Mesmerism:

A system of healing developed by F.A. Mesmer, involving the induction of trance states and the supposed transfer of animal magnetism. People in Mesmeric trance often showed paranormal abilities such as clairvoyance.

(See also: Mesmerism, Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

mesmerizing: Hypnotizing; spell-binding; fascinating.

(See also: Mesmerizing, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Mesmerism:

From Franz Mesmer, a form of telepathic sending in which the data sent consists of suggestions backed by the insistent power of the sender.

(See also: Mesmerism, Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Miss Martineau edited a volume of Letters on the Laws of Man's Nature and Development, published in March 1851. Its form is that of a correspondence between herself and the garrulous self-styled scientist Henry G. Atkinson, and it expounds that doctrine of philosophical atheism to which Miss Martineau in Eastern Life had depicted the course of human belief as tending. The existence of a first cause is not denied, but is declared unknowable, and the authors, while regarded by others as denying it, certainly considered themselves ...

See also:

Harriet Martineau, Harriet Martineau - Early life, Harriet Martineau - London and the United States, Harriet Martineau - Ambleside, Harriet Martineau - Mesmerism

Read more here: » Harriet Martineau: Encyclopedia II - Harriet Martineau - Mesmerism

mesmerism (animal magnetism, magnetic healing): Form of hypnotism named after Franz Anton Mesmer (c. 1734-1815), a Viennese physician who had planned to become a cleric. (Writers also refer to Mesmer as Franciscus Antonius Mesmer, Franz Antoine Mesmer, and Friedrich Anton Mesmer.)

Mesmer coined the expression animal magnetism to refer to his concept of a mysterious, magnetic vital fluid that

(a)           permeated the universe and

(b)           was the agent whereby he induced hypnosis (mesmeric sleep) in patients.

He principled that an imbalance between animal magnetism within the body and animal magnetism in the environment caused many illnesses. Use of animal magnetism characterizes mesmerism, which survives only partially, as Magnetic healing

(See also: Mesmerism, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

vibrational medicine (energetic medicine, energetics medicine, energy medicine, subtle-energy medicine, vibrational healing, vibrational therapies): Healing philosophy whose main tenet is that humans are dynamic energy systems (body/mind/spirit complexes) and reflect evolutionary patterns of soul growth.

Its principles include the following:

(a)   Health and illness originate in subtle energy systems.

(b)  These systems coordinate the life-force and the physical body.

(c)   Emotions, spirituality, and nutritional and environmental factors affect the subtle energy systems.

Vibrational medicine embraces acupuncture, aromatherapy, Bach flower therapy, chakra rebalancing, channeling, color breathing, color therapy, crystal healing, absent healing, Electroacupuncture According to Voll (EAV), etheric touch, flower essence therapy, homeopathy, Kirlian photography, laserpuncture, the laying on of hands, meridian therapy, mesmerism, moxibustion, orthomolecular medicine, Past-life Regression, Polarity Therapy, psychic healing, psychic surgery, radionics, the Simonton method, sonopuncture, Toning, Transcendental Meditation, and Therapeutic Touch.

The expressions energy healing, energy work, and energetic healing work appear synonymous with vibrational medicine.

(See also: Vibrational medicine, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Franz Anton Mesmer (May 23, 1734 – March 5, 1815) discovered what he called animal magnetism and others often called mesmerism. The evolution of Mesmer's ideas and practices led James Braid (1795-1860) to develop hypnosis in 1842. Franz Mesmer - Early life. Mesmer was born in the village of Iznang, Swabia. After studying at the Jesuit universities of Dillingen and Ingolstadt, he took up the study of medicine at the University of Vienna in 1759. In 1766 he published a doctoral dissertation with the Latin t ...

Including:

• Franz Mesmer - Early life
• Franz Mesmer - The advent of animal magnetism
• Franz Mesmer - Trivia
• Franz Mesmer - Works by Franz Mesmer

Read more here: » Franz Mesmer: Encyclopedia - Franz Mesmer

Spiritism is a religious and philosophic doctrine established in France in the mid 19th Century by Allan Kardec. The term was coined by him as the specific name of the doctrine he was about to publish but, given the fact that the word was created from roots taken from the common language, it was soon incorporated into the normal use and has been used to name other doctrines as well, though the ...

Including:

• Spiritism - Spiritism and Related Religions
• Spiritism - Precursors
• Spiritism - Fox Sisters
• Spiritism - Spinning Tables
• Spiritism - Mesmerism
• Spiritism - An Overview
• Spiritism - Basic Books
• Spiritism - Doctrine
• Spiritism - Leading a Spiritist Life
• Spiritism - Organization
• Spiritism - The Role of Spiritism
• Spiritism - Spiritism as a Religion
• Spiritism - Spiritism as Science
• Spiritism - Spiritism and Other Religions
• Spiritism - Spiritism and Christianism
• Spiritism - Spiritism Through History
• Spiritism - Syncretic Religions
• Spiritism - See Also

Read more here: » Spiritism: Encyclopedia - Spiritism

Magnet therapy, or magnetic therapy, is a form of alternative medicine based on the claim that certain medical disorders can be effectively treated by exposure to magnetic fields. Some believe that magnetic fields emanating from permanent magnets placed close to the body can cause bones to heal faster, relieve pain, and perform other forms of healing to the body. It is most commonly recommended by practitioners as a cure for joint disorders and back problems. Critics charge that no verifiable evidence has been put forth that magnet therapy has any real benefits, and thus relegate it to the realm of ps ...

