Predictions for the Year Ahead

The Year Ahead- 6 Special Guests
Host: Ian Punnett

Kicking off the New Year, Ian Punnett will host Coast to Coast AM's annual prediction show featuring psychics and futurists and what they see looming for the year 2008.

The line-up: Gerald Celente, George Ure, Paul Guercio, Glynis McCants, Sean David Morton, Mark Lerner

Inner & Outer Change

On CoasttoCoastam radio, researcher and futurist Stephan Schwartz discussed his newest work on how individuals and small groups can change history by practicing eight laws of social change. These laws, observed by such groups as the Quakers, tap into non-local consciousness (the part of us that exists outside of time & space) and highlight the interconnectedness & interdependence of humanity.

Here are the laws:

1) Individuals and groups must share a common purpose or intent.

2) Individuals and groups may have goals, but must not be attached to "cherished" outcomes.

3) The goal may not be reached in the lifetime of the participants.

4) Accept and be OK with the idea that you might not get credit for the the success of a goal.

5) Each person in the group must have equal status in spite of any hierarchies.

6) Members must forswear violence by word, thought and act.

7) People must make their private selves consistent with their public postures.

8) Members must always act from the "beingness" of life integrity-- knowing that other persons are not exploitable resources.

He cited two women (Mairead Corrigan & Betty Williams), who founded the Peace People of Belfast in 1976 and went on to win a Nobel Peace Prize, as an example of ordinary people who brought about change in the world.

Schwartz has made available a free PDF file that further details the eight laws.

Paul H. Smith and Pam Coronado on Jeff Rense

Paul H. Smith and Pam Coronado will be on the Jeff Rense radio show
http://www.rense.com tonight, Thursday, October 11, 2007, at 7:00 West
Coast, 8:00 Mountain, 9:00 Central and 10:00 East Coast Time.

Paul and Pam will be discussing "Remote Viewing Crime", and the
upcoming 2007 Remote Viewing Conference in Las Vegas
http://irvaconference.org.

Bill Ray on Jeff Rense, Tuesday, October 2, 2007

William (Bill) Ray will be on the Jeff Rense radio show http://www.rense.com tomorrow night, Tuesday, October 2, 2007, at 8:00 West Coast, 9:00 Mountain, 10:00 Central and 11:00 East Coast Time.

Bill will be discussing "Celtic Remote Viewing", and the upcoming 2007 Remote Viewing Conference in Las Vegas http://irvaconference.org.

Bill served with the Stargate Project from January 1984 until June 1987 and as the Project Commander from sometime in 1985 until his departure. He was trained in CRV by Ingo Swann. He has over 40 years with the US Army and has been an Intelligence Officer, NCO, and Civilian for over 36 years, including over twenty years in Europe.

He was an Instructor at the US Army Intelligence School from 1974 to 1977. Since July 4, 2000, he has been the Operations Officer for the White Sands Field Office of the 902nd Military Intelligence Group providing CI Support to all Army Entities in New Mexico. He spent six months in 2006 in Kuwait with the 513th MI Brigade and six months in 2006 running all Counterintelligence Operations for the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq. In May 2007 he was the keynote speaker for the annual FBI Key Contractor Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has a Masters Degree in International Relations from the University of Southern California.

Psychic Spies on A&E

Tonight (Sunday, Sepember 30th) and early tomorrow morning (October 1st) the Biography Channel will air the episode of A&E's The Unexplained entitled "Psychic Spies."

Paul H. Smith, Joe McMoneagle, and Mel Riley are interviewed about the military remote viewing program. Originally aired in 1997, this is a rare opportunity to see this 1 hour documentary. See local listings.

Meet Jacques Vallee

The keynote speaker for this year's IRVA Remote Viewing Conference, Jacques Vallee, will make an 'appearance' on Coast to Coast radio - Monday September 17th, 2007.

One of the most prolific, best-selling, and most quoted authors in the field of Ufology, Silicon Valley entrepreneur Jacques F. Vallee will discuss his work on UFO phenomena as well as the government's handling of UFO investigations and disclosure.

jacquesvallee.net

Canadian radio interview: Sept. 12

Host Richard Syrett of CFRB radio [ http://www.richardsyrett.com/] will interview Paul H. Smith on his radio show on September 12 at 11 pm EST.

During the live one hour interview they will discuss remote viewing and the 'Stargate' program.

2007 Remote Viewing Conference Program Schedule

The Program Schedule has been posted to the 2007 Remote Viewing
Conference web site:

http://irvaconference.org/Program.html

We look forward to seeing you at the conference!


Cheryle Hopton
Conference Coordinator

UC Davis statistician analyzes validity of paranormal predictions

"The evidence for [remote viewing] is much stronger than [aspirin preventing heart attacks] and yet we have people taking aspirin everyday to try to prevent heart attacks," Utts said. "People aren't willing to either look at this evidence or aren't willing to believe it when they see it."

UC Davis statistician analyzes validity of paranormal predictions

Col. John Alexander - Global Crisis

Col. John Alexander joins George Noory on CoasttoCoast to discuss the unfolding global crisis. Expert on military strategy, non-lethal weapons and the unfolding global crisis, Col. John Alexander will discuss his latest research into how war in South America is producing more casualties than in Iraq as well as other alarming U.S. security issues.

rvconference.org
irva.org

2007 REMOTE VIEWING CONFERENCE RAFFLE & SILENT AUCTION ANNOUNCEMENT

The 2007 Remote Viewing Conference will be sponsoring a raffle and silent auction on Saturday, October 20, 2007. Only conference attendees can participate in the raffle and the silent auction. Raffle tickets will be $2.00 each.

All donations (and the donor's name) will be listed on the 2007 Remote Viewing Conference web site. These donations will be used for the sole purpose and benefit of the IRVA raffle and no donations will be awarded or gifted for any other purpose. Please visit the conference web site at http://irvaconference.org/Raffle_ Auction.html to view our current list of raffle and auction items.

If you have any questions, or would like to donate a raffle prize or auction item, please contact Cheryle Hopton at chopton@embarqmail. com.

