An eyewitness account of a séance weekend with physical medium Kai Felix Muegge
February 15, 2018
This report is written to give a factual account of our personal experiences in attending three séance evenings with the physical medium Kai Felix Muegge on Feb 2-4, 2018 in Centrum de Linde, Bilthoven, Netherlands. We do not claim to be complete, nor wishes to interpret the observations in a broader spiritual context. Furthermore, this report should not be considered a rigorous scientific account. For that a much more controlled laboratory setting would be called for. The reader is invited to form his own opinion and when warranted add thoughtful substance to the subject matter by attending a séance or by studying the eyewitness reports of others.
The reason to attend this weekend is the spiritual work and research undertaken by my wife, Lonneke Kersten (medium/ healer), with over 15 years of experience in parapsychology research on the topic ‘consciousness’. Part of which is reported in her book: Spiritual Striptease (in Dutch). She was accompanied by me, an open-minded computer scientist, who acted as an impartial observer with little exposure to séance settings. By writing this report, I take responsibility for its wording and welcome additions, corrections and improvements in the forums where it may end up.
Preamble
Kai-Felix Muegge has become a center of controversy and it is easy to go with the flow of disbeliefs, frustrations and angers of those who have been witnesses of his capabilities. However, the number of physical mediums worldwide is not that large to discard their claims and activities lightly. Unfortunately, it is also reported that they use(d) widely different methods. This complicates a fair comparison and generalization.
It is within this context and only after obtaining positive feedback of Robin Foy, leader in the famous Skole Experiment, that we grabbed the opportunity to spent a complete weekend with Kai. It is also in the conviction that scientific and spiritual progress in any direction calls for objective reports. This involves entering the séance with an unbiased mind and opening up to phenomena that challenge my frame of reference. This from life long exposures to conflicting and competing perceptions of reality and our role within.
After registration we received some background material. He introduced as the trance controller professor of parapsychology (Hans Bender, 1907-1991), who permanently looks after the strict control of the medium, being formed by two controllers holding the medium on all 4 limbs. A written explanation of the set up of the séance room was available upfront to clarify issues such as the layout of the room and the (musical) items being used.
Right after the séance, on our way back in the car, Lonneke started to compose a report to be placed in her closed Facebook group. As such the text looks somewhat rough from ‘fatigue’. They were published the next morning. The original text was written in Dutch. I translated it literally as it reflects this immediate reporting style. It forms the basis for the account given below to reach a larger audience.
Friday Feb 2, 2018
The weekend started ‘lightly’ on a Friday afternoon at the Centrum de Linde. Assembled were about 20 people with a mixture of 70% females and 30% males. Their age between ~30 and well into the 60s. Their background ranged from people with a long standing experience in mediumship events and ‘students’ dragged along by their medium coaches. Four people attended the séances last year also.
Kai and Julia (his wife) arrived as announced in the invitation letter around 18:30. They arranged the room with a ‘cabinet’ made out of textile material. An inner/outer circle was created with a light garden table in the middle. There was about 2 meter free space between the cabinet and the table. There a triangle, kalebas shakers and a djembe drum were placed. The drum was topped by a flower, which did not play a role during the séance. Everyone was invited to look and inspect everything. Kai inspected the room with a small device that emitted red led light, seemingly to spot any hidden micro-recording devices. The material used during the séances was laid out on the table by Julia for close inspection by the group. The attendees, called ‘sitters’, were allowed to check the room rigorously with Julia explaining. They could even rip apart the cabinet structure, which was made of light textile and taped to a hoelahop.
Kai gave a short description of his own background. He studied social pedagogy and worked during the Internet bubble at game startups. A short lecture on the physical mediumship followed with a strong accent on his particular take on reaching the expertise. Remarkable (to me) was his association of the spirit world with the shadows cast by a multidimensional object on a lower dimensional space. In science words, we are simply one part of many connected universe instances. It aligns with the notion of a Multiverse view on our universe (See Wikipedia).
At length he explained the German approach in conducting the séances. Amongst others it involved the method to get into a deep trance, which is achieved using a holotropic breathing pattern (over 100/minute). The control setting was explained in detail. Julia would hold his hand and knee on his right side and an independent observer (which turned out to be an experienced medium) would do the same at left side.
