A Medium Day Out

On Saturday I went to the Stanstead Hall for the first of their weeklong open days. Stanstead Hall is the seat of the Arthur Findlay College and belongs to the SNU. The day included many lectures and demonstrations culminating in an evening demonstration of mediumship with Tony Stockwell and Mavis Pittilla. The day was bright and sunny with just a little breeze. The grounds were stunning and beautifully maintained, the main drawback being a journey around the M25 to Stanstead.

Trevor who is our circle leader set up the visit and he arranged to pick up Carol and myself to drive us there. I have often thought of attending the college for either a day or week course but the cost is rather prohibitive if you are of straightened means, or relying on self-employment, although people do manage to come from all over the world to stay there for weeklong courses.

Trevor has been there for a few courses over the years and is on good terms with some of the best tutors so we had some guidance as to which lectures and demonstrations were the most productive for us as a circle to attend. One of his friend’s from those courses was also there with her circle and we joined forces for most of the time apart from occasional meal breaks.

I have been trying to articulate exactly what I got from the day and it is proving difficult. I was extremely tired by the time that we arrived back and I am still, to an extent, digesting the contents of the day. Small flashbacks are occurring and gradually I am piecing together the whole. I suppose it would help to talk about it to the others and see what they recollected.

We saw a trance medium working and also had out consciousness raised. (I fell asleep during the latter which says very little for the level of my consciousness) We also experienced claustrophobia from the number of people thronging the hallways and lecture rooms. There was a restaurant and also a marquee had been set up in the grounds to serve snacks and hot drinks as a form of overspill. They made most of the pastries served there, on the premises, and the Cornish pasties in particular, looked delicious. I had thoughtfully made myself some pasta and gravilux with salad for lunch so I did not participate in tasting the other delights.

Trevor purchased the consciousness raising CD so that we can practice it in the circle. As it is circle tonight I am looking forward to the extra sleep and may take my pillow with me.