We look forward to seeing you at the conference!

Cheryle Hopton
Conference Coordinator

Dick Allgire - RVConference Master of Ceremonies and Presenter

The International Reviewing Association is pleased to announce that Dick Allgire, Vice President of the Hawaii Remote Viewers’ Guild, will be the Master of Ceremonies at the 2007 Remote Viewers Conference. The conference will take place October 19-21, 2007, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Alexis Park Resort. He has also joined our speaker line-up and his presentation is titled "HRVG Methodology: An Overview."

Dick Allgire is known for his TV News career, and has lectured internationally on remote viewing at scientific symposiums. He is also a certified remote viewing instructor that has trained students worldwide.

Pam Coronado

Those of you who enjoy watching "Sensing Murder" on The Discovery Times Channel will be happy to hear that Pam Coronado has joined the speaker lineup for the 2007 Remote Viewing Conference, October 19-21, 2007. Pam's presentation is titled "Remote Viewing Crime."

Pam has been involved in psi criminal work since 1996, and she has consulted as a psychic detective to large and small police departments, state, federal, international and private agencies. You can visit the conference Speaker's web page at
http://irvaconference.org/Speakers.html for more detailed information.

The All Seeing Eye: A Remote Viewing Omni-Reader

A new publication of a text on remote viewing is now available:
The All Seeing Eye: A Remote Viewing Omni-Reader.

It contains full summaries of all the books published on remote viewing,
prepared by students of Atlantic University. It also contains reports of
remote viewing projects. We are very excited about being able to share this
book.

For more information, go see http://www.henryreed.com/remoteviewbook.html

Paul H. Smith interview on Jeff Rense Wednesday

Paul H. Smith will be a guest on the Jeff Rense Show Wednesday night, August 8th (7 PST / 9 CST).
Topic: Remote Viewing and Dowsing

2007 Remote Viewing Conference

2007 REMOTE VIEWING CONFERENCE
Sponsored by the International Remote Viewing Association
http://www.irva.org

Friday through Sunday, October 19-21, 2007
at the Alexis Park Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Featuring presentations by applications and research professionals on the art and science of remote viewing.

Remote Viewing Conference web page: http://irvaconference.org

********************************
INVITED SPECIAL GUESTS

JACQUES F. VALLEE, Ph.D.
Keynote Speaker, Saturday Speakers Reception
"THE SOFTWARE OF CONSCIOUSNESS:
Personal recollections from the early days of the remote viewing program"

A respected scientist, Dr. Vallee worked at Stanford Research Institute and became a consultant for a time with the consciousness studies program headed by Dr. Hal Puthoff in the mid-eighties. He was cleared for Grill Flame, went through formal training with Ingo Swann, and contributed to the methodology research that Dr. Ed May later led at SAIC. His experience spans the entire life of the program and gives him a special position as an observer and commentator on the reality of remote viewing. Dr. Vallee was the inspiration for the character played by Francois Truffaut in Steven Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."


GEORGE McMULLEN
Invited Speaker
"Remote Viewing Artifacts: Hands on Experience"

Intuitive Archeologist and Forensic Remote Viewer. Performed archeological remote viewing for the Alexandria Project. Author of "One White Crow."


DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS


COURTNEY BROWN, Ph.D.
"Remote Viewing and the Displaced Target Phenomenon"
Professor, Department of Political Science, Emory University and Director of The Farsight Institute. Author of "Remote Viewing: The Science and Theory of Nonphysical Perception."
____

LYN BUCHANAN
"The Setting of Standards"
Invited Panel Member: "A Remote Viewer's Code of Ethics"
Former military remote viewer/trainer and a board member of IRVA. Executive Director, Problems>Solutions>Innovations. Author of "The Seventh Sense."
____

BILL RAY
"THE CELTIC WAY: An Unscientific Look at Remote Viewing"
Invited Panel Member: "A Remote Viewer's Code of Ethics"
Former military remote viewer and commander of the Fort Meade remote viewing unit. Retired Army major; currently civilian special agent for Army counter-intelligence. In 2006 served as the CI Coordinating Authority for the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq.
____

MARTY ROSENBLATT
"ARV - Investment Club Approach Versus Independent Viewing"
President of Physics Intuition Applications Corp and the writer/editor of the online magazine, "Connections Through Time."
____

STEPHAN SCHWARTZ
"Opening to the Infinite"
A remote viewing explorer and parapsychology researcher. Author of "The Alexandria Project," "The Secret Vaults of Time," "Opening to the Infinite: The Art and Science of Remote Viewing."
____

NICK SEFERLIS
"Healing, Intuition and Remote Viewing"
A licensed practitioner and trainer of cutting edge psychologies for over 30 years. He is a trained remote viewer who has developed Intuitive Healing Technique.
____

PAUL H. SMITH
"Searching, Finding, Locating - The Shotgun Wedding Between Dowsing and Remote Viewing"
Panel Moderator: "A Remote Viewer's Code of Ethics"
Former military remote viewer and remote viewing instructor; current President of IRVA. President of Remote Viewing Instructional Services, Inc.; and author of "Reading the Enemy's Mind: Inside Star Gate - America's Psychic Espionage Program." Creator of the Learn-Dowsing DVD course; life-member since 1988 of the American Society of Dowsers.
____

JESSICA UTTS, Ph.D.
"Arguing Towards the Truth - How Controversy Helps Science Progress: Two Case Studies from the Science of Human Consciousness"
Professor of Statistics, UC Davis. Blue-ribbon panelist, review of Star Gate military remote viewing program for The American Institutes of Research. Noted authority on parapsychology.
____

GLENN WHEATON
Invited Panel Member: "A Remote Viewer's Code of Ethics"
Glenn is the co-founder, President and chief instructor of the Hawaii Remote Viewer's Guild. HRVG is a non-profit organization dedicated to the research and training of remote viewing.

********************************
FRIDAY EVENING EVENT
PK Party ("spoon bending"), Hosted by Lyn Buchanan.

SATURDAY SPEAKERS RECEPTION
Following the dinner break join us at 7:30 pm Saturday evening to meet and mingle with other members of the remote viewing community. At 8:00 pm Jacques Vallee will give the keynote address.

