Open the doors of perception and discover the powers that lie dormant within every human mind. Read William Walker Atkinson’s classic guide to the paranormal completely free online.
Published in 1916 under the pseudonym “Swami Panchadasi,” this book is one of the most comprehensive and accessible guides to the occult ever written. Its author, William Walker Atkinson, was a prolific writer on New Thought, mysticism, and the paranormal. He wrote dozens of books, many under pseudonyms, and his work remains influential in occult and New Age circles to this day.
The book promises to reveal the secrets of clairvoyance, telepathy, precognition, and other psychic phenomena. It offers exercises for developing these powers, explanations of how they work, and warnings about the dangers of misuse. It is a practical manual, designed to be used, not merely read. Atkinson writes with the confidence of an initiate and the clarity of a teacher.
On this page, you can experience the book that has guided generations of seekers into the realms of the unseen. We offer the complete 1916 text for online reading.
Book Info
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Clairvoyance and Occult Powers |
| Author | William Walker Atkinson (as Swami Panchadasi) |
| Year of Publication | 1916 |
| Genre | Occult, Self-Help, Esoteric Philosophy |
| Language | English |
| Legal Status | Public Domain Worldwide |
| Format | Online Reading |
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This preview introduces the nature of clairvoyance and the possibility of its development. However, the full, comprehensive course—the exercises for developing psychic vision, the techniques for astral projection, the methods for reading auras, and the warnings about psychic dangers—is available in the complete text for our subscribers.
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About the Book Clairvoyance and Occult Powers
Atkinson’s book is a practical manual, a course of instruction in the development of psychic abilities. It is written for the serious student, the one who is willing to practice, to experiment, to risk failure in the pursuit of higher knowledge.
What is Clairvoyance?
Atkinson defines clairvoyance as “clear seeing”—the ability to perceive objects, events, or information beyond the range of the normal senses. He distinguishes between several types: simple clairvoyance (seeing distant or hidden objects), clairvoyance in space (seeing events occurring elsewhere), and clairvoyance in time (seeing the past or future). He insists that these abilities are natural, latent in every human being, and capable of development through practice.
The Training of the Mind
The book’s core is a series of exercises designed to develop psychic abilities. Atkinson emphasizes the importance of concentration, relaxation, and mental discipline. The student must learn to quiet the ordinary mind, to still the chatter of thoughts, to open the inner eye. The exercises are progressive, each building on the last.
Astral Projection
Atkinson devotes several chapters to astral projection—the experience of leaving the physical body and traveling in the “astral body.” He describes the sensations, the techniques, the dangers. His approach is practical: he offers specific methods for inducing the experience and specific advice for navigating the astral realms.
Psychic Healing
The book also covers psychic healing—the use of mental energy to heal the sick. Atkinson distinguishes between several methods: magnetic healing, spiritual healing, mental healing. He offers exercises for developing healing abilities and warnings about the limits of these powers.
The Dangers
Atkinson is not naive about the risks of psychic development. He warns of the dangers of obsession, of invasion by negative entities, of mental instability. He insists on the importance of balance, of grounding, of maintaining contact with ordinary reality. The student who ventures into the unseen must be prepared for what they may encounter.
The Sources
Atkinson draws on a wide range of sources: Theosophy, New Thought, Eastern mysticism, Western occultism. He synthesizes these traditions into a coherent system, accessible to the Western reader. His book is a gateway to a vast literature, an introduction to a world of hidden knowledge.
Why Read the Book Clairvoyance and Occult Powers Today?
Because the questions it addresses are perennial. Is there more to reality than meets the eye? Can we develop abilities that transcend the normal? What is the relation between mind and matter, between the seen and the unseen? Atkinson’s answers may not convince everyone, but his questions are worth asking. And his exercises, even for the skeptical, are a fascinating exploration of the mind’s potential.
FAQ
Is this book scientifically accurate?
No. It is a work of occult philosophy, not science. Its claims are not empirically verified and should be approached with skepticism.
Who was William Walker Atkinson?
A prolific American writer on New Thought, mysticism, and the occult. He wrote dozens of books under various pseudonyms and was a major figure in the early twentieth-century occult revival.
Is this book dangerous?
Atkinson warns of dangers, but the book itself is simply text. The dangers lie in practice, not reading. Approach with caution and common sense.
How long is it?
Approximately 250 pages in standard editions. It is a substantial work, but it is designed for study, not rapid reading.
Can I read it on my phone?
Yes. Its short chapters and practical exercises make it ideal for study on the go. Read a chapter, try the exercises, reflect on the results.