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Extracts from the books of the teachings
of Silver Birch, a beloved spirit teacher.
Who is Silver Birch?
Silver Birch was a spirit guide who spoke regularly through trance
medium Maurice Barbanell (1902-1981) in London's Hannen Swaffer Circle.
 Maurice Barbanell was the
founder and editor of the Psychic News of London. Silver
Birch’s teachings became popular in the late 1930s
and resulted in the publication of 13 books documenting
his communications.
Silver Birch took on the identity
of a Native American and he said he was only acting as translator.
“I am but a humble servant,” he said. “an interpreter for those who have sent me to expound forgotten laws that must be revived as part of the new world that is gradually dawning. Think of me always as a mouthpiece. I represent the voice of the spirit that seeks to make its presence felt in your world and which is succeeding in increasing measure.” He described a group of communicators who harmonized their minds to create the messages that he communicated to Barbanell.
His described a group of communicators who harmonized their
minds to create the messages that he communicated to Barbanell.“To
you, this is a little room. To us, it is a grand temple.
These little walls have vanished. There is radiance, illumination
dazzling in its brilliance. Hundreds upon hundreds are assembled
here….
“That vast concourse
belongs to all peoples and nations, to the present and to
the past. There are prophets, seers, sages, wise men of
the East and the West, of high and low estate, philosophers
of Greece and Rome, Syria, Chaldea, Persia and Babylon,
mingled with those of later generations from Italy, France
and Germany. They exchange their knowledge and focus it
all so that it shall be at your service. All of them were “servants
of the Great Spirit. Some of us have evolved a little higher.
Because of that, we return to give service, for service
is the law of life.”
Silver Birch, SBT, n.p
.
HANNAN SWAFFER ON "WHO IS SILVER BIRCH?"
Frederick Charles Hannen Swaffer (1 November 1879 – 16 January 1962) was a famous English journalist and drama critic. Although his views were left-wing, he worked mostly for right-wing publications, many of them owned by Lord Northcliffe. He was a proponent of spiritualism, and an opponent of capital punishment. For fifty years he was the circle leader for trance medium Maurice Barbanell and developed a close relationship with Silver Birch who spoke through him. The following is an extract from
Teachings of Silver Birch edited by A. W. Austen.
"
Silver Birch, as we call him, is not a Red Indian (sic). Who he is, we do not know. We assume that he uses the name of the spirit through whose astral body he expresses himself, it being impossible for the high vibration of the spiritual realm to which he belongs to manifest except through some other instrument.
He is the spirit guide of what is known as “Hannen Swaffer’s Home Circle.”
“One day I will tell you who I am,” he told us recently. “I had to come in the form of a humble Indian to win your love and devotion, not by the use of any high-sounding name, and to prove myself by the truth of what I taught. That is the Law.”
Once, he nearly gave himself away, for, in describing his mission, in the words used in his own story, printed on page 19, he began: “They said to me … I nearly used my real name then.”
Now Silver Birch came into my life soon after I became a Spiritualist in 1924. Ever since then, I have listened, for an hour and more at a time, to his teaching, his guidance and his counsel, and learned to love and respect him more than I love and respect any earthly being.
He first functioned in an extraordinary way. A young man of eighteen, an atheist who was making a study of Spiritualism, went mockingly to a circle in one of the poorest of London’s suburbs. He laughed outright when, to use his own words, “old women became Chinamen (sic) and all sorts of things,” only to be reproved by a medium who, in trance, said: “You will be doing this before long.” Although he went away incredulous and sceptical, he returned the next week to the circle and then, half-way through, apologized for having fallen asleep.
“You have been in trance,” said someone sitting next to him.
“Your guide gave his name and said that he has been training you for this for years and that, before long, you will be speaking on Spiritualist platforms.” Again, the young man laughed … In those days, Silver Birch spoke very few words of English, and those with a very crude accent. As the years passed, for he began to control his new-found medium often, his knowledge of our language so improved that his simple eloquence now often transcends that of any speaker to whom I have ever listened.
“How do you know that the medium was in trance?” I have been asked.
On more than one occasion Silver Birch, speaking through his medium, has told us to stick a pin in the medium’s hand, and then to stick it in deeper. When coming out of trance, the medium has not remembered feeling anything. Nor has any mark been visible.
“How do you know it does not come from the medium’s subconscious mind?” is another question. Well, in some ways, the two contradict each other. Silver Birch teaches Reincarnation.
