Channeling

1. Channeling • Opposite pole within New Age Movement to Mother Earth Spirituality • Stresses otherworldly (rather than nature-centred) sources of inspiration • Stresses idea that we are already too concerned with worldly things: spiritual focus should take one away from nature, not towards it. • Both Channeling & Mother Earth share wider New Age worldview, however: self-transformation, evolution of spiritual consciousness, coming of new spiritual age. “Peace Angel” by Patricia Canivan

2. Historical Influences: Necromancy • Global practice, across cultures and time periods • Speaking to the dead to reveal hidden knowledge • Shamanic necromancy: shaman enters trance, travels to land of dead • Priestly/Prophetic: priest/prophet calls spirits of dead to this world • Biblical necromancy: • I Samuel 28 – Saul contacts spirit of Samuel • Mark 9:2-8 – Jesus contacts spirits of Moses & Elijah Transfiguration of Jesus

3. Spiritualism & Theosophy • Both 19th century movements already discussed in connection to broader New Age Movement • Both emerged out of historical environment shaped by Christianity that condemned necromancy as demonic • Spiritualism & Theosophy make communication with spirits central religious practice • Spiritualism: speaks to spirits of loved ones • Theosophy: speaks to “elevated masters” “Spirit Guide” by J. Ann Masiker

4. Edgar Cayce (1877-1945) • Very famous “channeler,” known as “Sleeping Prophet” • Falls ill in 1900, is hypnotized & prescribes own cure. • Begins to conduct health readings under hypnosis, very successful • Died 1945; had produced more than 30,000 spirit readings by this time • Topics ranged from health, astrology, religion, politics • Akashic Record – cosmic library where all is recorded

5. Edgar Cayce • Reincarnation problematic for Cayce – reconciled to belief when he saw that the Bible supports it (i.e. Matthew 11:13-14 and 17:12-13, concerning the identity of John the Baptist .) • Past life regressions then become a focus for Cayce. • Founded Association for Research and Enlightenment • Founded Edgar Cayce Foundation • Writings published by son Hugh Lynn Cayce in 1960’s – wide ranging recognition as a result John at the Jordon River - reincarnation of Elijah?

6. Worldview • In addition to broader worldview of New Age Movement, Channelers also add one additional element: • Dualism: implicit in nature of channeling itself, because sources for spiritual inspiration are defined as “out there” somewhere, which sets up separation of here/there; self/other • At first glance incompatible with monistic emphasis of New Age: but, message of channeled entities is almost always monisitc: all is one Angel by Peggy Jentoft

7. Techniques • Wide variety of techniques: light trance, full trance; verbal communication; written communication; own voice; different voices; in private; in public. • Wide variety of spirit entities channeled: deceased humans; angels; energy beings; beings from Atlantis/Lemuria; extraterrestrials.

8. The Message • Although no two channeled philosophies are identical, there does seem to be a common core message. • Eight core teachings are: • Personal responsibility: you are responsible for saving your self • Salvation comes from loving yourself • Fear = the obstacle that must be overcome • Death = illusion; reincarnation = truth • Physicality (belief that physical is all there is; that physical is true reality) must be overcome • Getting in touch with “higher self” – you spiritual essence – is spiritual goal • Each person creates their own reality • You are God “The Temple Within” by Kolorama

9. Seth • Most famous early New Age entity, channeled by Jane Roberts • First contact 1963. • Self-described as “energy personality essence” – • Two books of channeled writings, The Seth Material (1970) and Seth Speaks (1972) Jane Roberts

10. Seth • Teachings of Seth: • God is “All that is” • Each individual has God within themselves • Personality is multi-dimensional – we transcend time and space • We are responsible for our own lives – we chose this life to foster our spiritual development Conceptualization of Seth

11. A Course in Miracles • Channeled by psychologist & medical school professor Helen Cohn Schucman between 1965-1973. • Channeled entity was Christ • “This is a course in Miracles. Please take notes.” • 622 page text, 478 page work book, 365 lessons, 88 page teachers’ manual – published anonymously Helen Cohn Schucman

12. A Course in Miracles • Nothing Unreal Exists • God is father/son/holy spirit: Father is changeless, eternal • Only things which share these characteristics are real – world, death, hate, sin are all unreal because they do not share these characteristics • We are not separate from God, but mistakenly believe we are. In believing it, we experience it – false perception must be overcome • Nothing Real can be Threatened • Only God, and ourselves as extensions of God, are real – because we share God’s characteristic of being eternal, we cannot be threatened – there is no death, no separation. • Grasping this truth = the miracle – when we grasp it, love replaces fear, and we are reunited with all that is – God.

13. Ramtha • Channeled by J.Z. Knight • Spirit entity = 35,000 year old warrior from Atlantis. • First contact 1977 via “pyramid power” • “I am Ramtha, the Enlightened One. I have come to help you over the ditch.” • Ditch = self-imposed limitations & fear JZ Knight

14. Ramtha • Key teachings: • Everyone has the power to master own destiny, and achieve desires through positive thinking • To do so, must first realize truth that God is not outside yourself: You are God • Only difference between Ramtha and us is that Ramtha knows he’s God, and we don’t. • Controversial because of fees: $400 per channeling workshop session • Founded Sovereignty, Inc. to organize workshops & book sales; www.ramtha.com and http://www.ramtha.tv for disseminating teachings. Ramtha speaks through JZ Knight

15. Lazaris • Channeled by Jach Pursel • Entity self-described as “a spark of love and light” – never human – can give insight into human nature because looking from outside • First contact 1974 • Similar message to previous, with added element that life on earth has positive spiritual value • Time and space are the safety nets that cushion us from the true spiritual state of affairs, in which we create our own reality – without them, we would not be able to finish learning the lessons we need, to grasp our oneness with God. Lazaris speaks through Jach Pursel

16. The Pleiadians • Extraterrestrial entities channeled by Barbara Marciniak • Similar message of personal responsibility, we are god, etc. • Added element = extraterrestrial origins of humans – created by aliens to fulfill spiritual destiny. • We have forgotten our destiny, however, and been led astray by poorly evolved aliens who fear our potential. • Bad aliens are in league with American government – a theme we will see more of in next section of our course. • Pleiadians are here to guide us back to spiritual path Barbara Marciniak