induced experimentally, by means of telepathic
suggestion. (See Ermacora's paper, _Proceedings_, xi. 235-308.) Might we
not assume, then, that the medium-trance represents a certain condition
induced by influence from deceased minds--which would fully account for
the supernormal information given (for the medium would be _en rapport_
with these minds), and for the fact that the medium is not usually
susceptible to suggestion, pain-tests, &c., on _this_ side. The deeper
the trance, the more the medium is in touch with the other world, the
less with this; and _vice versa_. The medium-trance is, therefore,
probably a hypnotic or mesmeric trance, induced telepathically by
operators out of the body.

10. When the trance has been induced, however, how does the "spirit"
succeed in imparting information to the medium's brain and organism?
Inasmuch as the phenomena are usually of the motor type--speech or
writing--the motor centres in the brain must somehow be employed; _how_
they are employed, and whether other centres in addition to these are
used is a question calling for solution--but one which will take
probably years of patient research to solve.

As we know, Dr. Hodgson was of the opinion that the ordinary centres
were not used in the production of the automatic writing, for he said
(_Proceedings_, xiii. pp. 398-9): "What the precise relation is between
this consciousness and the movements of the hand I do not know. I do not
know whether or not the motor centres of the brain ordinarily concerned
in the movements of hand and arm are in operation or not. I incline to
think not--certainly not in the ordinary way...." The statement of the
"controls" is that they use the "empty corners" of Mrs. Piper's
brain--which probably means that certain unused areas are pressed into
service, as far as possible, in the production of the phenomena. Still,
this is not very definite information! Another theory offered by the
communicators is that they get into contact with the "light," think
their thoughts, and these thoughts are then registered or expressed in
motor phenomena--speech or writing. What the "light" may be, we have not
the slightest means of knowing, but it is a very significant fact that a
"light" of this nature is nearly always associated with spiritual
phenomena. We hear of the "interior illumination" of the saints and
martyrs, and of those who have experienced an influx of "cosmic
consciousness"; of the "halo" which surrou