1987 10 00 OMNI - Channelers

Magazine Overview

This issue of OMNI magazine, dated 1987, features an in-depth article titled "CHANNELERS" by Katharine Lowry, exploring the burgeoning phenomenon of spiritual channeling. The cover is dominated by a striking photograph of J.Z. Knight, a prominent channeler, with the headline posing the question of why one would seek advice from a guru dead for 35,000 years.

Channeling Phenomenon: J.Z. Knight and Ramtha

The article introduces J.Z. Knight, a former cable TV executive who channels a 35,000-year-old entity named Ramtha. Knight commands a significant following, with a daylong intensive costing $150. Ramtha, described as a "god" or "entity," has become a trademarked name. Knight, a blonde forty-one-year-old, is depicted as a charismatic figure, though her autobiography reportedly presents a less favorable view of her mother. Knight addresses criticisms regarding her sale of Thoroughbreds, her $1.5 million mansion, and her controversial views on morality, particularly her assertion that there is no right or wrong, even concerning murder.

Followers describe Ramtha's message as emanating "incredible" love and claim it has "saved" them. Celebrities like Shirley MacLaine and Linda Evans are mentioned as believers. Knight is portrayed as a magnetic personality with a sensuous beauty and self-possessed presence. Despite being described as a "simple housewife," she is presented as a successful saleswoman with a unique aura. Her English is noted as sometimes mangled, but her speaking ability is spellbinding. Ramtha's followers view "The Ram" as the second coming of Christ.

Ramtha's teachings often involve warnings about economic depression and natural disasters, advising followers to store provisions and seek high ground. The entity's message of self-love is particularly appealing to many.

Jach Pursel and Lazaris: An Alternative Channel

The article also profiles Jach Pursel, who channels a "friendly, disembodied spirit" named Lazaris. Pursel, a former insurance man, channels Lazaris for a fee of $275 for a weekend seminar. Lazaris is described as a "consummate friend" who focuses on healing and offers advice on various aspects of life, including medicine, suggesting that back pain is "simply sublimated hurt" and that doctors' drugs and chemotherapy are often ineffective. Lazaris advocates for the power of positive thinking and self-healing.

Pursel's audience is described as more upscale than Ramtha's followers, though both groups are seeking spiritual fulfillment. Lazaris's teachings on color, auras, light, and sound as healing devices are presented, along with a technique to alter the molecular structure of water through thoughts of love. Lazaris is characterized as funny, warm, and engaging, offering a less dogmatic approach than Ramtha.

Criticisms and Concerns

Cult watchers like Philip Haldeman of Northwest Skeptics view channelers as power-tripping frauds. Stephan Schwartz of MOBIUS, a research foundation for the study of consciousness, believes channeling could become bigger than Fundamentalism, noting a significant portion of the population believes in the supernatural, reincarnation, or psychic experiences. However, researchers like Carl Raschke, a professor of humanities, consider channeling a form of "mass hypnosis" due to collective suggestion and unconscious content transfer.

Religious leaders, such as Father James LeBarr, a Catholic priest, express outrage at the amoral message of channeling, which they believe manipulates individuals and causes them to lose free choice. Fundamentalists view channeling entities as satanic.

The psychological establishment is also grappling with the phenomenon, with Raschke suggesting that while most channelers believe their claims, they may be disturbed or self-deluded. The "power-of-suggestion" theory posits that channels attain heightened sensitivity through metaphysical study and meditation, interpreting their own unconscious minds as external entities.

Subjective Experiences and Personal Lives

Channelers describe entering a meditative trance and feeling their consciousness drift as their "vibrations" speed up to synchronize with higher entities. They report feeling refreshed after the experience. J.Z. Knight claims to gain weight when Ramtha is channeling through her.

J.Z. Knight's personal life is touched upon, including her relationship with her mother, her expensive mansion, and her husband Jeff. The article also mentions a rumor about an assistant quitting due to overhearing Knight practicing her Ramtha voice. Knight recounts personal hardships, including a molesting uncle and an abusive stepfather, and claims to have been cured of a "fatal disease" by a lightning strike.

Jach Pursel's personal life is also detailed, including his relationship with his ex-wife Peny and her new partner Michaell, with whom he shares profits and responsibilities in Concept Synergy. Pursel prefers celibacy, finding emotional fulfillment in his work and friendships.

The Appeal and Dependency of Channeling

The article suggests that the appeal of channeling lies in its promise of happiness, love, and self-worth, offering a comforting alternative to reality for many who have rejected organized religion. However, it warns that this reliance on external entities can foster dependency, encouraging followers to relinquish control of their lives and rely on "false hopes and false visions."

Remote Viewing and Parapsychology

A section on "MIND" discusses remote viewing experiments, including work by Robert Jahn at Princeton University, which reportedly showed subjects accurately describing future sites. The article also touches on Targ's experiments with associative remote viewing, where predictions about silver futures led to significant profits, though later attempts showed results falling to chance. Critics like Marcello Truzzi express skepticism about the evidentiary value of these studies, noting issues with replication and publication standards.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the paranormal, spirituality, and the human search for meaning and comfort. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting both the allure and the potential pitfalls of channeling and related phenomena. While acknowledging the genuine desire for spiritual fulfillment among followers, the article highlights concerns about fraud, manipulation, and the fostering of unhealthy dependency. The piece aims to provide a balanced, albeit skeptical, overview of the channeling craze of the 1980s.