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Internet Book of Shadows, (Various Authors), [1999], at sacred-texts.com


           
 
                                         Channeling 
                                           By Jast
            
 
             Channeling has become a popular phenomena in the last several years.
           We  see it  featured  in News-Magazines  and on  talk  shows. We  read
           articles  about it,  and  bookshelves everywhere  now hold  volumes of
           books  written by channeled entities, with more appearing every month.
           Some  channeled sources have gained a great deal of notoriety, drawing
           large crowds for seminars and workshops, often at a steep price.
            .
            How can we better understand this sudden outpouring of information?
           Webster defines "channel" as: " a means of access, a route". In the
           context of New Age work, channeling provides an access-way through
           which communication can be achieved between planes of existence.
           Channeling is a route through which those who are NOT focused in
           physical  reality can  give information  to those  who ARE  focused in
           physical reality.
            .
             Though  it may seem to  be a fairly  recent phenomena, channeling in
           various forms has existed as long  as humankind. The most common  form
           of channeling,  in fact, is one  we all have experienced:  That sudden
           helpful insight that occasionally comes to us  from "out of the blue".
           This  form of channeling has created many  works of art and has helped
           us find solutions to seemingly unsolvable problems. Unlike other forms
           of  channeling, this inspiration is always available to us and whether
           we receive it rarely or often may simply depend on our receptivity and
           openness.
            .
             Dreams are  another avenue  through which channeled  information can
           reach  us. In  the dream  state we are  open and  spiritually attuned,
           creating an  un-obstructed gateway through  which Universal  knowledge
           can  flow.  While the  dream channel  and  inspiration are  both valid
           routes  of  channeling,  dreams,  for  many  people,  are more  easily
           ignored. We  tend to respond  to and use those  insights which inspire
           us.
            .
            The most spectacular form of channeling is, of course, "Trance
           Channeling". In this technique, the channel gives up the use of his or
           her  body by entering  a trance state, allowing  the "source" to speak
           directly to a third party.
            .
             Although most trance channels work with only one source, sources can
           be a number of things or beings. Many believe that channeled "sources"
           reflect the channel's subconscious mind or a "collective unconscious".
            .
             Channeled  material   may  also  flow  from   one's  "Higher  Self".
           Information communicated to us through this Source definitely "counts"
           as  channeled material,  for our  "Higher Selves"  are not  focused in
           physical reality.  Others may channel material from the Cosmic Mind or
           from the God -Goddess-All-That-Is.
            .
            Most channeled material, however, comes to us from spirit guides or
           Masters  and,  ultimately, it  is  the  material  which  is  important
           regardless of who or what we believe our source to be.
            
 
                                                                              970          
 
            Another way of communicating with ones "source" is through "Automatic
           Writing". In this form of channeling, the channel first meditates then
           sits with a pen and paper or a typewriter and allows the source to
           write.  Meditation  should be  practiced  each  time before  automatic
           writing since meditation puts  us at peace and makes us more receptive
           to true spiritual sources.
            .
             The  technique  for  automatic   writing  is  fairly  simple:  After
           meditating, sit in a comfortable position holding a pad of paper and a
           pen, resting the point of the pen on the paper. Keep the body  relaxed
           and ask if there is a "source" present. Stay relaxed and just wait for
           writing to begin.
            .
             At first the writing  may be unreadable, just fine  little scribbles
           that mean nothing.  After some practice,  however, the scribbles  will
           become readable words and  phrases which allow the source  to identify
           themselves  and discuss whatever subject  we wish. Success  may not be
           achieved in  the  first few  sessions.  It  may take  time  and  daily
           practice to  develop a  strong  connection but  it is  well worth  the
           effort.
            .
             No matter  what technique we use  to channel our information,  it is
           very important that we not follow blindly. Until we are satisfied with
           their believability, each  of our  sources should be  regarded with  a
           certain amount of healthy skepticism. We should examine  all channeled
           material with a detached and questioning mind.
            .
             Although  the  material  may  vary in  content,  there  are  certain
           qualities  which  will  always  be  present  in information  which  is
           "channeled"  by  a true  spiritual  source. Such  information  will be
           positive in outlook  and will  always direct us  toward the  spiritual
           path. Since our sources will always try to help us as much as they can
           by giving us sound and usable advice, sources who attempt to dazzle us
           with  incomprehensible garbage  should be  regarded with  suspicion. A
           true source will not  lie nor will they  gossip.  Our guides  will not
           tell  us to do things, and they  cannot predict the future because the
           future is always changing.
            .
            When we attempt to channel our spirit guides, it is important to keep
           these points  in mind. Non physical entities have "personalities" just
           as  physical  ones  do.  Someone whose  attitudes  were  negative,  or
           depressed,  in  LIFE, might  carry  remnants of  these  qualities into
           spirit  life. Edgar  Cayce  was  once  quoted  as  saying:  "The  only
           difference between a  LIVE Episcopalian  and a DEAD  Episcopalian   is
           that one is DEAD and one is ALIVE."
            .
             In reality, there is no such thing as communication with the "dead".
           We tend to see life in physical terms  but LIFE is a SPIRITUAL reality
           which, for us, is presently housed in a physical form.
            .
             Though  misguided  entities  can  not  harm  you  physically,  their
           influence could  produce negative side  effects which could  make your
           experience  of channeling less  fulfilling or pleasant,  just as being
           around ANY negative personality might tend  to do. For this reason  it
           is  important to establish a secure system of protection and awareness
           when attempting  to channel. Observing and  following these giudelines
           can  protect us  from  the  inevitable  confusion which  results  from
           contact with these misguided "sources".
            
 
                                                                              971          
 
            A certain amount of preparation is also necessary if we hope to be a
           clear  and responsible channel. With this  as our goal, it is probably
           not  advisable that we  attempt any form  of channeling until  we have
           attained some degree of proficiency at meditation.
            .
             Meditation makes  us more  centered and  loving. It  also acts  as a
           shield against contact with negative  spirit personalities. Meditation
           should be  practiced daily,  for besides facilitating  our ability  to
           channel clearly,  it is the most  important thing we can  do to expand
           our spiritual lives.
            .
             Your spirit guides can become life-long friends and advisors as they
           have a wonderful  outside view of our lives and  life in general. They
           have  access to information that  we could not  otherwise obtain. They
           help to  deepen our understanding of ourselves and help us through our
           times of  crisis. Contacting these  spirit friends  is not  difficult.
           There is no loss ofcontrol  of our bodies and  nothing to fear for  we
           can quit any time we choose.
            .
             Spirit  friends, just like our friends in the physical world, should
           always  be  treated  with respect.  They  should  not  be expected  to
           entertain our friends or answer a  lot of trivial questions. (If it is
           important to us,  then it is not  trivial.) Probably the most  serious
           mistake we can make, however, is to become too dependent on our guides
           as this  is the one  thing that will cause  us to lose  them. Like any
           true friend, our guides do not want us to count on them too heavily.
            .
             The  process  of  channeling our  spirit  guides  is  truly a  great
           adventure. It may take weeks or months to develop but it is an amazing
           process and will bring invaluable results to those who persevere. Good
           luck and happy channeling.
            
 
                                                                              972
 


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