Channeling vs. Mediumship: Connecting and Communicating Beyond the Veil - Ashley Brothers
Channeling and mediumship are two intriguing practices that delve into the realms of spirituality and communication with entities beyond the physical world. While both involve connecting with higher realms of consciousness, they have distinct differences in their approaches and purposes. In this article, we'll explore what channeling and mediumship are, discuss their differences, and provide step-by-step instructions for how to engage in each practice.
What is Channeling?
Channeling is the process of allowing information, wisdom, or energy from non-physical entities or higher consciousness to flow through an individual, who acts as a conduit for this guidance. Channelers are believed to open themselves to receive messages, insights, and teachings from spirit guides, ascended masters, or other beings of light. The goal of channeling is often to offer guidance, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of life's mysteries. Channeling can take various forms, including verbal communication, written text, or artistic expression.
What is Mediumship?
Mediumship involves connecting with the spirits of deceased individuals or entities from the afterlife. A medium is a person who acts as a bridge between the physical world and the spirit world, relaying messages, information, or even evidential details from departed loved ones to those seeking closure or insight. Mediumship aims to provide comfort, healing, and validation to those who are grieving or seeking connections with the beyond. Mediums often rely on their intuitive abilities to perceive and interpret the messages they receive.
Key Differences between Channeling and Mediumship:
Source of Communication: In channeling, the information often comes from higher spiritual realms or non-physical beings. In mediumship, the communication is primarily with the spirits of deceased individuals.
Purpose: Channeling focuses on providing guidance, insights, and teachings, often to aid in personal growth and spiritual development. Mediumship aims to connect individuals with loved ones who have passed away, offering comfort and validation.
Entities Involved: Channeling involves interacting with spirit guides, angels, ascended masters, or other higher-dimensional beings. Mediumship involves connecting with departed human spirits.
Expression: Channeling can manifest through verbal communication, writing, art, music, or other creative outlets. Mediumship often involves verbal communication or symbolic messages.
Channeling and Mediumship Across Cultures:
Channeling and mediumship are practices that have been embraced by cultures around the world, offering avenues for gaining information, power, protection, and healing from the spirit realm..
1. Native American and Indigenous Cultures:
Many Native American and indigenous cultures have traditional practices that involve channeling and mediumship. Shamans and medicine people often act as intermediaries between the physical and spirit worlds. They may enter trance states or altered states of consciousness to communicate with ancestors, nature spirits, and deities. These interactions provide guidance for decision-making, protection from harm, and healing for individuals and the community.
2. African and Afro-Caribbean Traditions:
In African and Afro-Caribbean spiritual practices like Vodou, SanterÃa, and Candomblé, mediums play a vital role. These traditions involve invoking spirits, orishas, or loa, who provide insights, protection, and healing. Mediums, often referred to as priests or priestesses, channel these spirits during rituals, allowing them to possess their bodies and communicate with the living. This interaction offers guidance, dispels negative forces, and offers healing remedies.
3. Spiritualism and Western Mediumship:
The spiritualist movement, which gained prominence in the 19th century, introduced a modern approach to mediumship in Western cultures. Mediums communicate with the spirits of the deceased to provide comfort, closure, and guidance to the living. Spiritualist practices include séances, where mediums establish contact with specific spirits. This form of mediumship aims to offer solace to those mourning loved ones and bridge the gap between the realms of the living and the dead.
4. Indigenous Australian Practices:
Indigenous Australian cultures have diverse spiritual practices that involve connecting with ancestral spirits. Aboriginal shamans, known as "clever people" or "songmen," utilize channeling to access the Dreamtime, a realm where creation and ancestral knowledge reside. Through rituals, they channel this wisdom for healing, decision-making, and maintaining the spiritual and physical balance of their communities.
5. Ancient Egyptian Beliefs:
In ancient Egypt, channeling and mediumship were integral to religious practices. Priests and priestesses acted as intermediaries between the human world and deities, channeling their messages and guidance. The Oracle of Amun at Siwa Oasis was a renowned example of this practice, where individuals sought divine counsel and predictions for important matters.
6. East Asian Traditions:
In various East Asian cultures, practices such as shamanism and Taoism involve channeling and mediumship. Shamans communicate with spirits to diagnose illnesses and offer healing, while Taoist priests channel deities for guidance and protection. Mediums also play roles in Chinese ancestor veneration, serving as bridges between the living and the spirits of departed loved ones.
How to Channel: Step-by-Step Instructions:
Preparation: Find a quiet and comfortable space. Clear your mind through meditation or deep breathing.
Intention: Set a clear intention to connect with a specific spirit guide or higher consciousness for guidance.
