Translation copyright 2011 © United States Spiritist Council, Inc. – J. Korngold http://www.spiritist.us/ All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior permission in writing from the copyright holder. Library of Congress Control Number: Main entry under title: Mediumship 1. Religious Philosophy 2. Spiritist Doctrine 3. Christianity ISBN: Prepared by: Jussara Korngold Revised by: Robert Blakely, Mauricio Cisneiros Edited and revised by the Editorial and Publishing Department of the United States Spiritist Council, Inc. Copyright 2011 – United States Spiritist Council – USSC Page 2 MEDIUMSHIP Fourth Module This is the fourth workbook of our program. It was developed to help us understand our spiritual nature. It is based on 1. Mediumship throughout History The Need for Action 2. Mediumistic Communication Spiritual Manifestations 3. Spiritist Concept and Classification of Mediumship The Healthy do not Need a Doctor 4. Mediumship Education and Unfoldment Beginner Medium 5. Spirit, Matter and Fluids Conscious Mediums 6. Perispirit and Vital Principle The Commandments to be observed by mediums 7. Perispirit and the Mediumistic Manifestations Mediumship 8. Mediumship of Physical Effect If we knew 9. Mediumship of Intelligent Effect Triple Test 10. Mediumship in Children And Teenagers Be on your guard 11. Important Considerations on Mediumship Three Attitudes 12. Spiritism: Mediumship Q & A Slowly but steadily ♥ Spiritism is a miracle only when it touches your heart. The miracle is your transformation, your wakening, you conscious return to love, respect, freedom, compassion, and the balance which is so sorely needed for your growth. Copyright 2011 – United States Spiritist Council – USSC Page 3 INTRODUCTION Having completed the first modules of the Intensive Basic Course on Spiritism, we will now be offering instructions on the Mechanisms of Mediumship according to Spiritism. The study of the mechanisms of mediumship is a much more serious part of the course. It also entails greater responsibility, not only for those of us who are giving the course, but for you, the participants, as well. So, we would like to mention some relevant points. 1) To create a serious and discerning ambient for the balanced and disciplined exercise of mediumship. 2) To offer orientation to all those interested in apprehending the superior purpose of mediumship, remembering that, according to the Spiritist Doctrine, mediumship should always be developed ‘together with Jesus’. 3) The need for a medium to be very disciplined, punctual, assiduous and studious, while also maintaining a constant effort towards inner transformation. 4) The disciplined medium must achieve equilibrium and be able to work as a member of a Team, within a friendly and loving atmosphere, and not in isolation. 5) Spiritism offers guidance as to the practice of SAFE MEDIUMSHIP. 6) Through this gradual process, within a correct and adequate ambient, it offers each person the possibility of developing their maximum potential, in this field of work, as a servant of Jesus. 7) The work of “developing” mediumship faculties is always the responsibility of the Spiritual Work Team. Let us understand that so called DEVELOPMENT can only be achieved (if at all) after long and regular practice. Not everyone presents an ostensible mediumship. Nevertheless, in a mediumship group there is work of several different kinds, such as healing, a good capacity for fervent prayer to sustain the work of the mediums, counseling, directing, etc., each of these activities having equal importance within the TEAM. Regarding directing and counseling, it is also desirable that these tasks have ‘substitutes’ in the case of absence. So, there is work for all, medium or not. This course is the initial preparation for the eventual formation of a fixed and regular Mediumship Development Session, which will meet every week, 52 weeks a year! Copyright 2011 – United States Spiritist Council – USSC Page 4 Lesson 1 Mediumship throughout History1 Duration: 1 hour 1. Initial Prayer (5 minutes) 2. Present the PPT: Mediumship throughout History or read the text below with the participants: (30 minutes) 3. Distribute the Weekly Assignment 4. Passes, Final Prayer and Water In order to begin our course on Mediumship we are going to present some of the historical aspects of mediumship as well as some examples of known mediums throughout history. It is very important for us to realize that accounts on mediumship have been witnessed in different periods of history. HISTORICAL ASPECTS ON MEDIUMSHIP Mediumship exists from immemorial times. For the interchange to take place it suffices to have one person in the realm of the living and one in the realm of the dead. Throughout the ages human beings have been aware of the existence of discarnate beings. In early days, when people lived close to nature, ancestor-worship