Page:The astral world, higher occult powers; (IA astralworldhighe00tiff).pdf/179

 my body. My body is but the instrument by which that consciousness is acted upon from the external world. When I experience pain in my finger from placing it in the fire, it is not my finger that smarts, but there is a consciousness in my mind which experiences the pain, from the report of nerves which come to the surface in my finger. Separate these nerves, and I may hold my hand in the fire without feeling the least pain; yet if the finger were pained, it should feel as much after the nerves were separated as before. Though the sensation appears to be at that point, it is after all in the mind. The body is but an instrument by which sensations of a peculiar character reach the mind. Those who have had arms amputated, have experienced pain seemingly in the fingers at times in consequence of the exposure and irritation of the nerves which go to the hand. It is sometimes conjectured that they have spiritual fingers, but it is not so. There are instances of persons experiencing pain seemingly in the toes, after the leg has been amputated. This is in consequence of the exposure and irritation of the nerves which go to the foot. Furthermore, the individual who has been mesmerized—who has had his mind separated from the sensuous influences of his body—may have his body dissected to pieces without experiencing any pain, notwithstanding the least injury done to the person who is in rapport with him will be instantaneously felt, as though the sensation were in himself. He can not be reached through his nerve-system, but you can reach him through the nerve-system of the operator, whose mental condition is impressed upon him. The sensation, however, is in his