Debating Psychic Experience


Book Description

This book presents a provocative debate between parapsychological advocates who claim that Western science's worldview is incomplete, and counteradvocates who insist that parapsychological data is either spurious or can be explained by standard scientific principles. Despite ongoing and repeated attempts to prove or disprove the existence of parapsychological events, there are still no conclusive findings—and certainly no consensus across the worldwide community of scholars, scientists, and proponents of psychic phenomena. Still, there is no shortage of information about this fascinating topic to allow everyone to draw their own conclusions. This book has been expressly written to make each chapter and topic accessible to a general audience, despite containing a vast amount of theoretical material. The book is organized into two parts: in the first section, proponents of the validity of parapsychological data and critics who reject that validity state their respective positions. In the second part, each group responds to each others' statements in the form of a debate. Other experts from the United States as well as from Australia and Great Britain provide overviews and conclusions.




Science and Psychic Phenomena


Book Description

A factual and conscientious argument against materialism’s vehement denial of psi phenomena • Explores the scandalous history of parapsychology since the scientific revolution of the 17th century • Provides reproducible evidence from scientific research that telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, and psychokinesis are real • Shows that skepticism of psi phenomena is based more on a religion of materialism than on hard science Reports of psychic abilities, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, and psychokinesis, date back to the beginning of recorded human history in all cultures. Documented, reproducible evidence exists that these abilities are real, yet the mainstream scientific community has vehemently denied the existence of psi phenomena for centuries. The battle over the reality of psi has carried on in scientific academies, courtrooms, scholarly journals, newspapers, and radio stations and has included scandals, wild accusations, ruined reputations, as well as bizarre characters on both sides of the debate. If true evidence exists, why then is the study of psi phenomena--parapsychology--so controversial? And why has the controversy lasted for centuries? Exploring the scandalous history of parapsychology and citing decades of research, Chris Carter shows that, contrary to mainstream belief, replicable evidence of psi phenomena exists. The controversy over parapsychology continues not because ESP and other abilities cannot be verified but because their existence challenges deeply held worldviews more strongly rooted in religious and philosophical beliefs than in hard science. Carter reveals how the doctrine of materialism--in which nothing matters but matter--has become an infallible article of faith for many scientists and philosophers, much like the convictions of religious fundamentalists. Consequently, the possibility of psychic abilities cannot be tolerated because their existence would refute materialism and contradict a deeply ingrained ideology. By outlining the origin of this passionate debate, Carter calls on all open-minded individuals to disregard the church of skepticism and reach their own conclusions by looking at the vast body of evidence.




Psychic Experience


Book Description




Are You Psychic?


Book Description

Have you ever had an old tune pop into your head, only to turn on the radio hear it being played? Or think of someone you haven't seen for years, only to answer the phone and hear that person on the other end? Is it coincidence or is it something more? If you have ever wondered if you might be psychic, this book may hold the answer to this most intriguing question. As will see, everybody has some psychic ability. For some people, the ability might be as mild as intuition; for others, it might be as strong as mediumship; but it all falls under the category of that "sixth sense." Are You Psychic? is a fascinating and revealing look at our extrasensory powers. Author and professor of parapsychology Dr. Hans Holzer explores all the various forms of the psychic experience—foretelling the future, interpreting psychic feelings, thought transference, and past-life memories, among others, explains, in clear and understandable language, what they are, how they work, and what you can do to develop your own inner abilities. He delves into the history of psychic abilities; discusses the psychic experiences of dreams, deja vu, and out-of-body experience; and shows how natural healing can be a form of the human psychic ability. Throughout the book, Dr. Holzer gives examples of real-life psychic phenomena that illustrate how these powers work—and demonstrate that they are very real. If you are one of those people who have had their fair share of those "funny coincidences," maybe it's time to find out more. Maybe it's time to answer the question you have asked yourself a hundred times—Are You Psychic?




