ogopogo
04-29-2004, 08:57 AM
"The Siren Call of Hungry Ghosts: A Riveting Investigation Into Channeling and Spirit Guides"
by Joe Fisher, Colin Wilson
I just finished the above book and it is very disturbing. Fisher makes it abundantly clear that channeled voices (such as Seth, Lazaris, Ramtha, Dr. Lang, etc.) are almost always mischievous, deceitful and, often, immensely malevolent spirits masquerading as "guides" or spirits of the deceased. They are likened to "Pretas," in the Tibetan Book of the Dead -- tormented earthbound spirits that have not transitioned to the afterlife, clinging desperately to the material world, "hungry" for earthly pleasures that they try to experience vicariously through trance mediums and the unconscious of hypnotized patients.
Everyone one of these supposed disincarnate voices are exposed as impostors by Fisher. What's most remarkable though is that these voices are intimately aware of what goes on in the lives of individuals. They're privy to every intimate thought and emotion of those whom they claim to "guard" and "guide." This makes it easy for them to form intense emotional bonds with their subjects, being aware of their vulnerabilities. The voices, however, all prove to be gifted liars that seduce, cajole and perform what might be called "soul trapping" -- they all eveuntually resort to emotional blackmailing and prey on those whom they purport to guide.
Imagine a voice like Charlie in "Charlie's Angels" that is seemingly omniscient, armed with not-too-shabby doses of wisdom from the other world. This voice spouts platitutdes but is unquestionably intelligent. It claims to be your spirit guide by virtue of having had intense earthly relationships with you in past incarnations. It talk about mutual karmic debts to be paid or paid off. The voice draws you in by offering intimate details of your present life that are indisputably accurate. It may also masquerade as the spirit of the dearly departed.
They eventually cause mischief, give us heartaches and deliver emotional coup de graces. They do this in order to feel powerful, to feel physical sensation and to draw attention to themselves. Imagine, John Edward as a useful idiot.
Fisher cites authorities who confirm that no highly-developed souls participate in channeling. Among them are, obviously, Christians who have long characterized these voices as demons. But cited also is Goethe who pointed out that whatever liberates our spirit without giving us self-control is disastrous. Madam Blavatsky also warned of drifting into "unconscious black magic or the most helpless mediumship"; they inevitably result in physical and psychological failings. Rudolf Steiner is quoted as saying that everyone has a "personal angel" that helps lead us from one incarnation to another. In "An Outline of Occult Science," however, Steiner warns that these angels do not "find expression in material embodiment. Only the supersensible consciousness can apprehend them."
The most fascinating event happens in the late seventies. Fisher interviewed Swami Vishnu Devananda, a protege of the late Yoga master, Sri Swami Sivananda, who ran a yoga organization in Montreal. A woman with abdominal pains began channeling a spirit claming to be the late Sivananda. The spirit exuded wisdom, clairvoyance and displayed occasional healing powers. Most of all, the disincarnate voice was intimately knowledgeable about the details of the master's ilfe as well as his interactions with the protege. Everyone was convinced that this was the late master until Devananda belately remembered a passage from his master's treatise, "What Becomes of the Soul After Death":
The spirits have no knowledge of the highest truth ... These earthbound spirits control the mediums and pretend to know everything regarding the planes beyond death ... They put on the appearance of some other spirit and deceive the audience. The poor innocent mediums are not aware of the tricks palyed by their dishonest spirit guides.
Of course, the most dramatic event unfolds when the author confronts the disincarnate voices and exposes them by writing this book -- Fisher takes his own life in 2001. The tragedy of Joe Fisher italicizes the underside of the New Age movement. This is the creepiest book I ever read.
by Joe Fisher, Colin Wilson
I just finished the above book and it is very disturbing. Fisher makes it abundantly clear that channeled voices (such as Seth, Lazaris, Ramtha, Dr. Lang, etc.) are almost always mischievous, deceitful and, often, immensely malevolent spirits masquerading as "guides" or spirits of the deceased. They are likened to "Pretas," in the Tibetan Book of the Dead -- tormented earthbound spirits that have not transitioned to the afterlife, clinging desperately to the material world, "hungry" for earthly pleasures that they try to experience vicariously through trance mediums and the unconscious of hypnotized patients.
Everyone one of these supposed disincarnate voices are exposed as impostors by Fisher. What's most remarkable though is that these voices are intimately aware of what goes on in the lives of individuals. They're privy to every intimate thought and emotion of those whom they claim to "guard" and "guide." This makes it easy for them to form intense emotional bonds with their subjects, being aware of their vulnerabilities. The voices, however, all prove to be gifted liars that seduce, cajole and perform what might be called "soul trapping" -- they all eveuntually resort to emotional blackmailing and prey on those whom they purport to guide.
Imagine a voice like Charlie in "Charlie's Angels" that is seemingly omniscient, armed with not-too-shabby doses of wisdom from the other world. This voice spouts platitutdes but is unquestionably intelligent. It claims to be your spirit guide by virtue of having had intense earthly relationships with you in past incarnations. It talk about mutual karmic debts to be paid or paid off. The voice draws you in by offering intimate details of your present life that are indisputably accurate. It may also masquerade as the spirit of the dearly departed.
They eventually cause mischief, give us heartaches and deliver emotional coup de graces. They do this in order to feel powerful, to feel physical sensation and to draw attention to themselves. Imagine, John Edward as a useful idiot.
Fisher cites authorities who confirm that no highly-developed souls participate in channeling. Among them are, obviously, Christians who have long characterized these voices as demons. But cited also is Goethe who pointed out that whatever liberates our spirit without giving us self-control is disastrous. Madam Blavatsky also warned of drifting into "unconscious black magic or the most helpless mediumship"; they inevitably result in physical and psychological failings. Rudolf Steiner is quoted as saying that everyone has a "personal angel" that helps lead us from one incarnation to another. In "An Outline of Occult Science," however, Steiner warns that these angels do not "find expression in material embodiment. Only the supersensible consciousness can apprehend them."
The most fascinating event happens in the late seventies. Fisher interviewed Swami Vishnu Devananda, a protege of the late Yoga master, Sri Swami Sivananda, who ran a yoga organization in Montreal. A woman with abdominal pains began channeling a spirit claming to be the late Sivananda. The spirit exuded wisdom, clairvoyance and displayed occasional healing powers. Most of all, the disincarnate voice was intimately knowledgeable about the details of the master's ilfe as well as his interactions with the protege. Everyone was convinced that this was the late master until Devananda belately remembered a passage from his master's treatise, "What Becomes of the Soul After Death":
The spirits have no knowledge of the highest truth ... These earthbound spirits control the mediums and pretend to know everything regarding the planes beyond death ... They put on the appearance of some other spirit and deceive the audience. The poor innocent mediums are not aware of the tricks palyed by their dishonest spirit guides.
Of course, the most dramatic event unfolds when the author confronts the disincarnate voices and exposes them by writing this book -- Fisher takes his own life in 2001. The tragedy of Joe Fisher italicizes the underside of the New Age movement. This is the creepiest book I ever read.