An intelligent guide to the tarot
and related subjects
Clairvoyance and
Occult Powers
by Swami Panchadasi
LESSON I
THE ASTRAL SENSES
The skeptical person who "believes only the evidence of his senses."
The man who has much to say about "horse sense." "Common Sense"
versus Uncommon Senses. The ordinary five senses are not the only
senses. The ordinary senses are not as infallible as many think
them. Illusions of the five physical senses. What is back of the
organs of physical sense. All senses an evolution of the sense of
feeling. How the mind receives the report of the senses. The Real
Knower behind the senses. What the unfolding of new senses means to
man. The super-physical senses. The Astral Senses. Man has seven
physical senses, instead of merely five. Each physical sense has its
astral sense counterpart. What the astral senses are. Sensing on the
astral plane. How the mind functions on the astral plane, by means
of the astral senses. The unfolding of the Astral Senses opens up a
new world of experience to man.
LESSON II
TELEPATHY vs. CLAIRVOYANCE
The two extra physical senses of man. The extra sense of "the
presence of other living things." The "telepathic sense." How man
may sense the presence of other living things apart from the
operation of his ordinary five physical senses. This power is
strongly developed in savages and barbarians, but has become
atrophied in most civilized men, by continued disuse. It is now
vestigial in civilized man, but may be developed by practice.
Animals have this extra sense highly developed, and it plays a very
important part in their protection from enemies; their capture of
prey, etc. The strange actions of dogs, horses, etc., explained. How
the geese saved Rome by reason of this sense. All hunters have
experienced evidences of the existence of this sense on the part of
animals. The physical telepathic sense. How it operates. Interesting
instances of its possession by animals, and savage tribes. Women
possess it strongly. The distinction between this form of
thought-transference and clairvoyance.
LESSON
III
TELEPATHY EXPLAINED
What "telepathy" means. The mental process by which one "knows at a
distance." The sending and receiving of waves and currents of
thought and feeling. Thought vibrations, and how they are caused.
The part played by the cerebrum, cerebellum, and medulla
oblongata—the three brains of man. The part played by the solar
plexus and other great nervous centers. How thought messages are
received. How states of emotional excitement are transmitted to
others. The Pineal Gland: what it is, and what it does. The
important part it plays in telepathy and thought-transference.
Mental atmospheres. Psychic atmospheres of audiences, towns, houses,
stores, etc. Why you are not affected by all thought vibrations in
equal measure and strength. How thought vibrations are neutralized.
Affinities and repulsions between different thought vibrations.
Interesting facts concerning telepathy. Scientific explanations of
telepathy.
LESSON IV
SCIENTIFIC TELEPATHY
The important investigations of the Society for Psychical Research.
True telepathy and pseudo-telepathy; how they are distinguished by
scientists. Strict tests imposed in investigations. The celebrated
"Creery Experiments," and how they were conducted. The elaboration
of the "guessing" game. Seventeen cards chosen right, in straight
succession. Precautions against fraud or collusion. Two hundred and
ten successes out of a possible three hundred and eighty-two.
Science pronounces the results as entirely beyond the law of
coincidences and mathematical probability; and that the phenomena
were genuine and real telepathy. Still more wonderful tests.
Telepathy an incontestable reality. "A psychic force transmitting
ideas and thoughts." Interesting cases of spontaneous telepathy,
scientifically proven. Extracts from the scientific records. Cold
scientific reports read like a romance, and prove beyond doubt the
reality of this great field of phenomena.
LESSON V
MIND-READING, AND BEYOND
What "Mind-Reading" is. The two phases of Mind-Reading. Mind-Reading
with physical contact; and without physical contact. Why the
scientific investigators make the distinction. Why science has been
over-cautious; and how it falls short of the full understanding of
contact Mind-Reading. How the thought-waves flow along the nerves of
the projector and recipient. Like telegraphy over wires, as compared
with the wireless method. How to learn by actual experience, and not
alone by reading books. How to experiment for yourself; and how to
obtain the best results in Mind-Reading. The working principles of
Mind-Reading stated. Full directions and instruction given for the
successful performance of the interesting feats. This lesson is
really a little manual of practical instruction in Mind-Reading, and
the higher phases of Thought-Transference. The person carefully
studying and applying the principles taught therein should become
very proficient in both private and public manifestations.
