Leslie Flint UK Independent Direct Voice Medium Latest Topics

Sir Oliver Lodge April 1966

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 12:03:34 +0000

Oliver Lodge communicates

Recorded: April 25th 1966

“So little is understood even now,

about our world and communication...”

During his lifetime Sir Oliver Lodge was a great supporter of mediums
and wrote about his experiences of spirit communication
- most famously in the book about his son entitled 'Raymond'.

He returns here to speak to George Woods and Betty Greene

25 years after his own death.

He refers to a new scientific method of spirit communication

and he ponders on the idea whether there will ever be a time
when spirit mediums will not be required at all...

Read the full transcript below as you listen to the recording...
HERE

Note: Although this vintage recording has been enhanced, some interference remains.

Ernest Oaten BBC 1934 - first ever radio broadcast on spiritualism

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 11:01:21 +0000

‘What I Believe’

spoken by Ernest Walter Oaten

Spiritualist President and Editor of ‘The Two Worlds’

Recorded: Friday April 13th 1934

From the personal collection of Leslie Flint,

this vintage recording by Ernest Walter Oaten

is the first ever radio broadcast on the subject of Spiritualism
- which went out live on national BBC radio on April 13th 1934.

In his talk, Mr Oaten shares some of his experiences

from attending thousands of séances,

and explains his conviction that life goes on after death

and that spirit communication is a reality.

Originally recorded onto 3 double-sided bakelite discs

this broadcast is made available online for the first time.

Note: This 88 year old recording has been enhanced and the quality is generally good.

Ernest Oaten

To listen to the recording and reading the below transcript please go HERE

A man’s convictions are based upon his training, plus his experience. I was brought up in the bosom of nonconformity, and in my late teens was seriously troubled by grave doubts concerning matters of religion. It seemed to me that the whole of religion turned upon the question of whether there is, or is not, an afterlife.

If there is no life beyond this, then there may be a case for ethics and morality, but there is none for religion - and accordingly, the existence of a spiritual world forms the preamble of all the great religions.

I was then a young man, and young men often make hasty decisions. I came to the conclusion that there was no evidence whatever for a future life. Reliance was placed upon the traditions of the past, but the credulity…the credibility of these opened the way to very extensive arguments. It was at this juncture that I heard of Spiritualism. The subject at first aroused in my mind something of incredulity and contempt, and yet the men I knew who were associated with the subject, were sane, decent and reliable businessmen. I listened to what they had to say concerning their experiences at séances, and I came to the conclusion that they had been deluded, and that it only needed me to expose the whole subject.

Yet if what they said was true, Spiritualism offered the type of evidence that I had found nowhere else. It was in this frame of mind that, accompanied by two relatives, I attended my first séance in February 1892, at Cardiff. The company assembled were of an intelligent middle-class type, some sixteen in number. We sat in a good white light, quite sufficient for reading by - and at that séance a large walnut round table floated in the air, without any contact. A relative and I, holding a walking stick between us, completely encircled it as it floated in space. The whole company turned the backs of their chairs to the table, and knelt on their seats, so that no feet were underneath the table; they joined hands round, and I assert that that table rose into space and remained suspended for some minutes.

Further, it was under intelligent direction. It obeyed our requests as to moving in this direction or that, and later - still without any contact - spelled out messages, including the name and address, the date of death, etc, of my grandfather, who had died some years before in the West of England. We were told of his age, trade, the maiden name of his wife, etc. I made a complete examination of the room and could detect no mechanism to account for the happening. I was puzzled. The following day I borrowed the table and had it weighed at the store. It registered eighty-four pounds. That was my first experience.

On returning home that night one of my relatives and I tried an experiment with a small card table, by placing our hands upon its surface. It tilted very freely. I had heard something of unconscious muscular action, so I made an effort to get information which might throw some light on the force directing the table. We laid down a code, by asking the table to tilt at each letter of the alphabet, stopping at the one required, and by this cumbersome method messages were spelled out, letter by letter. On that occasion we received information concerning a relative in London, of whom we had not heard for five years. It referred to happenings at that present moment, which could not possibly have been known to anyone in Cardiff - and these were subsequently verified up to the hilt.

I have neither the time nor inclination at the moment to go into the details of the messages, which concerned the intimate domestic life of the family. That experience convinced me that there was something which demanded explanation and I commenced a long course of reading and personal investigation which has lasted forty odd years, brought me untold happiness, settled all doubts as to there being wisdom and purpose behind all life - and has left me without a single shred of doubt as to a future life.

I have sat in more than 4,000 séances, under all conditions - many of them ridiculous in their simplicity and many arranged under strict scientific control. Of those séances, considerably fewer than 100 have taken place in the dark. I know that certain forms of psychic phenomena are more easily obtained in the dark, but I have a strong distaste for dark séances, and I always object to sit in the dark with strangers. It is not merely that I am suspicious of mediums. I want to see what the sitters are doing... I have witnessed as much duplicity on the part of sitters as on the part of mediums.

Dark séances are, in my opinion, not necessary to conviction, and generally raise more questions than they settle. Under excellent conditions for observation, and in good light, I believe I have seen every phase of psychic phenomena. It would be true to say that quite fifty percent of these phenomena, whilst interesting, offer little or no evidence of the action of spirits. Probably a further twenty-five percent form a borderline, in which one has to choose between the Spiritualistic and other theories: telepathy, intuition, subconscious activity, etc. But in my experience there is a residuum, which compels the conviction that the intelligences at work are human beings other than those present in the flesh. In other words, as a result of forty years investigation, I am absolutely certain that the so-called ‘dead’ can communicate with the living.

I assert that the evidence I have obtained makes it impossible for me to doubt that I have talked with those who have passed through the gates of death. So strong is that conviction, that if I were the only man on Earth who believed it, my faith would remain unshaken. I have seen deceased persons clairvoyantly, and obtained veridical messages and information which was unknown to anyone present. I have photographed spirit forms under strict test conditions. I have seen, spoken to, and held in my arms materialised forms; in lamplight, gaslight, electric light and daylight. I have clasped their hands and held conversations with them in the presence of witnesses.

Hence, let me say categorically and emphatically - I know that there is a life beyond this, for I have talked with the people who live in it.

Doubtless, I shall be expected to say something on the question of fraud. Yes, I have met fraud, but its proportion is certainly not greater than one meets in the ordinary, everyday affairs of life. Fraudulent mediumship is generally known to the public because Spiritualists take every opportunity to openly and publicly denounce it. In other movements, unsavoury incidents are generally suppressed. The Spiritualist believes that fraud and duplicity in religion should be ruthlessly exposed.

Most of my experience has been gained in what is called a ‘home circle,’ where no strangers have been present. I have had very few dealings with professional mediums: firstly, because I could not afford them and secondly, because I preferred investigation with my own family and personal friends, in my own home. I have seen better phenomena in my own home and the homes of intimate friends, than I have ever witnessed at professional séances. I do not decry professional mediums, provided the investigator can be assured as to their bona fides. [good faith.] The best way to secure this, is to gain the confidence of a responsible Spiritualist or a reliable Spiritualist Association. Many professional mediums are doing excellent and unselfish work.

And what are my convictions? Firstly, I am satisfied that man is a spiritual being, that he has come into this world for the purpose of gaining experience and building character. Life here is a sort of ‘trial trip’, which will presently enable us to take our places in the real life beyond. This Earthly experience is only the prelude to life, and in this sense it is true that we don’t really begin living until we are dead.

I am satisfied from my talks with the departed that death works no immediate change in character or ability. At death man passes into another life with the mental and spiritual equipment he has assembled here. No creed has any advantage over any other - save, in so far, as such creed may have influenced the type of life he lived here. As to the nature of the life…we obtain in the next world, I could say much, did time permit.

I believe with Mr. Gladstone that the study of this subject is “the most important work that is being done in the world.” There are two things sure for every one of us; first, that we each came into this world, and secondly, that we must all go out of it. Our life here is but a brief span of seventy years; comparatively, a mere speck upon the sum of existence. The man who boasts that he is practical, because he devotes the whole of his attention to this life, is really the most shortsighted of persons, since the number of his days here bears but a fragmentary relationship to his actual life.

I am convinced that there is a spiritual world, which exists around us like an atmosphere. It is peopled by those who die. Death is not a terminus - it is merely a junction where we change to another line. And at that junction we shall find that nine-tenths of the luggage which we have accumulated here, is sheer lumber.

What, then, will death mean to me? Well, it will mean the dropping of my physical body; but there are certain things about me which are not physical. My character and personality differentiate me from all other people. These cannot be expressed in terms of physics, mechanics or chemistry. My memories, which are the result of my experiences, are surely as much a part of me as my hands or my feet. If I drop all the physical attributes by which I am known to my fellows, I still retain these.

Now there is a tendency of all life to express itself in form, and I believe that when I die I shall still have a form. The spiritual body does not come into existence at death. It is our constant companion during life, and we build it, in somewhat the same manner as we build our physical body, by feeding it - though with different food.

I believe, that from the moment of conception, the spiritual energies which exist within the ego of each one of us, builds our bodies. The life-germ in a fertile egg uses the rest of the contents of the shell to build the body of the chicken. The ego then builds its own body, though its action is modified, first by its innate strength and power of selection, and secondly, by the materials available. The same principle is at work in the etheric body. These two bodies have a great similarity, since they are the habitual expression of the same individual. In certain hypnotic phenomena, and under the influence of certain drugs, a man can easily find himself floating in space and looking down on his body on the bed. Now, if he is lying on the bed, who is the looker-on?

“There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body,” says Paul. Death is merely the separation of these two. During life there is reaction between them, which varies with different people. Just as the caterpillar passes into the chrysalis stage and emerges as a butterfly, so shall I presently drop this physical body to inhabit another, giving me a larger range of action and consequently greater freedom. That’s all death means to me, and far from looking at it as something to dread, I look forward to it as a most interesting adventure.

