Scientist Explains What Happens When People Channel
When you hear the word channeling, what comes to mind? Many of us would think of Bashar, Seth, Barbara Marciniak, Edgar Cayce, etc. In other words, most people think of trance channeling, where a person allows a supposed entity (deceased spirits, aliens, angels, higher self, etc.) to use their body as a vehicle to communicate.
I am a trained clinician, naturopathic physician, and Director of Research at the Institute of Noetic Sciences. I also happen to come from a long line of trance channelers and received a BIAL grant for researching the physiological effects of full-trance channeling:
As someone who bridges the worlds of scientific inquiry and the esoteric, I have a more encompassing definition for channeling:
“Channeling is the process of revealing information and energy not limited by our conventional notions of space and time that can appear receptive or expressive.” – from The Science of Channeling
One of the most confusing things about channeling is its name. Many people associate it with trance channeling. Others use it interchangeably with terms like psychic, medium, psi, ESP, etc. When I first engaged in conversation with people about these phenomena, I found that the terms meant different things to different people.
For example, as a naïve new researcher in the field, I formally reviewed the literature to understand the terms used for trance channeling. There were 29 different terms used to describe this form of channeling and the people who do it.
Multiple research studies show that channeling is experienced on a spectrum. On one side, you have widespread experiences like intuition and gut hunches. Telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition lie somewhere in the middle. Rarer experiences like trance channeling and out-of-body experiences are on the far side of the spectrum. Channeling comes in so many forms.
At IONS, we call your unique way of channeling your Noetic Signature™. There is no right or wrong signature. All are beautiful and unique. Just as each snowflake is different yet equal in its exquisite beauty, each person’s Noetic Signature™ has inherent value.
An Overview of Channeling
In my book, The Science of Channeling: Why You Should Trust Your Intuition and Embrace the Force That Connects Us All, I share about the IONS Channeling Research Program and what we’ve learned by investigating these research questions:
- How common is channeling, and what are its characteristics?
- How does channeling work?
- Are there defining characteristics of someone who channels easily?
- Can we verify the information?
- Is the content useful?
In this blog post, I’d like to share an overview of these findings with you. You can also watch a video about some of our findings here.
How Common Is Channeling?
Not only are channeling abilities found in perfectly healthy people, but the experience of channeling is actually quite common.
In another study conducted by IONS, we surveyed scientists, engineers, the general public, and IONS members about their channeling experiences. We were surprised to find that of the 900 participants, a whopping 90% (93-99%) had at least one channeling experience in their lifetime.
This suggests that channeling experiences are common. In fact, Rapoport, Leiby-Clark, and Czyzewicz put out a survey each year to gather information on the number of Americans that believe in paranormal phenomena. What’s interesting is that this number has increased year over year.
One overarching theme in parapsychological research is that the more we believe in phenomena, the more likely we are to experience them. This could account for that growing number. That being said, some channeling experiences are more common than others.
I think of channeling as being like a spectrum. On the subtler side, people experience clairempathy, claircognizance, lucid dreaming, and telepathy. Somewhere toward the middle are precognition and mediumship. And at the far end of the spectrum are rarer experiences like trance channeling, geomancy, psychic healing, pyrokinesis, and levitation.
Is Channeled Information Real?
Channeling may be common — but is it real? “Real” would mean that channeling can be observed with objective measures rather than just anecdotal accounts.
Jessica Utts published an interesting statistic in a study featured in the Journal of Scientific Exploration. She showed us that the effects observed in ESP research are significantly larger than the effect size of 81 mg of aspirin therapy.
In other words: Many channeling phenomena appear to be very real.
Some evidence for channeling can be found in the work of Rupert Sheldrake. Sheldrake has compiled a database of 4,000 case histories, 2,000 questionnaires, 1,500 interviews, and more than a decade of controlled experiments — all of which indicate that consciousness is nonlocal and fundamental. He and many other scientists have conducted direct mental interactions with living systems (DMILS) experiments that show us a person (the sender) can remotely influence another person’s (the receiver’s) physiology.
In these studies, a sender directs positive intention toward the receiver. Both participants’ bodies are measured for physiological changes. The results are consistent: Small but significant effects can be observed in the physiology of the receiver. DMILS is probably why, for example, we can sense when someone is staring at us.
And yet the evidence for channeled information goes beyond any individual study. In the scientific world, a meta-analysis is the pinnacle of proof. A meta-analysis looks at general trends across many studies and yields an integrated result. These types of analyses are critical because they give a more precise estimate of effect size and may give us conclusive results where individual studies cannot.
Meta-analyses related to channeling illustrate that the evidence for psychic experiences are comparable to that of established phenomena in psychology.
So yes, we have good reason to believe that channeling is real. Which leads us to yet another question: How does channeling work?
How Does Channeling Work?
At this point, no one is sure exactly how channeling works. We understand bits and pieces but more research is needed.
