it’s hard to find good research endeavors. It seems as though the entire field of parapsychological studies has been thrown into a quagmire of quacks by the modern media age. There are reams of great and startling laboratory research, but they seem to taper off starting in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Prior to that, some amazing experiments had been performed as early as the mid 19th century – but who has heard of any of that?

The modern view of such matters is predicated upon the value of the ‘young, cool’ look and impressive gadgetry. Plato’s cave has been relegated to meaningless prattle and Einstein’s ‘spooky action at a distance’ has become a hum-drum ‘fact’ of everyday life. I guess even the ‘paranormal’ community has begun to subscribe to the old media adage : ‘if it bleeds, it leads’. When did we stop pursuing new and exciting knowledge for the sake of keeping up the status quo?

The modern ilk of paranormal ‘evidence’ (and I use the term loosely) is shoddy at best, and the methods likewise. Scientific methods and critical thinking have been abandoned for the sake of ratings – even science and discovery is ruled by the almighty dollar and fame.

So, why does it bother me so much? I have spoken on the subject many times, hoping that I can do my part to change the thinking of the masses because the current path is one of ruin. We are driving ourselves further from the answers we seek, and are led to believe that we are making progress! How do strange photos (on digital cameras, no less) and weird, unintelligible voices on a recording constitute evidence? And how can there be a legitimate ‘telephone to the dead’ when the greatest minds in science disavow the possibility of such a thing?

Those in the paranormal community complain about not being accepted by the scientific mainstream, but it is of their own doing. Rewind the clock 100 years, and there was much research being done by reputable people displaying the strange events we call paranormal. As the technological age advanced (and those who were left behind became hippies), there became two distinct camps – the logical and the weird.

Incidentally, the paranormal studies were moved to the weird section, because our technology made it appear as though we knew everything about the universe. No matter how much investigators claim to ‘scientific’, they aren’t. Acceptance will NOT happen until we get with the program and start critically thinking about the issues we face.

Spooky is not good… but thoughtful is.

-Cap’n

Direct web links:

Society for psychical research

Dr. Fred Alan Wolf

Dr. Amit Goswami

Dr. Dean Radin

S.P.I.R.I.T. Investigations (David Rountree)

This is by no means a complete list, but will get you started on your way to some seriously meaningful thoughts about consciousness, the paranormal, and associated ideas. You may notice that I have not included any ‘traditional’ sites in this list…

As always, send us your questions and comments – and don’t forget to listen to Dark Matters Radio every Wednesday at 6pm CST!

-Cap’n

-Cap’n

We all have our ideas regarding the origins of paranormal phenomena. Most times, these involve the idea that someone has died and is now communicating or interacting with the world of the living in some fashion. We devise different methods for contacting these spirits in an attempt to ‘prove’ their existence, but could we be bounding down the wrong path?

Throughout the centuries, there have been a multitude of events and stories that would seem to validate the claim of non-physical entities interacting with the manifest physical world. Nearly every conceivable religion teaches what inhabitants of the ‘other side’ do, think, feel, experience, etc. However, when we attempt to place these ideas in a scientific context a conundrum appears.

In recent months, my research has shown how easily the human mind can be tricked and how often our intuitions about the inner-workings of the universe can be in error. Scientific thought has allowed us to make great strides in technology and the understanding of physical processes, both inside the body and otherwise, but it has shed little light on the strange events we call ‘paranormal’ (these events go by many names: supernatural, miracles, occult, etc.). Why is this?

Anyone who has attempted to bring traditional intuitive thought regarding the paranormal into the scientific arena has most likely met with fierce opposition. These matters are considered pseudo-science at best, and most respected scientific minds are reluctant to accept a disincarnate-spirit hypothesis. This should not be confused with pure skepticism, though. The problem arises when the claim is made that something non-physical and non-quantifiable is claimed to be the cause of events and effects in the manifest world. By adopting the spirit hypothesis, we voluntarily stop the causal chain, claiming that the true source is ultimately un-knowable.

What if we were aiming for the bullseye of the wrong target? Could it be that the answers lie within the marvel of the human mind itself? Some will be reluctant to consider this possibility, as it puts each one of us in a position of responsibility. By looking within ourselves for a causal link, we are no longer separated from these phenomena.

Many people  would probably balk at accepting such an idea. It would as first seem that this hypothesis takes the ‘magic’ out of these events, but perhaps it is just a different magic than we have previously thought. We would be remiss, I think, not to accept the possibility that the paranormal is more a part of us than we had ever imagined.

-More to come

“out there comes from in here”

Download audio file (23EMPart1.mp3)

Duration — 23:08

Next time: EM meters — what do they do?

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Bridging the Gap

So, you’re researching the paranormal, but how narrow is your focus? In order to form a picture of what could be going on outside the human senses, we must endeavor to use pertinent thinking from both science and spirituality… together. This can be quite a daunting task, especially for those who tend to skim the surface of both and do not spend enough time in thoughtful contemplation of the tough subjects.

Even for those that read voraciously and ask the hard questions, linking science and spirituality in meaningful ways can still be exceedingly difficult. The path to understanding is fraught with obstacles and critics alike. So then, how can we become authoritative enough to effectively bring the objective disciplines of science in harmony with the subjective nature of spirituality and the human experience?

First and foremost, forget what you think you know. Do not take the answers from others as rote, but instead use the information you read as a guide. Decide on the questions to which you seek answers and ask yourself. Come to the resolution honestly and then evaluate your own theories based on the research, data, and experiences of others. Can you take your ideas to a logical conclusion within the framework of modern scientific and mystical understanding? If not, why?

Be clear on your positions, and hold to them (unless you find a good reason to develop different ideas). If you are a skeptic, remember that rigid materialism will not serve you. If it is your firm belief that there is nothing after the physical term, then hold to that and leave the paranormal alone. There is no need for you to attempt to ‘disprove’ or ‘discredit’ anything from the standpoint of a reductionist. You will not achieve anything of merit, and it will not be to your benefit to treat others in such a manner.

Dialogue is paramount to the discovery of the hidden universe. Instead of proclaiming events and ideas as fact, strive to refine and discuss them. If an idea or theory doesn’t work, discard it and start again. History shows us that the greats in science and spirituality had an unwavering desire for truth, and those things that were not constructive to that end were discarded for the sake of progress and evolution.

In addition to the earnest desire for knowledge, Ego has no place in honest discovery. You will not benefit by placing yourself above another or asserting that your ideas are ‘better’ than others. ALL ideas are inspired by something. Our responsibility as explorers is to ask questions and seek after the answers, whatever they may be.

Above all else, remain open and observant. We as humans are ignorant to much of the goings on in our universe. We must remain humble in our observations and open in our mindset. The universe will conduct itself as it is meant to, regardless of whether you believe the events therein are possible.

So, read, read, read, then read some more. Question yourself, remain humble, and stay in a state of hunger for the knowledge that awaits sincere query.

Thanks for stopping by.

-Cap’n

Download audio file (18QuantumLeap.mp3)

Duration- 22:52

Next Time: Back to Basics

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Download audio file (04MeetYourSoul.mp3)

 Duration: 19:39

Recommended reading for this show:

The Spiritual Universe: One Physicists Vision of Spirit, Soul, Matter, and Self

Next Time: Your Soul’s Fingerprint – Evidence of the Infinite