Crafted dolls house
I was looking at a friends crafted dolls house today, which reminded me of the one I created from scrap materials many years ago. The framework was a discarded bookcase and I used card, bottle tops, matchboxes and scrap fabric etc to create the furniture...the dolls were made from fabric covered dolly clothes pegs, pipe cleaners and lollipop sticks.
Light thoughts
It's been an interesting and thought-provoking week here in the Lodge. This began with a visit from a lady guest, who I'd not met previously, and who had never sat in a Physical séance before. She holds strong spiritual beliefs, but being new to the Lodge environment felt wary and vulnerable within the locked séance room...and, with intelligence, was also keen to maintain an enquiring mind.
After the séance, what stood out, for me, was her urgent desire to examine the mediums chair immediately afterwards...before we had even left the séance room in fact she was feeling along the cabinet edges, looking for wires or magnets to explain the mediums floating chair, which phenomena she'd just witnessed! In fact her thoughts, concerns and reactions were exactly as my own had been when sitting in a Physical séance for the first time, so many years ago now! Also...as the lady left the Lodge vowing to begin her own Physical circle I again felt nostalgia for 'the early days' when the Lodge project was itself a seedling thought within my mind.
A few days later and I heard from a gentleman who had visited the Lodge many years ago. He told of his memory of that experience and how he will never, ever, forget all that he had witnessed...and he's still telling others about it.
The week ended with another consideration being brought to my mind. This time caused by a friend having recently sat in a public séance elsewhere, where an impressive light display had become demonstrated. This caused me to realise once again how fragile Physical Mediumship is. After all...the lady who visited us had been looking for magnets and wires...and having found none was caused to remain open minded and curious about the subject. The other gentleman, who had witnessed phenomena within the Lodge did so within fully lit conditions, with no darkness at any time...so he too remained open. However, when lights, or other effected phenomena are seen within a public séance (when £80 per attendee was charged in this case)...one cannot help but doubt. I am not yelling "Fraud!"...what I am saying is that it is becoming increasingly difficult to be certain that Physical mediumship and related phenomena are genuine. Modern technology isn't helpful in this regard either as so much clearly software created 'spooky' material can be found to feed the doubting mind.
On the other hand...looking back...historically Physical mediumship has never had an easy time...so perhaps, on balance, just like anything else within this world, elements of mystery will always remain.
After the séance, what stood out, for me, was her urgent desire to examine the mediums chair immediately afterwards...before we had even left the séance room in fact she was feeling along the cabinet edges, looking for wires or magnets to explain the mediums floating chair, which phenomena she'd just witnessed! In fact her thoughts, concerns and reactions were exactly as my own had been when sitting in a Physical séance for the first time, so many years ago now! Also...as the lady left the Lodge vowing to begin her own Physical circle I again felt nostalgia for 'the early days' when the Lodge project was itself a seedling thought within my mind.
A few days later and I heard from a gentleman who had visited the Lodge many years ago. He told of his memory of that experience and how he will never, ever, forget all that he had witnessed...and he's still telling others about it.
The week ended with another consideration being brought to my mind. This time caused by a friend having recently sat in a public séance elsewhere, where an impressive light display had become demonstrated. This caused me to realise once again how fragile Physical Mediumship is. After all...the lady who visited us had been looking for magnets and wires...and having found none was caused to remain open minded and curious about the subject. The other gentleman, who had witnessed phenomena within the Lodge did so within fully lit conditions, with no darkness at any time...so he too remained open. However, when lights, or other effected phenomena are seen within a public séance (when £80 per attendee was charged in this case)...one cannot help but doubt. I am not yelling "Fraud!"...what I am saying is that it is becoming increasingly difficult to be certain that Physical mediumship and related phenomena are genuine. Modern technology isn't helpful in this regard either as so much clearly software created 'spooky' material can be found to feed the doubting mind.
On the other hand...looking back...historically Physical mediumship has never had an easy time...so perhaps, on balance, just like anything else within this world, elements of mystery will always remain.
Most Taunted
Since 2006 I have been hosting seances within my own home. I host seances with intent to gather evidence of continuing life, or to disprove such potential. I do this by sitting together with others who feel similar genuine interest in such enquiry.
As I have gained experience over the years I have witnessed the power of spirit, or of universal consciousness, and have learned to treat such power with respect...much as a sailor riding upon the waves learns to respect the power of the seas.
Within the home circle environment all seances are opened with a prayer of intent for the highest good...and are afterwards closed with a prayer of thanks towards spirit, for all that has been demonstrated and achieved within each sitting.
