the space +of a few moments. Great battles are fought, and cities rise before your +eyes, all in a great moving picture flying at a tremendous speed. Now +stop, and then let us move backward in time, still gazing at the moving +pictures. You see a strange sight, like that of 'reversing the film' in a +moving picture. You see everything moving backward--cities crumbling into +nothingness, men arising from their graves, and growing younger each +second until they are finally born as babes--everything moving backward in +time, instead of forward. You can thus witness any great historical event, +or follow the career of any great personage from birth to death--or +backward. You will notice, moreover, that everything is semi-transparent, +and that accordingly you can see the picture of what is going on inside of +buildings as well as outside of them. Nothing escapes the Astral Light +Records. Nothing can be concealed from it. By traveling to any point in +time, on the fourth dimension, you may begin at that point, and see a +moving picture of the history of any part of the earth from that time to +the present--or you may reverse the sequence by travelling backward, as we +have seen. You may also travel in the Astral, on ordinary space +dimensions, and thus see what happened simultaneously all over the earth, +at any special moment of past-time, if you wish." + +Now, I do not for a moment wish you to understand that the above +experience is possible to every clairvoyant who is able to sense past-time +events and happenings. On the contrary, the above experience is possible +only to the advanced occultist, or to the student whom he may take with +him on an astral trip, in the astral body. The clairvoyant merely catches +glimpses of certain phases and fields of the great astral record region or +state. For that matter, the ordinary clairvoyant merely sees a reflection +of the true Astral-Light pictures--a reflection similar to that of a +landscape reflected in a pond. Moreover, this reflection may be (and +frequently is) disturbed as if by the ripples and waves of the pond in +which the landscape is reflected. But, still, even the ordinary +clairvoyant is able to secure results which are wonderful enough in all +truth, and which far transcend the power of the person functioning on the +physical plane alone. + +Past-time clairvoyance is frequently induced by means of psychometry, in +which the clairvoyant is able to have "the loose end" to unwind the ball +of time. But, still, in some cases the clairvoyant is able to get en +rapport with the astral records of past-time by the ordinary methods of +meditation, etc. The main obstacle in the last mentioned case is the +difficulty of coming in contact with the exact period of past-time sought +for--in psychometry, the vibrations of the "associated object" supplies +the missing-link. + +Lacking the "associated object," the clairvoyant may obtain the link by +bringing into the imagination some associated scene of that +time--something else that happened about the same time. All that is needed +is to get hold of something associated in space or in time with the sought +for scene. All that is needed is the "loose end" of association. Sometimes +the clairvoyant senses some past-time experience, the place and time of +which is unknown to him. In such cases, it is necessary for him to get +hold of some "loose end" by which he may work out the solution. For +instance, the picture of a certain building or personage, or historical +happening, may give the key to the mystery. + +In very high forms of past-time clairvoyance, the clairvoyant is able not +only to perceive the actual happenings of the past, but also to actually +sense the thought and feelings of the actors therein--for these, too, are +recorded on the astral plane. In other cases, the clairvoyant person is +able to picture scenes and happenings relating to his past incarnations, +even though he is not able to sense other past-time events and scenes. +But, here again, many good past-time clairvoyants are not able to catch +these glimpses of their own past lives, though able to perceive those of +other persons. All these variations are due to certain technical +differences into which I cannot go into detail at this place. Again some +persons are able to perceive events that have happened to persons present +before them, but are not able to contact past-time events in the ordinary +way. There are a thousand-and-one variations in clairvoyant work. Only the +highly advanced occultist is master of all of them. But, still every one +may develop himself or herself, from humble beginnings. + +In concluding this lesson, I wish to call your attention to the following +advice from a man well advanced in the knowledge of the astral plane. He +says: "It would be well for all students to bear in mind that occultism is +the apotheosis of common-sense, and that every vision that comes to them +is not necessarily a picture from the Akashic Records, nor every +experience a revelation from on high. It is far better to err on the side +of healthy skepticism, than of over-credulity, and it is an admirable +rule never to hunt about for an occult explanation of anything when a +plain and obvious physical one is available. Our duty is to endeaveor to +keep our balance always, and never to lose our self-control, but to take a +reasonable, common-sense view of whatever may happen to us, so that we may +be wiser occultists, and more useful helpers than we have ever been +before. + +"We find examples of all degrees of the power to see into this 'memory of +nature,' from the trained man who can consult the records for himself at +will, down to the person who gets nothing but occasional vague glimpses, +or has perhaps had only once such glimpse. But even the man who possesses +this faculty only partially and occasionally still finds it of the deepest +interest. The psychometer, who needs an object physically connected with +the past in order to bring it all into life again around him; and the +crystal-gazer who can sometimes direct his less certain astral telescope +to some historic scene of long ago, may both derive the greatest enjoyment +from the exercise of their respective gifts, even though they may not +always understand exactly how their results are obtained, and may not have +them fully under control under all circumstances. + +"In many cases of the lower manifestations of these powers we find that +they are exercised unconsciously. Many a crystal-gazer watches scenes from +the past without being able to distinguish them from visions of the +present. And many a vaguely-psychic person finds pictures constantly +arising before his eyes, without ever realizing that he is in effect +psychometrizing the various objects around him, as he happens to touch +them or stand near them. An interesting variant of this class of psychics +is the man who is able to psychometrize persons only, and not inanimate +objects as is more usual. In most cases this faculty shows itself +erratically, so that such a psychic will, when introduced to a stranger, +often see in a flash some prominent event in that stranger's earlier life, +but on similar occasions will receive no special impression. More rarely +we meet with someone who gets detailed visions of the past life of nearly +everyone whom he encounters. It may easily happen, moreover, that a person +may see a picture of the past without recognizing it as such, unless there +happens to be in it something which attracts special attention, such as a +figure in armor, or in antique costume. Its probable, therefore, that +occasional glimpses of these astral reflections of the akashic records are +commoner than the published accounts would lead us to believe." + +I would say to my students, make haste slowly. Do not try to rush +development too rapidly. Perfect and develop yourself in one line of +psychic power, before seeking another. Take things cooly, and do not lose +your head because you happen to achieve some wonderful phenomena. Do not +become conceited and vain-glorious. And, finally, do not prostitute your +powers to ignoble ends, and make a cheap show of them. By cheapening and +prostituting the higher psychic powers, the student frequently ends by +losing them altogether. Moderation in all things is the safe policy. And +it always is well for the occultist to resist temptation to use his powers +for unworthy, sensational, or purely selfish purposes. + + + + +LESSON XII. + +CLAIRVOYANCE OF THE FUTURE + + +Future-Time Clairvoyance, as indicated by its name, is that class of +clairvoyant phenomena which is concerned with the perception of facts, +events and happenings of future time. In this class of clairvoyant +phenomena naturally fall all genuine cases of prophecy, prevision, +foretelling, second-sight, etc. History, theological and secular, is +filled with instances of the foretelling of the future by prophets, wise +men, and others. By many, such powers are generally regarded as +supernatural or divine. Without wishing to combat such theories and +beliefs, I would say that the advanced occultists account for all such +phenomena under the general laws of clairvoyance. + +But while the phenomena itself is very well known, and is accepted as +genuine in even many cases in which past-time clairvoyance is doubted, +still it is even more difficult to explain than is past-time clairvoyance +based on the Akashic Records or the Astral Light. To the person not well +versed in occult knowledge, and esoteric principles, it is deemed +impossible to intelligently account for the perception of an event before +it has actually happened--perhaps years before its actual happening. While +I cannot hope to make this matter absolutely clear to the person who is +not an advanced student of occultism, still I shall try to throw at least +some light on the underlying principles of this wonderful class of occult +phenomena. The main point for the student to realize is that there are +natural laws underlying this phenomenon, and that it is not a matter of +supernatural power, or necessarily of divine special dispensation. + +In the first place, in some of the simpler forms of future-time +clairvoyance, there is merely a high development of subconscious reasoning +from analogy. That is to say, the subconscious mental faculties of the +person reason out that such-and-so being the case, then it follows that +so-and-so will result, unless something entirely unexpected should prevent +or intervene. This is merely an extension of certain forms of reasoning +that we perform ordinarily. For instance, we see a child playing with a +sharp tool, and we naturally reason that it will cut itself. We see a man +acting in certain ways which generally lead to certain ends, and we +naturally reason that the expected result will occur. The more experience +that the observer has had, and the keener his faculty of perception and +his power of deductive reasoning, the wider will be the range of his power +in the direction of predicting future results from present happenings and +conditions. + +In this connection, we must remember that the ordinary clairvoyant has +easier access to his subconscious mentality than has the average person. +The subconscious mind perceives and notes many little things that the +conscious mind overlooks, and therefore has better data from which to +reason. Moreover, as all students of the subconscious know, these +wonderful subconscious mental factulties have a very highly developed +power of reasoning deductively from a given premise or fact. In fact, the +subconscious faculties are almost perfect reasoning machines, providing +they are supplied with correct data in the first place. Much of the +so-called "intuitive reasoning" of persons arises from the operations of +the subconscious mental faculties just mentioned. + +But, you may say, this is very interesting, but it is not clairvoyance. +Certainly, good student, but still clairvoyance plays an important part +even in this elementary form of prevision and future-seeing. You must +remember that by clairvoyant vision the real thoughts and feelings of a +person may be perceived. But, unless the attention of the clairvoyant is +specially directed to this, the conscious mind does not note it, and the +matter reaches the subconscious faculties without interference or +conscious knowledge on the part of the clairvoyant. This being so, it will +be seen that the subconscious mind of the clairvoyant is able to reason +deductively, in such cases, far beyond the power of even the subconscious +mind of the ordinary person--it has fuller data and more complete material +to work upon, of course. + +It has become a proverb of the race that "coming events cast their shadows +before"; and many persons frequently have little flashes of future-time +seeing without realizing that they are really exercising elementary +clairvoyant powers. The combination of even a simple form of clairvoyance +and an active subconscious mind will often produce very wonderful +results--although not of course the more complex phenomena of full +clairvoyance and prevision. Some persons have claimed that even this form +of prevision implies something like fate or predestination, but this is +not fully true, for we must remember the fact that in some cases it is +possible to so act in accordance with a clairvoyant warning of this kind +that the impending calamity may be escaped. But, on the other hand, we +must also remember that every event is the result of certain preceding +events, without which it could not have happened, and which existing it +must happen unless some new element intervenes. There is such a thing as +cause and effect, we must remember--and if we can reason clearly from one +to the other with sufficient clearness, then we may actually prophesy +certain things in advance, always making allowance for the intervention of +the unexpected. + +An authority says on this phase of the question: "There is no doubt +whatever that, just as what is happening now is the result of causes set +in motion in the past, so what will happen in the future will be the +result of causes already in operation. Even on this plane of life we can +calculate that if certain actions are performed, certain results will +follow; but our reckoning is constantly liable to be disturbed by the +interference of factors which we have not been able to take into account. +But if we raise our consciousness to the higher planes we can see much +further into the results of our actions. We can trace, for example, the +effect of a casual word, not only upon the person to whom it was +addressed, but through him on many others as it is passed on in widening +circles, until it seems to have affected the whole country; and one +glimpse of such a vision is more efficient than any number of moral +precepts in impressing upon us the necessity of extreme circumspection in +thought, word, and deed. Not only can we from that plane see thus fully +the result of every action, but we can also see where and in what way the +results of other actions apparently quite unconnected with it will +interfere with and modify it. In fact, it may be said that the results of +all causes at present in action are clearly visible--that the future, as +it would be if no entirely new causes should arise, lies open before our +gaze. + +"New causes of course do arise, because man's will is free; but in the +case of all ordinary people the use which they make of their freedom may +be calculated beforehand with considerable accuracy. The average man has +so little real will that he is very much the creature of circumstances; +his action in previous lives places him amid certain surroundings, and +their influence upon him is so very much the most important factor in his +life-story that his future course may be predicted with almost +mathematical certainty. With the developed man the case is different; for +him also the main events of life are arranged by his past actions, but the +way in which he will allow them to affect him, the methods by which he +will deal with them and perhaps triumph over them--these are all his own, +and they cannot be foreseen even on the mental plane except as +probabilities. + +"Looking down on man's life in this way from above, it seems as though his +free will could be exercised only in certain crises in his career. He +arrives at a point in his life where there are obviously two or three +alternative courses open before him; he is absolutely free to choose which +of them he pleases, and although someone who knew his nature thoroughly +well might feel almost certain what his choice would be, such knowledge on +his friend's part is in no sense a compelling force. But when he has +chosen, he has to go through with it and take the consequences; having +entered upon a particular path he may, in many cases, be forced to go on +for a very long time before he has any opportunity to turn aside. His +position is somewhat like that of a driver of a train; when he comes to a +junction he may have the points set either this way or that, and so can +pass on to whichever line he pleases, but when he has passed on to one of +them he is compelled to run on along the line which he has selected until +he reaches another set of points, where again an opportunity of choice is +offered to him." + +But, interesting and wonderful as this phase of future-time clairvoyance +undoubtedly is, it pales before the fuller and more complete phases. And, +in the latter, we must look elsewhere for the explanation--or approach to +an explanation. The explanation of this higher form of future-time +clairvoyance must be looked for in a new conception of the nature and +meaning of time. It is difficult to approach this question without +becoming at once involved in technical metaphysical discussion. As an +example of this difficulty, I invite you to consider the following from +Sir Oliver Lodge, in his address to the British Association, at Cardiff, +several years ago. While what he says is very clear to the mind of a +person trained along these lines of subtle thought, it will be almost like +Greek to the average person. Sir Oliver Lodge said: + +"A luminous and helpful idea is that time is but a relative mode of +regarding things; we progress through phenomena at a certain definite +pace, and this subjective advance we interpret in an objective manner, as +if events moved necessarily in this order and at this precise rate. But +that may be only one mode of regarding them. The events may be in some +sense of existence always, both past and future, and it may be we who are +arriving at them, not they which are happening. The analogy of a traveller +in a railway train is useful; if he could never leave the train nor alter +its pace he would probably consider the landscapes as necessarily +successive and be unable to conceive their co-existence * * * We perceive, +therefore, a possible fourth dimensional aspect about time, the +inexorableness of whose flow may be a natural part of our present +limitations. And if we once grasp the idea that past and future may be +actually existing, we can recognize that they may have a controlling +influence on all present action, and the two together may constitute the +'higher plane' or totality of things after which, as it seems to me, we +are impelled to seek, in connection with the directing of form or +determinism, and the action of living being consciously directed to a +definite and preconceived end." + +Sir Oliver's illustration is somewhat akin to that of a person who sees a +moving-picture show for the first time, and does not know how it is +produced. To him it looks as if the events of the pictured story actually +were developing and happening in time, whereas, in reality the whole +picture is existing at one time. Its past, present and future is already +pictured, and may be seen by one who knows the secret and how to look for +the past or future scene; while, to the ordinary observer, the scene +progresses in sequence, the present being followed by something else which +is at this moment "in the future," and therefore, unknowable. To the +senses of the ordinary observer only the present is in existence; while, +in fact, the "future" is equally truly in existence at the same time, +although not evident to the senses of the observer. Think over this a +little, and let the idea sink into your mind--it may help you to +understand something concerning the mystery of future-time clairvoyance, +prevision, or second-sight. + +Time, you know, is far more relative than we generally conceive it. It is +a scientific fact that a person in the dream state may cover years of +time in a dream that occupies only a few seconds of time. Persons have +nodded and awakened immediately afterwards (as proved by others present in +the room), and yet in that moment's time they have dreamed of long +journeys to foreign lands, great campaigns of war, etc. Moreover, a loud +sound (a pistol shot, for instance) which has awakened a sleeping person, +has also set into effect a dream-state train of circumstances, +constituting a long dream-state story which, after many events and +happenings, terminated in the shot of a firing-squad--and then the man +awoke. Now in this last mentioned case, not only has the dreamer +experienced events covering a long time, all in the space of a second of +time; but, also, the very sound which terminated the dream, also induced +it from the very beginning--the last thing caused the first things to +appear and proceed in sequence to the last! Persons under the influence of +chloroform, or "laughing gas," have similar experiences--often the first +sound heard at the moment of recovering consciousness seems to be the last +thing in a long dream which preceded it, though the long dream was really +caused by the final sound. Now, remember, that here not only did past, +present and future exist at the same moment of time; but, also, the future +caused the past and present to come into being. + +On the physical plane, we have analogies illustrating this fact. It is +said that in every acorn rests and exists, in miniature, the form of the +future oak. And, some go so far as to say that the oak is the "ultimate +cause" of the acorn--that the idea of the oak caused the acorn to be at +all. In the same way, the "idea" of the man must be in the infant boy, +from the moment of birth, and even from the moment of conception. +But, let us pass on to the bold conception of the most advanced +metaphysicians--they have a still more dazzling explanation, let us listen +to it. + +These occultists and metaphysicians who have thought long and deeply upon +the ultimate facts and nature of the universe, have dared to think that +there must exist some absolute consciousness--some absolute mind--which +must perceive the past, present and future of the universe as one +happening; as simultaneously and actively present at one moment of +absolute time. They reason that just as man may see as one happening of a +moment of his time some particular event which might appear as a year to +some minute form of life and mind--the microscopic creatures in a drop of +water, for instance; so that which seems as a year, or a hundred years, to +the mind of man may appear as the happening of a single moment of a higher +scale of time to some exalted Being or form of consciousness on a higher +plane. You remember that it is said that "a thousand years is but as a day +to the Lord;" and the Hindu Vedas tell us that "the creation, duration, +and destruction of the universe, is as but the time of the twinkling of an +eye to Brahman." I shall not proceed further along this line--I have given +you a very strong hint here; you must work it out for yourself, if you +feel so disposed. But there are certain consequences arising from this +ultimate universal fact, which I must mention before passing on. + +The high occult teachings hold that there is a plane of the higher astral +world which may be said to carry a reflection of the Universal Mind--just +as a lake contains a reflection of the distant mountain. Well, then, the +clairvoyant vision at times is able to penetrate to the realm of that +astral reflecting medium, and see somewhat dimly what is pictured there. +As the future may be discerned in this reflected picture, by the +clairvoyant mind, we see how future-seeing, prevision, and second-sight +may be explained scientifically. + +A writer has said: "On this plane, in some manner which down here is +totally inexplicable, the past, the present, and the future, are all there +existing simultaneously. One can only accept this fact, for its cause lies +in the faculty of that exalted plane, and the way in which this higher +faculty works is naturally quite incomprehensible to the physical brain. +Yet now and then one may meet with a hint that seems to bring us a trifle +nearer to a dim possibility of comprehension. When the pupil's +consciousness is fully developed upon this higher plane, therefore, +perfect prevision is possible to him, though he may not--nay, he certainly +will not--be able to bring the whole result of his sight through fully and +in order into his physical consciousness. Still, a great deal of clear +foresight is obviously within his power whenever he likes to exercise it; +and even when he is not exercising it, frequent flashes of foreknowledge +come through into his ordinary life, so that he often has an instantaneous +intuition as to how things will turn out." + +The same writer says: "Short of perfect prevision we find that all degrees +of this type of clairvoyance exist, from the occasional vague premonitions +which cannot in any true sense be called sight at all, up to frequent and +fairly complete second-sight. The faculty to which this latter somewhat +misleading name has been given is an extremely interesting one, and would +well repay more careful and systematic study than has hitherto been given +to it. It is best known to us as a not infrequent possession of the +Scottish Highlanders, though it is by no means confined to them. +Occasional instances of it have appeared in almost every nation, but it +has always been commonest among mountaineers and men of lonely life. With +us in England it is often spoken of as if it were the exclusive appanage +of the Celtic race, but in reality it has appeared among similarly +situated peoples the world over, it is stated, for example, to be very +common among the Westphalian peasantry. + +"Sometimes the second-sight consists of a picture clearly foreshowing some +coming event; more frequently, perhaps, the glimpse of the future is given +in some symbolical appearance. It is noteworthy that the events foreseen +are invariably unpleasant ones--death being the commonest of all; I do not +recollect a single instance in which the second-sight has shown anything +which was not of the most gloomy nature. It has a ghastly symbolism of +its own--a symbolism of shrouds and corpse-candles, and other funeral +horrors. In some cases it appears to be to a certain extent dependent upon +locality, for it is stated that inhabitants of the Isle of Skye who +possess the faculty often lose it when they leave the island, even though +it be only to cross to the mainland. The gift of such sight is sometimes +hereditary in a family for generations, but this is not an invariable +rule, for it often appears sporadically in one member of a family +otherwise free from its lugubrious influence. + +"There may be still some people who deny the possibility of prevision, but +such denial simply shows their ignorance of the evidence on the subject. +The large number of authenticated cases leave no room for doubt as to the +fact, but many of them are of such a nature as to render a reasonable +explanation by no means easy to find. It is evident that the Ego possesses +a certain amount of previsional faculty, and if the events foreseen were +always of great importance, one might suppose that an extraordinary +stimulus had enabled him for that occasion only to make a clear impression +of what he saw upon his lower personality. No doubt that is the +explanation of many of the cases in which death or grave disaster is +foreseen, but there are a large number of instances on record to which it +does not seem to apply, since the events foretold are frequently trivial +and unimportant." + +In the following chapter I shall present to your consideration some very +remarkable cases of future-time clairvoyance, prevision, or second-sight; +some of these are historical cases, and all are vouched for by the best +authorities. I quote these cases not merely for their own interesting +features, but also to give you an idea of how remarkable some of these +instances are; and also to give you a clear conception of the way in which +this form of clairvoyance tends to manifest itself. + +Before passing on to these interesting cases, however, I wish to remind +you that in future-time clairvoyance, as well as in past-time +clairvoyance, the phenomenon may be manifested in many ways and according +to several methods. That is to say, that in future-time clairvoyance the +vision may come in the state of meditation or reverie; it may come along +the lines of psychometry, some associated object or person supplying the +connecting link; or, again, it may come as the result of crystal-gazing, +etc. This is as we might naturally expect, for this form of clairvoyance +is merely one special and particular phase of clairvoyance in general, and +of course, comes under the general laws and rules governing all +clairvoyant phenomena. + +Future-time clairvoyance, prevision and second-sight may, like any other +form of clairvoyance, be developed and unfolded, by means of the same +rules and methods that I have already suggested to you in the preceding +lessons. It is all a matter of attention, application, patience, exercise +and practice. I may say, however, that the strong desire and wish for the +perception of future events, held firmly in mind during the practicing and +exercising, will tend to unfold and develop the clairvoyant faculties in +this particular direction. Strong desire, and earnest attention in the +desired direction, will do much to cultivate, develop and unfold any +psychic faculty. + +Just as meditation and reverie about past times and things tend to develop +past-time clairvoyance, so will meditation and reverie about future time +and things tend to develop prevision and the seeing of future things. +This, indeed, is the very first step toward the attainment of this form of +clairvoyance. The attention clears the psychic path, over which the astral +faculties travel. In the astral, as on the physical, the rule is: always +look where you are going--look ahead on the path over which you wish to +travel. + + + + +LESSON XIII. + +SECOND-SIGHT, PREVISION, ETC. + + +Notwithstanding the difficulties in the way of an intelligent explanation +of the phenomena of future-time clairvoyance, second-sight, prevision, +etc., of which I have spoken in the preceding lesson, the human race has +always had a lively reminder of the existence of such phenomena; and the +records of the race have always contained many instances of the +manifestation thereof. Among all peoples, in all lands, in all times, +there have been noted remarkable instances of the power of certain persons +to peer into, and correctly report from, the mysterious regions of the +future. Passing from the traditional reports of the race, and the minor +instances known to almost every person, we find that the scientific +investigators of psychic phenomena have gathered together an enormous +array of well authenticated cases of this class. The reports of the +Society for Psychical research contain hundreds of such cases, which the +student may read and study with interest and profit. + +It is not my intention to present a full history of the reports of this +character. Rather, I shall call your attention to a few striking cases, in +order to illustrate the phenomenon clearly and forcibly. There is such a +wealth of material of this kind that it embarrases one who wishes to +select from it. However, I shall do the best I can in that direction. +Following, to commence with, I give you extracts from a well known case +reported by a prominent member of the Theosophical Society, which has +attracted much attention. It was related to this person by one of the +actors in the scene. It happened in India. A party of English army +officers was entering a dense jungle. Then follows the story, as below: + +"We plunged into the jungle, and had walked on for about an hour without +much success, when Cameron, who happened to be next to me, stopped +suddenly, turned pale as death, and, pointing straight before him, cried +in accents of horror: 'See! see! merciful heavens, look there!' 