The Man Who Could Fly : St. Joseph of Copertino and the Mystery of Levitation

St. Joseph of Copertino began having mystical visions at the age of seven, but it was not until he began practicing his faith as a Franciscan priest that he realized the full potential of his mind’s power over his body—he was able to levitate. Throughout his priesthood St. Joseph became famous for frequent levitations that were observed on hundreds of occasions and by thousands of witnesses, including many skeptics. Michael Grosso delves into the biography of the saint to explore the many strange phenomena that surrounded his life and develops potential physical explanations for some of the most astounding manifestations of his religious ecstasy. Grosso draws upon contemporary explorations into cognition, the relationship between the human mind and body, and the scientifically recorded effects of meditation and other transcendent practices to reveal the implications of St. Joseph’s experiences and abilities. Michael Grosso Delves Into The Biography Of St. Joseph Of Copertino, A Dominican Priest Known To Levitate, To Explore The Many Strange Phenomena Which Surrounded His Life And Develops Potential Physical Explanations For Some Of The Most Astounding Manifestations Of His Religious Ecstasy. Part I: The Man And His Marvels. Life And Times ; A New Force ; The Case For Joseph's Levitations ; A Complement Of Talents ; The Mystic -- Part Ii: Steps Toward Understanding. Reconnoitering Explanations ; Joseph As Performance Artist ; Speculations On The Physics Of Levitation -- Part Iii: Concluding Reflections. The Parapsychology Of Religion: A New Science Of Spirit? Michael Grosso. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 223-237) And Index.