User:Freckledbaby/Spirit possession

What is spirit possession? - Sofia
Spirit possession is a religious aspect. It is known as a condition that is characterized by unusual behaviour, where the person has a significant personality change. This is used as evidence that such being is under the control of an external supernatural power, or better known as a "spirit". People can also be possessed by ghosts, demons or gods. However, many say that the possessor is angry and exhibits hatred towards the person that is possessed. Spirit possession is expressed in many religions including Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and many more. It is also recognized in lots of cultures such as Asian, African and American. Although it is not talked about, it is a question in lots of civilians as to whether it is real or not. Many believe in external forces, which is where spirit possession lies.

Symptoms of Spirit Possession - Sofia
There are many symptoms in order to determine if a spirit possesses one. Those symptoms include unusual violent movements, shrieking, groaning, and uttering disconnected or strange speech. It is tough to determine if it is possession at first mainly because these symptoms can relate to other illnesses or diseases. However, people possessed by spirits are oftentimes incapable of participating in any religious acts such as praying, going to church, uttering blasphemies and communicating with priests or nuns. They express great hatred towards religious persons or objects.

In some traditions, the possessed person becomes "ill" and is seen in their community as having committed a spiritual transgression. Their recovery is held in order to require expiation of their sins. They often do this by a sacrifice. This could be a sacrifice of an object or even another being. In other traditions, the possessed person is seen as a medium for controlling the spirits and is used to communicate with them. They have a special role when it comes to spirit possession. Their role is to diagnose and heal individuals that are suffering with spirit possession. Most of the time, these mediums are in a trance, which is self-induced by drugs, drumming, or collective hysteria. In this trance, the medium appears to be insensible to ordinary stimuli.

Treatment - sofia
Spirit possession can be treated in many different ways however, one of the most common rituals to defeat possession is exorcism. The term exorcism is "an adjuration addressed to evil spirits to force them to abandon an object, place, or person; technically, a ceremony used in both Jewish and Christian traditions to expel demons from persons who have come under their power." Exorcism is something that comes from very old times, especially in religion. It is a practice that is considered witchcraft. This ceremony is one that is very powerful and only certain persons have the authority to do such a thing. Knowingly, it is oftentimes priests and nuns that commence this ceremony. They begin by saying prayers and use additional readings in order to execute the demon. Typically, these exorcists carry religious objects, such as crosses, to fight the evil spirit, demon or ghost. Once the powerful force has been summoned, the exorcist must say closing prayers to finally "kill" the spirit. This process can range from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on how strong the external force is.

Nowadays, spirit possession is regularly treated as psychophysical manifestations and is dealt with medically or in terms of social psychology. As studies have gone on, scientists have determined that spirit possession can be treated as "epilepsy, hysteria, somnambulism, schizophrenia, or other organic or psychological forms of illness." Because of this, exorcisms are practiced less on people due to the fact that they can be highly dangerous for both individuals involved.

Background
China is a country where 73.56% of the population is defined as Chinese folk religion/unaffiliated (non-religion). Therefore, the Chinese population’s knowledge of spirit possession is not majorly obtained from religion. Instead, the concept is spread through fairy tales/folk tales and literary works of its traditional culture. In essence, the concept of soul possession has penetrated into all aspects of Chinese life, from people's superstitions, folk taboos, and funeral rituals, to various ghost-themed literary works, and has continued to spread to people's lives today.

Spirit Possession and its Development
Spirit possession in China was prominent until the Communist takeover in the 1950's and most of the data gathered on this topic will be from the late 18th century. The Chinese believe that illnesses to man is due to the possession of an evil spirit yin spirit (kuei). These evil spirits become such when the deceased are not worshiped by the family, they have died unexpectedly, or did not follow Confucius's ideals of filial piety and ancestral reverence accordingly. These evil spirits cause unexplainable disasters, agricultural shocks and possessions. The Chinese believe that disease is the cause of the supernatural where they do not have control over. Usually in the writings about this, the healers are the ones being described with detail, not so much the patient. Magical practices is sometimes what spirit possession is referred to as. It is very hard to distinguish between the religion, magic and local traditions. This is because many times, all three are fused together, so sometimes trying to distinguish between the them is hard.

Shaman
Another type of spirit possession is called the "shaman." It is someone who is a prophet, healer and religious figure all combined together. They also have the power to control spirits and serve as a vehicle of communication for them. However, they cannot completely control the spirits. Messages, remedies and even oracles are delivered through the shaman. This has also been used by people who would like to become important figures. Usually shaman gives guidance that already reflect the values of the individuals that are seeking help.

The Yin-yang Theory and Spirit Possession
The yin-yang theory is one of the most important bases and components of Chinese traditional culture. The yin-yang theory has penetrated into various traditional Chinese cultural things including calendar, astronomy, meteorology, Chinese medicine, martial arts, calligraphy, architecture, religion, feng shui, divination, etc. The yin-yang theory also applies to spirit possession. In general, one is considered to be “weak”, when the yin and yang in the body are imbalanced, especially when the yin is on the dominant side. The spirits, which are categorized as the yin side, will then take control of these individuals with the imbalanced and yin-dominant situation more easily.

