THE RING OF CHAIRS by JANET CYFORD / 2000 / 214 pages.
"The Ring of Chairs" is a personal account of modern
Mediumship and its development within the safety of a seance setting.
Mediumship is a gift which needs nurturing. Its development requires a
corresponding Spiritual Unfoldment and Soul culture. The ability to raise ones awareness, to
attune to the consciousness of a Spirit communicator, is the essence of
good Mediumship. Through a 'mind to mind' blending, the Medium relays
information received from a Spirit communicator. This gift should be
used to give verifiable evidence of the Soul's continuing existence beyond death.
Quality Mediumship is rare, as most sensitive's and their followers, are
satisfied with so little. "The Ring of Chairs" authored by a
traditional British Spiritualist Medium, was written under the directive
of Spirit. Spirit colleagues inspired portions of the book, which details
technical terms peculiar to this fascinating subject. Several chapters
were received directly from Spirit companions and appear verbatim.
Without Spirit's collaboration, this book would have remained, just a good idea. The purpose of "The Ring of Chairs" is to
educate and inform potential practitioners and seekers, of the mechanics
of Spirit contact. There is a very real concern in the world of Spirit,
for the present adulteration and misrepresentation of Spirit communication
by today's "channellers." Mediumship and Spirit contact is a subject that denies adequate
description. It is a field of expertise far easier to understand through
personal experience. "The Ring of Chairs" was completed
sometime ago, when in true Spirit fashion, instructions came to include my own story. This had not been my
intention, but bowing to their wisdom, I agreed. As this personal tale unfolded, a pattern of Spirit
training and guidance emerged that clearly showed the intimacy and
involvement Spirit reality has with our own. The book is now
peppered with personal experiences of Spiritualism, my family's religion,
and Spirit communication. Subjects which have been a part of my life
since early childhood. Much loved Spirit Guides,
helped shape my character and by their example, I learned to rely upon the
Spiritual Self that lights the Soul from within. Several family members
were Mediums and Spirit phenomena, occurred regularly in our home circle.
I sat in our family's "Ring of Chairs," from a very young age.
Much later I discovered other youngsters did not have contact with Spirit
in their homes. My natural gifts of clear-seeing and awareness of Spirit,
grew from childhood in the fertile ground of my parent's acceptance and
understanding. Even with a natural gift, potential Mediums must learn
to govern their sensitivity with personal self-discipline. "The
Ring of Chairs" gives suggestions for Spiritual Unfoldment and the development of Mediumship. These subjects are discussed at length, hoping
those with an interest in further study, will form or join development
groups. Chapters cover the private and public work of a Medium, share
insights into Spiritual Healing, Spirit Guides and their Spirit teachings. Psychometry,
Symbology, Creativity and Extended Sensory Perception are chapters dealing
with subjects taught in my weekly development groups. It is
important, "The Ring of Chairs" is not presented as a New Age
subject. It is not my intention to associate it with a market full of
dangerously ill-informed hyperbole. Its conception was Spirit
orchestrated and its delivery has me patently aware of my responsibility,
to bring a voice of reason to a much maligned subject. Written with the
intention of inspiring others, to begin a sensible search for inner
spirituality, it encourages personal responsibility and self mastery. On every spiritual quest, each
facet of information needs to be viewed, in the light of our discernment
and integrity. If what is read, seen or heard insults the intelligence,
then spiritual knowledge must be sought in other directions. The wisdom of
Spirit is ageless. It is appropriate for all time. Many New Age
practitioners disgrace these teachings with expensive fortune-telling and
prediction that robs seekers of further Soul growth. "The Ring of
Chairs" does not contain in-depth do-it-yourself psychic exercises
that promise instant Mediumship, nor does it promote "Channelling" (a
misnomer used to group together, different and unique aspects of
Mediumship.) The practice of channelling extraterrestrials and ego-bound,
ancient personalities cannot be likened to Spirit communication. However,
the book contains a Glossary of Terms, an Index and Appendix of recommended reading.
Janet Cyford
