Psychic abilities...could they be real?

[Poseidon]

I am highly skeptical of any claims of supernatural things, but I did have an experience once that could be described as psychic. I don’t have time to go into detail, but in a nutshell, I was about 15, and I was in a foreign country with my family. While we were out one day I got separated from them, and I was lost by myself for about 3 hours (they had been driving in 2 cars, and both though I was in the other one, so they were a long way away before they realized I wasn’t with them. After a couple hours I decided that something must have happened to them, and that I was going to have to find my own way back. So I headed for the street to find a taxi when it started pouring rain. I sheltered under an awning, and the rain went on for about 15-20 minutes when suddenly I got a “message” (there’s really no other way to describe it, it was as if someone just told me) to go back to the temple (a Daoist temple where I had been earlier). So I started walking back, and when I walked into the driveway I saw my father walking out of the temple.

Certainly it could have been coincidence, but I’m not completely convinced of that. The message was quite strong, stronger than most whims that suddenly come onto me, and it happened at exactly the right time. Psychic? Possibly. Or maybe it was smurfs. Or God. Or Xi Wangmu, Queen Mother of the West. I have no idea. It’s a mystery that I’ll probably never know the answer to!

 

[Waiting]

I am highly skeptical of any claims of supernatural things, but I did have an experience once that could be described as psychic. I don’t have time to go into detail, but in a nutshell, I was about 15, and I was in a foreign country with my family. While we were out one day I got separated from them, and I was lost by myself for about 3 hours (they had been driving in 2 cars, and both though I was in the other one, so they were a long way away before they realized I wasn’t with them. After a couple hours I decided that something must have happened to them, and that I was going to have to find my own way back. So I headed for the street to find a taxi when it started pouring rain. I sheltered under an awning, and the rain went on for about 15-20 minutes when suddenly I got a “message” (there’s really no other way to describe it, it was as if someone just told me) to go back to the temple (a Daoist temple where I had been earlier). So I started walking back, and when I walked into the driveway I saw my father walking out of the temple.

Certainly it could have been coincidence, but I’m not completely convinced of that. The message was quite strong, stronger than most whims that suddenly come onto me, and it happened at exactly the right time. Psychic? Possibly. Or maybe it was smurfs. Or God. Or Xi Wangmu, Queen Mother of the West. I have no idea. It’s a mystery that I’ll probably never know the answer to!

It was most likely your guardian angel. Mine has kept me from harm several times.

 

[KathleenGee]

Poisedon…as Catholics we can say we have souls…we are body and soul.

The soul is spirit, comprised of spirit and truth. Our loved ones share with us a spiritual and loving bond. I have been finding out I think about others, think of them with love and care, and then find out they have a spouse or child dying…

I think when we are helped, we are in some form of truth, we somehow recognize its movement and follow it…that connects us to those we love and care for.

It is another thing to go out and seek psychic information or power…I would also see those wanting to find a missing child more that of the former,…seeking the spirit of truth to locate someone we love and care for.

 

[jesuspsr]

I am highly skeptical of any claims of supernatural things, but I did have an experience once that could be described as psychic. I don’t have time to go into detail, but in a nutshell, I was about 15, and I was in a foreign country with my family. While we were out one day I got separated from them, and I was lost by myself for about 3 hours (they had been driving in 2 cars, and both though I was in the other one, so they were a long way away before they realized I wasn’t with them. After a couple hours I decided that something must have happened to them, and that I was going to have to find my own way back. So I headed for the street to find a taxi when it started pouring rain. I sheltered under an awning, and the rain went on for about 15-20 minutes when suddenly I got a “message” (there’s really no other way to describe it, it was as if someone just told me) to go back to the temple (a Daoist temple where I had been earlier). So I started walking back, and when I walked into the driveway I saw my father walking out of the temple.

I’ve had experiences like this before. Psychic or maybe a premonition. I don’t know, are they the same thing?

 

[Timothy_Garber]

I’ve had experiences like this before. Psychic or maybe a premonition. I don’t know, are they the same thing?

I am going to have to agree with “Waiting” here; It was your guardian angel! Everyone has one, not just Catholics.

