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, 21:34, 8 November 2014Created page with 'Image:lighterstill.jpgright|frame <center>'''Are "Psychic" Powers Desirable?'''</center> The answer to this question is much like the preceding one...'
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<center>'''Are "Psychic" Powers Desirable?'''</center>
The answer to this question is much like the preceding one. There are, of
course, no "unnatural" powers, and it is obviously merely an appeal to
magic to make up a power that does not exist. It is equally obvious,
however, that each individual has many abilities of which he is unaware. As
his awareness increases, he may well develop abilities that seem quite
startling to him. Yet nothing he can do can compare even in the slightest
with the glorious surprise of remembering Who he is. Let all his learning
and all his efforts be directed toward this one great final surprise, and he
will not be content to be delayed by the little ones that may come to him on
the way.
Certainly there are many "psychic" powers that are clearly in line with this
course. Communication is not limited to the small range of channels the
world recognizes. If it were, there would be little point in trying to teach
salvation. It would be impossible to do so. The limits the world places on
communication are the chief barriers to direct experience of the Holy Spirit,
Whose Presence is always there and Whose Voice is available but for the
hearing. These limits are placed out of fear, for without them the walls that
surround all the separate places of the world would fall at the holy sound of
His Voice. Who transcends these limits in any way is merely becoming
more natural. He is doing nothing special, and there is no magic in his
accomplishments.
The seemingly new abilities that may be gathered on the way can be very
helpful. Given to the Holy Spirit, and used under His direction, they are
valuable teaching aids. To this, the question of how they arise is irrelevant.
The only important consideration is how they are used. Taking them as ends
in themselves, no matter how this is done, will delay progress. Nor does
their value lie in proving anything; achievements from the past, unusual
attunement with the "unseen," or "special" favors from God. God gives no
special favors, and no one has any powers that are not available to
everyone. Only by tricks of magic are special powers "demonstrated."
Nothing that is genuine is used to deceive. The Holy Spirit is incapable of
deception, and He can use only genuine abilities. What is used for magic is
useless to Him. But what He uses cannot be used for magic. There is,
however, a particular appeal in unusual abilities that can be curiously
tempting. Here are strengths which the Holy Spirit wants and needs. Yet the
ego sees in these same strengths an opportunity to glorify itself. Strengths
turned to weakness are tragedy indeed. Yet what is not given to the Holy
Spirit must be given to weakness, for what is withheld from love is given to
fear, and will be fearful in consequence.
Even those who no longer value the material things of the world may still
be deceived by "psychic" powers. As investment has been withdrawn from
the world's material gifts, the ego has been seriously threatened. It may still
be strong enough to rally under this new temptation to win back strength by
guile. Many have not seen through the ego's defenses here, although they
are not particularly subtle. Yet, given a remaining wish to be deceived,
deception is made easy. Now the "power" is no longer a genuine ability, and
cannot be used dependably. It is almost inevitable that, unless the individual
changes his mind about its purpose, he will bolster his "power's"
uncertainties with increasing deception.
Any ability that anyone develops has the potentiality for good. To this there
is no exception. And the more unusual and unexpected the power, the
greater its potential usefulness. Salvation has need of all abilities, for what
the world would destroy the Holy Spirit would restore. "Psychic" abilities
have been used to call upon the devil, which merely means to strengthen the
ego. Yet here is also a great channel of hope and healing in the Holy Spirit's
service. Those who have developed "psychic" powers have simply let some
of the limitations they laid upon their minds be lifted. It can be but further
limitations they lay upon themselves if they utilize their increased freedom
for greater imprisonment. The Holy Spirit needs these gifts, and those who
offer them to Him and Him alone go with Christ's gratitude upon their
hearts, and His holy sight not far behind.
[[Category:Manual for Teachers]]
[[Category: Parapsychology/TeaM]]
<center>'''Are "Psychic" Powers Desirable?'''</center>
The answer to this question is much like the preceding one. There are, of
course, no "unnatural" powers, and it is obviously merely an appeal to
magic to make up a power that does not exist. It is equally obvious,
however, that each individual has many abilities of which he is unaware. As
his awareness increases, he may well develop abilities that seem quite
startling to him. Yet nothing he can do can compare even in the slightest
with the glorious surprise of remembering Who he is. Let all his learning
and all his efforts be directed toward this one great final surprise, and he
will not be content to be delayed by the little ones that may come to him on
the way.
Certainly there are many "psychic" powers that are clearly in line with this
course. Communication is not limited to the small range of channels the
world recognizes. If it were, there would be little point in trying to teach
salvation. It would be impossible to do so. The limits the world places on
communication are the chief barriers to direct experience of the Holy Spirit,
Whose Presence is always there and Whose Voice is available but for the
hearing. These limits are placed out of fear, for without them the walls that
surround all the separate places of the world would fall at the holy sound of
His Voice. Who transcends these limits in any way is merely becoming
more natural. He is doing nothing special, and there is no magic in his
accomplishments.
The seemingly new abilities that may be gathered on the way can be very
helpful. Given to the Holy Spirit, and used under His direction, they are
valuable teaching aids. To this, the question of how they arise is irrelevant.
The only important consideration is how they are used. Taking them as ends
in themselves, no matter how this is done, will delay progress. Nor does
their value lie in proving anything; achievements from the past, unusual
attunement with the "unseen," or "special" favors from God. God gives no
special favors, and no one has any powers that are not available to
everyone. Only by tricks of magic are special powers "demonstrated."
Nothing that is genuine is used to deceive. The Holy Spirit is incapable of
deception, and He can use only genuine abilities. What is used for magic is
useless to Him. But what He uses cannot be used for magic. There is,
however, a particular appeal in unusual abilities that can be curiously
tempting. Here are strengths which the Holy Spirit wants and needs. Yet the
ego sees in these same strengths an opportunity to glorify itself. Strengths
turned to weakness are tragedy indeed. Yet what is not given to the Holy
Spirit must be given to weakness, for what is withheld from love is given to
fear, and will be fearful in consequence.
Even those who no longer value the material things of the world may still
be deceived by "psychic" powers. As investment has been withdrawn from
the world's material gifts, the ego has been seriously threatened. It may still
be strong enough to rally under this new temptation to win back strength by
guile. Many have not seen through the ego's defenses here, although they
are not particularly subtle. Yet, given a remaining wish to be deceived,
deception is made easy. Now the "power" is no longer a genuine ability, and
cannot be used dependably. It is almost inevitable that, unless the individual
changes his mind about its purpose, he will bolster his "power's"
uncertainties with increasing deception.
Any ability that anyone develops has the potentiality for good. To this there
is no exception. And the more unusual and unexpected the power, the
greater its potential usefulness. Salvation has need of all abilities, for what
the world would destroy the Holy Spirit would restore. "Psychic" abilities
have been used to call upon the devil, which merely means to strengthen the
ego. Yet here is also a great channel of hope and healing in the Holy Spirit's
service. Those who have developed "psychic" powers have simply let some
of the limitations they laid upon their minds be lifted. It can be but further
limitations they lay upon themselves if they utilize their increased freedom
for greater imprisonment. The Holy Spirit needs these gifts, and those who
offer them to Him and Him alone go with Christ's gratitude upon their
hearts, and His holy sight not far behind.
[[Category:Manual for Teachers]]
[[Category: Parapsychology/TeaM]]
