Psychic

Compilations

• Spiritualism, Reincarnation and Related Subjects (direct link)

Dangerous to cultivate psychic powers (and often indicative of deep psychological disturbance and dependent on individual's belief)

Spiritualism and Psychic Phenomena

"There is no ambiguity about the Master's attitude towards psychic forces. He very strongly warned the believers against using them."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian, August 9, 1945, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles: Ibid., in Lights of Guidance, no. 1756)

Avoid Psychic Phenomena

"With reference to psychic phenomena referred to in your letter: These in most cases are an indication of a deep psychological disturbance. The friends should avoid as much as possible giving undue consideration to such matters."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, November 20, 1937: Extracts from the Guardian's letters on Spiritualism, Reincarnation and Related Subjects, February 1970, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1737)

Psychic Arts--The Influence of Such Arts is Dependent on Conviction of the Person Affected

"The House of Justice fully appreciates that in ... and ... there are many instances of individuals being affected adversely by the psychic arts of other people. This is an observable phenomenon in many parts of the world and must, as you say, be taken into account by those who would teach the Faith. The important thing for Bahá'ís to understand is that the influence of such 'arts' is dependent on the conviction, even the subconscious conviction, of the person affected and, similarly, the power of the 'priests' to overcome the influence is likewise an outcome of the sufferer's conviction that it is from the 'priest' that he or she will be able to obtain help.

"The Manifestation of God describes the reality which is conducive to the happiness, health and development of mankind. His Teachings serve as a compass to help us find our way in the new world. They outline not only what is good for mankind but also the steps to be taken to secure individual freedom and well-being. Within this framework it is important to understand the statements in the Writings about evil spirits and psychic phenomena."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, August 30, 1984, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1768)

Psychic Powers in Children--Dangerous to Cultivate

"What Abdu'l-Bahá always pointed out in this matter is that these psychic powers were not to be used in this world, and that, indeed, it was dangerous to cultivate them here. They should be left dormant, and not exploited, even when we do so with the sincere belief we are helping others. We do not understand their nature and have no way of being sure of what is true and what is false in such matters.

"If children are inclined to be psychic they should not be blamed for it too harshly; they should not be encouraged to strengthen their powers in this direction."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, March 4, 1946: Ibid., in Lights of Guidance, no. 1735)

Let the Future Take Care of Itself

"In the second place he would advise you to consider the voice you heard a phenomenon which might be your subconscious mind, might be some psychic influence, but whatever it was you should not let it disturb you and certainly not place much importance on it. No one knows what the future holds for him, or to what degree he is spoiling it or creating it; therefore the thing to do is one's daily best and let the future take care of itself. It would be very unwise for you to let this experience of a voice—the origin and purpose of which you have no way of knowing—influence you in any way or to set any store on its observations."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, dated April 9, 1948, to an individual believer: Spiritualism, Reincarnation and Related Subjects, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1744)

Development of Psychic Faculties Weakens Spiritual Capacities

"… The Guardian would suggest that you study very carefully the statement of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in connection with the question of visions, dreams, etc., as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has very fully explained this delicate subject. You will find references to this in 'Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era,' 'Some Answered Questions' and the Books of Tablets. The Guardian likewise has commented on this matter.

"Briefly, there is no question that visions occasionally do come to individuals, which are true and have significance. On the other hand, this comes to an individual through the grace of God, and not through the exercise of any of the human faculties. It is not a thing which a person should try to develop. When a person endeavors to develop faculties so that they might enjoy visions, dreams etc., actually what they are doing is weakening certain of their spiritual capacities; and thus under such circumstances, dreams and visions have no reality, and ultimately lead to the destruction of the character of the person."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, dated May 6, 1952, to an individual believer: Ibid., in Lights of Guidance, no. 1745)

World's Greatest Writers and Painters Have Not Been Under Psychic Influence

"...he feels that the methods you are pursuing in regard to receiving inspired written messages, and your way of approaching your painting are really psychic, and that you should give them up for your own good. Some of Bahá'u'lláh's and Abdu'l-Bahá's Tablets are so poorly translated that it is almost impossible to grasp the true meaning, and one is misled into thinking that by getting into a practically psychic state the Holy Spirit will guide one. This is not what is meant: the world's greatest writers and painters have not been under psychic influence, but through innate ability, practice and study, have given us their masterpieces; this is the normal way for inspiration to reach us, through the channels of our own abilities, and not through control by forces which the Master warned us against and which we do not understand, and which--as you yourself know--are neither consistent nor reliable."

(From a letter dated February 24, 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer: Spiritualism, Psychic Phenomena and Related Subjects, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1754)

Don't pay much attention to spiritualists

"He is of the opinion that to pay much attention to persons who are imbued with spiritualistic ideas is rather useless, because what they have, though it has a germ of truth, has much of personal imagination added to it. Moreover, when after much effort they become Bahá'ís, they are reluctant to turn a completely new sheet in their life and begin to conceive Bahá'í ideals in spiritualistic terms. There are thousands of other pure souls who are more ready for the teachings and who would accept it unreservedly. So we had better concentrate our attention upon them. The Cause everywhere has suffered from spiritualists with psychic pretended powers, and it is high time to take a step along that line."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian dated July 10, 1928, to an individual believer: Ibid., p. 1, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1760)

"If the Prophets of God only came to this world in order to answer people's questions, and elucidate all the 'nonsense', for the most part, that people have gotten together and formed into cults and philosophies, they would have no time to instruct man by their example and through their teachings in a new way of life."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, April 22, 1954: Ibid., in Lights of Guidance, no. 1822)

Occult Practices of Certain Hindus Introduced in The States Are Completely Contrary to the Teachings and Should be Avoided by The Friends

"…indeed, such occult practices as certain Hindus have introduced in the States, and which some superficial and superstitious individuals have adopted and are trying, by all sorts of devices, to popularize, are absolutely foreign, nay positively opposed to the very spirit and letter of the Teachings, and the believers, therefore, should strictly and at all times avoid the company of such people, lest they may unconsciously and inevitably fall under their baneful influence and become gradually alienated from the Cause.

