 Fechner’s panpsychism originated from a mystical experience which came at the end of his mental  breakdown.[8]  The day he began to see again, 5 October 1843, he walked into the garden of his house to look at the plants and flowers. Now the whole world appeared alive to him; it seemed for the first time to reveal itself to him. The flowers were all illuminated, as if from within. The light they shed seemed to come from their very souls. 