Parapsychology articles and blog

This year has been a successful one for mind-energy.net. I have established numerous connection with people from the parapsychology (or psi, if you prefer) sphere, including Alex Tsakiris of Skeptiko podcast, medium Marcel Cairo and several other people. I’ve also opened the parapsychology and healing forum in addition to the blog on this website. The forum includes a very active Offical Skeptiko podcast forum with more than 2400 posts as of now.

The website has seen large increase in visitors. The main site itself (without the forum) was visited more than 300,000 times this year. The most popular pages were:

• This year’s hit: Spoon bending instructions and pictures with more than 100,000 page views since Feb 23 2007 . Overall, the three articles about spoon bending: Spoon bending instructions, Spoon bending video and How to bend a spoon using your mind got over 150000 page views this year. Quite a popular topic, it seems.
• Last year’s hit, my grandma’s instructions to get rid of stuffy or runny nose received about 95000 views in 2007. I’ve received lots of “thank you’s” for this one, although not everyone benefit from it. There are many other suggestions in the comments to this page (227 comments).
• The hit from exactly two years ago about Increasing energy levels in 1 minute got over 18000 page views.

I’ve also done 6 interviews this year (up from 4 in 2006) which I find very rewarding:

• Interview with Bonnie Adam – Reiki master and psychic reader
• Interview with psychic reader DeAna
• Interview with Alex Tsakiris of Skeptiko podcast and Open Source Science project
• Interview with Erin Pavlina, a psychic medium
• Interview with medium Marcel Cairo
• Interview with Laura Bruno

Overall, 2007 saw 115 posts (see archives for all of them), which is not bad output for this niche and with the little time I have. I still have grand ideas for future posts and for the future development of the site which I need to find a way and the time to implement. I’d appreciate any help you can provide.

In the first months of 2007 I’ve also developed and ran the Psi Experiments websites which was a very educational experience for me, even if it didn’t reach its goals. It took me a month to develop and build, get sponsors for the prizes and promote using press releases and other websites. I’ve ran 3 Psi experiment:

1. Where’s the ring (results)
2. Remote Viewing/Dowsing experiment (results)
3. Guess the card (ongoing)

Unfortunately, because of bad design none of them could validate the existence of psi. I would still like to develop more and better psi experiments but I need help in their development, mostly from the experiment design point of view.

My wishes for 2008 is to see the readership of the site grow and a more active community to start to build up in the forums. I would like to interview more interesting people, to see more interest in psi in the scientific world and for all of us to be healthy and happy in the forthcoming year.

Happy new year to everyone.

Jacob.

Our Parapsychology forums member, WhiteTiger, will give free Tarot readings for forum member in the thread Free tarot readings in the forums.

Tiger is a retired engineer/machinist/inventor, in his mid fifties, passed the Mensa qualification test back when it took a minimum 150 to get in before they lowered the standards. He ended up years back on a quasi-shamanic path as a result of looking for answers to the weirdness that have always been present in his life.

Here’s the offer in Tiger’s words:

I answer direct, specific questions on most subjects. I prefer to have the question only, with absolutely no backstory or qualifications to it that could be “read into” for a mentalist cold reading. “Life readings” and the tired old “does my bf/gf really love me” questions are so open to simple psychological manipulations that they are useless for demonstration purposes. Same goes for the sneering skeptic questions about change in the pocket or color of my car… that isn’t tarot, that would be RV.

Ask your questions in the Tarot readings thread. Free registration to the forums is required in order to post.

On the same occasion I would ask you to check out our forums once again, we’ve got a little nice community of interesting people there. If you like philosophical and scientific discussions of psi phenomena and research, join the discussions in the Skeptiko forum. We also have sections on psi ability development, health and alternative medicine.

Happy holidays. I’m presenting another article by drew hempel. I’ve asked drew to write in more detail on the subject of the connection between math and music and how it connects to the paranormal. I felt that his article The Secret of Psychic Music Healing was assuming too much of the reader and so asked him to write a more explanatory article, which I now present.

