Mediumship: The Doorway to the Otherside

In our quest to ascertain what the afterlife and its entire proverbial glorification is all about, at least by most accounts, we continually gravitate toward the supernatural. The journey to pierce the veil provides for us a way in which we can reason the life we are currently. We as individuals, have for centuries, searched for meaning by way of a nagging feeling that resounds within us as to our purpose for being. The nagging becomes even more incessant as we watch our loved ones actually pierce the veil themselves prior to our departures and ponder as to what they felt, where they actually went and if the sacrilegious truths that were inscribed within our minds is indeed the end all be all regarding spirituality. Grief-stricken and still raw at the seams, we reconcile that life is a mere spiritual exercise, a quantum derivative that must be performed in order to discover the true purpose for being. The mysterious wheel begins to turn even more so when we stumble upon another in this Earthly realm who has actually found their purpose. This individual has reached into his or herself and accomplished a profound feat of unlocking the door between body and spirit through the art of communication known as mediumship.

This paper is presented in two sections. The first section discusses mediumship and its roots and the varying perspectives on the subject. The second section illuminates the deep aspects of mediumship through personal reflection. 

Mediumship

Mediumship can be defined as the process by which, a human acts as a conduit for one or more spirits for the purpose of giving information that is verifiable, causing paranormal activities to happen, channeling forth specific energy types and manifesting themselves for objective identification. Mediumship is typically discussed within the context of the religion known as Spiritualism, which is a "religion and a science. Science the classification of facts ultimating in broad generalizations, religion [being a] devotion to and for the truth for its own sake; the abnegation of self for the good of others. Spiritualism is the religion dominant of the both. It forms the golden strands permeating through all religious systems and binding them with common bonds" (Tuttle 7).  There are according to Almeder (1992) two kinds of mediums. The first is the trance medium, who "retain their own cognitive abilities and voices when they [receive] messages from the dead" and the second are possessive mediums that "allow the spirit to [both] control and speak through them (Almeder). Mediumship is typically categorized into two classes: the physical and the psychic. For the physical there are manifestations of physical object movements and etherealization, which is the appearance of a spirit or spirits. The psychic side captures the phenomena associated with healing, speaking and writing of the spirit that has passed on (Tuttle 32-33). It is important to differentiate between a psychic and a medium for the purposes of this discussion. 

A psychic is an individual that has the capability to perceive information that otherwise would not be available to them through the five senses. Psychics operate on information gathering through what are known as the clairs: “clairaudience (clear hearing), claircognizance (clear knowing), clairsentience (clear feeling), and clairvoyance (clear seeing)" (Jamison 69-70). Not all psychics are mediums, but all mediums are psychics. Critics often argue that mediums have more "perceived credibility and generally receive more favorable attention in the press" (Kilgore). To strengthen their abilities as mediums, some will utilize tools such as the use of crystals, meditation, pendulums, and Tarot cards. These particular tools are also used to receive messages as “message from those in spirit come through in a variety of forms. Symbols, characteristics both of a physical and psychological nature may be expressed through the medium as well as phrases or the particular way of speaking a loved one” (Jamison 177) had while they were living in this realm. The question is often asked as to why anyone would want to communicate with the dead?

The answer to that question lies in the mediums' ambition to communicate with the dead in an effort to provide loved ones with closure and comfort. This alone is a tremendous undertaking. While communication with the dead does not always resolve any underlying issues, the individual awakening of both the medium and the families of loved ones who have passed over is an amazing revelation in and of itself (Tuttle 109). Skeptics of mediums have often likened their behavior to nothing more than a mere hallucination on behalf of the medium. 

Robert Almeder studied the frequently understood dynamics of mediumship and what are known as apparitions of the dead in Death and Personal Survival: The Evidence for Life after Death. In the book, he outlines several different cases by which the dead remained in the astral plane after they passed on and the perceptions of skeptics who often feel that those that communicate with the dead are hallucinating. Almeder analyzed a diverse array of theories regarding these apparitions. One in particular, the objectivist theory "propose[d] that an apparition is the perception of a real, localized, externalized entity and not simply a subjective hallucinatory construct of the percipient induced [through] telepathy" (Almeder 113). In other words, from Almeder's point of view, those that communicate with the dead are indeed communicating with them. The skeptic of the mediumship practice is an individual who is blocked from being able to experience the reality of the veil between body and spirit. 

