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Possession

Possession: Spiritual - Theosophy Dictionary on Possession

Possession The state of being possessed or controlled by evil spirits, as demoniacal possession; theosophy explains it as that degree of obsession in which some besieging astral entity has obtained actual possession and use of a living body.

One or another of such harmful invaders compels their human victims to conduct themselves in all kinds of ways that are unnatural, mischievous, foolish, shocking, purposeless, and degrading. "In cases of murder, of every description, and of other crimes of a diabolical character, the act is attributed, in nine cases out of ten, by the offenders themselves, to irresistible obsessions. 'Something whispered constantly in my ear . . . Somebody was incessantly pushing and leading me on.' Such are the too-frequent confessions of the criminals. Physicians attribute them to hallucinations of disordered brains, and call the homicidal impulse temporary lunacy" (IU 1:276).

As the highly organized modern brain and nervous system grow more sensitive to psychic influences, as is evident in the steady increase in the number and phases of mental and nervous disorders, the current ignorance of the afterdeath state and the reckless disregard of life are releasing hosts of desperate entities of desire -- despairing suicides and vengeful, executed criminals who survive in their kama-rupas to prey upon the living.

Moreover, not a few of the increasing numbers of the insane result from following various practices advertised as means for gaining psychic powers for selfish purposes; and the widespread use of hypnotism and the cultivation of mediumship leave many negative subjects weakened in will and in imminent danger of obsessing influences.

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Possession: Spiritual - Theosophy Dictionary on Possession

For articles related to Possession , see: Possession , Occultism, Occultism Dictionary, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul.

Definition of Possession is extracted from the home page of The Theosophical Society, International Headquarters, Pasadena, California. A Society founded in 1875 in an effort to promote the expressed awareness of the Oneness of Life.

"The Encyclopedic Theosophical Glossary is presented to the public as a work in progress. The manuscript, produced originally in the 1930s and '40s, is currently being revised and expanded by the Editorial Committee. Theosophical University Press is presenting this working version online because, even in its present unfinished form, we feel that the contents will be of value to students of theosophical literature, particularly of the works of H. P. Blavatsky. "

Please visit http://www.theosociety.org for more information.

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

BCW - H. P. Blavatsky: Collected Writings, BG - Bhagavad-Gita, BP - Bhagavata Purana, cf - confer, ChU - Chandogya Upanishad , Dial, Dialogues - The Dialogues of G. de Purucker, ed. A. L. Conger, Echoes - Echoes from the Orient, by William Q. Judge (comp. Dara Eklund), Possession , ET - The Esoteric Tradition, by G. de Purucker, FSO - Fountain-Source of Occultism, by G. de Purucker, Fund - Fundamentals of the Esoteric Philosophy, by G. de Purucker, IU - Isis Unveiled, by H. P. Blavatsky, MB - Mahabharata , MIE - Man in Evolution, by G. de Purucker, Possession , ML - The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett, ed. A. Trevor Barker, OG - Occult Glossary, by G. de Purucker, Rev - Revelations, RV - Rig Veda , SD - The Secret Doctrine, by H. P. Blavatsky, SOPh - Studies in Occult Philosophy, by G. de Purucker, TBL - Transactions of the Blavatsky Lodge (Secret Doctrine Commentary), by H. P. Blavatsky, TG - Theosophical Glossary, by H. P. Blavatsky, Possession , Theos - The Theosophist (magazine), VP - Vishnu Purana , VS - The Voice of the Silence, by H. P. Blavatsky, WG - Working Glossary, by William Q. Judge, ZA - Zend-Avesta