Psychic-Medium Phenomena: Answering the Skeptics

"It is entirely possible that behind the perception of our senses, worlds are hidden of which we are unaware." – Albert Einstein

In sharing my views about psychic phenomena and mediumship, I understand that I will have to answer skeptics. And in saying this, I actually believe that skepticism is a healthy attribute for any intelligent, thinking person. It is normal to question and doubt things that don't make sense and it's also reasonable to ask for substantiation of claims that seem improbable. Unfortunately, skepticism also manifests in a particularly destructive and cynical form that seeks to tear apart and destroy, rather than to investigate and explore. In his book, The Conscious Universe, Dr. Dean Radin uses the term "Extreme skeptic" to denote radically incredulous, self-styled "Debunkers."

It seems that open-mindedness is the key attribute that differentiates the normal skeptic from the extreme skeptic. While reasonable skeptics may doubt certain claims that seem strange, they are willing to openly investigate such matters and reconsider prior assumptions with sufficient evidence. In contrast, extreme skeptics have a vested interest in the status quo and are therefore motivated to snuff out competing viewpoints. This is particularly true of perspectives that fail to fit within established concepts and existing paradigms, which represent their predisposed worldview.

Extreme skeptics seek to perpetuate a narrow mindset founded in material reductionism—a notion that everything can be deduced by examining matter more closely. Simultaneously, these people readily dismiss any research or theories relating to the possibility of a non-material reality. Their argument typically goes, "Since it is not physical, we can't examine it—therefore it doesn't exist."

Personally, I favor a science that is open to exploring the whole of the universe, all the possibilities, without prejudice. It was once considered outlandish to suggest that continents moved. Likewise, today certain issues and areas of study are dismissed by mainstream science, viewed as undeserving of consideration because they don't fit with their established worldview. As a result, any new discoveries must fit with their prevailing schema—a mechanistic universe based in seventeenth century science—otherwise such ideas are quickly discarded, dismissed, or disparaged. This is actually the antithesis of science. In this regard, Dr. Radin observes, "The same scientific mindset that thrives on high precision and critical thinking is also extremely adept at forming clever rationalizations that get in the way of progress. If serious scientists are prevented from investigating claims of psi out of fear for their reputations, then who is left to conduct these investigations?"

Our ability to perceive things is tied to physical senses that are very limited. People cannot hear radio waves, see infrared light, or feel atoms, yet their existence has been proven. Yet despite this, people still rely on what their five physical senses tell them about their world and accept all their perceptions as fact—without considering the very real possibility of distortion. In saying these things, am not questioning the reality of the physical universe, I am simply suggesting that it is not the final and ultimate reality. I am convinced that there is something deeper, an underlying level of reality that projects into this realm.

Countless studies have been conducted on psychic phenomena (psi) over the last 120 years, yielding compelling evidence. Again, according to Dr. Radin, "There are a half-dozen psi effects that have been replicated dozens to hundreds of times in laboratories around the world." Despite this extensive body of substantiating work, extreme skeptics continue to argue that there is no evidence to support the existence of these phenomena. So until a paradigm shift occurs and new thinking is encouraged in the scientific community, there seems but one place to turn for answers to these questions—the domain of personal experience.

For me, there is nothing more valuable than personal experience; what skeptics call anecdotal evidence. Because a single phenomenal experience has not been repeated in a lab, it is discounted by some skeptics as inconsequential—like it didn't happen, or doesn't matter. This attitude does not devalue my experiences, or make them any less real, it just keeps them from being published in scientific journals. If a golfer hits a hole-in-one, yet is never able to repeat the feat, does it tarnish or wipe out their achievement?

I have seen the reality of psychic phenomena since childhood, hundreds of times, in countless ways. I've also "connected" with loved ones through mediums, receiving highly specific messages involving detailed information that was impossible to research. In some cases, the readings were completely blind…the medium did not know my identity and could not see me—yet high quality information was still conveyed. These experiences helped me view death differently than so many other people who seem gripped by a fear of dying. These encounters also gave me a sense of hope and purpose after losing my son and other loved ones. Rather than feeling despair, I have come to truly appreciate this life, recognizing my responsibility to make the most of this opportunity. I have also gained a sense of comfort in understanding the continuity of life after this temporary physical existence.

The Trials of Getting a Book Published

Communicating with my deceased loved ones seemed easy, compared to getting my first book published. Initially naive to the process, I came to learn that big publishers like all other large corporations are pressed to make money first and worry about literary quality as a secondary consideration. Many good books never get published, or languish in obscurity after being self-published. Meanwhile, publishers offer lucrative contracts to athletes and rock stars who often have little to say in their books, yet provide the celebrity status required to fuel the "publicity machine."

Fortunately for me. after about twenty unsuccessful attempts, I sent out one last proposal and "bingo," my book found a home. Better yet, I developed a one-on-one relationship with the publisher who took a personal interest in editing my book, helping me refine it into something far beyond what I'd initially envisioned. No doubt, I would never have received this type of assistance from one of the big houses. Better still, my publisher contracts with Random House for distribution services, so they are treated like an imprint. In the end, I received the marketing and distribution force of a large publisher, along with the attention and focus on quality afforded by an independent house.

My message is to never give up on your dreams. Someone encouraged me to send out just one more proposal and it made all the difference! Visualize the end result you want, while continuing to make an effort toward achieving your goal, but don't try to control the process too much. Put out the thought and intention toward what you want and allow the universe to help make your dreams become a reality. It's a team effort.

Soul Shift: Finding Where the Dead Go
By Mark IrelandRelease date:
By 15 July, 2008