 

[Julia_Mae]

I’ve had experiences like this before. Psychic or maybe a premonition. I don’t know, are they the same thing?

I think this is a most excellent question. Psychic is being defined generally, by those studying it, as getting information in ways not accounted for by the five senses. So that can be all kinds of information, whether remote viewing (being able to describe something at a distance you have never seen yourself), or knowing information, like lotto numbers, heeding an inexplicable warnings or following advice, knowing things before you can, premonitions. all these things are information you ave received.

Let’s presume your guardian angel is speaking to you. How can you “hear” that? Angels are spirit, they don’t have vocal chords. How do we know? It’s quite possible, IMO, that whatever allows us to sometimes know something fairly mundane, is the same trait that allows us to connect with the transcendental.

 

[Timothy_Garber]

Let’s presume your guardian angel is speaking to you. How can you “hear” that? Angels are spirit, they don’t have vocal chords. How do we know? It’s quite possible, IMO, that whatever allows us to sometimes know something fairly mundane, is the same trait that allows us to connect with the transcendental.

How does God speak? He is not physical matter; he does not have vocal chords.

 

[PCalungsod]

Greetings! Interesting topic.
Based on what I’ve learned by reading books such as Exorcism:Encounters with the Paranormal and the Occult, written by Fr. Jose Francisco Syquia (Director, Archdiocese of Manila Office of Exorcism), the answer is yes. The teaching of the Church says that Adam and Eve, before their fall were filled with both “supernatural” and “preternatural” gifts. By definition, supernatural gifts are divine gifts that are totally beyond created nature and comes from God while preternatural gifts are abilities not bound by matter or physical nature but are bound by the laws of created nature. Part of it is the so called psychic abilities. After fall, we have lost the supernatural gifts and preternatural gifts diminished (by reviewing the lives of the saints, we can actually see that God can restore this gift). Now, there are 2 ways to revive these gifts. One is through esoteric or occult practices (condemned by the Church and the Bible- like that in Deut.18:9-12) and another is through living a life with the (Holy) Spirit (hence we have mystics and visionaries in the Church). The later however does not focus on developing psychic abilities but on living a holy life. And it’s God’s prerogative (being a saint or holy does not mean that you have the preternatural gift in you; neither does being a “psychic” means that you are holy). We must always remember that the devil can also impart their abilities through esoteric, pagan or occultic practices, at a cost of one’s soul. And yeah, Early Christians never performed such rituals to connect with God or to regain such ability. They pray and live a holy life. Hence, we should be careful of such psychic abilities and NEVER practice what is occult and the like. Hope that helps.

 

[Entangled]

I think the question is more general. Not divinations and such. More like, do you beleive that we can graduate beyond our 5 senses?

Can it be done? And, what the impact would be for all of us?

If the Pope can accept the fact that there could be life on other planets, don’t you think that we could see something happeneing to us in the future… like more than 5 senses?

The question is academic. “If we gain more than 5 senses, than we will gain more than 5 senses.”

The real question is, “How will that effect us? What will that do to mankind? Would it be good or bad for us? How would effect us in our Faith?”

You can argue the point that it will or not happen and what we see now, with pscyhics, wickas, and those who want to use supernatural powers, New Agers and all the things we fear.

They all have one common thread. The ability to be able to influence mankind who do not have those abilities.

Let’s say you are a witch or wizard… or however the word could be… popular now because of media entertainment. This allows you to have something over others… something special. You might start out just using it… if it exists to just do something that seems to not hurt anyone. If it works, though, you can influence others, make them behave in your way of thinking… “good or bad.”

Here is something that is a popular theme in all supernatural type movies… making someone to fall in love with you. That victum becomes obsessed, with no choices which creates problems. He/she can not love you back. Which ultimately hurts the victum and you.

No matter how you look at it… psychic abilities being real or not, the question is, “Responsibility.”

Could psychic abilities be real or not… could they happen if the future? People are always changing. In this day and age, life is so complicated, and there are many sci-fi things happening. Many of them are true now! So, what could happen in the future.

