Online Reference For Body, Mind & Spirit

Term: Automatism

DEFINITION:

A generic term for any of a set of actions—from simple finger movements to more complex and creative activities such as drawing, writing, composing or playing music, etc.—that occur without the conscious control of the person(s) doing the action. Debunkers accurately point out that the actions may be caused by the unconscious mind controlling the body, but cannot explain the quality that may result. One famous debunker, known for testing people’s claims to psychic powers, refuses to even consider the quality of such automatisms.