The medium himself turns down this theory and yet, in trance, confounds himself. Then another curious little thing is the fact that until, so that the guide’s words could be printed in Psychic News, a reporter started to take them down, the medium always remembered, just as he was going to sleep that night, what had been said while he was in trance. This was because, when consenting to be a medium, he had extracted from Silver Birch a promise that he would know what had been said. Directly we started to record it, all this stopped.
Now, the medium reads, next morning, the report of the sitting and is amazed at the beauty of the language that is uttered through his lips.
Silver Birch is a teacher. He does not heal. He seldom gives evidential messages. Now and then, he apologizes for that, saying that he often regrets that he confined his mastery of the medium to teaching. Although he regards this teaching as all-important, he recognizes that the world needs evidence of Survival.
During recent years, I have taken all sorts of people to hear Silver Birch talk—ministers of religion, journalists, people from all parts of the world. I have never heard from any one of them a word of criticism of anything he said.
One parson who took to him his theological difficulties found himself reduced to silence when, in simple words, Silver Birch explained what he calls “the Law”.
“Write down the most difficult questions you can think of,” I had said to the minister, beforehand. He went along, eager to challenge one of those spirit guides he had heard so often condemned by men of his cloth. He came away confounded.
Silver Birch had made difficult theology too simple for a theologian.
Now my home circle, of whom Silver Birch is the guide, sits every Friday night. Regularly every week, Psychic News prints a verbatim record of what he says. It is given to our home circle not for our private use, but so that it can be broadcast right across the world.
As a consequence, Silver Birch has more followers than any earthly preacher. They belong to every clime and to almost every race, and are people of all shades of colour.
Yet, put down in cold print, Silver Birch’s words cannot do more than convey a little of the nobility of his character, the warmth of his friendship and the natural dignity of his utterance.
Sometimes, they compel tears. We know that we are in the presence, however humbly he may speak, of a high, exalted spirit. He never reproves. He never finds fault.
The Churches talk of Jesus of Nazareth, of whom they know little, and of whose existence they have no proof. Silver Birch talks of “The Nazarene”, as he calls him, as the highest of all the spiritual beings with whom he has contact, and, as Silver Birch has proved to us, after years of close association, that lie could not lie, we know, if only because he says so, that the Jesus of the New Testament is still functioning, still engaged on that divine mission which once brought him to this earth. So, to us, the words, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world,” have a meaning which the Churches cannot explain.
When, in the pages which follow, you read Silver Birch’s teaching, you must understand that it is all written down in the dark by a reporter who uses Braille notepaper, and who, expert stenographer though he is, is often tested severely to keep pace with the rapidity of Silver Birch’s speech. On no occasion has a single word to be altered. Silver Birch’s words flow in perfect English. Only the punctuation marks have to be put in, and even for these there is always a natural place which could not be mistaken.
Silver Birch’s philosophy, as you will easily understand, is that of a Pantheist, a man who realizes that God is found in Nature itself, that there is an unalterable Law which governs everything, and that God is the Law.
“You are within the Great Spirit,” says Silver Birch, “and the Great Spirit is within you.” So we learn we are all potential gods, part of the great creative principle which is everything.
Yet Silver Birch does not stop at unapplied philosophy. He forces home, always, the lesson that we are here to do a job.
He sums up religion in the one word “Service,” and strives to teach us, clumsy instruments though we may be, that we are in this world so that we may make an end of war, abolish poverty and hasten the time when God’s bounty will be spread in all its lavishness among all the peoples of the world.
“Our allegiance,” says Silver Birch, “is not to a Creed, not to a Book, not to a Church, but to the Great Spirit of Life and to His eternal natural laws.” So it is that the members of his circle, six in number, include three Jews and three Gentiles, who find in Spiritualism no racial or creedal difference. Three were Agnostics and a fourth was a Wesleyan minister who, just before he joined our circle, had left Methodism because no longer could he accept its teachings.
Sometimes, to vary the sittings, Silver Birch allows some other spirit to control his medium. So we have been visited by Northcliffe, Galsworthy, Hall Caine, Gilbert Parker, Horace Greeley, Dick Sheppard, Abraham Lincoln and personal friends of the sitters. Still, all that is for another book… During my years of sitting with Silver Birch, I have never known him to forget anything, although we may do so.
And never, by any syllable, does he depart from his self chosen mission to instruct the children of men in a simpler and more beneficent way of life."
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The Books of Silver Birch's Teachings
You can buy a full set of 18 Silver Birch books from The Spiritual Truth Foundation.
Individual books cam be bought from several online booksellers.
Many of the books are also now available in e-book format.
