Beyond the visible
Mike Laverty
Humanity has been socialized in such a way as to be blinded to the true nature of reality. Psychic phenomena, or psi, are mysterious to us because our perception of them is distorted. The scientific study of psi (parapsychology) has a stigma of illegitimacy attached to it. Despite attempts by some rather adventurous researchers, the scientific community remains overall indifferent or even hostile to parapsychology. Nevertheless, public polls in North America have shown that the majority of people believe in some kind of paranormal activity. What are the foundations of such beliefs, and can we study them scientifically?
Few would argue that intuition does not exist. Whether as a collection of sense information or a supernatural ability, we have all experienced intuition. Some refer to this as their “gut” feeling while others view it as part of their psychic abilities. Despite the lack of an official endorsement from science, parapsychology has become accepted by many people.
While skeptics and believers debate the validity of parapsychology, researchers are attempting to prove its existence scientifically. A group of like-minded intellectuals have founded the Institute of Noetic Sciences to “sponsor leading-edge research into the potentials and powers of consciousness.”
Many of its members are actively involved in psi research to support an institute that “explores phenomena that do not necessarily fit conventional scientific models.” There are also numerous companies that offer parapsychology training for a price. They have simply ignored the questions concerning parapsychology and put it into practice.
Literally thousands of tests have been conducted to prove the existence of the paranormal. A common test administered requires the participant to “see” an image only visible to the controller. When the results are cumulated, the participants exhibit an accuracy substantially higher than one generated by random guessing. The problem with studies like these is that a single reproducible instance of paranormal activity is not yet achievable. These studies do, however, seem to indicate something profound about the nature of human consciousness. What mystery, if any, lies behind these growing testimonies to the paranormal?
Dean Radin, a member of the Noetic Institute, is one of the most visible supporters of parapsychology and has published a few books on the subject. He is constantly hosting lectures and trying to change the perspectives of his more traditional colleagues. His objective is to constantly challenge long-held beliefs and establish improved tests for psychic phenomena.
Attempts have also been made to scientifically study the healing powers of prayer. This somewhat controversial approach uses science to prove something traditionally taken on faith. Religious people do not require a scientific explanation of prayer. Psychic phenomena often deal with communication and empathy between two human beings. Connecting with other people in a non-physical way is an essential part of many religions. If parapsychology is analogous to spirituality, the religious community will have the same problems accepting it as the scientific community.
The difficulty of proving the existence of psychic phenomena by traditional means has created a need for a different interpretation of the data. Paranormal activity could lurk in the shadows hidden to our conditioned eyes. Maybe there is no distinction between the normal and paranormal. Human minds collect and organize information from many sources according to a unique belief system. Guided by science or religion, our current models seem unable to adequately incorporate parapsychology.
Renowned director, writer and producer David Lynch places great value on mental relaxation and Eastern meditation. He has founded The David Lynch Foundation, which endorses an educational system that encourages meditation and a stress-free environment. Eastern philosophies and religions seem to incorporate relatively recent advances in physics and modern philosophy. While this is not exactly the same as parapsychology, the David Lynch Foundation does represent an attempt to rationally examine our consciousness. If there is any merit in parapsychology it would manifest itself in students of the DLF.
Fundamentalists may dismiss parapsychology as pagan nonsense just as easily as a purely materialistic scientist does. Perhaps a more complete picture of consciousness needs to be developed before serious inquiries can begin. The limits inherent in our perceptions of reality are paradoxically revealed as our knowledge increases.
Does parapsychology reside in a “no man’s land” between the absolutes of science and religion? By using one exclusively to examine the paranormal produces an understanding that is limited. As with most of the mysteries that engage our curiosity, reducing parapsychology to mere figures reveals only a part of the truth.
Ignoring the material facts and focusing on the spiritual doesn’t fully satisfy our needs, either. It seems as though we need a combination of the two or a radically new perspective. To become more aware of the nature of reality, we have to recognize how we filter information and then pursue the most rational path.
Mike Laverty is a second-year student in the faculty of arts.
