InPresence 0031: The Super ESP Hypothesis

InPresence host, Jeffrey Mishlove, PhD, is author of The Roots of Consciousness, Psi Development Systems, and The PK Man. Between 1986 and 2002 he hosted and co-produced the original Thinking Allowed public television series. He is the recipient of the only doctoral diploma in "parapsychology" ever awarded by an accredited university (University of California, Berkeley, 1980). For many years he served as president of the non-profit Intuition Network, an organization dedicated to creating a world in which all people were supported and encouraged in developing inner intuitive abilities.

Here he notes that "Super ESP" or "living agent psi" is a hypothesis offered as an alternative to postmortem survival when explaining data from spiritualist mediums or reincarnation. He offers two strong examples that people view differently: the "chess gave from beyond the grave" and the "Watseka Wonder". He also brings up the concept of "tolerance of ambiguity" and the work of psychologist Frank X. Barron.

(Recorded on March 18, 2018)

[tinjos]

I so look forward to these In Presence videos. They are just awesome.

[keepitsimple]

The evidence for survival of the human personality after death is overwhelming. The evidence for consciousness being separate from the human body coming from physics and quantum mechanics is also overwhelming. Many physicists are now suggesting consciousness itself is the only thing that's fundamental. They're probably right. This is a fascinating field of research that is ongoing.

[mscir]

Spending time on skeptics is often a complete waste of time. People who have had psi experiences know they are real. Live well, and let the skeptics come to you.

[adc]

I do believe there are men who possess super natural powers.and have seen them also. Now I fervently wish to make efforts in that direction.

[sidetracked]

Any person not engaging with the evidence or research is not really a part of the conversation or debate. I'm starting to lean towards all the various ideas existing simultaneously. Though when I started watching "thinking allowed", I was sure you would help me make up my mind which is most true. Fat chance.

[Paddyllfixit]

I could recommend many books I've read/have down through the years with strong evidence indicating reincarnation as a valid phenomenon, but mostly indicating the survival of Consciousness after physical death. But instead, and I know, that most of these shows are just BS entertainment for the masses, but the series *My Ghost Story~caught on camera* honestly has some of the best evidence caught on film and audio with accounts given by those who actually experienced them. I attempted to upload all 6 seasons, 70+ episodes but got flagged and warned by YT.

[alienprotocols]

Does anyone know of any active PK studies? Researchers or universities? THANK YOU! Love to all!!

[tinjos]

Jeffrey, I recall in one of the interviews with Braude you said something like you thought it was dangerous to try and cultivate psychic abilities. Maybe you could do a future In Presence on the reasons you feel that way?

[AnthrYrslf]

I like the acceptance of ambiguity notion. Be careful where you borrow, preconceptions and judgements don't lend well

[Flanalb]

I am a little unclear about the exact form of the superPSI hypothesis.

The chess game and the Watseka story both seem to me to be authentic, but they still leave open the question of what exactly a personality and the associated individual mind are. So far, it seems that the structure of consciousness is more complex than we have managed to model with our mortal mentalities.

The differing claims of various explorers need to be sorted through somehow. Was Maróczi in a Michael Newton between-life camp doing something and he just took a bit of time out to indulge his previous life's hobby? Was Lurancy Vennom able to enlist the aid of Mary Roff because spirits are hanging about waiting for a chance to do something in the material world and they both had something to gain? What about the claim of the Tibetan Buddhists that we do not survive as individuals (see "Living, Dreaming, Dying" Shambhala Press).