After the lecture it was time to prepare for the séance. Everyone had to lay off metal items, but we did not require to remove the shoes. The sitters were invited to take seats at will in the two circles. The inner circle at the table (7 people) was headed by Kai. Julia was ordered to hold her hands on the shoulder of a sitter, except when the red light needed attention. He demonstrated that with a light touch of hands on the table it became impossible to raise it by one person. The first step was to built the energy around the table. In the expectation that spirit would join in and use it let the table levitate. The inner group switched with the outer group, giving everyone a chance to experience the dancing table effects.
Lonneke’s report on Facebook (in Dutch)
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To let a table levitate is a well-known experiment. The energy change was easily detected in my fingers. It was possible to generate enough energy to let the table dance, levitate and watch it in red light.
In hindsight, the evening displayed several phenomena. They could be ranked into increasing order of ‘belief’. With proper stereo recording the sound of the bells could be related to the distance and trajectory followed. I should have checked the shoes of Julia to rule-out her interference during the walking act. The least convincing for me was the apport of the brass Krishna puppet in the dark. It was a too far from my frame of reference/comfort and to easy to raise a question of trickery.
In hindsight, the evening displayed several phenomena. They could be ranked into increasing order of ‘belief’. With proper stereo recording the sound of the bells could be related to the distance and trajectory followed. I should have checked the shoes of Julia to rule-out her interference during the walking act. The least convincing for me was the apport of the brass Krishna puppet in the dark. It was a too far from my frame of reference/comfort and to easy to raise a question of trickery.
Saturday Feb 3, 2018
Upon request of the event organizer Matthijs de Leng, the group reconvened on day 2 at around 16:30 for a short soup/bread diner. It was also used by the organizer to exchange experiences and reactions to the first day. This made sense because the group was largely the same. Overall there was a proper appreciation of first séance. We discussed the triangle that landed also on my shoulder without hearing it being raised from the floor or flying silently (!) through the air, which would be hard to repeat. In hind-sight it was interesting to observe that the touching of the walking ‘figure’ only reached the persons closest to the cabinet.
Kai and Julia arrived at 18:30 and prepared the room for the séance, I watched over by a few standing in the doorway. Installing a ‘cabinet’ made out of ordinary material. Also a border line was created on the floor about 1.5 meter in front of it. Watching from a distance, it looked like a few pencils being taped to the ground. He methodically measured the distance from the border to the bucket which contained a fluorescent dot for orientation by the sitters.
Kai gave a one hour lesson on the ideas behind spiritual interactions, reaching back to the ancient US Indian rituals and even the Neanderthal people. He subsequently explained the setup of the room, the experiments that would be conducted and what he hoped to achieve. The strip on the floor with pencils was meant to create an easy recognizable border which Kai/ the trance controller should not cross when returning on the chair from the cabinet. Likewise, the control scheme and the English hand chain method were explained.
After the pause, he was taken away by the organizer for the physical (naked) body check. The sitters were checked and seated in the room such that relatives were not sitting next to one another. I was sitting approximately 3 meters from the cabinet. During a large part of the evening we created a hand chain and kept our feet under our chair.
After the pause, he was taken away by the organizer for the physical (naked) body check. The sitters were checked and seated in the room such that relatives were not sitting next to one another. I was sitting approximately 3 meters from the cabinet. During a large part of the evening we created a hand chain and kept our feet under our chair.
Lonneke’s report on Facebook (in Dutch)
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During the peak of a phenomena the independent observer was explicitly called to check if both Kai was on the chair and not moving and that Julia was seated properly in the medium control mode. During the emission of the ectoplasm I was not able to locate his arm(s) clearly (Lonneke did however). I only noticed one hand pulling the ectoplasm in the light of the red flashlight. The ectoplasm seemed to shrink when lit by the flashlight. The full retraction of the ectoplasm was not observed, it happened in dark. Then we were asked to leave.
Sunday Feb 4, 2018
Again we gathered around 16:30 for bread and soup. The group was different from the previous days. About 1/3 of the people had attended the previous days and it now included a group from another Dutch medium center. That group collectively checked the room, but did not report any questionable findings to the group at large.