I was recently caused to watch part of the TV programme 'Most Haunted'. The content of the episode had clearly been dramatized in order to display potential spiritual activity in a less than respectful manner.
Most Haunted
This morning whilst browsing the web I noticed a clip which has been recorded about two people that are sharing an interesting life experience together. This particular clip is about them having been invited to appear on the Dr Phil show. It seemed to me that this couples feelings about the show were akin to my own with regards to 'Most Haunted'.
Hannah and Shane
As I have gained experience over the years I have witnessed the power of spirit, or of universal consciousness, and have learned to treat such power with respect...much as a sailor riding upon the waves learns to respect the power of the seas.
Within the home circle environment all seances are opened with a prayer of intent for the highest good...and are afterwards closed with a prayer of thanks towards spirit, for all that has been demonstrated and achieved within each sitting.
I was recently caused to watch part of the TV programme 'Most Haunted'. The content of the episode had clearly been dramatized in order to display potential spiritual activity in a less than respectful manner.
Most Haunted
This morning whilst browsing the web I noticed a clip which has been recorded about two people that are sharing an interesting life experience together. This particular clip is about them having been invited to appear on the Dr Phil show. It seemed to me that this couples feelings about the show were akin to my own with regards to 'Most Haunted'.
Hannah and Shane
Division
I was just wondering whether the matter of spirit communication within trance and physical seances has, lets say since historical records began, become 'easier' or more difficult for both sides.
This morning I read a report of communication with spirit (recorded 1919) relating to a séance held to communicate with the 'Seventh Division'
They (persona present) said to the Spirit: “Have you anything more to say?”
The Spirit: “There was too much ceremony.”
They said: “Anything more?”
The Spirit: “All of us felt out of it.”
They said: “We are very interested; is there anything more?”
The Spirit: “They praised the dead. We are not dead. They do not see us.”
They said: “Then you were disappointed?”
The Spirit: “Yes, a bit.”
They said: “Some people surely felt you were there?”
The Spirit: “Many did, but they were so swamped by the scoffers and the unbelievers.”
They (persona present) said to the Spirit: “Have you anything more to say?”
The Spirit: “There was too much ceremony.”
They said: “Anything more?”
The Spirit: “All of us felt out of it.”
They said: “We are very interested; is there anything more?”
The Spirit: “They praised the dead. We are not dead. They do not see us.”
They said: “Then you were disappointed?”
The Spirit: “Yes, a bit.”
They said: “Some people surely felt you were there?”
The Spirit: “Many did, but they were so swamped by the scoffers and the unbelievers.”
Keep calm and carry on!
Arthur Conan Doyle.
Trance communication recorded in the Lodge in April 1919
" when you know that a thing is true, and when you know that the whole human race is just yearning for that thing, then I say at all costs to your own feelings you must bring it down into the market-place, you must let people see the length and breadth of it for themselves, and, though they may mock and look at it with ignorance, depend upon it the human race is not really foolish, the human race sooner or later, if you put truth before it, will understand that it is true and will follow it. Therefore, I say, although we have got in front of us now a whole Hindenburg Line of ignorance and prejudice, and plenty of theological barbed wire in front of that, we are going to smash through it, because we have got a cause that cannot be beaten".
" when you know that a thing is true, and when you know that the whole human race is just yearning for that thing, then I say at all costs to your own feelings you must bring it down into the market-place, you must let people see the length and breadth of it for themselves, and, though they may mock and look at it with ignorance, depend upon it the human race is not really foolish, the human race sooner or later, if you put truth before it, will understand that it is true and will follow it. Therefore, I say, although we have got in front of us now a whole Hindenburg Line of ignorance and prejudice, and plenty of theological barbed wire in front of that, we are going to smash through it, because we have got a cause that cannot be beaten".
Reading the bottom line...
I was reminded today of something from my school days...
In school we had a cloakroom with sinks, coat hooks and toilet. There were two toilets...one for younger kids and one for the older ones.
On the wall of each toilet there was a hook, and from this dangled sheets of paper, tied together in a loop by string threaded through one corner. These sheets were threaded together by the older kids, who were trusted to use a large upholstery needle for that purpose.
The paper itself was either removed from used and filled exercise books, or was old exam papers, or discarded newspaper. Only paper printed on both sides was considered thus recyclable (as toilet paper)...as any paper sheet that was written or sketched upon on only one side was not 'filled' as the plain side remained useable.