LESSON VI
CLAIRVOYANT PSYCHOMETRY
What Clairvoyance really is; and what it is not. The faculty of
acquiring super-normal knowledge of facts and happening at a
distance, or in past or future time, independent of the ordinary
senses, and independent of telepathic reading of the minds of
others. The different kinds of Clairvoyance described. What is
Psychometry? Clairvoyant en rapport relations on the astral plane,
with distant, past or future happenings and events; by means of a
connecting material link. How to obtain the psychic affinity or
astral relation to other things by means of a bit of stone, lock of
hair, article of wearing apparel, etc. Interesting instances of
clairvoyant psychometry. How to go about the work of
psychometrizing. How to develop the power. How to secure the best
conditions; and what to do when you have obtained them. Psychometry
develops the occultist for still higher clairvoyant powers.
LESSON VII
CLAIRVOYANT CRYSTAL-GAZING
The second great method of securing clairvoyant en rapport relations
with the astral plane. How the crystal, magic-mirror, etc., serves
to focus the psychic energy of the clairvoyant person. The crystal
serves the purpose of a psychic microscope or telescope. How
crystals tend to become polarized to the vibrations of their owner.
Why crystals should be preserved for the personal use of their
owners. The use of crystals, or other forms of shining objects, by
different peoples in ancient and modern times. How they are employed
in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, South America, etc., by the
primitive tribes. Various substitutes for the crystal. Full
directions for Crystal Gazing. Complete instructions and warnings.
All stages described, from the first "milky mist" to the clearly
defined "psychic photograph." The Astral Tube, and the part it plays
in Crystal Gazing. A complete little text-book of the subject.
LESSON VIII
CLAIRVOYANT REVERIE
The higher forms of Clairvoyance, and how they may be cultivated and
acquired. Trance conditions not essential to highest Clairvoyance,
although often connected therewith. In Clairvoyant Reverie, the
clairvoyant does not become unconscious; but merely "shuts out" the
outside world of sights and sounds. Shifting the consciousness from
the physical plane to the astral. Clairvoyant Reverie may be safely
and effectively induced by mental concentration alone. Artificial
methods dangerous, and not advised by best authorities. Abnormal
conditions not desirable. The "one pointed" mind. The Clairvoyant
"day dream" or "brown study." False "psychic development." Use of
hypnotic drugs strongly condemned. Scientific psychological methods
stated and taught. The laws of attention and concentration of the
mind. How Clairvoyance develops by this method. The true occult
instruction given fully.
LESSON
IX
SIMPLE CLAIRVOYANCE
What the Clairvoyant senses in Simple Clairvoyance. Perception of
the Aura, and Auric Emanations of others; Psychic Vibrations; Astral
Colors; Thought Currents, Waves and Vibrations, etc., are features
of Simple Clairvoyance. The beautiful kaleidoscopic spectacle of the
Auric changes. The Prana Aura, and its appearances. The Mental and
Emotional Aura, and its many interesting phases. Perception of
Astral Thought-Forms. Other Astral Phenomena. The Astral World, and
its Myriad Manifestations. Strange aspects of Astral Visioning.
"Seeing through a Brick-wall." The X-Ray Vision. Reading from closed
books, sealed envelopes, etc., and how it is explainable. Seeing
into the depths of the earth, and the occult explanation thereof.
The Laws and Principles of this Extraordinary Power. Magnifying and
Diminishing Clairvoyant Vision. A wonderful field for experiment
opened out for the student.
LESSON X
CLAIRVOYANCE OF DISTANT SCENES
The characteristics of Space Clairvoyance. The Astral Seeing of
Distant Scenes; and through intervening objects. Remarkable
instances of this power, well authenticated and established.
Interesting and instructive historical cases recorded and explained.
Testimony of the Society for Psychical Research concerning this
phase of Clairvoyance. The interesting case of W.T. Stead, the
celebrated English writer, who went down on the "Titanic." The
important testimony of Swedenborg, the eminent religious teacher.
Other well-authenticated cases happening to well-known persons. The
evidence collected by the Society for Psychical Research.
Interesting German case. Why so many cases of this kind happen when
the person is on his death-bed, or seriously ill. Why such
experiences often occur in dreams. Actual "appearance" of persons at
a distance, and how explained. Important and interesting facts
recited in connection with this phase of Clairvoyance.
