Books by Sonali Bhatt Marwaha
-- The Star Gate Operational Remote Viewing Program: A Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Collection Pla... more -- The Star Gate Operational Remote Viewing Program: A Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Collection Platform
-- The Star Gate Program Over the Years (1972–1995): A Synopsis. This is a synopsis of the behind-the-scenes activities drawn from the several memorandums and reports.
-- Memorandums and Reports –– Includes reviews of the program
May, E. C., & Marwaha, S. B. (2019). The Star Gate Archives: Reports of the United States Government Sponsored Psi Program, 1972–1995. Volume 3: Psychokinesis. Jefferson, NC: McFarland., 2019
This volume includes the SRI-SAIC work in micro-, macro-, and bio-PK, including the development o... more This volume includes the SRI-SAIC work in micro-, macro-, and bio-PK, including the development of the decision augmentation theory. Also includes reviews of Russian, Chinese, and European psi research.
May, E. C., & Marwaha, S. B. (2018). The Star Gate Archives: Reports of the United States Government Sponsored Psi Program, 1972–1995. Volume 2: Remote Viewing, 1985–1995. Jefferson, NC: McFarland.
May, E. C., & Marwaha, S. B. (2018). The Star Gate Archives: Reports of the United States Government Sponsored Psi Program, 1972–1995. Volume 1: Remote Viewing, 1972–1984. Jefferson, NC: McFarland
This two-volume set introduces ESP—also known as anomalous cognition—and psychokinesis, addressin... more This two-volume set introduces ESP—also known as anomalous cognition—and psychokinesis, addressing the history, research, philosophy, and scientific theories surrounding the phenomena. With contributions from leading research scientists from within the field of parapsychology and other areas of study, this reference
addresses the fundamental questions that the evidence of ESP evokes; examines parapsychology research from all over the world; and explores the controversies, skepticism, and contemporary criticism disparaging the field. Written for a multidisciplinary audience ranging from physicists to
psychologists to lay persons, the volumes present the scientific validity of the field. With a foreword by James Fallon, Volume 1 addresses the historical, philosophical,
skeptical, and research viewpoints; volume 2 lays out the current theories on ESP. Chapters reveal how strict scientific protocols and state-of-the-art technologies enable scientists—at sites such as Harvard and Cornell universities and their international counterparts in Amsterdam, Austria, and Asia—to pinpoint and investigate ESP abilities. Appendices include a glossary of key terms in parapsychology, ESP research protocol, ESP research organizations, skeptic associations, and recommended reading.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VOLUME 1: HISTORY, CONTROVERSY, AND RESEARCH
Foreword James Fallon
Preface
1. The Fundamentals of Psi Edwin C. May and Sonali Bhatt Marwaha
Part I: History of Psi Research
2. A Brief History of Psi Research Nancy L. Zingrone and Carlos S. Alvarado
3. Mind and Knowledge at the Margins: On the Possible Revitalization of Research on Mind and Knowledge through a Reunion between Philosophical and Psychical Research Anand Jayprakash Vaidya
Part II: Psi Research and Skepticism
4. ESP, Causation, and the Possibility of Precognition Richard Corry
5. The Psychology of Belief and Disbelief in the Paranormal Christopher C. French
6. A Skeptical Eye on Psi Eric Jan Wagenmakers, Ruud Wetzels, Denny Borsboom, Rogier Kievit, and Han L. J. van der Maas
Part III: Psi Research
7. What Constitutes Replication in Parapsychology? Jessica Utts
8. Anomalous Cognition and Psychokinesis Research in European Labs Patrizio Tressoldi and Michael Duggan
