Sometimes, for whatever reason, mediums are sometimes erroneously perceived to be "privileged people" or "chosen ones", and therefore,  better or more special, in some way, than the normal person. This misconception can be found in members of the general population as well as in some who are mediums themselves, where it is especially dangerous.  

In studying the Spiritist Doctrine, however, we learn that this idea is far from the truth, and we wish to point out this fact in order to leave our readers with no doubts on the subject.  As was stated before, we are all mediums to some degree; those who we normally refer to as [ostensive] mediums are merely those in whom the faculty is either more developed or more active in the present life.  Even the latter are normal people like all the rest, Spirits on a path of evolution, presently incarnated in a physical body so as to undergo trials and expiations that serve as instruments in obtaining spiritual, intellectual, and moral progress. 

The mediumistic faculty is not a sign of Superiority by any means.  In fact, the Spirit Emmanuel reminds us that "mediums, in general, are Spirits who are making amends for past debts."  In other words, the possession of mediumship does not indicate moral supremacy. To the contrary, the medium is a Spirit who (like all of us) has made harmful mistakes in a past life, mistakes for which it suffers the punishing effects of its own conscience. The faculty of mediumship, then, is a gift from God, bestowed upon the medium with the intention of allowing him to work toward reparation through the grand opportunity that it offers in working in benefit of others.  With this gift, mediums are able to work together with Superior Spirits to bring morally inspiring and educationally enlightening messages to fellow human beings, and they are able to serve as instruments for suffering, discarnate Spirits who communicate through them and receive counseling in return, or for other discarnate Spirits who wish to leave messages for loved ones that they left behind. By putting selfish interests aside and working  humbly and compassionately in benefit of others, the medium, over time, is able to heal the wounds of his soul.

In addition to the above, this gift offers even more tools of progress to the medium.  For one thing, a medium's faith is strengthened by his activities that give him a strong conviction regarding the survival of the soul and the reincarnatory process that reveals the true justice of our creator.  Likewise, the messages that a medium receives, or is witnesses to (by participation in mediumship sessions), offer an incredible source of learning for the medium himself; he is educated by the teachings of morally encouraging Spirits as well as the exemplifying testimonies of suffering Spirits who share their stories in hopes of sparing others from undergoing the same afflictions.  In addition, the sensitivity of the medium makes him naturally susceptible to spiritual influences in general, so in order to protect himself from the deceit, trickery, and negative influence of inferior Spirits, the good medium must be constantly vigilant of his thoughts and behaviors and work continuously on his own moral development; these efforts, when exercised with perseverance, will naturally help the medium in his progression. 

The moral efforts of the medium are especially important to keep him from falling prey to the erroneous belief that he is in some way superior, for it is an excessive pride that leads the medium down this road of false perceptions.  Numerous are the Spirits who wish to influence a medium, in such a way so as to inflate him with this exaggerated pride; unfortunately, many succeed, causing disastrous consequences for the medium, whose arrogance eventually causes him to lose the company of elevated Spirits and, at the same time, attract the presence of inferior Spirits who take advantage of of his moral imbalance and increased susceptibility to deception.  For this reason, the instructive messages that come from superior Spirits continuously bring reminders and warnings to the mediums, from the novice to the most experienced, alerting them to this potential weakness and the consequences it can have.  

In conclusion, despite the misconception that sometimes arises, a medium is not "privileged" in the sense of being somehow better than the rest.  The humble and dedicated medium who recognizes the opportunity and purpose of his mediumistic faculty, may, however, feel "privileged" to receive such such a gift from God, a chance to make amends for past wrongdoings and work in benefit of others, knowing that it is in giving that we receive. 

Kardec, Allan. "Mediums" and "Formation of Mediums." The Mediums' Book. 2nd ed (1st edition FEB). Trans. Anna Blackwell (translated 1876). Ed. Livraria Espírita Allan Kardec. Brasilia-DF, Brazil:  Federação Espírita Brasileira [Brazilian Spiritist Federation}. 1986. 172 and 232.

Peralva, Martins. "Mediuns" [Mediums] Estudando A Mediunidade [Studying Mediumship]. Brasilia-DF, Brazil: Federação Espírita Brasileira [Brazilian Spiritist Federation}.1998 (20th ed). 43-45.

Fernandes, Odilon (Spirit Author) / Baccelli, Carlos (Medium). "Mediunidade E Privelégio" [Mediumship and Privilege]. Mediunidade E Evangelho [Mediumship and The Gospel]. Araras- SP, Brazil. Instituto de Difisão Espírita. 1994 (2nd ed). 85-88.

Schubert, Suely Caldas. "O Que É Ser Medium" [What Does it Mean To Be A Medium] Mediunidade: Caminho Para Ser Feliz [Mediumship: The Path to Happiness]. Sao Paulo. Casa Editora Espírita "Pierre-Paul Didier". 1999.  Place of Publication: Publisher. Year. 31-35.