channeler

A channeler is a person who claims to receive and relay information from non-physical sources by means of various techniques. Messages may be spoken, written, or otherwise presented.

Channeling methods vary. Many practitioners use trance or meditative receptivity to permit another voice or presence to communicate. Vocal channeling involves speaking as the source; automatic writing records messages through handwriting. Non-trance forms include mental or inspiration-based reception.

Common sources claimed include departed souls, spirit guides, ascended masters, angels, or non-human intelligences perceived as extraterrestrial, elemental, or dimensional beings. Some channelers present the communication as guidance, insight, or prophetic information for individuals or groups.

Historical background links channeling to early spiritualism and mysticism. Modern practice grew during the 19th and 20th centuries and continues in New Age and alternative spirituality contexts. Notable examples include Jane Roberts and the Seth material, and Ramtha's teachings, among others.

Reception and criticism: There is no accepted scientific evidence that channeling conveys verifiable information. Researchers warn about subjective bias, suggestibility, and potential deception. Ethically, concerns include manipulation, exploitation, and the commercialization of personal revelations.

In contemporary use, channeling appears in workshops, books, and online communities as a spiritual or personal development practice. Viewpoints range from treating channeling as a legitimate source of guidance to approaching it with healthy skepticism.