For a complete list and newly added speakers and updates please visit http://irvaconference.org

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION & INFORMATION
- Register online at http://irvaconference.org
- Register by phone at 866-374-4782. Phone lines are open 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM EST,
Monday through Friday until October 1, 2007.
- Early conference registration ends on September 15, 2007. Registrations after October 1, 2007, must be made on-site.

CONFERENCE LOCATION
The Alexis Park Resort is approximately one mile from the Las Vegas Airport and 1/2 mile east of the Strip. Parking is available at the hotel. There is shuttle transportation between McCarran Airport and the Alexis Park Resort.

Alexis Park Resort
375 East Harmon
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Website: http://alexispark.com
Hotel Reservations: Toll-free 800-582-2228, direct 702-796-3322
(Be sure to mention you will be attending the International Remote Viewing Association Conference.)

SPECIAL NOTE: The reserved block of rooms expires on September 19, 2007, so make your reservations before that date in order to receive the discounted price.

Paul H. Smith on Coast 2 Coast tonight

Paul H. Smith will spend a few hours with George Noory on his Coast to Coast-AM radio show Thursday night/Friday morning (5/6 July). The show starts at 11pm Pacific Time on July 5th (that's 2am Eastern, July 6th). The topic for discussion: "New and exciting breakthroughs in ESP that redefine questions about human consciousness."

Lyn Buchanan Interview: El Mundo Paranormal De Vane

Lyn Buchanan will be interviewed by Vane, a radio/tv host in Mexico,
starting at midnight (MST) on Friday night/Saturday morning.
(2 AM Saturday Eastern, 1 AM Saturday central, 11 PM Friday, Pacific).

The show is called "El Mundo Paranormal De Vane" ("Vane's world of
the paranormal".) It will be broadcast on XEJ TV and simulcast on XEJ radio (1490)

You can watch the show live over the internet by going to http://www.XEJTV.COM and clicking on the option: Television en vivo (live TV)

It will be simulcast on XEJ radio. You can access the audio by going to http://www.Radionet1490.com
and clicking on the option:
Escuchanos en vivo (Listen to us live)

You can also get the full video program in archive after next Tuesday
by going to http://www.elmundoparanormaldevane.com/tv.html
and clicking on Episodio 31 (the latest episode)

New Book Releases

Opening to the Infinite
by Stephan A. Schwartz

An explanation of the relationship of nonlocal awareness with spiritual practice, creativity, and the modern mental martial art known as Remote Viewing, and what this tells us about our nature as human beings. Clear, concise, explanations about what science has to say about nonlocal awareness, and how one opens to it using scientifically validated protocols. The importance of meditation in opening to nonlocal consciousness, as well as a technique for Western minds. How to put these abilities to practical use in fields as diverse as business, medicine, and crime solving.


----------------------------------

Remote Viewing: A Theoretical Investigation of the State of the Art
by Marilyn I. Schmidt


This book is a coherent review derived from archival research and a survey of the peer-reviewed literature that traces the enigma of this mysterious way of knowing from its roots in antiquity, down through the ages, to the present time.

CSICOP mutation

Has CSICOP Lost the 30 Years' War?

Part 6: CSICOP No More!

~ Guy Lyon Playfair

CSICOP has ceased to exist, it was announced in the Jan./Feb. 2007 issue of Skeptical Inquirer (SI) in an editorial entitled 'New Directions for Skeptical Inquiry'. It has been replaced by something called 'The Center for Scientific Inquiry' (CSI), the stated aims of which sound virtually identical to those of CSICOP. So why the change?

---------------

For a thorough look at the evolution of CSICOP the entire series of articles offers an enlightening view of who and what CSICOP was:

The Skeptical Observer

A series of articles by Guy Lyon Playfair

Has The Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP)Lost the 30 Years' War?

Part 1 - Birth of a Movement http://www.skepticalinvestigations.org/observer/30yearswar_1.htm

Part 2: The Gauquelin Effect http://www.skepticalinvestigations.org/observer/30yearswar_2.htm

Part 3: How Scientific is CSICOP? http://www.skepticalinvestigations.org/observer/30yearswar_3.htm

Part 4: CSICOP Loses the Thirty Years War http://www.skepticalinvestigations.org/observer/30yearswar_4.htm

Part 5: CSICOP's Stalinist Godfather http://www.skepticalinvestigations.org/observer/30yearswar_5.htm

Part 6: CSICOP No More! http://www.skepticalinvestigations.org/observer/30yearswar_6.htm

Is this REALLY proof that man can see into the future?

Do some of us avoid tragedy by foreseeing it? Some scientists now believe that the brain really CAN predict events before they happen

Professor Dick Bierman's research suggest that ordinary people really do have sixth sense that can help them 'see' the future.

And Bierman is not alone: his findings mirror the data gathered by other scientists and paranormal researchers both here and abroad.

Read the full article

2007 Remote Viewing Conference

As president of the International Remote Viewing Association and conference chair for the 2007 Remote Viewing Conference, it is my pleasure to announce that we have posted the Call for Presentations for the Conference. You can access the Call for Presentations on the front page of our website, here: www.irva.org

The Conference will be held 19-21 October at the Alexis Park Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. Further information will be released in the very near future, including the announcement of a very special guest.

(We invite you to forward this message to any and all interested persons and news groups.)

Best wishes,
Paul(Paul H. Smith)

http://www.irva.org

Blindness of Debunkers and Radical Skeptics

Blindness of Debunkers and Radical Skeptics Irks Parapsychology Researcher Dr. Jeffery Mishlove

In-depth interview with parapsychology researcher, author and president of the Intuition Network, Dr. Jeffery Mishlove, explores psi phenomena, consciousness, and intuition, and the skeptical community.

During the 40-minute interview Mishlove explains how radical skeptics are ignoring advances in our understanding of human consciousness. The interview is available for immediate free download at: http://www.skeptiko.com/index.php?id=19.

