What happens when cultures around the world interpret illness, suffering, and altered states of consciousness as spiritual possession?

In this episode of Beyond the Human, we explore exorcism as a cross-cultural phenomenon, examining how different religious traditions understand spirits, possession, healing, and the supernatural.

Rather than treating exorcism as simply horror movie material, this episode approaches it through anthropology, religious studies, and the study of lived spiritual experience.

Drawing on ethnographic research and religious texts, we examine Catholic exorcism and the Roman Ritual, Muslim ruqya practices involving djinn possession, and Korean Buddhist rituals used to heal spirit-related illness and troublesome ghost encounters.

Along the way, we discuss why possession experiences across cultures often share strikingly similar features: altered states of consciousness, unusual strength, personality changes, physical symptoms, and experiences interpreted as contact with non-human entities.

From Catholic priests and Muslim raqis to Buddhist ritual specialists and spirit mediums, this episode asks a broader question: what do exorcism and possession reveal about the ways humans understand suffering, healing, evil, and the unseen world?

Rather than offering definitive answers, this episode explores the intersection of religion, anthropology, medicine, and the paranormal—and why experiences of possession continue to challenge the boundaries between belief, psychology, and reality.

Topics discussed in this episode:

(2:14) - The Anthropology of Possession and Exorcism

(17:52) - Ruqya, Muslim Exorcism

(30:15) - The Roman Ritual

(1:11:45) - Exorcism in Buddhist Korea

(1:28:42) - Why Consider Exorcism and Possession

Show Notes:

Divine Horsemen

A Balinese Trance Seance

Oparin, D. (2020). Possession and exorcism in the Muslim migrant context. Ethnicities, 20(4), 731-751.

Ayah Al-Kursi

Living with the Invisibles (available to stream on Alexander Street Press)

The Exorcism of Anneliese Michel, Felicitas Goodman

Deliver Us (Kanopy, but available on other streaming services)

Archbishop of Milwaukee Jeffrey Grob’s dissertation on Catholic exorcism:

https://www.scribd.com/document/326664328/Grob-Thesis

This week on Headlines from the Beyond:

Will a new expedition to Sumatra finally uncover definitive evidence of the mysterious orang pendek?

Cryptohominid researcher Adam Thorn has returned to the jungles of Sumatra with a much more ambitious investigation into the legendary “little person” of Indonesian folklore. Using long-term trail camera deployment, environmental DNA sampling, footprint analysis, and primate vocalization experiments, Thorn’s new expedition represents one of the most scientific attempts yet to investigate reports of this elusive cryptohominid.

We also remember legendary Japanese horror author Koji Suzuki, the creator of Ringu and one of the pioneers of modern J-horror, whose work reshaped supernatural horror around the world.

Finally, we break down the newest developments in the ongoing legal battle surrounding the sale of the infamous Conjuring House to paranormal investigator Jason Hawes, including the dismissal of the lawsuit that temporarily halted the sale.

Three stories, one briefing on the strange, the storied, and the extraordinary.

Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on Instagram and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on Substack.

Show Notes:

Orang Pendek: Methods for Finding Sumatra’s Sasquatch

I Went in Search of the Orang Pendek, Sumatra's Sasquatch

Orang Pendek Expedition: The DNA Results, My Theories, the Footprints and More

Biothorn Primate Discovery Unit

Koji Suzuki, Whose Horror Novels Inspired ‘Ring’ Movies, Dies at 68

Judge dismisses lawsuit blocking sale of ‘The Conjuring’ house

This week on Headlines from the Beyond, we’re covering three major paranormal and unexplained stories shaping the conversation right now.

A new publication from the International Association for Near-Death Studies proposes a bold scientific framework for studying near-death experiences (NDEs) and other end-of-life phenomena. Drawing on decades of clinical observations, one researcher estimates that millions of Americans report near-death experiences, shared death experiences, and deathbed visions each year. Could a national database and a willingness to study consciousness beyond the body transform how science understands life, death, and what may come after?

Next, a new bill introduced by Tim Burchett aims to defund the Pentagon’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), the office tasked with investigating unidentified aerial phenomena. If passed, the legislation would dismantle centralized UAP oversight and redistribute responsibilities across the Department of Defense. What would this mean for transparency, disclosure efforts, and the future of UFO research?

Finally, internet investigators are drawing connections between a series of recent disappearances and deaths involving scientists, military personnel, and defense contractors—including the ongoing case of missing Air Force General William Neil McCasland. From NASA researchers to national security officials, the clustering of these cases has fueled speculation about whether these incidents are coincidental—or part of something larger.

From the science of near-death experiences to government oversight of UFOs and emerging conspiracy theories, we’re tracking the stories shaping the strange, the uncertain, and the unexplained.

Three stories, one briefing on the strange, the storied, and the extraordinary.

Stay connected with us between episodes—follow Beyond the Human on Instagram and subscribe to Field Notes from the Beyond on Substack.

Show Notes:

O'Driscoll, Jeff. "A New Scientific Model for Studying Near-Death Phenomena." Journal of Near-Death Studies 42, no. 3 (2024).

Dr. Jeff O’Driscoll

Pentagon’s UFO Office to Be Eliminated Under New Bill

All-domain Anomaly Research Office

Dr. Jon T. Kosloski

H.R.8197 - To terminate the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.

Missing nuclear official becomes TENTH person tied to dark pattern surrounding US secrets

Typewriter sound effect: “Typewriter snippet 01 mono [loop]” by cabled_mess, via Freesound (CC0).