OBE, Spiritualist Technique *Charles Goldman (cgoldman@execpc.com) 1 Jun 1995:

"...one must store and generate energy in order to perceive it."
  - Merilyn Tunneshende

        This short essay is in response to several inquiries
made to me from something I posted on alt.out-of-body. I said
that I had learned a technique from the Spiritualist Church where
I was trained in the art of mediumship. Channeled material 
is but an aspect of the system taught by modern Spiritualists.

        In fact, one phase of mediumship, which is called 'traveling
clairvoyance' is the out of body state. "Where the medium is conscious
of leaving the body, and in that state views the surroundings, we use
the term 'traveling clairvoyance. This signifies that the spirit is
utilizing the mechanism of soul travel, and, on return, transmits
through the physical brain the information collected." This quote,
written in 1947 appears in a book called, The University Of Spiritualism,
By Harry Boddington.

        I have used this quote, not to advocate the cause of Spiritualism,
but to show that the out of body state was taught as one of the phases of
mediumship. I am only sorry that today, a vast body of knowledge lies
forgotten by most, which should be the natural birthright of every
spiritual seeker.

        The technique of meditation which they taught me requires
patient effort to accomplish, and has many nuances which I will not
be able to go into in this essay. I am now going to give the basic
information which led the latent abilities in me to express themselves
to whatever degree they do. I do know that this meditative technique
is basic to all other work in modern Spiritualism, but other
more advanced teaching exists regarding the development of full trance,
materialization and the other lost forms of the seance room.

        It is a shame that our materialistic society dampened interest
in Spiritualism to the degree where we find it today. I feel that there
is a lot to be learned from it, and that the mediums were truly able
to produce astounding demonstrations of things we either doubt
skeptically, or trivialize as outside our new age consensus. If we
do not take it in our hands we will lose yet one more preciopus gift
of Spirit, a potential bridge for exploring what is knowable, and
a doorway to what is unknowable, the threshold of mystery.

Meditation Technique for developing Psychic Skills

The Chakras: Much is said and taught about the chakras and
secondary energy centers. Learn all you can about energy
in the body, and outside the body. learn all you can about the
aura, and how the chakras relate to it.

You must be able to identify and FEEL each chakra for this exercise.

  For the first five minutes Relax yourself. Deeply relax and put
your full, deep trust in the holiness of Spirit.
I suggest praying to Spirit for guidance and PROTECTION,
before you begin any spiritual work or exercise. BELIEVE, if you do not
know, that only good spirits are around you, loving you and protecting
you. Thank them and open yourself to them for their assistance,
BY UPLIFTING YOUR SPIRIT TO THEM. It is said that if you uplift
yourself ten feet, they'll come down twenty feet to guide you.

 Eight-fold Breath: Breathe in for the count of eight. Hold for the 
count of four. Exhale for the count of eight. Hold for the count of
four. You may also begin the breathing with several large full breaths,
all the way to the lower abdominal area. Then continue with the
eight/four/eight/four breathing. This is very relaxing, and trance
inducing. It also begins to bring you a regulated pattern of energy
for the work ahead. Continue the breathing throughout the meditation.
And don't worry if you forget it for a time. Just pick it up again
and be relaxed about the whole process. This breathing can be extended
LATER ON for other types of mediumship. But for now, just do it
as explained.

  Beginning at the Crown chakra. [This is the opposite from what
most of you are being taught. Drawing energy upward is what is
usually done. But I am showing you, simply, what I learned.
Although the other way is certainly worthy of experimentation.]
So, beginning with the crown chakra, feel it opening up and becoming
charged with light and energy by focusing and intending energy to
move into it. Move to the third-eye chakra. Open/intend/charge this.
Throat chakra, the same. Heart chakra, the same. And on down the
chakras until all are open and charged up.
If one is stuck, or wont cooperate, stay on it, breathing in and
out and focusing the incoming, good energy into that chakra. Give
the same amount of energy to each one, for this exercise.

  Turn your attention to the place of visions, the third eye:
When the chakras are all open, and you are continuing to
breathe as stated, it is time to look within. Find the place inside 
your mind where you see pictures, where you day-dreAm. [If 
you have never seen an internalized picture, this is a good time to
begin. However, if I say, "apple!" How do you know what an apple
looks like? Describe it to yourself. See the apple as you describe
it to yourself. Where you see this picture inside your mind, is the
place I am referring to.] For the next FIVE MINUTES, quiet your
thinking, and just practice observing whatever may arise in this
space. Do not give it any credence, do not judge what you see. In
fact be as non-judgemental as youpossibly can be. Make no decisions
based on what comes. Do not get caught in a prolonged image, let it go.
Do not indulge yourself in fear, or panic about something which
may seem awful . . . just bless it and send it on its way!
Try to recall that you have protected yourself and that you are loved.

 CLOSE DOWN for the next five minutes. Continue the breathing. Go
back down the chakras, as before, diminishing the energy, dimming the
light, so to speak, and envisioning that you are CLOSING EACH
SPIRITUAL DOOR as you do so. Do each of the chakras in this way, until
whatever is open is closed, envisioned as sealed. No spirit activity
is permitted from this point on. Reject it. Let spirit information
come to you only when you desire it, or want it, or permit it.
Learn to condition yourself to not accept any information coming from
spirits unless you give it your okay. Once the spiritual doors are closed,
that means just that, they're closed.

Hands should be placed palms up on lap if working with spirits is
desired. Palms down on thighs, if you are trying to work on dreams,
or any inner-work.

        This meditation should be done with eyes closed. In the beginning
with a dim light on. It could be done in a group setting and is an
excellent group meditation practice. For a group setting I recommend a
tightly closed room, no light getting in from the outseide. Use a small
red light overhead, attached to a dimmer switch, and keep turning the
light down as your eyes get used to it. In this setting, meditation can
be preacticed with the eyes open. 

        Be sure to enter and leave these circumstances with a loving
heart and mind. One of trust and never foreboding! Pray for protection
and guidance and DEVELOPMENT! Give your thanks to the Earth, and to
the spirits who would come to you so that you may grow.

Charles Goldman