Skeptics, for the most part have to be shown that communicating with the dead is indeed definitive when doubt is remised. Moreover, skeptics have to be convinced specifically through demonstration. Demonstrations of "apparent mediumistic abilities have a significant impact on public belief and behavior" (O'Keeffe and Wiseman 165). The purpose of the demonstration is not necessarily to convince the skeptic but to enlighten him or her on the spiritual constructs of an evidentiary nature that thereby remedy the assumptions of mediumship falsehood. It can be reasoned that most skeptics are those that do not have a deep understanding of the spiritual realm or rather those who have forgotten that “the soul survives death [and] that every living thing is composed of energy and energy never dies, it simply changes form. Therefore, the soul is eternal and continues to exist on another plane after the death of the body” (Jamison 172). Hence, the medium is an energy bridge between the body and spirit. One could posit that the medium is a soul talker. Mediumship is “a personal and powerful art,” (Jamison 175) "a condition, not dependent on morality, but its character, that is the character of the intelligences which communicate directly on the moral and intellectual qualities of the medium" (Tuttle 49).

While demonstrations of a medium are one thing, this is not the sole convincing factor for certain skeptics. Delivery of messages from the grave to loved ones still on the Earthly plane is often met with much criticism. There are a myriad of ways in which the spirit(s) can communicate through the medium in order prove the validity of such skepticism. "Mediums almost invariably have some spirit friend who understands the process of writing and is amanuensis for those who desire to communicate but are prevented from not being acquainted with the process" (Tuttle 117). This technique lends itself to being tangible proof for the skeptic. It might also be viable for the medium to try and unearth dates and names in accordance with the skeptic (Tuttle 120). Other ways in which the medium expresses their validity to the skeptic is through the spontaneity of it. Both lecturers and scholars have reasoned that mediumship is a gift given to all and the "capability of [it] is a faculty common to mankind, differing in degree as hearing and sight are common heritage, but keener in some individuals than other or other certain conditions, they may disappear" (Tuttle 125-126). Even though mediumship has been met with skepticism, mediums continue to do what they feel is their purpose for being. 

Mediums have also been utilized in clarifying events and solving crimes. The television 2 hour special on the Biography Channel entitled "Mediums: We See Dead People" explored the depths to which mediums go to in order to assist in comfort, healing and understanding. One psychic in that special, John Holland, aided in providing knowledge regarding Triangle Shirt Factory fire that took place in March of 1911. He provided exceptional details into the incident as well as enlightenment from the workers who passed on as a result. There are many instances in Almeder's book that open up investigative accounts of case studies pertaining to the art of mediumship and the fact that apparitions as they are referred to do exist. These types of circumstances and situations allow the profession of mediumship to expand into being more credible in the eyes of not only skeptics, but in believers as well. As believers, we are taught at an early age to have faith in the spiritual reality. No matter what religion you examine, faith is the rudder that moves us closer to the intermingling of science and religion - and in effect, body and spirit. Above all, the medium must adhere to the purity of spirit and to the varying intelligences that may want to communicate with not only the skeptic but believers of the supernatural. 

Personal Reflections

From my own understanding, mediums are indeed a reality. While it is true that certain individuals claiming to communicate with the dead do not necessarily have the capability to do so, I believe that mediums exist. I can attest to this fact from my own personal experiences with the spiritual realm. 

I was raised in a family that is very spiritual, but allowing me to believe in what I wanted to. Frequent discussions took place on God and heaven in our household. We did not attend church regularly as many do who believe in God, but that did not deter my belief in God and in heaven - as well as the afterlife. I have never taken the Bible at face value, given its many different translations throughout the years by man's own interpretation. Therefore, being a believer in God and the supernatural does not lend itself solely to reading biblical scripture. My mother, who was also my best friend, was murdered when I was 14 years old. At the time, I struggled significantly with that even and the loss. I began to search for answers to the questions regarding why God would do such a thing as take my mother away from me. However, as time went on, I was able to understand that his plans are not our plans. While that reasoning is found among many believers in the supernatural, I can attest to the fact that certain experiences are meant to happen in order to grow individuals. This growth in myself has allowed me to become a stronger believer in the supernatural. Why? I had an experience with a medium that validated the structure of my perspectives on the afterlife and the supernatural.

I went to see the Long Island Medium, who is famous for demonstrating and exhibiting much of what the aforementioned writers have discussed as it pertains to mediumship. I reasoned within myself that I would not give any information regarding my mother to the Long Island Medium upon seeing her as to ensure that the she was real and had a true connection to the spiritual realm. My mother did indeed come through and provided with me with a powerful message that was both healing and comforting as well as proved the validity of the Long Island Medium and the purpose of mediumship in our Earthly realm.