LESSON XI
CLAIRVOYANCE OF THE PAST
The clairvoyant perception of the facts, events and happenings of
past time. There is no difference in the nature of this strange
phenomenon, whether the past time be but five minutes or else five
thousand years. How is it possible to "see" a thing that no longer
exists? The "just how" of this strange happening. Nothing could be
perceived if it had actually disappeared from existence. But nothing
entirely disappears in fact. On the astral plane are recorded all
things, events and happenings since the beginning of the present
world-cycle. The "Akashic Records;" or the "Astral Light;"
constitute the great record books of the past. The clairvoyant
gaining access to these may read the past like a book. Analogies in
physical science. Interesting scientific facts. What astronomy
teaches on the subject. How the records of the past are stored. How
they are read by the clairvoyant. A fascinating subject clearly
presented and explained.
LESSON XII
CLAIRVOYANCE OF THE FUTURE
The clairvoyant power manifest in all forms of perception of facts,
happenings and events of future time. Explanation of Prophecy,
Prevision, Foretelling, Second-Sight, etc. These powers not
supernatural; but are merely the development of the clairvoyant
faculties. How may a thing be "seen" years before it really exists.
Nothing could be seen, unless it existed in some form, at least
potential and latent. Keen perception of the subconscious faculties.
Subconscious reasoning from cause to effect. Coming events cast
their shadows before. Fate vs. Free-Will. "Time is but a relative
mode of regarding things." "Events may, in some sense, exist always,
both past and future." Time like a moving-picture reel, containing
the future scene at the present moment, though out of sight. Analogy
of dream-time. An Absolute Consciousness in which past, present and
future exist as a single perception. A glimpse of a transcendental
truth. How to acquire the faculty of Future-Clairvoyance.
LESSON XIII
SECOND-SIGHT, PREVISION, ETC.
Many persons, in all times, in all lands, have possessed the gift of
looking into the future. Not a superstition, but a scientific fact.
The Investigations of the scientific bodies. The Society for
Psychical Research, and its reports on this phase of Clairvoyance.
Interesting case told by a leading Theosophist. Tragedy and Funeral
foreseen by Clairvoyant Prevision, or Second-Sight. Historical
instances. George Fox, the Quaker, and his Second-Sight. The
prophecy of the Death of Caesar. Biblical instances. The celebrated
case of Cazotte, which has become a matter of history. How Cazotte
foretold the coming of the French Revolution, including the fate of
eminent personages present at the time of the prophecy. A startling
occurrence, well worthy of careful study. The historical case of the
assassination of Spencer Perceval, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Other well-authenticated cases. Symbolic visions. Irish and Scotch
cases.
LESSON XIV
ASTRAL-BODY TRAVELING
Astral visioning in Clairvoyance, and visioning by means of the
Astral Body. The difference between the two phases of clairvoyant
phenomena. The characteristics of Astral-Body traveling. How one
traveling in the Astral Body may "see all around him," instead of
merely gazing at an astral picture. Limitations of Astral-Body
visioning. What the Astral-Body really is; and what it is like. How
it disengages itself from the physical body, and travels in space.
Many persons "travel in the astral" during ordinary sleep. Occult
teachings regarding Astral-Body traveling. How dying persons often
travel in the astral-body, before death. Many interesting cases
cited, all well-authenticated by scientific investigation. Society
for Psychical Research's records and reports on such cases. Dangers
of uninstructed persons going out on the astral, except in dream
state. "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." A timely warning.
A most important and interesting subject.
LESSON XV
STRANGE ASTRAL PHENOMENA
Additional phases of Astral Phenomena. Projection of Thought-Forms.
Something between ordinary Clairvoyance and Astral-Body perception.
What a Thought-Form is. How it is created. What it does. Where it
goes. How a portion of one's consciousness is projected in a
Thought-Form. Using a Thought-Form as at cut-post, or observation
point. How things appear when viewed from a Thought-Form. A
wonderful phase of occult phenomena. Advantages and disadvantages of
this form of clairvoyant visioning. Hindu Psychic Magic, and how it
is performed. Remarkable illusory effects produced by Hindu
Magicians. All is explained when the principle of the creation and
projection of Thought-Forms is understood. Why the Hindus excel in
this phase of occultism. An interesting description of Hindu Magic
feats. The power of concentrated "visualization." The phenomena of
Levitation, or the moving of articles at a distance. The occult
explanation of this phenomenon. Natural explanation for so-called
"super-natural" occurrence.
LESSON
XVI
PSYCHIC INFLUENCE: ITS LAWS AND PRINCIPLES
The laws and principles underlying the power of one mind to
influence and affect another mind. More than ordinary telepathy. The
inductive power of mental vibrations. Everything is in vibration.
