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Media Watch for September 2003 (Issue 22)
Scientific Investigation of Phenomena. The Division of Personality Studies (DOPS) is a unit of the Department of Psychiatric Medicine at the University of Virginia. Utilizing scientific methods, they investigate apparent paranormal phenomena.
The Division’s main purpose is the scientific investigation of phenomena that suggest that currently accepted scientific assumptions and theories about the nature of mind or consciousness, and its relationship to matter, may be incomplete. Examples of such phenomena include various types of extrasensory perception (such as telepathy), apparitions and deathbed visions (sometimes referred to as after-death communication or ADC), poltergeists, near-death experiences or NDE, out-of-body experiences (OBE), and claimed memories of previous lives.
The DOPS welcomes written accounts of the above experiences. If you would like to submit a case, your own or one known to you, please write a brief description of the experience. A few paragraphs would be enough; they may ask for a more detailed account later. Send this either via e-mail to (email address) or by mail to Division of Personality Studies, Health System, PO Box 800152, Charlottesville, VA 22908. They ask that you do not send cassettes with accounts recorded on tape, or long manuscripts.
The DOPS web site contains excellent descriptions of each of these phenomena (www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/personalitystudies/case_types.cfm).
Paranormal is Normal. Have you ever been thinking of someone, hear the phone ring and find when you answer it that the person on the line is exactly who you were just reflecting on? Have you ever started to open an envelope and suddenly felt that you knew what the person was writing to you about? Do you often finish the sentence of someone who is very close to you because you already know what they are going to say? Perhaps you have been in a restaurant and became uncomfortable because you sensed that someone was staring at you. You might have quickly turned around and saw that someone was staring at you! Rupert Sheldrake in his new book, In The Sense of Being Stared At: And Other Aspects of the Extended Mind, says that unexplained abilities like telepathy, the sense of being stared at and premonitions are not paranormal; they are normal. Sheldrake’s experiments and theories are being hotly debated by his peers and some attacks have been intense. Still Sheldrake says, “But I think most can appreciate that these are questions that have to be explored scientifically.” “From Paranormal is normal, controversial scientist says,” by Karen S Perterson, USA Today
The 4th Medical Spiritist Congress. “Science and Spirituality - Complementing and Integrating,” was the theme of the 20th International Meeting of Spiritist Doctors which took place in the city of São Paulo, Brazil in June. The list of doctors who made presentations is impressive and includes: Dr. Amit Goswami, PhD, from India; Dr. Goswami, a professor of quantum physics in the University of Oregon and author of the books, Universe Self-Conscious and The Visionary Window; Dr. Peter Fenwick, neuro-psychiatrist residing in London, the highest clinical authority of Great Britain in Near-Death Experiences and the president of the British branch of the International Association for Studies of Near-Death Experiences; and, Dr. Harold G. Koenig, Doctor Geriatrician and director for the Center of Studies of Religion, Spirituality and Health of Duke University, North Carolina, USA. The studies of Dr. Koenig represent an analysis of some 600 seniors on the influence of religiosity in the physical and mental state of patients. Koenig has written many books including, Spirituality in Patient Care and Prayer Can Help You Triumph over Disease. From www.survivalafterdeath.org/news.htm, Latest News and Updates
X-Ray Vision. A story in a Canadian paper had an interesting description of X-Ray vision. The story was on a sixteen year old boy who claims to have healing powers and X-ray vision. When asked about it the boy, Adam, said that it was hard to explain and was more like ‘MRI-vision.’ “When I go into someone, I see a 3D holographic image. I start manipulating the image in front of me. I see blockages, green dots. Basically, I grab them out, these energies, I tear them apart and push them outside the skin, and they die very quickly without a host organism.”
Rock star Ronnie Hawkins was diagnosed with terminal cancer last summer. Recent tests show that he is cancer free and he has written a testimonial in Adams new book Dreamhealer (www.dreamhealer.com). “Local teen claims healing powers,” by Mike Roberts, The Province, Canada.
New Book. In his book, We Are Eternal: What the Spirits Tell Me About Life After Death, internationally known medium and psychic investigator Robert Brown tells about his amazing life and work. He tells of his extraordinary childhood experiences that started his journey and re-creates real-life encounters with spirits and their urgent messages for those still here.
As a realist, former skeptic and psychic, Brown clearly explains what authentic mediums can do and how to spot a fraud. The book also talks about our own gifts and provides guidance and exercises to help develop clairvoyance, psychometry, and the ability to communicate with those in the spirit world.
From: www.twbookmark.com/books/83/0446528455/index.html. The book is available in most bookstores and online.
The Spiritualist National Union. The Spiritualist National Union (SNU) is reporting that it now has 20,000 members and puts attendance at the 300 churches in the United Kingdom at around 60,000. Scottish chairman of the SNU, John Weir said, “There has certainly been an upsurge in interest. Young people particularly are looking for something different that is not being given to them elsewhere. Spiritualists are answering a need in the community.”
From the Scottish Sunday Herald, “Research proves the existence of a ‘sixth sense.’ Scottish academics find proof of mediums’ ability to use extrasensory perception” by Karin Goodwin. Thanks to Robert Egby.
Waiting Lists for Spiritualist Development Circles. In an article published in The Guardian regarding the number of people in the UK making a living as a psychic medium comes this quote: “Derek Acorah, Living TV’s psychic-in-chief, says the spiritual churches, for a long time the main training grounds for psychic mediums, have long waiting lists to join their development circles.”
From The Guardian Unlimited, “The Occult Economy, Is Anybody There?” www.guardian.co.uk/guardian_jobs_and_money/story/0,3605,929555,00.html
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