Read more here: » Magnet therapy: Encyclopedia - Magnet therapy

Animal magnetism is both a synonym for mesmerism as well as the 18th century term for the supposed ethereal medium postulated by Franz Mesmer as a therapeutic agent. Its existence was examined by a French royal commission in 1784, and the commission concluded there was no evidence of its existence or efficacy of the animal magnetic fluid, and that its effects derived from either the imaginations of its subjects or charlatanry. The term is also occasionally employed in the context of Christian Science to describe unheeded mental influences, maliciou ...

Read more here: » Animal magnetism: Encyclopedia - Animal magnetism

The Occult: A History is a 1971 book by English writer, Colin Wilson. Topics covered include Aleister Crowley, G. I. Gurdjieff, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Kabbalah, primitive magic, Franz Anton Mesmer, Gregor Rasputin, Daniel Dunglas Home, Paracelsus, P. D. Ouspensky, William Blake, Giovanni Jacopo Casanova, Cornelius Agrippa, and various others. The book is divided into the following sections: Part One: A Survey of the Subject Magic-The Science of the Future The ...

Read more here: » The Occult: A History: Encyclopedia - The Occult: A History

Mesmerism

The recall of techniques useful for exploring non-rational levels of mind. Rediscovery began with the work of Franz Mesmer (1734-1815), an Austrian physician, and the technique laid the foundation for hypnosis

(See also: Mesmerism, Body Mind and Soul)

A Theosophical definition of Mesmerism :

Mesmerism

An ill-understood branch of human knowledge, developed within fairly recent times, connected with the existence of the psychomagnetic fluid in man which can be employed by the will for purposes either good or evil.

Mesmerism has been called animal magnetism, but more often in former times than at present. The first European who rediscovered and openly proclaimed the existence of this subtle psychomagnetic fluid in man was Dr. Friedrich Anton Mesmer, born in Germany in 1733, who died in 1815. His honesty and his theories have been more or less vindicated in modern times by later students of the subject.

There are distinct differences as among mesmerism, hypnotism, psychologization, and suggestion, etc. (See also Hypnotism)

See also: Mesmerism, Mysticism, Body Mind and Soul)

Mesmerism

An 18th century movement begun in France by the Austrian doctor Franz Anton Mesmer, who believed that astrological influence on humans was conveyed through a force or substance similar to magnetism.

He first began treating patients with magnets or charged fluids but quickly modified his position, theorizing that cures were actually coming from an energy or mysterious Òmagnetic fluidÓ coming from the hands, voice, or nervous system of the practitioner.

This invisible substance or magnetism was thought to be similar to electro-magnetism and was dubbed ÒAnimal Magnetism. Ó Mesmer's pupils were later able to induce a Òmagnetic sleepÓ (trance state or hypnotic condition) in their patients. The term Mesmerism eventually became analogous with hypnosis .

(See also: Mesmerism, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Mesmerism

An 18th century movement begun in France by the Austrian doctor Franz Anton Mesmer, who believed that astrological influence on humans was conveyed through a force or substance similar to magnetism.

He first began treating patients with magnets or charged fluids but quickly modified his position, theorizing that cures were actually coming from an energy or mysterious Òmagnetic fluidÓ coming from the hands, voice, or nervous system of the practitioner.

This invisible substance or magnetism was thought to be similar to electro-magnetism and was dubbed ÒAnimal Magnetism. Ó Mesmer's pupils were later able to induce a Òmagnetic sleepÓ (trance state or hypnotic condition) in their patients. The term Mesmerism eventually became analogous with hypnosis .

(See also: Mesmerism, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Mesmerism Named for Friedrich Anton Mesmer (1734-1815), a Viennese physician who conceived the idea that diseases could be healed by stroking the afflicted parts of the patient's body with magnets. Later he discovered that the same healing effect could be produced by stroking or making passes over the afflicted parts with the hands. Hence the name animal magnetism as descriptive of this method of healing which today is generally called mesmerism.

Mesmer's fundamental idea was that there resides in man a power, an odic force or nerve energy, which can be projected by the will and directed either to heal and cure, or to harm and kill. All people possess this power in varying degrees. The very life-atoms which continually enter and leave not only our physical bodies, but the higher parts of our composite nature, are charged with and carry with them this odic force or mesmeric influence. We continually exchange these life-atoms with other beings, unconsciously to ourselves, and with those kingdoms according to their respective natures or planes.

