Psychic Abilities

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What is the Catholic view on psychic phenomena / abilities? Sometimes I think I have a bit of telepathy and clairvoyance. I used to take medications to calm these symptoms down…as they can be distracting and/or disturbing. For a while these issues went away…now they seem to have returned. Of course I realize that it might not be telepathy and clairvoyance, but rather paranoia and an overactive imagination. But, still, what is the Catholic view, if any, on these issues?

Dan
 
I recommend a “general confession” which is a summary of all sin over your life. Get into the state of grace. After that, read these prayers and then recite them solemnly - catholicwarriors.com/pages/warfare_prayers.htm

Read some good books by Gabriel Amorth - an Exorcist tells his story.

Most of all, be very careful. This could be a temptation to invite evil spirits. Don’t mess around with this.
 
If someone isn’t trying to get/use a pscyhic ability, than it isn’t sinful. If someone does try those things than it’s of grave matter and if they know that and do so anyway with complete consent, than it’s a mortal sin. Such things come from demons.
 
ChibiViolet said:
If someone isn’t trying to get/use a pscyhic ability, than it isn’t sinful. If someone does try those things than it’s of grave matter and if they know that and do so anyway with complete consent, than it’s a mortal sin.
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Question for you.

What about the saints? Padre Pio he seemed to be able to know your sins before you confessed.Reported he was able to do Bilocation.

Saint Malachy predicted the line of popes.

St. Catherine of Genoa’s Vision of Purgatory.

Saint Francis of Assisi is recorded as having been “suspended above the earth, often to a height of three, and often to a height of four cubits” (around 1.3 to 1.8 m). St. Alphonsus Liguori, when preaching at Foggia, was lifted before the eyes of the whole congregation several feet from the ground.[2] Liguori is also said to have had the power of bilocation.

The list goes on and on.

I think in some cases its a gift from God or nature not to be confused with magick
 
I got involved in drugs and some occult stuff over ten years ago. Ever since then it has haunted me somewhat. I am confident that Christ has/can/will overcome all evil, but I have been having trouble lately. Perhaps it is because I am not under any spiritual authority at the moment, having left my non-denominational church after having some conflict with the leadership.

Dan
 
No such thing. If there is, prove it.

Otherwise, I would suggest going back to the medicine.
 
Christ has already overcome all evil in that he has received all power on heaven and earth. When we take refuge in Him, especially once you can receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and receive sanctifying grace, we are safe, because we are in Him, and He is in us, and the adversary has no power over Him. I honestly don’t recommend Fr. Amorth’s books, or any reading on the works of the adversary - they tend to make people overly anxious. Focus on Christ’s love and mercy - “his faithfulness is buckler and shield”, says the psalmist.

Not all those things are necessarily bad: discernment through spiritual direction can help you (no need to wait, you can already speak to a priest about this). St. John of the Cross, the Doctor Mysticus, wrote extensively on these matters, along with St. Teresa of Avila. Rule of thumb: have no attachment whatsoever to these seemingly supernatural gifts, and treat them as if they were a deception. Again, spiritual direction is recommended. Of course, many things are actually the product of our powerful mind, thus it is actually important to check if there is further need for medical treatment - remember that your body is not your own, but a temple of the Holy Spirit.

Check out the prayer Anima Christi, beautiful in Gregorian chant.

Pax Christi tecum, brother in Christ. The Lord longs to give Himself to you in the Eucharist and I rejoice and pray for you.
Since he clings to me in love, I will free him;
protect him for he knows my name.
When he calls I shall answer: “I am with you”.
I will save him in distress and give him glory.
With length of life I will content him;
I shall let him see my saving power.

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
I’m not saying anyone is wrong and that I’m right. However, we have to be a bit slower on blaming the devil for everything.
 
Psychic abilities are real. There are only two concerns regardig people who may be experiencing some type of unusual ability.
  1. Talk to a psychiatrist and explain what you are experiencing and any previous use of illegal drugs or unusual past events, including abuse, that you remember. Depending on his answers, which may include further treatment based on his diagnosis - a specific diagnosis, you should also do the following.
  2. Talk to a priest. A real person. Explain your experiences and what your psychiatrist told you. Ask for his advice.
I personally know an individual who has had premonitions, and 9 out of 10 times, they occur as he felt they would. Far beyond the law of chance. I’ve known him for a long time and he is very quiet about it, only telling two close friends, at most, about what he senses is going to happen.

