Todd Jay Leonard, Blog
CHESTERFIELD - Sylvia Browne. James Van Praagh. John Edward. Do any of these names ring a bell? Most probably, you have heard of at least one of these famous TV "mediums." They are household names.
Have you heard of Mabel Riffle, Clifford Bias or the Bang Sisters? Probably not. But at one time, they were as famous and as well-known throughout Indiana as any of the above current names. They were mediums who worked in central Indiana at the Spiritualist camp near Anderson called Camp Chesterfield.
For 121 years, the Indiana Association of Spiritualists (IAOS) has been a part of Indiana's rich and varied religious historical landscape. In 1890, the group officially settled on the banks of the White River in the small town of Chesterfield. Affectionately called "Camp Chesterfield" by its members, this association has been a "spiritual center of light" for generations of Hoosiers.
Basic beginnings
Modern Spiritualism has its roots in upstate New York, where two sisters, Maggie and Katie Fox, realized they could communicate with a disincarnate spirit that was haunting their home in 1848. Through a series of dialogues with the spirit, they ascertained his name, how he died and who murdered him.
This revelation started a religious revival unprecedented in the history of the U.S. Literally overnight, these country girls became national celebrities, and equally as fast, their new movement - Spiritualism - spread across the country.
Spiritualism is really no different than most religions except that its adherents believe that people don't die - bodies do - and that after death, loved ones are able to communicate with those left behind through a sensitive person called a "medium."
Spiritualist church services feature mediums who offer "messages" from loved ones on the other side to those in attendance. This occurs in addition to a sermon and songs that most people raised in a Christian tradition would readily recognize.
rfield today is a thriving Spiritualist community. And for good reason. Visitors can stroll through its meticulously maintained grounds and enjoy abundant nature and unique spiritual displays. The grounds have an energy that is welcoming, allowing visitors from a variety of religious traditions to find a peace and quiet that is rare in the modern world.
Festival
Every year in mid-September, Camp Chesterfield hosts a unique festival celebrating all things "spiritual." This year "Spiritfest 2007" will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
A number of activities are planned throughout the weekend, including a labyrinth where attendees are invited to walk its intricate paths as a form of personal meditation. A series of free lectures are offered on both days which focus on spiritual and metaphysical topics. At 3 p.m. Saturday, I am scheduled to speak on "chakras" (energy centers in the body) as well as leading a chakra meditation to balance these energy centers.
Dozens of psychic readers will be available for readings, and a variety of body workers will be on hand offering therapeutic massage, Reiki and other healing techniques. There will even be a healer offering "drummings" which uses a Native American healing technique as a way to balance the body's natural energy centers and to help clear negativity from the person's energy field.
In addition, Camp Chesterfield mediums will be giving messages from loved ones on the other side to visitors at the "Gala Message Service" at 7 p.m. Saturday and during the regular worship service at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
By TODD JAY LEONARD
Columnist
Camp Chesterfield ready for 'Spiritfest'
Thursday, September 13 , 2007
