Among the most profound questions we confront are the nature of what and who we are as conscious beings, and how the human mind relates to the rest of what we consider reality. For millennia, philosophers, scientists, and religious thinkers have attempted answers, perhaps none more meaningful today than those offered by neuroscience and by Buddhism. The encounter between these two worldviews has spurred ongoing conversations about what science and Buddhism can teach each other about mind and reality. In Mind Beyond Brain, the neuroscientist David E. Presti, with the assistance of other distinguished researchers, explores how evidence for anomalous phenomena—such as near-death experiences, apparent memories of past lives, apparitions, experiences associated with death, and other so-called psi or paranormal phenomena, including telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition—can influence the Buddhism-science conversation. Presti describes the extensive but frequently unacknowledged history of scientific investigation into these phenomena, demonstrating its relevance to questions about consciousness and reality. The new perspectives opened up, if we are willing to take evidence of such often off-limits topics seriously, offer significant challenges to dominant explanatory paradigms and raise the prospect that we may be poised for truly revolutionary developments in the scientific investigation of mind. Mind Beyond Brain represents the next level in the science and Buddhism dialogue.

Speculations about paranormal phenomena and how they might be reconciled with modern scientific knowledge.

Ever had a strange experience, heard ghost stories, seen poltergeist cases and then asked yourself is there anything in these stories? Well, look no further. Ian Webb is an independent researcher with a research degree in Psychology. He sets out to answer two common questions: (1) do paranormal phenomena exist and (2) is there a scientific framework to understand paranormal experiences? The book assumes no knowledge of the paranormal. It takes the reader through a journey of paranormal research techniques, laboratory experiments, and case studies. Also, it discusses the potential theoretical basis to paranormal including, neurological & psychological profiles, environmental factors and the similarities between paranormal and quantum mechanics. Ian Webb discusses eight major paranormal topics which include: (1) Near Death Experiences, (2) Remote Viewing, (3) Mediumship case studies and research, (4) Cases studies of Haunted locations, (5) Poltergeist cases, (6) Extra Sensory Perception, (7) Whether humans have the ability to influence objects or people beyond normal means and (8) Research into past lives. All paranormal topics are underpinned by the principle that human consciousness can work outside of space and time. The book explores the validity of paranormal phenomena, whether science has an explanation, and examine whether there is evidence for life after life.

This book explores various explanatory frameworks for paranormal encounters. It opens with the story of an inexplicable human figure seen crossing a secluded hotel corridor, interpreted as a ghost by the sole witness. The subsequent chapters explore the three most important historical perspectives accounting for this and other types of paranormal experience. Each perspective is examined from first principles, with specific reference to what happened in the corridor, how it happened, why it happened, and who might be responsible. The first perspective considers the experience to be legitimate – to be something real – and various possibilities are presented that are grounded in the paranormal and parapsychological literature, among which a “ghost” is one putative explanation. In turn, the second perspective treats the experience as being wholly illegitimate. With reference to psychological theory, the ghost sighting is a product of erroneous consciousness. The third perspective is different yet again, and considers the sighting to be authentic, but argues that explaining the ghost requires a radical departure from conventional models of reality and consciousness. By contrasting these three paths, the book provides a valuable resource for readers interested in the philosophical and psychological origins of explanations for paranormal experiences, from the 19th century to the present. It will appeal to general readers in addition to students and scholars of parapsychology, anomalistic psychology, and consciousness studies.

--Facts, not fiction: the case for the paranormal. Changing the way we look at the universe is not an easy accomplishment, and requires a true openness to exploration and experiment. Professor Ellison suggests that most of us are conditioned by our Western science-based education to think that the universe is much simpler and "material" than it really is. He argues that we should recognize the limits of the current scientific worldview which fails to account for genuine paranormal experiences, including phenomena such as out-of-body experiences (OBE), reliably reported by thousands of people. In honestly exploring these areas, rather than denying them, he argues we could look more deeply into the real nature of human existence.

Essential reading for anyone seeking to understand their own mind and to find a spiritual path that is compatible with science As an impressionable young student, Susan Blackmore had an intense, dramatic and life-changing experience, seeming to leave her body and travel the world. With no rational explanation for her out-of-body experience (OBE) she turned to astral projection and the paranormal, but soon despaired of finding answers. Decades later, a Swiss neurosurgeon accidentally discovered the spot in the brain that can induce OBEs and everything changed; this crucial spot is part of the brain's self-system and when disturbed so is our experience of self. Blackmore leaped back into OBE research and at last began to unravel what had happened to her. Seeing Myself describes her long quest for answers through spirituality, religion, drugs, meditation, philosophy and neuroscience. Anyone can have an OBE, indeed 15 per cent of us have. Even more have experienced sleep paralysis, lucid dreaming and the creepy sense of an invisible presence. At last, with the advent of brain stimulation, fMRI scanning and virtual reality, all these phenomena are beginning to make sense. Long relegated to the very fringes of research, the new science of out-of-body experiences is now contributing to our understanding of consciousness and our very selves.

