Conscious, Unconscious, Altered Consciousness
Going back thousands of years to such
documents as the “Bhagavad Gita” and Taoist teachings which have
described thought and consciousness as “vibrations” Perhaps it is
not so far out of the consideration of science even today. Though
traditionally reaching altered states of consciousness have been
referred to as “higher levels of vibration, since shows that these
levels actually drop in electric brainwave frequencies: Our conscious
thought being when alpha (8 to 13 hz) and beta (13 to 38 hz)
brainwaves are most active and powerful, while subconscious (REM
sleep, etc) occur when theta wave frequencies (4 to 7 hz) are most
powerful. Below that in deep sleep, your delta waves (2 to 4 hz) are
most powerful. In fact the process I use to lucid dream is one that
works to maintain enough level of alpha and beta waves during sleep
when my theta and delta waves are most active so that I have enough
consciousness to remember my dreams
As for mastering these conscious state is one of the big questions involved in some research of psi and leads into the big question of methodology in the lab to prove the aspect of psi. Targ and Puhtoff have shown to a level that kept the government giving them millions of dollars to develop and teach differing agencies in the U.S. Remote Viewing, something which was pointed out by Wiseman in his interview as no longer pursued, possibly to the disadvantage of parapsychology research. It took a very different approach than most parapsychology research in that it presumed the possibility of what one might call psi functions and set out to learn to apply it. Interestingly, Targ who often monitored the verbal mentating portion of these experiments was an unwitting skeptic based on Palmer and Wiseman's definitions (Watt, 200?a). In fact he was never really any good at psi himself and never tried to master it until many years into the exprimentation (Targ, 2004). This also satisfied Palmer's requirement for a non-psi capable experimenter whose own psi might taint the experiement. I think the lab evidence for ESP, is quite convincing. As I have stated before, and is referenced in our text, is the SRI's experiments. (Irwin & Watt, 2007) Targ and Puhtoff's “process oriented” experiments, which assumed proof, yielded positive results (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI_01m-6L30). In his interview with Watt, Palmer indicated the same sentiment, even going so far as to explain that he showed the best results in Switzerland in a “skeptical environment” (Watt, 200?b). Wiseman in his interview indicated that none of the criticisms of Honorton's experiments were “fatal”, but then went on to speak of “pockets of significance” and indicated that these pockets were not sustainable because of lack of replication. (Watt, 200?a). In the face of J.B. Rhine's laborious and unrelenting years of lab based zener card experiements and his wife's (Louisa Rhine's) meta-analysis (Irwin & Watt, 2007) it is hard to deny some sort of existence of psi, until the skeptics begin to criticize methodology. Whether or not parapsychologists investigate meaningful questions really drives to the heart of proof versus process-oriented lab experimentation and is subjective, What is the meaningfullness of visualizing images from cards with special icons on them shown to one person in hopes of it being picked up by another as in J.B. Rhine's experiments or in guessing randomly generated numbers as was done at Princeton (Irwin & Watt, 2007). Or what is the value of gleaning static or dynamic images between a sender and an isolated receiver as in both the Ganzfeld and auto-ganzfeld studies as conducted by Honorton (Bem, Palmer & Broughton, 2001). This would appear to be “proof oriented” experimentation, designed just to show the existence of psi. However, in the case of the Ganzfeld studies there is an element of process study given that trying to induce a proper state of sensory deprivation or an alternate state conducive to psi is of itself process-oriented as Palmer describes in his interview with Watt (Watt, 200?) On the other hand you have process-oriented experiments in DMILS such as those conducted by Watt in which there is remote helper helping a helpee (Irwin & Watt, 2007) which intentionally or not replicated those conducted in Bali with the help of the BIAL Foundation (Edge, et al, 2004). Who can say that finding a process in which people can help people remotely is not meaningful. However since much of the point of this chapter is dealing with skepticism, then the question arises are parapsychologists asking questions that will overcome the issues raised by skeptics and thus hone the discovery process, or are they being