| Titel: | Photic phenomena in mystic life |
|---|---|
| Autor: | Narain, R. |
| Mediengruppe: | journal article |
| Herausgeber: | --- |
| Zeitschrift: | Indian Journal of Psychology |
| Jahr: | 1937 |
| Band: | 12: 232 237 |
| Heft: | --- |
| Seiten: | 232-237 |
| Sprache: | English; englisch |
| Abstract: | The author inquires into the possible explanations of the photic experiences which characterize the lives of mystics of all races. He dismisses mechanical and electrical stimulation; finds chemical substances in the blood which are due to dietetic regulation, deprivation of food and sleep, breathing exercises and similar yogic processes, accounting for some of the visual phenomena of mystics; finds that a heightened blood pressure attendant upon high concentration may also produce ideo-retinal lights; but proposes as the most satisfactory explanation that of central stimulation, for since the only sensations of which the mystic can be aware are the organic and kinesthetic, it follows that this delimitation of the sensory life would render the organic and kinesthetic unusually vivid. Since the hypothalamus is the center of all sensations coming from the viscera, and since these are readily contributed to the thalamus, they readily flow to the cortical visual center. This intensification of stimulation at the visual center is a tenable explanation of the ideo-retinal experiences of yogi. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) |