strange experiences 4

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" In many instances the so-called miracles are imitations. But what do

they imitate? It is not the sign of a candid and scientific mind to

throw overboard anything without proper investigation. Surface

scientists, unable to explain the various extraordinary mental

phenomenon, strive to ignore their very existence. " Swami Vivekananda

 

We reproduce certain documented and authentic episodes from the lives of

great mystics.

 

 

1. In September 1224, after 40 days of fasting, St. Francis was praying

upon Monte Alverno when he felt pain mingled with joy, and the marks of

the crucifixion of Christ, the stigmata, appeared on his body. Accounts

of the appearance of these marks differ, but it seems probable that they

were knobby protuberances of the flesh, resembling the heads of nails.

 

2. Equally interesting and puzzling is the state of ecstasy or trance in

the life of Saint Bernadette of France. In her life (1844 to 1879), Dr.

Dozous had examined her frequently in such states of altered

consciousness. She used to become suddenly extremely pale and remain in

a state of intense concentration. It was found that her pulse rate was

slow; while blood pressure, examination of eyes, cardiovascular, and

respiratory systems were normal. But still she was in such a state of

consciousness that the doctor could not explain it and ultimately

labeled it as divine consciousness.

 

· In such a state of mystic introversion, once the flame of burning

candle touched Bernadette's fingers for ten minutes. The doctor examined

that portion of the skin when she returned to normal consciousness, but

he was wonder struck to see no marks of burn injury at all! When,

however, in her normal state the doctor wanted to repeat the experiment,

and took the burning candle near her hand, she cried out at once, " Why

do you want to burn me? "

 

Recent journal on physiology after nearly 140 years of this incidence,

as if, has come up with the explanation on the basis of the experimental

evidence. These scientists have found that mental repetition of " OM " (or

other mantra) caused narrowing of the blood vessels of skin, which was

interpreted as an accompaniment of increase in mental alertness. Other

signs of reduced arousal like reduced heart rate, slowness of

respiration, and reduced oxygen consumption were recorded.

 

c s shah

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