Channelling

Origin of the modern term

The word "channelling" (English channeling) was popularised in the 1970s-80s with the wave of New Age. It distinguishes itself from traditional mediumship (which generally communicates with deceased individual souls) by extending the concept to channelling of any subtle source: ascended masters, angels, archetypal energies, "intergalactic federation", own higher self, devic spirits.

Famous historical "channellings": Edgar Cayce (1877-1945), the "sleeping prophet" who channeled in trance information about health and past lives; Helen Schucman who channeled A Course in Miracles (1965-1972); Jane Roberts who channeled the entity Seth (Seth books, 1963-1984); JZ Knight who channels the entity Ramtha (since 1977); Esther Hicks who channels the energetic group "Abraham" (since 1980s, popular today via "law of attraction"). All controversial — but each has accumulated millions of followers and writings of important spiritual depth.

Forms of channelling

Conscious channelling: the channeller stays awake and aware while transmitting; the channeled message comes through them but they remember everything afterwards. Trance channelling: the channeller enters altered state and "the entity uses" their body or voice; little or no conscious memory afterwards. Automatic writing: the channeled message comes out in writing, with the rational mind put aside (you write without "thinking" what to write). Verbal transmission in deep meditation: speaking aloud whatever comes through during meditation, sometimes recording for later review.

Ethical considerations: it is delicate work that requires discernment. Not every internal voice is a "real channeling" — many are own unconscious projections (which is not necessarily bad, but should be distinguished). The serious channeller develops self-criticism, contrasts the messages with reality and ethics, does not impose them on others as absolute, recognises possible self-deceptions. The fraudulent channeller exploits emotional vulnerabilities for ego or money.

Tips and care

For those who want to explore: 1) Cultivate first daily meditation — without inner stillness, channelling is just noise. 2) Establish clear protections of intention before opening (only highest light beings, only what is for my evolutionary good). 3) Verify ethically: does what comes promote love, healing, freedom? Or fear, dependency, ego? The answer reveals the source. 4) Do not surrender personal authority to "channeled entities" — yourself is the final filter. 5) If channelling produces obsession, exhaustion, dissociation — STOP and seek therapeutic support.