Parapsychology is the scientific study of psi phenomena using closely controlled methodology and established analysis techniques. It does not include the studies of crop circles, evidence of aliens, seaching for bigfoot, or ghost hunting.
If a well established and respected institution offered online courses in parapsychology, what sorts of courses would you be interested in taking? I will make a few suggestions, but if you have other ideas, I would be very interested in hearing about them.
Some suggestions: - A study of specific psi research on topics like telepathy, remote viewing, psychokinesis, precognition, or clairvoyance. - Research methods appropriate for parapsychology, including special topics related to the experimenter effect or weak signals. - A theoretical analysis of the mechanisms behind psi. - Psi in different cultures. - A skeptical perspective on psi. - Enhancing psi abilities and learning techniques used to develop skills like remote viewing. - An ethical examination of psi. - etc....
Would you be interested in achieving a degree or a certificate of completion, or would you just have a casual interest in studying the topics?
Any opinions or ideas are appropriate and would be appreciated, but please try to keep your answer respectful.
2010-08-21T19:48:18Z
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions and your interest! Everyone who was on topic got a thumbs up from me. There is no way to pick a best answer for a question like this, so I'm letting it go to the voting. Thanks again to everyone who responded!
Reiki Chick2010-08-19T08:01:33Z
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If an established and respected institution offered courses like the ones you listed, then yes, I most definitely would be interested.
For me, one of the key problems is being able to identify which institution is reputable and which are not - especially when considering institutions that are outside of my home country. The internet is full of online institutions offering courses, but its hard to know what exactly you are getting into. Therefore I tend to be a bit skeptical of online courses.
If this was from a respected and established institution, then I would be more interested in achieving a degree as opposed to taking courses as a casual interest. The main reason for that is that I have my own business as a holistic practitioner, and do not have a lot of free time. If I was to take courses along those lines, it would need to be something that would help further my knowledge in the field and help improve the quality of my business. I would not invest the time or money for anything less then that.
As for topics that I specifically would be interested in: - A study of specific psi research on topics like telepathy, remote viewing, psychokinesis, precognition, or clairvoyance. - A theoretical analysis of the mechanisms behind psi. - Psi in different cultures. - Enhancing psi abilities and learning techniques used to develop skills like remote viewing.
Some of my own ideas would include: - Psi as it relates to biological and physiological functions of the human body -Psi as it relates to illnesses, diseases, - the science behind incorporating psi movement and improved health and elimination of illness and disease etc -History of psi and conscious control
When it comes to topics about using psi energy, and learning abilities I would be much more interested in conferences, and workshops then online courses only. The reason being is that I feel so much more can be accomplished in person where a teacher can help direct the students and identify where the issues or successes are occurring. It also allows students to connect and practice with each other and provide concrete feedback in the moment.
Another thing that would personally matter to me is the qualifications of the person teaching /monitoring the program. I would want to know that they are well educated and experienced themselves in this topic. The reason I bring this up is that many programs are offered wherein the instructor simply follows a leader's manual and doesn't have any personal education or knowledge to support the program. These people are not able to successfully instruct in my opinion. But as they are cheaper to hire, many institutions go that route.
Keep me posted, I would love to hear how this develops for you. And if I can be of further help, please feel free to email me anytime.
I would add to the list a course for mental health professionals that could be taken for ethics continuing education credit examining psi claims in psychological disorders versus those psi claims that are not indications of disorders. Also, the possibilities of using psi in a therapeutic situation (like the psychomanteum for grief counseling).
I would say that a true skeptical perspective that examines cold reading techniques, sleight of hand, and appropriate experimental controls to guard against these possible deceptions would be useful.
My favorite on your list is psi in different cultures. An Anthropological examination of psi from a cross cultural comparison perspective would be fascinating.
I expect the most popular would be enhancing psi ability.
I also think that the courses should be targeted to different audiences. While individuals may want to learn how to remote view how to design basic experiments and evaluations of remote viewing could be targeted to paranormal enthusiast groups that were interested in more than just ghost hunting.
I think at least a certificate of completion would be be a good record to have so people can show they dedicated some time and effort to educate themselves on a subject. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine offers certificates for short online training in different areas. (link below).
I am interested in this subject and I have read a few books that are similar but more related to Intention and positive thought."The Intention Experiment" and "The Field" both by Lynn McTaggart ore groundbreaking works that help explain about the power of our minds and its capabilities and how science is being able to measure and understand it better.
I would be very interested in taking such a course,or class in parapsychology. Its a subject im already interested in and if I could learn more about it and gain a better understanding I would surely take a good look into taking it.Allot of my consideration would be on the costs If I would actually commit to taking a course but would be very interested.
My main interest would probably have to be the "Theroretical analysis and the mechanisms behind psi". Since a young age Ive always asked questions, I annoyed my parents pretty good (or bad) with all sorts of philosopical and scientific questions, so that would probably be where I would spend allot of time studying. I am involved with a Paranormal research team here in kentucky and allot of my main interests are How do hauntings happen? What are the Mechanics of a haunting? Ive had a couple of experiences on my own so I know they happen , I just try to figure out how.So learning about the mechanics of psi would be a natural step for me.
I think this is something Id like to take a good look at. Thaks for posting, Feel free to forward me any information in the future.
Universities in the USA are not likely to publically announce that they have such courses. Usually if they are offered they will be in response to student requests. However, univerisities in Europe are more open and some will allow a student to specialize in parapsychology as part of a psychology major. Likewise in the USA, a university that engages in Consciousness Studies is more likely to be open to the possibility of parapsychology than one that does not. As for sites like csicop, or university professors who claim that these abilities do not exist, they are not using science but rather scientism. Parapsychology is accepted as legitimate by the AAAS, the definitive overall science association in the USA.
You might also include a course of recorded psi phenomena throughout recorded history. Include also literary references, mentions in holy books, etc. That might be combined with your discussion regarding how psi phenomena are perceived differently in various cultures, why they are more frequent in some, etc., how they are managed (e.g. the church's reaction to what the children saw at Fatima,)
A course on future practical uses of psi might also be interesting. I guess that would depend on the ability to actually develop such abilities in a way that could be used at will.
I think it would be hard to sell an online course. It would be tough for the students to find gainful employment in this field. I would not likely take such a course.