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"The Physical Phenomena" of Mysticism by Herbert Thurston is the
result of the author's tireless study of a wide range of psychic
phenomena, including, levitation, stigmata, telekinesis, luminous
phenomena, inedia (living without food), and more. The book delves
into the phenomena attributed to the likes of, the Catholic
stigmatic, Therese Neumann, St. Francis of Assisi, and includes the
fascinating story of Mollie Fancher, who it was alleged, following
a life threatening accident, could see without her eyes, took
little or no food for 14 years, traveled out of body, and
demonstrated clairvoyant abilities. Thurston was a Catholic priest,
a member of the Jesuit order, and a historian. He wrote extensively
on Catholic mysticism and psychic phenomena. He was a member of the
Society for Psychical Research, and was widely read on the subject.
Given that he was a practicing Catholic, it is unlikely that he
attended seances, and therefore his opinion on spirit
communication, clairvoyance, and mediumship in general, may not
come from personal experience. That said; he comes across as an
honest skeptic (rather than a debunker) with some empathy for his
subjects. Explaining his position he says, The role of Devil's
Advocate is a thankless one and does not make for popularity,
Indeed, I may confess that, when writing somewhat in the character
of a doubting Thomas, I have felt at times, in spite of good
intentions, that I was even playing a mean and an unworthy part.
Why, I have asked myself, should a skeptical line of argument be
put forward which may possibly trouble the simple faith of many
good people much nearer and dearer to God than I can ever hope to
be? And yet in these days of widespread education, universal
questioning and free discussion, a premature and ill-grounded
credulity cannot in the long run be of advantage to the Church. The
Christian has to be able to justify his beliefs, and adequate
equipment for an encounter with rationalists or agnostics requires
some previous study both of the position, which it is intended to
take up and of the form of attack to which that position may be
exposed. "The Physical Phenomena of Mysticism" is essential reading
for those interested in Catholic mysticism, and physical and
psychic phenomena often attributed to miracles.
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