11 Feb Psychic Powers: Understanding the Unexplained in the 21st Century
Anyone with psychic powers that deviated from the norm was subject to witch hunts in the Middle Ages. In many cases, suspects were even burned at the stake. Later on, those who didn’t conform to societal norms were simply confined to mental asylums. In the last century, however, society began to pay special attention to those with unique mental abilities.
As we enter the 21st century, we still face the question of how to approach paranormal phenomena, which are not yet explained by our current scientific knowledge. It’s no surprise that books and films on Extra-Sensory Perception (ESP) have become popular, even though only a small percentage of people believe in their ability to possess it.
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The treasure trove of occult or esoteric knowledge that was once kept secret for centuries, accessible only to the initiates, is now available to all. This newfound accessibility has made it easier for us to learn more about this intriguing subject.
Psychic Powers and Their Grip on Modern Entertainment
As a result, the entertainment industry has taken advantage of this trend, producing so many bestsellers that offer a gripping experience. While it can be challenging to distinguish between purely entertaining books and those that could be plausible, Stephen King stands out as one of the most prominent authors in the genre. His numerous books have been adapted into movies. If the protagonist of a movie or a book has a special gift, such as psychic powers, clairvoyance, fortune-telling, or mind-reading, it can make for a blockbuster, but in any case the movie is supposed to transport the viewer away from the daily grind of reality.
Moreover, an increasing number of people are realizing that the sixth sense is not an extraordinary ability, but rather a matter of paying attention to signs. Over seventy percent of the American population believe in paranormal phenomena, including the afterlife and reincarnation, according to surveys. Besides, mysterious and eerie occurrences are becoming more and more common in everyday life. It’s great to see how many people are open to exploring these topics.
Scientists have undoubtedly noticed this limitation, but they still try to use their five senses to examine and prove the existence of phenomena that are beyond their capabilities. Laboratory experiments are primarily conducted to explore how these possibilities can be utilized by the public. Because most of the results are confidential, the subject remains as mysterious as it was before. The film industry, however, has given us some clues as to how they might be used. Psychic powers are now commonly featured in war, action, and espionage films, in which the protagonists are able to defeat the enemy and save the world by using their unique abilities.
Mentalism Beyond the Supernatural
You may have heard of the term ‘mentalist’ from the popular TV series of the same name, which gained popularity as a way to describe individuals with exceptional abilities. It’s important to note that mentalism is not rooted in supernatural forces, but rather stems from a broader exploration of the vast capacity of the human brain. It’s all about recognizing and tapping into the amazing potential that lies within each and every one of us.
The concept of mentality is something we all have in common, a mental framework that helps us evaluate and make sense of the world around us. If someone lacks mental capacity, we might say they’re struggling with mental illness. When we talk about being ‘mentally‘ something, we’re referring to the cognitive processes that shape our thoughts and actions. It would be no exaggeration to say that our thoughts and mental processes have a huge impact on our overall well-being.
The mentalist can be a medium, a clairvoyant, or a mind-reader, which all fall under the umbrella of parapsychology. While some people might call these abilities ‘miracles‘, there’s still a lot we don’t know about the human brain and how it works. For example, we’re still in the early stages of brain research and we don’t have a complete understanding of where dreams come from.
Yet dreams offer the most plausible understanding of paranormal phenomena. Everyone dreams and experiences reality without using their five senses. In a dream, you can hear, see, act and feel without being consciously aware of it. Did you know that ancient cultures believed in the concept of the ‘third eye‘? It allows us to see in a state of unconsciousness.
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Our Spiritual and Supernatural Connections
Among primitive peoples, the leader is often referred to as a wizard who makes important decisions based on their connection to the superpowers. It is safe to say that wizards possess special abilities such as mentalism, mediumship, clairvoyance, and spiritualism. This is also true for Tibetan or Zen Buddhists who use meditation to gain a heightened awareness of their surroundings. With their clear minds, they can achieve what modern humans, who use only 3-8% of their brain capacity, cannot. Imagine the possibilities if we could use our brains to their full capacity!
