Mediums–persons able to go into a trance and speak out messages from the Gods, devas or people “on the other side”–are common in Hinduism, in both villages and big cities. Few Hindus are probably aware that the West also has a long tradition of channelers, who are now going hi-tech. In a recent development, modern research laboratories in Europe are reporting extended, two-way communication with spirit colleagues almost daily, receiving messages through telephones, answering machines, radios, computers and TVs. The admittedly controversial developments have a substantial following, especially in Europe and America.

The quietly growing field, called Instrumental Transcommunication (ITC) currently involves two dozen researchers in eight countries who work, they say, with a team of more than 1,000 spirit beings (including Thomas Edison, Madame Curie and Nikola Tesla). These beings are quickly mastering the art of manipulating the energies of our modern technology–an interaction giving direct physical evidence of life after death.

The TV image, left, was recorded by Adolf Homes of Germany. He says it is Friedrich Juergenson, a spirit researcher who died in 1987. At the moment the image was projected, a message from Juergenson appeared on Homes’ computer saying, in part, “We are able to enter your structure in various ways. I am sending you again a projection of myself.” More messages and images are being received on TVs and PCs at the research lab in Luxembourg.