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The ESP Enigma: The Scientific Case for Psychic Phenomena

The ESP Enigma: The Scientific Case for Psychic Phenomena
By Diane Hennacy Powell

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A revolutionary scientific explanation of psychic phenomena and the nature of human consciousness.

Although much is now known about the brain, relatively little has been determined about where consciousness comes from: What is the source of the “I” in our internal monologue? How does something as nonmaterial as consciousness arise from something material like the brain? Dr. Diane Powell, a Johns Hopkins–trained neuroscientist, has brilliantly reassessed the meaning and nature of consciousness by exploring research on the workings of psychic phenomena.

Over the past few decades several well-designed and rigorously supervised experiments have documented the existence of telepathic interconnection, clairvoyance, precognition, psychokinesis, and out-of-body experiences. Mainstream science has largely ignored these data because they all defy the traditional model of consciousness as being solely the product of brain chemistry.
 
Building from these experiments, Powell constructs a new theory of consciousness. I ntegrating concepts from physics, neuroscience, and other disciplines, she offers an insightful and intriguing explanation of ESP, provocatively claiming that the existence of psychic abilities expands our understanding and appreciation of consciousness. Psychic abilities are also consistent with findings in modern physics: For example, psychokinesis implies that consciousness is a type of force field, while precognition suggests that the past, present, and future exist concurrently.

Eye-opening in its conclusions and exciting in its implications, The ESP Enigma will challenge your preconceived notions and expand your mind.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #375626 in Books
  • Published on: 2008-12-23
  • Released on: 2008-12-23
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Hardcover
  • 288 pages

Features

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In science it is axiomatic that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Powell, a neuropsychiatrist who has taught at Harvard Medical School, certainly makes extraordinary claims about the four basic psychic abilities: telepathy, psychokinesis, clairvoyance and precognition. But her evidence is consistently below par. She relies on self-reported claims by psychics, hundred-year-old newspaper accounts and the results of studies published by organizations like the Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research rather than in reputable, peer-reviewed scientific journals (and sometimes she cites no source at all). Powell is woefully short on mechanisms to explain the phenomena she claims are so common, although she does turn to quantum physics to assert that molecular resonance and the space-time continuum are likely responsible, and she finds evolutionary explanations for the existence of psychic phenomena. She claims, for instance, that psychic events are related to dreaming, which may have evolved so babies, who mostly sleep, can detect threats and communicate them psychically to their parents. Undaunted by the weak evidence, Powell asserts that she is on the forefront of a Copernican revolution of the mind. (Jan.)
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From Booklist
Psychic power has had trouble gaining scientific respectability, but Powell makes a game effort to propose serious consideration of its existence. Powell, who has a medical degree, soberly approaches the controversial subject, summarizing research in four areas of extrasensory perception: telepathy, psychokinesis, clairvoyance, and precognition. Powell provides many startling stories about premonitions and dreams that seemed to come true and acknowledges the dominance of anecdotal evidence in ESP research. Researchers have accordingly attempted to put things on the less subjective footing of controlled experiments. Powell discusses these frankly, noting statistical support for psychic abilities yielded by some trials or ambiguities in results, as the case may be, as in those obtained by CIA researchers on “remote viewing.” Not about to compromise her credibility by claiming that mind power can levitate tables, Powell adheres to the possibility that human consciousness might affect matter at the quantum mechanical level. Incorporating Powell’s knowledge of neuroscience, this work should appeal to those open to the idea that ESP exists. --Gilbert Taylor

Review

“In her new book The ESP Enigma: The Scientific Case for Psychic Phenomena, former Harvard professor Diane Hennacy Powell combines philosophy, physics, and empirical data to examine supernatural traits like telepathy (the ability to access someone else's consciousness), psychokinesis (the ability to use one's consciousness to affect external objects), clairvoyance (the ability to broaden one's consciousness to remote time and space) and precognition (the ability to see into the future).” – Time Magazine

