What is Trance Communication?
By Rev.
Simeon Stefanidakis
Trance mediumship
or channeling, like so many other forms of spirit communication,
is very much misunderstood. In recent years, a number of mediums
have called themselves "trance" channels, when, in fact, they were
not working in a genuine trance condition. This has been a source
of great confusion for many people.
When spirit
links with a medium, the spirit communicator exerts various degrees
of control, or overshadows the consciousness of the medium to a
greater or lesser degree. This varies, depending upon the intent
and conditions of communication, as well as the ability of the medium
to lend himself or herself to be overshadowed or controlled.
Trance is
considered the strongest degree of control. Yet, even here, there
are various degrees of trance control: from light trance to very
deep trance. Deep trance is used primarily in physical
mediumship.
There are
many factors which indicate genuine trance control, and parapsychologists
have used various tests to determine whether, in fact, a medium
is under trance control; and, if so, to what degree.
Genuine trance
is a strong sharing of mental and physical energies and consciousness
between the medium and the spirit communicator. There is generally
-- although not always -- manifested, within the medium, the following:
-
A slowing
of the heart rate.
-
A slow,
deep, and steady breathing pattern.
-
No rapid
eye movement, or REM.
-
A lowering
of body temperature.
-
A greatly
reduced reaction to touch and pain.
-
Various
degrees of unconsciousness.
Furthermore,
because in the trance condition the spirit communicator is speaking
directly through the consciousness of the medium -- rather than
the medium relating what is being mentally given to him or her --
the voice pattern, inflection, and general manner of speech differ
from that normally exhibited by the medium.
Finally, much
research has been conducted around the language patterns of dialogue
exhibited during trance communication. There is very often a broken
speech pattern, a reversal of sentence structure, and an overall
change in grammar usage. This is very evident in the Cayce readings,
the Seth material, in Eileen Garrett's
trance communications, and in our own Rev. Stephen Fulton's trance
communications.
One final
point needs to be mentioned: that of control. What does it mean
to be controlled by spirit? First of all, it does NOT mean that
the medium is, in any way, possessed by a spirit personality. Possession
-- or attachment (apparently a new and, in my opinion, disturbing
buzz word) -- is extremely rare. Nor does it mean that the medium
leaves his or her body and the spirit enters therein.
Mediumistic
control means a sharing of mental and physical energies between
the medium and spirit communicator or operator. Control signifies
a telepathic rapport between the two. How strongly en rapport
they are determines the degree of control. Control can range from
inspired thought, to conscious control, to light trance, to deep
trance, to very deep trance. It all depends upon the work at hand
and the mental and physical energies available to the spirit communicator
or operator.
Do you want
to know more about mediumship and channeling?
Are you interested in developing your own mediumistic abilities?
Are you interested in starting a circle for development?
If so, then our teaching guide "How to Develop Mediumship and Channeling"
is an absolute must!
©
2001 First Spiritual Temple. All rights reserved.
Reproduction or reuse of any pages without written permission is strictly prohibited.
First Spiritual Temple
The Ayer Institute
16 Monmouth Street, Brookline, MA, 02446-5605 USA
Telephone 617 566-7639
E-mail to the FST
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