On The Nature Of Possession, What exactly is it??? Options

I am greatly interested in exploring this topic with you guys on this forum. I've read the various posts that mention the subject, but none of them attempt to actually explain the nature of possession and to tell you the truth...for all that I've read and experienced, I can't actually explain what it is. To clarify, when I say 'possession' I am not merely suggesting demonic possession but I am also referring to possession by gods, spirits, djinns, angels, elementals, extra terrestrials, animals etc. I am also referring to deliberate evocations, scrying methods, speaking in tongues, channeling, walk-ins, and astral parasites. Possession, in question, is not always malign...so I thought it might be time to explore both the good and bad of it, and to get down to the nitty gritty of how it happens and why.

I gratefully welcome anyone's explanation on the events leading up to possession, the process (particular concerning how the host's spiritual and emotional energies are manipulated to accommodate the being), symptoms, various forms of exorcism (not constrained to the christian method), and the aftermath.

The Catholic Church, from which stem the main and best-known ideas about demonic possession, describes demonic possession as a state wherein the individual will is subdued in favor of that of the spirit. It is the will of the possessed, not his or her awareness, that the spirit controls.

A Catholic priest must receive approval from his bishop to perform an exorcism, and that approval is contingent upon the victim being utterly cleared of all psychotic disorders by a licensed professional.

Several rules apply here:

1. Possession is voluntary. The person must either invite or agree to allow the spirit to take control over his or her actions. There are various degrees of control offered, with full consensual possession being considered very rare.

2. Possession is the end-result of a process of courtship. This takes place according to a series of definite stages, according to Church teaching. There is an introduction of some sort called an "entry point", a period of harassment or temptation, and finally a request for the submission of the victim.

3. The exorcist does not expel the spirit, but calls upon the individual to reject its influence. This is fortified with prayers and so forth, but these are not, according to Catholic teaching, for the purpose of affecting the spirit so much as the victim for whom the exorcist prays. The decision to expel the spirit is, as with the initial acceptance of the spirit, in the hands of the victim.

Don't forget about multiple spirits entering either! Furthermore, as to this 'courtship' thing...yes, there is usually something already inherently different or compelling in the host's life style or personality etc. that brings them to this vulnerable or more desirable state of possession. I think it is deliciously debatable whether or not coercion and spiritual harassment is necessary or if a person could have a natural inclination to possession. What is the exact moment when the spirit isn't just attached to the person...but is actually 'inside'? Is it simply a matter of exerting its will uncontested? When is channeling full fledged possession?
I approve of the priest compelling the host rather than the secondary party to take up the power(denying influence to active expulsion...are they the same thing?). Enabling is rarely a good thing be it reality or delusion and it is good to give the credit/power/responsibility where it is due...however I am not sure that possession is always voluntary. Outside of the catholic perspective, is possession generally considered a voluntary act? What do you guys think?

This post has been edited by valkyrie: Jun 23 2009, 11:41 PM

...however I am not sure that possession is always voluntary. Outside of the catholic perspective, is possession generally considered a voluntary act? What do you guys think?

I agree with you Valkyrie. In most anthropological accounts I have read its not voluntary.

I'm not sure why the Catholic Church takes that position that its voluntary????
The thing with the Catholic Church is that they have change positions on certain things through out its history. So we cant be sure if their position is true or not.

We know, i think instinctively, that will power IS a factor, and there ARE voluntary possessions (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) and they do seem to be much more prevalent than the coerced cases. This being a cultural phenomenon particularly in respects to India. Here are two links that offer extremely interesting information that I think you guys would enjoy:

self-possession

medical anthropology and ethnography of spirit possession

What was particular interesting to me, was in both malign and benign cases, body contortion and abnormal behavior and seemingly super human strength/abilities were symptomatic of possession. The difference was the maliciousness perceived, and the length of time the spirits were 'housed'.

This post has been edited by valkyrie: Jun 30 2009, 12:22 PM

We know, i think instinctively, that will power IS a factor, and there ARE voluntary possessions (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) and they do seem to be much more prevalent than the coerced cases. This being a cultural phenomenon particularly in respects to India. Here are two links that offer extremely interesting information that I think you guys would enjoy:

I was refering to the Catholic Church's perception of people being possessed by malicious entities.

There are certainly involuntery possession of malicious entities in other cultures.

Now with benevolence & deliberate entity possession in other cultures it certainly exist.
Especially among animist cultures.
(Of course we all have seen Voodoo practitioners on tv go into trance.)

This post has been edited by Jenfucius: Jun 30 2009, 09:11 PM

jenfucius, (whom I have secretly nicknamed Delicious) i know what you were saying...i wasn't correcting you or being condescending...just adding onto your lines...er well perhaps a little over enthusiastically so i sounded like I was being contrarion (IMG:style_emoticons/default/banana.gif) but not on purpose, i can't help it... I enjoy a good conversation (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

This post has been edited by valkyrie: Jun 30 2009, 10:24 PM