'Where? +what? what is it?' we all shouted confusedly, as we rushed up to him, and +looked around in expectation of encountering a tiger--a cobra--we hardly +knew what, but assuredly something terrible, since it had been sufficient +to cause such evident emotion in our usually self-contained comrade. But +neither tiger nor cobra was visible--nothing but Cameron pointing with +ghastly haggard face and starting eyeballs at something we could not see. + +"'Cameron! Cameron!' cried I, seizing his arm, 'for heavens sake speak! +What is the matter?' Scarcely were the words out of my mouth when a low +but very peculiar sound struck upon my ear, and Cameron, dropping his +pointing hand, said in a hoarse, strained voice, 'There! you heard it? +Thank God it's over!' and fell to the ground insensible. There was a +momentary confusion while we unfastened his collar, and I dashed in his +face some water which I fortunately had in my flask, while another tried +to pour brandy between his clenched teeth; and under cover of it I +whispered to the man next to me (one of our greatest skeptics, by the +way), 'Beauchamp, did you hear anything?' 'Why, yes,' he replied, 'a +curious sound, very; a sort of crash or rattle far away in the distance, +yet very distinct; if the thing were not utterly impossible, I could have +sworn that it was the rattle of musketry.' 'Just my impression,' murmured +I; 'but hush! he is recovering.' + +"In a minute or two he was able to speak feebly, and began to thank us and +apologize for giving trouble; and soon he sat up, leaning against a tree, +and in a firm, though low voice said: 'My dear friends, I feel that I owe +you an explanation of my extraordinary behavior. It is an explanation that +I would fain avoid giving; but it must come some time, and so may as well +be given now. You may perhaps have noticed that when during our voyage you +all joined in scoffing at dreams, portents and visions, I invariably +avoided giving any opinion on the subject. I did so because, while I had +no desire to court ridicule or provoke discussion, I was unable to agree +with you, knowing only too well from my own dread experience that the +world which men agree to call that of the supernatural is just as real +as--nay, perhaps even more real than--this world we see about us. In other +words, I, like many of my countrymen, am cursed with the gift of +second-sight--that awful faculty which foretells in vision calamities +that are shortly to occur. + +"'Such a vision I had just now, and its exceptional horror moved me as you +have seen. I saw before me a corpse--not that of one who has died a +peaceful, natural death, but that of the victim of some terrible accident; +a ghastly, shapeless mass, with a face swollen, crushed, unrecognizable. I +saw this dreadful object placed in a coffin, and the funeral service +performed over it. I saw the burial-ground, I saw the clergyman: and +though I had never seen either before, I can picture both perfectly in my +mind's eye now; I saw you, myself, Beauchamp, all of us and many more, +standing round as mourners; I saw the soldiers raise their muskets after +the service was over; I heard the volley they fired--and then I knew no +more.' As he spoke of that volley of musketry I glanced across with a +shudder at Beauchamp, and the look of stony horror on that handsome +skeptic's face was not to be forgotten." + +Omitting the somewhat long recital of events which followed, I would say +that later in the same day the party of young officers and soldiers +discovered the body of their commanding officer in the shocking condition +so vividly and graphically described by young Cameron. The story proceeds +as follows: + +"When, on the following evening, we arrived at our destination, and our +melancholy deposition had been taken down by the proper authorities, +Cameron and I went out for a quiet walk, to endeavor with the assistance +of the soothing influence of nature to shake off something of the gloom +which paralyzed our spirits. Suddenly he clutched my arm, and, pointing +through some rude railings, said in a trembling voice, 'Yes, there it is! +that is the burial-ground of yesterday.' And, when later on we were +introduced to the chaplain of the post, I noticed, though my friends did +not, the irrepressible shudder with which Cameron took his hand, and I +knew that he had recognized the clergyman of his vision." + +The story concludes with the statement that in all the little details, as +well as the main points, the scene at the burial of the commanding officer +corresponded exactly with the vision of Cameron. This story brings out the +fact that the Scotch people are especially given to manifestations of +second-sight--particularly the Highlanders or mountain people of that +land. It is hard to find a Scotchman, who, in his heart, does not believe +in second-sight, and who has not known of some well authenticated instance +of its manifestation. In other lands, certain races, or sub-races, seem to +be specially favored (or cursed, as Cameron asserted) with this power. It +will be noticed, usually, that such people dwell, or have dwelt in the +highlands or mountains of their country. There seems to be something in +the mountains and hills which tends to develop and encourage this power in +those dwelling among them. The story is also remarkable in the fact that +the impression was so strong in the mind of Cameron that it actually +communicated itself by clairaudience to those near to him--this is quite +unusual, though not without correspondence in other cases. Otherwise, the +case is merely a typical one, and may be duplicated in the experience of +thousands of other men and women. + +George Fox, the pioneer Quaker, had this faculty well developed, and +numerous instances of its manifestation by him are recorded. For instance, +he foretold the death of Cromwell, when he met him riding at Hampton +Court; he said that he felt "a waft of death" around and about Cromwell; +and Cromwell died shortly afterwards. Fox also publicly foretold the +dissolution of the Rump Parliament of England; the restoration of Charles +II; and the Great Fire of London--these are historical facts, remember. +For that matter, history contains many instances of this kind: the +prophecy of Caesar's death, and its further prevision by his wife, for +instance. The Bible prophecies and predictions, major and minor, give us +semi-historical instances. + +A celebrated historical instance of remarkable second-sight and prevision, +is that of Cazotte, whose wonderful prediction and its literal fulfilment +are matters of French history. Dumas has woven the fact into one of his +stories, in a dramatic manner--but even so he does not make the tale any +more wonderful than the bare facts. Here is the recital of the case by La +Harpe, the French writer, who was a personal witness of the occurrence, +and whose testimony was corroborated by many others who were present at +the time. La Harpe says: + +"It appears as but yesterday, and yet, nevertheless, it was at the +beginning of the year 1788. We were dining with one of our brethren at the +Academy--a man of considerable wealth and genius. The conversation became +serious; much admiration was expressed on the revolution in thought which +Voltaire had effected, and it was agreed that it was his first claim to +the reputation he enjoyed. We concluded that the revolution must soon be +consummated; that it was indispensible that superstition and fanaticism +should give way to philosophy, and we began to calculate the probability +of the period when this should be, and which of the present company should +live to see it. The oldest complained that they could scarcely flatter +themselves with the hope; the younger rejoiced that they might entertain +this very probable expectation; and they congratulated the Academy +especially for having prepared this great work, and for having been the +rallying point, the centre, and the prime mover of the liberty of thought. + +"One only of the guests had not taken part in all the joyousness of this +conversation, and had even gently and cheerfully checked our splendid +enthusiasm. This was Cazotte, an amiable and original man, but unhappily +infatuated with the reveries of the illumaniti. He spoke, and with the +most serious tone, saying: 'Gentleman, be satisfied; you will all see this +great and sublime revolution, which you so much desire. You know that I am +a little inclined to prophesy; I repeat, you will see it,' He was answered +by the common rejoinder: 'One need not be a conjuror to see that.' He +answered: 'Be it so; but perhaps one must be a little more than conjuror +for what remains for me to tell you. Do you know what will be the +consequences of this revolution--what will be the consequence to all of +you, and what will be the immediate result--the well-established +effect--the thoroughly recognized consequences to all of you who are here +present?' + +"'Ah' said Condorcet, with his insolent and half-suppressed smile, 'let us +hear--a philosopher is not sorry to encounter a prophet--let us hear!' +Cazotte replied: 'You, Monsier de Condorcet--you will yield up your last +breath on the floor of a dungeon; you will die from poison, which you will +have taken in order to escape from execution--from poison which the +happiness of that time will oblige you to carry about your person. You, +Monsieur de Chamfort, you will open your veins with twenty-two cuts of a +razor, and yet will not die till some months afterward.' These personages +looked at each other, and laughed again. Cazotte continued: 'You, Monsieur +Vicq d'Azir, you will not open your own veins, but you will cause yourself +to be bled six times in one day, during a paroxysm of the gout, in order +to make more sure of your end, and you will die in the night.' + +"Cazotte went on: 'You, Monsieur de Nicolai, you will die on the scaffold; +you, Monsieur Bailly, on the scaffold; you, Monsieur de Malesherbes, on +the scaffold. 'Ah, God be thanked,' exclaimed Roucher, 'and what of I?' +Cazotte replied: 'You? you also will die on the scaffold.' 'Yes,' replied +Chamfort, 'but when will all this happen?' Cazotte answered: 'Six years +will not pass over, before all that I have said to you shall be +accomplished.' Here I (La Harpe) spoke, saying: 'Here are some astonishing +miracles, but you have not included me in your list.' Cazotte answered me, +saying: 'But you will be there, as an equally extraordinary miracle; you +will then be a Christian!' Vehement exclamations on all sides followed +this startling assertion. 'Ah!' said Chamfort, 'I am conforted; if we +shall perish only when La Harpe shall be a Christian, we are immortal;' + +"Then observed Madame la Duchesse de Grammont: 'As for that, we women, we +are happy to be counted for nothing in these revolutions: when I say for +nothing, it is not that we do not always mix ourselves up with them a +little; but it is a received maxim that they take no notice of us, and of +our sex.' 'Your sex, ladies' said Cazotte, 'your sex will not protect you +this time; and you had far better meddle with nothing, for you will be +treated entirely as men, without any difference whatever.' 'But what, +then, are you really telling us of Monsieur Cazotte? You are preaching to +us the end of the world.' 'I know nothing on that subject; but what I do +know is, that you Madame la Duchesse, will be conducted to the scaffold, +you and many other ladies with you, in the cart of the executioner, and +with your hands tied behind your backs. 'Ah! I hope that in that case, I +shall at least have a carriage hung in black.' 'No, madame; higher ladies +than yourself will go, like you, in the common car, with their hands tied +behind them.' 'Higher ladies! what! the princesses of the blood?' 'Yea, +and still more exalted personages!' replied Cazotte. + +"Here a sensible emotion pervaded the whole company, and the countenance +of the host was dark and lowering--they began to feel that the joke was +becoming too serious. Madame de Grammont, in order to dissipate the cloud, +took no notice of the reply, and contented herself with saying in a +careless tone: 'You see, that he will not leave me even a confessor!' 'No, +madame!' replied Cazotte, 'you will not have one--neither you, nor any one +besides. The last victim to whom this favor will be afforded will be--' +Here he stopped for a moment. 'Well! who then will be the happy mortal to +whom this prerogative will be given?' Cazotte replied: 'It is the only one +which he will have then retained--and that will be the King of France!'" +This last startling prediction caused the company to disband in something +like terror and dismay, for the mere mention of such thing was akin to +treason. + +The amazing sequel to this strange story is that within the six years +allotted by the prophecy, every detail thereof was verified absolutely. +The facts are known to all students of the French Revolution, and may be +verified by reference to any history of that terrible period. To +appreciate the startling nature of the prophecy when made, one needs but +to be acquainted with the position and characteristics of the persons +whose destinies were foretold. This celebrated instance of highly advanced +future-time clairvoyance, or prevision, has never been equalled. The +reason, perhaps, is that Cazotte indeed was an advanced and highly +developed occultist--the account mentions this, you will notice. This +class of persons very seldom prophecy in this way, for reasons known to +all occultists. The ordinary cases recorded are those in which the +manifestation is that of a person of lesser powers and less perfect +development. + +Advanced occultists know the danger of a careless use of this power. They +know that (omitting other and very important reasons) such revelations +would work a terrible effect upon the minds of persons not sufficiently +well balanced to stand the disclosure. Moreover, they know that if the +average person knew the principal details of his future life on earth, +then he would lose interest in it--it would become stale and would lose +the attraction of the unknown. In such a case, the pleasant things to come +would lose their attractiveness by reason of having been dwelt on so long +that their flavor was lost; and the unpleasant things would become +unbearable by reason of the continual anticipation of them. We are apt to +discount our pleasures by dwelling too much upon them in anticipation; +and, as we all know, the dread of a coming evil often is worse than the +thing itself--we suffer a thousand pangs in anticipation to one in +reality. But, as I have intimated, there are other, and still more serious +reasons why the advanced occultists do not indulge in public prophecies +of this kind. It is probable that Cazotte decided to, and was permitted +to, make his celebrated prophecy for some important occult reason of which +La Harpe had no knowledge--it doubtless was a part of the working out of +some great plan, and it may have accomplished results undreamed of by us. +At any rate, it was something very much out of the; ordinary, even in the +case of advanced occultists and masters of esoteric knowledge. + +Another case which has a historic value is the well-known case concerning +the assassination of Spencer Perceval, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in +England, which occurred in the lobby of the House of Commons. The persons +who have a knowledge of the case report that some nine days before the +tragic occurrence a Cornish mine manager, named John Williams, had a +vision, three times in succession, in which he saw a small man, dressed in +a blue coat and white waistcoat, enter the lobby of the House of Commons; +whereupon another man, dressed in a snuff-colored coat, stepped forward, +and, drawing a pistol from an inside pocket fired at and shot the small +man, the bullet lodging in the left breast. In the vision, Williams turned +and asked some bystander the name of the victim; the bystander replied +that the stricken man was Mr. Spencer Perceval, the Chancellor of the +Exchequer. The valuable feature of the case, from a scientific standpoint, +lies in the fact that Williams was very much impressed by his +thrice-repeated vision, and was greatly disturbed thereby. His anxiety +was so great that he spoke of the matter to several friends, and asked +them whether it would not be well for him to go to London for the purpose +of warning Mr. Perceval. His friends ridiculed the whole matter, and +persuaded him to give up the idea of visiting London for the purpose +named. Those who had a knowledge of the vision were greatly startled and +shocked when several days afterward the assassination occurred, agreeing +in perfect detail with the vision of the Cornishman. The case, vouched for +as it was by a number of reliable persons who had been consulted by +Williams, attracted much attention at the time, and has since passed into +the history of remarkable instances of prevision. + +In some cases, however, the prevision seems to come as a warning, and in +many cases the heeding of the warning has prevented the unpleasant +features from materializing as seen in the vision. Up to the point of the +action upon the warning the occurrence agree perfectly with the +vision--but the moment the warned person acts so as to prevent the +occurrence, the whole train of circumstances is broken. There is an occult +explanation of this, but it is too technical to mention at this place. + +What is known to psychic researchers as "the Hannah Green case" is of this +character. This story, briefly, is that Hannah Green, a housekeeper of +Oxfordshire, dreamt that she, having been left alone in the house of a +Sunday evening, heard a knock at the door. Opening the door she found a +tramp who tried to force his way into the house. She struggled to prevent +his entrance, but he struck her with a bludgeon and rendered her +insensible, whereupon he entered the house and robbed it. She related the +vision to her friends, but, as nothing happened for some time, the matter +almost passed from her mind. But, some seven years afterward, she was left +in charge of the house on a certain Sunday evening; during the evening she +was startled by a sudden knock at the door, and her former vision was +recalled to her memory quite vividly. She refused to go to the door, +remembering the warning, but instead went up to a landing on the stair and +looked out the window, she saw at the door the very tramp whom she had +seen in the vision some seven years before, armed with a bludgeon and +striving to force an entrance into the house. She took steps to frighten +away the rascal, and she was saved from the unpleasant conclusion of her +vision. Many similar cases are recorded. + +In some cases persons have been warned by symbols of various kinds; or +else have had prevision in the same way. For instance, many cases are +known in which the vision is that of the undertaker's wagon standing +before the door of the person who dies sometime afterward. Or, the person +is visioned clad in a shroud. The variations of this class are +innumerable. Speak to the average dweller in the highlands of Scotland, or +certain counties in Ireland, regarding this--you will be furnished with a +wealth of illustrations and examples. + +This phase of the general subject of clairvoyance is very fascinating to +the student and investigator, and is one in which the highest psychic or +astral powers of sensing are called into play. In fact, as I have said, +there is here a reflection of something very much higher than the astral +or psychic planes of being. The student catches a glimpse of regions +infinitely higher and grander. He begins to realize at least something of +the existence of that Universal Consciousness "in which we live, and move, +and have our being;" and of the reality of the Eternal Now, in which past, +present and future are blended as one fact of infinite consciousness. He +sees the signboard pointing to marvelous truths! + + + + +LESSON XIV. + +ASTRAL-BODY TRAVELING + + +There is much confusion existing in the minds of the average students of +occultism concerning the distinction between astral visioning by means of +the astral senses in clairvoyance, and the visioning of the astral senses +during the travels of the astral body away from the physical body. There +is such a close connection between the two several phases of occult +phenomena that it is easy to mistake one for the other; in fact, there is +often such a blending of the two that it is quite difficult to distinguish +between them. However, in this lesson I shall endeavor to bring out the +characteristics of astral body visioning, that the student may learn to +distinguish them from those of the ordinary clairvoyant astral visioning, +and recognize them when he experiences them. + +The main points of distinction are these: When visioning clairvoyantly by +means of the astral senses, as described in the preceding chapters of this +book, the clairvoyant usually perceives the scene, person or event as a +picture on a flat surface. It is true that there is generally a perfect +perspective, similar to that of a good stereoscopic view, or that of a +high-grade moving picture photograph--the figures "stand out," and do not +appear "flat" as in the case of an ordinary photograph; but still at the +best it is like looking at a moving picture, inasmuch as the whole scene +is all in front of you. Visioning in the astral body, on the contrary, +gives you an "all around" view of the scene. That is to say, in such case +you see the thing just as you would were you there in your physical +body--you see in front of you; on the sides of you, out of the corner of +your eye; if you turn your head, you may see in any direction; and you may +turn around and see what is happening behind you. In the first case you +are merely gazing at an astral picture in front of you; while in the +second place you are ACTUALLY THERE IN PERSON. + +There are some limitations to this "seeing all around" when in the astral +body, however, which I should note in passing. For instance, if when in +the astral body you examine the akashic records of the past, or else peer +into the scenes of the future, you will see these things merely as a +picture, and will not be conscious of being present personally in the +scene. (An apparent exception is to be noted here, also, viz., if your +past-time visioning includes the perception of yourself in a former +incarnation, you may be conscious of living and acting in your former +personality; again, if you are psychometrizing from fossil remains, or +anything concerned with a living creature of the past, you may "take on" +the mental or emotional conditions of that creature, and seem to sense +things from the inside, rather than from the outside. This, of course, is +also a characteristic of the ordinary clairvoyant vision of the past.) But +when, in the astral body, you perceive a present-time scene in space, you +are, to all intents and purposes, an actual participant--you are actually +present at the place and time. The sense of "being actually present in +the body" is the leading characteristic of the astral body visioning, and +distinguishes it from the "picture seeing" sensing of ordinary +clairvoyance. This is stating the matter is as plain and simple form as is +possible, ignoring many technical details and particulars. + +You, being a student of occultism, of course know that the astral body is +a fine counterpart of the physical body, composed of a far more subtle +form of substance than is the latter, that under certain conditions you +may travel in your astral body, detached from your physical body (except +being connected with it with a slender astral cord, bearing a close +resemblance to the umbilical cord which connects the newborn babe with the +placenta in the womb of its mother), and explore the realms of the astral +plane. This projection of the astral body, as a rule, occurs only when the +physical body is stilled in sleep, or in trance condition. In fact, the +astral body frequently is projected by us during the course of our +ordinary sleep, but we fail to remember what we have seen in our astral +journeys, except, occasionally, dim flashes of partial recollection upon +awakening. In some cases, however, our astral visioning is so distinct and +vivid, that we awaken with a sense of having had a peculiar experience, +and as having actually been out of the physical body at the time. + +In some cases, the person traveling in the astral is able to actually take +part in the distant scene, and may, under certain circumstances actually +materialize himself so as to be seen by persons in their physical bodies. +I am speaking now, of course, of the untrained person. The trained and +developed occultist, of course, is able to do these things deliberately +and consciously, instead of unconsciously and without intention as in the +case of the ordinary person. I shall quote here from another writer on the +subject, whose point of view, in connection with my own, may serve to +bring about a clear understanding in the mind of the student--it is always +well to view any subject from as many angles as possible. This writer +says: + +"We enter here upon an entirely new variety of clairvoyance, in which the +consciousness of the seer no longer remains in or closely connected with +his physical body, but is definitely transferred to the scene which he is +examining. Though it has no doubt greater dangers for the untrained seer +than either of the other methods, it is yet quite the most satisfactory +form of clairvoyance open to him. In this case, the man's body is either +asleep or in a trance, and its organs are consequently not available for +use while the vision is going on, so that all description of what is seen, +and all questioning as to further particulars, must be postponed until the +wanderer returns to this plane. On the other hand, the sight is much +fuller and more perfect; the man hears as well as sees everything which +passes before him, and can move about freely at will within the very wide +limits of the astral plane. He has also the immense advantage of being +able to take part, as it were, in the scenes which come before his +eyes--of conversing at will with various entities on the astral plane, and +from whom so much information that is curious and interesting may be +obtained. If in addition he can learn how to materialize himself (a matter +of no great difficulty for him when once the knack is acquired), he will +be able to take part in physical events or conversations at a distance, +and to show himself to an absent friend at will. + +"Again, he will have the additional power of being able to hunt about for +what he wants. By means of the other varieties of clairvoyance, for all +practical purposes he may find a person or place only when he is already +acquainted with it; or, when he is put en rapport with it by touching +something physically connected with it, as in psychometry. By the use of +the astral body, however, a man can move about quite freely and rapidly in +any direction, and can (for example) find without difficulty any place +pointed out upon a map, without either any previous knowledge of the spot +or any object to establish a connection with it. He can also readily rise +high into the air so as to gain a bird's eye view of the country which he +is examining, so as to observe its extent, the contour of its coastline, +or its general character. Indeed, in every way his power and freedom are +far greater when he uses this method than they are in any of the lesser +forms of clairvoyance." + +In many well authenticated cases, we may see that the soul of a dying +person, one whose physical end is approaching, visits friends and +relatives in the astral body, and in many cases materializes and even +speaks to them. In such cases the dying person accomplishes the feat of +astral manifestation without any special occult knowledge; the weakened +links between the physical and the higher phases of the soul render the +temporary passing-out comparatively easy, and the strong desire of the +dying person furnishes the motive power necessary. Such visits, however, +are often found to be merely the strongly charged thought of the dying +person, along the lines of telepathy, as I have previously explained to +you. But in many cases there can be no doubt that the phenomenon is a +clear case of astral visitation and materialization. + +The records of the Society for Psychical Research contain many instances +of this kind; and similar instances are to be found in other records of +psychical research. I shall quote a few of these cases for you, that you +may get a clear idea of the characteristics thereof. Andrew Lang, an +eminent student and investigator along the lines of the psychic and +occult, gives us the following case, of which he says, "Not many stories +have such good evidence in their favor." The story as related by Mr. Lang +in one of his books is as follows: + +"Mary, the wife of John Goffe of Rochester, being afflicted with a long +illness, removed to her father's house at West Mailing, about nine miles +from her own. The day before her death she grew very impatiently desirous +to see her two children, whom she had left at home to the care of a +nurse. She was too ill to be moved, and between one and two o'clock in the +morning she fell into a trance. One widow, Turner, who watched with her +that night, says that her eyes were open and fixed, and her jaw fallen. +Mrs. Turner put her hand to her mouth, but could perceive no breath. She +thought her to be in a fit, and doubted whether she were dead or alive. +The next morning the dying woman told her mother that she had been at home +with her children, saying, 'I was with them last night when I was asleep.' + +"The nurse at Rochester, widow Alexander by name, affirms that a little +before two o'clock that morning she saw the likeness of the said Mary +Goffe come out of the next chamber (where the elder child lay in a bed by +itself), the door being left open, and stood by her bedside for about a +quarter of an hour; the younger child was there lying by her. Her eyes +moved and her mouth went, but she said nothing. The nurse, moreover says +that she was perfectly awake; it was then daylight, being one of the +longest days of the year. She sat up in bed and looked steadfastly on the +apparition. In that time she heard the bridge clock strike two, and a +while after said: 'In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, what art +thou?' Thereupon the apparition removed and went away; she slipped out of +her clothes and followed, but what became on't she cannot tell." + +In the case just mentioned, Mr. Lang states that the nurse was so +frightened that she was afraid to return to bed. As soon as the neighbors +were up and about she told them of what she had seen; but they told her +that she had been dreaming. It was only when, later on, news came of what +had happened at the other end of the line--the bedside of the dying woman, +that they realized just what had happened. + +In a work by Rev. F.G. Lee, there are several other cases of this kind +quoted, all of which are stated by Mr. Lee to be thoroughly well +authenticated. In one of the cases a mother, when dying in Egypt, appears +to her children in Torquay, and is clearly seen in broad daylight by all +five children and also by the nursemaid. In another, a Quaker lady dying +at Cockermouth is clearly seen and recognized in daylight by her three +children at Seattle, the remainder of the story being almost identical +with that of the Goffe case just quoted. + +In the records of the Society for Psychical Research, the following case +appears, the person reporting it being said to be of good character and +reputation for truthfulness and reliability. The story is as follows: "One +morning in December, 1836, A. had the following dream, or he would prefer +to call it, revelation. He found himself suddenly at the gate of Major +N.M.'s avenue, many miles from his home. Close to him was a group of +persons, one of whom was a woman with a basket on her arm, the rest were +men, four of whom were tenants of his own, while the others were unknown +to him. Some of the strangers seemed to be assaulting H.W., one of his +tenants, and he interfered. A. says, 'I struck violently at the man on my +left, and then with greater violence at the man's face on my right. +Finding, to my surprise, that I had not knocked down either, I struck +again and again with all the violence of a man frenzied at the sight of my +poor friend's murder. To my great amazement I saw my arms, although +visible to my eye, were without substance, and the bodies of the men I +struck at and my own came close together after each blow, through the +shadowy arms I struck with. My blows were delivered with more extreme +violence than I ever think I exerted, but I became painfully convinced of +my incompetency. I have no consciousness of what happened after this +feeling of unsubstantiality came upon me.' + +"Next morning, A. experienced the stiffness and soreness of violent bodily +exercise, and was informed by his wife that in the course of the night he +had much alarmed her by striking out again and again in a terrific manner, +'as if fighting for his life.' He, in turn, informed her of his dream, and +begged her to remember the names of those actors in it who were known to +him. On the morning of the following day (Wednesday) A. received a letter +from his agent, who resided in the town close to the scene of the dream, +informing him that his tenant had been found on Tuesday morning at Major +N.M.'s gate, speechless and apparently dying from a fracture of the +skull, and that there was no trace of the murderers. + +"That night A. started for the town, and arrived there on Thursday +morning. On his way to a meeting of magistrates, he met the senior +magistrate of that part of the country, and requested him to give orders +for the arrest of the three men whom, besides H.W., he had recognized in +his dream, and to have them examined separately. This was at once done. +The three men gave identical accounts of the occurrence, and all named the +woman who was with them. She was then arrested and gave precisely similar +testimony. They said that between eleven and twelve on the Monday night +they had been walking homewards altogether along the road, when they were +overtaken by three strangers, two of whom savagely assaulted H.W., while +the other prevented his friends from interfering. H.W. did not die, but +was never the same man afterwards; he subsequently emigrated." + +Stead, the English editor and psychical researcher, relates the following +case, which he accepts as truthful and correct, after careful +investigation of the circumstances and of the character and reputation of +the person relating it. The story proceeds as follows: + +"St. Eglos is situated about ten miles from the Atlantic, and not quite so +far from the old market town of Trebodwina. Hart and George Northey were +brothers, and from childhood their lives had been marked by the strongest +brotherly affection. Hart and George Northey had never been separated +from their birth until George became a sailor, Hart meantime joining his +father in business. On the 8th of February, 1840, while George Northey's +ship was lying in port at St. Helena, he had the following strange dream: + +"Last night I dreamt that my brother was at Trebodwina Market, and that I +was with him, quite close by his side, during the whole of the market +transactions. Although I could see and hear which passed around me, I felt +sure that it was not my bodily presence which thus accompanied him, but my +shadow or rather my spiritual presence, for he seemed quite unconscious +that I was near him. I felt that my being thus present in this strange way +betokened some hidden danger which he was destined to meet, and which I +know my presence could not avert, for I could not speak to warn him of his +peril." + +The story then proceeds to relate how Hart collected considerable money at +Trebodwina Market, and then started to ride homeward. George tells what +happened to his brother on the way, as follows: + +"My terror gradually increased as Hart approached the hamlet of Polkerrow, +until I was in a perfect frenzy, frantically desirous, yet unable to warn +my brother in some way and prevent him from going further. I suddenly +became aware of two dark shadows thrown across the road. I felt that my +brother's hour had come, and I was powerless to aid him! Two men appeared, +whom I instantly recognized as notorious poachers who lived in a lonely +wood near St. Eglos. They wished him 'Good night, mister!' civilly +enough. He replied, and entered into conversation with them about some +work he had promised them. After a few minutes they asked him for some +money. The elder of the two brothers, who was standing near the horse's +head, said: 'Mr. Northey, we know you have just come from Trebodwina +Market with plenty of money in your pockets; we are desperate men, and you +bean't going to leave this place until we've got that money; so hand +over!' My brother made no reply except to slash at him with the whip, and +spur the horse at him. + +"The younger of the ruffians instantly drew a pistol, and fired. Hart +dropped lifeless from the saddle, and one of the villains held him by the +throat with a grip of iron for some minutes, as thought to make assurance +doubly sure, and crush out any particle of life my poor brother might have +left. The murderers secured the horse to a tree in the orchard, and, +having rifled the corpse, they dragged it up the stream, concealing it +under the overhanging banks of the water-course. Then they carefully +covered over all marks of blood on the road, and hid the pistol in the +thatch of a disused hut close to the roadside; then, setting the horse +free to gallop home alone, they decamped across the country to their own +cottage." + +The story then relates how George Northey's vessel left St. Helena the +next day after the dream, and reached Plymouth in due time. George carried +with him a very vivid recollection of his vision on the return voyage, +and never doubted for an instant that his brother had been actually +murdered in the manner and by the persons named, as seen in the vision. He +carried with him the determination to bring the villains to justice and +was filled with the conviction that through his efforts retribution would +fall upon the murderers. + +In England, justice was at work--but the missing link was needed. The +crime aroused universal horror and indignation, and the authorities left +nothing undone in the direction of discovering the murderers and bringing +them to justice. Two brothers named Hightwood were suspected, and in their +cottage were found blood-stained garments. But no pistol was found, +although the younger brother admitted having owned but lost one. They were +arrested and brought before the magistrates. The evidence against them was +purely circumstantial, and not any too strong at that; but their actions +were those of guilty men. They were committed for trial. Each confessed, +in hopes of saving his life and obtaining imprisonment instead. But both +were convicted and sentenced to be hanged. There was doubt in the minds of +some, however, about the pistol. The story continues: + +"Before the execution, George Northey arrived from St. Helena, and +declared that the pistol was in the thatch of the old cottage close by the +place where they had murdered Hart Northey, and where they had hid it. +'How do you know?' he was asked. George replied: 'I saw the foul deed +committed in a dream I had the night of the murder, when at St. Helena.' +The pistol was found, as George Northey had predicted, in the thatch of +the ruined cottage." Investigation revealed that the details of the crime +were identical with those seen in the vision. + +It is a fact known to all occultists that many persons frequently travel +in the astral body during sleep; and in many cases retain a faint +recollection of some of the things they have seen and heard during their +travels in the astral. Nearly everyone knows the experience of waking up +in the morning feeling physically tired and "used up;" in some cases a dim +recollection of walking or working during the dream being had. Who among +us has not had the experience of "walking on the air," or in the air, +without the feet touching the ground, being propelled simply by the effort +of the will? And who of us has had not experienced that dreadful--"falling +through space" sensation, in dreams, with the sudden awakening just before +we actually struck earth? And who has not had the mortifying dream +experience of walking along the street, or in some public place, and being +suddenly overcome by the consciousness that we were in our night-clothes, +or perhaps without any clothing at all? All of these things are more or +less distorted recollection of astral journeyings. + +But while these dream excursions in the astral are harmless, the conscious +"going out in the astral" is not so. There are many planes of the astral +into which it is dangerous and unpleasant for the uninstructed person to +travel; unless accompanied by a capable occultist as guide. Therefore, I +caution all students against trying to force development in that +direction. Nature surrounds you with safeguards, and interposes obstacles +for your own protection and good. Do not try to break through these +obstacles without knowledge of what you are doing. "Fools rush in where +angels fear to tread," remember; and "a little learning is a dangerous +thing." When you have reached the stage of development in which it will be +safe for you to undertake conscious astral explorations, then will your +guide be at hand, and the instruction furnished you by those capable of +giving it to you. Do not try to break into the astral without due +preparation, and full knowledge, lest you find yourself in the state of +the fish who leaped out of the water onto the banks of the stream. Your +dream trips are safe; they will increase in variety and clearness, and you +will remember more about them--all this before you may begin to try to +consciously "go out into the astral" as do the occultists. Be content to +crawl before you may walk. Learn to add, multiply, subtract and divide, +before you undertake the higher mathematics, algebra, geometry, etc., of +occultism. + + + + +LESSON XV. + +STRANGE ASTRAL PHENOMENA. + + +There are several phases of astral phenomena other than those mentioned in +the preceding chapters, which it will be better for the student to become +acquainted with in order to round out his general knowledge of the +subject, although the manifestations are comparatively rare, and not so +generally recognized in works on this subject. + +One of the first of these several phases of astral phenomena is that which +may be called Thought-Form Projection. This manifestation comes in the +place on the psychic scale just between ordinary clairvoyance on the one +hand, and astral body projection on the other. It has some of the +characteristics of each, and is often mistaken for one or the other of +these phases. + +To understand this phenomena, the student should know something regarding +the fact that thought frequently takes on astral form, and that these +manifestations are known as thought-forms. I have spoken of these in some +of the preceding lessons. The ordinary thought-form is quite simple, as a +rule, and does not bear any particular resemblance to the sender thereof. +But in some cases a person may, consciously or unconsciously, strongly and +clearly think of himself as present at some other place, and thus actually +create a thought-form of himself at that place, which may be discerned by +those having clairvoyant vision. Moreover, this thought-form of himself +is connected psychically with himself and affords a channel of psychic +information for him. As a rule these thought-forms are only projected by +those who have trained their minds and will along occult lines; but +occasionally under the stress of strong emotion or desire an ordinary +person may focus his psychic power to such an extent that the phenomena is +manifested. + +Here I will quote from an English investigator of astral phenomena, who +has had much experience on that plane. He says: "All students are aware +that thought takes form, at any rate upon its own plane, and in the +majority of cases upon the astral plane also; but it may not be so +generally known that if a man thinks strongly of himself as present at any +given place, the form assumed by that particular thought will be a +likeness of the thinker himself, which will appear at the place in +question. Essentially this form must be composed of the matter of the +mental plane, but in very many cases it would draw round itself matter of +the astral plane also, and so would approach much nearer to visibility. +There are, in fact, many instances in which it has been seen by the person +thought of--most probably by means of the unconscious influence emanating +from the original thinker. None of the consciousness of the thinker would, +however, be included within this thought-form. When once sent out from +him, it would normally be a quite separate entity--not indeed absolutely +unconnected with its maker, but practically so as far as the possibility +of receiving any impression through it is concerned. + +"This type of clairvoyance consists, then, in the power to retain so much +connection with and so much hold over a newly-created thought-form as will +render it possible to receive impressions by means of it. Such impressions +as were made upon the form would in this case be transmitted to the +thinker--not along an astral telegraph line, but by a sympathetic +vibration. In a perfect case of this kind of clairvoyance it is almost as +though the seer projected a part of his consciousness into the +thought-form, and used it as a kind of outpost, from which observation was +possible. He sees almost as well as he would if he himself stood in the +place of his thought-form. The figures at which he is looking will appear +to him as of life-size and close to hand, instead of tiny and at a +distance as in the case of some other forms of clairvoyance; and he will +find it possible to shift his point of view if he wishes to do so. +Clairaudience is perhaps less frequently associated with this type of +clairvoyance than with the others, but its place is to some extent taken +by a kind of mental perception of the thoughts and intentions of those who +are seen. + +"Since the man's consciousness is still in the physical body, he will be +able (even when exercising this faculty) to hear and to speak, in so far +as he can do this without any distraction of his attention. The moment +that the intentness of his thought fails, the whole vision is gone, and he +will have to construct a fresh thought-form before he can resume it. +Instances in which this kind of sight is possessed with any degree of +perfection by untrained people are naturally rarer than in the other types +of clairvoyance, because the capacity for mental control required, and the +generally finer nature of the forces employed." + +I may mention that this particular method is frequently employed by +advanced occultists of all countries, being preferred for various reasons. +Some of the reasons of this preference as follows: (a) The ability to +shift the vision, and to turn around almost as well as in the case of +actual astral-body projection--this gives quite an advantage to this +method over the method of ordinary clairvoyance; (b) it does away with +certain disadvantages of "going out into the astral" in the astral-body, +which only trained occultists realize--it gives almost the same results as +astral-body clairvoyance, without a number of disadvantages and +inconveniences. + +In India, especially, this form of clairvoyance is comparatively frequent. +This by reason of the fact that the Hindus, as a race, are far more +psychic than are those of the Western lands, all else considered; and, +besides, there are a much greater number of highly developed occultists +there than in the West. Moreover, there is a certain psychic atmosphere +surrounding India, by reason of its thousands of years of deep interest in +things psychic and spiritual, all of which renders the production of +psychic phenomena far easier than in other lands. + +In India, moreover, we find many instances of another form of psychic, or +astral phenomena. I allude to the production of thought-form pictures +which are plainly visible to one or more persons. This phase of psychic +phenomena is the real basis for many of the wonder tales which Western +travellers bring back with them from India. The wonderful cases of magical +appearance of living creatures and plants, and other objects, out of the +clear air are the result of this psychic phenomena. That is to say, the +creatures and objects are not really produced--they are but astral +appearances resulting from the projection of powerful thought-forms from +the mind of the magician or other wonder-worker, of whom India has a +plentiful supply. Even the ignorant fakirs (I use the word in its true +sense, not in the sense given it by American slang)--even these itinerant +showmen of psychic phenomena, are able to produce phenomena of this kind +which seems miraculous to those witnessing them. As for the trained +occultists of India, I may say that their feats (when they deign to +produce them) seem to overturn every theory and principle of materialistic +philosophy and science. But in nearly every case the explanation is the +same--the projection of a strong and clear thought-form on a large scale. + +Although I have purposely omitted reference to Hindu psychic phenomena in +this book (for the reason given in my Introduction), I find it necessary +to quote cases in India in this connection, for the simple reason that +there are but few counterparts in the Western world. There are no +itinerent wonder-workers of this kind in Western lands, and the trained +occultists of the West of course would not consent to perform feats of +this kind for the amusement of persons seeking merely sensations. The +trained wills of the West are given rather to materializing objectively on +the physical plane, creating great railroads, buildings, bridges, etc., +from the mental pictures, rather than devoting the same time, energy and +will to the production of astral though-forms and pictures. There is a +great difference in temperament, as well as a difference in the general +psychic atmosphere, between East and West, which serves to explain matters +of this kind. + +An American writer truly says: "The first principle underlying the whole +business of Hindu wonder-working is that of a strong will; and the first +necessary condition of producing a magical effect is an increase in the +power of thought. The Hindus, owing to that intense love for solitary +meditation, which has been one of the most pronounced characteristics from +time immemorial, have acquired mental faculties of which we of the Western +and younger civilization are totally ignorant. The Hindu has attained a +past master's degree in speculative philosophy. He has for years retired +for meditation to the silent places in his land, lived a hermit, subdued +the body and developed the mind, thus winning control over other minds." + +In India, I have seen scenes of far distant places appearing as a mirage +in clear air, even the colors being present to the scenes. This, though +some what uncommon, was simply a remarkable instance of thought-form +projection from the mind of a man highly developed along occult lines. You +must remember that in order to produce a picture in the astral, of this +kind, the occultist must not only have the power of will and mind to cause +such a picture to materialize, but he must also have a remarkable memory +for detail in the picture--for nothing appears in the picture unless it +has already been pictured in the mind of the mind of the man himself. Such +a memory and perception of detail is very rare--in the Western world it is +possessed by only exceptional artists; however, anyone may cultivate this +perception and memory if he will give the time and care to it that the +Hindu magicians do. + +You have heard of the Hindu Mango Trick, in which the magician takes a +mango seed, plants it in the ground, waves his hands over it, and then +causes first a tiny shoot to appear from the surface of the ground, this +followed by a tiny trunk, and leaves, which grow and grow, until at last +appears a full sized mango tree, which first shows blossoms and then ripe +fruit. In short, in a few moments the magician has produced that which +Nature require years to do--that is he apparently does this. What he +really does is to produce a wonderful thought-form in the astral, from +seed stage to tree and fruit stage; the astral picture reproducing +perfectly the picture in his own mind. It is as if he were creating a +moving picture film-roll in his mind, and then projecting this upon the +screen of the air. There is no mango tree there, and never was, outside +of the mind of the magician and the minds of his audience. + +In the same way, the magician will seem to throw the end of a rope up into +the air. It travels far up until the end is lost sight of. Then he sends a +boy climbing up after it, until he too disappears from sight. Then he +causes the whole thing to disappear, and lo! the boy is seen standing +among the audience. The boy is real, of course, but he never left the +spot--the rest was all an appearance caused by the mind and will of the +magician, pictured in the astral as a thought-form. In the same way the +magician will seem to cut the boy into bits, and then cause the severed +parts to spring together and reassemble themselves. These feats may be +varied indefinitely but the principle is ever the same--thought-form +projection. + +Western visitors have sought to obtain photographs of these feats of the +Hindu magicians, but their plates and films invariably show nothing +whatever except the old fakir sitting quietly in the centre, with a +peculiar expression in his eyes. This is as might be expected, for the +picture exists only in the astral, and is perceived only by the awakened +astral senses of those present, which have been