Observations placeholder

Colin Wilson - Mysteries

lt is worth describing [this] experiment to illustrate the power of willed concentration. Again, it requires the presence of four or five people.

This time the subject stands with his eyes closed, with the others forming a circle round him. They place their fingers lightly on his shoulders, back and chest. The aim of the experiment is to cause him to sway in whatever direction they predetermine.

The four simply concentrate, making sure not to push.  It usually takes only a few seconds for the subject to sway in the desired direction.

The first time I tried this, I stood in the centre and allowed my mind to become a blank. Suddenly there was a strong sensation of being pulled forward, as if by a magnetic current, and I had to be caught as I swayed.

The friend who introduced me to the experiment said that it worked even if the subject resisted, but that if he resisted too hard, it would produce dizziness.

A few days later, I described the experiment at a business meeting, and someone suggested that we try it. I was dubious convinced that the atmosphere of a board room would be unpropitious. The man who stood at the centre warned us that he intended to resist. We tried hard for a minute; nothing happened.

It was more or less what I had expected; nevertheless, I suggested we have one more try. This time, to my surprise, he suddenly swayed backwards - the direction we had decided on. He admitted that his efforts to resist had made him feel dizzy.

This experiment has not always proved successful; it seems to work best in the evening, when everyone is relaxed and receptive. The only occasion when it was a total failure was in front of television cameras.