i know its a illy one but anyway...

has any one seen it happen can any one do it and what are peoples beliefs on it?

I beleve its possible but only for a select few.

Levitation is one of my husband's party tricks.

And falling down is one of mine!

Ah yes Tas, I seem to remember, something like this

Christ Wolvie, what's Tas doing with my dad?

Well, you're halfway there Tas.

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I woke up one Saturday morning at a bike rally in my tent and was convinced I was levitating, then I realised some barsteward had taken all my tent pegs out.

Yes it is possible and I have done it once and know of one other.

I got caught in a flood in my tent and was bobbing around the ceiling canvas! So sympathise! (I had a really full lilo!)

Ive never seen anyone do this, though I have seen objects floating about! They were the result of a Medium having an emotional breakdown and her Energies running rampant, Poltergeist activity is the most commonly used term for this.
I had a Ketchup bottle float across the table to me as I reached for it, most commonly things that were put down moments before just werent there anymore, upon looking back, the most impressive thing I saw was a table cloth leap off the table without disturbing anything on it and then return in the same manner!

I find it depends on what strength curry I've had

We did a party trick once when I was a teenager - person sits on chair and 2 (I think) people try to lift the chair + person - very difficult. Then I think we put hands over person on chair's head and then put 2 fingers each under the chair and it was very easy to lift them?

Levitation?

I wasn't sure whether to post this or not (just in case I get those nice men in the white coats coming back to fit me for a new hug-me jacket) but here goes anyway...

As a child, I am positive I did this. And on more than one occassion. Once at home in my own bed, and once - far more spectacularly (up out of the bed and hovering, then moving at speed across the room near the ceiling*) whilst staying over at a pal's house. Now, I recall hitting my elbow because I put it up to ward off my collision course with the *ceiling. I remember being scared because I expected to fall, and my pal and her sister were asleep. I knew I wasn't dreaming, then I began to enjoy it and zoomed about at ceiling height, before floating down back to the bed. It felt strange to be on a surface. I was about 8 years old, and I had a bump where I had banged my elbow.

This is the first time I have ever spoken of this btw, and the next suggestion is one I have also wondered - was it an OBE, rather than actually levitating? Well, I don't think so. I had those prior to this, and have had many since. This was different. That's all I can say on the matter, but I fully believe it happens.

I also think it's something that some children may experience but never tell of because they realise it's "wrong" or weird. And I believe that we all had this ability - maybe we are born with it - who knows? I believe too that it may happen again, although under different circumstances.

So my secret's out - no doubt you'll think it's either delusional, or the OBE thing. All I know is that I still believe it did happen.

Could it have been poltergeist activity?

No, I doubt it. There was nothing else happening. Joyce and Norma were asleep below me. I remember thinking how funny it was seeing them and the room etc from above - after the initial shock wore off!

I never had any poltergeisty stuff happening around me as a kid or teen either.

sounds more like astral projection to me!

As I said above, I have done it. I know what it is and understand it. I have discussed it with others of high magickal repute and at least one of them is able to do so.
It does seem similar to OBE, in fact it is very like OBE but you bring your body with you. The men with white coats just won't believe you Tas, so don't worry about them.
The first time it happened was not by will so I don't count it but I tried to replicate it and did, nothing like the amount you mentioned Tas but enough to give me an immense shock! I recounted the trance method I was using to the Magister of an Order that I know personally, and he told me of work his temple had done which was similar just dressed up in a lot of ritual.
Fart jokes aside, I am sure quite a few here have had instances of psychic ability, some in youth or childhood, some as they work. Why would levitation be any different?

http://flyingsaints.blogspot.com/2007/03/s...e-of-siena.html

(Giggles uncontrollably! )

Bless you my dear
+++

I have a childhood (not sure what age, but young) memory of "flying" down my auntie's stairs. Standing at the top, making sure no one was going to disturb me, stepping off the top step and simply floating down. I've never known if this was a vivid dream I had as a child, levitation, OBE or what.

