My Library

processes of consciousness in psychometry, in order to obtain a more complete understanding of its rationale. According to the statements of a clairvoyant, the first effort on taking the object into the left hand is to make mind and body completely still; when comparative quietness is obtained, an effort is made to unify the mind with the object. Pressed on this point, he is unable to explain further than that he consciously endeavours to become one with the object, or, rather, with the soul and essence of the object; during the process he becomes passive on the lower planes; his physical body is still and in a restful pose, with limbs uncrossed and spine erect. Should he be successful, a single picture will sometimes appear before his mind’s eye, as if floating in the air on a level with his forehead, and some six inches in front of it. If nothing appears, he will place the object against the centre of his forehead, and make a still greater effort to read its very essence. Unhesitatingly he describes the very first picture which appears, without reference to its apparent relevance and even physical common sense; he divests himself of all preconceived ideas on any subject whatever, endeavouring to eliminate any personal interpretation. He prefers to know nothing whatever of the object, its owner, or the purpose of the experiment; his only request being to be told when he is following that aspect of the reading which is required. It is generally easily apparent from the description of the first picture whether he is en rapport with the subject of the inquiry. If he is, as is generally the case, he will ask for guidance as to direction of research, and, on being answered, will plunge into the subject, become completely oblivious of physical plane surroundings for the time, and yet remain sufficiently conscious to narrate his visions clearly as he goes along. Describing the state of his consciousness, he says that having the assurance that Ins first picture is a true vision, and knowing the direction his inquiries are to take, he withdraws his mind from the object, and concentrates it on the picture, striving to enter and become one with it, whilst at the same time preserving calm and stillness within!) When successful in this, he finds himself—or, rather, a portion of himself, for he is always subconsciously aware that he is seated in a room, and in the presence of others—actually present in or at the scene described, and further