Mental vibrations are much higher in the scale than are physical
vibrations. What "induction" is. How a mental state, or an emotional
feeling, tends to induce a similar state in another mind. Many
instances cited. The different degrees of vibratory influence, and
what causes the difference. The contagious effect of a "strong
feeling." Why a strong desire hag a dynamic effect in certain cases.
The power of visualization in Psychic Influence. The Attractive
Power of Thought. The effect of Mental Concentration. Focusing your
Forces. Holding the mind to a state of "one-pointedness." Why the
occultist controls his imagination. Suggestions as to practice, and
rules of development. A few easily-mastered principles which give
you the key to the whole of this wonderful subject.
LESSON XVII
PERSONAL PSYCHIC INFLUENCE OVER OTHERS
Psychic Influence exerted over others, when in their presence.
Different degrees of the influence. Possession of this power by
Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, Julius Caesar, and other
great leaders of men. The ability to influence others is a sure sign
of the possession of this psychic power. The Three Underlying
Principles of Psychic Influence. The importance of strong desire to
influence and exert power. The importance of clear, positive mental
pictures of what effect you wish to produce. The importance of the
firm concentration of your mind on the subject. The creation of a
positive psychic atmosphere. The Positive Psychic Aura. How to
project your Psychic Power. The Psychic Struggle between two
persons. How to handle yourself in such conflicts of Psychic Power.
How to Neutralize the Psychic Power of others, and thus disarm them.
The Occult Shield of Defense. Valuable directions regarding practice
and development of Psychic Power. Scientific Exercises for
Development. Important Rules of Practice.
LESSON
XVIII
PSYCHIC INFLUENCE AT A DISTANCE
Psychic Influence over others, manifested when they are distant from
the person exerting the influence. Distance no obstacle. Psychic
Induction at Long-Range. How to create the en rapport condition with
the other person. How to protect yourself against such influence at
a distance. The Psychic Armor. Psychometric Method of producing
Distant En Rapport Condition. To proceed when the en rapport
condition is secured. The scientific explanation of the old tales
about sorcery, witchcraft, super-natural influence, etc. The effect
of fear, and belief, on the mind of the other person. The effect of
Denial. The secret of many strange cases made plain. Some typical
cases. The Master-Key which unlocks the doors of many Mysteries. Low
forms of Occultism, and how they may be defeated. Dangerous
Teachings in some quarters. Warnings against their use. The Astral
Tube; how it is erected, used and employed. A simple, plain
explanation of a puzzling occult manifestation. Self-Protection.
LESSON
XIX
LAWS OF PSYCHIC ATTRACTION
How psychic vibrations tend to attract to their creator other
persons vibrating along the same lines; and things having a relation
to the things thought of. Harmony and Inharmony in the Psychic
World. The Law of Psychic Attraction. The Law of Psychic Repulsion.
An important phase of Astral Phenomena. The Law works two ways. It
draws other persons and things to you; and you to other persons and
things. How the men of "big business" operate under this Law of
Attraction. How scheming exploiters of the public actually "treat
the public" by psychic means. The various forms of psychic influence
employed by persons of this kind. The Law of Attraction, and how it
works out in Business Life. The scientific facts behind the outward
appearance of things. Instances and examples of the working out of
these laws and principles. The Law of Psychic Attraction is as
constant and invariable as the great Law of Gravitation, or Magnetic
Attraction. The Co-Relation of Thoughts and Things. How we may
create our own environment by Psychic Influence.
LESSON XX
PSYCHIC AND MAGNETIC HEALING
The Psychic Principles underlying the many forms of psychic or
mental healing. Many theories—one set of principles. Psychic Healing
as old as the race. The Basic Principles of Psychic Healing. The
Physiological Principles involved. How the Astral Body is used in
Psychic Healing. Human Magnetism, and what it really is. All about
Prana. The Laying-on of Hands in Healing; and what is back of it.
What happens in Magnetic Healing. The Secret of Absent Healing.
Space no barrier in Psychic Healing. The Human Aura and Psychic
Healing. The Secret of Suggestive Therapeutics. The effect of the
"affirmations" of the healers. How the Healing Cults obtain good
results. Self-Healing by Psychic Power. Absent Healing by Psychic
Power. How to "treat" others by Absent Treatment. Valuable
Instructions and Practical Methods of Psychic Healing. The whole
subject condensed, and made plain, so that it may be applied by any
person of average intelligence. No fanciful theories; only plain,
practical facts for actual application.