I am convinced that the most important thing about life, is living it - with the recognition that it is continuous. The whole of the testimony of the spirit people emphasises one point; namely, that in the other life an individual gets his exact deserts, no more and no less. It may be that “in My Father’s house are many mansions,” but everyone must equip and furnish his own abode; and such equipment depends, not upon the creed he has professed, but upon the life he has lived.

While it is true that Spiritualism does much to confirm and explain the phenomena and beliefs of all ages, in me there has grown up a religious conviction based on present-day evidences. Spiritualism is my religion, my only religion, and I have not felt the need of any other. It has answered the criticisms of my intellect and satisfied the longings of my heart. In fact, if the whole of the records of the past were destroyed and erased from human memory - though I should be the last to desire such a thing - it could not affect my religious convictions in the slightest degree and there are thousands of people in this country in the same position.

I shall be glad, as far as my time will allow, to help and advise anyone who desires seriously to pursue this investigation. But please do not ask me to recommend mediums. All private sittings with mediums are illegal* and render the medium - however honest - liable to three months hard labour. Under the present law of England, honest mediumship is penalised, whilst the charlatan and pretender flourish because they are prepared to run risks. The law, too, is not impartially administered. In some cities people may do as they like. In others, they dare not do very much. Spiritualists are the only religious denomination in this country who are denied religious freedom.

I should be the last in the world to decry other faiths. “Let every man be persuaded in his own mind.” As long as there are different types of mind in the world, there will be different outlooks. I personally accept the principles laid down by the Spiritualists’ National Union - the representative body of Spiritualist Churches, of which I was honoured to be the President for a number of years. These principles may be briefly summarised as follows:

Spiritualists accept:

1. The Fatherhood of God,

2. The Brotherhood of Man,

3. Continuous Existence of the Soul,

4. The Communion of Saints and the Ministry of Angels,

5. Personal Responsibility,

6. Compensation and Retribution Here or Hereafter for all Good or Evil Done on Earth, and

7. A Path of Endless Progress Open to Every Human Soul.

These seven principles constitute no creed or dogma, since every individual is granted the right of personal interpretation.

You may ask why I insist that Spiritualism is my religion. Well, the existence of God and the fact of the future life, seem to me to be interdependent. The evidence of a future life, its progressive development under more congenial conditions than those of Earth, the necessity of developing abilities and characteristics which will be of use to us in that life, the interdependence of all humanity, the necessity for mutual service and the recognition of a beneficent love as a guiding factor in all life, seem to me to embody the essentials of religion - and one cannot be in communication with advanced spirits without getting these convictions.

I accept ‘The Fatherhood of God ’ because I can only understand the phenomena of nature on the assumption of an all-pervading intelligence behind and within all things, displaying infinite wisdom and… beneficent purpose and operating through unchanging law. Thus, I believe that there is only one life in the universe, of which we are each an individualised expression.

Hence, when we know ourselves, we shall find that we are all knitted together within the common bond of a benevolent purpose. That is what Spiritualism has taught me and, in doing so, has changed my whole outlook on life. It implies fatherhood and brotherhood, since “all are but parts of one stupendous whole, whose body nature is and God the soul.”

Spiritualism takes in ‘The Brotherhood of Man’ as one of its fundamentals and thus becomes…thus it becomes a binding obligation and intelligent duty to strive for the abolition of all things which hinder the attainment of the fullest and richest life for every man, woman and child. Unemployment, slums, disease and ignorance, which hinder or delay the attainment of the full life of mutual service, must be swept away - both in the interests of this world and that of the future states. The two worlds depend upon one another.

In conclusion, I believe with Victor Hugo that; “When I go down to the grave I can say, like many others, ‘I have finished my day’s work.’ But I cannot say, ‘I have finished my life.’ My day will begin again the next morning. The tomb is not a blind alley, but a thoroughfare, and I shall close my eyes upon the twilight, only to open them upon the dawn.”

----------------------------

Additional questions were asked during the broadcast, and answered by Mr Oaten, as follows:

Question:

Thank you very much, Mr. Oaten. What you say is extraordinarily interesting. The first thing I should like you to clear up is this: you said at the beginning of your talk that it seemed that the whole of religion turned upon the question of whether there is or is not an afterlife. You were speaking of your belief at a time when you were a young man and hadn’t yet come across Spiritualism. Am I right in thinking that those words could still be used to describe your belief about the nature of religion? In fact, what exactly do you mean when you say that Spiritualism is ‘your religion’, and that you haven’t felt the need of any other?

Mr Oaten:

“Yes, my conviction still remains that religion rests definitely upon whether or not there is a life beyond this. It is not an accident that all great religions insist on a life hereafter. What does salvation mean if there is not something to be saved from and something to be saved for? My religion does not depend chiefly upon what has happened, but upon what is happening.”

Question:

Another thing you said was that ‘the existence of a spiritual world forms the preamble of all the great religions.’ Now do you believe that the question of whether or not there is a spiritual world is the same question as whether or not there is an afterlife?

Mr Oaten:Yes, I believe these two concepts are but phases of one problem. I would rather say spiritual worlds than a spiritual world. But the two ideas are, in my opinion, inseparable.

Question:

When you said that Spiritualism had left you ‘without a shred of doubt as to your eternal future,’ did you mean by the word ‘eternal’ of going on for ever and ever? And in the same way when you said since life here is a ‘brief span of seventy years; comparatively a mere speck upon the sun of eternity,’ did you mean by eternity ‘a very, very long time, prolonged indefinitely backwards into the past and forwards into the future?’ Or did you mean by the word eternal ‘out of time altogether?’

Mr Oaten:

The enigmatic philosopher and the mystic may be able to conceive that eternity is something outside of, and different from time, but the average seeker certainly cannot. Hence it is convenient, and I think logical, to speak of eternity in terms of endless time - both backwards and forwards. There may be only an ‘eternal now.’ In the light of my knowledge I cannot imagine life coming to an end. I believe I shall always continue to be and to grow. And as each step on the path enlarges my range of attainment, I shall be safe within the orbit - or the arms - of a benevolent, all-wise purpose. In other words; God.

Question:

Why is it that you believe in the ‘Fatherhood of God and The Brotherhood of Man? Has Spiritualism taught you to hold onto those beliefs? And would you be a Spiritualist at all, if you didn’t hold them?

Mr Oaten:

I accept the ‘Fatherhood of God’ because I believe that there is only one life in the universe and we are all parts of one stupendous whole.

Question:

Mr. Oaten, do you think we all should be Spiritualists? In other words, do we have a positive duty to believe in Spiritualism, or is it a matter of taste?

Mr Oaten:

“To thine own self be true. And it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” There is no moral obligation for anyone to proclaim themselves a Spiritualist, until personal experience justifies or demands such a declaration - to neglect to do so, when conviction is established, is cowardice. It may be a matter of choice as to when, by searching, we arrive at that position. But I am personally convinced that, here or hereafter, the acceptance of the position of survival is inevitable, since ultimately truth must prevail.

Question:

You said that you were satisfied that man has come into this world “for the purpose of gaining experience and building character.” What do you mean by ‘experience?’ And does Spiritualism teach us what kind of character we ought to build, and how to go about building it?

Mr Oaten:

McDougall has suggested that consciousness and experience are best viewed as synonymous, and with this I agree. Life on Earth gives us an opportunity of gaining experience in association with matter. The lessons learnt from this can establish convictions which determine the moral and spiritual reactions, which we know as character. Spiritualism has taught me the nature of the future life and the characteristics which will be of value to me there - thus indicating what it is wise to establish and what it is wise to restrain. I don’t always live up to it, but I try!

Question:

There is an interesting remark about spirits, which the philosopher Hobbes made in the 17th century, and I should like to know what you would say to it. Hobbes said; “If this superstitious fear of spirits were taken away, and with it, prognostiques from dreams, false prophecies and many other things depending thereon, by which crafty ambitious persons abuse the simple people, men would be much more fitted than they are for civil obedience.” So does Spiritualism make people more or less anxious than before, to get the unemployed to work and abolish the slums and so on?

Mr Oaten:

Well, we are not living in the seventeenth century, so it is not now a question of superstition. Modern Spiritualism is based on scientific observation of facts. There was no such Spiritualism in Hobbes’ time. But since Spiritualism takes in the Brotherhood of Man as one of its fundamentals, issues such as unemployment, slums and disease must be swept away, in the interest of this world and the next.”

----------------------

*Illegal = séances and sittings with mediums were illegal in the UK until 1951, when the Fraudulent Mediums Act was introduced, which finally gave genuine mediums the freedom to pursue their work, without the threat of fines or imprisonment.

Transcribed and presented for the Trust by K.Jackson-Barnes - April 2019

After the 1934 radio broadcast,

all of the text above was published by ‘Two Worlds Publishing’ in this yellow booklet.

Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle (May 1850-July 1930)

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 15:10:03 +0000

Arthur Conan Doyle communicates

Recorded: January 17th 1966

“So many mediums seem to be on a low vibration...

There is so much astral communication."

The world-famous author and Spiritualism's greatest supporter

comments on how his career and reputation and those of Sir Oliver Lodge, Sir William Crookes - were made to suffer through their efforts to enlighten the public to the truth of Spirit Communication.

Speaking here to Rose Creet in this 26-minute recording,

Doyle also explains how we all have the opportunity to develop

those spiritual powers which lie dormant within each of us.

Note: This vintage recording has been enhanced for clarity.

Read the full transcript below as you listen to the recording...

Present: Rose Creet, Leslie Flint

Communicator: Arthur Conan Doyle

Doyle:

So many people do not seem to have time, even if they have the opportunity.

Creet:

Ah!

Doyle:

And so many people have no opportunity and plenty of time.

Creet:

[Laughs]

Doyle:

And so many people have no time nor opportunity - and the vast majority have no inclination.

Creet:

That’s it.

Doyle:

The tragedy of your world is, that so few people are concerned with the things that really matter. Everyone finds time and makes opportunity, if possible, for the most mundane, most miserable of material things.

