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Currently the blog contains 113 entries.
Methodologies for investigating the paranormal
The usual method adopted by Science for investigating paranormal phenomena is for an individual with supposed paranormal capabilities to be a ‘guinea pig’; observed from behind a battery of equipment by a ‘normal’ scientist. Whether or not the experimental procedure used is ‘double blind’ seems to me irrelevant, since this format makes a clear division between an observer following Cartesian logic, and the subject working in a different cognitive space. Analogies to the Uncertainty Principle have been made by various authors, and the requirement under quantum theory that observer and experiment should be considered as a unit, also comes to mind.
Since Science works by disproving hypotheses, scepticism is an inevitable consequence of ‘impartial observation’. I question in fact whether ‘impartial’ scientific observations are really impartial, since the scientific observer is usually operating from within a scientific paradigm within which there is currently no theoretically acceptable place for paranormal phenomena, except to see them as ‘hallucinations’. From dowsing the words in the everyday English vocabulary (see my paper in the Member’s Circle), it seems a reasonable postulate that the low energy conceptual vocabulary of Science is intended to inhibit the expansion of the energy body and its chakras, so that logical conclusions are not confounded by intuitive capabilities showing up and leading to apparently illogical (if inspired) results.
My conclusion is that an experimental method must be found to acquire useful results from the participants themselves, supposing that ‘the observer effect’ of quantum theory applies here also. A methodological analogy could perhaps be made to an epidemological search for the causes of disease by analysing population statistics, without preconceptions as to causative factors? Individual participants must record their observations without mutual consultation or extrinsic observers. A search for key factors in this ‘Subjective Science’ may be obtained by comparing the individual observations of participants for consistency or common elements. This sort of approach has the advantage for interested SMN groups, that they may themselves make meaningful observations as long as statistical criteria are observed.
Its worth noting that ‘vital energy disciplines’ usually contend that an expanded aura and open chakras require an accepting environment, a loving atmosphere, or a group ceremonial context. Again, this dictates that the relevant observations must come from within the group. While the emphasis should be on collecting and analysing the observations of the participants, a standard, experimental format is needed for statistical comparison. I.e., I am not advocating ‘New Age’ procedures!
John Caddy, PhD
Acute Death Experience
Thanks to Dr. Perera of Melbourne I spent last night reading an article that I had missed in the last edition of the Journal of Near-Death Studies. As you will no doubt be aware this is the academic journal for professional members of the International Association of Near-Death Studies (IANDS).
Science and Love
What is science? At the most broad, science is a process for acquiring knowledge about those aspects of the cosmos that appear to the human senses and to human consciousness. It deals not with that which is beyond experience (the domain of metaphysics), but with those phenomena which either through direct observation or via some kind of instrument, can be an object of conscious attention. Both mental phenomena, such as emotions or dreams, and extensive phenomena, such as atoms, nerves and supernovae, qualify for science, for both can be the object of waking conscious attention. The method of science is much debated - some say inductive, some say hypothetico-deductive, some say there is no precise method at all, but all agree that the method should tie observation to intellect to develop theories which both help describe, explain and predict the observable world.
Omagh: the bomb that launched the government's CBT programme
Ten years ago last week, a bomb went off in a parked Vauxhall car on Market Street in Omagh, a market town with a population of 22,000 in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It killed 29 people, as well as two unborn babies, and injured many others.
Realism and Anti-Realism in Religion and Morality
In his book ‘God In Us’, Anthony Freeman declared that, though he no longer believed in God, he thought there was considerable benefit to be had from living as though he still did. So he says, “Yes, I do believe in God, and one of the things I believe about God is that he does not exist.” There’s a little sophistry here, as he’s giving the word ‘God’ two different meanings in the same sentence. The God he doesn’t believe in is the traditional Christian one, who created the universe, is infinite in all his perfections and intervenes in the world on behalf of his human creatures. The God he continues to believe in is simply the sum total of his own highest values. He adds though that he “still find(s) value in the Christian vocabulary, including the word God, and in the Christian stories, especially those of Jesus.”
Mystical Desriptions of the Light
I have gathered various descriptions from mystics in various traditions of their experience of ultimate reality as "light", which I would like to share with you. The commonality does suggest that however difficult it is to unpack mystical experience in language, the notion of luminosity and light seems to convey some kind of nonverbal truth accessible through the contemplative arts. Furthermore, near death experiences frequently involve descriptions of a light beyond description, and experiences of the numinous in everyday life are often found in the experience of light; a sunset, the play of light in trees, a rainbow, the sun breaking through the clouds.
Book Review: Tuning the Diamonds by Susan Joy Rennison
We are living in extraordinary times! This can hardly be doubted even by those exploring no further than the mainstream media. But delving deeper into almost any branch of science will reveal a turmoil of conflicting views, with many of the most “sacred cows” coming into question. This book takes a very broad survey of the borderland between science as accepted by the mainstream, and the many exciting new ideas which are now clamouring for consideration, and perceives a link between extraordinary events on the cosmic scale and a spurt in human spiritual evolution.
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