I was reading an interesting document on 1500s witch trials last night, part of C. Lestrange Ewen's research and levitation appears to have been attributed to Catholic Priests at that time. Found that one interesting.

I would be curious to know whether Chinese, Indian and Northern European levitation are attributed the same folkloric myths and practices. I suspect European levitation is probably attributable to flying ointment, however Chinese levitation was generally more to do with power lines and meditative states...Indian I'm not so sure about. It would be interesting to know whether any particular cults were acknowledged as being masters of it.

Sorry, don't believe in it. I don't believe in it NOT because I think we have the 'laws' of physics nailed down ( they change all the time -heck, we still don't really know what 'gravity is, so I suppose lacking a solid definition one could defy it ).

Here's my problem. I've seen a LOT of 'pagan's' claim to have either done it or seen it. Fine.

Now, if it IS possible, then it's not confined to pagans. Do the math. There would be an exponential number of people who could do it.

Why has there NEVER been one shred of evidence for others to see other than anecdotal evidence? That's not asking much. I mean, if people can do it, it would change so much of what we think we know so why wouldn't someone demonstrate it for all to see?

Marto

I rather think you're missing the point here Marto. So pardon me in advance if I am mistaken!

IMO there is precious little difference between "Pagans" and their xian/Judaic/Islamic counterparts - when it comes down to belief in their own faith.

The phenomenon of levitation is NOT confined to "Pagans" either. Plenty os saints and nuns experienced it. Or at any rate, they believed they had. But whether the act itself is attributable to an overactive imagination, and actual defiance of gravity, or something more esoteric is (IMO) immaterial. The fact remains though, that in the popular mind it is regarded as weird and of the province of either street magicians or (that word again...) "Pagans".

I doubt the average businessman would admit to having experienced levitation - though considering some of the mind altering drugs being consumed nowadays, maybe not.

I also can't imagine the topic being discussed much anywhere other than forums such as this one which are devoted to exploration of ideas and experiences which, whilst possibly not paranormal, are certainly (in the popular mind) the province of "Pagans"!

I completely agree with you - that was my point. With so many people who *apparently* can do this, why is there no evidence at....all? From ANYWHERE in the world? I spoke of pagans because I don't hang out at lot of Indian or Chinese forums. So if just the number of one very small group have so many members claim to do it or have seen it, well add the rest of the people of the world and one should see a significant amount of evidence of some kind besides anecdotal evidence.

Marto

This site has just GOT to be read!

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...I7ADBS%26sa%3DN

Be afraid - be VERY afraid....

Well, Tas, I was at a workshop where we tried that exercise where you all put your hands on the person's head and think heavy or light. We did not succeed in lifting the person. She was blooming heavy. It was rather disappointing, and must have given her quite a complex about her weight.

Personally, I put it all down to the subject being aided and abetted by synchronised farting!

Way back when I was a barmaid in Reading there was one drunken night well after closing when I'd just finished cleaning up and some of the regulars - a little inebriated - tried a trick where you lift someone with one finger each. I can't remember how it worked - but about five people lifted an entire, quite well built, man off the ground using their index fingers of one hand only. I was gobsmacked I have to say - still don't know how it worked.

(sorry - can’t access site - slow connection)

Cornish - doh! That's actually a really interesting point. Very much like an OBE - easy to see how someone waking up in the night and then shocking themselves back into their body could think they'd just been levitating.

But even at that tender age, I knew enough to realise this WASN't in fact an OBE.

As I already said in the post referred to.

Sorry Tas - I actually haven't read the entire thread yet! Was just something CornishShaman said that made me go 'aaah!' Shall go back and read the rest Sorry to cause confusion - wasn't commenting on anyone's experiences - but no doubt I will.