9. Anomalous Cognition/ESP and Psychokinesis Research in the United States Loyd Auerbach, Dominic Parker, and Sheila Smith
10. Anomalous Cognition and Psychokinesis Research in Australian and Asian Labs Lance Storm and Adam J. Rock
11. Evidence for Precognition from Applied Remote Viewing Joseph W. McMoneagle
12. Psychophysiology and Anomalous Cognition Dean Radin
13. Neuroscientific Investigation of Anomalous Cognition Michael A. Persinger
14. Variation of ESP by Season, Local Sidereal Time, and Geomagnetic Activity Adrian Ryan and S. James P. Spottiswoode
VOLUME 2: THEORIES OF PSI
Foreword James Fallon
1. Fundamental Issues for Psi Theorists Sonali Bhatt Marwaha and Edwin C. May
Part I: Theories of Psi
2. Higher Dimensions of Space and Time and Their Implications for Psi Bernard Carr
3. Physics beyond Causality: Making Sense of Quantum Mechanics and Certain Experimental Anomalies Richard Shoup
4. Remembrance of Things Future: A Case for Retrocausation and Precognition Daniel P. Sheehan
5. What You Always Wanted to Know about the Observational Theories Brian Millar
6. Entropy and Precognition: The Physics Domain of the Multiphasic Model of Precognition Edwin C. May and Joseph G. Depp
7. The Multiphasic Model of Precognition Sonali Bhatt Marwaha and Edwin C. May
8. Consciousness-Induced Restoration of Time Symmetry Dick J. Bierman
9. Activational Model of ESP Zoltán Vassy
10. Experimenter Psi: A View of Decision Augmentation Theory Edwin C. May
11. The Model of Pragmatic Information Walter von Lucadou
12. First Sight: A Way to Thinking About the Mind, and a Theory of Psi James Carpenter
13. Anomalous Cognition and the Case for Mind-Body Dualism David Rousseau
Part II. The Future of Psi Research
14. Has Science Developed the Competence to Confront Claims of the Paranormal? Charles Honorton
15. Next Step: Process-Oriented Research: Guidelines for Experimenters Edwin C. May and Sonali Bhatt Marwaha
Appendix 1: General PK Protocol
Appendix 2: AC Protocol
Appendix 3: Research Organizations and Journals
Glossary
About the Editors and Contributors
Index
May, E. C., & Marwaha, S. B. (2014). Anomalous cognition: Remote viewing research and theory. Jefferson. NC.: McFarland
Anomalous cognition involves the acquisition of information emerging from a distant point in spac... more Anomalous cognition involves the acquisition of information emerging from a distant point in spacetime that is blocked from the usual sensory systems by distance, shielding or time. From 1975 to 1995, Edwin May was a scientist and then program director for the U.S. government’s psychic espionage program, known as STAR GATE. With the closing of that program, research has continued at the Laboratories for Fundamental Research, in Palo Alto, in the areas of methodology and analysis, neurophysiological studies, personnel assessment and selection, operations research, the physics of anomalous cognition, and psychokinesis.
The conclusions from this 35+ year research effort can be summarized as (1) ESP exists; (2) the gradient of Shannon entropy is the key factor influencing information transfer; (3) because of the innate nature of the ability, the phenomenon so far resists training for excellence (and replication studies will not yield results), and (4) evidence for psychokinesis (PK) is questionable.
This book presents the state-of-the-art, with 26 key papers on research methods, physiological research, decision augmentation theory, entropy, other research, and research challenges.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments vi
Foreword Richard Broughton 1
Introduction Edwin C. May 4
Research Methods in Anomalous Cognition
Anomalous Cognition: Two Protocols for Data Collection and Analyses
(Edwin C. May, Sonali Bhatt Marwaha and Vinay K. Chaganti) 18