stimulated into activity +by the power of the magician--by sympathetic vibration, to be exact. +Moreover, in certain instances it has been found that the vision is +confined to a limited area; persons outside of the limit-ring see nothing, +and those moving nearer to the magician lose sight of what they had +previously seen. There are scientific reasons for this last fact, which +need not be gone into at this place. The main point I am seeking to bring +out is that these wonderful scenes are simply and wholly thought-form +pictures in the astral, perceived by the awakened astral vision of those +present. This to be sure is wonderful enough--but still no miracle has +been worked! + +I may mention here that these magicians begin their training from early +youth. In addition to certain instruction concerning astral phenomena +which is handed down from father to son among them they are set to work +practicing "visualization" of things previously perceived. They are set to +work upon, say, a rose. They must impress upon their memory the perfect +picture of the rose--no easy matter, I may tell you. Then they proceed to +more difficult objects, slowly and gradually, along well known principles +of memory development. Along with this they practice the art of +reproducing that which they remember--projecting it in thought-form state. +And so the young magician proceeds, from simple to complex things; from +easy to difficult; until, finally, he is pronounced fit to give public +exhibitions. All this takes years and years--sometimes the boy grows to be +a middle-aged man before he is allowed to publicly exhibit his power. +Imagine a Western boy or man being willing to study from early childhood +to middle-age before he may hope to be able to show what he has been +learning! Verily "the East is East, and the West is West"--the two poles +of human activity and expression. + +Another phase of psychic astral phenomena which should be mentioned, +although it is manifested but comparatively seldom, is that which has been +called "Telekinesis." By the term "telekinesis" is meant that class of +phenomena which manifests in the movement of physical objects without +physical contact with the person responsible for the movement. I +understand that the term itself was coined by Professor Cowes, with whose +works I am not personally familiar. It is derived from the two Greek words +TELE, meaning "far off," and KINESIS, meaning "to move." + +This class of phenomena is known better in the Western world by reason of +its manifestation in spiritualistic circles in the movement of tables, +etc.; the knocking or tapping on tables and doors, etc.; all of which are +usually attributed to the work of "spirits," but which occultists know are +generally produced, consciously or unconsciously, by means of the power in +the medium or others present, sometimes both. I would say here that I am +not trying to discredit genuine spiritualistic phenomena--I am not +considering the same in these lessons. All that I wish to say is that many +of the phenomena commonly attributed to "spirits" are really but results +of the psychic forces inherent in the living human being. + +Under certain conditions there may appear in the case of a person strongly +psychic, and also strongly charged with prana, the ability to extend a +portion of the astral body to a considerable distance, and to there +produce an effect upon some physical object. Those with strong clairvoyant +vision may actually perceive this astral extension, under favorable +circumstances. They perceive the astral arm of the person stretching out, +diminishing in size as it extends (just as a piece of flexible rubber +shrinks in diameter as it expands in length) and finally coming in contact +with the physical object it wishes to move or strike. Then is seen a +strong flow of prana along its length, which (by a peculiar form of +concentration) is able to produce the physical effect. I cannot enter into +the subject of astral physics at this place, for the subject is far too +technical to be treated in lessons designed for general study. I may at +least partially explain the phenomenon, however, by saying that the +projected astral arm acts in a manner almost precisely like that of an +extended physical arm, were such a thing possible in nature. + +This astral-body extension produces spirit raps on tables; table-tilting +and movement; levitation, or the lifting of solid objects in the air; +playing upon musical instruments such as the guitar, accordian, etc. In +some cases it is able to actually lift the person himself from the floor, +and carry him through the air, in the same way. It may also cause the +movement of a pencil in a closed slate, or bit of chalk upon a blackboard. +In fact, it may produce almost any form of movement possible to the +physical hand. In the case of the levitation of the person himself, the +astral arms, and sometimes the legs as well, extend to the floor and push +up the physical body into the air, and then propel it along. There are +many complex technical details to these manifestations, however, and in a +general statement these must be omitted. + +Some who are firmly wedded to the spiritistic theory resent the statement +of occultists that this form of phenomena may be explained without the +necessity of the "spirits." But the best ground for the statement of the +occultists is that many advanced occultists are able to produce such +phenomena, consciously, by an act of pure will, accompanied by the power +of mental picturing. They first picture the astral extension, and then +will the projection of the astral and the passage of the prana (or vital +force) around the pattern of the mental image. In the case of some very +highly developed occultists the astral thought-form of their body becomes +so charged with prana that it is able to move physical objects. There are +not mere theories, for they may be verified by any occultist of +sufficiently high development. + +I do not wish to intimate that the mediums are aware of the true nature of +this phenomena, and consciously deceive their followers. On the contrary, +most of them firmly believe that it is the "spirits" who do the work; +unaware that they are unconsciously projecting their astral bodies, +charged with prana, and performing the feat themselves. The best mediums, +however, will generally tell you that they strongly "wish" that the thing +be done, and a little cross-examination will reveal the fact that they +generally make a clear mental picture of the actual happening just before +it occurs. As I have already stated, however, the best proof is the fact +that advanced occultists are able to duplicate the phenomena deliberately, +consciously, and at will. I do not think that detracts from the wonder and +interest in the so-called "spiritistic" phenomena; on the contrary, I +think that it adds to it. + +Again invading the realm of the "spirits," I would say that occultists +know that many cases of so-called materialization of "spirit-forms" take +place by reason of the unconscious projection of the astral body of the +medium. Moreover, such a projection of the astral body may take on the +appearance of some departed soul, by reason of the mental picture of that +person in the mind of the medium. But, it may be asked if the medium has +never seen the dead person, how can he or she make a mental picture of him +or her. The answer is that the minds of the persons present who knew the +dead person tend to influence the appearance of the nebulous spirit form. +In fact, in most cases the medium is unable to produce the phenomenon +without the psychic assistance of those in the circle. In this case, also, +I would say that the advanced occultist is able to duplicate the phenomena +at will, as all who have enjoyed the privilege of close acquaintance with +such persons are aware. + +The fact the medium is usually in a trance condition aid materially in the +ease with which the phenomena are produced. With the conscious mind +stilled, and the subconscious mind active, the astral phenomena are +produced with much less trouble than would be the case if the medium were +in the ordinary condition. + +Now, I wish to impress upon the minds of those of my readers who have a +strong sympathy for the spiritistic teachings that I recognize the +validity and genuineness of much of the phenomena of spiritism--I know +these things to be true, for that matter; it is not a matter of mere +belief on my part. But I also know that much of the so-called spiritistic +phenomena is possible without the aid of "spirits," but by, the employment +of the psychic astral forces and powers as stated in these lessons. I see +no reason for any honest investigator of spiritism to be offended at such +statements, for it does not take away from the wonder of the phenomena; +and does not discredit the motives and power of the mediums. We must +search for truth wherever it is to be found; and we must not seek to dodge +the results of our investigations. There is too much wonderful phenomena +in spiritism to begrudge the explanation that the occultist offers for +certain of its phases. + +While I am on the subject of materialization however, I would direct the +attention of the student to my little book entitled "The Astral World," in +which I have explained briefly the phenomena of those planes of the astral +in which dwell the cast-off shells of souls which have moved on to the +higher planes of the great astral world. I have there shown that many +astral shells or shades, or other astral semi-entities may be +materialized, and thus mistaken for the "spirits" of departed friends. I +have also explained in the same little book how there are certain powerful +thought-forms which may be mistaken for spirit materializations. I have +also shown how many a honest medium is really a good clairvoyant, and by +reading the records of the astral light is able to give information which +seems to come from the departed soul. All of these things should be +familiar to the earnest investigator of spiritism, in order that he may be +able to classify the phenomena which he witnesses, and to avoid error and +disappointment. + +In this connection, before passing on to the consideration of other phases +of psychic phenomena, I would say that one of the best mediums known to +the modern Western world--a medium who has been consulted by eminent men, +university professors, psychologists, and others--and whose revelations +regarding past, present and future astounded careful and intelligent men +of international reputation--this medium at the height of her professional +success made a public announcement that she felt compelled, from +conscientious motives, to assert that she had come to the conclusion that +her message came not from departed "spirits" but rather from some unknown +realm of being, brought hither by the exercise of some faculty inherent in +her and developed to a high power in her for some reason, which power seem +to manifest more effectively when she shut off her ordinary physical +faculties and functioned on a plane higher than them. I think that the +student of the present lessons will be able to point out the nature of the +phenomena manifested by this medium, and also the source of her power. If +not, I shall feel disappointed at my work of instruction. + + + + +LESSON XVI. + +PSYCHIC INFLUENCE; ITS LAWS AND PRINCIPLES + + +One of the phases of psychic phenomena that actively engage the attention +of the student from the very beginning is that which may be called Psychic +Influence. By this term is meant the influencing of one mind by +another--the effect of one mind over another. There has been much written +and said on this phase of the general subject in recent years, but few +writers, however, have gone deeply into the matter. + +In the first place, most of the writers on the subject seek to explain the +whole thing by means of ordinary telepathy. But this is merely a one-sided +view of the truth of the matter. For, while ordinary telepathy plays an +important part in the phenomena, still the higher form of telepathy, i.e., +astral thought-transference, is frequently involved. The student who has +followed me in the preceding lessons will understand readily what I mean +when I say this, so there is no necessity for repetition on this point at +this place. + +At this point, however, I must ask the student to consider the idea of +psychic vibrations and their inductive power. It is a great principle of +occultism, as well as of modern science, that everything is in a state of +vibration--everything has its own rate of vibration, and is constantly +manifesting it. Every mental state is accompanied by vibration of its own +plane: every emotional state or feeling has its own particular rate of +vibration. These rates of vibrations manifest just as do the vibrations of +musical sound which produce the several notes on the scale, one rising +above the other in rate of vibration. But the scale of mental and +emotional states is far more complex, and far more extended than is the +musical scale; there are thousands of different notes, and half-notes, on +the mental scale. There are harmonies and discords on that scale, also. + +To those to whom vibrations seem to be something merely connected with +sound-waves, etc., I would say that a general and hasty glance at some +elementary work on physical science will show that even the different +shades, hues and tints of the colors perceived by us arise from different +rates of vibrations. Color is nothing more than the result of certain +rates of vibrations of light recorded by our senses and interpreted by our +minds. From the low vibrations of red to the high vibrations of violet, +all the various colors of the spectrum have their own particular rate of +vibration. And, more than this, science knows that below the lowest red +vibrations, and above the highest violet vibrations, there are other +vibrations which our senses are unable to record, but which scientific +instruments register. The rays of light by which photographs are taken are +not perceived by the eye. There are a number of so-called chemical rays of +light which the eye does not perceive, but which may be caught by delicate +instruments. There is what science has called "dark light," which will +photograph in a room which appears pitch dark to the human sight. + +Above the ordinary scale of light vibrations are the vibrations of the +X-Rays and other fine forces--these are not perceived by the eye, but are +caught by delicate instruments and recorded. Moreover, though science has +not as yet discovered the fact, occultists know that the vibrations of +mental and emotional states are just as true and regular as are those of +sound or light, or heat. Again, above the plane of the physical vibrations +arising from the brain and nervous system, there are the vibrations of the +astral counterparts of these, which are much higher in the scale. For even +the astral faculties and organs, while above the physical, still are under +the universal rule of vibration, and have their own rate thereof. The old +occult axiom: "As above, so below; as below, so above" is always seen to +work out on all planes of universal energy. + +Closely following this idea of the universality of vibrations, and +intimately connected therewith, we have the principle of "induction," +which is likewise universal, and found manifesting on all planes of +energy. "What is induction?" you may ask. Well, it is very simple, or very +complex--just as you may look at it. The principle of induction (on any +plane) is that inherent quality or attribute of energy by which the +manifestation of energy tends to reproduce itself in a second object, by +setting up corresponding vibrations therein, though without direct contact +of the two objects. + +Thus, heat in one object tends to induce heat in another object within +its range of induction--the heated object "throws off" heat vibrations +which set up corresponding vibrations in the near-by second object and +make it hot. Likewise, the vibrations of light striking upon other objects +render them capable of radiating light. Again, a magnet will induce +magnetism in a piece of steel suspended nearby, though the two objects do +not actually touch, each other. An object which is electrified will by +induction electrify another object situated some distance away. A note +sounded on the piano, or violin, will cause a glass or vase in some +distant part of the room to vibrate and "sing," under certain conditions. +And, so on, in every form or phase of the manifestation of energy do we +see the principle of induction in full operation and manifestation. + +On the plane of ordinary thought and emotion, we find many instances of +this principle of induction. We know that one person vibrating strongly +with happiness or sorrow, cheerfulness or anger, as the case may be fends +to communicate his feeling and emotions, state to those with whom he comes +in contact. All of you have seen a whole room full of persons affected and +influenced in this way, under certain circumstances. You have also seen +how a magnetic orator, preacher, singer or actor is able to induce in his +audience a state of emotional vibration corresponding to that manifested +by himself. In the same manner the "mental atmospheres" of towns, cities, +etc., are induced. + +A well-known writer on this subject has truthfully told us: "We all know +how great waves of feeling spread over a town, city or country, sweeping +people off their balance. Great waves of political enthusiasm, or +war-spirit, or prejudice for or against certain persons, sweep over places +and cause men to act in a manner that they will afterward regret when they +come to themselves and consider their acts in cold blood. They will be +swayed by demagogues or magnetic leaders who wish to gain their votes or +patronage; and they will be led into acts of mob violence, or similar +atrocities, by yielding to these waves of contagious thought. On the other +hand, we all know how great waves of religious feeling sweep over a +community upon the occasion of some great 'revival' excitement or fervor." + +These things being perceived, and recognized as true, the next question +that presents itself to the mind of the intelligent student is this: "But +what causes the difference in power and effect between the thought and +feeling-vibrations of different persons?" This question is a valid one, +and arises from a perception of the underlying variety and difference in +the thought vibrations of different persons. The difference, my students, +is caused by three principal facts, viz., (1) difference in degree of +feeling; (2) difference in degree of visualization; and (3) difference in +degree of concentration. Let us examine each of these successively, so as +to get at the underlying principle. + +The element of emotional feeling is like the element of fire in the +production of steam. The more vivid and intense the feeling or emotion, +the greater the degree of heat and force to the thought wave or vibratory +stream projected. You will begin to see why the thought vibrations of +those animated and filled with strong desire, strong wish, strong +ambition, etc., must be more forceful than those of persons of the +opposite type. + +The person who is filled with a strong desire, wish or ambition, which has +been fanned into a fierce blaze by attention, is a dynamic power among +other persons, and his influence is felt. In fact, it may be asserted that +as a general rule no person is able to influence men and things unless he +have a strong desire, wish or ambition within him. The power of desire is +a wonderful one, as all occultists know, and it will accomplish much even +if the other elements be lacking; while, in proper combination with other +principles it will accomplish wonders. Likewise, a strong interest in a +thing will cause a certain strength to the thought-vibrations connected +therewith. Interest is really an emotional feeling, though we generally +think of it as merely something connected with the intellect. A cold +intellectual thought has very little force, unless backed up by strong +interest and concentration. But any intellectual thought backed up with +interest, and focused by concentration, will produce very strong thought +vibrations, with a marked inductive power. + +Now, let us consider the subject of visualization. Every person knows that +the person who wishes to accomplish anything, or who expects to do good +work along any line, must first know what he wishes to accomplish. In the +degree that he is able to see the thing in his mind's eye--to picture the +thing in his imagination--in that degree will he tend to manifest the +thing itself in material form and effect. + +Sir Francis Galton, an eminent authority upon psychology, says on this +point: "The free use of a high visualizing faculty is of much importance +in connection with the higher processes of generalized thought. A visual +image is the most perfect form of mental representation wherever the +shape, position, and relations of objects to space are concerned. The best +workmen are those who visualize the whole of what they propose to do +before they take a tool in their hands. Strategists, artists of all +denominations, physicists who contrive new experiments, and, in short, all +who do not follow routine, have need of it. A faculty that is of +importance in all technical and artistic occupations, that gives accuracy +to our perceptions and justice to our generalizations, is starved by lazy +disuse instead of being cultivated judiciously in such a way as will, on +the whole, bring best return. I believe that a serious study of the best +way of developing and utilizing this faculty, without prejudice to the +practice of abstract thought in symbols, is one of the pressing desirata +in the yet unformed science of education." + +Not only on the ordinary planes is the forming of strong mental images +important and useful, but when we come to consider the phenomena of the +astral plane we begin to see what an important part is played there by +strong mental images or visualized ideas. The better you know what you +desire, wish or aspire to, the stronger will be your thought vibrations of +that thing, of course. Well, then, the stronger that you are able to +picture the thing in your mind--to visualize it to yourself--the stronger +will be your actual knowledge and thought-form of that thing. Instead of +your thought vibrations being grouped in nebulous forms, lacking shape and +distinct figure, as in the ordinary case; when you form strong, clear +mental images of what you desire or wish to accomplish, then do the +thought vibrations group themselves in clear, strong distinct forms. This +being done, when the mind of other persons are affected by induction they +get the clear idea of the thought and feeling in your mind, and are +strongly influenced thereby. + +A little later on, I shall call your attention to the Attractive Power of +Thought. But at this point I wish to say to you that while thought +certainly attracts to you the things that you think of the most, still the +power of the attraction depends very materially upon the clearness and +distinctness of the mental image, or thought visualization, of the desired +thing that you have set up in your mind. The nearer you can actually see +the thing as you wish it to happen, even to the general details, the +stronger will be the attractive force thereof. But, I shall leave the +discussion of this phase of the subject until I reach it in its proper +order. For the present, I shall content myself with urging upon you the +importance of a clear mental image, or visualized thought, in the matter +of giving force and direction to the idea induced in the minds of other +persons. In order for the other persons to actually perceive clearly the +idea or feeling induced in them, it is necessary that the idea or feeling +be strongly visualized in the mind originating it; that is the whole thing +in one sentence. + +The next point of importance in thought-influence by induction, is that +which is concerned with the process of concentration. Concentration is the +act of mental focusing, or bringing to a single point or centre. It is +like the work of the sun-glass that converges the rays of the sun to a +single tiny point, thus immensely increasing its heat and power. Or, it is +like the fine point of a needle that will force its way through where a +blunt thing cannot penetrate. Or, it is like the strongly concentrated +essence of a chemical substance, of which one drop is as powerful as one +pint of the original thing. Think of the concentrated power of a tiny drop +of attar of roses--it has within its tiny space the concentrated odor of +thousands of roses; one drop of it will make a pint of extract, and a +gallon of weaker perfumery! Think of the concentrated power in a lightning +flash, as contrasted with the same amount of electricity diffused over a +large area. Or, think of the harmless flash of a small amount of gunpowder +ignited in the open air, as contrasted with the ignition of the same +amount of powder compelled to escape through the small opening in the +gun-barrel. + +The occult teachings lay great stress upon this power of mental +concentration. All students of the occult devote much time and care to the +cultivation of the powers of concentration, and the development of the +ability to employ them. The average person possesses but a very small +amount of concentration, and is able to concentrate his mind for but a few +moments at a time. The trained thinker obtains much of his mental power +from his acquired ability to concentrate on his task. The occultist trains +himself in fixing his concentrated attention upon the matter before him, +so as to bring to a focal centre all of his mental forces. + +The mind is a very restless thing, and is inclined to dance from one thing +to another, tiring of each thing after a few moment's consideration +thereof. The average person allows his involuntary attention to rest upon +every trifling thing, and to be distracted by the idlest appeals to the +senses. He finds it most difficult to either shut out these distracting +appeals to the senses, and equally hard to hold the attention to some +uninteresting thing. His attention is almost free of control by the will, +and the person is a slave to his perceptive powers and to his imagination, +instead of, being a master of both. + +The occultist, on the contrary, masters his attention, and controls his +imagination. He forces the one to concentrate when he wishes it to do so; +and he compels the latter to form the mental images he wishes to +visualize. But this a far different thing from the self-hypnotization +which some persons imagine to be concentration. A writer on the subject +has well said: "The trained occultist will concentrate upon a subject or +object with a wonderful intensity, seemingly completely absorbed in the +subject or object before him, and oblivious to all else in the world. And +yet, the task accomplished, or the given time expired, he will detach his +mind from the object and will be perfectly fresh, watchful and wide-awake +to the next matter before him. There is every difference between being +controlled by involuntary attention, which is species of +self-hypnotization, and the control of the attention, which is an evidence +of mastery." An eminent French psychologist once said: "The authority of +the attention is subject to the superior authority of the Ego. I yield it, +or I withhold it, as I please. I direct it in turn to several points. I +concentrate it upon each point, as long as my will can stand the effort." + +In an earlier lesson of this series, I have indicated in a general way the +methods whereby one may develop and train his powers of concentration. +There is no royal road to concentration; it may be developed only by +practice and exercise. The secret consists in managing the attention, so +as to fix it upon a subject, no matter how uninteresting; and to hold it +there for a reasonable length of time. Practice upon some disagreeable +study or other task is good exercise, for it serves to train the will in +spite of the influence of more attractive objects or subjects. And this +all serves to train the will, remember; for the will is actively concerned +in every act of voluntary attention. In fact, attention of this kind is +one of the most important and characteristic acts of the will. + +So, as you see, in order to be successful in influencing the minds of +others by means of mental induction, you must first cultivate a strong +feeling of interest in the idea which you wish to induce in the other +person, or a strong desire to produce the thing. Interest and desire +constitute the fire which generates the stream of will from the water of +mind, as some occultists have stated it. Secondly, you must cultivate the +faculty of forming strong and clear mental images of the idea or feeling +you wish to so induce; you must learn to actually "see" the thing