The student in India expects the teacher to state positively the
principals involved, and the methods whereby these principles may be
manifested, together with frequent illustrations (generally in the
nature of fables or parables), serving to link the new knowledge to
some already known thing. The Hindu student never expects or demands
anything in the nature of "proof" of the teachers statements of
principle or method; in fact, he would regard it as an insult to the
teacher to ask for the same. Consequently, he does not look for, or
ask, specific instances or illustrations in the nature of scientific
evidence or proof of the principles taught. He may ask for more
information, but solely for the purpose of bringing out some point
which he has not grasped; but he avoids as a pestilence any question
seeming to indicate argument, doubt of what is being taught him, or
of the nature of a demand for proof or evidence.
The Western student, on the other hand, is accustomed to maintaining
the skeptical attitude of mind—the scientific attitude of doubt and
demand for proof—and the teacher so understands it. Both are
accustomed to illustrations bringing out the principles involved,
but these illustrations must not be fanciful or figurative—they must
be actual cases, well authenticated and vouched for as evidence. In
short, the Western teacher is expected to actually "prove" to his
students his principles and methods, before he may expect them to be
accepted. This, of course, not from any real doubt or suspicion of
the veracity or ability of the teacher, but merely because the
Western mind expects to question, and be questioned, in this way in
the process of teaching and learning.
Consequently, in this series of lessons, I have sought to follow the
Western method rather than the Hindu. So far as is possible, I have
avoided the flat positive statement of principles and methods, and
have sought to prove each step of the teaching. Of course, I have
been compelled to assume the existence of certain fundamental
principles, in order to avoid long and technical metaphysical and
philosophical discussions. I have also had to content myself with
the positive flat assertion of the existence of the Astral Plane,
Akashic Records, Prana, etc., which are fundamental postulates of
Hindu philosophy and occult science—for these are established solely
by the experience of those who are able to function on the higher
planes themselves. But, beyond this I have sought to prove by direct
and positive evidence (adapted to the Western mind) every step of my
teaching and methods.
In offering this scientific proof, I have purposely omitted (except
in a few instances) all mention of occult or psychic phenomena
occurring in India, and have confined myself to instances occurring
in Western lands to Western persons. Moreover, I have avoided
quoting and citing Hindu authorities, and have, instead, quoted and
cited from authorities well known and respected in Western lands,
such as the Society for Psychical Research, and the prominent
scientists interested in the work of the said society. In this way I
have sought to furnish the Western student with examples, cases, and
illustrations familiar to him, and easily referred to. Had I cited
Indian cases, I might be accused of offering proof that could not be
easily verified; and quoting persons unknown to my readers. There is
a wealth of such cases and illustration in India, naturally, but
these as a rule are traditional and not available in printed form;
and these would not likely be very satisfactory to the Western
student.
I must, however, positively and firmly state that while these cases
and illustrations, these quotations and citations, are purely
Western, the principles they illustrate and prove are among the
oldest known to Hindu occult science and philosophy. In fact, having
been accepted as proved truth in India, for centuries past, there is
very little demand for further proof thereof on the part of the
Hindus. In the Western world, however, these things are
comparatively new, and must be proved and attested accordingly. So,
as I have said, I have cut the cloth of my instruction to conform
with the pattern favored for the Western garment of knowledge. So
far as the illustrations and cases, the quotations and citations are
concerned—these are purely Western and familiar to the student. But,
when it comes to the principles themselves, this is another matter—I
must be pardoned for stating that these are the outgrowth of Hindu
thought and investigation, and that he who would discover their
roots must dig around the tree of the Wisdom of the East, which has
stood the storms and winds of thousands of years. But the branches
of this mighty tree are wide-spreading, and there is room for many
Western students to rest in its shade and shelter.
In these lessons I have referred occasionally to my two little
books, entitled "The Astral World," and "The Human Aura,"
respectively. To those who are interested in these subjects, I
recommend these little books; they are sold at a nominal price, and
contain much that will be helpful to the student of Hindu Occult
Science. They are not required, however, to complete the
understanding of the subjects treated upon in these lessons, and are
mentioned and recommended merely as supplementary reading for the
student who wishes to take little "side excursions" away from the
main trip covered in these lessons.
I trust that my students will find the pleasure and satisfaction in
studying these lessons that I have in writing them.
SWAMI PANCHADASI.
*****
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