Differences between Mental-- Trance-- and Physical mediumship

Hi, Jason here. A couple people have in the past asked me about these topics and one of the most compreshensive and useful bit of information I've found online is the following:

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Differences between Mental-- Trance-- and Physical mediumship (3 Types with many subgroups)

The following content is from Robin P Foy websites. A afterlife researcher.

http://robinsphysicalphenomena.webs.com/

http://physicalmediumship4u.ning.com/

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What is Mental Mediumship?

There are two different basic types of mediumship; Mental Mediumship and Physical Mediumship. These operate in totally different ways:

MENTAL MEDIUMSHIP

Mental Mediumship is the most common of the two types of mediumship that are practiced today: there are literally hundreds of thousands of 'mental' mediums throughout the world. Most people (if they have the desire and patience to do so) are able to develop one or more of the three main forms of mental mediumship to some degree if they sit for it in a dedicated way (within a development circle) under a good teacher. It is possible for an individual to develop the first signs of mental mediumship in a relatively short space of time; sometimes within weeks of starting to train as a medium. A much longer period of development is, however, necessary for the 'fledgling medium' to achieve a good standard of mediumship.

The three main forms of mental mediumship are: 1) Clairvoyance 2) Clairaudience 3) Clairsentience

Clairvoyance: Is the ability of the medium to 'see' spirit personalities. Sometimes the medium sees these spirit people as though they are real people, moving about in a normal and natural way. At other times, the medium might 'see' them on the 'mirror of their mind' within their head. What distinguishes this as mental mediumship however, is the fact that only the medium sees these spirit people. Anybody else who is present does not. The medium can pass on to his or her 'sitter' what they are seeing, by way of evidence.

Clairaudience: Is the ability of the medium to 'hear' what the spirit personalities are saying. This gift often goes together with clairvoyance. Sometimes the medium hears these spirit voices as though they are real and coming from another real person in the room with them. At other times, the medium 'hears' the voices within their head again 'on the mirror of their mind'. The medium is the only person who hears these voices, and can pass on to their 'sitter' what the spirit person is telling them, by way of evidence of the existence of 'life after death'. Such a 'message' can provide great comfort for a bereaved friend, relative or loved one.

Clairsentience: Is the ability of the medium to 'sense' the presence of spirit people, and to 'sense' what they are saying. Again, the medium is the only person who can (through their training) sense the presence of these spirit personalities, and sense the 'message' from a specific spirit person that they can then pass on to their 'sitter', who has gone to them for a reading, or who might receive such a message in a spiritualist church.

What is Physical Mediumship?

PHYSICAL MEDIUMSHIP

Physical Mediumship is totally different from Mental Mediumship. Firstly, it is extremely rare at the moment, with only a handful of physical mediums giving public demonstrations. When physical mediumship is taking place, everybody who is present is able to witness it. It is real. It is indeed PHYSICAL. The 'evidence' of Post Mortem survival, however, which can be obtained through this type of mediumship is truly life-changing.

Physical Mediums are sometimes 'born'. Especially those who work in the more traditional way, where their mediumship is Ectoplasm-based. Not everybody can be a physical medium working in this way. They need to be extremely dedicated, and their personal development as a physical medium can take many years before they achieve any success. Furthermore, each time they sit in a 'seance' they endanger their own lives.

A newer, more modern form of Physical Mediumship and Physical Phenomena was pioneered in the 1990's however, by a dedicated group of psychic researchers in Norfolk UK, known as the Scole Experimental Group. In co-operation with a wonderful team of spirit scientists, guides and helpers. The phenomena that was developed through this group was Energy-based and breathtaking. It did not require a single physical medium as such, although two of the group members remained in deep trance throughout. Every member of the group contributed to the phenomena. There was no danger involved to sitters or mediums by working in this way; it could be developed quicker, and was more versatile. Many more groups have gone on since to achieve spectacular phenomena in a similar energy-based way.

Trance Mediumship

With regard to its belonging within the category of either Mental Mediumship or Physical Mediumship, Trance Medumship as such is a bit of a 'Grey Area'. There are indeed so many different 'Levels' and depths of trance, between the state of being 'Overshadowed' and being in 'Deep Trance', where a medium is totally unconscious and unaware of anything that is happening within themselves and around them. I believe that it is better to simply refer to any level of trance as an 'altered state', as this is a more accurate description of every level.

It can be argued logically in most cases that, even if an entranced medium is aware of every word that is spoken through him or her, the medium has no physical control over the content of what is said. Other than when a medium is in a very light trance (overshadowed), this is essentially an accurate statement.

If this is indeed the case, then it can further be argued that - since the medium has no physical control over the content of what is spoken through their own larynx whilst they are in this altered state - the process of a spirit person speaking through them in this way is an aspect of physical mediumship.

Whilst I can personally see the logic of this argument, I do not regard trance mediumship as such as an aspect of physical mediumship but - simply - in some cases (not all) a tool to enable the production of physical phenomena when properly managed by a 'team' of spirit personalities who work with a particular medium.