in your +imagination, so as to give the idea strength and clearness. Thirdly, you +must learn to concentrate your mind and attention upon the idea or +feeling, shutting out all other ideas and feelings for the time being; +thus you give concentrated force and power to the vibrations and +thought-forms which you are projecting. + +These three principles underlie all of the many forms of mental induction, +or mental influence. We find them in active operation in cases in which +the person is seeking to attract to himself certain conditions, +environment, persons, things, or channels of expression, by setting into +motion the great laws of mental attraction. We see them also employed when +the person is endeavoring to produce an effect upon the mind of some +particular person, or number of persons. We see them in force in all +cases of mental or psychic healing, under whatever form it may be +employed. In short, these are general principles, and must therefore +underlie all forms and phases of mental or psychic influence. The sooner +the student realizes this fact, and the more actively does he set himself +to work in cultivating and developing these principles within himself, the +more successful and efficient will he become in this field of psychic +research and investigation. It is largely in the degree of the cultivation +of these three mental principles that the occultist is distinguished from +the ordinary man. + +It may be that you are not desirous of cultivating or practicing the power +of influencing other persons psychically. Well, that is for you to decide +for yourself. At any rate, you will do well to develop yourselves along +these lines, at least for self-protection. The cultivation of these three +mental principles will tend to make you active and positive, psychically, +as contrasted with the passive, negative mental state of the average +person. By becoming mentally active and positive you will be able to +resist any psychic influence that may be directed toward yourself, and to +surround yourself with a protective aura of positive, active mental +vibrations. + +And, moreover, if you are desirous of pursuing your investigations of +psychic and astral phenomena, you will find it of great importance to +cultivate and develop these three principles in your mind. For, then you +will be able to brush aside all distracting influences, and to proceed at +once to the task before you, with power, clearness and strength of purpose +and method. + +In the following chapters I shall give you a more or less detailed +presentation of the various phases or forms of psychic influence. Some of +these may seem at first to be something independent of the general +principles. But I ask that you carefully analyze all of these, so as to +discover that the same fundamental principles are under and back of each +and every instance presented. When you once fully grasp this fact, and +perfect yourselves in the few fundamental principles, then you are well +started on the road to mastery of all the various phases of psychic +phenomena. Instead of puzzling your mind over a hundred different phases +of disconnected phenomena, it is better to master the few actual +elementary principles, and then reason deductively from these to the +various manifestation thereof. Master the principles, and then learn to +apply them. + + + + +LESSON XVII. + +PERSONAL PSYCHIC INFLUENCE OVER OTHERS + + +Psychic Influence, as the term is used in this book, may be said to be +divided into three general classes, viz., (1) Personal Influence, in which +the mind of another is directly influenced by induction while he is in the +presence of the person influencing; (2) Distant Influencing, in which the +psychic induction is directly manifested when the persons concerned are +distant from one another; and (3) Indirect Influence, in which the +induction is manifested in the minds of various persons coming in contact +with the thought vibrations of the person manifesting them, though no +attempt is made to directly influence any particular person. I shall now +present each of these three forms of psychic influence to you for +consideration, one after the other in the above order. + +Personal Influence, as above defined, ranges from cases in which the +strongest control (generally known as hypnotism) is manifested, down to +the cases in which merely a slight influence is exerted. But the general +principle underlying all of these cases is precisely the same. The great +characters of history, such as Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, +and Julius Caesar, manifested this power to a great degree, and were able +to sway men according to their will. All great leaders of men have this +power strongly manifested, else they would not be able to influence the +minds of men. Great orators, preachers, statesmen, and others of this +class, likewise manifest the power strongly. In fact, the very sign of +ability to influence and manage other persons is evidence of the +possession and manifestation of this mighty power. + +In developing this power to influence others directly and personally, you +should begin by impressing upon your mind the principles stated in the +preceding chapter, namely (1) Strong Desire; (2) Clear Visualization; and +(3) Concentration. + +You must begin by encouraging a strong desire in your mind to be a +positive individual; to exert and manifest a positive influence over +others with whom you come in contact, and especially over those whom you +wish to influence in some particular manner or direction. You must let the +fire of desire burn fiercely within you, until it becomes as strong as +physical hunger or thirst. You must "want to" as you want to breathe, to +live. You will find that the men who accomplish the great things in life +are those who have strong desire burning in their bosoms. There is a +strong radiative and inductive power in strong desire and wish--in fact, +some have thought this the main feature of what we generally call strong +will-power. + +The next step, of course, is the forming of a clear, positive, distinct +and dynamic mental picture of the idea or feeling that you wish to induce +in the other person. If it is an idea, you should make a strong clear +picture of it in your imagination, so as to give it distinctness and +force and a clear outline. If it is a feeling, you should picture it in +your imagination. If it is something that you wish the other person to do, +or some way in which you wish him to act, you should picture him as doing +the thing, or acting in that particular way. By so doing you furnish the +pattern or design for the induced mental or emotional states you wish to +induce in the other person. Upon the clearness and strength of these +mental patterns of the imagination depends largely the power of the +induced impression. + +The third step, of course, is the concentration of your mind upon the +impression you wish to induce in the mind of the other person. You must +learn to concentrate so forcibly and clearly that the idea will stand out +clearly in your mind like a bright star of a dark night, except that there +must be only one star instead of thousands. By so doing you really focus +the entire force of your mental and psychic energies into that one +particular idea or thought. This makes it act like the focused rays in the +sun-glass, or like the strong pipe-stream of water that will break down +the thing upon which it is turned. Diffused thought has but a +comparatively weak effect, whereas a concentrated stream of thought +vibrations will force its way through obstacles. + +Remember, always, this threefold mental condition: (1) STRONG DESIRE; (2) +CLEAR MENTAL PICTURE; and (3) CONCENTRATED THOUGHT. The greater the degree +in which you can manifest these three mental conditions, the greater will +be your success in any form of psychic influence, direct or indirect, +personal or general, present or distant. + +Before you proceed to develop the power to impress a particular idea or +feeling upon the mind of another person, you should first acquire a +positive mental atmosphere for yourself. This mental atmosphere is +produced in precisely the same way that you induce a special idea or +feeling in the mind of the other person. That is to say, you first +strongly desire it, then you clearly picture it, and then you apply +concentrated thought upon it. + +I will assume that you are filled with the strong desire for a positive +mental atmosphere around you. You want this very much indeed, and actually +crave and hunger for it. Then you must begin to picture yourself (in your +imagination) as surrounded with an aura of positive thought-vibrations +which protect you from the thought forces of other persons, and, at the +same time impress the strength of your personality upon the persons with +whom you come in contact. You will be aided in making these strong mental +pictures by holding the idea in your concentrated thought, and, at the +same time, silently stating to your mind just what you expect to do in the +desired direction. In stating your orders to your mind, always speak as if +the thing were already accomplished at that particular moment. Never say +that it "will be," but always hold fast to the "it is." The following will +give you a good example of the mental statements, which of course should +be accompanied by the concentrated idea of the thing, and the mental +picture of yourself as being just what you state. + +Here is the mental statement for the creation of a strong, positive +psychic atmosphere: "I am surrounded by an aura of strong, positive, +dynamic thought-vibrations. These render me positive to other persons, and +render them negative to me. I am positive of their thought-vibrations, but +they are negative to mine. They feel the strength of my psychic +atmosphere, while I easily repel the power of theirs. I dominate the +situation, and manifest my positive psychic qualities over theirs. My +atmosphere creates the vibration of strength and power on all sides of me, +which affect others with whom I come in contact. MY PSYCHIC ATMOSPHERE IS +STRONG AND POSITIVE!" + +The next step in Personal Influence is that of projecting your psychic +power directly upon and into the mind of the other person whom you wish to +influence. Sometimes, if the person is quite negative to you, this is a +very simple and easy matter; but where the person is near your own degree +of psychic positiveness you will have to assert your psychic superiority +to him, and get the psychic "upper hand" before you can proceed further. +This is accomplished by throwing into your psychic atmosphere some +particularly strong mental statements accompanied by clear visualizations +or mental pictures. + +Make positive your psychic atmosphere, particularly towards the person +whom you seek to influence, by statements and pictures something along +the following lines: "I am positive to this man"; "He is negative to me"; +"He feels my power and is beginning to yield to it"; "He is unable to +influence me in the slightest, while I can influence him easily"; "My +power is beginning to operate upon his mind and feelings." The exact words +are not important, but the idea behind them gives them their psychic force +and power. + +Then should you begin your direct attack upon him, or rather upon his +psychic powers. When I say "attack," I do not use the word in the sense of +warfare or actual desire to harm the other person--this is a far different +matter. What I mean to say is that there is usually a psychic battle for a +longer or shorter period between two persons of similar degrees of psychic +power and development. From this battle one always emerges victor at the +time, and one always is beaten for the time being, at least. And, as in +all battles, victory often goes to him who strikes the first hard blow. +The offensive tactics are the best in cases of this kind. + +A celebrated American author, Oliver Wendall Holmes, in one of his books +makes mention of these duels of psychic force between individuals, as +follows: "There is that deadly Indian hug in which men wrestle with their +eyes, over in five seconds, but which breaks one of their two backs, and +is good for three-score years and ten, one trial enough--settles the whole +matter--just as when two feathered songsters of the barnyard, game and +dunghill, come together. After a jump or two, and a few sharp kicks, there +is an end to it; and it is 'After you, monsieur' with the beaten party in +all the social relations for all the rest of his days." + +An English physician, Dr. Fothergill by name, wrote a number of years ago +about this struggle of wills, as he called it, but which is really a +struggle of psychic power. He says: "The conflict of will, the power to +command others, has been spoken of frequently. Yet what is this will-power +that influences others? What is it that makes us accept, and adopt too, +the advice of one person, while precisely the same advice from another has +been rejected? Is it the weight of force of will which insensibly +influences us; the force of will behind the advice? That is what it is! +The person who thus forces his or her advice upon us has no more power to +enforce it than others; but all the same we do as requested. We accept +from one what we reject from another. One person says of something +contemplated, 'Oh, but you must not,' yet we do it all the same, though +that person may be in a position to make us regret the rejection of that +counsel. Another person says, 'Oh, but you mustn't,' and we desist, though +we may, if so disposed, set this latter person's opinion at defiance with +impunity. It is not the fear of consequences, not of giving offense, which +determines the adaption of the latter person's advice, while it has been +rejected when given by the first. It depends upon the character or +will-power of the individual advising whether we accept the advice or +reject it. This character often depends little, if at all, in some cases, +upon the intellect, or even upon the moral qualities, the goodness or +badness, of the individual. It is itself an imponderable something; yet it +carries weight with it. There may be abler men, cleverer men; but it is +the one possessed of will who rises to the surface at these times--the one +who can by some subtle power make other men obey him. + +"The will-power goes on universally. In the young aristocrat who gets his +tailor to make another advance in defiance of his conviction that he will +never get his money back. It goes on between lawyer and client; betwixt +doctor and patient; between banker and borrower; betwixt buyer and seller. +It is not tact which enables the person behind the counter to induce +customers to buy what they did not intend to buy, and which bought, gives +them no satisfaction, though it is linked therewith for the effort to be +successful. Whenever two persons meet in business, or in any other +relation in life, up to love-making, there is this will-fight going on, +commonly enough without any consciousness of the struggle. There is a dim +consciousness of the result, but none of the processes. It often takes +years of the intimacy of married life to find out with whom of the pair +the mastery really lies. Often the far stronger character, to all +appearances, has to yield; it is this will-element which underlies the +statement: 'The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the +strong.' In Middle-march' we find in Lydgate a grand aggregation of +qualities, yet shallow, hard, selfish Rosamond masters him thoroughly in +the end. He was not deficient in will-power; possessed more than an +average amount of character; but in the fight he went down at last under +the onslaught of the intense, stubborn will of his narrow-minded spouse. +Their will-contest was the collision of a large warm nature, like a +capable human hand, with a hard, narrow selfish nature, like a steel +button; the hand only bruised itself while the button remained +unaffected." + +You must not, however, imagine that every person with whom you engage in +one of these psychic duels is conscious of what is going on. He usually +recognizes that some sort of conflict is under way, but he does not know +the laws and principles of psychic force, and so is in the dark regarding +the procedure. You will find that a little practice of this kind, in which +no great question is involved, will give you a certain knack or trick of +handling your psychic forces, and will, besides, give you that confidence +in yourself that comes only from actual practice and exercise. I can point +out the rules, and give you the principles, but you must learn the little +bits of technique yourself from actual practice. + +When you have crossed psychic swords with the other person, gaze at him +intently but not fiercely, and send him this positive strong +thought-vibration: "I am stronger than you, and I shall win!" At the same +time picture to yourself your forces beating down his and overcoming him. +Hold this idea and picture in your mind: "My vibrations are stronger than +are yours--I am beating you!" Follow this up with the idea and picture +of: "You are weakening and giving in--you are being overpowered!" A very +powerful psychic weapon is the following: "My vibrations are scattering +your forces--I am breaking your forces into bits--surrender, surrender +now, I tell you!" + +And now for some interesting and very valuable information concerning +psychic defense. You will notice that in the offensive psychic weapons +there is always an assertion of positive statement of your power and its +effect. Well, then, in using the psychic defensive weapon against one of +strong will or psychic force, you reverse the process. That is to say you +deny the force of his psychic powers and forces, and picture them as +melting into nothingness. Get this idea well fixed in your mind, for it is +very important in a conflict of this kind. The effect of this is to +neutralize all of the other person's power so far as its effect on +yourself is concerned--you really do not destroy it in him totally. You +simply render his forces powerless to affect you. This is important not +only when in a psychic conflict of this kind, but also when you wish to +render yourself immune from the psychic forces of other persons. You may +shut yourself up in a strong defensive armor in this way, and others will +be powerless to affect you. + +In the positive statement, "I deny!" you have the Occult Shield of +Defense, which is a mighty protection to you. Even if you do not feel +disposed to cultivate and develop your psychic powers in the direction of +influencing others, you should at least develop your defensive powers so +as to resist any psychic attacks upon yourself. + +You will find it helpful to practice these offensive and defensive weapons +when you are alone, standing before your mirror and "playing" that your +reflection in the glass is the other person. Send this imaginary other +person the psychic vibrations, accompanied by the mental picture suitable +for it. Act the part out seriously and earnestly, just as if the reflected +image were really another person. This will give you confidence in +yourself, and that indefinable "knack" of handling your psychic weapons +that comes only from practice. You will do well to perfect yourself in +these rehearsals, just as you would in case you were trying to master +anything else. By frequent earnest rehearsals, you will gain not only +familiarity with the process and methods, but you will also gain real +power and strength by the exercise of your psychic faculties which have +heretofore lain dormant. Just as you may develop the muscle of your arm by +calisthenic exercises, until it is able to perform real muscular work of +strength; so you may develop your psychic faculties in this rehearsal +work, so that you will be strongly equipped and armed for an actual +psychic conflict, besides having learned how to handle your psychic +weapons. + +After you have practiced sufficiently along the general offensive and +defensive lines, and have learned how to manifest these forces in actual +conflict, you will do well to practice special and specific commands to +others, in the same way. That is to say, practice them first on your +reflected image in the mirror. The following commands (with mental +pictures, of course) will give you good practice. Go about the work in +earnest, and act out the part seriously. Try these exercises: "Here! look +at me!" "Give me your undivided attention!" "Come this way!" "Come to me +at once!" "Go away from me--leave me at once!" "You like me--you like me +very much!" "You are afraid of me!" "You wish to please me!" "You will +agree to my proposition!" "You will do as I tell you!" Any special command +you wish to convey to another person, psychically, you will do well to +practice before the mirror in this way. + +When you have made satisfactory progress in the exercises above mentioned, +and are able, to demonstrate them with a fair degree of success in actual +practice, you may proceed to experiment with persons along the lines of +special and direct commands by psychic force. The following will give you +a clear idea of the nature of the experiments in question, but you may +enlarge upon and vary them indefinitely. Remember there is no virtue in +mere words--the effect comes from the power of the thought behind the +words. But, nevertheless, you will find that positive words, used in these +silent commands, will help you to fit in your feeling to the words. Always +make the command a real COMMAND, never a mere entreaty or appeal. Assume +the mental attitude of a master of men--of a commander and ruler of other +men. Here follow a number of interesting experiments along these lines, +which will be very useful to you in acquiring the art of personal +influence of this kind: + + +SEVEN VALUABLE EXERCISES + +EXERCISE 1: When walking down the street behind a person, make him turn +around in answer to your mental command. Select some person who does not +seem to be too much rushed or too busy--select some person who seems to +having nothing particular on his mind. Then desire earnestly that he shall +turn around when you mentally call to him to do so; at the same time +picture him as turning around in answer to your call; and at the same time +concentrate your attention and thought firmly upon him. After a few +moments of preparatory thought, send him the following message, silently +of course, with as much force, positiveness and vigor as possible: "Hey +there! turn around and look at me! Hey! turn around, turn around at once!" +While influencing him fix your gaze at the point on his neck where the +skull joins it--right at the base of the brain, in the back. In a number +of cases, you will find that the person will look around as if someone had +actually called him aloud. In other cases, he will seem puzzled, and will +look from side to side as if seeking some one. After a little practice you +will be surprised how many persons you can affect in this way. + +EXERCISE 2: When in a public place, such as a church, concert or theatre, +send a similar message to someone seated a little distance in front of +you. Use the same methods as in the first exercise, and you will obtain +similar results. It will seem queer to you at first to notice how the +other person will begin to fidget and move around in his seat, and finally +glance furtively around as if to see what is causing him the disturbance. +You, of course, will not let him suspect that it is you, but, instead will +gaze calmly ahead of you, and pretend not to notice him. + +EXERCISE 3: This is a variation of the first exercise. It is +practiced by sending to a person approaching you on the street, or walking +ahead of you in the same direction, a command to turn to the right, or to +the left, as you prefer. You will be surprised to see how often you will +be successful in this. + +EXERCISE 4: This is a variation of the second exercise. It is +practiced by sending to a person seated in front of you in a public place +the command to look to the right, or to the left, as you prefer. Do not +practice on the same person too long, after succeeding at first--it is not +right to torment people, remember. + +EXERCISE 5: After having attained proficiency in the foregoing +exercises, you many proceed to command a person to perform certain +unimportant motions, such as rising or sitting down, taking off his hat, +taking out his handkerchief, laying down a fan, umbrella, etc. + +EXERCISE 6: The next step is to command persons to say some +particular word having no important meaning; to "put words in his mouth" +while talking to him. Wait until the other person pauses as if in search +of a word, and then suddenly, sharply and forcibly put the word into his +mouth, silently of course. In a very susceptible person, well under your +psychic control, you may succeed in suggesting entire sentences and +phrases to him. + +EXERCISE 7: This is the summit of psychic influencing, and, of +course, is the most difficult. But you will be surprised to see how well +you will succeed in many cases, after you have acquired the knack and +habit of sending the psychic message. It consists of commanding the person +to obey the spoken command or request that you are about to make to him. +This is the art and secret of the success of many salesmen, solicitors, +and others working along the lines of influencing other people. It is +acquired by beginning with small things, and gradually proceeding to +greater, and still greater. At this point I should warn you that all the +best occult teachings warn students against using this power for base +ends, improper purposes, etc. Such practices tend to react and rebound +against the person using them, like a boomerang. Beware against using +psychic or occult forces for improper purposes--the psychic laws punish +the offender, just as do the physical laws. + +Finally, I caution the student against talking too much about his +developing powers. Beware of boasting or bragging about these things. Keep +silent, and keep your own counsel. When you make known your powers, you +set into operation the adverse and antagonistic thought of persons around +you who may be jealous of you, and who would wish to see you fail, or make +yourself ridiculous. The wise head keepeth a still tongue! One of the +oldest occult maxims is: "Learn! Dare! Do! Keep Silent!!!" You will do +well to adhere strictly to this warning caution. + + + + +LESSON XVIII. + +PSYCHIC INFLUENCE AT A DISTANCE + + +The second phase of Psychic Influence is that called Distant Psychic +Influence, in which psychic induction is manifested when the persons are +distant in space from one another--not in the presence of each other. +Here, of course, we see the principle of telepathy involved in connection +with the process of mental induction: and in some cases even the astral +telepathic sense is called into operation. + +The student who has followed my explanation and course of reasoning in the +preceding lessons will readily perceive that the principle involved in +this distant phase of psychic influence is precisely the same as that +employed in direct personal psychic influence. As I have explained in an +early lesson, it matters little whether the space to be covered by the +psychic vibratory waves is but one foot or a thousand miles, the principle +is exactly the same. There are, of course, other principles involved in +the case of two persons meeting face to face and calling into force their +psychic powers; for instance, there is the element of suggestion and +association, and other psychological principles which are not in force +when the two persons are out of the actual presence of each other. But so +far as the telepathic or astral psychic powers are concerned, the mere +extension of space does not change the principle. + +The student who has developed his power of psychic induction in the +phases mentioned in the preceding chapter, may begin to experiment and +practice psychic induction at long-range, if he so wishes. That is to say, +instead of causing psychic induction in the minds of persons actually in +his presence and sight, he may produce similar results in persons out of +his sight and presence. The person may be brought into presence and +psychic contact, for all practical purposes, by using the visualizing +powers for the purpose of bringing him into the en rapport condition. That +is to say, by using the imagination to bring into the mind a strong clear +picture of the other person, you may induce an en rapport condition in +which he will be practically in the same psychic relation to you as if he +were actually before you. Of course, if he is sufficiently well informed +regarding occult matters, he may shut you out by drawing a psychic circle +around himself which you cannot penetrate, or by surrounding himself with +psychic armor or atmosphere such as I have already mentioned in preceding +lessons. But as he will not likely know anything of this, the average +person may be reached in the manner