- One-Pointed Concentration -
by
Luverne Arestad, F.H.F.
(Round Robin is unable to reproduce the whole of Mr. Arestad's article, the full title of which is "One-Pointed Concentration - A Key to Psychic Powers." Readers who are interested in the method outlined in the following synopsis, can obtain fuller information from the author, at 65 Hargrave St., Winnipeg, Canada.)
"The secret of success in concentration, which means the focussing of one's entire mental powers on an idea or image. This is very difficult for most people, especially when they try to concentrate on a material object, which is likely to have numerous associations. If you wish to pursue the method here outlined, you must first select a regular time and place. Then, when you have relaxed the body, let the mind wander until your thoughts 'wear out' and the mental activity slows down - tho you must avoid going to sleep.
"Your first object of concentration will be a symbol - a triangle, which is the easiest geometric form to use as a focal point. (The author assumes that the triangle carries no associated ideas, but if it does these must be dismissed. Ed.) Visualize first the base line of the triangle, and then the two angles. The whole image should be large and bold. Practise with the triangle should be continued until a good degree of concentration is attained.
"As a second step, you first create the triangle, and then dissolve it, beginning with the base line, until nothing is left but blankness. Images may appear in this blankness, arising spontaneously.
"As a third exercise, repeat the two already given, and then, when the triangle has been dissolved, build up the image of a circle. When it is clear and firm, change it into a square, and then into a triangle. Do this slowly and deliberately, and at the end let your mind pass into a dreamlike state. The whole process is not unduly long and difficult, but of course one must have perseverance and genuine desire for advancement."
(Mr. Arestad goes on to explain that ESP may be developed by this method, and gives an interesting test with the ESP cards. We understand that his mimeographed instructions may be had upon request. Ed.)
_____ _____ _____ _____
Psychic Messages from
a Living Man
confirmed after his death.
(This case occurred about ten years ago, and we cite it as bearing on later instances of similar sort. The data was published in Light for April 2, 1936, and is sent us by Professor Charles J. Ryan, of the Theosophical University at Covina.)
The account is given by Mrs. Norah M. Vasey, of London. From the age of about 8 years, to about 18, she had been closely associated with a friend referred to as "C". Mrs V., then married, and "C" went abroad, to Africa. In 1932, Mrs. V., while experimenting with a ouija board, [8] received a communication from "C" "telling me he had passed on, and insisting he had been stabbed." This story he repeated later thru two trance mediums, and mentioned many details which seemed to establish his identity beyond doubt. Nevertheless, it was learned that he was alive and in good health. He then declared, thru the ouija board, that he had been gold-mining and had made a great deal of money, and this too was not true at that time.
Communications with "C" then ceased, but a Guide declared that "C" was alive, but had been travelling in the astral. Mrs V. now wrote down all the facts, and deposited the paper with a local citizen. Long after this, she learned that "C" had started gold-mining. Mrs V. then dreamed (1) that "C" was married, and (2) that he was dead. Both of these dreams came true, at just about the time the dreams occurred, "C" being killed in an airplane crash. "C" then communicated with Mrs. V. thru a London medium, and spoke for more than an hour, giving many intimate details.
It turned out that the "stabbing message " referred (apparently) to an attempt at stabbing which took place long after "C" declared it had happened. His actual success in gold-mining also occurred long after it was reported.
Light of Feb. 23, 1934, reported a similar case, in which a man still living on earth spoke to a sitter as if from the 'other side', and described his death and the troubles that followed, tho this actually occurred four years later. The Gordon Davis case, referred to in Flying Roll for Dec. 1946 (p.25) is also related.
- Hallucinations -
Professor C. J. Ryan also sends us a memo of two recent cases of hallucination in which he was personally involved. In 1943 he and another faculty member, Professor S., saw a student descend the steps of a house, about 60 ft. from them, and walk rapidly away. He was wearing a rain coat and carrying an umbrella. Professor Ryan tried to attract his attention in vain, tho he could hardly have avoided seeing them. The next day this student returned from Pomona, where he had been for the past week. At the time Professor Ryan and Professor S. saw him, he was dining with friends, and was not consciously thinking about his friends at the University. The incident occurred in full daylight.
In a second instance, Professor Ryan observed a friend, Mr. "K", walking in a southwest direction toward the Refectory, about 9:00 a.m., the sun being then at his back. Soon afterward Mr. "K" left for San Diego. At 5:30 p.m. Professor Ryan again saw "K" walking in the same direction; the westerly sun was then in his face and he was mopping his face with his handkerchief as if very warm. At this time, however, he was 'really' in San Diego. Professor Ryan points out that no hypnagogic nor hypnotic conditions seem to be present in either case; and if, in the second case, the vision were a reproduction of the morning scene, how is one to explain the changed direction of the sunlight? The "dream duplicate" theory involves reproduction of the entire physical background. This refers especially to a hypothesis recently advanced by Vincent Gaddis in Flying Roll concerning the hypnagogic nature of hallucinations.
"On carefully studying my impressions," writes Professor Ryan. "I feel convinced there was an indescribable but slightly abnormal effect in both hallucinations, both in the landscape, and in the speed with which both Mr. 'K' and the student seemed to be walking. Can we subconsciously modify a hallucination? ..."