Zener Cards - online test

The Koestler Parapsycholgy unit is part of the Psychology Department (School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences) at the University of Edinburgh. They have the Zener card test online. What fun! It is entirely possible they've had the test available online for years. But just in case some of you - like myself - don't own a web bot, I am pleased to pass on the info that does come to me.

~ Shelia

Pronk's Review of Entangled Minds

Pronk said it all:
Radin is constantly pointing out that parapsychology research has been endorsed and conducted by top-notch scientists, including a surprising number of Nobel laureates. This might be seen as overly defensive, but it is necessary, given the common "no real scientists believe in psi" criticism. On the contrary, my experience has shown that the most vocal opponents of parapsychology are magicians, armchair "scientists", and other people with no scientific training. Radin points out that the most vocal proponents of psi, on the other hand, are the best that science has to offer. Continued . . .

I have to admit to some really healthy laughter upon reading Pronk's disclaimer.
~ Shelia

Prescott Revists Project Alpha

Michael Prescott revisits Project Alpha, "the famous episode from the early 1980s in which superskeptic James Randi arranged for two young magicians to infiltrate a parapsychology lab in order to confound the researchers. Over the years, this strange incident has assumed almost legendary proportions in the minds of some skeptics and reporters, who claim that the researchers were totally fooled."

After commenting on a report in the Las Vegas Style, saying "I guess Las Vegas Style subscribes to the motto 'print the legend,'" Michael provides us with a link to "the actual facts behind this case": Science Versus Showmanship: A History of the Randi Hoax [pdf format], by Michael A. Thalbourne. From Thalbourne's paper, the following comment re: the outcome of Randi's less than professional antics:

"It is not surprising, then, that eventually Randi’s motivations for the hoax were more widely discussed than the hoax itself. Is Randi genuinely concerned to assist parapsychologists? Or was he using his knowledge of conjuring merely to place himself in the spotlight of publicity as a self proclaimed expert on psi testing? In short, did he behave more like a scientist or a showman?"

U.S. Psychic Spy Attacks U.K. Study

U.S. Psychic Spy Attacks U.K. Study
By Laurie Nadel, Ph.D.

A psychic spy who participated in the Pentagon's remote viewing program from 1983 until 1990 claims that the British Ministry of Defense remote viewing studies of 2002 had more holes than Swiss cheese. More . . .

The Psychic Hunt for WMDs?

This article stands out among those examining the British MOD remote viewing study - the writer takes a subject-educated perspective rather than clone a mainstream media response. Paul Smith's article "They Think They Know" was an obvious reference source. From Conspiracy-Times:

The Psychic Hunt for WMDs?
Friday, 16 March 2007
In 2001, the British Ministry of Defence decided to test psychics whether or not they could "remote view". Though these efforts were short-lived, they do pose some interesting questions, specifically as to the purpose behind this exercise. Some argue, it was to hunt down Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Holistic physician and author, Larry Dossey

Holistic physician and author, Larry Dossey will discuss his latest work in non-locality, and how simple practices can deliver powerful messages to the body about well being - on Coast2Coast radio this coming Wednesday, 3/28/07.

website: http://dosseydossey.com

Most recent book: The Extraordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things.

March 23rd: Rhine Conference

March 23rd: Rhine Conference
Rhine Research Center Conference
March 23rd - 25th in Myrtle Beach, SC

The Rhine Research Center is hosting a conference in Myrtle Beach this weekend. The conference, “Consciousness Today: Where Scientists and Psychics meet!” is being held at the Holiday Inn on the Waterway.

Joe McMoneagle will be giving the opening keynote speech on Friday night following dinner from 7:15 - 8:45. Other keynote addresses over the weekend are being given by Dr. Sally Rhine Feather at the banquet dinner, and the closing speaker will be Joseph Chilton Pearce.

Lab has conducted fascinating research on the paranormal

Now here's a fellow who can speak without his tongue in his cheek:

Lab has conducted fascinating research on the paranormal
by Watson Sims
published March 13, 2007 12:15 am

Jahn’s personal history is as interesting as the subjects he has studied. A deeply respected scientist and expert in jet propulsion, he was dean of Princeton University’s engineering school when, as another of the school’s faculty later told me, he “went off the deep end.”

The deep end into which Jahn dived contained riddles that have intrigued man throughout history. Can messages be transmitted by mind alone? Can faith really move mountains? Can dancing Indians induce rain to fall?

Such questions tend to make scientists nervous, and Princeton University has in general chose to ignore, rather than support, PEAR.

Interview with Dr. Charles Tart

Join host Alex Tsakiris when he interviews renowned psychology researcher and author, Dr. Charles Tart about his experiences with the “science of parapsychology”.

Download the interview

Spiritual Growth Withstands Everyday Stress
2007-03-14

Guest: Dr. Charles Tart explores his research findings and personal conclusions about spirituality, meditation and transpersonal psychology: “I think we need to have deep spiritual values, and they need to come out of experiences that really teach us at a deep level. They can’t come by somebody preaching at us and telling us how we should feel and so forth. We need a spirituality in our culture that taps into what is real, and taps-in in a deep way, so it will stand up to the stress of everyday life.”

Parapsychologist Rhea White - an exceptional human being

Rhea White has died and moved on into the adventure of adventures.

She ``. . . was known worldwide,'' said Jean Spagnolo, a friend of White's for 55 years. ``In the world of parapsychology, she's famous.'' ~ from Carl MacGowan's account of Rhea's activities.

On Rhea's website Exceptional Human Experience Network you can find comments from her friends.

An ESP Gap - Then and Now

Has the general citizenry of this country evolved to a new [educated] level of comprehension in regard to the sciences? Some think so. If so, it would appear that serious deficits in comprehending the ways of propaganda remain. Big Pharma, through it's intensive multi-million dollar advertising campaigns, determines both what the man-on-the-street will believe is beneficial, as well as what the doctors will prescribe. In a similar vein, the well-funded Skeptic Campaign is driving the response of the general public through control of how the media approaches the subject of ESP.

