The Barbanell Report 1987 / 204 pages.
Maurice Barbanell, the founder editor of Psychic News and the medium
for the discarnate teacher Silver Birch, arranged with Paul Beard that the
first to depart this life would attempt to convey what he found. The
Barbanell Report, the result of this pact, is based on some thirty
sessions, held over four years, by Paul Beard with Marie Cherrie at
London's College of Psychic Studies. It is a feat of mediumship the more
valuable and difficult since she had never met Barbanell and indeed had
not felt over friendly towards him. Although
a number of evidential facts appear, the main thrust is towards the very
difficult task of depicting the change in growth of consciousness which
Maurice Barbanell has gradually undergone, and which he found hard both to
understand and bring about. It pictures
a work load altogether more intense than comfortably promised in popular
Spiritualism. His altered relationship to Silver Birch is surprising,
though logical, and leads Barbanell in a more taxing search than he had
expected to find the meaning of the outer and inner realities now around
him. This fascinating record also shows the growth of a rapport between
Barbanell and Mrs Cherrie, which allows Paul Beard to probe deeply, and to
receive some remarkable answers. This is a book, however, that is bound to
make some enemies, and will be disturbing to those who have easier
expectations of what awaits them after death. The Report, although of deep
sincerity, is a seminal volume that will, when assessed by thinking
Spiritualists, have far-reaching effects upon the future of their
Movement. About the author
Paul Beard's lifetime study of the psychical field has, as might be
expected, given him an exceptionally wide experience of its many aspects.
His capacity for in-depth and lucid appraisal is as evident in this book
as in the other volumes of his trilogy. The past President of the College
of Psychic Studies, London - he was president for sixteen years - he has
also been a member of the Society for Psychical Research for thirty years.
The author has lectured to both these bodies as well to the Scientific and
Medical Network, the Wrekin Trust, the Centre for Psychological and
Spiritual Studies, and many other organisations.