just mentioned. + +Or again, you may establish en rapport conditions by psychometric methods, +by holding to your forehead an article which has been in the other +person's possession for some time; an article worn by him; a piece of his +hair; etc. Or, again, you may use the crystal to bring up his astral +vision before you. Or, again, you may erect an "astral tube" such as I +will mention a little further on in this chapter, and thus establish a +strong en rapport condition. + +Having established the en rapport condition with the other person, and +having thus practically brought him into your presence, psychically +speaking, you may proceed to send him commands or demands, just as you did +in the phase of personal psychic influence previously mentioned. You act +precisely as if the other person were present before you, and state your +commands or demands to him just as you would were he seated or standing in +your presence. This is the keynote of the whole thing; the rest is simply +an elaboration and stating of details of methods, etc. With the correct +principle once established, you may apply the same according to your own +wishes and discretion. + +This phase of distant psychic influence is at the bottom of all the +wonderful tales, stories and legends of supernatural powers, witchcraft, +sorcery, etc., with which the pages of history are filled. There is of +course always to be found much distortion and exaggeration in these +legends and tales, but they have truth at the bottom of them. In this +connection, let me call your attention to a very important psychic +principle involved. I have told you that by denying the power of any +person over you, you practically neutralize his psychic power--the +stronger and more positive your belief in your immunity, and your denial +of his power over you, the more do you rob him of any such power. The +average person, not knowing this, is more or less passive to psychic +influences of other persons, and may be affected by them to a greater or +less extent, depending upon the psychic development of the person seeking +to influence him. At the extreme of the sensitive pole of psychic +influence, we find those persons who believe firmly that the other person +has power over them, and who are more or less afraid of him. This belief +and fear acts to make them particularly sensitive and impressionable, and +easily affected by his psychic induction. This is the reason that the +so-called witches and sorcerers and others of evil repute have been able +to acquire such a power over their victims, and to cause so much trouble. +The secret is that the victims believed in the power of the other person, +and feared their power. The greater the belief in, and fear of, the power +of the person, the greater the susceptibility to his influence; the +greater the sense of power of neutralizing the power, and the disbelief in +his power to affect them, the greater the degree of immunity: this is the +rule! + +Accordingly we find that persons in various stages of the history of the +world have been affected by the influences of witches, sorcerers, and +other unprincipled persons. In most cases these so-called witches and +sorcerers themselves were under the delusion that they were assisted by +the devil or some other supernatural being. They did not realize that they +were simply using perfectly natural methods, and employing perfectly +natural forces. For that matter, you must remember that magnetism and +electricity, in ancient days, were considered as supernatural forces in +some way connected with demonic powers. + +Studying the history of witchcraft, sorcery, black-magic, and the like, +you will find that the devotees thereof usually employed some psychometric +method. In other cases they would mould little figures of clay, or of wax, +in the general shape and appearance of the person whom they wished to +affect. It was thought that these little figures were endowed with some +supernatural powers or attributes, but of course this was mere +superstition. The whole power of these little figures arose from the fact +that they aided the imagination of the spell-worker in forming a mental +image of the person sought to be influenced; and thus established a strong +en rapport condition. Added to this, you must remember that the fear and +belief of the public greatly aided the spell-worker and increased his +power and influence over these poor persons. + +I will give you a typical case, taken from an old German book, which +thoroughly illustrates the principles involved in cases of this kind. +Understand this case, and you will have the secret and working principle +of them all. The story is told by an eminent German physician of the last +century. He relates that he was consulted by one of his patients, a +wealthy farmer living near by. The farmer complained that he was disturbed +every night by strange noises which sounded like someone pounding iron. +The disturbances occurred between the hours of ten o'clock and midnight, +each and every night. The physician asked him if he suspected anyone of +causing the strange trouble. The farmer answered that he suspected an old +enemy of his, an old village blacksmith living several miles away from his +farm. It appears that an old long-standing feud between them had broken +out afresh, and that the blacksmith had made threats of employing his +"hex" (witchcraft) powers on the old farmer. The blacksmith was reputed to +be a sort of "hex" or male-witch, and the farmer believed in his diabolic +powers and was very much in fear of them. So you see the ideal condition +for psychic receptivity was present. + +The physician called on the blacksmith, and taking him by surprise, gazing +sternly into his eyes and asked him: "What do you do every night between +ten and twelve o'clock?" The blacksmith, frightened and disturbed, +stammered out: "I hammer a bar of iron every night at that time, and all +the while I think intently of a bad neighbor of mine who once cheated me +out of some money; and I 'will' at the same time that the noise will +disturb his rest, until he will pay me back my money to get peace and +quiet." The physician bade him to desist from his evil practices, under +threats of dire punishment; and then went to the farmer and made him +straighten out the financial dispute between the two. Thereafter, there +was no more trouble. + +So you see in this case all the necessary elements were present. First +there was the belief of the blacksmith in his own powers--this gave him +self-confidence and psychic power. Then there was the belief and fear on +the part of the farmer--this made him an easy subject, and very +susceptible to psychic induction, etc. Then there was the action of the +blacksmith beating the iron--this gave force and clearness to his +visualization of the idea he wished to induce in the mind of the other. +And, finally, there was his will employed in every stroke, going out in +the direction of the concentrated wish and purpose of influencing the +farmer. You see, then, that every psychic element was present. It was no +wonder that the old farmer was disturbed. + +Among the negroes of the South, in America; and among the Hawaiians; we +find marked instances of this kind. The negro Voodoo men and women work +black magic on those of their race who are superstitious and credulous, +and who have a mortal fear of the Voodoo. You see the conditions obtained +are much the same as in the case of the German case just cited. Travellers +who have visited the countries in which there is a large negro population, +have many interesting tales to recite of the terrible workings of these +Voodoo black magicians. In some cases, sickness and even death is the +result. But, mark you this! it is only those who believe in, and fear, the +power of the Voodoos that are affected. In Hawaii, the Kahunas or native +magicians are renowned for their power to cause sickness and death to +those who have offended them; or to those who have offended some client of +the Kahuna, and who have hired the latter to "pray" the enemy to sickness +or death. The poor ignorant Hawaiians, believing implicitly in the power +of the Kahunas, and being in deadly fear of them, are very susceptible to +their psychic influence, and naturally fall easy victims, unless they buy +of the Kahuna, or make peace with his client. White persons living in +Hawaii are not affected by the Kahunas, for they do not believe in them, +neither do they fear them. Unconsciously, but still strongly, they deny +the power, and are immune. So, you see, the principle working out here, +also. Once you have the master-key, you may unlock many doors of mystery +which have heretofore been closed to you. + +We do not have to fall back on cases of witchcraft, however, in order to +illustrate this phase of the use of psychic influence for selfish ends. In +Europe and America there are teachers of a low form of occultism who +instruct their pupils in the art of producing induced mental states in the +minds of others, for purposes of financial gain or other selfish ends. For +instance, there is a Western teacher who instructs his pupils to induce +desired mental states in prospective customers, or others whom they may +wish to influence for selfish reasons. This teacher tells his pupils to: +"Imagine your prospective customer, or other person, as seated in a chair +before which you are standing. Make the imagined picture as strong as +possible, for upon this depends your success. Then proceed to 'treat' this +person just as if he were actually present. Concentrate your will upon +him, and tell him what you expect to tell him when you meet him. Use all +of the arguments that you can think of, and at the same time hold the +thought that he must do as you say. Try to imagine him as complying with +your wishes in every respect, for this imagining will tend to 'come true' +when you really meet the person. This rule may be used, not only in the +case of prospective customers, but also in the case of persons whom you +wish to influence in any way whatsoever." Surely this is a case of +employing psychic powers for selfish purposes, if anything is. + +Again, in Europe and America, particularly in the latter country, we find +many persons who have picked up a smattering of occult knowledge by means +of some of the many healing cults and organizations which teach the power +of thought over physical diseases. In the instruction along the lines of +distant mental healing, the student is taught to visualize the patient as +strongly and clearly as possible, and to then proceed to make statements +of health and strength. The mind of the patient, and that of the healer, +cooperate and in many cases work wonderful cures. As you will see in the +last lesson of this course, there is great power in the mind to induce +healthful vibrations in the mind of others, and the work is a good and +worthy one. But, alas! as is so often the case, the good teaching is +sometimes perverted, and applied for unworthy and selfish ends. Some of +the persons who have picked up the principles of mental healing have +discovered that the same power may be used in a bad as well as in a good +direction. They accordingly, proceed to "treat" other persons with the +object of persuading them to do things calculated to benefit the person +using the psychic power. They seek to get these other persons under their +psychic influence, and to then take advantage of them in some way or +other. + +I hope that it is practically unnecessary for me to warn my students +against evil practices of this kind--I trust that I have not drawn any +students of this class to me. In case, however, that some of you may have +been, or may be in the future, tempted to use your psychic powers +improperly, in this way, I wish to caution and warn you positively against +so doing. Outside of the ordinary morality which should prevent you from +taking advantage of another person in this way, I wish to say to you that +anyone so misusing psychic or astral powers will inevitably bring down +upon his head, sooner or later, certain occult astral forces which will +prove disastrous to him. He will become involved in the web of his own +making, and will suffer greatly. Never by any means allow yourself to be +tempted into indulging in any of the practices of Black Magic, under any +form of disguise. You will live to regret it if you do. Employ your +powers, when you develop them, for the good of others; or at least, for +purely scientific investigation and knowledge. + +The scientific investigator of this phase of psychic influence, will wish +to become acquainted with what the occultists call "the astral tube." In +this phase of the phenomena, you manifest upon the astral plane, rather +than upon the physical. The astral form of telepathy is manifested, rather +than the ordinary form. While there are a number of technical points +involved in the production of the astral tube, I shall endeavor to +instruct you regarding its creation and use in as plain words as possible, +omitting all reference to technical occult details which would only serve +to distract your attention and confuse your mind. The advanced occult +student will understand these omitted technicalities without being told of +them; the others would not know what was meant by them, if mentioned, in +the absence of a long stage of preparatory teaching. After all, the theory +is not of so much importance to most of you as are the practical working +principles. I ask your careful attention to what I have to say in this +subject of the astral tube. + +The Astral Tube is formed by the person forming in his imagination (i.e., +on the astral plane by means of his imagination or visualizing powers), a +tube or small tunnel between himself and the person whom he wishes to +influence. He starts by picturing it in his mind a whirling vortex, +similar to the whirling ring of smoke emitted from a "coughing" engine, +and sometimes by a man smoking a cigar, about six inches to one foot in +diameter. He must will the imagined vortex-ring to move forward as if it +were actually boring a tunnel through the atmosphere. When the knack of +producing this astral tube is acquired, it will be found that the +visualized tunnel seems to vibrate with a peculiar intensity, and will +seem to be composed of a substance far more subtle than air. Then, at the +other end of this astral tube you must picture the other person, the one +whom you wish to influence. The person will seem as if viewed through the +wrong end of an opera-glass. When this condition is gained, there will be +found to be a high degree of en rapport between yourself and the other +person. The secret consists in the fact that you have really established a +form of clairvoyance between yourself and the person. When you have +induced this condition, proceed with your mental commands and pictures +just as if you were in the presence of the person himself. That is the +whole thing in a nutshell. + +In order that you may have another viewpoint from which to consider the +astral tube, or what corresponds to it, I wish to give you here a little +quotation from another writer on the subject, who presents the matter from +a somewhat more technical standpoint. Read this quotation in connection +with my own description of the astral tube, and you will form a pretty +complete and clear idea of the phenomenon. The writer mentioned says: "It +is impossible here to give an exhaustive disquisition on astral physics; +all I need say is that it is possible to make in the astral substance a +definite connecting-line that shall act as a telegraph wire to convey +vibrations by means of which all that is going on at the other end of it +may be seen. Such a line is established, be it understood, not by a direct +projection through space of astral matter, but by such action upon a line +(or rather many lines) of particles of that substance as will render them +capable of forming a conductor for vibrations of the character required. +This preliminary action can be set up in two ways--either by the +transmission of energy from particle to particle, until the line is +formed, or by the use of a force from a higher plane which is capable of +acting upon the whole line simultaneously. Of course this latter method +implies far greater development, since it involves the knowledge of (and +the power to use) forces of a considerably higher level. + +"Even the simpler and purely astral operation is a difficult one to +describe, though quite an easy one to perform. It may be said to partake +somewhat of the nature of the magnetization of a bar of steel; for it +consists in what we might call the polarization, by an effort of the human +will, of a number of astral atoms reaching from the operator to the scene +which he wishes to observe. All the atoms thus affected are held for the +time being with their axes rigidly parallel to one another, so that they +form a kind of temporary tube along which the clairvoyant may look. This +method has the disadvantage that the telegraph line is liable to +disarrangement or even destruction by any sufficiently strong astral +current which happens to cross its path; but if the original creative +effort were fairly definite, this would be a contingency of only +infrequent occurrence. The view of a distant scene obtained by means of +this 'astral current' is in many ways not unlike that seen through a +telescope. Human figures usually appear very small, like those on a +distant stage, but in spite of their diminutive size they are as clear as +though they were close by. Sometimes it is possible by this means to hear +what is said as well as to see what is done; but as in the majority of +cases this does not happen, we must consider it rather as the +manifestation of an additional power than as a necessary corollary of the +faculty of sight." + +I would feel that I had not done my whole duty to the student, or reader +of this book, were I to conclude this chapter without pointing out a means +of protection against the use of this phase of psychic influence against +them on the part of some unscrupulous person; or for that matter, against +the meddling influence of any person whatsoever, for any purpose +whatsoever, without one's permission and consent. Therefore, I wish now to +point out the general principles of self-protection or defense against +this class of psychic influence. + +In the first place, you must, of course, refuse to admit to your mind any +feeling of fear regarding the influence of other persons--for that is the +open door to their influence, as I have pointed out to you. If you have +been, or are fearful of any persons psychic influence, you must get to +work and drive out that feeling by positive and vigorous denials. The +denial, you remember, is the positive neutralizer of the psychic influence +of another person, providing you make it in full belief of its truth. You +must take the position (which is a true one) that you are immune to the +psychic attack or influence. You should say, mentally, "I deny to any +person the power to influence me psychically without my consent; I am +positive to all such influences, and they are negative to me; I neutralize +them by this denial!" + +If you feel sudden impulses to act in some way which you have not thought +of doing, or toward which you have had an aversion, pause a moment and +say, mentally, "If this is an outside influence, I deny its power over me; +I deny it, and send it back to its sender, to his defeat and confusion." +You will then experience a feeling of relief and freedom. In such cases +you may frequently be approached later on by the person who would have +been most benefitted by your action; he will appear surprised when you +"turn him down," and will act in a confused way. He may not have +consciously tried to influence you, but may have merely been wishing +strongly that you would do as he desired. + +It should encourage you to know that it requires much less force to repel +and neutralize psychic influence of this kind, than is required to send +forth the power; an ounce of denial and protection overcomes a pound of +psychic attacking power. Nature gives you the means of protection, and +gives you "the best end of the stick," and it is your own fault if you do +not effectively use it. A word to the wise is sufficient. + + + + +LESSON XIX. + +LAWS OF PSYCHIC ATTRACTION + + +The third phase of Psychic Influence is that which may be called Indirect +Psychic Influence, in which psychic induction is manifested in the minds +of other persons coming in contact with the thought vibrations of the +person manifesting them, although no deliberate attempt is made to +influence the mind of any particular person or persons. Closely connected +with and involved in this phase of psychic influence, is that which is +called the Psychic Law of Attraction. So closely are these two connected +that I shall consider them together in this lesson. + +The fundamental principle of this phase of psychic influence is the +well-known psychic fact that mental and emotional states not only induce +similar vibrations in those who are similar attuned on the psychic +vibratory scale, but also tend to attract and draw to the person other +persons who are vibrating along similar lines, and also tend to repel +those who are vibrating in an opposing note or scale of psychic vibration. + +In the preceding lessons I have shown you how by induction we tend to +arouse in others mental and emotional states similar to our own. But there +is a law in effect here, which must be noted if you wish to thoroughly +understand this phase of psychic influences. Omitting all technical +explanations, and getting right down to the heart of the phenomenon, I +would say that the general principle is this: Psychic induction is +difficult in proportion to the opposing quality of the characteristic +mental and emotional states of the person affected; and easy in proportion +to the harmonious quality thereof. That is to say, in plain words, that if +a person's habitual thought and emotions are along the same lines that you +are trying to induce in him, you will find it easy to induce the same in +him; if, on the contrary, they are of an opposing nature, then you will +find it difficult to so influence him. The many degrees of agreement and +difference in the psychic vibrations of persons constitute a scale of +comparative response to any particular form of mental or emotional +vibrations. + +It is hard to change the spots of a leopard, or the skin of an Ethiopian, +as we are told on ancient authority. It is almost as difficult to change +the characteristic mental and emotional states of a person by psychic +induction, except after long and repeated efforts. On the contrary, let a +person have certain characteristic mental and emotional habits, then these +may be aroused in them with the greatest ease by means of psychic +induction. For instance, if a person is characteristically and habitually +peaceful, mild and calm, it will be very difficult to arouse in him by +psychic induction the vibrations of anger, fight and excitement. On the +other hand, if the other person is combative, fierce and easily excited to +wrath, it is the easiest possible thing to arouse these feelings in him by +psychic induction. So much for ordinary psychic induction; let us now +consider indirect psychic induction, in which the same principle operates. + +In indirect psychic induction, that is to say in cases in which psychic +vibrations are aroused by induction without deliberate attempt or design +to influence any particular person or persons, there is noted the +manifestation of a peculiar law of attraction and repulsion along psychic +lines. This psychic law operates in the direction of attracting to oneself +other persons who, actively or passively, vibrate on the same note, or on +some note or notes in general harmony therewith. In the same, way, the law +causes you to repel other persons who vibrate on a note or notes in +general inharmony or discord to yourself. So, in short, we go through life +attracting or repelling, psychically, others in harmonious or inharmonious +psychic relation to us, respectively. An understanding of this law and its +workings will throw light upon many things in your life which you have not +understood previously. + +You of course understand that you are constantly radiating currents of +psychic vibrations, some of which flow out to great distances from you, +and affect others often far removed from you in space. But you may not +also know that on the astral plane there is manifesting a similar sequence +of cause and effect. A strong emotional vibration, or a strong desire or +will, tends to manifest on the astral plane by attracting or repelling +others in psychic harmony or inharmony with you. This phenomenon is not so +common as is that of ordinary thought vibrations from brain to brain, but +it is far more common that is generally supposed. It is particularly +marked in cases of men of strong desire and will, and strong creative +imagination. These vibrations awakening response in the minds of those in +harmony with them, tend to draw to one those other persons whose general +character will fit in with the desires and ideas of the first person, or +to repel those who are not harmonious therewith. This explains the +peculiar phenomenon of strong men in business, politics and other walks of +life, drawing and attracting to them other men who will fit in with their +general plans and aims. + +This law works two ways. Not only do you draw such persons to you as will +fit in with your plans and purposes, but you are attracted to them by the +same law. Not only this, but you will find that through the peculiar +workings of this law even things and circumstances, as well as persons, +will seem to be moulded by your strong desires and ideas, providing your +psychic vibrations are sufficiently strong and clear. Have you never +noticed how a strong, resourceful magnetic man will seem to actually draw +to him the persons, things and circumstances that he needs to carry out +and manifest his plans and designs. To many, not understanding this great +law, these things have seemed positively uncanny and mysterious. But, +now-a-days, the big men of business and politics are beginning to +understand these psychic laws, and to apply them deliberately and with +purpose. + +Some of the great leaders in the business world, and in politics, are +known to deliberately start into operation strong psychic vibrations, and +to send out strong psychic currents of attraction, by the methods that I +have already explained to you. They, of course, are filled with a more +than ordinary degree of desire and will and, in the second place, they +create very strong and clear mental pictures of their plans working out +successfully to a finish; then concentrate strongly on the thing; and lo! +the effect is felt by all hands and on all sides. They "treat the public" +(to use the term favored by some of the metaphysical cults of the day) by +holding the mental picture of that which they strongly desire to come to +pass, and by concentrating their thought and will strongly upon it. + +A favorite mental picture of some of these men (who have been instructed +by teachers of occultism), is that of themselves as the centre of a great +psychic whirlpool, drawing to themselves the persons, things and +circumstances calculated to bring success and realization to them. Others +picture their thought-vibrations flowing from them like the rings in a +pond into which a stone had been dropped, influencing a constantly +widening circle of other persons; then they picture the persons being +drawn to them in the manner just mentioned. They persist in this practice +day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year--is it +any wonder that they draw to themselves that which they desire? + +Other persons of lesser caliber take similar advantage of the law in the +same way, but on a smaller scale. In every community there are certain +persons who seem to draw to themselves the patronage and custom of the +community, in some peculiar way. In most cases this may be traced back to +some form of psychic influence. I do not mean that these persons +consciously and deliberately set these forces into operation. On the +contrary, many of them do so more or less unconsciously, and without a +knowledge of the underlying psychic principles involved. Such persons have +stumbled on a portion of the psychic laws, and have used them more or less +unconsciously and without understanding the real reason of the happening. +They found out that certain mental states and certain mental pictures +tended to produce certain results--that they "worked out"--and so they +continued them. Some of these men think of the whole thing as something +supernatural, and get to believe that they are being helped by some +supernatural power; whereas, they are simply operating under a universal +psychic law of cause and effect. + +In America a number of teachers and writers have devoted much attention to +this