A Target Pool and Database for Anomalous Cognition Experiments (Edwin C. May and Laura V. Faith) 38
Managing the Target-Pool Bandwidth: Possible Noise Reduction for Anomalous Cognition Experiments (Edwin C. May and S. James P. Spottiswoode) 48
Advances in Remote Viewing Analysis (Edwin C. May, Jessica M. Utts, Wanda L. W. Luke and Thane J. Frivold) 57
Advances in Anomalous Cognition Analysis: A Judge-Free and Accurate Confidence-Calling Technique (Edwin C. May) 80
Target and Sender Dependencies in Anomalous Cognition Experiments (Nevin D. Lantz, Wanda L. W. Luke and Edwin C. May) 89
Feedback Considerations in Anomalous Cognition Experiments (Edwin C. May, Nevin D. Lantz and Tom Piantanida) 104
Physiological Research in Anomalous Cognition
A Methodological Issue in the Study of Correlation Between Psychophysiological Variables (Edwin C. May, S. James P. Spottiswoode and Laura V. Faith) 118
Skin Conductance Prestimulus Response: Analyses, Artifacts and a Pilot Study (S. James P. Spottiswoode and Edwin C. May) 131
Anomalous Anticipatory Effects in the Human Autonomic Nervous System (Edwin C. May and S. James P. Spottiswoode) 152
Anomalous Anticipatory Skin Conductance Response to Acoustic Stimuli: Experimental Results and Speculation Upon a Mechanism (Edwin C. May, Tamas Paulinyi and Zoltan Vassy) 158
A Search for Alpha Power Changes Associated with Anomalous Cognition (Edwin C. May, S. James P. Spottiswoode and Laura V. Faith) 172
Neurophysiological Correlates of Remote Viewing (Edwin C. May, Wanda W. Luke and Thane J. Frivold) 195
Decision Augmentation Theory: A Phenomenological Model
Decision Augmentation Theory: Toward a Model of Anomalous Mental Phenomena (Edwin C. May, Jessica M. Utts and S. James P. Spottiswoode) 222
Applications of Decision Augmentation Theory (Edwin C. May, S. James P. Spottiswoode, and Jessica M. Utts) 244
The Global Consciousness Project: Identifying the Source of Psi (Edwin C. May and S. James P. Spottiswoode) 268
Entropy: A Fundamental Model of Anomalous Cognition
Anomalous Cognition Technical Trials: Inspiration for the Target Entropy Concept (Edwin C. May and Nevin D. Lantz) 280
Shannon Entropy: A Possible Intrinsic Target Property (Edwin C. May
and S. James P. Spottiswoode) 299
Anomalous Cognition: A Replication and Correlation with the Gradient of Shannon Entropy (Edwin C. May) 314
Toward a Classical Thermodynamic Model for Retro-Cognition (Edwin C. May) 327
Testing Schrodinger’s Paradox with a Michelson Interferometer (Evan H. Walker, Edwin C. May, S. James P. Spottiswoode and Tom Piantanida) 339
Other Research
Forced-Choice Anomalous Cognition (Edwin C. May) 352
The Possible Role of Intention, Attention and Expectation in Remote Viewing (Joseph W. McMoneagle and Edwin C. May) 368
Anomalous Cognition Effect Size: Dependence on Sidereal Time and Solar Wind Parameters (S. James P. Spottiswoode and Edwin C. May) 377
Research Challenges
Facing the Challenges of Parapsychology (Edwin C. May) 388
The American Institutes for Research Review of the Department of Defense’s STAR GATE Program: A Commentary (Edwin C. May) 398
Glossary 415
Publications of Edwin C. May 423
About the Contributors 429
Index 431
Towards a spiritual psychology: Essays in Indian psychology
Towards a spiritual psychology: Essays in Indian Psychology
edited by: K. Ramakrishna Rao & Son... more Towards a spiritual psychology: Essays in Indian Psychology
edited by: K. Ramakrishna Rao & Sonali Bhatt Marwaha
Preface
Foreword: G. J. V. Jagannadha Raju
01 Introduction K. Ramakrishna Rao
02 Scope and substance of Indian psychology K. Ramakrishna Rao
03 A model of self, work, and spirituality from the Bhagavad-Gita: Implications for self-efficacy, goal setting, and global psychology Dharm P. S. Bhawuk
04 Being and wellbeing in Upanishadic literature Sangeetha Menon