became a form of religion; primitive individuals had no doubt that their ancestors had survived death and that they had powers to affect the living for good or ill. The wise men of the tribe, who were possessed of psychic powers, the equivalent of modern mediums, would testify to the presence of the spirits and forms of communication were established with them. There is nothing new in the concept of a spiritual world inhabited by discarnate beings or in the use of psychic power to achieve spirit communication. The Greeks consulted oracles and the Assyrians and Romans practiced divination by augury to obtain guidance from the gods. The early Christian Church was founded on the basis of mediumship, Jesus of Nazareth being considered to have been an exceptionally gifted medium, as illustrated in the reports of his healing powers, inspired teachings, and so-called ‘miracles’. Let’s us see some of the examples: Hammurabi (1810-1750 BCE) Hammurabi, who became the first king of the Babylonian Empire, following the abdication of his father, Sin-Muballit, extended Babylon's control over Mesopotamia by winning a series of wars against neighboring kingdoms. Although his empire controlled all of Mesopotamia at the time of his death, his successors were unable to maintain his empire. 1 Jose Mussi, from the Toronto Spiritist Society, prepared most of this lesson together with its power point. Copyright 2011 – United States Spiritist Council – USSC Page 5 Hammurabi is best known for the promulgation of a new code of Babylonian law: the Code of Hammurabi. This Law was written before the Mosaic Code and was one of the first written laws in the world. The Code of Hammurabi was written on a stele, which is a large stone monument, and placed in a public place so that all could see it, although it is thought that few were literate. The code of Hammurabi contained 282 laws, written by scribes on 12 tablets. A carving at the top of the stele portrays Hammurabi receiving the laws from the god Shamash or possibly Marduk, and the preface states that Hammurabi was chosen by the gods of his people to bring the laws to them. Moses - (1391–1271 BCE) Moses is considered a Prophet of great importance to Jewish, Christian and Islamic teaching. Commanded by God he led the Jewish people out of Egypt in search of the Promised Land. His life story is filled with many examples of mediumistic events, which include: . Spiritual hearing . Premonitions . Psychography Moses received the Ten Commandments directly from God and for this reason he is known in Jewish tradition as “The Lawgiver” In addition, Moses is also assumed to be the author of the “Torah” and the “Mosaic Laws” Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten) - (1360? -1334 BCE) Akhenaten was a Pharaoh of the Eighteenth dynasty of Egypt who ruled for 17 years and died perhaps in 1336 BC or 1334 BC. He was married to Nefertiti, and was the father of Tutankhamen. He is noted for having abandoned traditional Egyptian polytheism and introducing, in its place, a worship centered on the Aten (or Ra), which is sometimes described as monotheistic or henotheistic. Early Egyptians believed in life after death, but communication with the dead was relegated exclusively to the priests, who prayed to a variety of gods. Akhenaten defied the power of the traditional priests and tried, unsuccessfully, to install a new religion centered on a single God (Aten) After his death, traditional religious practices were gradually restored, beginning with Tutankhamen until, some dozen years later, rulers, who possessed no clear rights of succession from the Eighteenth Dynasty, founded a new dynasty, and moved to discredit Akhenaten, as well as his immediate successors, referring to Akhenaten himself as "the enemy" in archival records. Oracle of Delphi - (9th-4th c. BCE) Delphi was inhabited by small settlements that were dedicated to the Mother Earth deity. The worship of Apollo as the god of light, harmony, and order was established between the 11th and 9th centuries. Slowly over the next five centuries the sanctuary grew in size and importance. Copyright 2011 – United States Spiritist Council – USSC Page 6 During the 8th c. B.C. Delphi became known for the Oracular powers of Pythia--the priestess who sat on a tripod, inhaled ethylene gases, and muttered incomprehensible words that foretold the future. The ancient people of the Mediterranean had such faith in Pythia's view of the future that no major decision was made without consulting the Oracle of Delphi first. Greek and foreign dignitaries, heads of state, and common folk made the pilgrimage to the Delphi sanctuary, and paid great sums for Pythia's oracles. Since the sanctuary only served the public a few days over nine months out of the year, great sums were paid by the more affluent ones in order to bypass the long line of pilgrims.