~ Shelia

An ESP Gap -- Then and Now:

THEN: An E.S.P. Gap - 1984 article

NOW: The E.S.P. Gap [March 1, 2007] By John Tierney

And a response from Paul H. Smith: Skepticism’s Victory Over Science

How Scepticism Blocks Progress

How Scepticism Blocks Progress: Cuvier and Spallanzani
by Guy Lyon Playfair

"In 1794 the eminent Italian physiologist Lazzaro Spallanzani (1729-99), one of the founders of experimental biology, published a modest but heretical proposal. Long intrigued by the ability of bats to fly in total darkness without bumping into things, he set out to discover how they did it."

Although Spallanzani's research determined bats navigated through the sense of hearing, his discovery was not accepted, and did not surface again until the 20th century.

Parapsychology and the Paranormal

What follows is a lengthy discussion of science vs. parapsychology:

Parapsychology and the Paranormal
Sam Vaknin, Ph.D. - 3/1/2007

I. Introduction.

The words "supernatural", "paranormal", and "parapsychology" are prime examples of oxymorons. Nature, by its extended definition, is all-inclusive and all-pervasive. Nothing is outside its orbit and everything that is logically and physically possible is within its purview. If something exists and occurs then, ipso facto, it is normal (or abnormal, but never para or "beyond" the normal). Psychology is the science of human cognition, emotion, and behavior. No human phenomenon evades its remit.

As if in belated recognition of this truism, PEAR (the Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research laboratory), the ESP (Extra-Sensory Perception) research outfit at Princeton University, established in 1979, closed down in February 2007.

article continues here

Settle for More

Thursday, March 1, 2007: Paul H. Smith will be on the Settle for More Internet radio program, hosted by Dr. Tom and Bobbie Merrill. It starts at 11:00am Pacific time (2:00pm EST).

Marilyn Schlitz: Consciousness and Healing

News Released: February 28, 2007
(PRLEAP.COM) Join host Alex Tsakiris when he interviews research scientist and Vice President of Research at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, Dr. Marilyn Schlitz about her journey as a researcher in parapsychology, complementary medicine and anthropology.

During the hour-long interview Schlitz distinguishes between her beliefs and those within the controversial areas she winds up studying: “I don’t necessarily believe all the things that I study. I believe anything that’s an aspect of human experience is valid to study, and there are some areas that have greater potential for breakthrough.”

She also explains how controversial science research remains a taboo subject with many of her peers: “Where people really get animated is in the unofficial domains of after-hours. Either they admit to having some kind of experience they don’t want to admit to publicly, or they just get irrational. I’ve had people spitting in my face because they were so angry with the idea that we could do science on parapsychology.”

The interview is available for immediate free download at: http://www.skeptiko.com/index.php?id=11

Dr. Marilyn Schlitz is the author of Consciousness and Healing: Integral Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine (2004).

About Skeptiko

Skpetiko is the first scientifically oriented Podcast exploring new research in controversial areas of science such as telepathy, psi, parapsychology, near-death-experience, reincarnation, and after-life encounters. Each episode features open, honest debate on new scientific discoveries. The show includes interviews with top research scientists and their critics.

They Think They Know

Paul H. Smith thoughtfully addresses Britain's Ministry of Defense remote viewing research:

A few days ago when I first read the newspaper reports revealing that Britain’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) had researched psychic skills, I started scribbling down a table-thumping rant about how wrong-headed the research had been – not because it had been done at all (which I otherwise applaud) but because of how poorly-conceived it had been, at least according to the newspapers. Before I published my rant far and wide, someone fortunately pointed me to the actual 168-page declassified report, where I could read a more detailed account of what the MoD had actually done. I discovered that the news stories were embarrassingly oversimplified and incomplete, and that the research was not as ill-advised as reporters had claimed. It was still flawed, which I discuss below – but the whole affair amounts to the latest example of society’s self-perpetuating ignorance of the nature of “psychic phenomena” in general and remote viewing in particular.

Click here to read the 6 page article [pdf format - 1.3 M]

Paul H. Smith is President of the International Remote Viewing Association, President of Remote Viewing Instructional Services, Inc., and one of only a handful of government personnel to be personally trained as coordinate remote viewers by Ingo Swann at SRI-International.

How NOT to conduct a remote viewing study

This study by a UK government agency is an incredible example of incompetent research.

As Angela Thompson-Smith, a member of the International Remote Viewing Association commented,
"This would have had the same results if they were studying math or musical ability. Say, for example they contacted a group of master musicians for a study but they refused to participate. Then the study took people "off the street" to test them for musical ability and found average results.Then concluded that there were no master musicians and no musical ability to be found. What a flawed study." [Permission to quote granted]

From an article describing the study: 'Defence experts tried to recruit 12 psychics who advertised their abilities on the internet, but when they refused they were forced to use "novice" volunteers. Commercial researchers were contracted at a cost of £18,000 to test if psychic ability existed, according to a classified report released under the Freedom of Information Act.'

Conclusions reached by The MoD?
'. . .the study had concluded there was "little value" in using "remote viewing" in the defence of the nation.'
[I detect reflections of US media's use of the AIR report to dismiss 20 years of research.]

Those were the 'conclusions' widely reported in the press and internet media. However, a read of the original documents indicates that the MoD may pursue further experiments. We should encourage them to contact the most accomplished people and to get it right this time.

Comments from around the web:

From Michael Prescott:

I'm sure the British government will be ridiculed for this, but personally I'm glad they were open-minded enough to give it a shot.

From inkycircus.com:

Now, I'm not a total sceptic about the strange and unusual powers of the brain, I'm glad the stuffy MoD has an open mind, and I generally approve of finding alternative methods of defending Queen and country rather than starting wars all over the shop, but I'm pretty sure that celebrity 'psychics' aren't exactly the ideal alternative.

From strangeattractor.co.uk

It’s hard to believe that there haven’t been other RV projects here in the past and I’ve certainly met psychics who have told me that they’d done government work back in the ’80s. Let’s see if this confessional mood leads to any more such admissions.

In it's typical manner of misrepresentation, Skeptico does itself justice, while doing injustice to the truth: They never heard of Stargate?