Things which to them seem on the surface so important, so vital, so necessary. One appreciates, of course, the problems of your life and the difficulties, the struggle of making a living in the ordinary way.

The average person I quite understand has many problems to contend with. Yours is a complicated and difficult life. Your world gives many...problems and the average person no matter who he or she may be will devote all their effort and time to striving to overcome obstacles.

Indeed, man has a nature that enables him no matter what the setbacks to keep on striving and struggling. But all this is invariably of the material and there are so few who are prepared to make any effort whatsoever in regard to the things that are of the spirit.

Even when a key, as it were, is put in the door and turned for them, very few would in a spiritual sense make any attempt, even when the door is opened, to walk through and see what is on the other side.

You know when I was on your side, I was so often distressed. So often concerned with people who even though opportunity was presented to them, they took little advantage of it and if they did, even in spite of their nature, they would not willingly accept the truth, the evidence of Spiritualism.

Even some of those who took the trouble to read books or perhaps attend meetings quite often, in spite of the fact that they themselves presented obstacles from within themselves, who were presented with evidence which would satisfy any ordinary, intelligent person - they would refute it, or if they did not refute it, they would find an explanation for it. Quite often more wonderful than the actual thing itself. There is such a lot that distresses one.

When one strives to assist and to help people find truth, the extraordinary thing is, that even those who profess to be searchers after truth, invariably by their very nature, build up barriers, so the truth has even more difficulty in making itself known and understood.

Even those who profess to be truly seeking spiritually, particularly those of varying religions...religious organisations where you would expect they would welcome truth with open arms, where you would anticipate that they would be more than delighted [to] have substantial evidence to support their own beliefs - even among men of high intelligence and foresight, you find that they build obstacles, barriers.

Their minds are quite often are so closed that you just cannot pierce the wall that they build up. Yet, many of them in themselves are sincere and honest, well meaning.

When I was on your side, in my work to bring Spiritualism to the forefront, to interest people and arouse their curiosity, if you like, so that they might find something of real value, something that would be helpful to them, something that would comfort them - quite often you would find, over and over again, these individuals who having received by one means or another, proof of survival, that they would quite often dispute it, try to tear it to pieces, try to make excuses and find other explanations.

When I went on my tours, when I lectured as I did so often and I expounded my beliefs, occasionally someone would ask an intelligent question from the audience. But more often than not, I think they came more out of curiosity to see the man who had written Sherlock Holmes. They were more concerned with seeing me, to meet the person, as it were, who’d aroused so much interest with his books, rather than come and listen to my deep-founded beliefs.

There were those who said that I was a fool. That I was ruining my reputation, that I was building up for myself, complications which would affect the sales of my books - that would affect not only the sales of my books but my integrity as a human being!

But you know it's an extraordinary thing, whenever a man of some substance, a man in a position, whether it is such as myself or whether it be someone like Hannen Swaffer or whether it be someone like Lord Dowding or Sir Oliver Lodge - the more respected you are, the more you are as it were put on the pedestal...

[Coughing]

Doyle:

...of public opinion and affection, the more they think you must be something of a crank.

Creet: [Laughing]

Doyle:

If you happen to say that you are interested in Spiritualism or that you’re convinced of survival, they say 'oh yes, such a clever brain you know, such a remarkable man, but you know of course he’s gone a little bit off his head in his old age.'

[Coughing]

Doyle:

A number of people who have never said it to my face but implied it in various ways, in magazines and in papers and indeed, on a few odd occasions in my audience, who suggested that perhaps I’d been writing so much fiction for so long that I’d created something from my own brain in regard to this subject.

You know people are extraordinary. If you give them what they want they like you very much. But if you give them something that they don’t want or think they don’t want or something which is...

[Coughing]

Doyle:

...foreign to their nature or to their upbringing and background or if you tell them something that is against the accepted beliefs, whether it is in religion or in politic or whatever it is that goes against the grain, they think,

'oh well poor old thing. He’s a dear old thing he’s contributed a great deal in his own way, but now, of course, he is getting on a bit, and he has gone a little bit soft.'

Creet:

Have you ever spoken to any of these people on the Earth since you’ve been over?

Doyle:

Oh, I’ve been through and spoken at different times.

Creet:

And what do they think now?

Doyle:

Well of course now, some think I’m still a bit potty.

[Laughter]

But they still think it’s not me. You know that if I were to come through, if it were possible and write a new book or perhaps some new adventures of Sherlock Holmes and though they were published, people wouldn’t believe that I had come through and I had given them out.

They would say, 'oh no, no'. No matter how brilliant the book may be or even if they were better...if the book was better than anything I had written before, they would still say, 'oh no, it couldn’t be, it couldn’t possibly be. It must be some old manuscript that they’ve discovered and brought up that he wrote when he was on Earth' or they would make some excuse of course, in some shape or form.

You know, evidence of survival is something so personal to the individual that, in a sense, you cannot really lay down any fast, hard rules concerning it.

What is evidence to one person cannot be evidence to another. And of course, we have to accept this. But what amazes me is, the number of intelligent, intellectual people, men of repute who sacrifice, indeed their good name you might say and a source of income, and indeed have given up so much of their personal life to expounding this truth, are invariably looked upon as cranks.

As if we are a sort of breed of people who have all gone a little bit 'off the mark' you know. I often have talks to Lodge and I often speak to Crookes and many of the other friends of mine over here, and of course we all suffered from this. And in a sense, I suppose, we're still talked about and we’re still criticised.

Indeed, I understand that there are still many people in your world who, though they respect and admire us with our particular work in our particular field, whether it is science or literature, they still think the other aspect of our lives, which became the main interest in our lives, our interest in this great subject, this subject which should and certainly does affect every human being, this universal subject, this universal truth - they still won’t accept that aspect of our interest, of our belief and our great crusade - because it was a crusade.

When Doy...when I and when Lodge and all the other...Crookes...when all we who endeavoured to, to, to expound this truth, to expound this knowledge, when we tried to break down the barriers of criticism, we would be set upon by all manner of people in all walks of life, from those of religious persuasion to those who had little or none.

The then of course, in a sense, we expected it. In a sense perhaps, you might say we didn’t mind. Of course, we did, but at the same time, in this great crusade, and it is a crusade to bring truth to mankind, we must expect to be placed in the pillory of public opinion. And I know full well as I look into your world and I see today, although Spiritualism is advanced and has now become respectable, which possibly in a way is the worst thing that could happen to it - because anything that becomes respectable becomes perhaps a little bit boring and perhaps it isn’t...

Creet:

[Laughter]

Doyle:

…as particularly as interesting as it might be. When something isn’t particularly accepted, people's curiosity gets the better of them and they start prying and peeping and wanting to know about it and tittle-tattle about it. But you know when a thing becomes respectable, it no longer has the same interest for the vast majority of people, although of course in a sense, there is interest and this I do know, but what I feel is the tragedy, what I feel is a great pity, that so very few Spiritualists are concerned with spirituality.

Creet:

That’s true.

Doyle:

So very few are concerned with discovering the possibility that, that is within each and every one. They’re all concerned, well the vast majority are concerned, and not only...which of course is natural that they should be interested in personal evidence, this must come before one can have conviction - but so many of them are more concerned with material things; that their dear ones and relations and friends and so on, should be able to solve all their little material problems and worries and anxieties. And always they are saying to their friends on this side, 'now what should I do about this and can you advise me about that' and always it's to do with their mundane material existences.

In a...in a sense, I have sympathy for this. But at the same time, it seems to me the tragedy of Spiritualism that there are so few who are...who are concerned with spiritual truth, who are concerned with spiritual knowledge, who are concerned with allowing this tremendous truth to revitalise them and make them new again.

In a sense, there is so much that we would like to discuss, so much that we would like to talk about. So much that we feel is vital and important is held back, because of these souls who are brought onto a low level of consciousness - or should I say a low level of communication - because of the thought forces and the conditions which are built up with the sitters and even the Mediums themselves fall onto that low level, of merely being there to answer the material problems and questions of the average, so called, enquirer.

You know when I envisaged this subject, when I saw it for it’s true worth on your side, after I received the evidence and the comfort that was to be derived from it, I saw the immensity of it, the possibilities of it. I saw it as a great truth that would bring the whole of mankind together; that it would break down the barriers of creeds, dogmas and politics that have built over the centuries.

That it would bring men to an understanding, a real realisation of the purpose of life. And the possibility of a life to come and how that reality of life to come could be brought, in a sense, even nearer by living it, to some extent, while yet on Earth.

You know, the vast majority of people, even though they have some knowledge of this truth, do not or seldom allow it to become too important in their lives. There is no balance. We don’t expect of course, that people in a world such as yours, which of course has changed so much since my day, and which is a much more difficult a life to live and the complexities are many and vast - but nevertheless, one would have thought that those who truly have this knowledge would have some balance in their lives where they would, sort of, have this realisation and they would put it into practice. That they would allow it to be the dynamic force behind all their thoughts and their actions.

That they would truly be, as it were, a light, you might say, in the darkness of your world. But we are constantly, constantly being disillusioned, constantly being, I won’t say disheartened, but nevertheless, we are still human enough to feel the sense of frustration with those who we love so much on your side of life, who we feel should be doing so much that is vital, so much that is good.

When we go into the churches and the societies, and we hear the repetition of the mundane and the material, where it should be so vitalising and so full of vitality and life of the spirit - how few churches now, it seems, have Mediums or instruments who, as it were, can be taken over by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be controlled and used and speak the words of the spirit.

So many seem to be on the low vibration. A vibration not very far removed from their own. There is so much astral communication. There is so much communication of a low order. There is so much that is said and done which is at variance with the truths of spirit, as we understand and we know it.

I think back to my own life and I realise of course there were and must be difficulties. I know there is much to contend with, but I know this - that if a man or a woman is prepared, if necessary, to sacrifice themselves to truth, they will not allow any obstacle or barrier to stand in their way. They will go out and they will say unto the world, 'this is true, this is truly truth - for I have proved it, I have found it, and I know it to so be.'