Protection: Visualize a protective energy barrier around yourself to ensure a positive and safe connection.
Relaxation: Enter a relaxed state of mind. You can use visualization techniques or calming music.
Invitation: Mentally or verbally invite the chosen entity to communicate through you. Ask for their guidance or teachings.
Allowance: Allow any thoughts, images, or words to flow without judgment. Trust your intuition.
Communication: If you feel a shift in energy or consciousness, start communicating the messages you receive.
Closure: When the communication feels complete, thank the entity, and gently disconnect.
How to Practice Mediumship: Step-by-Step Instructions:
Preparation: Create a quiet and respectful space. Light a candle or perform a grounding ritual.
Focus: Set your intention to connect with a specific departed loved one or allow any relevant spirit to come through.
Relaxation: Calm your mind and body through deep breathing or meditation.
Energetic Protection: Visualize protective white light surrounding you to ensure a positive connection.
Openness: Allow yourself to be receptive to impressions, feelings, or symbols from the spirit world.
Initiation: Gently address the spirit you wish to connect with. Invite them to communicate.
Messages: Pay attention to any thoughts, feelings, images, or words that come to you. Trust your instincts.
Validation: If you receive information, relay it to the seeker. Pay attention to details that might validate the connection.
Closing: Thank the spirit for their communication. Slowly close the connection and express gratitude.
Navigating the Realm of Channeling and Mediumship: Considerations for Practitioners
Engaging in channeling and mediumship is a deeply profound and potentially transformative endeavor that requires careful thought, preparation, and ethical considerations. Whether you're a novice or an experienced practitioner, here are essential factors to ponder when delving into these practices:
1. Intention and Motivation:
Examine your motives for practicing channeling and mediumship. Are you seeking personal growth, helping others, or connecting with the spiritual realm? Ensure your intentions are pure, ethical, and aligned with the greater good.
2. Education and Training:
Acquire knowledge about the practices, traditions, and cultures associated with channeling and mediumship. Study under reputable teachers or mentors who can guide you through the intricacies of these practices and their potential challenges.
3. Grounding and Protection:
Before attempting any channeling or mediumship session, establish grounding and protection techniques. These practices help you remain centered, shielded from negative energies, and maintain a strong connection to your own consciousness.
4. Self-Care and Balance:
Engaging in channeling and mediumship can be emotionally and energetically demanding. Prioritize self-care to maintain your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Regular meditation, exercise, and healthy lifestyle choices can help you stay balanced.
5. Discernment:
Develop your discernment skills to differentiate between genuine spiritual guidance and personal thoughts or biases. This skill is crucial for delivering accurate and ethical messages to yourself or others.
6. Ethics and Responsibility:
Consider the ethical implications of sharing messages from the spirit realm. Be responsible with the information you receive and ensure that your messages are delivered with empathy, sensitivity, and respect for the recipients.
7. Consent and Boundaries:
If you're practicing mediumship for others, always seek explicit consent before attempting to contact or communicate with their departed loved ones. Respect the boundaries of both the living and the deceased.
8. Verification and Validation:
When providing information from the spirit realm to others, strive to offer verifiable and specific details that validate the authenticity of your communication. This can help build trust between you and those seeking guidance.
9. Continuous Learning:
Channeling and mediumship are complex skills that can evolve over time. Commit to ongoing learning and improvement, whether through further training, reading, or exchanging experiences with fellow practitioners.
10. Emotional Resilience:
Engaging in channeling and mediumship can expose you to intense emotions, both your own and those of the spirits or individuals you connect with. Develop emotional resilience and coping strategies to navigate these experiences.
11. Skepticism and Open-Mindedness:
Maintain a healthy dose of skepticism while remaining open-minded to the possibilities of spiritual connections. Strive for a balanced approach that allows you to critically evaluate your experiences.
12. Consent for Recording and Sharing:
If you plan to record or share your channeling or mediumship sessions, obtain consent from all parties involved. Respecting privacy is essential, especially when sensitive or personal information is discussed.
Conclusion:
Channeling and mediumship are profound practices that offer individuals unique avenues for spiritual exploration and communication. While channeling focuses on receiving guidance from higher realms, mediumship serves as a bridge between the living and the departed. These practices provide comfort, insights, and growth to those who engage with them, fostering a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of life, both in the physical and spiritual dimensions. As you embark on your journey into these realms, approach them with an open heart, mindfulness, and respect for the energies you encounter.
Ashley Brothers - Institute of Conscious Evolution LLC, Bend OR
Author of A Living Prayer Blog, public speaker, holistic practitioner, and teacher of energy medicine, shamanic healing, and psychic channeling
https://www.bonesoftheearth.org
206-550-6292