Telepathy??

[StTherese]

What does the Orthodox Church teach about this ability? I met someone who has this ability, who is very dedicated in his faith. I always thought this could be caused by demons...but this man is probably the most holy man I have ever met. Any thoughts as to whether or not this could be a gift from God??

 

[Xpycoctomos]

I don't THINK there is anything inherently demonic about it... anymore than levatating or being in more than one place at the same time. All of this and a lot more happens to very holy people throughout (at least) the Orthodox world, the most commonly referred to place being Mount Athos.

There is a monk near us who, while I don't think we refer to it as telepathy, he is known to know a penitent's sins even before they are confessed out loud. Several people I know personally have had this experience with him. telepathy is perhaps a bit broader in scope and has to do with other's thoughts rather than any real discernment so there is a difference, but still, I would say it is entirely possible.

However, if your friend is just a normal lay person, he should probably be very vigilant about this becuase the devil can use a gift of God very easily and cunningly. Also, things liek this should always be checked by a spiritual father because they may be demonic or become demonic without proper guidance.

i wouldn't talk about it too much with him. It is my opinion that gifts should be prayed about and considered very careful and used with only the most holy of purposes in mind. tlaking aobut it might lead someone into pride or devaluing the gift or whatever else. He needs to talk to a monk or priest about this if he hasn't already.

 

[kamikat]

It depends on what you mean by telepathy. We have stories of saints who heard people calling to them, like St John of Shanghai and San Fransico. He would hear his parishoners calling out to him while they were in the hospital, so he'd go visit them. There are stories of saints who knew things about the pilgrams who visited them. Such gifts come from God and only appear in faithful, Godly servants. The people you see on TV claiming to be telepathic are either putting on a show to swindle money or are getting thier gifts from Satan.

 

[Photini]

It's called clairvoyance.

 

[Xpycoctomos]

What i described about the monk is clairevoyance... is that the same, though, as telepathy? Maybe it is. I'm just asking.

 

[Photini]

But I don't think clairvoyance and telepathy are the same thing.

 

[Shubunkin]

Isn't telepathy the ability read one's mind, and clairvoyance is the ability to foretell the future?

Which is it, telepathy, to read someone else's mind?

 

[Xpycoctomos]

But I don't think clairvoyance and telepathy are the same thing.

that's what im saying

 

[Photini]

From what I understand (which isn't a whole lot) clairvoyance is being able to see things others cannot...the future or being able to see things about another person (such as their sins and burdens).

 

[Xpycoctomos]

Isn't telepathy the ability read one's mind, and clairvoyance is the ability to foretell the future?

Which is is, telepathy, to read someone else's mind?

hmmm... I know people have used clairevoyance to describe that monk's ability. But maybe it was misused. I'll check the dictionary.

John

 

[StTherese]

It depends on what you mean by telepathy. We have stories of saints who heard people calling to them, like St John of Shanghai and San Fransico. He would hear his parishoners calling out to him while they were in the hospital, so he'd go visit them. There are stories of saints who knew things about the pilgrams who visited them. Such gifts come from God and only appear in faithful, Godly servants. The people you see on TV claiming to be telepathic are either putting on a show to swindle money or are getting thier gifts from Satan.

Wow...that is very interesting. I will have to learn more about this saint.

I agree about those on TV, they are out for money. But this person I am speaking of is not like that. He definitely uses this gift to bring others to God.

 

[Xpycoctomos]

clair·voy·ance Pronunciation: \kler-ˈvȯi-ən(t)s\ Function: noun Date: 1838 1 : the power or faculty of discerning objects not present to the senses 2 : ability to perceive matters beyond the range of ordinary perception : penetration

It seems it's what that monk has.

However... this interesting:

Main Entry: te·lep·a·thy Pronunciation: \tə-ˈle-pə-thē\ Function: noun Date: 1882 : communication from one mind to another by extrasensory means

Telepathy, it seems, is not so much about reading one's mind but rather with the actual communication of ideas which is different.

So, to the OP.. which does your friend have?

 

[Xpycoctomos]

Wow...that is very interesting. I will have to learn more about this saint.

I agree about those on TV, they are out for money. But this person I am speaking of is not like that. He definitely uses this gift to bring others to God.

that's great... he should still seek out someone who can guide him if he hasn't already.

 

[The Prokeimenon!]

clairevoyance means "light-seeing", right?

There's my contribution

Rdr Moses

 

[Xpycoctomos]

It's called clairvoyance.

Sorry... I didn't realize that this post here was probably meant for ME and not the OP.. tha thte THAT was referring to my monk. Sorry for the confusion that followed. Thanks for the attempt to clarify what I was trying to say.

John

 

[StTherese]

It seems it's what that monk has.

However... this interesting:



Telepathy, it seems, is not so much about reading one's mind but rather with the actual communication of ideas which is different.

So, to the OP.. which does your friend have?

actually, I really think it is both.

 

[Xpycoctomos]

clairevoyance means "light-seeing", right?

There's my contribution

Rdr Moses

thanks...
when did you change your name?

 

[Photini]

It seems it's what that monk has.

However... this interesting:



Telepathy, it seems, is not so much about reading one's mind but rather with the actual communication of ideas which is different.

So, to the OP.. which does your friend have?

This reminded me of something someone told me one time. He told me that before the tower of Babel, people used telepathy to communicate rather than language. I'm haven't thought about it much, and am not sure if I believe such a thing...But it's interesting to ponder anyhow. What if people still have the telepathic ability, but in varying degrees?

 

[Photini]

Sorry... I didn't realize that this post here was probably meant for ME and not the OP.. tha thte THAT was referring to my monk. Sorry for the confusion that followed. Thanks for the attempt to clarify what I was trying to say.

John

Sometimes my posts can be extremely brief. I'll try to be more clear about what in the world I'm trying to say.

 

[StTherese]

This reminded me of something someone told me one time. He told me that before the tower of Babel, people used telepathy to communicate rather than language. I'm haven't thought about it much, and am not sure if I believe such a thing...But it's interesting to ponder anyhow. What if people still have the telepathic ability, but in varying degrees?

I have heard that before also. So you think it could just be a built in part of us, that we just don't really use? I mean, if you think about it...prayer is like telepathy, right?