And this is something which you could find and prove for yourself. This is not something that depends on a book or series or group of books written centuries ago, which has been changed and altered by man oft times for their own ends.

Though the books of which we speak may have some truth - for in all things, there is truth, but often it is obscured by time and ignorance and indeed by the very thoughts and deeds of men - but behind all this is the seed of truth which, if you give it time and opportunity, will germinate and will flower.

You know, the sad thing is when we see your world, when we see the unhappiness...

[Coughing]

Doyle:

...and when we see the misery of your world, when we see innumerable peoples who suffer, often unnecessarily - because much of your sickness and illness and disease is brought about by man himself by his wrong thinking, by his wrong living.

You know there are many things which cause us a great deal of unhappiness and I think one of the things that causes us most unhappiness is, that man is so intolerant. That man himself is so inclined to be self-seeking and concerned so rarely with others. Until you can sink yourself in true service and in love, you cannot hope to make any change within yourself. You cannot hope to rise above the ordinary and mundane and material conditions of life in which you find yourself.

Until man sees within himself, the possibilities and every man has great possibility. For every man is a spirit and every man has the opportunity to develop the spiritual powers that lie dormant within him.

Everyone has the same opportunity. I know there are many people who will say, 'oh well this man has a much better background or this man has a better opportunity, because of this or that. Or this man has so much more money and so on', but all these things when analysed, all fall back to the mundane and the material. And I would go so far as to say that those who seem to have oft times the biggest obstacles, are the ones who oft times, have the biggest opportunities.

Because until you have suffered, until you have sometimes at least felt the need for the things of the spirit, you cannot understand nor appreciate them. And it is true to say that oft times, those whose tasks are many and whose path is harder, oft times they have, through their very sufferings, greater opportunity to reach through the sensitivity of things to the realities of the spirit. Because these things of which I speak are invariably revealed more to those who, by suffering and complication and difficulty of life, have become sensitised to truth.

Because you cannot find truth if you live and only expect from life all that is good as the world sees it - for if you are to see the good as the spirit sees it, then truly you must have learnt through suffering and have become so sensitised to other people's sufferings and have such feelings within yourself, that you yourself have made yourself more ready to receive.

In other words, if one wants to be an instrument or a Medium if you like to use the term medium, you can only hope to be able to accept and understand and appreciate spiritual things when you yourself have become sensitised sufficiently.

Those who go through life, or so it seems, without any undue concern or worry, who...those to whom life seems to present all the 'plums' - these people are the ones to find it difficult to understand the things that are of the mind and of the spirit.

All the great teachers, all the great prophets, all the great seers, all the men of great wisdom, spiritual wisdom - were men who suffered. No one who wants to do the work of the spirit must ever think that the road and the path is going to be easy.

It will not be. In the material sense often, it will be most difficult, most complex and indeed truth, although in fundamental aspect is, by its very nature, simple - nevertheless it has its complexities, because the human mind cannot necessarily grasp things too well, too easily.

There are many things, of course, appertaining to the spirit and the realms of the spirit that cannot be fully understood any more than we can fully explain them.

But I do say this, that any man or woman who sincerely seeks truth will find it. I know there will be some who will criticise when they listen to this. There will be some who will make excuses. There will be some that will say, 'oh well, how do we know it is him?' There will be some who will say, 'oh of course you know he had a cleft mouth, and that does not sound like his voice' - but, if they are intelligent they will know damn well I don’t have a cleft mouth over here.

Anyway, carry on the good work [and bless you. Bless you both. Goodnight my dear].

END OF RECORDING

This transcript was kindly created for the Trust by Karyn Jarvie in October 2017.

Hear more of Leslie Flints seance recordings:

https://leslieflint.com/recordings-archive

Learn more about Arthur Conan Doyle here:

https://www.arthurconandoyle.com/index.html

Christmas séance Recorded: December 10th 1972

Sat, 17 Sep 2022 02:47:02 +0000

This is a rare recording of a special Christmas séance, where gifts and toys are placed beneath a decorated Christmas tree
for any spirit children who might wish to play with them.

A group of twenty-six sitters are in attendance
who join along with the proceedings.

This is more than an ordinary voice séance, because the sitters are able to experience physical phenomena, when items in the room are moved around by the spirit children.

The recording begins with the sound of everyone singing old hymns,
until the sitters hear the sound of something hitting a wall in the room.

After some discussion, everyone listens intently for any other sounds in the darkness...

Christmas séance report - by George Cranley

First published online in December 2013

Over twenty invited guests attended on this occasion. There was a decorated tree with gifts brought by the guests at the séance for the children in spirit. The children would describe and take the etheric counterpart of the toy they wanted.

After the séance was over the actual toys would be taken to the children’s ward at the local hospital.

The séance opened with the singing of ‘Silent Night’, followed by ‘Jingle Bells’. Very quickly the spirit activity began. Fragile decorations from the Christmas tree were bounced off the walls, yet none were broken!

A box of toffees was opened with various people announcing that a toffee had been placed on their lap.

I asked why I hadn’t been given a toffee and immediately, two landed in my lap - even though I was seated four rows back and the room was pitch-black.

Both adult and child spirit communicators spoke during the course of the séance.

Maurice Chevalier, who passed over in 1972, gave a short talk. Nellie Klute, a theatre programme seller who passed in 1917, communicated, and when asked by medium Jessie Nason how she was, Nellie replied,

“I’ll live. And you?”

Among the spirit children who spoke were Doris, Robert, Daisy, Peter, Pat and Ian; each with their own distinctive personality, all interspersed with comments and asides from Mickey, the cockney guide of Leslie Flint.

At the same time as the children were selecting their toys, a little toy piano or drum would be played.

As two children argued over a particular toy Mickey would break in saying “Ere, pack it in you two” so that three voices would be heard simultaneously. Not only were these voices different, but various accents such as Scottish and American were spoken. The spirit children would request us to sing a particular song and [they] would often sing along.

After the séance was over and the lights went on, we found that the Christmas tree had almost been stripped of its decorations, an empty box of toffees lay beside it and the various parcels, although unopened, were in a state of disarray.

It is almost impossible to convey in words the atmosphere of joy, delight, humour, excitement and expectation that was present at these Christmas séances.

My thanks go to Leslie Flint and his spirit helpers who helped to make these such memorable séances.”

You may listen to the seance here:
https://leslieflint.com/christmas-tree-seances

Christmas séance Recorded: December 16th 1973

Sat, 17 Sep 2022 02:37:48 +0000

Christmas séance 1973

Recorded: December 16th 1973

This Christmas séance was conducted in the presence of fifty invited sitters, gathered at Leslie Flint's basement home in Westbourne Terrace, London.

Christmas séances have a decorated tree placed in the séance room and gifts are left for any spirit children who might wish to enjoy them.

After the séance, the gifts are often donated to a children's charity or local hospice, along with any money raised.

In this recording the voices of various spirit children can be heard, also the sounds made as they open gifts and play with toys, left for them beneath the Christmas tree.

The recording is introduced by Bram Rogers and can be heard here:

https://leslieflint.com/christmas-tree-seances

Sitters include:

Vivian, Jessie Nason, Burt Billinghurst, Renie, Jim Ellis, Bram Rogers, Leslie Flint.

Communicators include:

Mickey, Doris, Martin, Brion, Patricia, Dzabo, Dr Charles Marshall.

and a detailed summary of this 97-minute recording is provided below.

Summary:
While some are singing, other sitters point out different sounds heard in the darkened séance room.

Leslie calls out for Mickey and the spirit children to join them.

After a break in the recording the sitters are heard singing Christmas songs

and we hear the toys squeaking and shuffling around. Mickey greets Jessie Nason and the other sitters and Bram and Leslie share a joke.

While singing to enhance the vibrations, some toys are moved around the floor and the sitters applaud.

Mickey speaks to Jessie again, then he suggests a song for everyone to sing - and he joins in very loudly at the end.

Mickey shares a joke about cars powered by ectoplasm
and Bram points out a luminous toy in the room, which is moving around.

After some whispering, a toy is heard banging and Mickey makes a joke of it.

He advises the sitters begin singing again and a toy horn is heard.

Toys are thrown around and a toy harmonica is played and the sitters share a joke.

Mickey and Jessie discuss physical mediumship, a child’s voice is heard, then a Christmas cracker is pulled - which shocks Leslie.

The sitters respond to activity and noises around the Christmas tree and whispering voices can be heard. A young spirit child named Doris begins to communicate.

She talks first about her doll, then tells the sitters that she died together with her parents and the baby. Doris says her mother has accompanied her today, along with a lady wearing a white dress and tiara - who Doris thinks looks like a fairy-tale character in a book she once had on Earth.

Doris talks of her continuing education in the spirit world and about her family, then asks if she can take away a doll or a game for her friends…

Mickey returns and the harmonica is played, the sitters begin to sing and Mickey sings along. A non-English voice tries to speak, the harmonica and the sound of rustling paper is heard and Mickey jokes about a toy doll.

A toy xylophone is heard playing and the sitters laugh loudly as spirit children touch them and move items around the room.

A child is heard laughing, then Mickey hands a doll to one of the sitters. Much noise is heard as spirit children play with the toys in the room.

A spirit boy named Martin speaks to the sitters about his family and his memories of London.
He talks about his pet dog named ‘sausage’ and says he wants to find a medium so he can work like Mickey.

Mickey jokes about a child communicator named Brion, who speaks about the donated toys and beautiful Christmas tree.

She recalls her school days and her love of the piano, then plays the xylophone in time to the sitter’s singing. After a break in the recording, Mickey responds to a question about time being an illusion and spiritual progression.

He speaks to one sitter about Scottish bagpipes and tells another that his wife is close to him. The sitters sing again and are amazed when toffees and chocolates are handed to them in the dark. After more activity from the spirit children, a child named Patricia asks Mickey for help with the toys.