Have they never heard of Project Stargate – the US government’s failed attempt from the 1970s through 1995 to look for exactly the same thing? They spent $20 million before they realized it doesn’t work and gave up. (At least the UK government only wasted $35K.)

[Read the AIR report articles to understand the politics and flawed methods used to shut down a program that managed to survive yearly reviews and maintain it's funding - why? because it was not a failed program]

The PsiTech organization supposedly purchased the “technology” from the US government, and are having a similar consistent lack of success in being able to remote-view anything correctly.
[PsiTech purchased nothing from the US government - Dames walked away with a copy of the CRV manual generated by the team of military remote viewers trained by Ingo Swann.]

As Randi knows, as soon as you want to test any “psychic” to see if they really can do what they say, they run for the hills. They must hate freedom.
[For a closer look at James Randi ]

And the all too familiar and classic argument:
Of course, if remote viewing really worked, we’d have captured bin Laden years ago.
[An often-used flawed assumption implying a government agency with the desire to capture bin Laden affiliated with accomplished remote viewers. In other words, it takes a chain of command from the RV session to take the results and test it against ground truth.]

~ Shelia

Truth or coincidences?

Truth or coincidences? Kristal Brent Zook, associate adjunct professor in the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University, wrote an editorial that restored my perspective of thinking people to one of good cheer.

Following the announced closing of the PEAR lab the number of negatively slanted, some bordering on vindictive, articles about PEAR's 28 years of research, took me by surprise. I had actually begun to think the lid was off the box, the genie sprung from his eternal prison, and that progress might be made in leaps and bounds during the coming decade. The media wave greeting PEAR's demise said otherwise. However, today I discovered one thoughtful person with the courage to consider more than official 'opinion' doled out by AP to institutionalized media clones. And this makes all the difference.

Truth or coincidences?

Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/3xxmhu]

Good reading! Shelia

Something Innocent passes by

Can I tell you something? Did you know how many squiggles I have in my brain? Infinity power - they never end. ~ Baillie, age 6

Something Evil Passes By

Friday night on Coast2Coast radio physicist Brooks Agnew shared details about his upcoming expedition to the North Pole, where he hopes to learn whether or not the Earth is hollow. During the discussion he noted that Ed Dames and team had done some remote viewing sessions for him and reported that he should avoid a certain segment of the North Pole as "there is something evil" there. Classic Dr. Doom stuff.

This morning I received a mass email advert re: the Horizon Project: "Newly compiled overwhelming scientific evidence all over our planet and documented throughout history shows that the world as we know it is about to come to an unexpected end."

Not to be outdone, I believe it is now time to add my own warning: do not go to New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Tokyo, London, Madrid, etc., etc. because there's something evil there. In fact avoid all contact with populated cities exceeding 12 persons - preferably persons that you've known since childhood and only associate with them if you are certain they haven't been contaminated by demon possession since your last contact. Or better still, move to a cave in a remote country, and see or talk to no one - you'll be spared knowledge of the inevitable end.

I understand that we are in the midst of environmental, social, and astronomic changes that may result in dire consequences on a planetary scale and yes, surely "the world as we know it" will change significantly. Of that I can be certain - I am old enough to know how we've evolved from simple black and white television, the corner movie theatre, and moon walks to a cell phone in every ear, the global internet, communication satellites on every corner of earth's orbit, and Mars orbits. I expect the next 10 years will bring many unexpected changes -- like cleaner air and water, changes in how we produce and utilize fuel, and social upheavels that swing back toward local controls vs. global controls.

Many changes are headed our way - but the much advertised "unexpected end" part is just not showing up in my premonition monitor, remote viewing, or dream landscape.

~ Shelia

Amazing enhanced human perception abilities are emerging, say researchers

Steve Hammons article - February 8, 2007, lists some of the 'perks' of the emerging awareness in many segments of society about what is sometimes called “anomalous cognition”.

These include, but are not limited to:
- Enhanced intuition and instincts
- Increased awareness of one’s surroundings and environment
- Improved insight into challenges and solutions
- Acquisition of information and understanding about remote situations

Telepathy and Lost Treasure

Can parapsychology help explore oceans and discover lost treasures? According to Ed May in a brief article at Newindpress.com the answer is ‘Yes’, telepathy can pave the way. While the article uses the terms telepathy and ESP, it would appear that Ed did manage to have his favorite term, 'anomalous cognition', inserted into the piece.

I am reminded of a question oft asked of persons involved in psi and remote viewing: What good is it? What can I do with it?

During the next few months let's explore those questions and count how many applications we can find that are actually BEING used. I would suggest that the applications of remote viewing are limited only by your own creativity box.

~ Shelia

Psychics, Detectives, and Cons: A cautionary tale

It is often difficult to tell who's who as demonstrated by the case of Helen Duncan, the last person to be prosecuted for witchcraft in Britain. Oddly enough it may have been her authenticity, her accuracy, and her connection to intelligence personnel during wartime that landed her in prison.

With the likes of Harry Price, "the Psychic Detective", giving 'evidence' against her at her trial, Helen was prosecuted and sentenced to 9 months in prison. With financial backing from judges and notable scientists of the time, Price founded an institute devoted to psychic research (National Laboratory of Psychical Research.)

These many years later, evidence reveals that Price was the conman and Helen the authentic psychic. An interesting read on Harry Price and his papers has surfaced - Detective work on psychic conman - as the granddaughter of Helen Duncan attempts to secure a posthumous pardon.

Reading these materials may give anyone with an applied interest in psi cause to reflect and ask, "Hmm, how far have we come?" Polls reveal that the average fellow on the street has a high degree of confidence that psi exists. However, mainstream media and governmental forces continue to reflect the 'view from above' that would put the thumbs down on such developments. Take note of the current UK government's campaign: Scams Awareness Month . Please note, that I am quite aware that there are indeed many scams out there involving persons promoting psi in one form or another. However, this type of govermental promotional tends to set a tone that bleeds over into legitimate work.