Relative to other branches of science, psi research is notably lacking. On the one hand, this is exciting: Psi is a relatively untapped frontier. On the other hand, the field is underfunded. Additionally, these topics remain taboo in the scientific community.
With little funding (and the genuine possibility of staking one’s career), few scientists are willing to commit their time and energy to psi research (even though, behind the scenes, many are interested in this field!).
In any case, we are in the infancy of our understanding of extended human capacities. Right now, we just have ideas.
It appears as though channeling transcends time and space because the effects of psychic phenomena are instantaneous. For example, in Random Number Generator (RNG) studies, a generator produces random numbers. And yet, when a person directs their attention to the generator, the numbers become less random.
How is something like this possible?
All of parapsychology hinges on the idea that consciousness is nonlocal and fundamental; therefore, everything is interconnected. It’s as though we can all tap into a consciousness larger than the one we experience in our day-to-day life.
It also appears that our abilities to tap into this consciousness are limited by external stimuli. This is why meditation is often used to cultivate intuitive abilities: It’s about learning how to shut out the noise.
Where Does Channeled Information Come From?
We don’t understand all the mechanics of channeling yet…and we’re not sure where the information is coming from. We conducted a survey among channelers where participants were asked what they thought the source of their channeled information was. They were able to choose as many options as they wanted:
56% of participants thought the source of channeling was their higher self;
50% said the universal mind;
47% said the unconscious mind.
Fewer people reported channeling spirits, ETs, deities, or other entities.
Common Traits of Spiritual Channels
In our research, we have found that certain characteristics lend themselves to channeling.
First of all, believing that you can channel predicts that you will have more channeling experiences and do better on laboratory tests. In studies done in the West, women report stronger and more frequent experiences than men. This may be because women tend to carry more yin qualities. Yin is feminine energy. It is open, receptive, and connected. In these western studies, channelers also tend to describe themselves as “spiritual but not religious.” Other demographic information, such as age and race, have mixed results.
That being said, we believe that everyone can learn to channel.
What is your unique way of channeling? If you’re interested in discovering or further cultivating your channeling abilities, you can order a copy of The Science of Channeling. In it, I’ll show you how to identify and hone your own channeling skills, process the information you receive, and use your unique gift to improve your life — and the world around you.
About the Author
What Is Spiritual Mediumship and How Does It Develop?
Mediumship is an ability that allows some people to act as a channel between the physical plane and the spiritual world. This ability manifests itself in various forms and has been recognized in multiple traditions throughout history. In this article we explore what it means to be a medium, how this faculty is developed and what its purpose is within the spiritual path.
Table of Contents
- What Does It Mean to Be a Spiritual Medium?
- What Is a Mediumship Session Like?
- What Kind of Messages Are Received in a Mediumship Session?
- Who Can Be a Spiritual Medium?
- How Do I Know if I Have the Gift of Mediumship?
- How Does Mediumship Develop?
- History and Origins of Mediumship
- Literature and Resources on Mediumship
What Does It Mean to Be a Spiritual Medium?
Mediumship means having the ability to act as a channel between the physical world and spiritual dimensions, facilitating the exchange between human beings and non-corporeal entities such as spirits of the deceased and spirit guides. This ability manifests in different forms, including clairvoyance (seeing spirit entities), clairaudience (hearing spirit messages) and psychometry (reading information from physical objects).
Mediums are instrumental in the process of providing comfort and understanding to those seeking closure with past events or beings. Through their unique connection, they facilitate communication that allows people to receive important messages and signals, offering a spiritual perspective that can be important for personal growth and emotional healing.
In the series Channeling: A Bridge to the Beyond, available on Gaia, the connections between mediums, channelers, and other forms of contact with the spiritual world are explored. Throughout the episodes, the series delves into how these practices allow access to higher planes of consciousness and receive messages from other dimensions.
What Is a Mediumship Session Like?
A mediumship session usually begins with the medium establishing a calm and protected environment where both the querent and the medium can feel safe and relaxed. It is common for the medium to ask the spirit world for permission to communicate and to request the presence of spirit guides to facilitate a clear and protected connection. The intention is to create a sacred space that allows for fluid and respectful communication.
During the session, the medium enters a state of concentration or light trance, which allows him/her to tune into the frequencies of the spiritual plane. Messages may come in the form of images, sounds, sensations or even intense emotions. The medium interprets these signs and transmits them to the person consulting. Not all communications are verbal; some may be impressions or feelings that the medium describes to his client.
At the end of the session, it is customary for the medium to offer a moment for the person consulting to ask questions or seek clarification on the information received. The session is then closed with a prayer of thanksgiving to the spirit entities for their guidance and protection. It is important that both the medium and the querent take a moment to anchor and clear their energy, ensuring that the spiritual connection is properly closed.
What Kind of Messages Are Received in a Mediumship Session?