05 Concept ahamkara: Theoretical and empirical analysis S. K. Kiran Kumar
06 Manas: In defense of the inner self Arindam Chakrabarti
07 The concept of Sakshin (witness-awareness) in Dvaita and Advaita Vedanta: A critical study of similarities and dissimilarities Prahalada Char
08 Disintegrity in self-centeredness, integrity in self-knowing: A perspective of J. Krishnamurti G. Aruna Mohan
09 Self and personality in Sri Aurobindo’s yoga: An overview of his terminology Matthijs Cornelissen
10 From the self to the Self: An exposition on personality based on the works of Sri Aurobindo Suneet Varma
11 The evolving soul, a key concept in Sri Aurobindo’s work: Its ramifications for further development of human potential and Indian psychology Neeltje Huppes
12 The science of affect: Some Indian insights Girishwar Misra
13 Personality research: An Indian perspective Jitendra Mohan
14 Trigunas: A review of empirical studies M. Sitamma
15 Development of a personality tool based on Upanishadic concepts: Conceptual and methodological issues L. S. S. Manickam
16 Relationship among chakras, character, constitution, and karma Hiroshi Motoyama
17 Self in contemporary life: Challenges and possibilities Sunil D. Gaur
18 Child care in ancient India: A life span approach Malavika Kapur
19 Classical Indian approaches to psychological dysfunction J. P. Balodhi
20 Psychotherapeutic concepts in the Atharva Veda K. Rangaswami
21 Perspectives of religio-spiritual groups on health and well-being Meena Sehgal
22 Spirituality, human health and wellness: Overview of the field Michael Miovic
23 Spirituality: It’s impact on health and well-being Deepa Mohan
24 Coping with incarceration: The role of yoga, meditation, and spirituality K. Suneetha
25 Living with poverty: Are psycho-spiritual dimensions the x-factor in family resilience? A proposed research agenda Sonali Bhatt Marwaha
26 Building tall on solid foundations: Directions for indigenous personality research in India Anand C. Paranjpe
Glossary of Sanskrit Terms
Author Index
Subject Index
Contributors
Papers by Sonali Bhatt Marwaha
A View From India on Women Achievers, Knowledge Systems, Psychology, and Psi
In the millennia old cultural moorings of the Indian sub-continent, the feminine principle, Shakt... more In the millennia old cultural moorings of the Indian sub-continent, the feminine principle, Shakti (prakṛti, primordial cosmic energy, nature), is a core principle. Shakti is venerated in her benign and malevolent forms across the country. Despite the uncertainties of life, human nature, and society, women have played a significant role in the survival and progress of this ancient civilization. Indian women, in the formal and informal sectors, have contributed to the knowledge systems and the scientific enterprise. In the first part of this paper, I present a brief historical background on the status of women, and few recent examples of Indian women achievers. As a psi theorist, my interest rests in understanding the phenomena, for which understanding core concepts becomes a necessity. India is home to a diversity of philosophical schools and a vast body of literature that cover the body-mind-consciousness complex, with several scholars from the past to the present, contributing their views. Based in the Indian knowledge systems, Indian psychology has much to contribute to the theoretical issues in psi. In the context of this special issue, an inter- and intra-school discussion becomes too vast. Thus, in this paper I take the approach of presenting a consolidated view without fidelity to any specific school of thought. In the first section relevant core concepts are briefly described. This is followed by briefly describing the views on psi perceptions, both in agreement and disagreement, as noted by scholars from the various schools of thought.