Kai and Julia arrived around 18:45 and checked the room. A repeat of his life story and short lecture on the German approach followed. A question asked by my wife about why the session was not recorded while we could watch it in red light was answered in a mystic holistic manner. There was some tension in the room noticeable, leading to the request by a member of the visiting medium school that also Julia should be strip searched before the séance started. Kai suggested to have one sitter to place hands on the shoulder of Julia during the séance as well. The compliance of the sitter addressing this request was not reported afterwards. Julia reported that she had both hands on the medium and the right leg on the foot of Matthijs. During the trumpet part she had both hands on the shoulder from the sitter.
Unlike the previous days, the motivation for attending and their expectations expressed by the attendees was more of the kind: hesitant and let’s see what happens. One of the sitters did not understand English well enough, which called for simultaneous translation. It increased the noise level significantly, which was distracting.
Lonneke’s report on Facebook (in Dutch)
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This is the report on the 3rd séance, my husband underwrites this report. During this evening also my friend and circle member Hennie attended. Also for this séance, like previous evenings, Kai was checked fully naked. This evening also Julia.
I repeat, both Kai and Julia are embracing people, gentle and loving. Something you experience immediately during your first contact. After a good light bread and soup diner we listened to the fascinating words of Kai. Partly a repetition and partly new. We were strongly invited to ask questions, which I did. (I asked about video recording during a séance and got a convincing answer) Using a special breathing technique Kai prepared his body for being overtaken by the already encountered communicator Hans (Bender?). Kai went into deep trance, his ego slept. I was seated at a different position in the circle of 20 people. Just 1 meter from Kai and my husband (a sceptic scientist) sat on the chair I occupied the day before. During the séance we received an impressive spiritual message. A lot of explanations offered by the spirit communicator Hans (same spirit communicator all three evenings) which we haven’t heard before. The value of what would happen during the séance was announced upfront and explained. Dear friends, it is all about our connection in and beyond our life. How we people live does not only affect ourselves but also the world around us and those who passed away and continue to live in Summerland. Etc. The phenomena displayed this evening where amazing, exceptional and rarely seen nowadays worldwide. Again during the session often red light was on to check out and re-assure us of the scene. Both Kai/Hans and his wife were held in lock mode and checked regularly.
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The explanation offered by the trance controller Hans Bender was one of multi-dimensional planes in which we exist. Our current plane is just one of many and actions in any plane affects the others. This cast into a story about a survival challenge for the human mankind, including a one-minute-after-twelve fear phrasing of endangering our planet.
I concur that the touches were unexpected and real! The stroking of the hair at the back of my skull could not happen without disturbing the independent sitter in the second row behind me, who I trust. The checking of Kai and Julia was ordered by the trance controller always at the peak of the phenomena, so as to assure us that they were not physically involved at that particular moment.
The trumpet dance was amazing. Its speed and re-orientation could not easily be attributed to human manipulation. The reflection of a hand in a fluorescent tile of 20x20 cm from different directions was clearly visible from my point of view (1.5 meter).
The trumpet dance was amazing. Its speed and re-orientation could not easily be attributed to human manipulation. The reflection of a hand in a fluorescent tile of 20x20 cm from different directions was clearly visible from my point of view (1.5 meter).
I estimated the amount of ectoplasm at about half a bucket full. It appeared indeed as soft material, spider web like, and also what you get when forming plastic using a chemical reaction. However, I did not smell anything special that could explain such a reaction.
From the ectoplasm a dark form emerged which was identified as a rodent or bird. Kai/Hans was not satisfied and ‘recharged’ the ectoplasm. In the second round, the extrusion from the ectoplasm was like a lower arm with fingers stressed resting on a table, but it emerged from the floor. Clearly visible in the red light.
From the ectoplasm a dark form emerged which was identified as a rodent or bird. Kai/Hans was not satisfied and ‘recharged’ the ectoplasm. In the second round, the extrusion from the ectoplasm was like a lower arm with fingers stressed resting on a table, but it emerged from the floor. Clearly visible in the red light.
During the post-session evaluation Lonneke mentioned that she did not feel the same spirit attendance as she normally feels during her weekly séances (which I don’t attend). This observation was confirmed by one of her circle members. She opted the hypothesis that most of the phenomena where enabled by the energy solely coming from Kai and his Spirit Team The Felix Circle. Consciousness can work in many different ways.
