ESP in general

In New Frontiers of the Mind (1937) Rhine said thatSome theories involve the discussion of two
ESP experiments were changing the way peoplesubconsciousnesses, the second one sometimes
thought the mind sensed information. Historically learnedcalled the superconsciousness, soul, subliminal self,
people held the human mind received informationtranscendent ego, dream self and several other terms.
through the ordinary five senses, and that therefore,The argument rest on the hypothesis that two realities
the mind is subject to the laws of the mechanicalexist, the physical one and a second one. ESP can
world. Laboratory tests have attempted to determineoccur when there is a integration between both
the existence of ESP, and discover the physicalrealities. This occurs infrequently only when the barriers
mechanism by which it operates. "The mind has beenbetween the realities are broken which does not
equated with the brain, and scientists search tohappen often because if it did all unconscious thought
discover how ESP registers in the brain/mind."would flood and overflow the conscious mind. A
However, increasing evidence is demonstrating thatcondition which the mind could not withstand.
ESP does exist, but it cannot be explained or quantifiedWhen considering types or forms that ESP might take
by physical laws; and furthermore, that the minddreams become an important factor, especially in
(consciousness) and the brain are two separaterelationship to the theory of two realities. Upon this
entities. Simultaneously, research in quantum physicsbasis dreams were separated into two categories:
points to the existence of a second, nonmaterialrealistic, vivid having detailed imagery of the information
universe. So, the time is fast approaching whenconveyed, and intuition which includes "gut feelings."
Western scientists must come to terms with theforebodings, and premonitions; and unrealistic dreams
Eastern mystical concept: "that an extrasensory forcecontaining fantastical imagery and symbols.
exists in another realty, and intersects and integratesHallucinations that relayed visual and auditory
with the physical world."information also were included. Rhine suggested the
In function, ESP is dissimilar to the ordinary senses.reason for dreams being efficient carriers of ESP
There is no location like governs the other sensesmessages is because the barriers surrounding the
which receive information through various parts of theconscious mind appear to be thinnest.
body; and it is not dependent on any of the other fiveIt has been discovered that the natural tendency for
senses. ESP is independent of such factors asESP in individuals can be distorted by previous
geography, time, intelligence, age, or education.prejudices, thoughts, and conditioning. Likewise,
ESP has been given various names. In the 19th centuryinaccurate ESP messages may be the result of
is was called "cryptesthesia," later it was labeleddistortions and blockages of the conscious mind.
"relesthesia" which since became clairvoyance, orHowever, in times of crisis such as accidents and
"seeing in the distance." It was Rhine who coined thedeath of loved ones, ESP messages seem to occur
term "general extrasensory perception" (GESP) tospontaneously. It is theorized that perhaps trauma and
include both telepathy and clairvoyance. Later the termshock enable negative information to penetrate the
psi was designated to cover ESP and PK.subliminal barriers more easily than happy information.
It was researcher Lousia E. Rhine who proposed theThere are theories concerning individuals who possess
theory that ESP starts in the unconscious, aESP and how they acquired this ability. One theory
storehouse of memories, hopes and fears. At this pointholds that some people such as seers, prophets and
a contact is made between the objective world anddiviners were bore with the gift which was inherited by
the center of the mind. The person remains unawaretheir relatives. Another theory hold that it is` a primordial
of this contact until or unless the information is broughtsense which has decreased in populations as their
to the conscious level. Also, the psychiatrist Carl G.cultures advanced. Still another theory claims ESP is a
Jung proposed a similar theory that the conscious mindsupersense which evolves in the nervous system.
has subliminal psychic access to the collectivePsychical research does support the theory that
unconscious, a vast repository of accumulativeeveryone is born with ESP capability, though some
wisdom and experience of the human race.may possess more than others. Most people have
Others theories attempting to explain ESP have beenexperienced at least one ESP experience in their lives.
produced. One such theory involved macrophages,It was found in a survey published in 1987 by the
cells present in connective tissue, lymph nodes, andUniversity of Chicago's National Opinion Research
bone marrow and tied to nerve endings. The personCouncil, that 67 percent of all adult Americans believed
thought these might be the body's ESP organs,they have experienced ESP. Eleven years earlier the
sending and receiving impressions below the normalfigure was 58 percent. It was thought the increase
perceptive level. Such cells are more sensitive andindicates an increased acceptance of the possibility of
active during childhood, but deteriorate without properESP among the general public.
diet.