Overcoming the Obstacles to Human Potential Charles Tart (Book to Be Published by Shambhala Publication

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Overcoming the Obstacles to Human Potential Charles Tart (Book to Be Published by Shambhala Publication

Lucidity Letter December, 1986, Vol. 5, No. 2 Book Preview: Waking Up: Overcoming the Obstacles to Human Potential Charles Tart (Book to be published by Shambhala Publications, Boston, MA) “There is an awakening of your mind possible that will make ordinary consciousness seem like a state of sleep,” writes Charles T. Tart, an internationally recognized authority in the field of consciousness studies. In "Waking Up", Dr. Tart takes the reader on a journey of awakening to a life of greater awareness, joy, effectiveness, and peace. He shows how ordinary, "normal" consciousness is actually a kind of trance in which the essential self is suppressed, controlled by mechanical habits of thought, perception, and behavior. To help the reader escape from this condition, the author offers insights and techniques drawn from the teachings of G. I. Gurdjieff as well as his own experience with such disciplines as Aikido, Buddhism, and psychological growth processes. These methods, involving balanced work on the intellect, emotions, and body, are ideally suited for practical use in everyday life. By integrating ancient spiritual ideas with the findings of modern psychology, Dr. Tart has made the path to awakened consciousness highly accessible to contemporary men and women who seek both personal fulfillment and peace in the world. Charles T. Tart is Professor of Psychology at the University of California at Davis. He is widely known for his classic book, "Altered States of Consciousness", which was pivotal in stimulating the study of hypnotic trance, psychedelic drug experiences, dreams, and meditative states. Recognized for his experimental work in parapsychology, he has explored ESP and psychokinesis, "lucid dreaming," out-of-body and near-death experiences, and similar phenomena. 1 .

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Does Paranormal Perception Occur in Near-Death Experiences?" Defended
"Does Paranormal Perception Occur in Near-Death Experiences?" Defended Keith Augustine, M.A. Internet Infidels, Colorado Springs, CO ABSTRACT: Four preceding commentaries present a variety of criticisms of "Does Paranormal Perception Occur in Near-Death Experiences?": that most near-death researchers do not interpret near-death experiences (NDEs) as evidence for life after death; that near-death researchers never appeal to NDE accounts incorporating predictable or uncorroborated details as evidence for veridical paranormal perception during NDEs; that reliable data contradict my critique of near-death veridicality studies; that it is unscientific to suggest a role for embellishment in NDE reports; that the patient in the Maria's shoe case reported veridical details that she could not have learned about through conventional means; and that my critique of the Pam Reynolds case amounts to an "a priori dismissal" of features suggesting veridical paranormal perception or consciousness in the absence of brain activity. I respond to each of these and other criticisms in kind. KEY WORDS: out-of-body experiences; survival hypothesis; veridical para normal perception; embellishment; anesthesia awareness. According to Bruce Greyson, my critique of near-death veridicality research - particularly my claim that the majority of near-death researchers interpret NDEs as evidence for survival after death - is founded on "unsubstantiated speculation from the popular media" rather than any scientific data or scholarly literature. In fact, the claim is an inference based on the explicit comments of prominent near-death researchers themselves, including the very researchers Keith Augustine, M.A., is Executive Director and Scholarly Paper Editor of Internet Infidels, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to defending and promoting metaphysical naturalism on the Internet.
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