You can argue the point of if they will happen or be real and all that stuff… go back and forth this? Don’t you think the real question and answer is… what would happen if we did?

Maybe my mind is too open to furure possibilities. Yet, something is for certain… possibility or not, what to do about it is more important than wondering if it could…

 

[aragonjohn1]

I think this is a most excellent question. Psychic is being defined generally, by those studying it, as getting information in ways not accounted for by the five senses. So that can be all kinds of information, whether remote viewing (being able to describe something at a distance you have never seen yourself), or knowing information, like lotto numbers, heeding an inexplicable warnings or following advice, knowing things before you can, premonitions. all these things are information you ave received.

Let’s presume your guardian angel is speaking to you. How can you “hear” that? Angels are spirit, they don’t have vocal chords. How do we know? It’s quite possible, IMO, that whatever allows us to sometimes know something fairly mundane, is the same trait that allows us to connect with the transcendental.

Yes

The only Holy examples of “psychic” that i can remember are *William Flete mentor Of St Catherine of Siena, Venerable St. Bede, and a few others.

William flete
-*newadvent.org/cathen/06102a.htm

St. Bede

-*newadvent.org/cathen/02384a.htm

Others

-*newadvent.org/cathen/12025c.htm#IV

( under*The great historical currents)

The philosophies of the Renaissance are mainly negative: modern philosophy is, first and foremost, constructive. The latter is emancipated from all dogma; many of its syntheses are powerful; the definitive formation of the various nationalities and the diversity of languages favour the tendency to individualism though in the modern era many relativistic/tyrannical cultures *leads to centrism especially in areas of science but not or hardly ever non-science.

Shalom
God bless

 

[aragonjohn1]

Yes

The only Holy examples of “psychic” that i can remember are *William Flete mentor Of St Catherine of Siena, Venerable St. Bede, and a few others.

William flete
-*newadvent.org/cathen/06102a.htm

St. Bede

-*newadvent.org/cathen/02384a.htm

Others

-*newadvent.org/cathen/12025c.htm#IV

( under*The great historical currents)

The philosophies of the Renaissance are mainly negative: modern philosophy is, first and foremost, constructive. The latter is emancipated from all dogma; many of its syntheses are powerful; the definitive formation of the various nationalities and the diversity of languages favour the tendency to individualism though in the modern era many relativistic/tyrannical cultures *leads to centrism especially in areas of science but not or hardly ever non-science.

Shalom
God bless

Also found this very relevant thread - forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=100153

Hope this helps.

 

[aragonjohn1]

I think the question is more general. Not divinations and such. More like, do you beleive that we can graduate beyond our 5 senses?

Can it be done? And, what the impact would be for all of us?

If the Pope can accept the fact that there could be life on other planets, don’t you think that we could see something happeneing to us in the future… like more than 5 senses?

The question is academic. “If we gain more than 5 senses, than we will gain more than 5 senses.”

The real question is, “How will that effect us? What will that do to mankind? Would it be good or bad for us? How would effect us in our Faith?”

You can argue the point that it will or not happen and what we see now, with pscyhics, wickas, and those who want to use supernatural powers, New Agers and all the things we fear.

They all have one common thread. The ability to be able to influence mankind who do not have those abilities.

Let’s say you are a witch or wizard… or however the word could be… popular now because of media entertainment. This allows you to have something over others… something special. You might start out just using it… if it exists to just do something that seems to not hurt anyone. If it works, though, you can influence others, make them behave in your way of thinking… “good or bad.”

Here is something that is a popular theme in all supernatural type movies… making someone to fall in love with you. That victum becomes obsessed, with no choices which creates problems. He/she can not love you back. Which ultimately hurts the victum and you.

No matter how you look at it… psychic abilities being real or not, the question is, “Responsibility.”

Could psychic abilities be real or not… could they happen if the future? People are always changing. In this day and age, life is so complicated, and there are many sci-fi things happening. Many of them are true now! So, what could happen in the future.

You can argue the point of if they will happen or be real and all that stuff… go back and forth this? Don’t you think the real question and answer is… what would happen if we did?

