"I WOULD RATHER LIVE IN A WORLD
WHERE MY LIFE WAS SURROUNDED
BY MYSTERY THAN LIVE IN A WORLD
SO SMALL THAT MY MIND
COULD COMPREHEND IT."
[In this section, keep in mind that those who work as physical channels may use mental channeling abilities as well. The reason that I am making the distinction between the two is that they are seperate sub-sections of psychic channeling abilities. Those who are solely mental channels do not often do physical feats as well, but then again many channels have both mental and physical abilities in one great package! . Naturally there is no actual hard and defined rule here, just an attempt to cover this complex subject as clearly as possible.]
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
The spirit world has the ability to use the actual body of the channel as well as the mind. These would include those termed "trance channls/mediums", and psychic healers. Both allow the force of spirit to control and/or work through their physical bodies.
Some examples of trance channels/mediums would be those who allow an entity from the spiritual realm to speak directly through use of their own vocals cords. During this time the channel is often in a trance type state where their consciousness leaves their body and the spirit's consciousness takes over and uses the vocal cords, arm movements, etc... of their "host" channel. There is normally a definitive change in the channel's voice, mannerisms, carriage, and perhaps even their appearance. Upon "returning", they have little if any awareness of how long they were "gone" and what transpired during the trance session. Today we see little of the trance type channeling. It would seem that as our spiritual evolution progresses we humans may make more direct contact on a fully conscious level.
Another physical channeling feat is to allow the channel's body to be used for the flowing of energy from the spiritual realm to those who have need of it in our world. These channels are often called psychic healers and/or energy workers. The energy is given via the channel from the spirtual realm to aid in the physical well being and potential restoration of our physical bodies. The psychic healer is a prime example of one who uses both mental and physical forms of channeling abilities together. The healer often recieves information with one of the mental abilites for the person being worked on from either the person's higher self, a group of healing guides, or some other source as to what is needed, what is wrong, and whether of a mental, emotional, or spiritual source. You must experience this to feel and see the effects that it can truly produce.
Another source of physical channeling ability is those who work to aid the earth by working with energies. There are those who help to send energies of a positive nature to balance the earth from the negative energies generated each day by man and his assualts to the earth in the name of science. There are those who work to transmute this negative energy and cleanse it. Since no form of energy can be destroyed, it must be transmuted in order serve an effective cause. These "earth workers" are as important as those who work to heal the human form. Together, both services are very vital to the uplifting of man and the planet.
Other examples of physical channelings that we do not see much any more would be the production of sounds, visuals, and a substance called ectoplasm which resembles something described any where from cheese cloth to snot. [SORRY FOR THAT IMAGE! :) ] This type of 'manifestations' were more prevelent during the "Spiritualists" years earlier in our history. Unfortunatley, due to the affected machinations of those who wanted to "cash" in on the goodies, be it monetary, prestige, or enjoyment of a good joke, too many of the real physical channels were lumped in with the charlatans. This made the developing further of these gifts undesireable. Even today one must watch for those who want to delude the public with fictitious claims to psychic powers. Not only does behavior like this disillusion or perhaps harm the public, but it really is a sore spot for those who do have real gifts and work very hard to use them for the greater good of the world.
As trite as this example may be, the movie GHOST and the part played by Whoopi Goldberg showed the examples in the difference of using mental and physical abilites. When she first meets Sam (the ghost and HUNK of the movie!) it is through mental means alone. However, later in the movie Whoopi has learned how to allow the spirits (even as weird as they were!) to take over her body and speak directly to their loved ones. [Of course, the wonderful and tear-jerking (for me anyway!!) scene where she allows Sam to "use" her body for one last caress with Molly (sigh....) was the best!!!] I had not seen this movie until it had been out about two years and I had been channeling for 2-3 years, but it effected me greatly. Whoopi's portrayal of the doubt, confusion, questioning of one's sanity, attempts at denial, attempts to run away from the 'gift', the final acceptance and use for good were excellent. I had experienced each of those states of mind, and Whoopi was supreme in this role. [Anyone want to offer me a job as film critic??] The point here being that this film was an excellent vehicle to bring channeling abilities to the attention of the mainstream awareness and show the different types of abilities. I was not a believer in the scenes about the 'dark forces' dragging people off to what must have been Hell, but other than that a vehicle to help open people's minds to the fact that channeling abilites do exist.
Enough said about physical abilities. There is more to come if you choose to continue. Some of the personal stories are very interesting, and of course some day I will get to the "How to section" of this website! Remember the old saying, "Patience is a virtue."? Be patient!! :)
** Author unknown. I have a habit of writing down sayings on bits of paper, and not who wrote it. Any help with the author would again be appreciated.