Teachings of Silver Birch. Edited by A.
W. Austen. First published in 1938, this classic Silver Birch
title has so far run to seven impressions. It contains a
fascinating foreword by famous journalist Hannen Swaffer,
after whom the Silver Birch circle was named.. Silver Birch
tells his own story and, as usual, answers countless questions,
including life in the spirit realms.
Read extracts from "Teachings of Silver Birch"
Guidance from Silver Birch. Edited by Anne Dooley.
A former Fleet Street journalist, Anne Dooley later became
a reporter at "Psychic News", first "meeting"
Silver Birch in 1963. Amongst subjects in this compilation
are the problems of suffering and communication within the
spirit world.
Read extracts from "Guidance from Silver Birch"
Philosophy of Silver Birch. Edited by Stella Storm
Edited by Stella Storm A former secretary to Maurice Barbanell
and then chief reporter at "Psychic News", Stella
Storm covers such issues as natural law, lessons of bereavement,
the responsibility of mediumship and "Healing, the
greatest gift of all." Silver Birch also tells what
he would say to a television audience. This popular book
is now in its sixth impression.
More Philosophy of Silver Birch. Compiled by Tony
Ortzen.
In easy to read question-and-answer for, of especial interest
are two chapters which trace man from birth to what lies
Beyond. Social problems, reincarnation and science are amongst
other subjects examined. This title ends with inspiring
bite-sized "Points to ponder".
Read extracts from "More Philosophy of Silver Birch"
Light from Silver Birch. Compiled by Pam Riva.
Compiled by Pam Riva. Contains the last ever teachings
from Silver Birch after the sudden passing of his medium
Maurice Barbanell on July 17, 1981. Also featured is Maurice
Barbanell's obituary, which, ever the keen journalist, he
prepared in advance. His mission with Silver Birch lasted
sixty-one years. Pam Riva was the medium's secretary at
"Psychic News", the paper he founded in 1932.
Read extracts from "Light from Silver Birch"
Silver Birch Companion. Edited by Tony Ortzen.
Edited by Tony Ortzen. Drawing upon "More Teachings
of Silver Birch" and "Wisdom of Silver Birch",
this volume features an account of the night Maurice Barbanell
died and the days that followed. Features the replies the
guide gave to a Fleet Street editor.
A Voice in the Wilderness. Edited by Tony
Ortzen.
Edited by Tony Ortzen. Most of the material in this book
came from handpicked cuttings at the archives of "Psychic
News", though it also draws upon the out-of-print "Home
Circle" and "Spirit Guidance". Read the advice
the guide gives to a Member of Parliament, a senior Army
chaplain and delegates at an International Spiritualist
Federation congress.
The Seed of Truth. Compiled by Tony Ortzen.
Based upon two earlier out-of-print
titles "Silver Birch Speaks" and "More Wisdom
of Silver Birch", which were compiled by the medium's
wife, Sylvia. It contains an account of when actress Mary
Pickford, "the world's sweetheart", met and questioned
Silver Birch, Each chapter ends with one of the guide's
uplifting prayers.
Read extracts from The Seed Of Truth
The Spirit Speaks. Compiled by Tony Ortzen.
Compiled by Tony Ortzen. An abridged amalgamation not only
of "Silver Birch Speaks Again" and "Anthology
of Silver Birch" but also important teachings that
originally appeared in "Psychic News". Amongst
highlights is a word-for-word report of a meeting between
Silver Birch and film star Merle Oberon, who was devastated
when her fiance was killed in a plane crash.
Lift Up Your Hearts. Compiled by Tony Ortzen
This carefully chosen selection of teachings comprises the
guide's wise words over a twenty-year period. Animals, a
spirit view of death, mediumship and karma are just four
of the many subjects explained. Features a verbatim account
of when Doris Stokes and Doris Collins, two of Britain's
most famous mediums, were addressed by Silver Birch.
The Universe of Silver Birch. By Frank Newman.
This book is unique as Frank Newman has examined Silver
Birch's teachings and measured them side by side with the
deductions of modern science. This brings important new
insights into Silver Birch's philosophy. The result is an
intriguing, thought provoking volume.
Silver Birch Anthology. Edited by William
Naylor.
Love's supreme power, what happens after we die and "Who
is Silver Birch?" are just three of the topics in this
absorbing book. Originally published in 1955, the philosophy
within this book is still fresh, vital and valuable.
Read extracts from Silver Birch Anthology
The Silver Birch Book of Questions and Answers.
Compiled by Stan A. Ballard and Roger Green.
