How to be a channel
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How to be a channel
Goswami Kriyananda’s 1987 offering, How to Be a Channel, presents a no-nonsense approach to developing psychic receptivity. Unlike many texts that romanticize channeling, Kriyananda grounds the practice in discipline and mental hygiene. The chapter on "Clearing the Channel" offers particularly concrete exercises for mental purification, a vital step often glossed over. However, the book occasionally leans into terminology that, while perhaps standard within certain esoteric circles, may require readers unfamiliar with the author's background to consult external resources. The directness of the instruction is its primary strength, though its efficacy hinges on the reader’s commitment to rigorous practice. Ultimately, this work serves as a functional primer for those willing to put in the sustained effort.
📝 Description
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Goswami Kriyananda's 1987 book, How to Be a Channel, offers practical methods for developing psychic receptivity.
This 1987 volume presents techniques for cultivating psychic receptivity, moving beyond theory to provide actionable steps for connecting with subtle energies and information. Kriyananda asserts that channeling is a learnable skill, achievable through disciplined practice and inner refinement, rather than an innate talent limited to a few. The book is aimed at individuals interested in extrasensory perception, spiritual growth, or esoteric psychology. It is particularly useful for students of meditation, energy healing, or comparative religion who wish to enhance their intuitive abilities and understand consciousness beyond the material. The work emphasizes self-mastery as essential for effective and ethical channeling.
Published in the late 1980s, a time of growing interest in New Age thought, How to Be a Channel contributed to a wave of literature demystifying psychic awareness and spiritual communication. This era saw many works drawing from Eastern philosophies and Western occult traditions. Kriyananda's manual offered a structured, practical approach to concepts like inner planes and vibrational harmony, distinguishing it from more abstract or anecdotal accounts.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Learn specific techniques for "Purifying the Energy Body" as detailed in Chapter 3, enabling a more stable and clear connection to subtle information beyond ordinary sensory input. • Understand the concept of "Vibrational Harmony" from Chapter 5, which explains how aligning one's internal state with higher frequencies is crucial for receiving guidance. • Gain practical methods for "Mental Stillness" outlined in Chapter 2, a foundational skill for any aspiring channeler, offering exercises to quiet the ego's interference.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of Goswami Kriyananda's How to Be a Channel?
The primary goal is to provide practical, step-by-step instructions for individuals to develop their innate ability to act as a conduit for subtle energies and spiritual information.
Is channeling presented as a mystical gift or a learned skill in this book?
Kriyananda presents channeling as a skill that can be cultivated through dedicated practice, mental discipline, and inner refinement, rather than an exclusive, innate gift.
What kind of exercises are included in How to Be a Channel?
The book includes exercises focused on mental stillness, energy purification, developing focused intention, and consciously attuning oneself to higher vibrational frequencies.
When was How to Be a Channel first published?
How to Be a Channel was first published in 1987, reflecting the growing interest in esoteric and psychic development during that era.
Does the book discuss the ethics of channeling?
While not a primary focus, the emphasis on purification and clear intention implies an ethical framework, suggesting that a disciplined and self-aware channeler is less prone to misinterpretation or negative influence.
Who is Goswami Kriyananda?
Goswami Kriyananda (also known as Dr. Lawrence Rivin) was an American-born yogi, author, and spiritual teacher known for his teachings on meditation, yoga, and esoteric philosophy.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
Developing Receptivity
The book centers on cultivating the ability to receive subtle information. This involves training the mind to become quiet and receptive, much like tuning a radio to a specific frequency. Kriyananda emphasizes that this is an active process requiring consistent effort, not passive waiting. Techniques focus on quieting the incessant mental dialogue and creating an inner space for higher impressions to arise, distinguishing it from mere imagination or wishful thinking.
Inner Purification
A significant theme is the necessity of purifying one's physical, mental, and emotional states. Kriyananda posits that energetic blockages or emotional turbulence act as static, distorting or preventing clear reception. Exercises for cleansing the aura and harmonizing the subtle bodies are presented as essential prerequisites for effective channeling, ensuring the channel is clear and free from personal biases or external interference.
Consciousness and Energy
The work explores the interconnectedness of consciousness and energy, viewing the universe as a field of vibrations. Channeling is framed as the ability to attune one's own vibrational frequency to that of desired information or entities. This perspective aligns with various esoteric traditions that describe different planes of existence characterized by distinct vibrational rates, requiring the practitioner to raise their own frequency.
Practical Application
Unlike purely theoretical texts, How to Be a Channel prioritizes practical application. Kriyananda provides actionable techniques and exercises designed to be implemented in daily life. The focus is on empowering the reader to achieve tangible results in developing their channeling abilities through disciplined practice, rather than relying on innate talent or external assistance.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“The mind must become a still lake, reflecting perfectly.”
