Corresponding Manual for Teachers Section

Chapter 5: Student / World Questions

7. Are “Psychic” or “Supernatural” Powers Desirable?

The answer to this question is much like the preceding one regarding the truth about reincarnation. There are, of course, no “unnatural” powers that are real, and it would be merely an appeal to enchantment magic or fantasy or trickery to make up and attempt to demonstrate a power that does not exist.

At the same time, it is a fact that each individual has many latent abilities that can serve awakening of which they are as yet unaware. As their awareness increases, they may well develop abilities that seem quite startling to them. Yet nothing they can currently do or may learn to do can compare even in the slightest with the glorious Surprise of remembering Who they are. Let all their effort and learning be directed toward this one great final Surprise, and they will not be content being delayed or distracted by the little surprises that may come to them along the Way.

Certainly there are many real “psychic” and “supernatural” powers that are clearly in line with this Course. Communication among the Divine Children is not limited to the small range of channels the world recognizes. If it were, there would be little point in trying to teach awakening. It would be impossible to do so. The limits that the world places on communication are the chief barrier to direct experience of the Holy Spirit, Whose Presence is always there and Whose Voice is available simply for the hearing. These limits are placed out of fear, for without them the walls that surround all the separate places of the world would fall at the holy Sound of the Divine’s Voice. They who transcend these limits in any way are merely becoming more natural, which the world may certainly interpret as being super-natural. In reality they are doing nothing special, and there is no enchantment magic, fantasy, or trickery involved in their accomplishments.

The seemingly new abilities that may be discovered or that may develop on the journey of each one’s awakening can be very helpful toward our Goal. Given to the Holy Spirit, and used under Its Direction, they are valuable teaching aids. Used in this way, the question of how these abilities arise is irrelevant. The only important consideration is how they are used. Taking them as ends in themselves, no matter how this is done, will delay progress. Nor does their value rest in “proving” anything, such as achievements from the past, unusual attunement with the “unseen,” or special favors from the Divine. The Divine gives no special favors, and no one has any Powers that are not available to everyone. “Demonstrations” of “special” powers only point to trickery or a belief in enchantment magic, which involves the uncreative and therefore fearful use of the Power of the mind.

Nothing that is genuine is used to deceive. The Holy Spirit is incapable of deception, and It can use only genuine abilities. What is used for fantasy, trickery, or enchantment is useless to Spirit. What Spirit uses cannot be used for imprisonment in illusion, but only for the release from illusion. There is, however, a particular appeal in unusual abilities that can be curiously tempting. Here are strengths that the Holy Spirit can put to good use in the world’s awakening. Yet the ego perceives in these same strengths an opportunity to glorify itself. Strengths turned to weakness are tragedy indeed. Yet what is not given to the Holy Spirit must be given to weakness, for what is withheld from Love is given to fear, and will be fearful in consequence.

Even those who no longer value the material things of the world may still be deceived by the appeal of “psychic” or “supernatural” powers. As investment is withdrawn from the world’s material offerings the ego feels seriously threatened. It may still be strong enough in an individual to rally under this new temptation to win back strength by guile. Many have not seen through the ego’s defenses here, although they are not particularly subtle. Yet, given a remaining wish to be deceived, deception is made easy. Misappropriated by the ego, an unusual “power” is no longer a genuine ability, and cannot be used dependably. It is almost inevitable that, unless the individual changes their mind about its purpose, they will bolster the power’s uncertainties with increasing deception.

Any ability that anyone develops has the potential to be used by Spirit for good. To this there is no exception. And the more unusual and unexpected the power, the greater its potential usefulness when given to the Holy Spirit for awakening. Awakening has need of all abilities, for what the world would destroy in madness the Holy Spirit would restore in Sanity. “Psychic” and “supernatural” abilities have been used throughout time to call upon the “devil,” which merely means to strengthen the ego. Yet they are also a real channel of Hope and Healing in the Holy Spirit’s Service.

Those who have developed “psychic” or “supernatural” powers have simply let some of the limitations they laid upon their minds be lifted. It can only be greater limitations they lay upon themselves if they utilize their increased freedom for deeper imprisonment. The Holy Spirit needs these gifts, and those who offer them to It and It alone go with Divine Essence’s Gratitude upon their hearts, and Its holy Sight not far behind.