hampered by spending too much time trying to find skeptic safe methodological experiments which is slowing the trajectory of advancement. As Wiseman noted in the face of this era of skepticism, many of the once prolific tests in RV, PK Training and Card viewing and goes on to say that each new generation of psi experimentors gets knocked down by the skeptics until a new generation springs up? Have we really come much further than the days of the inception of the PRS. In my estimation the question whether to focus on process-oriented or proof-oriented experimentation is a paradigm of the proof is in the pudding. If experimenters were to move to more process-oriented type experimenting specifically designed to train or advance psi (or apparent) psi skills, as more success is achieved in such things as remote healing or more succinct and defined mind to mind communications then not only will skepticism diminish, but also it might be easier to retro-engineer what happened? REFERENCES Edge, H. L., Suryani, L. K., Tiliopoulos, N. & Morris, R. L. (2004), Two cognitive DMILS studies in Bali, Journal of Parapsychology, Irwin, H. J. & Watt, C (2007) An Introduction to Parapsychology (5th ed), Jefferson, NC. McFarland & Co Targ, R. (2004), The Limitless Mind, Novato, CA, New World Books |
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Intention and Observation
I think that somewhere in experimentation (especially process experimentation) lies the question as to whether or not the mechanisms are the same for ESP as for PK. For example if one were to hypothesize as only one of many possible hypotheses to test, that psi is a matter of non-local consciousness (Targ, 2004) then the internal mechanism for living (organic) participants might be different than for instances when there are non-living elements (spoons, etc...) the principles might change and might further change or at least be honed if to include events involving organic entities capable of consciousness, and those not. Expand the hypothesis to include the idea of a holographic (non-local universe) theory of physics (Talbot, 1991) and then you might be able to say that there is fundamentally a model that psi for both ESP and PK mechanics is the same.
Not saying that non-local consciousness or universe is the model to go with**, but when one considers the difference in just these two very similar hypotheses, then questions raise about the nature of the mechanisms of psi. Which seems to me to be at the crux of experimentation. In our reading: “In the Eye of The Beholder: Reply to Wilson and Shadish (2006) and Radin, Nelson, Dobyns and Houtkooper (2006),” they authors (Bosch, Steinkamp, Boller, 2006) make claim that should the effect in PK prove to be parapsychological, it could “revisit Cartesian dualism or revise our understanding of the nature of matter” Surely, this vast claim couldn't be made with in the advent of a form of PK known as DMILS which is experimented as organic agent to organic recipient as in the Bali helper/helper experiments. (Edge, et al, 2004).
Iin all aspects of psi lab experimentation there is always the question of experimenter psi influence. Targ and Puthof in their remote viewing experiments which were process-oriented with more of a goal to achieve and less of a goal to determine the mechanism only as part of advancing the skill of RV acknowledge this possibility (Targ, 2004). Initially,in their experiments he considered himself not psi capable, and at first never considered the influence of his colleague Harold Puhtoff who went with the “sender” However after years of this research he came to realize that he had developed some psi capabilities and in the course of their experimentation they experimented with bringing in various helpers to handle the material which determined locations that were either psi capable or psi inhibitors. One thing that Bosch noted was that experimenters had more direct involvement and ergo more potential for psi influence in smaller experiments, citing meta-analysis as way of diminishing this effect (Watt, 200?). One of the variables discussed relating to the success of PK experiments is the motivational level of the experimenter (Irwin, Watt, 2007)
As for PK in spontaneous events happening at point of anxiety or crisis, Bosch in his interview with Watt, references intent. (Watt, 200?) and level of arousal is considered as a variable in the manifestation of PK (Irwin, Watt, 2007). They also point out that in non-Western societies where there is a greater belief (conviction in the possibility) toward psychic healing, that there is a greater incidence. Is it possible that in times of crisis intent and conviction and arousal raise to enhance the possibility of PK phenomena?