Mesmerism, however, means the conscious or unconscious projection by a human being of this odic or vital nerve force or magnetic fluid. But the possession of this power depends upon the physical vitality and health rather than the moral or spiritual status of the operator; while the quality of this power is very greatly influenced by the moral or spiritual status of the operator. In this lies the danger of the practice of mesmerism, for unless the operator is pure minded and of high moral character, the physical vitality or magnetic fluid which he projects to the patient will be morally tainted and may constitute a grave danger to the patient who, while apparently deriving physical benefit from the treatment, may become morally weakened by it, be it in however small degree.

In accordance with the constant transmigration of life-atoms between person and person, and among all the kingdoms of nature; and, as those life-atoms are of all planes -- physical, vital-astral, psychic, intellectual, and spiritual, each being of the nature of that plane and hence the carrier of the life-essence, prana, odic force, or magnetism of that plane -- it follows that no person can live to himself alone; but that all people influence one another either for good or ill, particularly those who are closely associated together. This is the occult significance of the power of example good or bad, the power of a cheerful, courageous, optimistic nature, or of a nature of opposite character. Hence we may speak of the mesmeric influence as operative theoretically on all planes; but when used for purposes of physical or psychic healing, it operates on the physical and psychic planes alone, because of the vital carriers or life-atoms in question.

Even so considered, the mesmeric influence not only supplements and thus arouses to renewed activity the latent vitality of the patient, but acts indirectly upon the patient's mind and will, by helping to remove the inhibitions upon the action of these due to physical suffering and lack of physical health; and can be used for either good or immoral ends when the influence is directed to the mental and psychic nature of the patient.

But mesmerism is not necessarily psychologization, which is control by psychic force of another's mind and will, resulting in a dislocation of the psychic nature of the latter, a usurpation or forcible direction of the thought and will of another by the psychologizer, an invasion of that other's most sacred rights -- immoral and evil in its results, whatever immediate appearances may be, and whatever be the motive, for it cripples that part in man without which he is not fully human. Nevertheless the psychologizer, as well as the so-called hypnotizer, invariably makes use of mesmeric influence, odic force, and the pranas, for these are the carriers of thought-energy and will, without which these latter could not reach and dominate the mind and will of the subject. Mesmerism, purely as such, depends solely upon the inherent natures of the pranas, and is solely a transference of pranic energy from the operator to the subject. Thus, according to the health, physical and moral, of the operator so will the subject be affected either for good or ill.

The greatest and only sure safeguard against baneful mesmeric influence, whether consciously directed against one or unconsciously exercised by another, is one's own aspirations, positive will, and endeavor to think and live one's best and noblest. If all people were spiritually enlightened, the true mesmeric power could be safely used for the healing of disease and even for aid in bringing about a rectification, by the patient's own will, of distortions and weaknesses in the patient's character or constitution. But as matters stand, the danger in meddling with the subtle pranic energies is invariably both very real and great. One may always use the power of suggestion when this is elevated to, and employed solely on, the high moral and intellectual planes, such as by lofty spiritual and ethical teaching, precept, and especially the power of high example -- because these instill thoughts and ideals in the patient's mind arousing his own desire to follow them. These facts also demonstrate the real danger of suggestion when employed as it so often is on the lower planes, thus frequently taking the form of what are commonly called temptations.

Because mesmerism, psychologization, suggestion, and hypnotism are interlinked, all these have their respective play and place in any usage by one person of his vitality upon another.

(See also: Mesmerism, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

2005-04-23

For more dictionary entries, see » Mesmerism Dictionary

Vibrational medicine: The expressions "energy healing," "energy work," and "energetic healing work" appear synonymous with "vibrational medicine." Healing philosophy whose main tenet is that humans are "dynamic energy systems" ("body/mind/spirit" complexes) and reflect evolutionary patterns of soul growth. Its postulates include the following. (a ) Health and illness originate in subtle energy systems. (b) These systems coordinate the life-force and the physical body. (c) Emotions, spirituality, and nutritional and environmental factors affect the subtle energy systems. Vibrational medicine embraces acupuncture, aromatherapy, Bach flower therapy, chakra rebalancing, channeling, color therapy, crystal healing, absent healing, electroacupuncture, flower essence therapy, homeopathy, Kirlian photography, laserpuncture, the laying on of hands, meridian therapy, mesmerism, moxibustion, Past-life Regression, Polarity Therapy, psychic healing, psychic surgery, Reiki, sonopuncture, Toning, Transcendental Meditation, and Therapeutic Touch.

(See also: Vibrational medicine, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Hypnosis , Hypnoses, Mesmerism ,  :

A state of increased receptivity to suggestion and direction, initially induced by the influence of another person.

(See also: Hypnosis, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Mesmer, Franz

Founder of Mesmerism.

(See also: Franz Mesmer, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)