Sometimes we have to be careful not to mix up the terms which are used for a type of physical phenomena with a trance communicaton through the human larynx of a medium. I know of several experienced psychic researchers, for instance, who have gone for a private sitting with a trance medium who advertises 'direct voice', only to discover that instead of physical phenomena, they have simply been treated to trance communication through a medium. It might be an honest mistake to make on the part of the medium, but it can be very misleading and, hopefully, we can help to set the record straight.

However, when sitting specifically for physical phenomena in the more traditional way - ectoplasmic-based - the single physical medium involved is usually in a 'deep trance' state. There are exceptions to this; the famous Independent Direct Voice medium Leslie Flint comes to mind here, as Leslie was fully awake during his sittings and was able to join in the conversations with the spirit voices that occurred through his mediumship.

When a medium is capable of producing full ectoplasm-based materialisations, however, it does seem essential for them to be in a deep trance throughout this process.

This is not necessarily the case where an experimental group is sitting for physical phenomena in the more modern energy-based way, where no ectoplasm is involved in the process. It is true that one or more of the group sitting in this way may be used in trance. That is particularly helpful when an experimental group first starts sitting to develop physical phenomena, as communications and instructions to help the group with their development can then be received in that way. Throughout the history of the Scole Experiment in the 1990's (where the energy-based method was pioneeed) we had two of the group members in deep trance throughout the sittings, but the Scole Group was unique at that time.

These days, we have been told by our spirit helpers that trance is not always necessary at all for phenomena to be produced in the energy-based way. In fact, Sandra and I sat for some time in an experimental group in South London, who had amazing physical phenomena where nobody at all went into an altered state. The group did not even know who the medium of the circle was at the time, although we did eventually discover his identity. The gentleman had no idea himself!

The more likely scenario today is that one or more of the sitters might be used in an altered state to bring through communications from the spirit team who work with the group in an energy-based format, but when this happens the trance state will not be as deep as when the circle are developing in the more traditional ectoplasm-based format.

I must stress here, however, that neither way of working is better than the other. They are just different ways of working, and an equal amount of dedication, love, patience, harmony and determination is necessary to develop positive results. It is true that the energy-based format has certain advantages, which I will go on to explain soon on this site.

Phenomena that can be witnessed

I will now go on to list and describe some of the types of phenomena that can be witnessed when the medium, group or circle is working in either an ectoplasmic-based way or an energy-based way. I will first describe those types that are typical of ectoplasm-based phenomena. EVERYTHING that happens in an ectoplasm-based way can be duplicated in an energy-based way. It is important to realise, however, that although the same effects can be reproduced in either way, the method of production is definitely different. Consequently, there are sometimes different names for a similar effect produced through the creative energy method. Where this is the case, I include the new enery-based names in brackets.

Ectoplasm-Based Phenomena

1) DROP IN TEMPERATURE: Self-explanatory; one of the first signs in a physical circle, round knees and below. 2) PSYCHIC BREEZES: Can be felt around the experimental room, particularly when a spirit person is very close. 3) PSYCHIC SMELLS AND AROMAS: Can be scents, smell of tobacco or something associated with a spirit person 4) RAPS AND TAPS: Of various strengths and intensity can be heard around the room coming from any surface. 5) RINGING OF BELLS: That are present in the room; perhaps hanging from the ceiling or placed on the floor. 6) SITTERS BEING SPLASHED WITH WATER DROPLETS: In a playful way occasionally by members of the spirit team 7) ELECTROSTATIC CRACKLING IN THE AIR: The noise of ectoplasm/energy being moved about and manipulated. 8) LEVITATION: Of small objects; then large ones such as heavy tables, chairs or people, sometimes to ceiling. 9) DIRECT SPIRIT WRITING: On a piece of paper or pad that has been left in the room specially for the purpose. 10) APPORTS: Objects brought into seance room from elsewhere during a sitting - sometimes little presents. 11) ASPORTS: Opposite to apports; objects in seance room at start, removed by spirit team during a seance. 12) SPIRIT LIGHTS: Usually are more limited in type, variety, size and duration than those produced by energy. 13) TRANSFIGURATION: Mask of ectoplasm covering medium's face moulded by spirit into face of communicator 14) PLAYING OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS: By spirit musicians, (or less well by enthusistic child spirit guides!!) 15) DIRECT VOICE: This refers to spirit voices speaking through a 'trumpet' (aluminium cone like a megaphone -specially for the purpose) which is usually levitated in mid-air at the time. 16) INDEPENDENT VOICE (ENERGY VOICES IN NEW WAY PRODUCED WITHOUT ECTOPLASM): A superb type of phenomena where the spirit team build a replica of a human voice-box in mid-air out of ectoplasm. Spirit voices can speak through this, sometimes in their own exact voice whilst on earth. The two way conversation between sitters and spirit communicators sounds just as though two earthly physical people are talking. 17) MATERIALISATION (TELEPORTATION IN NEW WAY OF ACTUAL SPIRIT PERSON WITHOUT ECTOPLASM): This is an amazing phenomena to witness. An animated replica of a spirit person is created by the spirit team from the substance called ectoplasm, appearing totally solid and fully recognisable; able to interact with ralatives, friends and loved ones. These materialisations are generally unable to stay for long, and return to the 'cabinet' to dematerialise in order to make way for the next 'materialisation'. 18) MATTER THROUGH MATTER: Spirit team can dematerialise any matter (such as part of the medium's own body or chair) and re-materialise this in the same place or elsewhere.

