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