I have a vague memory of getting off my swing while in motion and just carrying on upwards. Then there was a blinding flash and I was lying on my back on the ground while a large voice shouted at me. I was alone in the woods at the time, no-one esle about. Given my upbringing I was convinced Yahweh was telling me off for attempting to fly. COuld never remember what the voice said afterwards.
I've also had the lifting off the chair thing done to me. It's very very weird.
BM
xx

Why would anyone think that levitation is any different to any other amazing metaphysical event? I find septics are just a waste of space and time, always got the ability to be knocking things but not in doing things, whereas some of us have spent decades exploring and trying things. Gonna get a few things working that way if you try hard and long enough! If you have a septic mind, you end up septic, not healthy I reckon.

I don't think it's any different from any other 'amazing metaphysical event', I think it's exactly the same: never...ever...demonstrated. See, that's why I am a skeptic. I'm sure the world would be better off for some without skeptics, then all those who would like to indulge in their rich fantasy lives and/or desire to milk the credulous of cash and impose their will on others without question would be in clover! Just THINK of all the snake-oil a person could sell!!

The intelligent questioning of something is not 'knocking' it, it's an attempt to further discovery. Why do you find a problem with that? As for being a 'waste of space and time', shall we kill all people that aren't skeptical off? ( I mean, I'm sure there are those who 'want to believe at any price' could use the space and time, yes?). Are all people that don't believe what you do a 'waste of space and time'? Gee, I'm sure other people besides myself have also spent decades exploring and trying things. Being a 'skeptic' doesn't mean one ceases to function, but to my mind, many who are not skeptical may cease to function effectually and critically thus making them very vulnerable indeed.

As someone who has spent decades both exploring events and discoveries in my area ( and out of it ) and attempting to help people and hopefully, improve or save lives, I rather resent your remarks. Good thing I'm a skeptic, it puts them in perspective for me . Mind who you call 'septic', it might not be who you think.

Marto

Soo, nothing ever never demonstrated? To whom? You? Why would one bother?

We don't do it for acclaim, what we do. Nor reward in cash terms.
You make a mockery of the beliefs and experiences of so many, we are not all deluded or living in fantasy worlds as you often suggest. More than that, you suggest it is all snake oil and rip-off.

Your own lack of ability, experience and more seems to make you negative rather than sceptical in my view of how you post in such threads. And you walk the line of being personal and insulting yet don't like the thought you might be getting it back! Oh well, your choice of how you live in your mind and relate to others.

Many here have also had experiences of seeing the future, astral travel, successful spell craft, and all the usual psychic behaviour. And because you have no proof demonstrated to you, you tend toward insult, more than mere scepticism.

But I can stand for myself, I am not deluded and I am not lying. Nor am I insane or a rip off artist. I have levitated and I have seen future events. That is a statement, not a defense, no need to defend to you, just to point out that your unfortunate manner is an affliction in these enterprises and suggest it would actually work against your own likelihood of experiencing such.

Perhaps you could keep an open mind, ask how it came about, discuss the methods and so on and thus add to the discussion? Even try it for yourself. Might not work for you still, shame.

Probably a good thing, you would have to stand with those you accuse.

I find myself noting this a lot when people start throwing hissy fits about something someone posts: it's not a writing problem, it's a reading problem most of the time I reckon.

You seem to have taken my remarks in defense of being skeptical very personally. I didn't accuse you of being a charlatan or deluded. I was remarking that being skeptical protects many from such types.

Also, you haven't read some of my posts very carefully or you wouldn't have answered the way you did. You have no idea what I do or do not believe in so I'm afraid I'll have to turn down any offer to be a cut-out stand-in for all the skeptics in the world . I made no mockery of anything. I don't 'mock' , I question. People who confuse the two are the one's generally in danger from the phonies out there.

I was speaking in my post about skepticism in general. A good skeptic is skeptical both ways: that's something people forget when they get all defensive. I insulted no one. I don't believe it was myself who used the term 'septic minds' or suggest that people that were not skeptical were a 'waste of time and space' now, was it? Those aren't very nice things to suggest, IMO.

