I am not sure that this theory really avoids the difficulty which it
is intended to obviate;[1] but it is at least an interesting one,
and at any rate there may be modes in which the body, under the
directive control of the spirit, may expend energy derived from the
material plane, of which we know little or nothing. We have the
testimony of many eminent authorities[2] to the phenomenon of the
movement of physical objects without contact at spiritistic seances.
It seems to me that the introduction of discarnate intelligences
to explain this phenomenon is somewhat gratuitous--the psychic
phenomena which yield evidence of the survival of human personality
after bodily death are of a different character. For if we suppose
this particular phenomenon to be due to discarnate spirits, we must,
in view of what has been said concerning "mediums," conclude that
the movements in question are not produced by these spirits DIRECTLY,
but through and by means of the nervous system of the medium present.
Evidently, therefore, the means for the production of the phenomenon
reside in the human nervous system (or, at any rate, in the peculiar
nervous system of "mediums"), and all that is lacking is intelligence
or initiative to use these means. This intelligence or initiative
can surely be as well supplied by the sub-consciousness as by a
discarnate intelligence. Consequently, it does not seem unreasonable
to suppose that equally remarkable phenomena may have been produced
by the aid of talismans in the days when these were believed in,
and may be produced to-day, if one has sufficient faith--that is
to say, produced by man when in the peculiar condition of mind
brought about by the intense belief in the power of a talisman.
And here it should be noted that the term "talisman" may be applied
to any object (or doctrine) that is believed to possess peculiar power
or efficacy. In this fact, I think, is to be found the peculiar
danger of erroneous doctrines which promise extraordinary benefits,