In a mediumship session, the messages received can vary widely, depending on the needs of the person consulting and the entities communicating. These messages are intended to provide guidance, comfort, or resolution of unfinished business. Often, they are personal and meaningful, designed to aid in healing, understanding, or personal growth.
- Advice and guidance: Spirits often offer advice in dealing with personal challenges or important decisions. They may provide insights or suggestions based on their broader view of the person’s life plan.
- Messages of comfort: It is common to receive messages from deceased loved ones seeking to reassure family members that they are at peace and still present in some way. These messages can help ease the pain and encourage the grieving process.
- Warnings and cautions: Sometimes, messages contain warnings about future health problems, poor decisions or negative relationships. These warnings are intended to protect the person and guide them to a safer path.
- Validations and confirmations: Spirits can provide information that validates past emotions, situations or decisions. These types of messages reinforce the feeling of being connected to the universe and being on the right path.
- Resolution of pending issues: Messages may also include apologies or explanations about past conflicting situations or misunderstandings. This can be essential for emotional closure and healing for both the receiver and the spirit.
Who Can Be a Spiritual Medium?
Mediumship is not limited to a specific type of person; people of any age, culture or background may find that they possess this gift. While some people may show natural abilities from an early age, others may develop them later in life. What is essential is a willingness to connect with the spiritual plane and the ability to open the mind and heart to experiences beyond the tangible.
The predisposition to mediumship may be innate or may be stimulated by significant life events, such as a near-death experience or a deep personal crisis. These experiences often act as catalysts, awakening a sensitivity to subtle energy and spiritual dimensions. However, having a natural inclination is not a requirement; with proper training and practice, almost anyone can develop the ability to mediate between worlds.
How Do I Know if I Have the Gift of Mediumship?
Recognizing the gift of mediumship often begins with perceiving signs or receiving messages that others do not detect. These experiences may manifest as strong intuitions, vivid dreams, or even voices with no apparent source. If these perceptions become more frequent or intense, it could be a sign of underlying mediumistic abilities.
In addition, a tendency to feel the emotions or thoughts of others intensely or a special, unexplained connection to certain places may also indicate mediumistic potential. The key is in conscious observation of how these experiences affect and integrate into daily life. Those who find that these events bring clarity or comfort, rather than fear or confusion, may be discovering their path to mediumistic practice.
How Does Mediumship Develop?
Developing mediumistic skills often begins with education and practice in spiritual and energetic development techniques. Meditation is essential, as it helps to calm the mind and strengthen the connection to the spiritual plane. Attending workshops or classes with experienced mediums can also provide the tools necessary to understand and master these skills.
Constant practice is crucial for any aspiring medium. This includes not only meditation and energy exercises, but also participating in spiritual circles where one can practice receiving and delivering messages under the supervision of professionals. These environments allow a safe space to explore and hone mediumistic skills, learning to discern between different types of energies and messages.
History and Origins of Mediumship
Mediumship has been an integral part of many cultures throughout history, with evidence dating back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece and Rome. In these cultures, mediums were seen as bridges between gods and humans, providing essential guidance and revelations. These figures were often revered and feared, depending on local beliefs and power structures.
During the Middle Ages, the perception of mediumship changed considerably due to the influence of the Church. Mediums were often labeled as witches or heretics and persecuted accordingly. However, in secret societies and among certain esoteric groups, mediumship continued to be practiced and passed from generation to generation as a profound spiritual art.
Modern interest in mediumship resurfaced in the 19th century with the Spiritualist movement, particularly through figures such as the Fox brothers in the United States and later, Allan Kardec in Europe. This period marked the beginning of a more formalized study and practice of mediumship, leading to widespread recognition and the formation of Spiritualist societies throughout the world.
Literature and Resources on Mediumship
For those interested in deepening their understanding of mediumship, there is a variety of resources and literature available, offering everything from practical guides to historical and philosophical analyses.
- The Spirits’ Book by Allan Kardec: First published in 1857, this book is considered the cornerstone of modern Spiritism. Kardec presents a series of questions and answers that he claimed were communicated by spirits, offering a systematic view on morality, philosophy, and the nature of the soul.
- So You Want to Be a Medium: A Down-to-Earth Guide by Rose Vanden Eynden: This modern guide provides practical tools and advice for those wishing to develop mediumistic abilities. The book also addresses the ethics and responsibilities that come with this practice.
- The Wanderings of a Spiritualist by Arthur Conan Doyle: The famed author of Sherlock Holmes, also a fervent spiritualist, explores the history of mediumship from antiquity to the 20th century. Doyle offers both personal accounts and documented cases that examine the veracity and challenges of mediumship.
- Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe by Laura Lynne Jackson: This book provides a personal and profound exploration of how the author balances her normal life with her extraordinary abilities. Jackson shares her experiences and the lessons learned, aiming to guide others who may be awakening to their own abilities.