There are many who believe that death can be ascribed to a type of passage. Poet, Emily Dickinson, had a way of capturing the essence of death with her words. A trip to another city, so to speak. The question can be asked that if death is a type of journey, a trip so to speak, wouldn't the "first order of business upon arriving to that destination be to call home and let our loved ones known that we arrived safely. Thus it is with death. Spirit wishes to convey to use that they have made the journey and are OK. Mediumship can be the telephone line through which this communication takes place" (Stefanidakis). I was given that opportunity by Spirit when my mother came through at the event I attended. While I was not a skeptic beforehand, I did have many questions that needed answering. For me, mediumship allowed me to have closure to the horrific event that happened to my mother when I was 14 years old. 

Since that experience, I have found myself wanting to explore the topic of the supernatural even more. What I find most fascinating about mediumship is that most people are not afraid of experiencing what a medium has to tell them. It is as if we hunger to speak to our loved ones and to understand the purpose behind the science of mediumship. I have often wondered if what literature and research is true – that anyone can become a medium. 

Jamison (2011) states that "to connect with a friend or loved one in spirit, begin to think about the person with whom you would like to connect. This process will allow your thoughts and emotions to float up from your subconscious mind and become present to you. When you are trying to make the connection, let go of any expectations you may have of who will come through and how a particular individual will come through for you" (181-182). To experiment with this, I sat quietly in a chair and began thinking about my mother. I thought about how when I was growing up, my grandmother always referred to be as an old soul, noting that I understood things about life that most my age did not. There was an inner knowing at the time upon my reflection that I knew something was going to happen to my mother, but could not necessarily do anything about it. After a while of sitting in the chair, I began to feel as if I was receiving messages from my mother through my intuitive sense. While the messages were not as clear as perhaps a memory is, there was reason to believe that what Jamison (2011) had described for developing oneself into a medium was indeed true. “Through patience and practice, we can develop our mediumship muscles in much the same way a bodybuilder develops his physical muscles. [We must, however give ourselves time to do that]. And when you do receive a message, trust that you are not making it up. It is not coming from you. Know that it is true” (Jamison 182). I understood that the message were from my mother having experienced the messages of the Long Island Medium, but I told myself that perhaps I was not ready, which is why the messages were not as clear as the ones from the event. 

That experience of both the Long Island Medium bringing my mother through and of me trying to do it on my own validated my beliefs in the supernatural.  I am no longer afraid of death as the experience allowed me to walk the bridge between body and spirit.

Conclusion

While our minds have difficulty at times wrapping itself around this quantum derivative we call life, what stands out is the art of mediumship. In many ways, it explains our reasons for expressing love to one another. It is as if Spirit has created a peaceful pathway of closing the gap that we have among the many religions. Mediumship is a dynamic practice that gives way to amazing revelation and a prolific understanding of what happens once our body is no more and the soul is what's left behind. It lets us know that there is indeed a higher power somewhere who offers a guiding light into the mystifying regions of the paranormal. 

Works Cited

Almeder, Robert. Death and Personal Survival: The Evidence for Life after Death. Lanham, MD: Rowan & Littlefield, 1992. Print.

Jamison, Terry, and Linda Jamison. psychic intelligence: Tune In and Discover The Power of Your Intuition. New York, NY: Hacette Book Group, 2011. Print.

Kilgore, Natalie. "Mediums vs. Psychics: Is there a Difference?" TLC. Discovery Communications, LLC., 2013. Web. 18 July 2013. <http://www.tlc.com/tv-shows/long-island-medium/about-the-show/mediums-vs-psychics-is-there-a-difference.htm>.

Mediums: We See Dead People. Perf. Part 1. 2005. A& E Biography Channel. Web. 21 July 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VIiaa9ETE0>.

---------- Perf. Part 2. 2005. A& E Biography Channel. Web. 21 July 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBHu9zbluJc>.

O’Keeffe, Ciara´n, and Richard Wiseman. "Testing alleged mediumship: Methods and results." British Journal of Psychology 96 (2005): 165-179. Print.

Stefanidakis, Simeon. "Why Spirit Communication?." First Spiritual Temple. The Ayer Institute, 2001. Web. 17 July 2013. <http://www.fst.org/whyseek1.htm>.

Tuttle, Hudson. Mediumship and Its Laws: Its Conditions and Cultivation. 9th. Berling Heights, OH: SpiritWritings, 1900. Print.