As part of its Scams Awareness Month, the OFT is warning consumers not to fall for bogus clairvoyant mailings sent out to thousands of people in the UK every year. Letters from so called psychics or clairvoyants offer predictions or promise healing properties for a small fee. Often these mailings are aggressive in tone, predicting that something bad will happen if the recipient does not send them money. Although they are sent out in their thousands, the mailings are personalised to make recipients look as if they have been specially chosen and those who respond can be repeatedly targeted.

Spies, Lies, and Polygraph Tape?

One day you post an item with a comment that promotes out of the box thinking, and the next day you run smack up against the wall of your own box. This one stretches my sensibilities - and yet, I'll want to follow the story and see where it leads. ~ Shelia

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Spies, Lies, and Polygraph Tape?

Gary S. Bekkum

February 5, 2007

"You have no legal recourse. I am interpreting your threat to the Official of the Director of National Intelligence as potentially outside the legal framework, and I will advise the FBI and your supervisor to take appropriate actions."

The highest levels of the intelligence community are entangled in a snare of lies surrounding the "core story": A tale of contact with an intelligence not of this world.

Starstream Research investigates. The first in a series.

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=20271

The 4th Annual Alexander Imich Lecture

The Mindshift Institute Presents


The 4th Annual Alexander Imich Lecture
Quantum Science and Intuition
What New Scientific Studies Are Revealing
About Consciousness


with
Paul Bernstein, PhD
February 28, 2007

7 p.m.
The Pratt Mansions
Marymount School
1026 Fifth Avenue
84th Street and 5th Avenue

Paul Bernstein, Ph.D. will bring us up-to-date about what leading scientists have learned about Intuition from laboratory experiments examining common forms of intuition, such as "remote viewing," "precognition," and "telepathy. " He will discuss the advances in quantum physics that indicate how such transmissions of information can occur without the involvement of our physical senses.

Dr. Bernstein will also share with us his findings, and those of other scientists, concerning the survival of consciousness after death, as revealed by studies primarily in three areas: the near-death experience, reincarnation, and mediumship.

Finally, he will invite the audience to engage in a discussion that connects these two sets of scientific findings, which so strongly imply that our human consciousness has some significant independence from our physical bodies.

Admission $20
To register, call 212-721-6785

CRV and Beyond

The IRVA Library has posted a new item from the CIA Star Gate Archives: this 40 page report is a version of the CRV manual that predates the 'official' CRV manual by about a year. The portion that most students of remote viewing will be interested in are the additional stages mentioned (this is the "beyond" of the report). Consensus is that Tom McNear wrote this report. The report is in pdf format at http://irvalibrary.com/papers/1985_CRV_beyond.pdf

The conclusions are a cautionary tale for any remote viewer - all displacement theorists should pay attention to the 3rd paragraph:

After four years of training I know the CRV training program is a usable program for instructing personnel to RV. As we increase our data base and understanding we are finding the time required for training can be shortened. If the instructors are a dedicated group who truly understand CRV this program will continue to improve and expand.

Future stages will continue to develop, I believe, in the general order which I presented them in the previous chapter. The future of CRV is only limited by the imagination and efforts of the people pursuing it.

I believe we establish our own realities of what will and won’t work. We once had a viewer who believed he could view, but he couldn’t view different time zones, consequently he succeeded as a viewer, but failed as a "time traveler”. His reality would not allow him to accomplish the same tasks as his peers, simply because he didn’t believe.

It is imperative the personnel working in this office keep an open mind and be allowed to pursue new and sometimes radical ideas. The more radical efforts may produce the most gain in the long run."

- Shelia

Can Our Thoughts Change The World?

Can Our Thoughts Change The World? Scientists Team With Author to Create World's Largest Mind-Over-Matter Experiment Top scientists team up with author to create the world's largest ever mind-over-matter experiment.

London, England (PRWeb) January 6, 2007 --

Can our thoughts influence the world around us? This extraordinary possibility is being tested throughout 2007 in a series of mind-over-matter experiments that are being monitored by leading physicists.

Tens of thousands of volunteers from around the world are being recruited to participate in a series of web-based experiments, making it the largest mind-over-matter study in history.
The experiments are the brain-child of science writer Lynne McTaggart, whose new book The Intention Experiment forms the catalyst for the trials. The book is published in the New Year in the US, (Simon & Schuster) the UK (Harper Collins) and The Netherlands (Ankh-Hermes).
Working with her are leading physicists and psychologists from the University of Arizona, Princeton University, the International Institute of Biophysics and the Institute of Noetic Sciences.

The first large-scale studies are being prepared by Dr. Gary Schwartz, psychologist and director of America's National Institutes of Medicine-funded Center for Frontier Medicine in Biofield Science at the University of Arizona.

Besides Schwartz, other scientists working in the consortium include: German physicist Dr. Fritz-Albert Popp of the International Institute of Biophysics in Neuss, Germany; Dr. Robert Jahn and Brenda Dunne of the International Consciousness Research Laboratory, formerly of Princeton University; and Drs Marilyn Schlitz and Dean Radin of the Institute of Noetic Sciences in California.

Through the Intention Experiment website (www.theintentionexperiment.com), readers of McTaggart's new book are invited to participate in an unprecedented experiment: to test the power of their thoughts.

The study will conduct periodic large-scale experiments to determine whether the focused intention of its readers has an effect on scientifically quantifiable targets in various laboratories around the globe -- a specific living thing or a population where change caused by group intention can be measured.

Website specialists working with the scientists through the website will coordinate reader involvement and track results.

A pilot experiment, testing the idea and detailed in the book, was successful. McTaggart asked a group of 16 meditators based in London to direct their thoughts to four remote targets in Dr. Popp's laboratory in Germany: two types of algae, a plant and a human volunteer. The meditators were asked to attempt to lower certain measurable biodynamic processes.
Popp and his team discovered significant changes in all four targets while the intentions were being sent, compared to times the meditators were 'resting.'

Schwartz and McTaggart are preparing the target for the first intention experiment target, an enclosed 'mini-Gaia' with an artificially raised temperature. The plan is to ask the readers to attempt to lower it at a particular moment through focused 'intention.'