There was only one snag to all this. White knickers! If kids wore white knickers and printed paper or old drawing paper was used for bottom wiping the print often became transferred...at the end of the day, that's the bottom line.
In school we had a cloakroom with sinks, coat hooks and toilet. There were two toilets...one for younger kids and one for the older ones.
On the wall of each toilet there was a hook, and from this dangled sheets of paper, tied together in a loop by string threaded through one corner. These sheets were threaded together by the older kids, who were trusted to use a large upholstery needle for that purpose.
The paper itself was either removed from used and filled exercise books, or was old exam papers, or discarded newspaper. Only paper printed on both sides was considered thus recyclable (as toilet paper)...as any paper sheet that was written or sketched upon on only one side was not 'filled' as the plain side remained useable.
There was only one snag to all this. White knickers! If kids wore white knickers and printed paper or old drawing paper was used for bottom wiping the print often became transferred...at the end of the day, that's the bottom line.
Hi Chris
I can't help wondering whether this is why school knickers were navy or dark green. I also wonder whether you've discovered the source of the common phrase "Arty Farty" lol
Elena (Liverpool)
Just wondering
A married couple that we know only slightly came around one evening. While they were here they spent most of the time proclaiming their theatrical experience, gained through their audience-attendance at a great many theatrical performances.
Now the last time I went to the theatre 'properly'...was when I went to London by coach to see 'The Lion King'...which was beautiful. Aside from this I've been to the local theatres...but that's not the same. Or is it?
How much is experienced when visiting the theatre? No matter where it is, or what the show is about? How much does one learn about theatrical performance purely through observation?
What does an observer learn of stagecraft, method acting or mise-en-scene? How much isn't seen? How much more is there to experience? Why do audience members spend so much time afterwards telling of their experience, whilst failing to mention all that they missed?
Now the last time I went to the theatre 'properly'...was when I went to London by coach to see 'The Lion King'...which was beautiful. Aside from this I've been to the local theatres...but that's not the same. Or is it?
How much is experienced when visiting the theatre? No matter where it is, or what the show is about? How much does one learn about theatrical performance purely through observation?
What does an observer learn of stagecraft, method acting or mise-en-scene? How much isn't seen? How much more is there to experience? Why do audience members spend so much time afterwards telling of their experience, whilst failing to mention all that they missed?
Just wondering...
Phone facts
I was this morning walking along the road whilst 'people watching'...and noticed two young mothers walking and talking together, whilst both were texting on their mobile phones. Their babies were sitting in buggies facing away from them.
Neither of these women were fully participating in their shared social conversation as each had their mind on the phone-based messages, or on-line games they were interacting with. Their offspring were seated, ignored, gazing mindlessly into the distance, with an overload of passing visual stimuli.
Surely no longer do parents give their children or their friends their undivided attention...and they aren't alone in this...are they?
Phone facts
Neither of these women were fully participating in their shared social conversation as each had their mind on the phone-based messages, or on-line games they were interacting with. Their offspring were seated, ignored, gazing mindlessly into the distance, with an overload of passing visual stimuli.
Surely no longer do parents give their children or their friends their undivided attention...and they aren't alone in this...are they?
Phone facts
Getting counted
It's funny how the bright ones get noticed first...but it's the others that make things more interesting...
Bullying
A relative of mine has recently received false accusations (I am putting this politely) from someone who has, for several years until now, shared on-line friendship with her. The original accusation of this 'friend' was based upon something told to her by someone else...and despite to my nieces denial, rather than an admission of guilt, has resulted in an escalation of bullying as several other on-line persons have joined with the accuser. Basically my niece is now receiving nasty messages from a small, but growing number, of on-line bullies. This situation can, of course, escalate to become out of control and there is little the innocent person can do about it.
Many other people...children, teens and adults...are in similar situations to my niece. Many are subjected to school bullying, workplace bullying, social bullying, but when it hits the internet the web widens rapidly. Carried out by unseen bullies all linking together via social media in order to cause as much trouble as possible, it takes on a particularly creepy form...
Link: Social experiment
Many other people...children, teens and adults...are in similar situations to my niece. Many are subjected to school bullying, workplace bullying, social bullying, but when it hits the internet the web widens rapidly. Carried out by unseen bullies all linking together via social media in order to cause as much trouble as possible, it takes on a particularly creepy form...
Link: Social experiment
Mystery
It's a continual mystery to me...why some people, many people in fact, cannot get to grips with the concept of life continuing in another form following what we perceive to be physical 'death'...
Life continuing in another form
Life continuing in another form
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