Psychism

Psychic powers

The psychic powers are extra-sensory abilities known in India as Siddhis. The lower ones can be active even at birth, as a result of work in that direction in a previous incarnation. However, to develop the higher one and perfect them so that they are reliable takes years of training. As Master K.H. stated "it takes even us . . . ten or fifteen years".

C. W. Leadbeater recommended that before activating the etheric chakras that will open the waking consciousness to the higher planes the aspirant should follow a spiritual discipline of study and meditation that will develop his astral and mental bodies:

First there should be a development of the astral and mental bodies, so that they may be definite vehicles of consciousness on their own planes; then may come the awakening of the chakras in the etheric double by means of which the valuable knowledge gained through those higher bodies may be brought down to the physical plane consciousness. But all this should be done only when and as the Master advises; remember, in At the Feet of the Master the Teacher said: "Have no desire for psychic powers".

See also

• Phenomena
• Siddhi

Online resources

Articles and pamphlets

• Psychic and Spiritual Development by Annie Besant
• A Psychic Warning by H. P. Blavatsky
• Spiritual Progress by H. P. Blavatsky
• Astral Intoxication by William Q. Judge
• Of Occult Powers and their Acquirement by William Q. Judge
• Spiritual Gifts and their Attainment by William Q. Judge
• How to become psychic by Geoffrey Hodson
• Assessing Psychism by Hugh Shearman
• Questioning Reality: A Physicist's View of Psychic Abilities by Russell Targ
• Is Psychism the Same as Spirituality? by The Theosophical Society in Australia

Books

• Psychic Powers by Helen Savage
• Varieties of Psychism by J.I. Wedgewood

Video

• Experiments in Telepathy by David Bruce

Additional resources

• Bibliography on Parapsychology and Latent Powers from the Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library.