"If we're successful the implications would be amazing," says Schwartz. "It would suggest that our collective human consciousness can actually do something about global warming."
In the course of her research into her earlier book, The Field, McTaggart uncovered literally hundreds of scientific studies carried out by reputable frontier scientists, which suggested that consciousness, under certain circumstances, has the capacity to change physical matter.
These studies, all published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, showed evidence that directing thoughts at a target is capable of altering machines, cells and, indeed, entire multicelled organisms like human beings.

The ongoing experiments will solely focus on philanthropic targets. Other possibilities being discussed by the scientific consortium include using a child with Attention Deficit Disorder or an adult with Alzheimer's disease.

One eventual target could be determining whether focused group intention will enable wounds to heal more quickly than usual. It is known and accepted that wounds generally heal at a particular, quantifiable rate with a precise pattern. Any departure from the norm can be precisely measured and shown to be an experimental effect.

The global Intention Experiment laboratory is to be entirely self-funded. The website and all the experiments will be funded by the proceeds of the book or grants, now and in the future.
McTaggart stresses that she cannot guarantee that the big experiments will work -- at first or ever. "As scientists and objective researchers, we will be duty-bound to faithfully report the data we have. But what's most important is just being willing to ask the questions," says McTaggart. "That's what real science is, and that's what we're doing with the Intention Experiments. Just being unafraid to ask what seems like a outrageous question."

The Intention Experiment, published by Free Press, Simon & Schuster in the US (HarperCollins in the UK), is the first book firmly grounded in science that explains how human thoughts and intentions are an actual physical something.

The Intention Experiment builds on the discoveries of McTaggart's first book, international bestseller The Field: The Quest for the Secret Force of the Universe, The Field, which documented discoveries that point to the existence of a quantum energy field holding everything -- including each one of us -- in its invisible web.

The Field was lauded around the world, by notables such Sir Arthur C. Clarke and Dr. Wayne Dyer, as the first book to synthesize all the discoveries from frontier quantum physicists about the nature of consciousness into a unified theory, comprehensive to the ordinary layman. Dyer called it "the most profound and enlightening book I have ever read."

For more information please contact:Pavel MikoloskiLiving the FieldLondonDDI:+44 (0)208 971 1660Main:+44 (0)208 944 9555Fax: +44 (0)870 444 9887

Only the Shadow Knows

Over the years, small fire storms erupt in the remote viewing community over questions such as, 'who wrote the CRV manual?' 'Was Ingo involved in the process at all?' 'Did Ingo approve the content in the manual?'

No one has ever disputed that Paul H. Smith was the primary author of the manual. However, the close collaboration of other unit members who also studied under Ingo is oft overlooked. It would appear that Ingo did indeed read and approve of the manual prior to it's publication. Supporting documentation in the form of a letter sent from Ingo to the collaborating members of the Fort Meade unit has been posted on Paul's website [ http://www.rviewer.com/prenote.html ] as an added preliminary comment to the CRV manual.

Steve Hammonds thoughtful articles

Steve Hammons has worked as a journalist, editor, counselor, juvenile probation peace officer, public safety urgent response specialist, teacher, instructor and U.S. Government researcher. He graduated from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, with studies in communications (journalism focus) and health education (psychology focus). Hammons’ two novels tell the story of a U.S. intelligence and joint-service military research team investigating unusual phenomena.

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Cautious Approach is Wise on Project SERPO, Sensitive Information
By Steve Hammons

Feb 1, 2007

http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272611343.shtml

The sky didn't fall. Society didn't collapse because remote viewing programs became public.
In fact, when you learn about what these people accomplished, it can make us respect their willingness to "think outside the box." They took bold and creative steps to discover important kinds of knowledge that is still developing.

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‘Remote Viewing' Important For Us Now

By Steve Hammons

Jan 23, 2007

http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272611154.shtml

Looking at the many challenges we face as individuals, families, communities, nations, cultures and as the human race on Earth, we may find that the natural, but often untapped, abilities we all possess can be very helpful in making progress. In addition to our normal skills and efforts in a wide range of everyday human endeavors, the somewhat unconventional areas often called “remote viewing” and “anomalous cognition” should also be added to our list of resources and assets.

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'Remote Viewing' has Basis in Science, Military Intelligence
By Steve Hammons

Jan 19, 2007

http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272611080.shtml

'Remote viewing' is a technique and skill that is quite interesting. Remote viewing usually refers to the original program sponsored by CIA, DIA and Army intelligence during the 70s, 80s and early 90s as well as offshoots of those techniques that have developed since. . . . At the least, it is interesting to read these stories and learn about the research. At most, it could change us for the better and contribute to the advancement of science, medicine and the human condition.

A Curious (and undaunted) Mind: Dean Radin

I have to applaud Dean Radin for his fearless and undaunted stance in dealing with the ridicule of a timid establishment that seeks to quash all curiosity - and yet, with the oddest twist of character, the same suspects demonstrate the temirity to present themselves as scientists.

Dr. Radin demonstrates a mastery of the art of non-attachment.

- Shelia

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News Released: January 30, 2007
(PRLEAP.COM) Join host Alex Tsakiris when he interviews parapsychologist Dr. Dean Radin of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, about navigating the perilous field of parapsychology research. During the 45-minute interview Radin suggests paranormal experiences are more common than most scientists publicly admit.

“In private, virtually all scientists, including the most severe skeptics, will admit to interesting things that go bump in the night. In public, they’ll find a completely different way to talk about their experience,” Radin says.

He also discusses the challenges psi researchers face.“If you portray a controversial message, it would appear that the more conservative you are the better, but I believe this is actually false. I know a number of colleagues who were absolute mainstream, with no connection to anything controversial at all expect for psi, and they were marginalized only because of their interest in this field” claims Radin.

And, how he navigates the controversy. “I don’t care too much what other people think about what I do. I’m much more interested in exploring and finding out about the nature of the world. So, if someone makes a claim that seems incredible and I have the time and the interest to look at it – I go look at it,” Radin explains. The interview is available for immediate free download at: www.skeptiko.com/index.php?id=9