Against Archytas:  How the West Lost Alchemy or Paranormal Complimentary Opposite Harmonics

by drew hempel, MA

(anti-copyright, free distribution)

The early Greek mathematics used the 60-based number system of Babylon from which Archytas, a collaborator with Plato, received the harmonic tetrachord or the continued proportion 6:8::9:12.  This tetrachord creates a geometric mean between the octave, perfect fourth and perfect fifth music intervals, or 1:2:3:4, through “divide and average” logarithmic-based mathematics.  So 6:8 and 9:12 are in the continued proportion 3:4, the perfect fourth music interval, while 6:9 and 8:12 are 2:3, the perfect fifth music interval, and 6:12 is 1:2, the octave.  The geometric mean is A:B::B:C or B squared = AC or the square root of AC = B. What Archytas added to this Babylon “divide and average” harmonic mathematics was the concept of the Greek “incommensurable” – the algebraic axiomatic proof of “alogon” or a precise irrational number, the square root of two.  This process ushered in what’s called “The Greek Miracle” that continues to be the structure of science:  symmetry-based mathematics.

Instead of the above system, the alchemical Pythagorean Tetrad relies on complimentary opposite harmonics so that an equilateral triangle of geometric points equals the continued proportion 1:2:3:4 as the octave, perfect fifth and perfect fourth music intervals.   In “orthodox” Pythagorean harmonics this was known as the “subcontrary mean” whereby the complimentary opposites of the Tetrad were maintained in violation of “divide and average” mathematics.  So for the Tetrad A:B is 2:3 and B:A is 3:4 against the commutative property, A x B = B x A.   In music theory this complimentary opposite inversion of the perfect fifth and perfect fourth is taught as 2:3 is C to G while 3:4 is G to C.  This process of complimentary opposites is listened to, as the perfect fifth, perfect fourth harmonics, which create all the notes.  Most importantly the complimentary opposite harmonics transduces sound throughout the whole energy spectrum, as I’ve described in previous articles..   

Philolaus, one of the early Pythagorean writers, detailed that this “subcontrary mean” or complimentary opposite harmonic caused any attempt at subdividing the scale into symmetry as a failure.  In contrast Archytas changed the “subcontrary” complimentary opposite mean into the “harmonic mean” using “divide and average” mathematics.  The outcome has precisely opposite the meaning of “harmony” which for Pythagoreans referred to the paranormal source of sound as the Goddess Harmonia or what I call female formless awareness.  For Philolaus the perfect fifth as 2:3 could be inverted to 3:2 and then extended another fifth to 9:4 and then divided back into the octave, below 2, for the major second interval of 9:8 or C to D.  Yet 9:8 cubed or three major second music intervals equaled the 3:2 perfect fifth music interval, plus a tiny ratio called “the comma of Pythagoras.”  

This “comma of Pythagoras” is the difference between the “divide and average” octave system adopted by Archytas and the complimentary opposite fifths inverting into fourths, used by the orthodox Pythagoreans.  The “comma of Pythagoras” is the key to harmonic alchemy whereby 2:3, the perfect fifth, is yang in Taoism and 3:4, the perfect fourth, is yin.  As Gurdjieff desribes the “shock” of the diatonic scale, whereby the “inverse ratios” do not line up with the octaves, is intensified as the octaves expand.  In contrast Archytas argued that 9/8 cubed or three major second intervals equals the square root of two as the Greek Miracle, the axiomatic algebra of the precise incommensurable irrational number.  What Archtyas essentially did, as I’ll describe, is equate the perfect 5th or 2:3 with the perfect 4th or 3:4 as equally-divided or symmetric ratios through a “divide and average” mathematics.