She speaks to Jim Ellis about her Earth life in Canada and the USA, then reveals she once lived in Arkansas (pronounced Ar-kan-zas until the 1880s). Patricia’s friend communicates, then the voice of Dzabo is heard briefly.

The familiar voice of Dr Charles Marshall explains how the séance was made possible by the combined effort of all present - and he describes in detail how the power of the spirit within,can be called upon to bring forth miracles.
Mickey says farewell to all and the recording ends.

This summary was created for the Trust by K. Jackson-Barnes in December 2018.

You may listen to the recording here: https://leslieflint.com/christmas-tree-seances

Leslie Flint ~ direct voice medium gives a talk in 1992

Sat, 17 Sep 2022 02:08:15 +0000

recorded in 1992

Leslie Flint gives a talk on the spirit voices

Leslie speaks to an audience about his first ever spirit message,

the need for scepticism in mediumship,

and the first spirit appearance of Rudolph Valentino...

This 10-minute video, retrieved from an old VHS recording, is an extract of a rare public appearance given by Leslie Flint in 1992.

Recorded by Ernie Massam at Seaford Spiritualist Church in East Sussex, and introduced by Sue Clements. Leslie speaks to the audience about his early experiences, the first time he witnessed a trance medium at work and his first ever spirit message.

Leslie admits that scepticism is a necessary part of mediumship, especially for those who do not believe in spirit voices.

Leslie also begins to explain how a persistent spirit helper,- described to him by many different mediums - first appeared in the guise of an Arab...

Read a full transcript from the video, below...

https://leslieflint.com/leslie-on-camera-1992

The Leslie Flint Educational Trust was created to preserve, record, authenticate and

promote the work of Independent Direct Voice medium Leslie Flint.

Rose Hawkins - Flower seller London - describes over several recordings her life & activities in the Spirit World

Sat, 17 Sep 2022 01:53:35 +0000

https://leslieflint.com/rose-hawkins-1953-1976

Rose Hawkins communicates 1953 - 1976

In life Rose Hawkins sold flowers on the streets of London, and her regular 'pitch' was outside Charing Cross station.Her first recorded communication came in 1953 and she became a familiar voice during the recording work of George Woods and Betty Greene.

Rose describes, in simple detail, her life and activities in the Spirit World - from her appearance, to the type of home she inhabits, and from her love of the garden, to the animals she sees around her.

Rose's depiction of life in the Spirit World became the benchmark for other communications and was featured in Neville Randall's book Life After Death.

Here is a selection of communications given by Rose over twenty years...

https://leslieflint.com/rose-hawkins-1953-1976

The Leslie Flint Educational Trust was created to preserve, record, authenticate and

promote the work of Independent Direct Voice medium Leslie Flint.

Lucius Lucillus -

Sun, 12 Jun 2022 05:56:12 +0000

https://leslieflint.com/lucillus

Each recording is preceded with a synopsis. Transcriptions will eventually be made when more people help volunteer to transcribe.

Ted Butler communicates his being earthbound after his death

Fri, 20 May 2022 06:21:57 +0000

Ted Butler communicates

Recorded: February 10th 1964

“I must have hung around my house for weeks...”

Edward 'Ted' Butler talks to George Woods and Betty Greene

about his death after an accident with a vehicle

in his home town of Leeds, England.

He remembers seeing his own body and his distraught wife.

He describes being Earthbound for a time,

before receiving help to finally move on to the Spirit World.

Dr Charles Marshall concludes this communication by suggesting

that the ordinary and interesting people who communicate

make these recordings worthwhile.

Researcher and medium Alfred Scarfe adds a final word on this recording,
about his efforts to contact the wife of Dr Marshall...

Listen to the tape and read the transcript.
https://www.leslieflint.com/ted-butler

Lucillus talks about incidents in Rome, Ostia, Pompeii and the lost continent of Atlantis.

Wed, 11 May 2022 08:29:50 +0000

Lucius Lucillus discusses reincarnation...

This series of direct voice recordings were made in 1962.

The spirit communicator calls himself Lucius Lucillus

and he and Rose Creet discuss many aspects of reincarnation.

Details of their own previous lives are gradually revealed

as Lucillus recalls various incidents in the cities of Rome, Ostia, Pompeii

and on the lost continent of Atlantis...

Read along to the transcript just released.

https://leslieflint.com/lucillus

BBC Interview - 1976 with Leslie.

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 07:37:42 +0000

'Tonight' - BBC TV Interview

Recorded: 11:10pm May 26th 1976

‘‘All my séances are held

under normal, natural conditions.

There are no flying trumpets... no tilting tables...”

Fifty years after the death of silent film star Rudolph Valentino,

the public once again became interested in his life and his work.

To capitalise on this renewed interest, new books were published

- including one by film critic Alexander Walker -

and a film by Ken Russell was in production,

with Rudolf Nureyev in the lead role.

As the leading authority on the life of the legendary actor

and head of the Valentino Memorial Guild,

Leslie Flint was interviewed at his home in London

for the BBC One 'Tonight' programme.

The programme is introduced by Denis Tuohy.

Leslie Flint is interviewed by John Pitman.

To listen to the recording click on the link.
https://www.leslieflint.com/tv-interview-1976?

It also has a transcript so that you can also read along with the interview.

Leslie Flint New York - 1971

Sat, 09 Apr 2022 08:38:21 +0000

https://leslieflint.com/new-york-1971 Listen to the tape and follow the transcript.

Estelle Roberts

Sat, 09 Apr 2022 08:30:50 +0000

https://leslieflint.com/estelle-roberts

Watch a short biographical video on Ida and Louise Cook

The Cook Sisters Collection:

The Estelle Roberts séance

Recorded: March 9th 1972

Renowned Spirit Medium Estelle Roberts who died in 1970,

returns here to speak to Ida and Louise Cook.

With over 50 years of experience and abilities encompassing
various disciplines,  Estelle is remembered as one of the most
versatile mediums in the world.

She often demonstrated her clairvoyance and trance speaking
to packed venues; including the Royal Albert Hall.

Here, she returns to speak - but in only a whisper -

and shares her philosophy on the great responsibility

of being a medium and the importance of the home circle.

George Hopkins - farmer

Fri, 31 Dec 2021 04:30:35 +0000

George Hopkins was a farmer from Sussex in England,

who died during harvest time in around 1900.

He returns here, to speak to George Woods and Betty Greene and discusses how he attended his own funeral and discovered that he could not be seen by anyone - even the local parson !

George explains how he was met by his beloved wife and brother,

who then took him 'home' to the Spirit World...

Once a cattle farmer, he talks of his love for animals

and shares his views on vegetarianism

and human progress away from material things...

“I did kill animals for food,

but there are so many other forms of food that one can eat”

Listen to George talk about his life.

https://leslieflint.com/george-hopkins

Alfred Frost July 1968

Sat, 25 Dec 2021 16:43:39 +0000

Alfred Frost communicates

Recorded: July 1968

“My daughter picked some roses

and put them on my coffin.”

Alfred Frost shares details of his life - and his death - and describes

how he was first greeted by his wife, who had died before him.

Alfred recalls reading a series of articles about the afterlife

written by Reverend George Vale Owen,

but says that most people have almost no knowledge of the subject.

He talks about his funeral

and watched his daughter place roses on his coffin,

but no matter what he did, she could not see or hear him at all.

Alfred even struggled to get through to a medium at first.

Alfred describes his life in the spirit world, in a community of like-minded souls, with parks and fountains and where children play  and where he continues his love of carving and furniture-making.

https://imageprocessor.digital.vistaprint.com/crop/0,0,428x456/maxWidth/1000/https://uploads.documents.cimpress.io/v1/uploads/5b9e72c0-23f4-4aeb-b114-d69d686f78d5~110/original?tenant=vbu-digital

“My daughter picked some roses and put them on my coffin.”

He suggests that the world will always face difficulties,  if we do not begin to consider the spiritual aspects of life.

He tellsListen to the recording of Alfred Frost.

https://www.leslieflint.com/alfred-frost-1968

Mary Ivan seance

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 11:37:31 +0000

The Mary Ivan Séance

“I did not think at first that I was dead . . .” Spirit communicator Mary Ivan speaks about her first impressions of the Afterlife and thought she was in a very special kind of hospital at first - until her long-dead sister arrives to greet her. Mary visits a garden where souls can reunite with their loved ones and describes the clean air and beautiful surroundings of this new world. Mary describes the home she always dreamed of, where she now lives with her husband and even helps at the 'hospital' where she first arrived.