Recordings conditions
The room contained several electrical devices, 0) smoke detector, 1) a red lamp controlled by a dimmer, 2) an ordinary Ghetto-blaster radio, 3) an audio recorder, 4) two flash lights (red/white) and 5) the red led light camera inspection device. During the séances the red-light was repeatedly turned on/off to let the sitters check the situation and prepare for a change of experiments. Even the white flashlight was used. These lamps bring energy at a different frequency into the room and, indeed, affected part of phenomena. But the audio recorder uses a passive microphone, which does not send out light/energy. Since this was acceptable for the trance controller there is a serious reason to reconsider the recording limitations for such séances. Any modern passive sensor could be considered for recording, e.g. night vision camera, hyperspectral cameras, stereo localization of sound sources, or magneto meters. Even ordinary video recording, as long as there is no (infra-red) led light added, and body heartbeat or sleeping sensors.
I missed the announcement of the audio recording, its purpose was not explained. Given this audio recording, I have requested a verbatim transcript of the message to my wife. This request was up to now declined, because “the moment when you receive this object is holy and only the words you can realize and understand –in that special moment – is valuable”.
I missed the announcement of the audio recording, its purpose was not explained. Given this audio recording, I have requested a verbatim transcript of the message to my wife. This request was up to now declined, because “the moment when you receive this object is holy and only the words you can realize and understand –in that special moment – is valuable”.
Considerations for future séances
Conducting a séance of this size and duration calls for transparency and improvement with each and every sitting. I share here a few ideas and remarks to consider for the future.
- The independent observer should be randomly chosen (lottery) from at least four volunteers and not appointed solely by Kai.
- All items not strictly needed should be removed from the room, e.g. carrying box of the props.
- Ideally the independent observer should on his/her own initiative randomly check the position of the hands of Julia, it should not be asked for explicitly by the trance controller.
- The control checks during the ectoplasm act should be improved, a picture in the red light should be taken.
- At least two more sitters should stay in the room until Kai leaves and then inspect the room for remains and/or taking pictures of the final state.
Considerations for the sitters
The séances are arranged for the sitters, who may have travelled from far or spent quite some money to attend. This creates expectations and may confuse the observations. Kai explicitly states to do his utmost best, but can not promise what will be experienced. An open mind is required and even a strong mirror to recognize and understand one’s own reactions.
- The medium should have the right to block a sitter for attending with returning the fee paid.
- Instant translation of the English into Dutch during the séance should be avoided as it distracts and interferes with the experiences of all others in the room.
- A ‘guest’ book should be maintained in which during each séance an independent observer records the results of the inspection. This could be accomplished with a checklist of the ‘don’t forget to look for…’. Evidently, the observer(s) should leave their name in the guest book as a sign of approval.
- The ‘guest’ book should also contain the personal accounts of those who received a physical token.
- Be 100% aware of the biases that you bring into the séance. It is too easy to fall into the trap that what you experience does not fit your belief or expectation. Let it rest and don’t jump to conclusions without substance.
- First time users will be taken by surprise by the unrolling of events. This should be considered when jumping to conclusions also. It calls for a better attention the next time you participate in such a séance.
- If you share information on the social media, wait at least 24 hours to (re-) consider what you want to share.
Final remarks
It was an amazing experience provided by gentle and humble people. In their attitude and exposure there were no signals raised to warn against a non-trustworthy and deceptive mind set. It should be stressed again that I attended these séances not as semi-scientific experiment to collect information needed to proof/disproof the phenomena. It is incomplete for that purpose and only reflects a first exposure to what seems genuine until proven otherwise. Attending multiple séances is called for.
It came to my attention that quite a dispute on the social media was raised also after the séance. The tone and allegations were beyond what I consider ethical. They certainly exposed a lack of Netiquette. There are also a few reports which claim fraud. However, any claim of fraud should be proven the hard way too and not be based on a perception, belief, hypothesis or hearsay. This turmoil on the social media stimulated me further into writing up my accounts of this weekend.
Nobody is guilty of fraud until it is non-disputable proven and it is the medium’s obligation to use whatever means to create transparency, tractability, and traceability of the phenomena on display. A scientific or forensic attitude is required from all that report on any séance in public. Modesty and respect are virtues that should be in high esteem with those attending and by those claimed being gifted to look beyond the current realm.
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