The Open Mind


The proper mental state of the scientific investigator of spiritualistic

phenomena is that of "the open mind." The sitters should endeavor to lay

aside all prejudices and preconceived conceptions, and in place thereof

should endeavor to hold a fair, impartial mental attitude--and this

accompanied by a desire to have the manifestations proceed naturally,

freely and fully. The results should be sympathetically awaited and

received, and the judgment of careful reasoning withheld until afterward

when the whole proceedings may be recalled and considered in the light

of cold reason. One has but to consider the extremely sensitive

psychical condition of the mentality of the medium, and the nicely

balanced mental atmosphere of the circle, to realize how easily this

sensitiveness may be affected, and the nice balance be disturbed, by the

projection of strong mental waves of distrust, suspicion, and antagonism

into the atmosphere of the circle. The attitude of the intelligent

scientific investigator should be that of a calm and observant soul.

Such an investigator should have what Sir William Crookes once called "a

mind to let," i.e., a mind from which all prejudices and preconceived

theories and notions have been ejected for the time being, and into

which Truth, from any source, should always be welcomed as a tenant.

Instead of seeking to throw obstacles in the way of the medium, one

should endeavor to assist by mental attitude and demeanor, and by

observance of the necessary conditions, in the production of the spirit

manifestations and in the demonstration of spirit identity.



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