phase of the general subject of psychic influence. Cults have been +formed upon this general basis, the main idea of their followers being +that of attracting financial and other success by means of this phase of +psychic force. One of the leading writers along this line, says: "An +individual who has cultivated the faculty of concentration, and has +acquired the art of creating sharp, clear, strong, mental images, and who +when engaged in an undertaking will so charge his mind with the idea of +success, will be bound to become an attracting centre. And if such an +individual will keep his mental picture ever in his mind, even though it +be in the background of his mind, when he is attending to the details and +planning of his affairs--if he will give his mental picture a prominent +place in his mental gallery, taking a frequent glance at it, and using his +will upon it to create new scenes of actual success, he will create for +himself a centre of radiating thought that will surely be felt by those +coming within its field of influence. + +"Such a man frequently 'sees people as coming to him and his enterprises, +and as falling in line with his plans. He mentally 'sees' money flowing in +to him, and all of his plans working out right. In short, he mentally +imagines each step of his plans a little ahead of the time for their +execution, and he concentrates forcibly and earnestly upon them. It is +astonishing to witness how events, people, circumstances, and things seem +to move in place in actual life as if urged by some mighty power to serve +to materialize the conditions so imaged in the mind of the man. But, +understand, there must be active mental effort behind the imaging. Day +dreamers do not materialize thought--they merely dissipate energy. The man +who converts thought in activity and material being throws energy into +the task, and puts forth his willpower through the pictured image. Without +the rays of the will there will be no picture projected, no matter how +beautifully the imagination has projected it. Thought pictured in mental +images, and then vitalized by the force of the desire, and will, tend to +objectify themselves into material being." + +The student will be interested in reading and hearing the various theories +and explanations given by different writers and teachers to account for +the phenomena of psychic influence. Once he has grasped the real +scientific principles involved, he will be able to see the same in +operation in all of the cases cited by the different teachers and writers, +and will find that this fundamental principle fully explains and accounts +for all of these cases, no matter how puzzling they may seem, or how +mysterious they may be claimed to be by those mentioning them. Truth is +very simple when we brush away the fantastic dressings which have been +placed around it by those who have lacked knowledge of the true +fundamental principles. + +We see this same law or principle operating in very many different ways +from those previously mentioned. For instance, we frequently find cases in +which one person has a strong desire for a certain kind of assistance in +his business or other work. He has almost given up hope of finding the +right kind of person, for those whom he has tried have failed to measure +up the requirements of the situation. If he will (and he sometimes does) +follow the general plan just mentioned, he will set into operation the +psychic forces which will attract that person to him, and him to that +person. In some peculiar way, the two will be thrown together, and the +combination will work out to the best advantage of both. In these cases, +each person is seeking the other, and the psychic forces of attraction, +once set into operation, serve to bring them together. + +In like manner, one often draws to himself certain knowledge and +information that he requires or is desirous of gaining. But, and you must +always remember this, no miracle is worked, for it is simply a matter of +the working out of natural laws of cause and effect--attraction and +response to attraction--on the psychic or astral plane. Such a person will +accidently (!) run across some other person who will be led to give him +the key to the knowledge he seeks. Perhaps a book may be mentioned, or +some reference to some writer be made. If the hint is followed up, the +desired information comes to light. Many persons have had the psychic +experience of being led to some book store and induced to examine a +particular shelf of books, whereupon a particular book presents itself +which changes the whole course of the person's life. Or, perhaps, one will +pick up a newspaper apparently at random, and without purpose; and therein +will find some information, or at least a hint in the direction where the +information may be found. When one accustoms himself to the workings of +psychic forces, these things soon become accepted as a matter of course, +and cease to arouse wonder or surprise. The workings of the Psychic Law of +Attraction is seen to be as natural and invariable as the law of +gravitation, or magnetic attraction, once one has mastered its principles, +and learned the methods of its application. Surely such a wonderful law is +well worth study, attention, investigation, and mastery, isn't it? + +A writer along the lines of Mental Science, which is really based on the +principles which have been stated in this book, has the following to say +regarding his system: "Wonderful results arise by reason of what has been +called 'The Law of Attraction,' by the workings of which each person is +continually drawing to himself the people, things, objects, and even +circumstances in harmony and accord with his prevailing mental states. +Like attracts like, and the mental states determine that which one draws +to himself. If you are not satisfied with what is coming to you, start to +work and change your mental attitudes and mental states, and you will see +a change gradually setting in, and then the things that you want will +begin to come your way. * * * A most important fact about the effect of +mental vibrations upon people lies in the principle that one is more +affected by vibrations in harmony with his own accustomed feelings and +mental states, than by those of an opposite nature. A man who is full of +evil schemes, and selfish aims, is more apt to be caught up by similar +vibrations than one who lives above that plane of thought. He is more +easily tempted by evil suggestions and influences, than one to whom these +things are abhorrent. And the same is true on every plane. A man whose +mental attitude is one of confidence and fearlessness, is not apt to be +affected by vibrations of a negative, pessimistic, gloomy nature, and vice +versa. Therefore, if you wish to receive the vibrations of the thoughts +and feelings of others, you must place yourself in a mental attitude +corresponding with those vibrations which you wish to receive. And if you +wish to avoid vibrations of a certain kind, the best way is to rise above +them in your own mind, and to cultivate the mental states opposite them. +The positive always overcomes the negative--and optimistic mental states +are always positive to pessimistic mental states." + +Another writer on, and practitioner of Mental Science, in America, several +years ago, explained her theory and practice by means of the term +"corelation of thoughts and things." She held that when one thought +positively, clearly and forcibly of a thing, he "related" himself to that +thing, and tended to attract it to him, and to be attracted toward it. She +held that true wisdom consists in so managing our thoughts that we shall +relate ourselves only to those things which we know to be desirable and +beneficial to ourselves, and to avoid thinking of those which are harmful +and detrimental to us. The student of this book will see how this +practical Mental Scientist was really using the same principles that we +have examined and become acquainted within this book, although she called +them by another name, and explained them by another theory. At the bottom +of all the teachings and theories you will always find the one same basic +principle and universal law. + +The advanced student of occultism knows that each and every one of us is +really a creator of his own circumstances, environment and conditions, to +a great extent. Each of us is able to so modify our mental activities as +to bring about such changes in our environment and surroundings as to +actually re-create them. The things accomplished by successful men are +really but materializations of that which they have previously held in +their mental vision. Everything is first created on the psychic plane, and +then manifested in the physical world. All the great works of man, the +great bridges, great buildings, tunnels, machinery, cities, railroads, +canals, works of art, musical compositions, etc., first existed in the +mind of their creators, and were then afterward materialized in physical +form and shape. And, so you see we are proceeding with our work of mental +creations whenever we think and make mental images. This, however, is no +new teaching. It is as old as the race of mankind. Over twenty-five +hundred years ago, Buddha said to his disciples: "All that we are is the +result of what we have thought; it is founded on our thoughts; it is made +up of our thoughts." + +I would be telling you but half the story did I not warn you that strong +Fear may play the part ordinarily filled by Desire in the production of +the psychic phenomena of materialization of mental pictures. Strange as +it may appear at first, a strong fear that a thing will come to pass will +act much the same as a strong desire that the happening will occur. +Consequently, many persons by continually dwelling upon the thing that +they fear may happen to them, actually attract that thing to them, just as +if they had actually desired and wished for it. I cannot go into occult +technicalities in explaining this strange fact; but the gist of the secret +may be said to consist in the fact that the person clearly and vividly +pictures in his mind the thing that he fears may happen to him. He thus +creates a strong mental-picture or image of it, which sets into forces the +attractive power of psychic influence and draws the feared thing into +material reality. As Job said: "The thing that I feared hath come upon +me." The moral of this is, of course, that persons should learn to stamp +out fear and mental images of things feared. Instead, they should make +strong positive mental denials of the things that they may find themselves +fearing. They should deny the reality of the feared thing, and assert +positively their own superiority to the thing, and their power to overcome +it. + +A great religious cult has sprung into existence which makes a leading +doctrine of this ability to materialize the things which one desires, and +to deny out of existence undesirable things. Many persons who have +witnessed the wonderful success of some of the followers of this cult or +organization, have been puzzled to account for the same on scientific and +rational grounds. A little understanding of fundamental occult and +psychic principles, as given in these lessons, will show the "why and +wherefore" of these strange and wonderful manifestations. In this +connection you must remember that the combined thought of the thousands of +persons composing this cult or organization undoubtedly gives additional +psychic force to the mental affirmations and denials of the individual +member thereof. + +In past and present, and probably in future time, there have been many +instances of magical procedures tending to bring about the results that we +have herein seen to come about by reason of psychic influence, in some of +its many phases. These magic procedures have usually been accompanied by +incantations, ceremonies, strange rites, evocations, etc., which were +supposed to have great virtue in bringing about desired results. But the +true occultists now know that these ceremonies and rites were merely hopes +to the imagination and aids to faith, and thus tended to bring about the +psychic phenomena. There was no virtue in these ceremonies themselves, and +the same results may be secured by simply following the procedure outlined +in this book. The wonders of ancient magic have been reproduced by the +modern occultists, without all the mumbo-jumbo of the past rites and +ceremonies. + +A gifted English writer upon the subject of the relation of mysticism and +magic, sums up the gist of the principles of Magic as follows: + +"The central doctrine of Magic may now be summed up thus: + +"(1) That a supersensible and real cosmic medium exists, which +interpenetrates, influences, and supports the tangible and apparent world, +and is amenable to the categories both of meta-physics and of physics." +[This of course is the astral plane, which is the container of the subtle +form or framework of all that exists on the physical plane.] + +"(2) That there is an established analogy and equilibrium between the real +(and unseen) world, and the illusory manifestation that we call the world +of sense." [By this of course is meant the correspondence and balance +between the subtle form of things and the material manifestation thereof. +Things created in the astral, tend to materialize on the physical plane. +All creation proceeds from the astral to the physical.] + +"(3) That this analogy may be discerned, and this equilibrium controlled, +by the disciplined will of man, which thus becomes master of itself and of +fate." [The essence of Will consists of strong desire accompanied by a +clear mental picture of the thing desired, and held steady and firm by +concentration.] + +So you see by reference to the above very clear statement of the central +doctrine of Magic, and my explanations thereof, that in these lessons you +have been taught the very essence of the wonderful, mysterious ancient +Magic, and its modern counterpart. As for the various rites and +ceremonies, as I have said, these are mere symbols and aids to mental +imaging and concentration. As an eminent occultist once said, "Ceremonies +being but artificial methods of creating certain habits of the will, they +cease to be necessary when these habits have become fixed." The master of +occultism sees ceremonies, rites, and ritual as but the playthings of the +kindergarten scholar--useful and important so far as they go, but serving +merely to teach the scholar, sooner or later, that he may proceed without +them. + +In this chapter I have condensed enough information to fill a whole book. +I trust that you will study it carefully, and not miss its main points. + + + + +LESSON XX. + +PSYCHIC AND MAGNETIC HEALING + + +Probably no phase of psychic influence is more familiar to the average +person of the Western world than is that of the healing of physical ills +and conditions by means of psychic influence under one name or another. +Great healing cults and organizations have been built up upon this basis, +and the interest in the subject has taken on the form of a great popular +movement. + +As is natural in cases of this kind, there have been hundreds of theories +advanced to account for the phenomena of psychic healing, and a still +greater number of methods of treatments devised to carry out the +principles of the theories. Ranging from the teaching of actual divine +interposition and influence arising from certain forms of belief and +practice, covering many intermediate stages, the theories even include a +semi-materialistic hypothesis in which mind is considered as an attribute +of matter, but having a magic influence over the forms of matter when +properly applied. But it is worthy of note that no matter what the general +or particular theory, or what the favored method of application, these +healing schools or cults, as well as the independent practitioners, meet +with a very fair degree of success and perform quite a number of cures. + +Many of these Western advocates and practitioners of psychic healing +practically hold that the whole system is of very recent discovery, and +that it has nothing whatsoever to do with ordinary occult science. The +occultists however are able to smile at these ideas and beliefs, for they +not only recognize the general principles involved, but they also are +aware that these principles, and their application, have been known to +advanced occultists for thousands of years. I do not say this in any +dispargement of the moderns schools of psychic healing, for I am in full +sympathy with their great work; I merely mention the matter that the +student may get the right historical perspective in considering this phase +of psychic phenomena and influence. + +So far as the methods of application are concerned, the true occultist +recognizes that most of the methods and forms of treatment are but outward +cloaks or disguises for the real psychic healing principle. The gist of +the real methods is to be found in the principles of the application of +psychic influence which I have presented to you in these lessons, viz: (1) +Strong desire to make the cure; (2) clear mental image or picture of the +desired condition as actually present in the patient at this time; and (3) +concentration of the attention and mind of the healer, so as to bring to a +focus to two preceding mental states. Here you have the real secret of +psychic healing methods--the rest are all elaborations thereof, dressed up +forms and ceremonies which affect the imagination, faith, belief and +confidence of the patient, and thus make the healing process much easier. +In fact, with the proper degree of faith and confidence on the part of the +patient, there is but little need of a healer, for the patient may treat +and cure himself. However, in most cases, the presence of the healer aids +materially in arousing the fate and confidence of the patient, and hastens +the cure. + +Again, so far as the theories underlying the cures are concerned, +occultists are able to reduce them all to a single working theory or +principle, which includes all the rest. Brushing aside all technical +details, and all attempts to trace back the healing process to the +ultimate facts of the universe, I may say that the gist of the principle +of all psychic healing is that of influencing the astral foundation of the +various organs and parts, cells and centres, so as to make it proceed to +manifest a more perfect physical counterpart. All psychic healing is +really accomplished on the astral body first--then the physical body +responds to the renewed activities of its astral counterpart. To get the +real significance of this statement it is necessary for you to realize +just what the astral body really is. This once grasped, the difficulties +vanish, and you are able to form a clear conception of the entire matter +and process. + +The astral body is a precise counterpart of the physical body, its organs, +its parts, its centres, and its cells. In fact, the astral body is the +pattern upon which the physical body is materialized. The astral body is +composed of an etheric substance of a very high rate of vibration. In one +sense it may be considered as a very subtle form of matter--in another as +a semi-materialized form of force or energy. It is finer and more subtle +that the rarest vapors or gases known to science. And, yet, it has a +strong degree of tenacity and cohesiveness that enables it to resist +attacks from the material side of nature. As I have said, each organ, +part, centre or cell, of the physical body has its astral pattern or +basis. In fact, the physical body has been built up, in whole and in all +of its parts, on the pattern and base of the astral body. Moreover, in +case of impaired functioning of the physical organs or parts, and impaired +activity of the physical body, its limbs, etc., if we can manage to arouse +the activities of the astral body we may cause it to re-materialize or +re-energize the physical body, and thus restore health and activity to it. +If the liver, for instance, is not functioning properly, we proceed to +start up the activities of the astral counterpart of that organ, to the +end that the physical organ may be re-energized, and recreated in a +measure. All true psychic healing work is performed on the astral plane, +before it manifests on the physical. + +At this point, I should also call your attention to the effect of "prana," +or life energy, in some cases of healing. This prana is what Western +healers mean when they speak of "human magnetism" in their healing work. +So far from being an imaginary force, as claimed by the physical +scientists and materialists, it is known to all occultists as an active +principle of the human body, and as of great efficacy in the psychic +treatment of disease. I shall mention the details of this form of +treatment as we proceed--I mention it at this place merely to call your +attention to the fact of its existence. + +Before passing on to the consideration of other phases of the subject +before us, I would like to call your attention to the fact that from the +earliest days of history there have been recorded instances of some form +of psychic healing. In the earlier days the psychic healing work was left +entirely in the hands of the priesthood of the various religions +prevailing in the several counties of the world. Claiming to have an +exclusive divine sanction to perform healing work, these priests used +various ceremonies, rites, incantations, etc., in order to obtain their +results. In many cases these priests were ignorant of the real psychic +forces invoked and set into operation; they merely practiced methods which +had been found to work out effectively, and which had been handed down to +them by their predecessors. In other cases, however, the priests +undoubtedly were skilled occultists, and had a very full knowledge of the +forces they were using; though, as the masses of the people were very +ignorant it was impossible to acquaint them with these things so far above +their understanding; and, consequently, the priests applied the healing +forces under the disguise of their religious ceremonies and rites. + +From time to time, however, as civilization progressed, there came into +prominence persons who worked cures of physical ills by means of magical +ceremonies and other similar methods, but who were outside of the +priesthood. Some of these men undoubtedly had a very fair knowledge of the +real secret of their cures, though they disguised them to suit the mental +condition of their patients, and, also, probably for purposes of self +glorification. In other cases, however, it is probable that these healers +had merely stumbled across the fact that certain things said in a certain +way tended to work cures; or that certain physical objects seemed to have +therapeutic virtue. They did not realize that the whole healing virtue of +their systems depended upon the strong idea in their own minds, coupled +with the strong faith and confidence in the mind of the patient. And so +the work went on. + +In some of the oldest records of the human race, the scriptures of the +various peoples, we find that "laying on of hands" was the favorite method +employed by the holy men and priests, and other performing healing work. +From the first there seems to have been an almost instinctive recognition +on the part of man of the fact that there is a healing power in the touch +of the hand. Even ignorant and savage mothers instinctively apply their +hands to the hurt bodies of their children--a custom that has its +counterpart in civilized races, by the way. The child is taught to expect +physical relief from the application of the mother's hands, and its mind +at once pictures relief. Not only is the mental picture created, but the +desire and confidence is established in the minds of both persons. The +same thing is true of all "laying on of hands," and thus are the +principles of all psychic influence brought into play. But this is not all +there is to it. In the first place, there is an actual transference of +prana from the body of the healer to that of the patient, which serves to +energize and revitalize the cells and centres of the body of the latter. +In the second place, there is the effect upon the astral body of the +patient, which tends to materialize better physical conditions. In the +third place, there is that combination and union of the minds of the two +persons, which gives extra force and power to psychic influence. Is it any +wonder that cures take place under these circumstances? + +In the modern revival of the almost lost art and science of psychic +healing among the general public, there has been unusual stress laid upon +the feature of "absent healing," in which the patient and the healer are +not in each other's presence. To many this has seemed actually miraculous, +and as a positive proof of divine interposition. But a little thought will +show the student that such cures are not unknown in the pages of history, +as a casual examination of the sacred books of almost any religion will +show. Moreover, the student will see that to the effect of certain +principles of psychic influence there needs but to be added the principles +of telepathic communication, or, better still, the principles of astral +communication by some phases of clairvoyance, to account for the entire +phenomena of "absent healing." + +Space is no barrier on the astral plane, as you have seen in the +preceding chapters of this book. Once the en rapport condition is +established between healer and patient, and the rest is simple--the astral +body is induced to energize more actively, and as a result the physical +manifestation is improved and normal functioning restored. Of course, all +this is wonderful enough--all psychic phenomena is, for that matter; but, +we see that we do not have to go outside of established occult laws, +principles and facts in order to account for some of these modern miracles +which have puzzled and perplexed so many good persons who have not known +of the occult teachings, and who fear that the world is being turned +upside down, and Nature's laws overturned by these "new fangled" ideas and +methods. + +Perhaps the most simple method of healing by psychic influence is that +which is at the same time the oldest method, i.e., the "laying on of +hands." This method was revived about twenty years ago in America and +Europe by the new school of "magnetic healing" which sprung rapidly into +public favor. The other schools of psychic healing, generally known as +"mental healing," "spiritual healing," "divine healing," etc., generally +frown upon the use of the hands in psychic healing, deeming it "too +material," and too much allied to hypnotism, etc. But this view is quite +bigoted and narrow, for this method has no relation to hypnotism, and, +moreover, it gives the patient the benefit of the flow of prana from the +healer, while at the same time producing the psychic effect on the astral +body, as I have just mentioned. + +I take the liberty of quoting here something on this subject from my +little book entitled "The Human Aura." In the chapter of that book devoted +to the consideration of the subject of "Auric Magnetism," I said: "In +cases of magnetic healing, etc., the healer by an effort of his will +(sometimes unconsciously applied) projects a supply of his pranic aura +vibrations into the body of his patient, by way of the nervous system of +the patient, and also by means of what may be called the induction of the +aura itself. The mere presence of a person strongly charged with prana, is +often enough to cause an overflow into the aura of other persons, with a +resulting feeling of new strength and energy. By the use of the hands of +the healer, a heightened effect is produced, by reason of certain +properties inherent in the nervous system of both healer and patient. +There is even a flow of etheric substance from the aura of the healer to +that of the patient, in cases in which the vitality of the latter is very +low. Many a healer has actually, and literally, pumped his life force and +etheric substance into the body of his patient, when the latter was +sinking into the weakness which precedes death, and has by so doing been +able to bring him back to strength and life. This is practically akin to +the transfusion of blood--except that it is upon the psychic plane instead +of the physical." + +But the true "magnetic healer" (call him by whatever name you wish) does +not make this pranic treatment the all-in-all of his psychic treatment. +On the contrary it is but the less subtle part, which leads up to the +higher phases. While treating his patients by the laying on of hands, he, +at the same time, strives to induce in the mind of the patient the mental +image of restored health and physical strength; he pictures the diseased +organ as restored to health and normal functioning; he sees the entire +physiological machinery operating properly, the work of nutrition, +assimilation, and excretion going on naturally