African Tradition - Gianluca
In spirit possession what usually happens is that nonhuman forces are believed to enter a human's body. This could affect their actions either positively or negatively. In Western cultures when we think of spirit possession we think it is evil. However in African cultures they believe differently. They consider it a form of communication between two people. The spirits have an important meaning because it can either be a social, religious or political meaning when a spirit possession is happening in their culture. They believe that the spirits have greater power than humans, however they do not recognize them as gods. In some cultures they recognize them as either ancestors or mythical heroes. Some signals that they to show there presence is through dreams, illness, appearances in distinct personalities. Some spirits that are seemed as harmful may be exorcised or even removed. Usually when a possession is accepted the cultures perform a ritual accommodation to summon the spirit. The spirit might demand that the host wear certain clothes, or to eat certain foods, or to perform activities on a regular basis.

Typically the males in these cultures would interpret the communication between the spirit and the human worlds. Spirit possession is very powerful in African communities and part of their daily lives. Through this ancestors in these cultures pass on knowledge to the young people of the community.

Spirit possession. The Spiritual Life. (2020, November 20). Retrieved May 9, 2022, from https://slife.org/spirit-possession/

Symptoms of possesion from MbeBo Spirits;
On the Akamba of Kenya, their people refer to spirits as mbeBo. There are certain symptoms following this cultural possession. Supposedly, the spirit makes its wishes known when a woman goes into an ecstacy. As soon as they are known, the woman should make strange sounds, which are in a foreign language. She then demands "appropriate" to the spirits tribe, which could be anything from a weapon, to a simple cloth.

Healing remedies;
When it comes to healing a person, there are normally two types of remedies. If the victim wants to be temporarily relieved, the spirit must be given what they are asking. Once that is done, the victim of the possession must allow the seizures to continue.

If the person decides to go with a full exorcism, the following remedy must be followed in order to achieve so. The patient must sit on the ground with a dark cloth covering her head. Whilst such is happening, drums are beaten by men, also which a song is played in the background mentioning foreign spirits. Following that, the woman must dance. After she gets exhausted, water is poured on her as she is laying on the floor in order to revive her. The spirit then reveals its identity and their desires. Lastly, the patient is treated with standard medications to fully cure them. After a good night's rest, it's as if nothing happened he next day.

Uganda- Myah
In the Ugandan culture spirits are seen as quasi-physical beings. Meaning that even though they’re capable of possessing physical objects and human beings, they do it solely with evil or harmful intent. They use spirits as an explanation for many actual and true problems in Uganda. Furthermore, more studies were made by Ugandan spiritual investors, according to biblical interpretations, they expand on the concept that spirits are evil and represent danger. Many believe that you can gain a spirit while doing certain activities, such as, “initiation orgies”. The Kampala Miracle Center Cathedral is known to be the largest Pentecostal church in Uganda. It’s also known to be a place in which spirits are often casted out. This church is used as a type of “out” for Ugandans, they see the pastor as a healer and one who knows all.

Christianity
In the religion of Christianity it tells us that angels are non-corporeal spiritual beings that have knowledge and will. Fallen angels or demons can be able to "demonically posses" people without the victims having knowledge or consenting to it. Then are left morally blameless.

Islam
In the religion of Islam spirit possession appears in theology and tradition. Jinn are free creatures with free will. They were made by Allah through smokeless fire and have ability to posse humans. They are not demons. The jinn's may acquire supernatural powers. Some might posse humans with no bad intent. When posed the person will act differently such as in a strange way, will speak different or sometimes act in a violent manner. Exorcism or the removal of a jinn from a person that is posed must be done by a religious person.

Spirit possession. The Spiritual Life. (2020, November 20). Retrieved May 9, 2022, from https://slife.org/spirit-possession/

Buddhism -sofia
Buddhism is one of the largest practiced religions in the world. However, those who practice it do not believe that it is a religion, but instead a way of life. Buddhists believe that meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and good behavior are the ways to achieve enlightenment, or nirvana. To everyone's surprise, demons are a central aspect of its history. The demons in Asia are considered some of the most powerful and ancient spirits of the world. In Buddhism, buddhist miracle workers tame demons and turn them into dharma protectors or fierce guardians. Buddhists believe that there are no such thing as demons. Instead, there are only powers, energies and deities to be worked with. It is said that "the skillfulness, compassion, and attainment of the practitioner determine the outcome of the encounter." Those who lack in these attributes have more of a fear of demons than those who have pacified their inner demons. In Buddhism, there is no notion of evil and they believe that all beings of a lower realm (animals, demons and ghosts) may improve their karmic lot. In Buddhist understanding, if someone is possessed by a demon, spirit or something of higher energy, they take it as a sign to be more diligent in their spiritual efforts. The demons are controlled, yet respected at the same time. Buddhists are not harmful towards these energies, as they do not believe in evil.

Umbanda - Myah
Umbanda is known for being a mix of African, Indigenous and South American beliefs that ultimately created a syncretic Brazilian religion. The relationship between spirit possession and Umbanda culture is basically that, the whole point of Umbanda is to connect your soul with those of spirits. It was brought to life when West African enslaved people were stripped of everything when they were brought to Brazil, they saw this tradition as a way to keep their culture afloat. They had god-like figures which are called orixas or orishas. Oxala is known as a Jesus-like figure, Yemaja is known as a water goddess and there are many more. There are many traditions and ceremonies in this culture. A big one is when they are to introduce a new priestess or priest. These ceremonies are called tend, tent or terreiro which means backyard celebration. The rituals include dancing, drumming, chanting, and spirit communication.