"… The friends also should be warned not to indulge in such activities that draw their inspiration from Hindu occultist sources, as these do not only lead them away from the Cause, but can cause them considerable mental harm, and thus permanently injure their mind as well as their body."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to two believers, August 5, 1939, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1773)

Topics

• Astrology
• Fourth dimension
• Hypnotism
• Mind control
• Numerology
• Table writing
• Trumpet communications
• Telepathy

From Lights of Guidance (to be categorized)

Fruitless sciences

"Fruitless sciences is what Bahá’u’lláh refers to, like metaphysical hair splittings, and other abstract things carried to the extreme.

"The friends should be encouraged not to waste time on such things as astrology etc., which you mention. They cannot be forbidden to do so. The exercise of our free will to choose to do the right things is much more important."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian, dated July 30, 1956, to an individual believer: Bahá’í News, No. 230, p. 1, April 1950, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1749)

Materialization of Spirits Through Mediums

"Regarding the materialization of spirits through mediums: A person finding himself in a state of trance, or unconsciousness, is like one who sleeps; whatever he feels and sees he imagines to be matter and of material things, but in reality they are wholly immaterial."

(Ibid., p. 82, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1762)

"Masters" Behind the Scenes

"As regards the question you asked in your letter about a concealed group of masters in the Himalayas or anywhere else, there is no foundation whatsoever for this in the Bahá’í Writings. We as Bahá’ís must not believe in the divine origin of any such things which have not been mentioned in our own Sacred Scriptures by either the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh or the Master.

"There is nothing whatsoever to lead us to believe that there is any foundation or truth in these mystical stories of beings that are 'behind the scenes', so to speak. We must avoid such thoughts and teachings, and try to wean others away from them as we give them the Message."

(From a letter dated May 11, 1954 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer: Spiritualism, Psychic Phenomena and Related Subjects, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1763; also in Light of Divine Guidance (vol2), pp. 112-113)

Protection of the Holy Spirit

"The friends must realize the Power of the Holy Spirit which is manifest and quickening them at this time through the appearance of Bahá’u’lláh. There is no force of heaven or earth which can affect them if they place themselves wholly under the influence of the Holy Spirit and under its guidance. Such individuals who are subject to the negative influences of the world are those who are not properly consecrated in the Faith."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, August 11, 1957, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1766)

Heaven and Hell Conditions Within Our Own Beings—The Prophets Know God…

"To answer you briefly: What the original state of the Universe was, no one as yet knows. But we believe God is a spiritual Being and did create it; how, we do not know. We will have experience of God's spirit through His Prophets in the next world, but God is too great for us to know without this Intermediary. The Prophets know God, but how is more than our human minds can grasp. We believe we attain in the next world to seeing the Prophets. There is certainly a future life. Heaven and hell are conditions within our own beings."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, November 14, 1947: High Endeavours, Messages to Alaska, pp. 49-50, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1767)

The Solution to Such Beliefs and Problems Involves a Process of Educating the Friends In the Teachings

"Concerning your appeal for a solution to the problem, we are instructed to say that the approach is twofold. It involves a process of educating the friends, deepening their understanding of the Teachings and their trust in the power of the Cause, and gradually weaning them away from those illusions and practices which are potentially destructive of their spiritual and material well-being.

"You are encouraged to ponder the advice contained in the following statement written on behalf of the beloved Guardian to an individual believer who was troubled about matters that are similar, although not identical, to those which concern the friends in Trinidad and Tobago:

'We must use the Writings of the Prophets as our measurement. If Bahá’u’lláh had attached the slightest importance to occult experiences, to the seeing of auras, to the hearing of mystic voices; if He had believed that reincarnation was a fact, He, Himself, would have mentioned all of these things in His Teachings. The fact that He passed over them in silence shows that to Him, they had either no importance or no reality, and were consequently not worthy to take up His time as the Divine Educator of the human race.

'We must turn our faces away from these things, and toward the actual practice of His Teachings in our everyday life through our Bahá’í Administration, and in our contact with other people and the examples we give.' "

(Ibid., in Lights of Guidance, no. 1771; citation of the Guardian also in part in no. 1827)

Spiritual Experiences can Have Great Influence On Us but the Call Today is to Try to Save the Human Race—This is the Duty of Every Soul

"Spiritual experiences have undoubtedly great influence on us individually and, therefore, arouse deep interest, but of paramount importance in this day is to forget them and go out into the world trying to save the human race from its threatening condition. This is the call of the day, this is the duty of every soul who desires to follow the path traced by Bahá’u’lláh."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, March 7, 1933, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1774)

Immunity from the forces of the contingent world

“In one of His Tablets, Abdu'l-Bahá wrote:

'If you seek immunity from the sway of the forces of the contingent world, hang the 'Most Great Name' in your dwelling, wear the ring of the 'Most Great Name' on your finger, place the picture of Abdu'l-Bahá in your home and always recite the prayers that I have written. Then you will behold the marvellous effect they produce. Those so-called forces will prove but illusions and will be wiped out and exterminated.'”

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, August 30, 1984, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1769)

See also

• Esotericism
• Vision
• Evil