Hope this helps,
Ed
 
pangaious said:
I’m not saying anyone is wrong and that I’m right. However, we have to be a bit slower on blaming the devil for everything.
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Some (or most) of the time it’s our fallen nature is the one to blame. 🤷
 
Zosimus41 said:
Question for you.

What about the saints? Padre Pio he seemed to be able to know your sins before you confessed.Reported he was able to do Bilocation.

Saint Malachy predicted the line of popes.

St. Catherine of Genoa’s Vision of Purgatory.

Saint Francis of Assisi is recorded as having been “suspended above the earth, often to a height of three, and often to a height of four cubits” (around 1.3 to 1.8 m). St. Alphonsus Liguori, when preaching at Foggia, was lifted before the eyes of the whole congregation several feet from the ground.[2] Liguori is also said to have had the power of bilocation.

The list goes on and on.

I think in some cases its a gift from God or nature not to be confused with magick
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Yes, in rare cases it can come from God, but I wasn’t thinking of that and I just wanted to help the OP avoid committing a mortal sin.
 
ChibiViolet said:
Yes, in rare cases it can come from God, but I wasn’t thinking of that and I just wanted to help the OP avoid committing a mortal sin.
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In reading between the lines. Its sad saints are rare cases though. If you catch my drift.

But I understand where your comming from.
 
dsully said:
What is the Catholic view on psychic phenomena / abilities? Sometimes I think I have a bit of telepathy and clairvoyance. I used to take medications to calm these symptoms down…as they can be distracting and/or disturbing. For a while these issues went away…now they seem to have returned. Of course I realize that it might not be telepathy and clairvoyance, but rather paranoia and an overactive imagination. But, still, what is the Catholic view, if any, on these issues?

Dan
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I cannot speak for the Catholic view, having never learned of any. I have worked with a few psychics and trained two of them, and recommend that you treat your abilities not as either curse or gift, but something which you have earned in prior life experiences. Don’t believe that, of course— just consider it as an alternative perspective that allows you to take responsibility for your abilities.

Your work in this life may be to put your abilities to good work in the furtherance of life and purpose, just as someone born with mathematical genius might develop his natural abilities so as to further human understanding, or like someone with excellent physical coordination might take up a sport.

Or, this could be a time to suppress your abilities. Only you can determine what is best for you. I cannot recommend drugs of any sort, especially those that modify brain chemistry. Seems to me that trusting your Creator to have gotten that right, for you, would be a no-conflict approach. Rather than drugs, you might consider training.

I once met and worked with a pop-psychic writer by the name of Susy Smith, who converted to Christianity at some point and has been well-regarded by serious psychic researchers even post-demise. I’ve read most of her books. She is a sincere person and an easy read.

You might find Matthew 25:14-30 relevant to your personal situation. I wish you the best of life.
 
Twice I have had eerie experiences relating to death.

When I was about 16 I dreamed my great grandfather had died. The next day we received a telegram that he had died during the night. We lived 2,000 miles apart.

About 15 years ago my mother died. When I got home, I noticed the clock on our mantle had stopped. I wound it, but it would not tick. Then I noticed it had stopped at precisely the hour my mother died. When I took the clock to a repair man and told him the story, he said he was not surprised as he had heard it from several other customers.

God’s truth.
 
Charlemagne_II said:
Twice I have had eerie experiences relating to death.

When I was about 16 I dreamed my great grandfather had died. The next day we received a telegram that he had died during the night. We lived 2,000 miles apart.

About 15 years ago my mother died. When I got home, I noticed the clock on our mantle had stopped. I wound it, but it would not tick. Then I noticed it had stopped at precisely the hour my mother died. When I took the clock to a repair man and told him the story, he said he was not surprised as he had heard it from several other customers.

God’s truth.
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Accepted. Are these experiences part of why you are no longer an atheist?
 
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