Modern spiritism; its science and religion - SpiritArchive.org

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MODERN SPIRITISM
mechanism open to a visitor, it is a definite fact we
may as well, know.
"As to the power of dislocation of the usual
connection between mind and body, it is supposed to
occur (generally) during sleep."*
I will now proceed to give, with brevity, a -few
cases of "possession" known to myself.
What "Possession" is
Perhaps before doing so it may be well, for the
benefit of those to whom the whole subject is new
to remark that "possession" means exactly what
is hinted at by Sir Oliver Lodge; only the "visitor"
suggested is always some more or less evil (not
disembodied) spirit from another world. It is this
that distinguishes "possession" from "double
later. This
personality," of which we shall speak
latter term is best reserved for those cases when the
"visitor" appears to be absolutely human, and
generally one's own self at another period of life.
"Possession" by an evil spirit is tacitly recognised
by most of our alienists. There is no large asylum
that does not contain one or more of such cases.
These people are often otherwise sane, but are
constantly liable to have their bodies used, against
their will, by some alien and evil force.
"Possession" in
the Holborn Restaurant
The other day a mental physician called on me
and asked if I would come and see a well-marked
case of "possession." I begged to be excused, for I
had seen so many.
* Sir Oliver Lodge, "Survival of Man," p. 172.