Greetings from Russell's Remnant:
One of Russell's disciples presented a briefcase to Russell and challenged him to guess what was in the case. Russell said, "A bunch of papers." Then he hesitated a moment and added, "A bunch of crap!" The case included thousands of dollars worth of psychic readings - tarot, pendulum, I Ching, trance mediums, automatic writing, etc. - that the disciple had gathered over the years. Russell then gave a lecture to the T.N.G. on the test of psychic abilities and the negativism that ensues. It disappointed several in the class. So much so that they refused to come to Russell's classes any more. Russell commented, "It's a shame that they can't give up their lower nature abilities in order to obtain the true mental abilities of the occult." He also stated that he lost followers every time he gave a lecture on the evils of divination and psychism.
He pointed out that the only method of divination that should be used by the disciples is astrology, for one's astrology chart is determined by the soul and not psychic entities. All the other methods including dowsing, the ouija board, hypnosis, etc. are not to be used by disciples on the Path. Most of these methods open you to the negative effects of the astral plane and astral entities who come through such readings. He also was called to save several of the world's greatest psychics from the danger they had created for themselves. The trance mediums destroy their spleen. The dowsers and pendulum swingers often lose the use of their arms. You cannot give up your will and not pay the consequence. In all methods of divination, except astrology, you give up your will (the highest aspect of God within yourself) to outside forces. Never do this. Consider the damage you are doing. Aside from the physical damage that occurs, one must also realize that the information received is not truth, and you will have to come back in succeeding lives and correct all the false information you gave to other people in their readings.
Because so many aspirants and disciples are enamored with their psychic powers, we have included a few of D.K.'s comments about the glamour of psychic abilities as well as the occult test it entails:
I would like to make it perfectly clear to all aspirants that in the training during the next few decades, the unfoldment of astral vision or hearing will be entirely ruled out, or if it exists will eventually have to be overcome. Do not regain that astral facility which was the possession of the little evolved and many higher animals. The Masters work with soul - not with their astral bodies. Use the higher faculty of intuition. Only then are you of use to the Master's group. TWM 166+
Supernormal powers are no evidence of divinity at all. EP2 60
Methods of communication on the astral level, such as the ouija board, automatic writing, direct voice, or obsessed mediumship are not utilized as a rule by chelas. TWM 177
The development of the psychic powers is a hindrance to true spiritual development, and some mystics regard these powers as an indication of divine grace. EP2 556
As the aspirant's training grows, he will recognize: increased mental activity, increased responsiveness to ideas and increased psychic sensitiveness. This psychic sensitiveness is at the same time a test. He can be taken in by the allurement of the psychic powers, he will be tempted to side-track his efforts through the exploitation of the psychic powers. TWM 169
Mediumship and psychism are dangerous and inadvisable because is deprives man of his free will and his positivity and militates against his acting as a free intelligent human being. EOH 10+
Psychics' and mediums' lack of control is deemed highly undesirable. They must: cease interest in these powers, aspire to the spiritual realities, follow intellectual training and mental development. EP2 587
Inspiration is always safe. Mediumship is always to be avoided. TWM 180
Today the despised psychic powers are so stupidly approached and ignorantly used. ROC 123
Many are going astray in the effort to induce in themselves psychic conditions. TWM 6
Love of psychic phenomena ... still greatly hinder the work. TWM 403
The immediate problems for the sad failures, the occult wrecks, the half-demented psychics, the hallucinated mystics and the feeble minded dabblers in esotericism lie at the door of their own stupidity. EOH 6
The Path of Discipleship is frequently prefaced with much confusion, astral psychism and frequent wrong interpretations. TEL 100+