Unfortunately, many people on Earth tend to think superficially, and our cognitive abilities vary. Consequently, there are irreconcilable differences of opinion about whether or not phenomena beyond our sensory experiences should be considered part of our reality. It is a fact that the human mind can perceive things beyond the five senses, known as extrasensory perception (ESP). Various experiments have been conducted to demonstrate that there are paranormal phenomena that still lack scientific explanation.
Encounters with the Extraordinary
Regarding intuition, many individuals have experienced it at least once, even if they believe it to be a coincidence or do not give it much attention. However, those who take it seriously are often labeled as psychic. For instance, Emanuel Swedenborg, a Swedish philosopher in the 1700s, was once five hundred kilometers away from home when he sensed a fire on his street. Despite the initial fright, he had a feeling that the fire would be contained. A few days later, a royal messenger brought the news.
At the turn of the last century, physicist Sir Oliver Lodge was noted for his keen interest in spiritualism and his pseudoscientific research into life after death and telepathy. In 1978, chess grandmaster Viktor Korchnoi accused his opponent Anatoly Karpov of distracting him during their match with the help of parapsychologists. This incident brought paranormal phenomena and psychic powers into the public spotlight.
Did You Know?
Uri Geller was one of the great mentalists of the 20th century. He was born in Tel Aviv in 1946. Geller is best known for his ability to bend spoons, keys and other metal objects with his mind, and for his ability to detect and predict things that could not normally be known.
His career began in the 1970s when he demonstrated his abilities in television shows and public demonstrations around the world. A controversial figure, Geller has been criticized by many scientists and skeptics who say he achieves his effects through tricks and illusions rather than genuine paranormal abilities.Throughout his career, Uri Geller has been involved in a number of legal and media battles, particularly against those who have questioned his psychic powers or accused him of fraud.
I am not a magician, never have been. I never wanted to compete with magicians, and I don't want to now. Thousands of years ago, Moses turned his staff into a snake in front of Pharaoh. The court magicians did the same trick, but then Moses' snake destroyed the magicians' snakes. I believe that facts destroy lies and tricks. I salute all my detractors and send my best wishes to you all. Keep up your accusations, keep up your efforts. Prove your truth, vent your anger. None of this will do anything but enhance my reputation.
He has also written several books and participated in various television shows, such as reality TV and talent shows, where he has used his unique powers to judge contestants.
The Legacy of Augustine and the Pursuit of Truth
When Saint Augustine reflected on the relationship between faith and reason 1500 years ago, he laid the foundations for a worldview that continues to influence our thinking today. He saw miracles not as contradicting the laws of nature, but as contradicting our understanding of them. Miracles seem extraordinary or inexplicable only because of the limits of human knowledge. According to Augustine, the harmony of faith and reason can lead us to deeper wisdom and truth.
Journey Beyond Limits
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This duality is particularly relevant in today’s debates, where spiritual belief and intellectual inquiry often seem irreconcilable. Augustine’s work suggests that true wisdom lies in being open to integrating both aspects into our worldview. I believe it is important to recognise that science does not exclude the transcendent dimension, but seeks to understand it, even if it is not fully comprehensible with our current knowledge. Remember that science is constantly evolving, and what seems inexplicable today may become understandable in the future. Augustine reminds us that openness, curiosity, and the integration of faith with inquiry are not only possible, but necessary for the construction of a more complete worldview.
3 Sources +
Egely Wheel has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
- Swedenborg & Life Recap: How to Find True Intuition – https://swedenborg.com/
- The End of the Magic World’s 50-Year Grudge – https://www.nytimes.com/
- Extra-sensory perception – a controversial debate – https://www.bps.org.uk/
- Three in Four Americans Believe in Paranormal – https://news.gallup.com/
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