MEDIUMSHIP: DEVELOPMENT OF MEDIUMSHIP

Intro | When and Where | Phases | Affinity and Control |
The Name vs. the Message |  Training of the Novice Medium | Constructive Criticism |
A Non-discriminating Faculty | Signs of Ostensive Mediumship
Lack of Ostensive Mediumship

Affinity and Control

One part of the medium's development involves his learning to consciously tune in with the beings of the spirit realm and to become accustomed to the sensations and emotions that he will undergo as a result of the fluidic interaction between himself and the spirits, thus allowing him to act as their intermediary.  The other part, however, involves the establishment of affinity between the medium and the spirits who will work with him.  Odilon Fernandes explains that "even when it is known that such affinity existed in former lives, the affinity between spirit and medium needs time, in order to re-establish itself on a conscious level.  The spirits must know how far they can trust the medium and vice-versa."  In other words, the medium must demonstrate his level of commitment and the selfless ends for which he desires their cooperation; the medium will be tested for these and other qualities, over time, which is another reason why he must maintain a consistent level of trust, patience, and determination.  

In addition to learning how to "activate" and exercise his mediumistic faculty at the Spiritist center, the medium must also learn how to control the faculty and tune-out the attempts of some spirits' attempts to communicate through, or influence him, at times and places that are inappropriate, i.e., away from the center and outside of meetings specifically designated for working with mediumship.  Kardec writes  (“Medium’s Book, item 217): 

When a medium's faculty is developed, it must not be unduly or unwisely exercised.  The pleasure it gives to beginners sometimes excites in them an enthusiasm that needs to be moderated; they should remember that the medianimic faculty is always given for sober use, never for the satisfaction of idle curiosity.  Mediums should, therefore only use their faculty under the most favorable conditions, and not all day long.  Not having good spirits constantly at their command, the mediums run the risk, by unduly prolonging the exercise of their medianimity, of becoming the dupes of inferior ones.  It is good to have fixed days and hours for medianimic purposes because the medium then brings  a more concentrated purpose to his work, and also, because the spirits who may wish to communicate through him, being thus notified and invited beforehand, are much more likely to be present.