1177. CONCERNING THE CROWD IN THE INTERIOR HEAVEN I was inwardly obsessed in the head around the region of the inner palate as if by a certain spirit who had such command over me that I could scarcely think other than that he was in me; I clearly perceived this, nor could I speak otherwise, for he reduced me to a state similar to his own. But as long as there were others outside the head, even though they occupied the left side or the region of the left temple, he did not have such power; it could therefore be manifest that those who were outside were different from those who were within, and also that their ruling was, as it were, different. Then I could hardly think anything other than according to the ruling and state of that spirit, nor scarcely speak otherwise although constrainedly, which could be better perceived by others than by myself. I heard afterwards that when a man is inwardly obsessed in this way, he cannot act and speak otherwise than according to the state and whim [of the obsessing spirit]. This experience continued, as I estimate, for two hours or more.