Modern spiritism; its science and religion - SpiritArchive.org
Modern spiritism; its science and religion - SpiritArchive.org
Modern spiritism; its science and religion - SpiritArchive.org
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MODERN SPIRITISM<br />
tinually occupies our minds with much that is not<br />
only mystic, but positively unwholesome; <strong>and</strong> in<br />
doing so, it calls forth <strong>and</strong> uses many of the latent<br />
powers of humanity, as "telepathy," telekinesis (?),<br />
clairvoyance <strong>and</strong> clairaudience, hypnotic conditions,<br />
<strong>and</strong> the prominent action of the unconscious mind.<br />
Now most of these, <strong>and</strong> possibly other latent<br />
powers, are possessed in varying degree by large<br />
numbers who are unconscious of them; <strong>and</strong> as their<br />
development <strong>and</strong> their continued use <strong>and</strong> cultivation<br />
is at present more or less of a danger, the risk is very<br />
widely spread.<br />
Latent Powers<br />
It seems to me possible, <strong>and</strong>, from my experience,<br />
very probable that we possess certain latent senses<br />
or powers far transcending in force those that we<br />
at present use, <strong>and</strong> which are dimly seen in uncertain<br />
ways by some on rare occasions. Spiritism is the<br />
special cult which vigorously stimulates the use of<br />
these very powers. But this, without doubt, often<br />
proves very unsafe. I believe that at present these<br />
powers should be allowed to lie dormant, <strong>and</strong> should<br />
not be called into active or constant use. "We are<br />
not what we shall be," <strong>and</strong> "we know not what we<br />
shall be," but there can be no doubt that a time will<br />
come when every power we possess will be fully<br />
developed <strong>and</strong> used.<br />
There are at present very few who have developed<br />
these powers to any great extent who have not<br />
suffered more or less from doing so. This is true of<br />
nearly every medium* over the whole world, each<br />
* Curiously enough, earnest students constantly end in becoming<br />
"mediums" themselves.