Read along with the audio at https://www.leslieflint.com/mary-ivan-1966

Mickey gets Chatty with sitters with Leslie Flint

Fri, 07 May 2021 09:24:46 +0000

Male: What’s one of your songs then Mickey?
Mickey: My songs?
Male: Yes that you used to sing when you were selling your papers
Mickey: Oh I never sang when I sold my papers
Male: Didn’t you?
Male: What did you used to say
Mickey: What
Male: What did you use to say, how did you say it? What paper did you sell?
Female: How did you use to cry your papers as they call it in London?
Mickey: Late Star Final!
Mickey: Read All About It! (Laughter and general chat)
Male: Well that’s taken him off Mickey: What’s taken him off? (Laughter)
Male: My mum used to live in Camden Town, Mickey
Mickey: What am I supposed to do?
Male: Say Oh! Female: Did she?
Mickey: It was before my time was it?
Male: No, I would say after your time
Mickey: Did she go the Mother Red Cap?
Male: I wouldn’t be at all surprised Mickey: And the Wales, Prince of Wales. Cos that was a regular pub that was. And so was the Mother Red Cap cos my mum used to go in them two. I used to know (unintelligible). Oh Christ. The old girls cos they were different then. Used to go oh blimey. When they come out, blimey. I saw two women fighting once outside the Prince of Wales. Oh shhhh, it was a horrible sight.
Male: Things have changed now Mickey: Bobby (?). What a chap he was. Used to clean out the news (?) and that in the mornings (?), but I couldn't resist watching him when we (?).Cor Blimey. But I mustn’t start talking about the past must I?
Male: Yes its interesting, very interesting Mickey: Um, no you wouldn’t rememberMale: Remember what Mickey: You wouldn’t remember Kate Carney would you? Before your time?
Male: Do you Leslie? Leslie: Well she was on the way out when I came in I think
Male: Who was Kate Carney, Mickey
Mickey: Oh she was very good she was. There was Kate Carney, and she used to sing all the songs and Rosie (?) and whatshername Marie Lloyd (?) and Little Tich.
Male: Oh the music hall turns?
Mickey: Yes I used to like the old music halls. You got your money’s worth there. Thruppence (three pence) up in the top in the gods.
Male/s: Be nice if some of those could come and talk to us. Sing for us. If Marie Lloyd came through singing one of her songs. Be marvellous wouldn’t it? See if you can round them up, you know if they are resting, if they are not on stage.
Mickey: I remember the Mumming Birds. They was good the Mumming Birds was. And then there was that like them, oh what are they called? Someone called Bodie and he had an act and he used to make things happen. It was scientific, supposed to be. I think it was all, you know, made up, but he was quite funny, big man with a moustache he was. Oh he used to make things happen.
Male: Now you’re doing it!
Mickey: Oooh that’s different.
Male: Did you ever used to come up West Mickey?
Mickey: Oh occasionally. I suppose you wouldn’t remember tram cars would you?
Everyone: Yes
Male: The Aldwych underpass was it, or Aldwych Tramline? (Whispering? Well I don’t know. What’s happening tonight? Are you going to sit next Thursday or not)
Male: Oh I don’t know. Um I thought it would be nice to have a little rest maybe.
Mickey: Oh well if you are here Thursday I’ll be here. Bye bye. (Everyone thanking Mickey)
Mickey: Better be here by 8 o'clock mate.
Male: I expect I shall be here but … Mickey: ??? we will have a march around after you, mate
Female: Mickey, what was happening last Thursday? Mickey: Oh they were experimenting with a box and all that business. Using a ? in that direction. They do sometimes, you know, experiment.

Female: Yes I know, I wondered if you knew what they were experimenting.

Mickey: Are you sitting next Thursday, or not?

Male: Well, I suppose, I don’t know if the others want to sit next Thursday…

Male: Oh come on! We wouldn’t know what to do on Thursdays would we?

Female: Mickey, could we give Leslie some sort of card ?

Male: Did you say the boys weren’t going to be here next week? Female: Yes they said they were. If next week is the 17th (chat about next meeting)

Mickey: Well decide yourselves. Its up to you. If you are here we’ll come through and if you ain’t well we won’t. Female: Mickey, we were just, Jean and I were going to ask the same question that I’m going to ask actually, it may be a bit sort of arrogant to ask, but we think that perhaps we can give their side some sort of recharging Mickey: Well yes, that’s true sometimes … well yes but I don’t know … sometimes yes you do.

Female: Well we are obviously willing to.

Mickey: Oh I know I know sometimes we do drop out obviously sometimes but I just feel that it ought to try and use up a bit. Anyway if you are here I’ll be here. Bye bye. Give my love to Ken. And I’m sure it was a nutcracker. Female: I’ll ask him

Mickey: Not that it means anything to me I wouldn’t know what nutcracker means but they was holding up nutcrackers and when you ??? Bye bye

Harry Stayed Close to Earth When he died.

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 11:02:45 +0000

HARRY STAYED CLOSE TO EARTH WHEN HE DIED
We have many direct first-hand accounts of what happened to people when they died through more than 600 recordings made by Betty Green and George Woods. The information came from people in spirit speaking through direct-voice medium Leslie Flint.

One of those recordings is of a spirit named Harry, who turned up at a Leslie Flint sitting in 1957. Harry says that he didn't believe in an afterlife and when he died, he stayed around his friends. He went to pubs and then realised he could now travel the world. But no one could hear him, and no one could see him, so it was a lonely existence as an Earth-bound spirit. After some time, he sensed another spirit following him, so he found a quiet place and sent out a thought asking for help. Read or listen to what happen

https://www.leslieflint.com/harry-was-earthbound-1957

https://mediaprocessor.websimages.com/fit/1920x1920/www.leslieflint.com/New%20LFT%20logo.png

https://www.leslieflint.com/harry-was-earthbound-1957

Annie Nanji Tapes - persuasive evidence through Leslie Flint

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 11:28:47 +0000

THE MOST PERSUASIVE EVIDENCE OF THE AFTERLIFE EVER: THE ANNIE NANJI TAPES
Between 1970 and 1983, Dr. Dinshaw R. Nanji, a retired Indian doctor of chemistry and lecturer at Birmingham University, visited direct-voice medium Leslie Flint twice a year for private sittings. Each time, he was fortunate to be able to communicate directly with his Swedish wife, Annie Ottilia Nanji, who had "died" in 1966

Charles Drayton Thomas

Sun, 04 Apr 2021 11:37:22 +0000

The Charles Drayton Thomas séance

Recorded: June 29th 1970

“You cannot escape from yourself...”

Charles Drayton Thomas was a great champion of psychical research during his lifetime. He recorded many hours of trance sittings,
hosted public demonstrations of mediumship
and he introduced George Woods to Leslie Flint.

In this recording Mr Thomas returns to communicate with his friends.
He refers to the séance recordings of George Woods
then talks of spiritual laws, cause and effect, the power of thought,
disease, nature and the power of the spirit.

Thomas then goes into detail about his current work in helping to inspire souls who reside in lower spheres, close to the Earth.

Finally, he is asked about the medium Gladys Osborne Leonard,
who he knew and worked with for many years.

In the first minute we hear the voice of Sylvia Pankhurst,
who's mother communicated in 1968,
then a male voice interrupts,

but Mr Thomas soon steps in to speak clearly and distinctly
throughout the rest of this fascinating séance.

https://www.leslieflint.com/charles-drayton-thomas

Methodist Minister Charles Drayton Thomas died in 1953. He was a friend of Leslie Flint - a council member of the Society for Psychical Research (SPR) - a member of the Churches Fellowship for Psychical Studies (CFPS) and he introduced George Woods to the voice mediumship of Flint.

New transcript - gratefully created for the Trust by Coleen Mackenzie

https://www.leslieflint.com/charles-drayton-thomas

The Andre Seance

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 00:09:07 +0000

Recorded: April 25th 1964

“... skin colour makes no difference

you are spiritual beings encased in a mortal body”

In this fascinating séance recording the sitters speak to André, who was once a Roman Catholic priest.

André talks about the Divine spark that lies within all of us and the 'many mansions' of spirit - the many spheres. He discusses the power of thought and the intention behind prayer, spirit communication and the merging of thoughts and vibrations.

He talks about murderers and those controlled by evil influences, who go to lower spheres when they dieand the dangers of attracting such souls during séances.

Finally, André explains the importance of love between peoples, no matter what the skin colour happens to be and that until nations lose their fear of each other, and disband their armies, there will always be war...

https://www.leslieflint.com/andre-april-25th-1964?fbclid=IwAR2YNN22LveawSryPCMKTY5BC7jvMFmWtxGNuu3KfXrEycuGNv3VTEunnMo

Read along with the transcript as you listen to the tape.

Alice Green speaks of her arrival in the spirit world.

Sun, 21 Feb 2021 08:01:41 +0000

A brand new transcript has been completed today, for this classic séance audio from the archives of UK physical medium Leslie Flint.

The spirit voice of Alice Green speaks of her arrival in the Spirit World, after attending her own funeral. Then Alice describes vast libraries on the Other Side, containing every book worth reading...

https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tb4/2/16/2705.png https://www.leslieflint.com/alice-green-december-1967

Voices in the Dark - Leslie Flints book

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 09:15:27 +0000

May be purchased directly from the Flint trust to keep the work of preservation going.

Physical Medium Marion Dampier-Jeans speaks about her seances & memories of Leslie

Sat, 05 Dec 2020 06:00:16 +0000

Leslie Flints book about his life "Voices in the Dark" is available from the Leslie Flint Educational
Foundation

Memories of Leslie Flint.mp4

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication by Dr Charles Marshall

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 15:34:58 +0000

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication by Dr Charles Marshall

During his lifetime Doctor Charles Marshall was an accomplished dermatologist and cancer specialist.
After his death in 1940, his wife Blanche attended Leslie Flint séances to communicate with her husband directly.
Once Blanche had joined him in the spirit world, Dr Marshall continued to communicate at Leslie Flint séances for many years, until Flint's death in 1994.

Dr Marshall often gave advice on health issues, but he also discussed philosophy and spiritual matters.
In this recording, Dr Marshall speaks with Rose Creet on the subject of past lives and how some spirit communicators can present themselves as the characters they were in previous lives. He refers in particular to the composer Frédéric Chopin who, Marshall says, was once Akhenaten of Egypt...

This vintage recording is enhanced for clarity - but includes a full transcript (with optional translation available)
LINK BELOW

https://www.leslieflint.com/dr-marshall-mar-13th-1958

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication from Nellie Klute

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 19:57:02 +0000

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication from Nellie Klute

In this recording from Leslie's private home circle, Mickey speaks to everyone first of all, then he reminds Leslie and Bram about the ghost they once met at the theatre.
As they remember this ghostly figure - who stands and watches, but can sometimes be seen - the whispering voice of the ghost herself, Nellie Klute, makes her appearance...

Nellie's voice never gains full strength, but she speaks clearly, sharing stories from her life and the London theatre from days gone by - sometimes leaving the sitters in fits of laughter...

This vintage recording is enhanced for clarity - but includes a full transcript (with optional translation available)
LINK BELOW

https://www.leslieflint.com/nellie-klute-july-1972

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication from Professor Charles Richet

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 19:50:11 +0000

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication from Professor Charles Richet

Professor Charles Richet was a pioneering French physiologist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1913.
He was also a successful aviator, novelist and playwright who studied physical mediumship for many years.

