The Influence of Surroundings

231. 1. "Does the sphere of the medium exercise an influence on the manifestations?"

231. 1. "Does the medium's sphere influence the manifestations?"

"All the spirits that surround the medium assist him, in good as in evil."

"All the spirits around the medium help him, whether for good or evil."

2. "Could not the superior spirits triumph over the bad will of the incarnated spirit, who serves them as interpreter, and over those who surround him?"

2. "Could the superior spirits overcome the ill will of the incarnated spirit who serves as their interpreter, and of those around him?"

"Yes, when they consider it useful, and according to the intention of the person who addresses them. We have already said so; the most elevated spirits can sometimes communicate by a special favor, notwithstanding the imperfection of the medium, and his sphere; but then those surrounding spirits remain perfect strangers to it."

"Yes, when they think it useful, and depending on the intention of the person addressing them. As we have already said, the highest spirits can sometimes communicate as a special favor. They can do this despite the imperfections of the medium and his sphere. But in such cases, the surrounding spirits have no part in the communication."

3. "Do the superior spirits seek to lead frivolous circles to more serious ideas?"

3. "Do superior spirits try to guide frivolous groups toward more serious ideas?"

"The superior spirits do not go into circles where they know their presence to be useless. Where the surroundings are but slightly instructed, yet sincere, we go willingly, even should we find but feeble instruments; but in instructed spheres, where irony governs, we do not go. Then it is necessary to speak to the eyes and ears; that is the rôle of rapping or mocking spirits. It is right that persons who boast themselves of their science should be humiliated by spirits less learned and less advanced."

"Superior spirits do not attend gatherings where they know their presence would be useless. We willingly visit groups that know little but are sincere, even if their mediums are weak. But we do not visit educated groups where mockery prevails. In such cases, it is necessary to appeal to the eyes and ears. That is the role of rapping or mocking spirits. It is right that people who boast of their learning should be humbled by spirits who are less learned and less advanced."

4. "Are the inferior spirits denied access to serious reunions?"

4. "Are lower spirits barred from serious gatherings?"

"No; they remain there, sometimes to profit by the instructions given to you; but they are silent, like the giddy in an assembly of the wise."

"No, they stay there, sometimes to benefit from the instructions given to you. But they remain silent, like the frivolous among the wise."

232. It would be an error to suppose that it is necessary to be a medium in order to attract to you beings from the invisible world. The whole of space is peopled with them; we have them constantly around us, by our side; they see us, observe us, mingle in our reunions, follow us or fly from us, as we attract or repulse them. The medianimic faculty is not needed for that; it is only a means of communication. From what we have seen of the causes of sympathy or antipathy of spirits, it will easily be understood that we must be surrounded by those who have affinity for our own spirit, according as it is elevated or degraded. If we consider the moral state of our globe, we shall perceive what kind of spirits must predominate among the wandering spirits. If we take each people in particular, we can judge by the prevailing characteristics of the inhabitants, by their preoccupations, their sentiments, more or less moral and humanitary, of the order of spirits who would there rendezvous from preference.

232. It would be a mistake to think you must be a medium to attract beings from the invisible world. They fill all of space and are constantly around us, at our side. They see and observe us, join our gatherings, and follow us or flee from us as we attract or repel them. Mediumship is not needed to attract them. It is only a means of communication. From what we have seen of why spirits feel sympathy or antipathy, we can easily understand which spirits surround us. They are those who have an affinity with our own spirit, whether it is elevated or degraded. If we consider the moral state of our world, we will see what kind of spirits must predominate among wandering spirits. We can also consider each people separately. Their prevailing characteristics, concerns, and feelings, which are more or less moral and humane, reveal the kinds of spirits who would prefer to gather among them.

Making this principle our starting-point, let us suppose a reunion of trifling, incongruous persons, occupied with their pleasures; what kind of spirits would be found among them? Not, assuredly, superior spirits, any more than our "savants" and philosophers would spend their time among them. So, whenever men gather together, they have with them an invisible assembly, which sympathizes with their qualities or their whims, and that setting aside all thought of invocation. Let us admit, now, the possibility of holding intercourse with the beings of the invisible world by an interpreter, a medium; who would answer to their call? Evidently those who are there already, and only seeking an occasion to communicate. If, in a frivolous assembly, a superior spirit is called, he might come, and say some seasonable words, as a good pastor in the midst of his strayed sheep; but the moment he finds himself neither understood nor listened to, he goes, as you would do in his place, and then the others have full liberty.

Starting from this principle, let us imagine a gathering of frivolous, mismatched people who are busy enjoying themselves. What kind of spirits would be among them? Surely not superior spirits, any more than our "scholars" and philosophers would spend their time among them. Whenever people gather, they have an invisible assembly with them. Its members sympathize with their qualities or whims, even without being summoned. Now suppose it is possible to communicate with beings in the invisible world through an interpreter, a medium. Who would answer their call? Evidently, the spirits already there, who are only looking for a chance to communicate. If a superior spirit were called to a frivolous gathering, he might come and offer some timely words. He would be like a good pastor among his strayed sheep. But as soon as he found that no one understood or listened to him, he would leave, as you would. Then the other spirits would be free to do as they pleased.

233. It is not always sufficient for an assembly to be serious to have communications of a high order; there are people who never laugh, and whose hearts are none the more pure; and it is the heart, above all, that attracts good spirits. No moral condition excludes spirit communications; but if persons are in bad conditions, they talk with their like, who think it no harm to deceive us, and often embrace our prejudices.

233. A serious gathering does not always receive high-level communications. Some people never laugh, yet their hearts are no purer. Above all, it is the heart that attracts good spirits. No moral condition prevents communication with spirits. But if people are in a bad moral condition, they speak with spirits like themselves. These spirits see no harm in deceiving us and often share our prejudices.

By this may be seen the enormous influence of the sphere on the nature of intelligent manifestations; but this influence is not exercised, as some have supposed, when the world of spirits was not as well known as it is now, and before convincing proofs had cleared away all our doubts. When communications agree with the opinion of the assistants, it is not because the opinion is reflected in the spirit of the medium, as in a mirror; it is because you have with you spirits who are in sympathy with you, for good as for evil, and who have your conceits; and what proves this is, that if you have the strength to attract to you other spirits than those who surround you, the same medium will hold an entirely different language, and tell you things far removed from your thoughts and your convictions. To recapitulate: the conditions of the sphere will be so much better as there may be more of homogeneity, for good, more pure and elevated sentiments, more sincere desire to be instructed, without afterthought.

This shows the enormous influence of the surrounding atmosphere on the nature of intelligent manifestations. But this influence does not work as some once supposed. They formed their ideas when the spirit world was less well known and before convincing evidence had cleared away all our doubts. When communications agree with the opinions of those present, it is not because their opinions are reflected in the medium’s spirit, as in a mirror. It is because spirits who sympathize with you are present and share your opinions, whether for good or evil. The proof is this: if you have the strength to attract spirits other than those around you, the same medium will speak entirely differently. The medium will tell you things far removed from your thoughts and convictions. To sum up, the conditions of the surrounding atmosphere improve as those present are more united in goodness. They also improve with purer and more elevated feelings, and a more sincere desire to learn, free of ulterior motives.