Archytas took the Babylonian geometric mean of 6:8::9:12 used for harmonics and then applied the Pythagorean Tetrad 1:2:3:4 so that the 2:3 ratio of complimetary opposite frequency was converted to 3:2 as a materialistic vibrating string length.  This became known as the Law of Pythagoras even though it goes against the true meaning of the complimentary opposites when this “inverse ratio” is combined with the “divide and average” commutative property. Gurdjieff, for example, still relies on the “inverse ratio” of density or string length versus frequency or consciousness.  But Gurdjieff does not use Archytas’ “divide and average” symmetric-based mathematics, instead Gurdjieff relies on the Law of Three aka the Tetrad, or octave-fifth-fourth,  to resonate through the comma of Pythagoras as the “shocks” of alchemy.  In Taoism this system of alchemical shocks is taught as the 12 harmonic nodes along the outside of the body, enabling healing and paranormal energy, an exercise called “the small universe.”

I am hosting the second volume of the qigong and Energy arts forum.

Anmol Mehta posted the article Free Online Yoga Video – Breath of Fire Yoga Breathing Exercise
This king kong of pranayamas helps you detoxify your system, oxygenate your blood, magnify the benefits of the Kundalini Yoga exercise you are doing and generate terrific energy within. If you suffer from heat related issues or high blood pressure, you should use caution when practicing Breath of Fire.

I want to add my article Top 5 healthy relaxation techniques to the list, where you’ll learn 5 of the best relaxation techniques I know of.

This concludes the second edition of Qigong and Energy Arts Forum. You may submit your article for the next edition, to be published in a few weeks’ time.

Shift in Action, media library on conscious change is available for FREE until Dec. 24th, according to their website. See the announcement here. Shift in Action is a part of the IONS (Institute of Noetic Sciences) started by past austranaut, Capt. Edgar Mitchell, which researches the various aspects of consciousness.

The media library includes many videos, teleseminars and articles by leading figures in the world of developing and researching the consciousness. Jump on the opportunity and sorry for being a bit late about posting this.

I’m going to host the second volume of Qigong and Healing arts Forum. Qigong and Energy Arts Forum is a monthly online magazine, featuring the Internet’s best new articles on qigong, kundalini yoga, reiki, and other energy arts. It was started and is managed by http://www.martialdevelopment.com.

One of my articles, Qigong Yiquan Review was published in the first volume. You can see it at http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/qigong-and-energy-arts-forum-1/.

The second volume will be out on December 21 and it is now possible to submit your articles. If you have an article about Qigong or other healing arts, please send your articles for submission at http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/about/#contact.

Start pressing those keys already.

Today I present another article by drew hempel who often published here several other articles on the subjects of qigong, music and healing.

How Qigong or Taoist Yoga Explains Gurdjieff

by drew hempel, MA

(anti-copyright, free distribution).

THE FOUNDATION OF THE LAW OF THREE

"'Before examining these influences,' began G., 'and the laws of transformation of Unity in Plurality, we must examine the fundamental law that creates all phenomena in all the diversity or unity of all universes.'" -- In Search of the Miraculous (p. 78, emphasis in original, and source for below Gurdjieff quotes).

I continue to see a lot of serious confusion about the teachings of G.I. Gurdjieff, a very influential source for people exploring paranormal healing powers.  First of all there was Gurdjieff's focus on the truth of his teaching, not on the kundalini energy effects.  This is one reason people reject Gurdjieff.  For example a famous person, Katherine Mansfield, came to Gurdjieff shortly before her death from tuberculosis.  Some people think that Gurdjieff just accelerated her death because he focused on the truth instead of on healing.   Secondly there's the problem of Gurdjieff's lineage.  Some state Gurdjieff was a Sufi but since he didn't have a particular Sufi master he's not credible.  Gurdjieff does name a very important Sufi teacher who doles out amazing secrets in Gurdjieff's excellent book Meetings with Remarkable Men. 