In 1894 he devised the term ‘ectoplasm’ - to describe the substance utilised in the séance room by people from the spirit world.

Here Richet discusses the technicalities of how spirits communicate and how his understanding of the afterlife helped him after death...
(The first voice in the recording is an unsuccessful attempt made by another spirit communicator.)

This vintage recording is enhanced for clarity - but includes a full transcript (with optional translation available)
LINK BELOW

https://www.leslieflint.com/charles-richet

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication from Brother Boniface

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 19:37:32 +0000

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication from Brother Boniface

Centuries ago Brother Boniface was a Benedictine monk in England.
He did not blindly accept all the teachings of the Catholic Church, and sometimes even doubted its authority - he felt led by a higher power.

Boniface says that those we have lost are not dead, they are still around us and try to reach out - but we lack the awareness to sense their presence.
He says ‘links of love’ can never be broken and we all have a guardian angel, so no one is truly alone in their life.

Mickey speaks briefly at the end of the recording, followed by Anna and then Jock.

This vintage recording is enhanced for clarity - but includes a full transcript (with optional translation available)
LINK BELOW

https://www.leslieflint.com/boniface-january-1964

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication from Pierre

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 19:25:42 +0000

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication from Pierre

Pierre explains that spirits have to learn how to communicate, and mediums are not like 'slot machines' that can always produce results.

He suggests that too many people expect mediums to solve all their material problems in life - and information which sometimes seems to come from the spirit world, often only comes from the narrow mind of some mediums themselves...

Pierre also advises that this type of work must not be commercialised or used to benefit others materially or to exaggerate their own importance.

This vintage recording is enhanced for clarity - but includes a full transcript (with optional translation available)
LINK BELOW

https://www.leslieflint.com/pierre-september-1963

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication from Isaac Watson

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 19:08:42 +0000

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication from Isaac Watson

Isaac was an 18th century Polish immigrant who suffered poor health at the end of his life.
He was relieved to finally arrive in the Afterlife - where he was reunited with his parents and the brother he lost as a child.

Isaac describes witnessing a concert in the spirit world, where an orchestra of hundreds of musicians create a scintillating display of colour with their music.

He says we are wrong to assume the Earth is the only world and is saddened that we still suffer with war and disease
- because scientific progress should be bringing the world together...

This vintage recording is enhanced for clarity - but includes a full transcript (with optional translation available)
LINK BELOW

https://www.leslieflint.com/isaac-watson

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication from Mickey

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 18:50:25 +0000

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication from Mickey

In this fascinating and humorous séance recording, Flint's spirit helper Mickey addresses common misunderstandings about the Afterlife
and why people should not be frightened of dying... then he shares information with one of the sitters about his wife in the spirit world.

Mickey recalls his own parents and his visits to an old London theatre during his lifetime.
Then he talks about his connection to Leslie Flint the medium.

This vintage recording is enhanced for clarity - but includes a full transcript (with optional translation available)
LINK BELOW

https://www.leslieflint.com/mickey-october-14th-1987

UK medium Leslie Flint - a private 'home circle' communication by Mickey

Sun, 08 Nov 2020 13:26:36 +0000

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication by Mickey

In this informal séance from his private circle of sitters, Leslie Flint's spirit helper, Mickey, tries to answer various questions - such as:
does news of tragic events spread around the spirit world, the same as it does on Earth? And can the sitters be told about their past lives?

Mickey is asked about Linda Martel - the British child with the gift of healing the sick - then later, as some classical music is played, the sitters feel the room grow colder.

At the end, Leslie shares some unexpected clairvoyance, Dr Marshall makes a very brief appearance, and Mickey advises not to invite new members without permission.

This vintage recording is enhanced for clarity - but includes a full transcript (with optional translation available)
LINK BELOW

https://www.leslieflint.com/mickey-september-7th-1972

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication by Elizabeth Fry

Sun, 08 Nov 2020 12:17:18 +0000

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication by Elizabeth Fry

Elizabeth Fry chose to visit one of the darkest and most crowded prisons in London, to see for herself the horrific conditions there.
Inspired to help those incarcerated - especially the children - Elizabeth's life of prison work famously became the foundation for prison reform throughout the UK.

120 years after her death, Elizabeth Fry returns in this Leslie Flint séance recording, and explains that people who live a very materialistic life on Earth, will find their afterlife experience is an exact replica of that life...

This vintage recording is enhanced for clarity - but includes a full transcript (with optional translation available)
LINK BELOW

https://www.leslieflint.com/elizabeth-fry-april-1963

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication by Percea

Sun, 08 Nov 2020 12:04:32 +0000

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication by Percea

Speaking to George Woods and Betty Greene, this sincerely spiritual communication comes from an aged communicator calling himself Percea.
The recording begins, however, with Leslie Flint's regular spirit helper Mickey, who seems to be in a very flippant mood...

This vintage recording is enhanced for clarity - but includes a full transcript (with optional translation available)
LINK BELOW

https://www.leslieflint.com/percea

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication by Queen Victoria & John Brown

Sun, 08 Nov 2020 11:54:30 +0000

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication by Queen Victoria & John Brown

After Rose Creet had spoken with Benjamin Disraeli, she hears the voice of Queen Victoria of England who makes it quite clear, that she is no longer Queen, but simply 'Victoria'...

She refers to her husband Albert, with whom she now shares her life 'in paradise' and explains that her royal 'ghillie' - Scotsman John Brown - was also a spirit medium.
Later, John Brown speaks for himself and recommends that Flint should take a wee drop of whisky for his cold !

This vintage recording is enhanced for clarity - but includes a full transcript (with optional translation available)
LINK BELOW

https://www.leslieflint.com/victoria-john-brown

UK medium Leslie Flint - a collection spirit voice séances from Brian Hurst

Sun, 08 Nov 2020 11:40:46 +0000

UK medium Leslie Flint - a collection spirit voice séances from Brian Hurst

Brian Edward Hurst is a retired British medium and author, living in California.

He has a lifetime of paranormal experiences, including; meeting Sathya Sai Baba, photographing demonstrations of psychic surgery at Stansted Hall, attending the famous Scole Experimental group in Norfolk, and later hosting the group when they demonstrated in America.

Brian has been inspired by many mediums, including; William Redmond, Nora Blackwood, Joseph Benjamin and physical mediums Anne Copley and William Olsen.
He also became friends with Leslie Flint and attended his séances, both in London and California.

Brian recently donated this collection of séance recordings to the Leslie Flint Trust.

This recordings have been enhanced for clarity.
LINK BELOW

https://www.leslieflint.com/the-brian-hurst-collection

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication by 'Laughing' Mollie

Sun, 08 Nov 2020 11:13:13 +0000

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication by 'Laughing' Mollie

Leslie Flint and his sitters are surprised when the laughing voice of a Scots/Irish woman named Mollie is heard.
Talking of her happiness in the Afterlife, and her lonely, drunken life in Ireland, Mollie does not stop laughing throughout the recording...

After her departure the voice of Dr Charles Marshall explains that Mollie was brought through as a point of interest, rather than for her philosophy.

This vintage recording is enhanced for clarity - but includes a full transcript (with optional translation available)
LINK BELOW

https://www.leslieflint.com/laughing-mollie

UK medium Leslie Flint - another spirit voice communication by Frédéric Chopin

Sun, 08 Nov 2020 11:02:35 +0000

UK medium Leslie Flint - another spirit voice communication by Frédéric Chopin

Frédéric Chopin returns to share memories of his own death and his first impressions of the Afterlife.
He talks about his interest in reincarnation, the importance of the piano in his work and the creative power of the spirit.

Frédéric was already a regular communicator when this séance was recorded. This is his first communication with George Woods and Betty Greene.

This vintage recording has been enhanced for clarity - but a full transcript (with optional translation) is available.
LINK BELOW

https://www.leslieflint.com/chopin-dec-19th-1959

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication by Arthur Conan Doyle

Sat, 07 Nov 2020 19:02:25 +0000

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication by Arthur Conan Doyle

The world-famous author Arthur Conan Doyle returns to communicate, 36 years after his death, at this Leslie Flint séance from 1966.

Speaking to Rose Creet, Doyle discusses how his career and reputation were made to suffer, through his efforts to enlighten the public on the subjects of spirit communication and Spiritualism. Doyle also explains that we all have the opportunity to develop our own spiritual powers, which lie dormant within each of us.

This vintage recording is enhanced for clarity - but includes a full transcript (with optional translation available)
LINK BELOW

https://www.leslieflint.com/arthur-conan-doyle

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication by Captain Michael Fearon

Sat, 07 Nov 2020 17:45:17 +0000

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication by Captain Michael Fearon

Captain Michael Rodney Fearon was an officer in the British Army. He died on June 24th 1944 aged twenty-seven.
25 years later Michael communicated during a Leslie Flint séance and spoke with George Woods and Betty Greene...

Mike discusses the effect of suicide on the soul after death and his views on those who remain Earthbound.
George asks him about dreams and Mike talks about the difference between creations of the thinking mind & existence in astral conditions...

This vintage recording is enhanced for clarity - but includes a full transcript (with optional translation available)
LINK BELOW

https://www.leslieflint.com/michael-fearon-1969

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication by Amy Johnson

Sat, 07 Nov 2020 16:12:56 +0000

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication by Amy Johnson

Pioneering aviator Amy Johnson CBE was the first female pilot to fly solo from England to Australia,
Twenty-nine years after her death she returns, to speak to researcher Betty Greene, at this Leslie Flint séance from 1970.

In this recording Amy describes her experience as a pilot, then talks about her current interests in the afterlife.
Amy then answers a question about people with disabilities who arrive in the Spirit World...

