Psychokinesis
Psychokinesis, a form of psi, meaning that apparently it is a technique of mind
over matter through invisible means. Examples of PK are movements of objects,
bending of metals, and determining the outcome of events. It can occur
spontaneously and deliberately which indicates it is both an unconscious and
conscious process.
History:
The term psychokinesis is derived from the Greek words psyche meaning "breath,"
"life," or "soul," and kinein meaning "to move." The occurrences of PK have been
recorded since ancient times. The occurrences include levitation, miraculous
healings, luminosities, apports, and other physical phenomena attributed to holy
persons and adepts of magic around the world. Such phenomena is recorded in the
Bible, especially in the New Testament, in the Book of Acts. One example is
cited in which St. Paul and Silas where imprisoned in Ephesus where they prayed
and sung hymns, and at midnight their shackles fell off as the prison doors
swung opened (Acts 16:19-40).
It is thought that possibly magic spells, curses, and rituals to control the
weather may involve PK. The use of the evil eye has been placed within this
classification.
Manifestations of PK have occurred in spiritualism such as alleged
materializations and dematerializations, apports, levitations, table-tipping,
raps, and the appearances of ectoplasm and pseudopods. One 19th century D. D.
Holmes was known for his ability to levitate and to handle hot coals without
being burned. But, also during this time, there were individuals known as
"electric people" who experienced a"high-voltage syndrome". They made knives and
forks cling to their skin, and with a touch could send furniture flyi...
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...rmine the
existence of retroactive PK, or "retro-PK" where subjects try to influence an
event such as a sequence of numbers as produced by a random event generator. The
subjects try after the event has happened. However, it is impossible to rule out
the possibility of the PK effect being unconsciously exerted by the subject or
the experimenter on the generator during the number selection.
Although PK is not generally acknowledged by scientists, many parapsychologists
believe that well-controlled experiments have established its existence. Thus
far laboratory tests have not established this exclusively. Results on the whole
have been insignificant. But, the greater potential, many believe, that PK
testing will open up wider capacities for mental ability. A.G.H.
Bibliography:
Sources: 29, Gertrude Schmeidler, The City College, New York, 61.
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