"A cogent argument offering many striking examples of the power and potential of the unconscious…human history is rich with mythology about extrasensory perception, most famously employed by the seers at the ancient oracle of Delphi, but its relationship to the brain remains unexplained. Is consciousness a surrounding force that we are capable of tapping into, or is it a result of the billions of synapse connections occurring in our brains? Can mere coincidence explain the vast number of Jung’s “synchronicities,” or is consciousness a virtual medium for universal interconnectivity? Powell’s theory of consciousness seeks to resolve some of these mysteries. Einstein and Hawking, she reminds us, wrote about time being malleable, existing totally and simultaneously. This would explain prescient visions and telepathic instinct shared by loved ones during crises even when they’re located far from each other. In easy-to-understand language, the author describes carefully controlled studies involving telekinesis, clairvoyance and precognition, presenting the results as evidence of the brain’s latent psychic tendency. She also theorizes that dreams, near-death experiences and out-of-body sensations may be manifestations of our inherent ability to relax the constructs of three-dimensional perception. Perhaps even memory is an instance of our minds accessing outside psychic information from “all of space and time.” Powell dubs this intertwined, inextricable relationship between the individual’s internal world and the external world “the Mobius mind,” named for its cyclical and symbiotic nature. This concept persists in Eastern religions, particularly Buddhism; meditation is one technique to reach a state of collective enlightenment. Particle physics, too, relies on underlying theories of resonance and symmetry, notes the author. She makes a persuasive argument that with the spectacular advances in particle physics will come a scientific revolution of thought, and with it a deeper understanding of the brain. Phenomenal brain abnormalities, such as the unexplained expertise of the savant, demonstrate incredible feats of brainpower that can’t be described or explained." – KIRKUS REVIEWS

“Psychic power has had trouble gaining scientific respectability, but Powell makes a game effort to propose serious consideration of its existence…. Incorporating Powell’s knowledge of neuroscience, this work should appeal to those open to the idea that ESP exists.” – BOOKLIST

Customer Reviews

Interesting and mind expanding5
I read this book primarily for my interest in validating my own personal experiences with psychic phenomena. The anecdotal and experimental data for PSI are entertaining and compelling but the scientific evidence from Dr. Powell's knowledge of the brain and physics is what really blew my mind! Reading this book not only validates my first hand experiences of psychic phenomena but it also expanded my view of consciousness and the universe. I can't wait to read it again!

The BIG picture for humanity's hope5
The number one question (and all related subsets) for humanity in this 21st century is: What is consciousness?

The ESP Enigma by Diane Hennacy Powell, MD is the very best work I have seen in this area of consciousness. Powell has impeccable and prodigious credentials, experience and background qualifying her powerful perspectives on this subject. Unlike most scientific minds in the 21st century, her thinking does not get stuck in reductionism, but is strategic in her approach to the subject. She examines the BIG picture and expands and deepens the perspective of consciousness beyond anything I have read to date.

Human consciousness is the ultimate tool for humanity's quest in taking on the mind-bending challenges facing us in the 21st century, perhaps by the end of the century, the very existence of the human species. From the current global economic melt-down, to the global warming melt-down, from the "peak oil" resource depletion to the commercialization of water resources, Einstein's relevant dictum holds true; We will not solve our problems with the same thinking that created them. Powell's perspective offers humanity great hope that we do have access to universal wisdom. Now do we have the guts to go for it!

Provocative and thought provoking 5
I've just finished reading Diane Powell's The ESP Enigma. It should go to the top of the list for books on consciousness and the brain. Dr. Powell combines a very readable style with a wonderful capacity to explain very complex concepts. Theories on consciousness are multifaceted and remain an emotional issue for our culture. Dr. Powell's ability to systematically sort through the multitude of data, philosophies, and thoughtful human reflections creates a wonderful read and a mind expanding experience. Though some of the brain research may be available in other sources, Dr Powell weaves together brain science with declassified information from the cold war era, case reports and the burgeoning new brain scanning data, thus pushing the reader into an intriguing discussion of the process of consciousness. Throw in Dr. Powell's conceptual physics knowledge and how it connects to consciousness and the Mobius mind, and an incredibly provocative argument emerges for our collective consciousness. For those readers wishing to pursue further reading in a specific area, the book is wonderfully referenced with copious notes and details. Few authors in the field of consciousness research have the depth and breadth to present the larger view that Dr. Powell offers with such eloquence.


I would give this book 6 stars but only 5 are available. I hope other readers will find this book as enjoyable, provocative and thought provoking as I did.

Dan F. Fennell, M.D.