In this connection, I may call to your attention the well known fact that persons thinking along the same lines, although in different parts of the world, are often brought in close rapport with each other in this way, as many people know by their own experience. In this case, the thought-forms seem to act as a sort of "Mentative Wire" conveying the vibrations from one mind to another. Very much akin to this last mentioned kind of thought-form, is another which occurs in instances of direct tele-mental communication between persons. In this case the thought-form proceeds in a long straight line, from the one mind to the other, and then acts as a "direct wire" conveying the mentative car-rents, or vibrations, from one to the other.

There is another variety of thought-form that spreads out in gradually widening sweeps, the thought-form having a rotary motion. The sweeps are in a constantly widening circle, and reach out further and further each day, according to the impulse imparted to them by the mentator. But the most peculiar feature of this thought-form is a strange movement towards its own centre, by which it "sucks in" all that it attracts to its vortex. This phase is manifested by men of strong positivity whose enterprise and schemes are spread over large areas, and who set themselves up as centres of these mentative "whirlpools," and draw to themselves all that come within the sweep of their influence. They make things "come their way," in fact.

I have described but a few of the manifold appearances and varieties of the thought-forms that you see before you in the picture. But we shall consider a few more in detail as we proceed with "the subject. In thinking of these thought-forms always picture them as having- shape and form, like any material substance, for by so doing you will better realize the nature of their workings. Some "thought-forms indeed are not only "things," but become so infused by the intense desire and will of the mentator that they become almost like "living forces." Such thought-forms carry the characteristics of the mentator to such an extent - are infused -with his "nature" to such a degree - that when they are felt they seem almost like the actual presence of the mentator himself, that is as if he were present urging his claims or statements in person.

Such cases are of course rare, so far as conscious production is concerned. They may be good or bad. A strong desire on the part of a dying person has often caused an actual "appearance" by a loved one or friend, although the soul had not left the body. And in cases of dire distress or need people often so "draw" upon those who care for them that the latter will send to them a powerful thought-form of help, advice and assistance. Trained occultists can do this voluntarily, and consciously, but very few others have reached this stage.