— This metaphor highlights the ideal state of mental quietude necessary for channeling. A disturbed or agitated mind, like a rippling lake, distorts reflections. A calm, still mind, however, can clearly mirror subtle impressions from higher sources.
“Purify the instrument, and the message will be clear.”
— This emphasizes that the channeler's own being (physical, mental, emotional) acts as the instrument. Just as a dirty lens distorts vision, a purified practitioner allows for clearer, more accurate reception of subtle guidance.
“Intention is the compass of the soul.”
— This suggests that the clarity and purity of one's purpose direct the flow of energy and information received during channeling. A focused, positive intention guides the process constructively.
“Dissonance hinders reception.”
— This points to the principle that inner conflict, emotional turmoil, or energetic disharmony creates interference. Such states act as barriers, making it difficult to connect with or accurately interpret subtle transmissions.
“The inner planes await exploration.”
— This phrase invites the reader to consider the existence of realities beyond the physical, accessible through developed psychic faculties. It frames channeling as a form of exploration into these non-material dimensions.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
This work fits within the broader stream of Western Esotericism and Eastern Yogic philosophy, particularly Raja Yoga. It bridges the gap between yogic meditation techniques and the Western concept of psychic channeling. Kriyananda's approach emphasizes the practical application of yogic principles for developing extrasensory perception, aligning with traditions that view the human being as a multi-layered energetic system capable of interacting with higher dimensions.
Symbolism
The 'still lake' serves as a potent symbol for mental clarity, representing the ideal state of receptivity where subtle impressions can be accurately perceived without distortion. The concept of the 'channel' itself symbolizes a conduit, emphasizing the practitioner's role as a clear medium for information, rather than a source. 'Vibrational harmony' symbolizes alignment with higher realities, akin to tuning into a specific radio frequency.
Modern Relevance
Contemporary practices in mindfulness, energy healing, and even certain forms of intuitive coaching echo the principles outlined by Kriyananda. His emphasis on mental discipline, energetic hygiene, and intentionality remains relevant for modern practitioners seeking to develop intuition and connect with subtle guidance in an increasingly noisy, information-saturated world.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Aspiring psychics and mediums seeking structured training in developing their abilities beyond anecdotal experiences. • Meditation practitioners looking to deepen their practice by exploring the receptive aspects of consciousness and subtle energy awareness. • Students of comparative religion and esoteric studies interested in understanding practical techniques for accessing non-physical information streams.
📜 Historical Context
Emerging in 1987, Goswami Kriyananda's How to Be a Channel arrived during a period of significant public engagement with New Age thought and esoteric practices. The preceding decades had seen the popularization of concepts from Theosophy, Vedanta, and various Western occult traditions, making the idea of psychic development increasingly accessible. Unlike more academic or philosophical explorations of consciousness, Kriyananda's work offered a pragmatic, technique-driven manual. It stood in contrast to the more abstract or religiously framed spiritual teachings of the time, providing concrete exercises for cultivating psychic abilities. While figures like Edgar Cayce had popularized psychic readings decades earlier, Kriyananda's approach was rooted in a yogic framework, emphasizing disciplined self-mastery as the foundation for clear communication with subtle realms.
📔 Journal Prompts
The nature of "Mental Stillness" as described in Chapter 2: how does its cultivation affect your daily awareness?
Reflect on the concept of "Purifying the Energy Body" and identify one personal habit that may hinder your energetic clarity.
Analyze the "Intention is the compass of the soul" interpretation: how can conscious intention guide your channeling practice more effectively?
Consider the "still lake" metaphor: what are the primary disturbances to your inner stillness, and how can they be calmed?
Explore the idea of "Vibrational Harmony": how might aligning your personal vibrations enhance your receptivity to subtle information?
🗂️ Glossary
Channel
An individual who acts as a conduit for receiving and transmitting information, energy, or consciousness from non-physical or subtle realms.
Receptive Mind
A state of mental quietude and openness, free from egoic interference and personal bias, enabling clear perception of subtle impressions.
Inner Planes
Non-physical dimensions or levels of reality accessible through altered states of consciousness, characterized by different vibrational frequencies.
Vibrational Harmony
The state of alignment between an individual's energetic frequency and that of the subtle information or entities they seek to connect with.
Energy Body
The subtle energetic field or aura surrounding and interpenetrating the physical body, comprising various layers and centers (chakras).
Mental Stillness
The practice of quieting the constant stream of thoughts and mental chatter to achieve a state of profound inner calm and clarity.
Astral Projection
The experience of the consciousness or soul leaving the physical body to travel in the astral (subtle) plane.
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