and normally. By proper +words of advice L and encouragement he awakens hope and confidence in the +mind of the patient, and thus obtains the co-operation of that mind in +connection to his own mental efforts. The astral body responds to this +treatment, and begins to energize the physical organs and cells into +normal activity--and the journey toward health is begun. + +[In the little book just mention, "The Human Aura," I gave some valuable +information regarding the influence of colors in psychic healing, which I +do not reproduce here as it is outside the scope and field of the present +lessons. Those who may feel interested in the subject are respectfully +referred to the little manual itself. It is sold for a nominal price by +the publishers of the present work.] + +In the form of psychic treatment which comes under the head of Suggestive +Therapeutics, great insistence is laid upon the verbal suggestion to the +patient, on the part of the healer. The patient is told that he will get +well; that his organs will function normally; etc., etc. But the student +of the present lessons will readily see that the only virtue in the spoken +words consists in their power to evoke and induce the mental image of the +desired condition in the mind of the patient. The mental picture thus +evoked produces a corresponding effect in the astral body of the patient, +and sets into operation the materialization of desired results. In +addition, the words produce a strong mental picture in the mind of the +healer himself, and thus give form and strength to his psychic vibrations +which are being poured out toward the patient. This is really the secret +of suggestive treatment. + +The many cults of metaphysical healing, in America and Europe, lay great +stress upon what they call "affirmations," which are but statements of the +patient of his or her faith in the healing power of God, or of Mind, or +Spirit, or Principle (different names are used). The patient naturally has +confidence aroused, and as naturally begins to picture the desired +condition; this in turn reacting upon the astral body, and this upon the +physical body or organ. In addition, the healer's mind is also set to work +in the same way, and sets into motion the healing psychic forces in the +way just mentioned. You will notice that the same principle is always +involved and set into operation and manifestation. + +There is no particular virtue in the form of affirmation used by the +healer or patient, except the important virtue of being able to arouse +strong mental pictures of restored health, proper functioning, etc. There +is of course this also: certain forms of affirmations or mental statements +are better suited than others to the particular wants of certain persons. +For instance, a very religious person will be aroused better by +affirmations and statements filled with religious sentiments and ideas; +while a person of a purely scientific turn of mind will receive more +benefit from affirmations in which the precise physiological functions are +specifically mentioned; while the person who is fond of mystery and +strange ceremonies will be better served in the affirmations or statements +taken in the form of some magical incantation, etc. The difference, +however, lies in the mind of the patient, rather than in the words +themselves. Words are merely invokers of ideas--symbols of ideas. In +themselves, words are nothing--ideas are everything. + +If you wish to treat yourself psychically for some physical disorder, or +if you wish to do good to others in the same way, you have but to put into +operation the general principles of psychic influence herein described. +That is to say, you must first be filled with the strong desire and wish +to make the cure; then you must make a strong mental image of the desired +result, as actually present. (Do not think of it as "going to be;" instead +say and think that it "is now!"); then concentrate the attention firmly +and positively upon the idea. You may aid yourself and others by +affirmations or auto-suggestions (words creating desired ideas and mental +pictures) if you wish--you may get better results in this way. In this +connection, let me remind you that the healing work in many cases consists +largely in placing proper mental pictures in the mind of the patient, +thereby displacing improper and harmful mental pictures of disease, etc., +which have been given lodgment there before. Many persons are sick because +of improper and harmful mental pictures that they have allowed to be +placed there by the suggestions of others. Fear and dread of disease often +acts to bring about the feared condition, for reasons that you can readily +see. + +And, now, finally for the work of "absent healing" by psychic influence. I +can state this to you very simply; it is this: take what I have just told +you regarding personal treatments, and combine it with what I have told +you in previous lessons about "long distance psychic influence"--then you +will have the whole thing. Here is a sample of an effective distant +treatment; or "absent treatment," to use the popular term--it may be +varied and enlarged up to fit individual cases: + +Sit quietly in your own room, inducing a calm, peaceful mental attitude +and state. Then (in the way already told you in this book) make a mental +picture of the patient as sitting opposite to you, or lying down in front +of you. If you have never seen the patient, make simply a mental image of +a man, or a woman, as the case may be, and think of the figure as being +the patient. The best practitioners of distant psychic healing produce +such a strong mental image of the patient that they can often actually +"feel" his or her presence. (This of course is the result of a simple +form of clairvoyance.) Then make a strong mental picture of the condition +that you wish to induce in the patient--the healthy physical condition of +the organ, or part or body, as the case may be. See this condition as +existing at the present time, and not as merely to come in the future. At +the same time, you will do well to mentally speak to the patient, just as +you would in case he or she were sitting before you in the physical body. +Tell the patient just what you would in such case. Pour in the +suggestions, or affirmations, or whatever you may wish to call them. In +some cases in which an excellent en rapport condition is established, +patients become aware of the treatment, and sometimes can almost see and +feel the presence of the healer. + +A prominent Mental Scientist, of America, instructs his pupils to consider +each of the organs of the patient, or of themselves, as having a separate +intelligence; and, therefore, to "speak up to it" as if it really +understood what was being said to its organ-mind. I would say that such +form of treatment would be calculated to bring about very good results, +indeed. The principle of concentration and mental picturing would be +invoked very strongly in such a case, and the astral counterpart of the +organ should respond to such treatment quickly and effectively. It is an +occult fact that there is mind in every organ and cell of the body, and if +the same is awakened in the astral counterpart, it will respond to the +command, suggestion, or direction. The writer in question evidently is +well acquainted with this occult law, judging from his other writings, and +has simply veiled his knowledge with this easily understood method of +treatment which undoubtedly will "do the work," to use the American term. + +Finally, no matter what may be the theory, or method, given in connection +with psychic healing of any or all kinds, you will find the same general +principles underlying it that have been presented over and over again in +this book. In fact, many purely material and physical remedies owe their +success to the fact that they appeal to the imagination of the patient, +and also inspire confidence in him. Anything that will inspire confidence, +faith and hope in the mind of a patient, and will bring to his mind strong +mental pictures of restored health and normal functioning of his +organs--that thing will make for health for him. So, there you have the +whole theory and practice in a sentence! + + * * * * * + +I would remind the student that these are not lessons to be read but once +and then laid aside. In order to get from them all that they contain for +you, you will find it necessary to read them several times, with a +reasonable interval between readings for the knowledge to sink into your +mind. I feel sure that you will find with each reading that there are many +points that you over-looked before. The lessons cover a wide field, with +many little excursions into bye-paths and lanes of thought. I trust that +the reading and study will make you not only a wiser person, but also a +stronger and more efficient one. I thank you for your kind attention, and +trust that we shall meet again in the future. + + +FINIS. + + + + + +The Art and Science of +PERSONAL MAGNETISM +By THERON Q. DUMONT +THE SECRET OF FORTUNE, +FAME AND LOVE + +_Success can be made more certain by being able to mold minds and to +influence them to act as you wish_. + +THE ART AND SCIENCE OF PERSONAL MAGNETISM + +By Theron Q. Dumont + +A Chicago paper in a recent editorial said: "There are men in this country +in abundance, but good men, while in great demand, are as scarce as the +clams in chowder at a church supper." + +A man need not be a college graduate if he is to rise to the height of +power and success. Personal Magnetism will help to control and influence +others. + +This book contains 238 pages crammed with most interesting advice on +Personal Magnetism--what it is and how to develop it. It contains 21 +chapters dealing with the different phases of the subject. Here are a few +of the chapter headings: + +The Mental Phase--The Physical Phase--Physical Magnetism--Mental +Radiation--Mental Atmosphere--The Direct Flash--The Positive Aura--The +Direct Command--The Magnetic Duel--Magnetic Self-Defence--The Power of +Controlling Others + +No. 6, 238 Pages, Cloth Bound, Size 5x7. + + + + +Medical Hypnotism and Suggestion By Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P. + + +This book is full of secrets. It explains what hypnotism (or mesmerism) +is, and gives an interesting outline of its history. It explains the great +value of hypnotism in the cure of disease and in surgical operations. It +tells how to hypnotise a man, how to put him in a trance for a week. There +is an explanation on how to give an hypnotic entertainment for your +friends or on the stage, making your subjects do things such as acting, +singing, speechmaking, things that, in their ordinary state, they would be +unable to do. Further it explains the method of curing bad +habits--drinking, swearing, lying, stealing, gambling, betting, smoking, +envy, hatred, temper, etc. + +The author's object in writing this book is to give a brief but accurate +description of Hypnotism and Suggestive Therapeutics, as practiced by the +most advanced schools of the present day; and also to enlighten the public +mind on the great advantages of hypnotism in the treatment of disease, as +compared with the drug method now used in this and other countries. Size +6 x 4-1/2. + +No. 12, 37 Pages, Paper Bound--Price Postpaid Outside U.S.A. + + + +THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEERSHIP +THE SCIENCE OF KNOWING THE FUTURE +HINDOO and ORIENTAL METHODS +COMING EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS BEFORE + +By Swami Bhakta Vishita (Hindoo Master) + +Everyone possesses in the latent state the wonderful faculty of Seership. +This can be developed. You can train yourself so you can foresee events +and be your own adviser--see your own future. + +If you want to make the most of yourself, both in a human and divine +sense, you should read this book. + +The most profound and conscientious occult work published in years. +Teaches how to pierce the veil--enter at will into the spiritual world and +converse with your loved ones now across the border. + +No. 3. 384 Pages, Cloth Bound, Size, 5x7 + + + + +Practical Mind Reading +By William Walker Atkinson + +_A course of Lessons on Thought Transference, Telepathy, Mental Currents, +Mental Rapport, etc_. + +This book is full of practical condensed instruction about every phase of +Mind Reading, Telepathy, etc. The exercises and directions are so plain +and simple that they can be understood and demonstrated by any person of +ordinary intelligence. + +Here you will find complete instruction in all the latest points about +Mind Reading. It tells how Thought Transference is practiced in the +scientific laboratory as well as by a public performer. It tells you how +to perform feats that will mystify an audience and arouse the deepest +interest and enthusiasm, or how you can conduct telepathic experiments +with your friends right in your own home. + +Here are the titles of the lessons and a few of the subjects treated: + +THE NATURE OF MIND READING--A vast, mysterious subject; Power of +Etheric Vibrations; Mental wireless telepathy; the mysteries of science; +Action of mind upon mind; The mental battery. + +THE PROOFS OF MIND READING--The Psychic post office; Wonderful +results; A convincing experiment. + +CONTACT MIND READING--The two classes of mind reading; The simplest +form; Nerve current theory; The truth about public performances. + +DEVELOPMENT EXERCISES--How to begin; Rapport conditions--Rhythmic +breathing; Details of finding objects. + +PRICE POSTPAID--Outside U.S.A. + +No. 8--95 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2 + + + + +THE SOLAR PLEXUS or Abdominal Brain +BY THERON Q. DUMONT + +Man has four brains, and not merely one, as is commonly believed to be the +case. Each of the four brains have separate characteristics and +distinctive offices and functions. + +The Solar Plexus, or Abdominal Brain is situated in the upper part of the +abdomen, behind the stomach, in front of the great artery, and in front of +pillars of the diaphragm. + +The Solar Plexus is the great plexus, i.e., network of nerve-fibres, mass +of nerve-substance, etc., of the great sympathetic nervous system. It is +composed of both gray and white nervous substance, or brain-matter, +similar to that of the other three brains of man. It receives and +distributes nerve-impulses and currents to all the abdominal organs, and +supplies the main organs of nutrition, assimilation, etc., with nervous +energy. + +It performs a most important work, supplying the nerve-energy which is +required for the process of nutrition, assimilation, growth, etc. In fact, +it is the great powerhouse of physical life-energy. The bodily functions +cannot be performed without it; when it is injured the entire physical +well-being is at once seriously affected; when it receives a severe shock, +death often ensues. + +Its name, "solar" was bestowed upon it by reason of its central position; +its filaments extend in all directions to the important abdominal organs, +like the rays of the sun; and it is recognized as being the powerhouse, +and great reservoir of "life force," just as the sun is the great +powerhouse and reservoir of material energy of our solar system. + +Not alone modern scientific investigators; but also many very ancient +investigators, such as the oriental occultists and sages, who many +centuries ago recognized certain subtle functions and offices of this +wonderful "fourth brain" of man, and taught their students many valuable +methods of effectively employing its finer forces and hidden energies. + +NO. 9, 64 PAGES, PAPER BOUND, SIZE 6x4-1/2 PRICE POSTPAID--OUTSIDE +U.S.A. + + + +HOW TO KNOW YOUR FUTURE +By +Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P. + +As St. Paul points out, man has a natural (or material) body and a +spiritual body. There are also a material world and a spiritual world. +With the eye we can only see material things. To see the spiritual world +we must cultivate the spiritual sight. Seeing spiritual things with the +spiritual sight is called Clairvoyance (or "Second Sight"). + +You can if you choose, cultivate clairvoyant faculty. If you do, you may +be able to see places and persons in the spiritual world. This may enable +you to describe to your friends, people in spirit life that they have +known here. + +It can also help you to see what is going on at a distance in this world. +To see into the past and the future. To obtain hidden information, and to +give advice, of the utmost value. This faculty when properly developed +enables one to trace hidden treasure, to find lost friends, animals, and +property. With the development of Clairvoyance it is also possible to +develop Clairaudience (Spiritual Hearing). + +Crystal Gazing means looking into a crystal ball or into something else of +a like kind. When this faculty is developed one sees a picture or image in +the crystal. Presently the picture will dissolve and another will take its +place. All the above matter is described in this book. + +No. 15, 42 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2. + +Price Postpaid--Outside U.S.A. + + + +How to Converse with Spirit Friends +By +Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P. + + +A medium is a person whose presence is necessary before a spirit can +communicate. "How To Converse With Spirit Friends" tells you how you may +develop mediumistic powers, so as to be able to receive messages from the +other world when sitting alone. + +The book also tells you about different kinds of spirits, including +apparitions (ghosts) and spirit guides (the spirit friends that are +constantly with each of us); about spirit control (how spirits work +through the organisms of mediums); and about spirit-given premonitions, +warnings, death-signs, etc. The work, moreover, gives other interesting +and valuable matter. This work is calculated to "comfort those that +mourn." + +This book is printed in very legible type and contains illustrations to +bring out points. One of the illustrations shows spirit forms as seen by a +medium. Size 6x4-1/2 + +No. 14, 36 Pages, Paper Bound--Price Postpaid Outside U.S.A./b> + + + +THE POWER OF CONCENTRATION +By Theron Q. Dumont + +_It is of the utmost value to learn how to concentrate. To make the +greatest success of anything, you must be able to center your entire +thought upon the idea you are working on. The person who is able to +concentrate, utilizes all constructive thoughts and shuts out all +destructive ones. The greatest man would accomplish nothing if he lacked +concentration._ + +TWENTY FAMOUS LESSONS IN CONCENTRATION + +In these twenty lessons, this famous author gives you in simple, concrete +form the results of his lifetime investigations. He shows you how to +acquire that mental quality of concentration which has made world-known +leaders. He shows you how to focus your ideas, to get away from mind +wandering, to eliminate day dreams--how to use your mind like an +ever-ready tool and to accomplish in hours what the man without this +ability does only in weeks or months. He tells clearly why some men lead, +while others with equal intelligence remain in the ranks. He shows the +clear way to make the utmost out of your mentality. No degree of success, +within reason, is impossible when one possesses the Power of +Concentration. + +Read the principles laid down so clearly by Professor Dumont. Practice the +exercises which he has so carefully worked out. This training is as much a +guarantee of success as any other method known. Simply learn to use your +brains--learn to focus, to concentrate and the highway to bigger things is +open to you. + +A FEW OF THE TOPICS + +Opportunities Made Through Concentration. (Shows the plain road to the +top.) Self Mastery. (How to centralize attention.) Training the Will. (A +mighty force at your disposal.) Mental Poise. (How to command conditions.) +Business Success. (How to coordinate forces by concentration.) Attaining +Wealth. (How to attract money bringing factors.) How Courage is Gained. +(Use of concentration to drive out fear.) Memory by Concentration. (A very +valuable lesson.) Practical Exercises. (The actual application of the +principles of concentration.) Many more topics all as interesting and +important as those listed. + +No. 5--186 Pages, Cloth Bound, Size 5x7 Price Postpaid--Outside U.S.A. + + + +DYNAMIC THOUGHT +How to Develop your Personality +By +Henry Thomas Hamblin + +This book develops your personality and the personal power that sways and +compels and gives you a powerful influence over the minds of others. + +Dynamic Thought reveals new and marvelous facts about the human system. +Men and women achieve success according to the development of their own +powers. You have as much power within you as anyone, but it is lying +dormant; and this development can be attained. + +There are certain definite principles that rule human beings in their +attitude toward each other. When once you understand these principles you +can convert enemies into friends and can make almost everyone be friendly +toward you. + +No 1 298 pages, Cloth Bound, Size 5x7. Price Postpaid--Outside U.S.A. + + +Mental Influence +By William Walker Atkinson + +_A course of Lessons on Mental Vibration, Psychic Influence, Personal +Magnetism, Fascination, Psychic Self-Protection, etc._ + +LESSON 1.--Why one mind can be made to influence another. +LESSON 2.--How thought waves manifest, and how they affect other persons. +LESSON 3.--How mental states are transmitted. +LESSON 4.--What mental concentration is, and how it works. The occult +teachings regarding developing the powers of concentration. A course of +training described and explained. +LESSON 5.--How occultists form a mental image. +LESSON 6.--The secret of mental fascination and personal magnetism. Why +some have such a charming, irresistible influence. How it can be +cultivated. +LESSON 7.--Difference between fascination and hypnotism. How hypnotic +influence upon others affects the person. The truth about hypnotism. +LESSON 8.--Influencing at a distance. How you can exert a mental influence +upon others at a distance. How distant treatments are given. The most +effective occult methods and practices. +LESSON 9.--How mental influence may be used to affect a great number of +people at the same time. +LESSON 10.--The need of instruction on the part of the public. + +No. 7--96 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2 + + +SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS +BY +SWAMI BRAHMA + +_A guide to Success in matters relating to Health, Friendship, Love, +Marriage, etc._ + +"Success and Happiness" tells you how to develop magnetism and to +strengthen your will. It tells you how to influence people to act as you +so desire. It gives suggestions on how to relieve pain without medicine. + +No matter what your condition or position may be, "Success and Happiness" +tells you how you may improve it. It gives you plain directions as to how +to achieve success tin friendship, love, matrimony, and business; how to +make money and how to secure happiness. + +Send for this book at once and learn how magnetism and will-power enable +people to achieve success. + +No. 16, 40 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2 Price Postpaid--Outside +U.S.A. + + +GENUINE MEDIUMSHIP +THE INVISIBLE POWERS +BY +SWAMI BHAKTA VISHITA + +This book will prove invaluable to anyone who feels that they might have +any kind of psychic power. It contains lengthy discussion of the +following: + +Mental vibrations and transmission--Thought transference--Clairvoyance and +kindred phenomena--Mediumship--Mediumistic conditions--How to develop +mediumship--Mediumistic phenomena--Higher spirit manifestations. + +This work explains clearly how to develop "mediumship." It tells how to +form a "medium" circle. Questioning the spirits, the spirit communication +code, persistent watchful waiting, building lines of communication. + +No 2, 277 pages. Cloth Bound, Size 5x7. + + + +PRACTICAL +PSYCHOMANCY AND +CRYSTAL GAZING +BY +WILLIAM WALKER ATKINSON + +_A Series of Eleven Lessons on the Psychic; Phenomena of Distant Sensing, +Clairvoyance, Psychometry, Crystal Gazing, etc._ + +PARTIAL SYNOPSIS OF CONTENTS: + +Scientific principles underlying Psychomancy, Sensing objects by the +Astral Senses. Projection of the Astral Body. + +HOW TO DEVELOP YOURSELF. Development Methods. Concentration. +Visualization. Psychometry. How to use the Crystal and Mirror. General +Instruction. + +Simple and Space Psychomancy and their difference. Seeing Through Solid +Objects. Seeing Down Into the Earth. Diagnosis of Disease by Psychomancy. + +THE ASTRAL TUBE. + +PSYCHOMETRY. Five Methods. + +Various forms of Crystal Gazing. Directions of "How to Do It," etc. + +ASTRAL PROJECTION. What the Trained Experimenter may do. + +SPACE PSYCHOMANCY. What may be accomplished by means of it. + +Sensing the scenes, occurrences and objects of the Past, by Astral Vision. + +FUTURE TIME PSYCHOMANCY. Future events cast their shadows before. + +DREAM PSYCHOMANCY. This lesson will explain many instances in your +own experience. + +This most interesting study is stated clearly, so that all may readily +understand the fundamental principle of Psychic communication. + +No. 20--Paper Bound, 93 Pages, Size 6x4-1/2 Price Postpaid--Outside +U.S.A. + + + +TABLE RAPPING +AND +AUTOMATIC WRITING +By +Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P + +Founder and Principal of the British Psychological Institute + + +"If a man die, shall he live again?" Does death end all: or is it merely +"the gate of life"? If there be a next world, can we communicate with +those that are in it? + +These are questions that have agitated the minds of millions. "Table +Rapping and Automatic Writing" answers the questions. It also does more, +it tells you how you can answer them. It tells you how to prove there is +another life, and how to open up communication with those who dwell +therein. To the Materialist it says: "Belief is unnecessary. You demand +evidence--here it is." + +"Table Rapping and Automatic Writing" gives full instructions on how to +form a Circle for receiving messages from spirit friends; how to enable +spirits to make themselves visible to ordinary sight; how to get written +messages, drawings, etc., from those who have "passed over." + +No. 18--25 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2 Price Postpaid--Outside +U.S.A. + + +THE +ASTRAL WORLD +_Its Scenery, Dwellers and Phenomena_ +By +Swami Panchadasi + +Containing treatment on such matter as the following: + +CHAPTER I.--The Seven Planes of Being. What is meant by a Plane. A state +rather than a place. +CHAPTER II.--Astral Regions. What is meant by an Astral Region. Where +located. +CHAPTER III.--Reality of the Astral. What one encounters on an astral +journey. +CHAPTER IV.--Passing the Border. Passing out of the physical body. Alone +in the astral body. +CHAPTER V.--Some Lower Sub-Planes. Why the soul sheds. The Astral shell, +bodies without souls, still seemingly alive and conscious. +CHAPTER VI.--Disembodied Souls. The resting place of the souls. Not dead, +but sleeping. +CHAPTER VII.--Scenes of the Astral. How the low entities pass their time. +Punished by their sins not for them. +CHAPTER VIII.--Life and Work on the Astral. Character and occupations of +the Astral Dwellers. +CHAPTER IX.--Higher Planes and beyond. The true home of the soul. The +Heaven worlds. +CHAPTER X.--The Astral Light. What the astral light is. A startling +presentation of a wonderful occult truth. +CHAPTER XI.--Astral Entities. Non-human dwellers on the astral. + +No. 10, 94 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2 PRICE POSTPAID--Outside +U.S.A. + + + +PRACTICAL PSYCHOMETRY +By +Alexr. Verner, F.A.I.P. + +There is a great demand for good Psychometrists at the present time, and +in the near future there will be a greater demand for the vast amount of +good that can be done by the God-given science of Psychometry (pronounced +"Si-com-et-rie"). + +A Psychometrist is a person able to see these scenes, hear these sounds, +read these thoughts, and "sense" these feelings. If therefore, a lock of +hair, a letter, a pocket-knife, or anything belonging to a stranger be +handed to a Psychometrist, he will be able to understand much of the +person's past, present, and future--about their character, disposition, +health, surroundings, capabilities, friends, marriage, business, etc. + +In this way very valuable information and advice can be obtained for +oneself or given to others. + +Can you Psychometrize? If not, why not learn? You will benefit yourself, +and also astound and help your friends. + +Full and complete particulars are contained in this book. + +No. 17--25 Pages, Paper Bound, Size 6x4-1/2 + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CLAIRVOYANCE AND OCCULT POWERS*** + + +******* This file should be named 12480.txt or 12480.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/1/2/4/8/12480 + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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