Treatment: Types of Spiritual Emergency
POSSESSION STATES
Possession experiences occur both as part of spiritual and religious rituals, and in metnal illnesses. In Spiritual Em ergence or Psychosis? Salene Vega writes:
"There are many cultures where the deliberate induction of possession states is part of a valued religious experience. This includes Haitian voodoo ceremonies where specific deities are invited to 'ride' the bodies of the worshippers during specific ceremonies (Metraux, 1959, p. 121), as well as the dancers of Bali who become the entity they are portraying in ritual drama. Even in our country there exist religious groups who consider it desirable to be possessed by the Holy Spirit, with physical manifestations that include shaking and speaking in tongues (Sargant, 1975). P. Buckley (1981) cites E. Bourguignon as concluding that possession tranceis an ability that is part of the human potential, as his worldwide studies show that it is utilized in a large percentage of societies."
The Grofs point out that a possession state can underlie serious psychopathology such as suicidal depression, aggression, antisocial behavior, or craving for excessive doses of alcohol and drugs. They suggest that there might be some relationship to multiple personalities as well. There can be choking, projectile vomiting, or frantic motor behavior with temporary loss of control.
Resources
A Case Study of Possession in the Dojo
by David Lukoff. Ph.D. |