My impressions on the question of parapsychologists maintaining the ecological balance of experimentation and limitations of real life simulation in lab experiments is that the skeptics have pushed experimentation so far into a hole that experimenting outside of the controlled environment of the lab is fruitless. If for no other reason than how can one control for outside psi influence. As I have said before that I am for the idea of process-oriented experimentation that leads to a palatable goal (e .g. remote diagnosis and healing, etc...) Once one offers up something can be bartered for some sort of currency, be it financial or in the currency of first non-academic acceptance followed by academic acceptance, then it will become easier to retro-engineer proof. <br/><br/>As someone who became an analyst and project manager in IT, I am left with the impression that perhaps in the world of parapsychological experimentation there may use for a division of responsibilities as was found necessary in IT when project management was determined to be a differing skill set than programing and set aside for different people. What would happen if those facilitating an experimental process were different people than those who do they hypotheses and analyst. The talk of a preregistry makes me wonder if there is a need for experiment (project) facilitators who will not only see to these steps but will take the design through a access concept and validate scope process prior to experimentation and analysis. And though there is some documentation of those who implement the experiment is different from those who design and analyze the data, perhaps this should be implemented more rigorously
REFERENCES
Bosch, H., Steinkamp, F., Boller, E., (2006) In the eye of the beholder: Reply to Wilson and Shadish (2006) and Radin, Nelson, Dobyns and Houtkooper (2006)
Edge, H. L., Suryani, L. K., Tiliopoulos, N. & Morris, R. L. (2004), Two cognitive DMILS studies in Bali, Journal of Parapsychology, 68, 289-321
Irwin, H. J. & Watt, C (2007) An Introduction to Parapsychology (5th ed), Jefferson, NC. McFarland & Co
Talbot, M (1991), The Holographic Universe, New York, NY, Harper Collins
Targ, R. (2004) The Limitless Mind, Novato, CA, New World Books <br/><br/>Watts, C (Producer/Interviewer) (200?) Expert Interview: Holger Bosch
Not saying that non-local consciousness or universe is the model to go with**, but when one considers the difference in just these two very similar hypotheses, then questions raise about the nature of the mechanisms of psi. Which seems to me to be at the crux of experimentation. In our reading: “In the Eye of The Beholder: Reply to Wilson and Shadish (2006) and Radin, Nelson, Dobyns and Houtkooper (2006),” they authors (Bosch, Steinkamp, Boller, 2006) make claim that should the effect in PK prove to be parapsychological, it could “revisit Cartesian dualism or revise our understanding of the nature of matter” Surely, this vast claim couldn't be made with in the advent of a form of PK known as DMILS which is experimented as organic agent to organic recipient as in the Bali helper/helper experiments. (Edge, et al, 2004).
Iin all aspects of psi lab experimentation there is always the question of experimenter psi influence. Targ and Puthof in their remote viewing experiments which were process-oriented with more of a goal to achieve and less of a goal to determine the mechanism only as part of advancing the skill of RV acknowledge this possibility (Targ, 2004). Initially,in their experiments he considered himself not psi capable, and at first never considered the influence of his colleague Harold Puhtoff who went with the “sender” However after years of this research he came to realize that he had developed some psi capabilities and in the course of their experimentation they experimented with bringing in various helpers to handle the material which determined locations that were either psi capable or psi inhibitors. One thing that Bosch noted was that experimenters had more direct involvement and ergo more potential for psi influence in smaller experiments, citing meta-analysis as way of diminishing this effect (Watt, 200?). One of the variables discussed relating to the success of PK experiments is the motivational level of the experimenter (Irwin, Watt, 2007)
As for PK in spontaneous events happening at point of anxiety or crisis, Bosch in his interview with Watt, references intent. (Watt, 200?) and level of arousal is considered as a variable in the manifestation of PK (Irwin, Watt, 2007). They also point out that in non-Western societies where there is a greater belief (conviction in the possibility) toward psychic healing, that there is a greater incidence. Is it possible that in times of crisis intent and conviction and arousal raise to enhance the possibility of PK phenomena?
