Inferences from Haunted Houses and Haunted MenHarris, J. W. (John William)
Science
Inferences from Haunted Houses and Haunted Men
Harris, J. W. (John William)
Ghosts; Hypnotism
The Japanese system of wrestling lately introduced shows how powerful a
touch on a nerve may be in weakening a man. Such a touch transferred or
propelled, may for a long time aid hypnotisers from a distance, though it
would be in time disregarded or little regarded.
Calculative work is better suited than imaginative work to free the
brain. I would urge inquirers to ask themselves, whether Mrs. Piper's
doings could be accounted for in any other way than that suggested.
Clairvoyance is seemingly mere guess-work, the imagination being
heightened temporarily rather than depressed by the hypnotic pressure.
Mr. Vincent's analysis of mental reactions is invaluable. A hypnotised
person does not go on to the analogies, which may be quite obvious
from a suggestive word.
This resembles the habit of some religious persons who build on one text
of the Bible, completely neglecting the modifying and explanatory text
that immediately follows. The subject is grossly credulous, and is
deprived of much fruitful time for thinking.
The hypnotised person will refuse to do many actions, and religion is of
course a mainstay, though irrational accretions, fasting, and
superstitious views of the Communion will weaken it.
Miss Freer repeatedly asked herself the question, "How did this come into
my head?"
It would seem from the story of the red figure, afterwards recognised on
a seal, that she had been hypnotised not by her companion but by some
travelling rascal who had seen the letter in the post-office, and thus
brought off a piece of prevision.
Intelligent watchfulness is a great protection.
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Inferences from Haunted Houses and
Haunted Men, by John Harris
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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