Additional Phenomena which is Energy-Based

19) MANY AND VARIED DIFFERENT TYPES/COLOURS OF SPIRIT LIGHTS/LUMINOSITY: These are self-exlanatory. 20) HEALING AS SPIRIT LIGHT ENTERS A SITTER'S BODY: This is fully visible. The light has weight and substance and can move freely around the patient's body (always felt physically by patient) till it emerges visibly again from patient. Healing given in this way was always extremely effective. It happened to me many times. 21) ANY SOUND CAN BE DUPLICATED IN CIRCLE: This includes the sound of ANY musical insrtument that is not in the room at the time; a spirit team can also, for instance pretend to give a 'haircut' to a sitter. The scissors can be heard opening and closing; the comb can be heard being drawn across a chair, when NONE of these instruments or objects are in the room in reality! 22) EXTENDED VOICE: this occurs when the trance communication from a medium (through his or her larynx in the normal way) suddenly seems to come from a different place in the room, although the medium is still sitting in the same place. What happens here is that by using energy, the spirit team are able to make the source of the medium's voice appear to move anywhere in that room within a split second, without the medium moving. The voice can even, on occasions, seem to come from WITHIN the walls of the room. 23) TELEPORTED SPIRIT BEINGS AND (in some groups) STELLAR FRIENDS FROM OTHER DIMENSIONS: Can move freely around the room in solid form and interact constantly with sitters. There seems to be no time limit on their presence and they are able to undertake many normal tasks whilst they are present which would seem to be beyond the ability of etoplasmic-based materialisatuions; we have personally experienced the presence of eight or more of these teleported beings in an experimental room at the same time! 24) PSYCHIC PHOTOGRAPHY: Of many different types; sometimes appearing on a 35mm film in a camera which is levitated by spirit team and proceeds to take pictures in total darkness; at other times, a complete 35mm film still in its shop wrapping and locked into a security box can be covered from end to end with pictures and writing produced by a spirit team. We had pictures and portraits also captured on a video camera as we sat. 25) SVO'S - SOLID VISIBLE OBJECTS: These were self-illuminated objects that had no name on our earth but that were common in the spirit world itself. They were brought by our spirit team for us to see and examine in a solid form before they were again taken back to the spirit world. 26) VSB'S - VISIBLE SPIRIT BEINGS: Not spirit people but ANGELIC BEINGS. Self-luminous; they would build up on a table in front of our eyes to a height of about two to three feet (resembling a madonna-type figure), before floating around the room in front of our eyes, allowing their robes to trail over our hands. The wonderful love that emanated from these beings was amazing! The room was 'charged' with energy when they were present. 27) VOICE-TO-VOICE COMMUNICATION WITH SPIRIT BEINGS: Of excellent clarity and volume through the simple amplifier of a cheap tape recorder. 28) TELEPORTED PRESENCE OF MINIATURE UFO: Which flew around the room on a number of occasions, pausing in front of each sitter so they could examine it closely, with its illuminated portholes. 29) VOICE-TO-VOICE COMMUNICATION WITH 'STELLAR FRIENDS' AND OTHER WORLD BEINGS: through the amplifier of a cheap tape recorder, when this was attached to the simple TRANS-DIMENSIONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICE that was deigned by our spirit team. A blueprint of this device was received by us on an unopened film when we were asked to build it. An IDOLIS system (Inter-Dimensional Oral Language Interpretation System) was incorporated into this device by the spirit team for use during our communications.

Physical Phenomena in Non-Group Conditions

Finally, it is important to recognise that not all Physical Phenomena occurs within Experimental Groups and Physical Circles sitting especially for the purpose under strictly controlled conditions. Here are a few examples of phenomena in this category. Some are purposely sought by experimenters; others occur quite naturally and spontaneously during our everyday lives:

A) SPIRIT 'ORBS' OCCURRING IN EVERYDAY PHOTOGRAPHY. B) CROP CIRCLES. C) DOWSING D) DRV (DIRECT RADIO VOICES): on a one-to-one basis through a functioning radio (as in case of Marcello Bacci) E) PSYCHIC SURGERY. F) EVP (ELECTRONIC VOICE PHENOMENA). G) PHONE CALLS FROM SPIRIT PEOPLE. H) SPIRIT MESSAGES LEFT ON ANSWERPHONES. I) ITC (INSTRUMENTAL TRANS-COMMUNICATION): A whole sub-category by itself. Includes: IMAGES OF SPIRIT PEOPLE AND OTHER DIMENSIONAL PEOPLE ON TELEVISION SCREENS. Also communication received through any other technical devices such as COMPUTERS. Strictly speaking, communications on answerphones and EVP can loosly be fitted int this category too.

All the types of phenomena mentioned here - both ectoplasmic-based and energy-based - are the main types you are likely to come into contact with if you are researching this exciting subject thoroughly. However, the list is not by any means a totally comprehensive one.