Maybe my mind is too open to furure possibilities. Yet, something is for certain… possibility or not, what to do about it is more important than wondering if it could…

It turns out, there are at least nine senses and most researchers think there are more like twenty-one or so.
Just for reference, the commonly held definition of a “sense” is “any system that consists of a group of sensory cell types that respond to a specific physical phenomenon and that corresponds to a particular group of regions within the brain where the signals are received and interpreted.

-*todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/07/humans-have-a-lot-more-than-five-senses/



Hope this helps*
Shalom
God bless

 

[Waiting]

How does God speak? He is not physical matter; he does not have vocal chords.

When God wants you to know something, He has no trouble letting you know. He’s used several methods of communicating with me. There’s inspiration. We’ve all experienced that sudden aha moment when you know something without a doubt. Sometimes God puts the right person in your life at just the right time. Also, when the doctor couldn’t help me when I felt so awful for a length of time, there , on my return from the doctor’s office, was my answer in the form of a health magazine that arrived that day. One time my Guardian Angel actually put pressure on my shoulders, like hands, turning me to where I should go. And, unbelievingly , one time Jesus chose to speak with me in human voice after I had prayed for the health of a nephew. God has many ways to get through to us. If you are open to hearing Him in any form, you WILL get an answer.

 

[guanophore]

I am highly skeptical of any claims of supernatural things,

In that case, you are in real trouble as a Christian.

but I did have an experience once that could be described as psychic. I don’t have time to go into detail, but in a nutshell, I was about 15, and I was in a foreign country with my family. While we were out one day I got separated from them, and I was lost by myself for about 3 hours (they had been driving in 2 cars, and both though I was in the other one, so they were a long way away before they realized I wasn’t with them. After a couple hours I decided that something must have happened to them, and that I was going to have to find my own way back. So I headed for the street to find a taxi when it started pouring rain. I sheltered under an awning, and the rain went on for about 15-20 minutes when suddenly I got a “message” (there’s really no other way to describe it, it was as if someone just told me) to go back to the temple (a Daoist temple where I had been earlier). So I started walking back, and when I walked into the driveway I saw my father walking out of the temple.

This is what is called in Scripture a “word of knowledge”. A person is given a bit of information from a source that one could not obtain through one’s own rational thinking process, or based upon evidence.

This kind of “knowing” is part of our human nature, though it is not part of the rational nature, but the intuitive. It can also be used both for evil, and for good.

Certainly it could have been coincidence, but I’m not completely convinced of that. The message was quite strong, stronger than most whims that suddenly come onto me, and it happened at exactly the right time. Psychic? Possibly. Or maybe it was smurfs. Or God. Or Xi Wangmu, Queen Mother of the West. I have no idea. It’s a mystery that I’ll probably never know the answer to!

Hopefully when you reach the point where you see as He sees, then you will know. HOwever, such communication can also happen through the intercession of our guardian angel. If your parents or family members were praying they would be able to find you, then this was the answer to their prayers.

 

[guanophore]

Poisedon…as Catholics we can say we have souls…we are body and soul.

The soul is spirit, comprised of spirit and truth. Our loved ones share with us a spiritual and loving bond. I have been finding out I think about others, think of them with love and care, and then find out they have a spouse or child dying…

I am not sure this is a doctrinal or scripturally defensible formulation. I think it might be more accurate to say that we are body, soul and spirit. The soul of man is not necessarily comprised of “truth”, though we are created in the image and likeness of God, Scripture is clear that there is plenty of darkness in the heart of man.

I do agree with you, though, that there is a bond on the soul and spirit level that transcends the physical plane. The communion of saints is one example of this, and there are many examples in the Scriptures and lives of the saints that testify to teh reality of events that occur on this plane.

I think when we are helped, we are in some form of truth, we somehow recognize its movement and follow it…that connects us to those we love and care for.

I agree with you , but this can also work in the evil direction. Connection can also happen to what is not helpful, or that which helps the wrong, and serves to disconnect from love and care.

It is another thing to go out and seek psychic information or power…I would also see those wanting to find a missing child more that of the former,…seeking the spirit of truth to locate someone we love and care for.

