Introduction

One of the most ubiquitous phenomena in the world's religions is “spirit possession” or the taking over of the individual's identity and behavior by a supernatural agent. This “taking over” of the host's identity can be either a positive or a negative experience. When it is positive, as in St. Paul's case, personality is transfigured and the individual seems to be acting more freely and effectively. The “possession” seems to have made St. Paul more effective. St. Paul, after all, is considered by many to be a kind of cofounder of a world religion – Christianity. In all cases of positive possession, the new personality has left behind the old “nafs” or lower Self, created a new Self, and been given all of those “gifts of the Spirit” mentioned in Chapter 7. These gifts traditionally include some very fine character traits such as gratitude, generosity, compassion for others, fearlessness, clear strategic sense, joy, and many other qualities.