This vintage recording has been enhanced for clarity - but a full transcript (with optional translation) is available.
LINK BELOW

https://www.leslieflint.com/amy-johnson

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication by Frédéric Chopin

Sat, 07 Nov 2020 15:57:20 +0000

UK medium Leslie Flint - a spirit voice communication by Frédéric Chopin

In this 14-minute séance recording, the spirit voice of composer Frédéric Chopin talks with Rose Creet.

They discuss biographies written about his life and the work of other pianists who have performed his music - including Anton Rubinstein and Arthur Rubinstein.
Frédéric also refers to his friendship with Felix Mendelssohn.

This vintage recording has been enhanced for clarity - but a full transcript (with optional translation) is available.
LINK BELOW

https://www.leslieflint.com/chopin-july-7th-1955

UK medium Leslie Flint - a testimonial of séance experiences by James Van Praagh

Sat, 07 Nov 2020 13:01:37 +0000

In 2017, the American medium James Van Praagh was approached by the Leslie Flint Trust to ask if he would share his memories of meeting Leslie Flint.

Mr Van Praagh very kindly took time out of his schedule to create this short video testimonial where he shares his recollections of meeting Leslie Flint and details of the survival evidence he received after attending Flint's séances in the USA.

YOUTUBE VIDEO WITH TRANSCRIPT
https://www.leslieflint.com/james-van-praagh

UK medium Leslie Flint - Betty Greene explains Independent Direct Voice mediumship

Sat, 07 Nov 2020 12:42:23 +0000

Betty Greene's introduction to the Independent Direct Voice mediumship of Leslie Flint

For almost 20 years, researchers George Woods and Betty Greene recorded hundreds of spirit voice communications with UK medium Leslie Flint.
In this recording from 1964, Betty Greene explains what 'Independent Direct Voice' is for those who are unfamiliar with it.

LINK TO THE ORIGINAL AUDIO
https://www.leslieflint.com/betty-greene-introduces

FULL TRANSCRIPT BELOW

"Hello everybody. This is Mrs. Greene speaking.

Mr. Woods and I thought it would be a good idea that, if before you heard any of these tapes, we gave you an introductory talk. Because, although there may be one or two of you who may know about psychic phenomena, there will be a number of you who have no knowledge whatsoever of this subject, especially of direct voice.

Now, as in all séances, there is a medium, but in the case of direct voice the mediumship is physical and not mental. Mental mediumship consists primarily of clairvoyance, clairaudience (hearing a spirit voice), impressions and inspirational writing.

Physical mediumship is responsible for direct voice, transfiguration (a spirit will overshadow the medium and his face will change), spirit photography, materialisation and telekinesis; the latter being the movement of objects without physical contact.

In everybody there is a substance known as ectoplasm. This substance is a life-force and a physical medium has a great deal of it and therefore, is the chief power-station. From this ectoplasmic substance, we are told, chemists on the ‘other side’ fashion a replica of the vocal organs and reproduce what is known as the voice-box, or in some cases, we have heard it referred to as a mask. Perhaps in this modern age we might refer to it as the etheric microphone.

If you were to take an infra-red photograph during a direct voice séance, you would see cords of ectoplasm emanating from the solar plexus of each sitter and the medium. The emanation from the latter, of course, being the greatest. And all these cords joining up to form what looks like a ball of mist, or the voice-box.

The spirit communicator transmits his or her thoughts through this voice-box and, by so doing, a vibration is created which reaches us as sound or the voice. In other words, the spirit communicators have to lower their vibration so that they may enter the Earth's vibration.

This explains why the voice may not sound quite like the Earth voice - it may be a little distorted. It is rather like when we telephone somebody; we often say we did not recognise so-and-so’s voice. Our voices are being transmitted artificially by the means of an instrument, which at times can distort them. Therefore, how very complicated our spirit friends must find it, when they have to reproduce their voice by thought, and also through an artificially made voice-box. They cannot be expected to reproduce their Earth voice exactly, although I am afraid some sitters do expect it.

Also, if a spirit has been on the other side for a number of years, they forget what their Earth voice sounded like, as they communicate with each other by thought. I ask those of you who are listening to this to try and produce your voice by thought. It's difficult is it not? Especially if have never heard what your voice sounds like to others.

Now when you listen to these tapes, there is one very important fact. And that is, that the voice of the spirit communicator does not come through the medium. I'm going to repeat that: the voice of the spirit does not come through the medium, but in mid-air about three feet away from him - or wherever the voice-box has been constructed. So many people have the erroneous idea that the voice comes through the medium; through his own lips. But in direct voice this is not the case. The voice is completely independent of the medium, that is why the phenomenon is called 'direct voice' or 'independent voice'.

Some direct voice mediums go into trance, but this particular medium does not do so, and is conscious the whole time. He often laughs or makes comments when we do. Also, when you listen to the tapes you may hear the spirit breathing rather heavily, just as they are trying to get through, and you may hear them taking breaths between sentences.

Now, this business of breathing has puzzled some people quite a lot, and it is a question that is often put to us. First of all, you must remember that our friends on the other side are people, just as much as we are on this side. They are spirits. And we are spirits, here and now, but on a lower vibration.

Now, when we talk to people we breathe between sentences. The difference is this: when our spirit friends are in their own environment, communication between each other is done by thought. The same process takes place when they communicate with us via the voice-box. The subtle difference being, that they have lowered their vibrations to Earth conditions, and therefore have brought down their memories of those conditions and they will use all its facilities as they did on Earth, except that they are doing it by thought. It has been known for a person who stuttered while on Earth, to stutter while communicating in direct voice; they were back in their old Earth conditions.

May I try and explain it another way? One often carries on a lecture or a conversation in one's mind. Without realising it we are mentally taking breaths between sentences. But when we are able to use our normal larynx etc., and speak our thoughts aloud, our breathing is apparent to others. That is exactly what is going on with our spirit friends - they are communicating with us by thought, and when those thoughts are lowered to the Earth vibration and we can hear them in sound, those breaths becomes apparent to us.

The heavy breathing, which is sometimes heard as the spirit is trying to get through, are the conditions just before they passed from their Earth life into the spirit world. And as they try to get through, they are entering those conditions again. The same idea applies to accents. A spirit communicator who had an accent whilst on Earth - say, for argument's sake, a Scots accent - when he vibrates to Earth conditions, this accent will be apparent because his memory has drawn him back to Earth conditions.

Most physical mediums have a young [spirit] person attached to them. They help to raise the vibrations, and in direct voice, assist the spirit communicators in getting through. This particular medium has a young boy attached to him who, when on Earth, was a paper-boy and was killed in a road accident. He is usually the first one to come through, and gives us a cheery word of greeting, often calling us ‘Woody’ and ‘Auntie Greenie’. But quite often he will call us by our christian names, and at the end of the sitting he always pops back to say goodbye.

The medium has been through every scientific test, and the genuineness of his mediumship and his integrity have been proved beyond all doubt. Mr Woods has had a great deal of experience in psychic phenomena. In fact, for over 40 years he has been studying it. He has even had the experience of walking around the room with a materialised spirit at a materialisation séance.

I have had about 11 years experience and have been attending direct voice seances with Mr Woods. But approximately 8 or 9 years ago, a spirit communicator came through to us and said that if just the two of us would sit with the medium at regular intervals, but that we must sit without any personal motive - in other words, not for ourselves or wishing to get any of our relatives through - they, on the other side would try and bring through people from all walks of life, who would tell how they passed over, what they experienced, their reactions on finding themselves on the other side, and their life and work in the spirit world.

Well, we have made every effort to sit at regular intervals with the medium and gradually, we have collected these tapes. Please do not think that every time that we attend a direct voice séance we record a good tape. Because there have been times when we have had nothing at all - a blank sitting. We never know who, or if anybody at all, will come through.

People do not understand that a successful séance depends on the conditions; not only of the medium, physically and mentally; the atmospheric conditions; but above all, on the conditions, mentally and physically, given out by the sitters.

For those of you who are becoming really interested in this subject and would really like to study it and eventually attend séances, I wish to lay great stress upon this point - because so many people will blame the medium for a bad sitting, whether it be for clairvoyance or direct voice; but more often than not, the sitters themselves are to blame, because of the conditions they have introduced into the séance room: one must always attend a séance with the highest motives and not just for entertainment.

It is useless attending a séance having just been into a public house for a drink, or having looked at a rather nasty play on television, or read something disturbing in a newspaper, or worse still, having just had a row with somebody. Because these thought conditions will go with you into the séance room and will attract a very low order. One sitter with perhaps a nasty or wrong mental attitude, can wreck a séance or bring it down to a very low level. I would like newcomers to this subject to bear this in mind; that your studies and any psychic work you may eventually do, should be carried out with the highest motives and not just for entertainment or material gain.

Spirits from all walks of life, when on Earth, have come through to talk to us. Some have been cultured, some not so. But they have all given us, in their own way, an interesting description of themselves, their reactions on finding themselves in the spirit world, and their new life. But however humble or however eloquent the spirit communicators have been, throughout all our tapes runs the golden thread of truth and the right way of life. We leave you to judge for yourselves.

We must apologise for any noises-off you may hear on the tapes; such as a dog barking, a car revving up or an aeroplane going over. The microphone being such a sensitive instrument, will pick up these outside noises and I am sure you will understand that any noise outside the séance room is quite beyond our control. There are times, however, when you may hear the medium coughing or sniffing. This is due to the ectoplasm which sometimes gets in his nose and throat.

There is one other thing we should like to mention, which is also very important, and that is; that a physical medium feels very tired after a séance. They have had a great deal taken out of them. So that sitters, after a séance, should leave as quickly as possible and not hang around the medium and keep him talking. As it is essential that all physical mediums, whether for direct voice or materialisation or any physical phenomena, should rest immediately after a sitting."

This transcript was created for the Leslie Flint Trust by K.Jackson-Barnes - January 2019
Please seek permission from The Leslie Flint Trust before using this text elsewhere.