Many people have experienced such unusual phenomena as dreams that later seem to correspond with unforeseeable events, thinking of a long-lost friend just before he or she unexpectedly calls, or the ability to "feel" the presence of deceased loved ones. What many do not realize is that these types of experiences have been researched for more than a century by eminent scientists, including Nobel laureates. Most of these researchers have concluded that some of these phenomena do occur, although we are far from explaining them to everyone's satisfaction. This book is the first in almost 40 years to provide a comprehensive scientific overview of research in the field of parapsychology, explaining what we know and don't know about so-called psi phenomena, such as "telepathy," "precognition" or "psychokinesis." Contributors evaluate the evidence for these phenomena, accounting for factors such as selective memory, wish fulfillment and incorrect methods or analyses, in some cases offering psychological, physical and biological theories. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

“A genuine attempt by someone who is a trained clinical therapist and parapsychologist to scientifically evaluate reported experiences of the paranormal.” —Magonia Review You’ve just laid down for the night when suddenly doors slam and the curtains shift. The lights begin to flicker and a white mist forms in front of you. You shut your eyes and keep muttering, “ghosts aren’t real.” But then you open your eyes and realize that “harmless” mist has shifted into the form of a man, staring intensely at you, as he floats above your bed. What causes ghostly experiences? Are ghosts real? Why do certain people report numerous ghostly encounters and others none? For centuries these questions have intrigued, puzzled, and bedeviled science, skeptics, and even believers. Based on cutting-edge research and new theories, The Ghost Studies provides insight into some of life’s greatest mysteries. This fascinating book is far more than a compilation of ghost stories. The Ghost Studies provides scientific explanations for paranormal occurrences, including: New and exciting scientific theories that explain apparitions, hauntings, and communications from the dead. The latest research on the role of energy and electricity in hauntings. The role that emotions, bioenergetics, and the environment play in supernatural phenomena. New research into why some individuals are more prone to ghostly encounters. “I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of the paranormal . . . This book is well written and opens the doors for countless areas of study and discussion and it is one that you will find yourself going back to again and again.” —Association of Paranormal Study

Mainline science rejects the paranormal because it cannot be proven by the classical methods of controlled experiments. But sciences such as geology, astronomy, and anthropology also don’t rely on laboratory testing for repeatable results. Moreover, psi concerns consciousness, which is by definition nonquantitative. "Psi researchers must stop acting like science’s poor relations," says author Lawrence LaShan, "limiting themselves to controlled experiments such as analyzing statistics of people guessing cards being flipped in the next room" This provocative book outlines the principles of making a real study of the large, exciting events — clairvoyance and precognition; mediumship and spirit controls; psychic healing — that would bring mainline science into and revitalize the whole field. "And the issue is not just academic," says LeShan. "The old, materialistic worldview has not worked. Psychic research," he argues, "can transform our sense of reality itself to offer a new and more hopeful picture of ourselves and of the world."

ALL THREE AWARD-WINNING PARANORMAL NOVELLAS IN A PARANORMAL TRILOGY! Have you ever been haunted by the past? Is there a way for past lives or past generations to return in some way? Is there a parallel universe? One may not know the answers to these questions, but this book will make you think, look into your soul, and wonder: is this possible? The Dream ... A Readers' Favorite 5 Star Read! Lacy's nightmares begin at five years old: ghastly lucid dreams of soldiers shooting children, young women viciously raped, doctors murdering their patients. "It was just a dream," Lacy says to herself, or was it? An incredibly intelligent and artistic child, she then embarks on a personal quest with one aim: to never dream again ... eventually, however, her lack of sleep begins to alter her physical appearance and she is relentlessly tormented and bullied by her peers. As events escalate, Lacy discovers that what has been happening to her may, in fact, be related to hidden "family secrets" from the not-so-distant past.... The Haunting of The Hockomock Swamp A Midwest Book Review 5 Star Read! "THE HAUNTING OF THE HOCKOMOCK SWAMP is my new 2015 favorite paranormal read! This book is one outstanding experience" ... Suzie Housley, Midwest Book Review THE BIGGEST GENOCIDE IN HUMAN HISTORY DIDN'T OCCUR IN NAZI GERMANY, BUT ON AMERICAN SOIL ... against the beautiful backdrop of the largest swamp in Southeastern Massachusetts, a captivating tale of mystery, magic, and murder that will keep you on the edge of your seat -- heart pounding and looking over your shoulder -- as you read THE HAUNTING OF THE HOCKOMOCK SWAMP! Based on local legend, this tale is not for the faint of heart, but scared or not, you'll love the thrills and chills that accompany this exceptional story.... Janie Williams is living her dream as a reporter at Boston's WCVT News. Despite her lecherous boss, she is determined to make her mark in investigative journalism. Rummaging through the newsroom's slush pile, Janie runs across a letter detailing young children suddenly experiencing grand mal seizures while in school and smells a story that can deliver her from her mailroom dungeon. As the children convulse, they enter an alternate dimension as they follow a three-centuries-old Native American shapeshifter named Metacom ... the Native American Sachem shapeshifts into a three-headed dragon showering the children in rainstorms of blood, metamorphoses into a flying pterodactyl dropping the children into the swamp, shows them horrors that plague their young minds. Metacom is a terror to behold and is wreaking havoc on the children's lives. Learning more, Janie discovers none of the students has ever experienced seizures before and decides to speak to someone in Consumer Affairs about the crisis ... well, the minute she meets the crazy sexy hot Alan Needle, Janie wants to have her own consummate affair with the man. As the investigation heats up, so does their relationship, but what Janie and Alan could never imagine is that their efforts to solve this mystery will uncover the deepest betrayal, blood, and tragedy Massachusetts has ever seen! Get your copy of THE HAUNTING OF THE HOCKOMOCK SWAMP and read a story that will forever change how you look at ... everything! IMMOLATION CAN LOVE AND ROMANCE STILL FLOURISH EVEN IN THE MIDST OF TERROR? Doug and Karen King, along with their daughter Amy, are the typical all-American family with a cuddly and loving pet cat, Ponce De Leon. Overnight, Ponce transforms into a murderous feline spreading a virus that cannot be contained. Before long, one man is determined to end the reign of terror. Based on the local legend of the "Ghostly Redheaded Hitcher from Route 44," this tale is not for the faint of heart, but scared or not, you'll love the thrills, chills, romance, and laughter that accompany this terrifying story....