The Mind Possessed, A Physiology of Possession, Mysticism and Faith Healing by William Sargant 1st ed.

Heinemann 
1973 
Softcover 
1st Edition 
212 Pages 
14 x 21.5cm 

Condition: Very Good 

Controversial psychiatrist William Sargant blends science and religion in this unsettling study of trance, possession, and cult behaviour. Drawing on fieldwork from Lourdes to voodoo rituals, Sargant’s work influenced everyone from Aldous Huxley to Stanley Kubrick. A foundational text in the study of altered states and crowd psychology.

It's been suggested that Sargant's experiments with deep sleep treatment were part of British involvement with the CIA MKULTRA programme into mind control and it is known that patients died during his experimental treatment.

Includes 1976 clipping of a story from The Sunday Times about Sargent appearing as a witness at the Patty Hearst trial, declaring her brainwashed. The article quotes him as saying "Some people think ... I'm the work of the devil". Also included are a page of handwritten notes on the book by the previous owner and the original 1975 receipt from the purchase of the book direct from the publisher.