Psychic Experience for You


Book Description




Ghosts, Spirits, and Psychics


Book Description

This fascinating work provides a complete overview of paranormal phenomena, including the beliefs, attitudes, and notable figures who have attempted to explain, defend, or debunk the mysteries behind the unknown. Recent interest in the paranormal as pop culture fodder belies its historical status as an important subject of cultural, philosophical, and scientific significance. This book traces the trajectory of paranormal studies from its early role as a serious academic and scientific topic studied by mainstream scientists and eminent scholars to its current popularity in books, film, and TV. This compelling reference work details the experiences, encounters, and ideas that make up this controversial field of study. The contributed entries examine the broad phenomena of the paranormal, addressing the history of scientific investigations along with its contemporary media depictions to illustrate the evolution of cultural attitudes about the paranormal. A selection of primary documents provides real-life accounts and contributions from noted experts that explore the full scope of themes from spiritualism to poltergeists to astrology. Accompanying images, timelines, quotations, and sidebars make the content come to life and encourage alternative explanations of these events.




Anomalistic Psychology


Book Description

The science behind claims of alien encounters and visions of ghosts can be even more fascinating than the sensationalist headlines. What leads some people to believe in the paranormal? Why might someone think they have been abducted by aliens? And is there any room for superstition in the modern world of science? Anomalistic Psychology - Provides a lively and thought-provoking introduction to the psychology underlying paranormal belief and experience. - Covers the latest psychological theories and experiments, and examines the science at the heart of the subject. - Uses a unique approach to apply different psychological perspectives – including clinical, developmental and cognitive approaches – to shed new light on the key debates. Whether you are a psychology student or simply curious about the paranormal, Anomalistic Psychology is the essential introduction to this contested and controversial field. Belief in the paranormal has been reported in every known society since the dawn of time – find out why.




Suddenly Psychic


Book Description

As she bent a metal spoon with her mind, computer scientist Maureen Caudill knew she was witnessing a total violation of the laws of physics--and that her understanding of reality would never be the same. Letting go of the ultra-rational, skeptical perspective she had maintained over a twenty-year scientific career, Caudill joined the 50% of Americans who report having had psychic experiences (National Science Foundation, 2000) and began a firsthand exploration of phenomena like clairvoyance, remote viewing, out of body experiences, channeling, and mediumship. In Suddenly Psychic, she shares her new conviction that paranormal abilities are a normal part of human consciousness and anyone can learn them, using her scientific background to validate and explain her experiences. Combining vivid descriptions of altered states of consciousness with an in-depth look at cutting-edge scientific theories that are consistent with these phenomena, Suddenly Psychic is a reader-friendly bridge between the mysteries of the mind and hard science that speaks to skeptics and believers alike. Caudill's compelling journey offers convincing evidence for the legitimacy of psychic phenomena--and will inspire you to see for yourself what's possible!




What is Paranormal?


Book Description

"A layman will no doubt find it hard to understand how pathological disorders of the body and mind can be eliminated by ‘mere’ words. He will feel that he is being asked to believe in magic. And he will not be so very wrong for the words which we use in our everyday speech are nothing more than watered down magic." (Freud) This book provides further developments of such ideas, including Freud’s uncanny, Jung’s synchronicity, Daniels’ transpersonal, Clarke’s mindfulness and Sollod’s anomalous experiences. The paranormal could be seen as being fundamental to the psychological therapies. Occasionally a writer brings this potential to our attention but questions of science, evidence-based practice, etc. continue to dominate. Yet does this continue to lead to ‘what’s denied running even more wild’? Further, might the lessening of the paranormal be primarily what is lost, the aura, through the increase in internet therapy? The question of the paranormal and the psychological therapies continues to persist, not only for psychoanalysis but the psychological therapies in general. This book attempts to address that. The chapters in this book, apart from a new introduction and a new chapter, were originally published in the European Journal of Psychotherapy and Counselling.




The Psychic Quest


Book Description

As the end of the millennium approaches, public fascination with psychic phenomenahas reached an all-time high. More and more, individuals are admitting to incredible psychic experiences, as well as wanting to know how to control and enhance these incidents. Now this incredible book integrates the real-life eventsof hundreds of people with parapsychologyto present a bold, new perspective on many different psychic experiences. Astonishing in its scope and depth, The Psychic Quest givesyou the tools and knowledge to fully realize the extraordinary marvels of the mind. ? The Psychic Quest examines many different kinds of psychic phenomena, including telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition ? The Psychic Quest is a unique and compelling combination of mainstream psychology and parapsychology ? As seen with the hit TV show "The X-Files," public interest in psychic phenomenais insatiable! ? Douglas G. Richards, Ph.D., is a professor at Atlantic University and conducts extensive psychic and spiritual research