Signals: A Mechanism To Understand Psi Phenomena
Response to Commentaries on "Informational Psi: Collapsing the Problem Space of Psi Phen... more Response to Commentaries on "Informational Psi: Collapsing the Problem Space of Psi Phenomena." by 1. Hartmut Grote (2019). A Brief Commentary on IΨ. 2. Walter von Lucadou (2019). Neither Causal nor Information – Psi Always Slips Away and yet is Powerful. 3. Michael Nahm (2019). Assessing the Problem Space of Precognition: Can it be the Only Form of Psi? A Commentary on the Multiphasic Model of Informational Psi. 3. Dean Radin (2019). Yes, But What is New? 4. Hartmann Römer (2019). Remarks on Informational Psi. Full Paper avaiable at: https://www.anomalistik.de/en/zeitschrift-fuer-anomalistik/contents/zfa-vol-19-2019-informational-psi-prerelease
Informational Psi: Collapsing the Problem Space of Psi Phenomena
The data from precognition and real-time psi laboratory experiments and applications establish th... more The data from precognition and real-time psi laboratory experiments and applications establish the validity of this phenomenon. Based on the theoretical foundations of decision augmentation theory and the multiphasic model of precognition (informational psi), we support an informational process for psi, and consider informational psi (IΨ) as the only form of psi. IΨ is defined as the transfer of information, which is based on entropic considerations, arising from a distant point in spacetime leading to the local acquisition of non-inferential information by an atypical perceptual ability. Scientific understanding always evolves towards simplicity. IΨ remains a viable alternative to the standard interpretations of many different varieties of psi: telepathy (for example. The Ganzfeld), presentiment/pre-stimulus response, statistically-based PK (RNG, DMILS, GCP), post-mortem survival (mediumship, reincarnation). In this paper we expand our arguments for the view that apparently different psi phenomena which generally require different theoretical approaches, collapse into one phenomenon—informational psi. Future directions for research on IΨ are discussed. Commentaries on Paper: 1. Hartmut Grote (2019). A Brief Commentary on IΨ. 2. Walter von Lucadou (2019). Neither Causal nor Information – Psi Always Slips Away and yet is Powerful. 3. Michael Nahm (2019). Assessing the Problem Space of Precognition: Can it be the Only Form of Psi? A Commentary on the Multiphasic Model of Informational Psi. 4. Dean Radin (2019). Yes, But What is New? 5. Hartmann Römer (2019). Remarks on Informational Psi. Full paper and commentaries can be downloaded from: https://www.anomalistik.de/en/zeitschrift-fuer-anomalistik/contents/zfa-vol-19-2019-informational-psi-prerelease
Anomalous Cognition : Remote Viewing Research and Theory
ANOMALOUS COGNITION: REMOTE VIEWING RESEARCH AND THEORY by Edwin C. May & Sonali B. Marwaha. ... more ANOMALOUS COGNITION: REMOTE VIEWING RESEARCH AND THEORY by Edwin C. May & Sonali B. Marwaha. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2014. Pp. vi + 434. $45.00 (paperback). ISBN 978-864-9458-3. Background Spying is one of the oldest professions and if psi exists it could be an invaluable tool: If assassination by PK (or anomalous perturbation--AP) proves impractical, then ESP (or anomalous cognition--AC) can be used indirectly to discover enemy secrets (and then clobber them)--or to predict future events. This idea was likely first implemented by shamans and later by an impressive array of warlords, right through classical antiquity up to modern times. Some within the CIA clearly followed parapsychology with Argus eyes and the notorious MK.Ultra project, initiated in 1953, included parapsychology experiments. Later J. B. Rhine (1957) wrote: "... modern war, even more than ever before, hinges mainly upon secrecy and surprise. If these two dangers could be banished, a long lease on world peace could be gained ..." (p. 249). Harold Puthoff and Russell Targ apparently agreed and in 1972 initiated what is now known as the Star Gate program, which focused on remote viewing (RV): Edwin May joined them in 1975. Contents Now 40 years later May, together with colleague Sonali Marwaha, has put together a compendium of articles which he authored or coauthored. This anthology is decidedly not another glossy "salon table" book on the wonders of psi but is for the most part previously published technical work on RV. As Broughton notes in his introduction, May's is a decidedly "no-nonsense" approach: The reader will look in vain for metaphysical disquisitions. The going is quite tough, with statistics, equations and all. It comprises 26 papers, divided into six sections: Methods, (Electro-)Physiology, Decision Augmentation Theory, Entropy, Miscellaneous, and Challenges. The seven papers in the Methods section comprise a self-contained guide to RV protocols, target construction, and analysis techniques all conveniently gathered together in one place. The book is worth having for this alone; but it is pointless to try to condense this technical material into a few words. Particularly worthy of attention is the novel "figure of merit," based on fuzzy sets. This is basically an attempt to "semi-automate" the tedious judging process involved in rating and ranking. The last paper in this section is of more than purely methodological interest: This is an attempt to determine whether feedback to the remote viewer (RVer) is important for success. Feedback was given over a range of tachistoscopic intensities: Unfortunately only two of the four RVers were able to score under these conditions, so the experiment