Most importantly Gurdjieff didn't pass on and develop his powers in someone else -- i.e. create another energy master.  Gurdjieff doesn't have a replacement yet many people think that Ouspensky was necessary to help Gurdjieff or that Bennett or Orage or others can better continue Gurdjieff's teachings.  For example, because of this conflict, the famous NYC literary critic Edmund Wilson made fun of Gurdjieff based on Orage's attempts to teach Gurdjieff.  The best book on Gurdjieff's teachings, In Search of the Miraculous, is only hindered by Ouspensky's extended yet confused commentaries while Gurdjieff's longest book was the cause for Gurdjieff considering suicide.  Beelzebub's Tales is not a reliable source since his publishers forced Gurdjieff to change the meaning of his teaching, as Bennett reports.

What is clear is that Gurdjieff's teaching is based on harmonics or what some term "psychic music," the central secret of my 2001 U of MN masters thesis, linked at http://nonduality.com/hempel.htm and focus of my subsequent research, including my previous articles here.  I discovered that the Pythagorean Perfect 5th or 2:3 music interval, C to G, and the Perfect 4th or 3:4, G to C, are the same as yang and yin in Taoism.  Gurdjieff also relies on the Pythagorean teachings based on harmonics or what Gurdjieff called the Law of Three, the fundamental law.   (as quoted above)

Western science converted complimentary opposites, yin and yang, or the Pythagorean Tetrad of 1:2:3:4, into a symmetrical system through the same diatonic scale that Gurdjieff presents in his teaching, thereby forever confusing the West's understanding of Gurdjieff.  

For example the major third diatonic music interval of Gurdjieff, 4:5, was converted into 5:4 as the cube root of two while the Pythagorean diatonic minor sixth, 5:8, was converted into 8:5 as the Golden Ratio.  In fact the extension of the Tetrad, 1:2:3:4 (Perfect 5th/Perfect 4th complimentary opposite harmonics as the Law of Pythagoras) into symmetric-based ratios (i.e. Gurdjieff's 4:5 into 5:4 as the cube root of two) was the product not of Pythagoras but of Platonic math from Archytas' creation of the geometric mean (a "one-to-one correspondence of letter and number").  I give the technical details in chapter four of my blogbook, http://mothershiplanding.blogspot.com.  Math professor Joe Mazur recently stated that my compilation of this information is "very valuable" and he recommended that I have it published in a peer-reviewed academic journal.  

Today is another interview, this time with Laura Bruno. Laura Bruno is a Life Coach, Medical Intuitive, Animal Communicator and Reiki Master Teacher. She has lived and taught across the U.S. and now resides in Sedona, Arizona, where she enjoys the beauty with her husband Stephen, a photographer. Laura offers classes and phone consultations and writes fiction in her spare time. In addition to over twenty articles on natural healing, Laura also authored the soon-to-be-released eBook, If I Only Had a Brain Injury: A TBI Survivor and Life Coach’s Guide to Chronic Fatigue, Concussion, Lyme Disease, Migraine and Other “Medical Mystery. You can visit her website at www.internationalrenaissancecoaching.com.

Could you please tell the story of discovering your intuitive abilities.

I grew up as an empath (meaning I could feel other people’s physical and emotional pain), but I had no context for that “gift.” Everyone called me over-sensitive, and I learned to view intuition as something inconvenient, weird or shameful. Despite efforts to suppress it, people still sensed my ability. While I earned a Masters in English at University of Chicago, strangers often approached me for health or life path advice, which I quietly gave. To my embarrassment, these same strangers later hugged me in front of my friends, thanking me for the insights. Secretly, I felt led to a more spiritual career than academia, but I resisted.

Instead, I chose the corporate world. My first sales job required twenty-five cold calls per day. Twenty-five cold calls supposedly equaled seven call-backs, which translated to three sales appointments, which became one sale, which (funneled throughout the month) equaled or exceeded quota. I hated viewing conversations as statistics—not to mention all the “no soliciting” jabs. But I couldn’t live on my base salary: I needed to hit quota. Desperate, I started praying. Before each cold call I would silently ask, “Let them see your Light in me and, please, give me the right words to say.” Instead of kicking me out, business folks suddenly welcomed me as a long lost friend! Yet after seven cold calls, I still needed a vanilla milkshake and a two-hour nap. I requested extra guidance: “Please, take me to the right places today. Then, let me radiate your Light and use your words.” With my terrible sense of direction, I developed an uncanny knack for getting “lost” exactly where and when someone needed exactly what I had to sell. I continued to make or exceed quota each month, averaging about two cold calls per day.

