channeling

Channeling is the act of directing or transmitting information or energy through a channel or intermediary. The term has multiple meanings across disciplines. In physics, it can describe the guided propagation of particles or waves along a crystal lattice or other structure. In spiritual or metaphysical contexts, channeling refers to a person acting as a conduit for information from non-physical sources.

Spiritual channeling is the practice in which a channeler, sometimes called a medium, is thought to receive information from entities such as spirits, angels, or higher consciousness. The content is then relayed through speech, writing, or other forms. Channeling is commonly used for guidance, prophecy, or personal insight, and may be performed publicly or privately.

Common methods include trance channeling, where the channeler enters an altered state and a voice or content emerges; automatic writing, in which information is written unconsciously; and conscious channeling, in which the channeler remains aware but acts as a conduit. Material may be presented as messages, lectures, or answers to questions.

Historical and popular examples include readings attributed to Edgar Cayce, the "Sleeping Prophet," and the Seth material channeled by Jane Roberts. Modern examples include various named entities such as Kryon and Ramtha. These works have cultivated devoted communities but remain controversial and are not supported by mainstream scientific evidence.

Scientific evaluation emphasizes that channeling lacks verifiable evidence, and proposed explanations include cognitive processes, unconscious knowledge, suggestibility, and social-psychological factors. Critics warn of credulity and potential harm if people rely on unverified information.