I found this exercise to be very enlightening.  Everyone has their own practices that expand their consciousness - as that is what all training of the body, mind, spirit is all about.  

I begin the Mediumship exercises with our own consciousness tools because that is where it will all start.  When you become more sensitive and aware of yourself and your surroundings, you are opening a deeper awareness of self.  That is the first step in any education.

When I do our mediumship awareness classes I have exercises to open and become more aware of the self.  I will certainly go back to this one and use it for our purposes.  As to being afraid of mediumship, that comes in many guises.

Religious training and education is one of the first deterents to mediumship.  Fears are instilled through religion as a matter of course.  Why else so many followers leaving in droves, as the mind opens to more?

If you read some of the psychologists there is a warning against meditation, which is the tool of mediumship.  There are fears of altered states of consciousness.  Perhaps that we may enjoy it so much, we will not return?  LOL

As students begin the journey into psychic awareness, they should be patient and take their time in what they do and accomplish.  Going the fast way (like a rocket taking off) often ends up with it landing and fizzling instead of growing and becoming an accomplishment.  Slow and steady steps are so important.  

DO NOT compare yourself with anyone else - you are a unique and special individual - so also is your mediumship.  It will never totally be the same as anyone else.  What can be similar or the same, is the exercises that get you there - while done according to directions - you will end up finding your mind creates the scenes for you so totally independent of any instruction.