My impressions on the question of parapsychologists maintaining the ecological balance of experimentation and limitations of real life simulation in lab experiments is that the skeptics have pushed experimentation so far into a hole that experimenting outside of the controlled environment of the lab is fruitless. If for no other reason than how can one control for outside psi influence. As I have said before that I am for the idea of process-oriented experimentation that leads to a palatable goal (e .g. remote diagnosis and healing, etc...) Once one offers up something can be bartered for some sort of currency, be it financial or in the currency of first non-academic acceptance followed by academic acceptance, then it will become easier to retro-engineer proof. <br/><br/>As someone who became an analyst and project manager in IT, I am left with the impression that perhaps in the world of parapsychological experimentation there may use for a division of responsibilities as was found necessary in IT when project management was determined to be a differing skill set than programing and set aside for different people. What would happen if those facilitating an experimental process were different people than those who do they hypotheses and analyst. The talk of a preregistry makes me wonder if there is a need for experiment (project) facilitators who will not only see to these steps but will take the design through a access concept and validate scope process prior to experimentation and analysis. And though there is some documentation of those who implement the experiment is different from those who design and analyze the data, perhaps this should be implemented more rigorously
REFERENCES
Bosch, H., Steinkamp, F., Boller, E., (2006) In the eye of the beholder: Reply to Wilson and Shadish (2006) and Radin, Nelson, Dobyns and Houtkooper (2006)
Edge, H. L., Suryani, L. K., Tiliopoulos, N. & Morris, R. L. (2004), Two cognitive DMILS studies in Bali, Journal of Parapsychology, 68, 289-321
Irwin, H. J. & Watt, C (2007) An Introduction to Parapsychology (5th ed), Jefferson, NC. McFarland & Co
Talbot, M (1991), The Holographic Universe, New York, NY, Harper Collins
Targ, R. (2004) The Limitless Mind, Novato, CA, New World Books <br/><br/>Watts, C (Producer/Interviewer) (200?) Expert Interview: Holger Bosch
The Paradoxical States & A Recipe for Lucid Dreaming
I think the question in psi or paranormal is more to do with what is happening at the sub-conscious or unconscious levels of mind activity. Since we may not be as self aware of what is happening in our unconscious, we may not be able to control it is as and that might explain why with psi there comes diminishing effects the harder one tries. Unconscious thought is not as controllable as conscious though, but the paradox is that for us to "prove" psi, we need to be aware of it, which means conscious awarenss of what fundamentally may be an unconscious process..
One way you can intuitively see this for yourself is "lucid dreaming". I do this for fun about 3 nights a week. We know dreams take place in the unconscious with theta and delta brainwaves most active. However, to become aware (conscious) of them, you need to have enough of your beta and alpha brainwaves active. This mix is called an hypnogognic state.
You can try this yourself. Before you start, taking vitimin B helps
1) Sleep for 5 hours
2) Wake up and ingest some caffeine and theobromine (chocolate)
3) Stay awake for at least 30 minutes, maybe an hour to let the theobromine and caffeine take place. (Usually helps to concentrate on remembering your dreams during this)
The purpose of doing this is to allow yourself to enter the non-local conscious where your delta waves(0-4hz) are the most active of your brain waves as in when you sleep. When you dream your theta waves (4 -7 hz) become active, but in order to remember (retain what happens in the non-local conscious within your local conscious) you need to have your beta (8-12 hz) and perhaps even some of your alpha (12-38 hz) brainwaves active. The -caffeine and theobromine will keep enough of your alpha and beta brainwaves active, that you will be aware of your dreams.
The trick to figure out the best amount of caffeine and chocolate to eat and how long to remain awake. I find that with clockwork, I remember a dream 90 minutes after I fall back asleep and another 3 hours after that. I usually only wake up enough to grab a cassette recorder and say a few things about my dreams. I've not been able to control who I am with or where I go in my dreams, but it gives a very nice and intuitive sense of the relationship between consciousness and unconsciousness.
One way you can intuitively see this for yourself is "lucid dreaming". I do this for fun about 3 nights a week. We know dreams take place in the unconscious with theta and delta brainwaves most active. However, to become aware (conscious) of them, you need to have enough of your beta and alpha brainwaves active. This mix is called an hypnogognic state.
You can try this yourself. Before you start, taking vitimin B helps
1) Sleep for 5 hours
2) Wake up and ingest some caffeine and theobromine (chocolate)
3) Stay awake for at least 30 minutes, maybe an hour to let the theobromine and caffeine take place. (Usually helps to concentrate on remembering your dreams during this)
The purpose of doing this is to allow yourself to enter the non-local conscious where your delta waves(0-4hz) are the most active of your brain waves as in when you sleep. When you dream your theta waves (4 -7 hz) become active, but in order to remember (retain what happens in the non-local conscious within your local conscious) you need to have your beta (8-12 hz) and perhaps even some of your alpha (12-38 hz) brainwaves active. The -caffeine and theobromine will keep enough of your alpha and beta brainwaves active, that you will be aware of your dreams.
The trick to figure out the best amount of caffeine and chocolate to eat and how long to remain awake. I find that with clockwork, I remember a dream 90 minutes after I fall back asleep and another 3 hours after that. I usually only wake up enough to grab a cassette recorder and say a few things about my dreams. I've not been able to control who I am with or where I go in my dreams, but it gives a very nice and intuitive sense of the relationship between consciousness and unconsciousness.