rb@cci632.UUCP (Rex Ballard) (07/08/86)
In article <877@hoptoad.uucp> sunny@hoptoad.uucp (Sunny Kirsten) writes: >> We netters, as a set of psi enthusiasts, hopefuls, skeptics, and scoffers >> ought to be able to come up with at least an informal idea of what psi, if it >> does or were to exist, is/would be like. > >PSI is a mnemonic representing a whole class of phenomena including: > Telekinesis (the manifestation of the application of spiritual energy >to alter the patterns of other energy forms. Matter is simply a (relatively) >stable organization of energy manifesting itself (E=MC**2), e.g. as has been >observed in physics in the duality of behavior of photons as either particles >or as waves. Rather than referring specifically to "spiritual energy", why to we change that to simply energy. This allows for an eventual scientific explanation. The energy being manipulated might be one or more of the already known forms of energy. The degrees and types of energy may be varied as well. Deliberate manipulation of EEG waveforms could, in a sense be considered "PSI". In fact, this might be a significant starting point. > Clairvoyance/Clairaudience (perception of spiritual energy patterns). >Depending on whether the psychic sensitive is reading from the 7th or 6th >Chakra, things perceived Extra-Sensorily will either be perceived with >"Knowingness" or will be "seen" as pictures. In the case of Clairaudience >it will be the hearing of a "voice". Most Clairvoyants, reading with their This "hearing" is quite similar to someone who takes excessive quantities of aspirin. What makes it interesting is not what they "hear" (memories triggered into the concius), but "what" they hear, what triggers these specific metaphores? >third eye (6th Chakra) will see symbolic pictures. This is one of the reasons >why it is so often difficult to "prove" Clairvoyance, as interpretation of the Again, what makes it so curious, is why the see the particular metaphores that they do. Why a noose instead of a bird? The images may be freudian, but they often do seem triggered by other people. Some of the research into LSD subjects might be worth digging up. >perceived symbols is usually aided greatly by having the person being read >assist in their interpretation to get deeper meaning. If the person being >read is hostile to ESP, then the perceived symbolic pictures may be >misinterpreted, or remain uninterpreted. Excusing the "mystic terminology", again, perhaps the perception of some form of energy, or forms of perception other than "fact based intellect". Conversely, the explanations might be simple psychological ones. A clairvoyant may indeed have a form of psychiatric or psychological difference which can be put to constructive use, perhaps even induced. Again, we know of a number of different types of energy (possibly all the same, but different expressions). Perhaps the effects of these different forms of energy on mental activity could be measured. At the very least, the effects of various forms of energy on neurons could certainly be worth looking into. > Psychic Healing (use of spirit energy to alter (create or destroy) >spirit energy patterns, such as those which manifest astral or physical bodies. > etc. In this case, we are talking about the ability to "out manipulate" a "weaker" subject. What is being manipulated? In some cases, who is manipulating whom? Most importantly, science *SHOULD* seek to separate the "wheat" from the "chaff". Many "mystics" rely on trickery and "show-business", and even believe their own terminology and perceptions. Just because these "props" can be stripped, does not mean there is nothing to be percieved. The sincerety of clairvoyants and "psychics" is too common. It is interesting that even though Houdini proved a famous "medium" to be a fake, that same medium did accurately predict his death. Without the props, it wasn't as convincing, but it was accurate. As one who dabbled in the "mystic arts", I can see two possibilities. In one case, there might be some legitimate talent, but this is often covered by the "teachings" of "experts". Often the results are self induced hallucinations. In the other case, no talent exists, but the subject wishes to believe, and again falls into self induced hallucinations. Many who go into this field with a non-scientific view come out as paranoid schizophrenics. This makes the field all that much more worth investigation. Anyone who has attempted to study group dynamics can appreciate the complexities of PSI research. PSI research should be scientists using current knowledge and technology to find possible explanations of the unknown or inadaquately explained. It's the scientific anomolies that make science interesting. It doesn't matter whether the anomolies are "PSI" or anti-particles, they are interesting to research, and often lead to benefits. If PSI was "normal" in "normal people", it wouldn't be an anomoly. Hypnotism, magnetics, electricity, and neuclear physics were "bogus science" at one time. Today, they are simply tools with which to explore other "bogus sciences". Today, many engineers would laugh at a physician who perscribed "birch bark tea", but be quite happy to take two aspirin :-).