Channelling is receiving information from the spiritual world and to pass it on to others either in writing or through speech. The mechanism is very similar to that, which was previously used by trance mediums. Now a days this kind of person is called a channeller.

It should always be remembered that the term "channelling" is used to describe a process, through which certain aspects of the person’s own psyche is able to manifest; the word is not in itself any guarantee to the fact that the messages come from other spiritual entities. In cases where it is accepted that the message does come from discarnate spirits, it would still be good practice to remember what spiritual people believe is actually taking place.

Most mediums or channels work through establishing contact with the astral plane. This is where people who have recently passed over can be found. Usually, they appear as they were at the end of their earth life, or as they would like to be remembered, perhaps as young men or women, or sometimes in a way that ensures that they will be recognised. This is an appearance they themselves choose, based on their own wishes (the astral body is also called the "desire body"). Since they have this ability, it must be remembered that they can assume any other appearance they want to as well, and maybe even make believe they are a famous person, especially if they think this will make others notice them more. This is one of the reasons so many mediums and channellers apparently have the ability to, on the one hand contact historically well-known people or on the other hand, "highly developed masters".

It is not very likely that masters will make an appearance on the astral plane, in order to talk to a few listeners through a channel. As Alice Bailey wrote (who incidentally was inspired by a Tibetan Master): "Some transmitters (or "sender persons") work exclusively on astral planes, and their work is a necessary part of the great illusion; …. some receive teaching by discarnate spirits, who are no more developed than themselves, and sometimes even less developed".

In order to avoid the danger of fraud from the astral plane, spiritually aware people necessarily have to learn to "tune into" a higher plane, the mental plane (whereto the soul goes on, after it has cleansed itself from all pronounced desires and feelings on the astral plane). On this plane it is more likely to receive precise knowledge of a soulful kind.

Usually, when a medium works, she increases her energy field and the discarnate souls clothe themselves in a "heavier" energy field in order to achieve this contact – thus channelling. Or when the medium works to contact deceased (as a proof of life after "death", representing the end of earthly life), the discarnate souls wish to be recognised by their loved ones still on earth and will therefore be on the astral plane.

It is also worthwhile remembering the Bible warning: "Do not believe any spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone into the world" (First Letter John 4.1). One way entities that are channelled by potential "false prophets" can be tested, apart from asking them straightforwardly, is to notice whether they start instructing the listeners. Apart from a very few historical exceptions, no true, highly developed spirit will ever give advice or information without being requested to do so. These same rules of caution should be observed regarding gurus or self-appointed gurus, especially in our modern times, using a healthy amount of scepticism towards any kind of demands or a request for uncritical acceptance or thoughtless obedience.

One could say, that the preferred form of teaching, be it through modern gurus or channelled messages, should be as in the Socrates’ method, in which the seeker finds his own answers to the questions the teacher asks or rephrases.

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