Magical Thinking and Magical Experience as Dimensions of Living Consciousness

Research suggests that magical thinking is a fundamental feature of living consciousness and could be a source of psychological energy. Unlike magical thinking, which remains a conscious practice throughout the lifespan, the belief in magic in educated adults becomes mostly subconscious. This chapter links together phenomena that thus far have been studied separately: magical thinking in mentally disturbed patients, children’s magic, superstitions in adults, religious beliefs, indirect suggestion and persuasion effects in politics and commerce, and political terror. A special emphasis is given to the ways knowledge about living consciousness can be used in education and manipulation of the minds.