Obstacles of Mediums

Paulo Degering R Jr
image_pdfimage_print

Translations, from Portuguese, are automatic. If you notice any errors in the text, help us identify them, clicking here.

Subscribe to our Newsletters and receive our articles directly in your email.

Views: 3,564
image_pdfimage_print

Mediumship is a faculty that allows interaction between the material world and the spiritual world. Allan Kardec, throughout his studies, observed that mediumship expresses itself in diverse ways and with distinct effects, which leads us to understand that there is no single way to establish communication with spirits. As he himself states, “"Mediumship is a multifaceted faculty"”, which implies the variety of manifestations and experiences that it can generate.

Collaboration by Ceres Marcon

"Mediumship is a multifaceted faculty; it presents an infinity of nuances in its means and effects. Whoever is able to receive or transmit communications from Spirits is, for this very reason, a medium, regardless of the means employed or the degree of development of the faculty—from simple occult influence to the production of the most unusual phenomena."

Allan Kardec, Spiritist Review, February 1859

Among the countless mediumistic manifestations, one of the best known and most used is psychographyIn this type of mediumship, the medium acts as a channel for written communication with the spiritual plane, being one of the most common forms of manifestation in the field of Spiritism. When we address psychography, we can observe that mediums can be classified according to their degree of control over the process, and these classifications directly influence the obstacles they face throughout the development of this faculty.

There are three main types of psychographic mediums:

  • Intuitive mediums: These are those who receive inspiration from spirits but write consciously, with some control over what is being said. The communication is more indirect, with the medium receiving intuitions or guidance, but still maintaining control over the writing.
  • Mechanical mediums: These mediums become automatic channels for spirit communication. During the process of psychography, they have no conscious control over what is being written, which characterizes a more spontaneous and intense manifestation.
  • Semi-mechanical mediums: They represent a middle ground between the previous types. Although there is some influence of the spirit on the writing, the medium still maintains some degree of control and awareness over the process.

However, as Kardec warns us, even though it is a natural faculty, mediumship is not without its difficulties. He tells us:

"Although the faculty is not an exclusive privilege, it certainly encounters opponents, at least in the sense that it is understood. It is also true that it does not fail to present obstacles to those who possess it; it can be altered and even lost, and it can often be a source of serious disappointment."

Allan Kardec, Spiritist Review, February 1859

These words from Kardec remind us that mediumship, despite its accessibility to many people, is not simple. It can encounter resistance, both internal and external, and the medium may face obstacles of various kinds—from difficulty maintaining control over communications to the risk of being influenced by deceptive or malicious entities.

In his analysis, Kardec alerts us to the complexity of the causes of mediumship and how it can often manifest in individuals whose moral characteristics are not necessarily exemplary. He states:

"The gift of mediumship depends on causes still imperfectly understood, in which physical factors appear to play a large role. At first glance, it would seem that such a precious gift should only be shared by select souls. However, experience proves otherwise, for we find powerful mediumship in people whose morals leave much to be desired, while others, esteemed in every respect, lack it."

Allan Kardec, Spiritist Review, February 1859

From the above excerpt, we can see that, contrary to what one might assume, this mediumistic faculty is not an exclusive privilege of people of great moral virtue. Mediumship does not depend solely on the individual's purity or moral character, but involves a combination of factors, including physical and spiritual aspects that are not yet fully understood. This complexity can even result in powerful manifestations in individuals whose moral conditions are not ideal, while others, who could be considered more balanced, lack it.

Therefore, mediumship, by its very multifaceted and unpredictable nature, presents a series of challenges that go beyond spiritual matters, also involving physical, psychological, and moral issues. It is precisely for this reason that mediums, when seeking to develop and control their faculties, must be aware of the internal and external obstacles that may arise along the way.

Furthermore, Kardec also warns us:

“(…) the good quality of the medium is not only in the ease of communication, but solely in his ability to receive only good ones. Now, it is in this that his moral conditions are omnipotent; and it is also in this that he encounters the greatest obstacles.” 

Allan Kardec, Spiritist Review, February 1859

This statement is crucial to understanding that, for a medium, the quality of spiritual communications is related to the quantity or ease with which they receive messages, as well as their ability to discern and filter spiritual influences. The medium must be prepared to reject the influences of imperfect spirits and accept only messages from elevated and trustworthy spirits.

However, Kardec emphasizes that the medium's moral condition is of paramount importance. The medium's morality not only influences the type of communication they are able to receive, but also acts as a true "filter" to prevent them from being deceived or influenced by inferior or deceptive spirits. Therefore, the greatest obstacles for the medium are not only technical or physical difficulties, but also moral issues, which require constant vigilance and improvement.

In this sense, mediums must be in a constant process of self-knowledge and inner transformation. Mediumship is, by its very nature, an opportunity for growth, but it also demands great responsibility. The medium cannot be a mere passive channel, but must constantly seek moral elevation, ethics, and spirituality, so that their mediumistic faculties will be well-directed and bring benefits to themselves and others.

Therefore, the moral obstacles mediums face are often linked to a tendency to be carried away by ego, vanity, or the anxiety of "showing" their abilities. Humility, discipline, and detachment are essential qualities to ensure that the medium does not stray from the path of goodness and truth, thus minimizing the risk of disappointment or harmful communications.

image_pdfimage_print

Reading Recommendations (Books)

Written by 

Leave a message

Your email address will not be published. Campos obrigatórios são marcados com *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.