The one frustrating part about Wilhelm Stekel’s autobiography is that there are no dates. For example he writes extensively about his trip to America on Samuel Tannenbaum’s invitation, but there is no any indication on when was the trip. I guess sometime in the thirties. Wilhelm Stekel writes this about his trip home to Europe:
“On the boat coming home, a fellow passenger saw my name on the passenger list and sent a note to me. “Are you the well-known Stekel who wrote an excellent book on dreams? I would like to get in touch with you.” We became acquainted. He was the manager of one of the large banks in New York, and was on his way to Europe to attend an international conference of bankers.
We had many interesting conversations and he introduced me to his young wife. He confided to me that he had married her because she was a fanatical atheist. Atheism was the main topic of their conversations. Such fervid atheism is usually a screen for repressed religion. The truly convinced atheist does not emphasize his atheism. He does not talk about it and is careful to avoid blasphemies.
The man was interested in dreams and each morning he related several of his dreams. They were full of religious symbols. I was cautious not to reveal to him the meaning of his dreams; such off-hand analyses are always dangerous. A patient must be ripe for recognition; he must go through a period of preparation (transference). It is interesting how this man one day turned away from me. I had published a short pamphlet on telepathic dreams. During the war I had gathered many experiences as a confirmation of the existence of telepathy. I was never inclined to believe in mysticism and was skeptical as far as metapsychological matters were concerned; but facts are facts. It would be unscientific to shut our eyes to the truth, however unwelcome it may appear. What is so miraculous about telepathic dreams? We know since the discovery of the radio that electric waves can be transmitted over vast distances. Can we not suppose that the brain sends out waves and that another sensitive brain may be able to receive them? I myself have had some telepathic dreams. I consider the existence of telepathy as proved. I loaned the banker my pamphlet, but I did not anticipate the results. He wrote me a short letter saying that he could not continue a friendly relationship with a man who believed in telepathic dreams. He had lost all his former respect for me.
Again I had touched a tender spot. Telepathy, to him, was akin to a miracle, and miracles are a part of religious belief. The banker did not want to be disturbed in his supposed atheism, and belief in telepathy reminded him too much of his former religion. His atheism was a reaction formation established upon an ineradicable religious belief.”