One of the greatest difficuIties, doubtless, in the cultivation of sensitiveness, is how to distinguish true from false hallucination from reality. At first, this will doubtless be next to impossible, and many false steps will have to be taken before you find, from actual bitter experience, what is true and what is not. But as the inner sense becomes developed, you will find that it not only gives you the knowledge in question, but that it also enables you to distinguish one from the other true from false, and illuminates the whole subject so that mistake is almost impossible. This certainty, which you will then have, cannot be communicated to another; it is often impossible to prove to one who does not experience this inner vision of reality that what you receive is true, none the less!

This is the function of the Mystic Sense to do, aided by the full complement of inner faculties. In a measure the Mystic Sense, like the bodily senses, acts automatically, but like them it needs special training in order to separate phantasm from reality, to determine values, and to grade and classify ideals until they reveal themselves to be ordered unity, not less but more mysterious because more intelligible … to the whole man.” It is because of all this that long training in psychic development is necessary and sudden jumps or leaps into full possession of this knowledge is impossible.

Do not sit too frequently. Every other night, at most, should sittings be held, or even twice a week. See that the room is not too cool and is not unduly heated. As soon as the first manifestations have been received, encourage the “spirits” by talking to them in a natural tone or voice, as you would if they were visibly present in the room. Speak to them as you would if they had returned to earth in bodily form. Be natural, in fact!
You will get the best results in this way.

Many of those who are interested in spiritualism are so situated that they cannot join circles, but wish to develop alone. This is as a rule unwise, unless some one is present who understands the phenomena which are likely to develop and who can help and can give good advice when required. You may do so if the following instructions are kept carefully in mind. If you can provide yourself with a “cabinet,” it would be very advisable to do 80. Sit inside the cabinet on a comfortable chair and relax yourself thoroughly. Note whatever impressions come to you. Pay particular attention to your bodily feelings, no less than to your mental states. Do not exaggerate here, or let your imagination have too free play. If your legs should happen to tingle or the chair to creak, do not put these down to spiritual influence. They may be due to perfectly normal causes.

One member of the circle must, by universal consent, undertake to conduct the proceedings ; to converse with the “spirits” when they appear; to arrange the sitters in their proper places, to adjust the amount of light required, etc. His word must be followed at once, and without question; otherwise the necessary “harmony” will be destroyed, and the circle will fail to obtain as
good results.

Excitement in all its forms should be avoided. If one of the circle develop mediumistic power, he should be placed next to a more fully developed medium, unless instructions are received not to do so. In this way the power is concentrated and focussed at one point.

A developing circle should meet in the same room, since this room tends to become ‘ ‘ mediumized, ‘ ‘ or soaked
with magnetic influences, given off by the sitters. The chairs on which the members of the circle sit should be wood or cane-bottomed ; the use of upholstered chairs is generally inadvisable. The table round which the members of the circle sit should be free from metal. The chair on which the medium sits must be cane or wood, and, as already said, free from all cushions or upholstery.