Obsession (Spiritism) - Degrees of Obsession

Degrees of Obsession

Kardec proposed a classification of obsessions into three levels (of severity):

1. Simple: The spirit influencing the medium cannot disguise his or her presence. The medium knows that he is being obsessed and, therefore, can resist it. This type of obsession disturbs both the medium and those for whom he is carrying messages, especially because the medium may let slip random sentences due to influence of the obsessor(s), much to the surprise of those present. Uncontrolled, this form of obsession may cause the medium to be seen as mentally ill; at the least it will ridicule to him and destroy his self-esteem. Simple obsession is usually the result of the action of low spirits devoted to evil that take pleasure in the suffering imposed on the medium. This type of obsession is usually linked to revenge, and the spirit generally wants the victim to know who he is and why he is doing this.
2. Fascination: The spirit influencing the medium does not bother to disguise his or herself (or intentionally reveals himself), but disempowers the medium by cunning means, so that the victim will see whatever the spirit dictates as the purest expression of truth. The obsessing spirit will stop mediumistic communications from any other sources, so that the medium comes to depend solely on the subjugating spirit and will produce a large output of communication, mostly worthless. Fascination may be plotted to destroy someone's life or as an instrument to spread worthless theories that will hinder the progress of mankind. Some spirits also take pleasure from seeing the nonsensical things the mediums will do and preach following their advice.
3. Subjugation: The spirit overcomes the medium's will to the extent of controlling his body as his own. During the obsession crisis, the victim will not act as himself and will pursue whatever agenda the obsessing spirit has in mind. After the crisis, the victim may not remember anything, or may remember everything with great regret. Subjugation is of utmost danger because it reveals murderous designs on the part of the obsessor. The victim is often used as instrument to inflict pain on others or to commit crimes. Sometimes the obsessor wants do destroy the victim's life, but it may be the case that the victim is merely the instrument of revenge against the real target of the obsessor.