This effective prayer only intensified that nudge toward spiritual work. One day I “accidentally” cold called a nun and she took my hands: “Child, you have such Sweetness in you! You will go far when you embrace your gifts.” Disturbed, I reapplied to doctoral programs, vowing to teach a Literature and Spirituality class. I found a cushy sales job with established accounts—no more cold calling nuns! Then I prayed, “If academia’s not my path, don’t let me do it. Otherwise, I’m going!” The scholarships and stipends flooded in: “Wow!” I thought, “That was easy! Here I expected some big, dramatic thing. One course on Literature and Spirituality? Guess I’m not so intuitive after all …”

But on May 19, 1998 (three months before I planned to start fully funded doctoral studies in English Literature) an on-the-job car accident destroyed the life I knew. A brain injury shut down my rational side for years. I suffered visual impairments leaving me unable to read longer than five minutes per day. Florescent lights caused migraines, dizziness and disorientation, and my short term memory all but disappeared. Without my rational mind, intuition suddenly unleashed itself. Carefully developed filters no longer worked. I suddenly “knew” someone had a thyroid problem or emotional blocks leading to cancer. Even worse, I’d get the insistent urge to tell them and if I didn’t, my head pounded louder than usual. The more I resisted, the stronger the migraines became until finally I contacted each person and shared my insights. Then the pain subsided. Medical tests and conversations continued to confirm my intuition, but it took a long time for me to feel comfortable sharing information—even under duress.

Summer 1999, I spent eight weeks in Seattle in a final push to attend graduate school. (Yep, I’m stubborn, and Northwestern let me defer enrollment for a year.) One day, my holistic vision and brain injury specialist said, “If grad school doesn’t pan out, come back to Seattle. I’m old and I need to give my practice to someone.” “OK, where did that come from?” I asked. “I’m an English major!” He explained that he and his assistant had noticed “the next three patients after” me “always made amazing progress.” “Great,” I said, “What’s that got to do with me?” He answered, “For weeks we’ve purposely mixed things up and no matter which three patients follow you, they always make amazing progress. You leave an energy residue in the room that lasts at least three hours. Seriously, if grad school doesn’t pan out, come back and work with me.”

Well, graduate school didn’t pan out. My head imploded under florescent lights and if I ever managed to read, I immediately forgot the content. Meanwhile, my intuition and energy continued to grow. In August 2001, I returned to Seattle for more treatment. That specialist eventually hired me as his Medical Intuitive Consultant—my first job after brain injury. With no other career options and a strong sense of Fate, I started to embrace my healing gifts instead of running from them. I opened my own business and made a full recovery. Now, I love my intuition, and I love that it helps so many people heal and find their path!

You are a Reiki Master teacher. What do you find Reiki helpful for?

Reiki translates to “universal life force energy” or “divinely directed healing energy.” As such, people find Reiki helpful for all kinds of things! In the last 10 years, many hospices and hospitals (including the esteemed California Pacific Medical Center, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire, St. Luke’s Hospital in Pennsylvania, and Tucson Medical Center in Arizona) have valued volunteer or paid Reiki practitioners alongside their cancer programs because patients report vastly decreased pain and fear, and increased peace, positive attitude and relaxation.

Personally, I’ve found that Reiki works well for headaches, stomach pain, and insomnia. When I first learned Reiki, I was still recovering from my brain injury. Daily self-treatments and a number of “healing attunements” allowed me to wean myself completely from pharmaceutical migraine pills. I also find Reiki useful for empowering goals, because the energy just flows through situations and events. Hallmarks of Reiki include increased serendipity and a bubbling sense of joy.

Describe some of the more interesting cases from your practice, where Reiki was helpful.