This latest Silver Birch title is in easy-to-read question-and-answer
form extracted from Silver Birch teachings over the years.
It answers literally hundreds of points,
such as "Do we reincarnate on earth?", "What
are the spiritual aspects of heart transplant surgery?"
and "Can euthanasia ever be right?"
Read extracts from "The Silver Birch Book of Questions and Answers".
The Little Books
Wisdom for Healing by Susan Farrow
The 80-page book contains a collection of the much-loved guide’s wise and inspirational words on all aspects of spiritual healing. Its seven short chapters include guidance for healers, awakening the soul through healing, the reasons for sickness and suffering, and the process of absent healing. There’s also a section which explores the reasons why healing sometimes doesn’t happen.
Wisdom for Life by Susan Farrow
Wise words from the Guide on twelve topics which affect us all - the treatment of animals, free will, bereavement and grief, Spirit communication, fame and materialism, personal responsibility and life in the next world - amongst others.
Wisdom of Animals and Nature by Susan Farrow
The book contains six short chapters and draws together many of the guide’s most inspiring words on all aspects of nature. They cover a wide range of subjects, including animal welfare, vivisection and experiments, vegetarianism, animals in the spirit world, the natural world and the oneness of all life.
Wisdom for Challenging Times by Susan Farrow
We’re living in extraordinary times. So much has changed in a short time – our home lives, working lives, finances, leisure time activities, pretty much everything we took for granted before Covid 19. For obvious reasons many of us are feeling anxious in this strange new reality. And that’s why we’ve produced Wisdom for Challenging Times – a collection of short inspirational quotes from Silver Birch, specially chosen to encourage, guide and help put these unique times into perspective.
Wisdom for Mediumship by Susan Farrow
.Wisdom for Mediumship contains dozens of quotes from the much-loved guide on a whole range of topics including the purpose of mediumship, development, clairvoyance, trance, physical mediumship, the role of the subconscious mind, the character of the medium and the responsibility that must always go hand in hand with the gift of mediumship.
To the Great Spirit – A selection of Prayers by Silver Birch
Silver Birch, the spirit guide and trance control of medium Maurice Barbanell, was renowned not only for his spiritual philosophy, wisdom and guidance, but equally for his eloquent use of the English language, which he had never actually spoken while on earth. Nowhere is this mastery more evident than in the lyrical, heartfelt prayers he offered as opening invocations at the weekly sittings of the Hannen Swaffer Home Circle, and when conducting two-world dedications of new Spiritualist venues. This book contains a small selection of those timeless and beautiful prayers, first published in 1941 in response to requests from Silver Birch’s many admirers. It will provide a uniquely inspirational and thought-provoking resource for all who conduct public services today.
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Why we continue to put the higherest value on the Teachings of Silver Birch
By Victor and Wendy Zammit
We can assess the credibility of mediums who bring through survival evidence by its specificity and accuracy. But what about those who claim to bring though spiritual teaching and information about the afterlife and other dimensions?
The criteria we use are as follows.
1) The character and caliber of the medium and the medium's circle over a long period. Was the circle harmonious? Was the medium well regarded by his peers? During his active life as an editor, lecturer, and author in the cause of Spiritualism, Maurice Barbanell, the medium for Silver Birch, was a friend of every major British medium. He sat with the same people in the Hannen Swaffer Home Circle for more than fifty years. Less than a week after his death at age 79, on July 17, 1981, spirit messages from him were claimed through the mediumship of Gordon Higginson, a close friend.
2) The quality and internal consistency of the spirit teacher's communication over many years. Hannen Swaffer wrote that over fifty years "I have never known him to forget anything" and "during recent years, I have taken all sorts of people to hear Silver Birch talk—ministers of religion, journalists, people from all parts of the world. I have never heard from any one of them a word of criticism of anything he said".
3) Consistency with evidence from other sources e.g. OBEs, EVPs, ITC, other mediums, etc.
4) Is it always loving and without ego? Is it uplifting and inspiring and does it ring true at the deepest level? Does it make you want to be a better person? It is here that Silver Birch excels. As Hanna Swaffer says "Silver Birch has more followers than any earthly preacher. They belong to every clime and to almost every race and are people of all shades of colour. Yet, put down in cold print, Silver Birch’s words cannot do more than convey a little of the nobility of his character, the warmth of his friendship and the natural dignity of his utterance. Sometimes, they compel tears. We know that we are in the presence, however humbly he may speak, of a high, exalted spirit. He never reproves. He never finds fault".
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