Yes, we are strictly forbidden to seek knowledge in that way, but are to rely on the HS only.

 

[guanophore]

I think the question is more general. Not divinations and such. More like, do you beleive that we can graduate beyond our 5 senses?

We will certainly graduate beyond them when we leave this world, either to eternal life, or to eternal death. That being said, there is no need for us to “graduate” beyond them because the ability to perceive is not dependent upon the 5 senses. God has created us with the innate ability to know apart from those sources.

Can it be done? And, what the impact would be for all of us?

The impact of living a spirit filled life where we depend upon the HS to use our human persons to the fullest glory of God is easily seen in reading the lives of the saints.

If the Pope can accept the fact that there could be life on other planets, don’t you think that we could see something happeneing to us in the future… like more than 5 senses?

What makes you think the Pope doesn not? I think that something more than the 5 senses is happening to us NOW, and has since the day of creation.

The question is academic. “If we gain more than 5 senses, than we will gain more than 5 senses.”

Absolutely.

The real question is, “How will that effect us? What will that do to mankind? Would it be good or bad for us? How would effect us in our Faith?”

The faith is based upon much that is well beyond the five senses. The modern overemphasis on empiricism was an overcorrection for the superstition of the middle ages.

You can argue the point that it will or not happen and what we see now, with pscyhics, wickas, and those who want to use supernatural powers, New Agers and all the things we fear.

There is no need to fear the non physical parts of our being. God created them, and has left us instruction on how to use them.

They all have one common thread. The ability to be able to influence mankind who do not have those abilities.

I reject this premise as false. Every human nature is created with elements that are dependent upon the 5 senses, and elements that are not. Faith itself is not based upon the 5 senses, though Jesus used “signs” to help faith grow.

Let’s say you are a witch or wizard… or however the word could be… popular now because of media entertainment. This allows you to have something over others… something special. You might start out just using it… if it exists to just do something that seems to not hurt anyone. If it works, though, you can influence others, make them behave in your way of thinking… “good or bad.”

Yes, human nature can be used for good and for evil, and any ability, that of the 5 senses or otherwise, can either be used in the service of God or the devil.

Here is something that is a popular theme in all supernatural type movies… making someone to fall in love with you. That victum becomes obsessed, with no choices which creates problems. He/she can not love you back. Which ultimately hurts the victum and you.

The lower aspects of human nature are particularly susceptible to demonic influence.

No matter how you look at it… psychic abilities being real or not, the question is, “Responsibility.”

For Christians, it is essential that all of our abilties be subjected to God, and for Catholic Christians, the authority that He has placed over us, the Church.

Could psychic abilities be real or not... could they happen if the future? People are always changing.  In this day and age, life is so complicated, and there are many sci-fi things happening.  Many of them are true now!  So, what could happen in the future.

It seems like it would be a much better use of our mental energy to focus on what currently “is” rather than what might be.

  Maybe my mind is too open to furure possibilities.  Yet, something is for certain... possibility or not, what to do about it is more important than wondering if it could...:D

Had you considered submitted everything in yourself, both your empirical and your non-empirical elements to God?

 

[Richard320]

Well, at least two professional psychics failed the test recently. dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2226129/Two-professional-mediums-fail-test-demonstrate-psychic-powers-laboratory-conditions.html

 

[guanophore]

Well, at least two professional psychics failed the test recently. dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2226129/Two-professional-mediums-fail-test-demonstrate-psychic-powers-laboratory-conditions.html

Indeed it is essential that persons exercising such abilities or claiming to be gifted in them that they pass the test!

 

[Julia_Mae]

We must always remember that the devil can also impart their abilities through esoteric, pagan or occultic practices,…

Could I get a reference for this, please? I mean a Church document of some sort. Tnx.

 

[Julia_Mae]

The only Holy examples of “psychic” that i can remember are *William Flete mentor Of St Catherine of Siena, Venerable St. Bede, and a few others.

William flete
-*newadvent.org/cathen/06102a.htm

St. Bede

-*newadvent.org/cathen/02384a.htm

Others

-*newadvent.org/cathen/12025c.htm#IV

Padre Pio, Saint Faustina