| Extra Sensory Perception was well acknowledged in | | | | There has been and still remains considerable |
| the past by the classical philosophers as Plato, who | | | | ignorance about the psychic and spiritual powers that |
| included them amongst the Gnostic powers beyond | | | | manifest through people who are sometimes |
| the regular importance of the 5 senses. | | | | conscious instruments and sometimes completely |
| There have been times in classical history when these | | | | unaware of what happens through their mediumship. |
| skills were revered and associated with the gods. But | | | | However, in India and no doubt many other cultures, |
| at times in later history to our shame, we remember | | | | the individual ESP faculties generally known as Siddhis, |
| that anyone who demonstrated sensory knowledge | | | | are well recognized, each identified and prized as an |
| beyond the average range was likely to be burned at | | | | exceptional talent to be used ideally for exceptional |
| the stake by the ever zealous agents of the orthodox | | | | purposes in helping others. |
| and most powerful religion of the time, Christianity. | | | | Modern psychics who function as amateur explorers in |
| Certainly there were periods in ancient history when | | | | areas that are sometimes of dubious nature and value |
| the inherent skills of particular individuals were | | | | are generally viewed rather sceptically by most of us. |
| harnessed and they were trained as seers within the | | | | The casual visit to the 'gypsy' at the fair is usually seen |
| temples, as in ancient Egypt. The priests of this | | | | as a lighthearted venture. |
| particular era were particularly well versed in matters | | | | Dedicated professionals who have trained and wish to |
| of the spirit and those who were respected | | | | offer their skill and experience in service are a |
| possessed exceptional wisdom, as we learn from | | | | different matter. These include wonderful people who |
| records. The role of these psychics and visionaries | | | | are employed, or who voluntarily offer, to assist people |
| was seen as a sacred duty. It was mostly young | | | | with personal issues and private consultation, or to aid |
| priestesses who were trained to serve the country in | | | | in helping the community. Some have been successful |
| this way, just as most psychics today are female. In | | | | in helping police investigation of missing persons as well |
| ancient Greece the Delphic Oracle was famous and | | | | as cases of criminal activity. Although not always |
| her work aspired to help the people of her country. | | | | publicly acknowledged, many people in public office or |
| In modern times our understanding of these faculties is | | | | positions of responsibility also value the assistance of a |
| limited. Psychic faculties are only just beginning to be | | | | psychic. |
| seen for what they are; as specially extended senses. | | | | Some psychics better known to the public through |
| E.S.P has been a curiosity and somewhat of an | | | | some sensational issue are frequently those who have |
| embarrassment to people who value the material | | | | been accurate with prediction of various kinds. Each |
| world and revere the observed material sciences as | | | | psychic usually has a faculty that is specially |
| their gods. | | | | developed such as clairvoyance, clairaudience or |
| Even the Church has had problems of various kinds, | | | | talents as seer or visionary. Public fascination with the |
| including explaining some of the exceptional powers | | | | subject continues. So does the serious work of those |
| displayed by individuals. One such perplexity being in | | | | psychics with integrity, who have come to terms with |
| cases of levitation. If a monk, nun or priest within the | | | | their unusual abilities and have found ways of utilizing |
| Church levitated whilst in intense state of prayer or | | | | them for the benefit of others. |
| meditation - and this did happen, although rarely, the | | | | What is required now is that we co-operate with |
| presiding bishop was instructed to command the poor | | | | psychologists who are attempting to understand the |
| subject to 'come down!' It was judged that if their | | | | subtler realms and to extend their knowledge about |
| response was immediate, then they became subjects | | | | the human psyche. This will assist us all by helping to |
| for possible sainthood. If they didn't obey immediately | | | | establish the psychic abilities as natural extensions of |
| they were branded to be 'of the devil.' And no one | | | | our senses. It will also help to make us more confident |
| seems to know what occurred when the poor person | | | | in utilizing the human faculties, which we may already |
| didn't know how to reverse the happening and | | | | have become aware of within ourselves. |
| remained stuck to the ceiling! | | | | |