Why should people bother demonstrating? For the very reason that it WOULD show the seriousness of what people claim. Isn't that a good enough reason? I'm sorry, I don't know if you levitate and see the future or not , but wouldn't it be nice to be taken seriously by everyone when you ( or anybody else ) proclaimed such? Go ahead - try it. Choose 100 people (NOT like yourself in such claims ) and tell them you can levitate and see the future. I'm willing to bet not one would take you seriously. Then I think you'd see true mockery. Very painful, I'm sure.

Galileo Galilei was a skeptic. So were many, many others who discovered or uncovered wondrous things. On balance, I'd rather be in that company than one that will just unquestioningly accept all claims by everyone. That has the potential to make someone very helpless and prone to be taken in from everyone from used car sales people to those selling 'miracle cures'.

But! To each his or her own. I AM curious about this 'we' you mention, though.

Marto

When it comes to levitation I remain sceptical about it as well. But I'm always sceptical about most claims of a miraculous nature or those that apparently break the laws of physics. Can such things happen? Perhaps they can but I've never seen any credible proof.

What can I say? Something (?) happened to me - but as to whether I could repeat it at will? Hmm.

I am skeptical of that. Maybe I don't have enough faith in my ability to repeat the act...

Ooer - tha "faith" word! Does this herald another skeptical discussion of belief V. atheism?

I sometimes think people get it wrong if someone questions something. For instance, I'm not usually questioning that something did happen, I'm wondering what happened.

It's like U.F.O.s. Nobody can doubt that they are seen all the time, that is unidentified flying objects. Unfortunately, when people hear that term, they immediately think someone is making a claim for extra-terrestrial visitation. No, they have just seen something they can't identify. Nowt wrong or weird about that.

As far as childhood memories go, my skepticism rests on the tricks memory plays. If I think I remember something unusual, my usual route is to find someone who was there and say something like " Do you remember that time when we went to ________ , do you remember what happened?" Then, without giving the other person cues, I will listen and see if what they remember jibes with what I do.

I don't know if you are familiar with the work of Elizabeth Loftus. Her work, along with all the work done on 'eye witness' testimony should give one pause for thought about memories.

Here's a short article that sums it up partly:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/200...eing.psychology

Marto

I am a terrible skeptic and i enjoy being one. I am enjoy reading all these claims that have been flittered around since i was a kid and never, not once, ever, has there been a single shred of proof. I find this belief curous to say the least. Internet has increased this phenomenon because you can say what you like and protest what you like and nobody can ever prove the contrary. UFOs in their extra-terrestrial sense are a prime example. No proof but they must be out there soemwhere mustn't they??!! Levitation imo is balls. Simple fantasy. Show me you can do it, then i will believe. Same as predicting the future, becoming a were wolf, vampires and telepathy. I'm not saying i don't believe everything but I'm not that gullible. if it is true, prove it, where's the problem?
A guy i knew claimed to be able to do a back flip. Everyone in the pub took the piss out of him because he refused to do it in the pub (logically). A few days later he did one in front of me. Simple, uncomplicated proof. Now we all know he can do it and things have ceased to be a mystery, can he or can't he, and we can forget it and move on to something else. My own claim is i play the pipes (badly). If you disbelieve me i will get them out and play them for you. Again, simple proof. I am also a qualified airline pilot and used to fly dennis thatcher about, but i do not wish to talk about this. Anyone care to prove me wrong??!!
edited to add that things can occasionally happen i have no problem with. It's the I can do it, or he/she can do it at will claims that i find exasperating.

"Can di at WILL" - and therein lies the problem Woozle! As I said, doing a thing to order........ (See above post!

Marto, that article, as you said, sums the ideas up well. False memory syndrome has been around a while, and the abuse of this in the States in particular has led to a lot of pain and confusion. There are some right unscrupulous buggers out there.

That aside we each believe what we each believe. I happen to be a right bloody cynic about most things!