effectively collapsed to case studies. The results were disparate: For one of them there was a positive but nonsignificant relationship between feedback intensity and AC success, while for the other RVer this was significantly negative. We are told (p. 110) that "All receivers believed strongly that feedback was not necessary for success, but they were uncertain about the degree to which feedback might contribute to success." What is not reported is the kind of thing which would have been examined in a planned case study, for example, did this particular RVer strongly disbelieve in the relevance of feedback? I have proposed elsewhere (Millar, in press) that a simplified form of this theoretically important experiment should be performed on a large scale by experimenters and participants with diverse expectations. As an old electrode buff, the six papers in the Physiology section draw my particular attention. May's team has looked rather widely (though thinly) at physiological responses instead of the usual conscious responses: They used measures ranging from skin conductance to EEG alpha power to state-of-the-art magneto-encephalography. Some promising results were registered. …
In E. C. May, and S. B. Marwaha (eds.), The Star Gate Archives: Reports of the United States Government Sponsored Psi Program, 1972–1995. Volume 4: Operational Remote Viewing: Memorandums and Reports. (pp. 60-75). Jefferson, NC: McFarland., 2019
Historical Background The Second World War came to an end after the American forces used nuclear ... more Historical Background The Second World War came to an end after the American forces used nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, on 6 and 9 August 1945. Armed with nuclear weapons, the United States and the Soviet Union subsequently became the two superpowers in world politics. With the possibility of the use of nuclear weapons against each other there was a stand-off between these two superpowers, which came to be known as the Cold War (1947-1991), leading to military, economic, cultural and social tension between these nations and their allies. By 1985, the Soviet economy was in shambles, giving rise to a call for economic reforms, called perestroika (restructuring), under the leadership of President Mikhail Gorbachev. Since both the superpowers were armed with nuclear warheads during the Cold War, it served as a deterrent against what would surely be a mutually assured destruction for both sides, if any of them were to use these as weapons of choice. As they were guided by two diverse sociopolitical views, democracy-capitalism vs. communism-socialism, it gave rise to a struggle for dominance on the world political platform through proxy wars around the globe, competing at all levels with increasing propaganda against each other and their ideology. This competitive spirit also gave rise to the Space Race, for supremacy in spaceflight capability. This era was marked by deep suspicion, espionage being the tool at hand, leading to many technological advances, from which we now benefit, such as computers and the ARPANET-leading to the internet as we know it today. While competition in technology can be seen as an obvious outgrowth of the zeitgeist of the Cold War era, the potential of psi as an intelligence information collection method was one of the surprising beneficiaries. Towards that end, the Star Gate program resulted in identifying some aspects of the nature and limitations of psi, the characteristics of remote viewing targets, identified remote viewing as an inherent ability, ruling out training as a means of acquiring the ability, could not support the existence of psychokinesis, and spawned the decision augmentation theory and the entropy hypothesis for psi. All this research was, in various ways, supportive of the HUMINT (Human Intelligence) applications of informational psi (IΨ). From the declassified documents of the Star Gate program released by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), it is evident that as early as the 1950s, the CIA was keeping a close eye on the advances in Soviet psychology and parapsychology, and the possible threats that it may pose. The declassification of the Star Gate material has provided access to these documents, revealing the behind the scenes activity of the largest funded sustained research into informational and causal psi. In this section we present memorandums and reports, from various participating agencies, chronicling the program. A program with several participants has routine administrative and work-a-day reports that have not been included in this volume. Documents in this volume provide a narrative that informs us on the involvement and levels of discussion across the US intelligence agencies and the top echelons of the government. This is truly remarkable for a subject matter that is considered on the fringes of science and the small funding level ($19.993 million) over a 23-year period. These documents provide a complete picture of the road the Star Gate program has travelled from its inception to its close. Due to page limitations, several multi-page documents have been reformatted while some have been reproduced in their original form. Although the following narrative and documents are organized according to calendar year, the program functioned on a US fiscal year basis (1 October to 30 September the following year). The synopsis for each year is consolidated exclusively from the documents included in this volume and other documents from the declassified database. (Page numbers provided alongside quotations refer to this volume.) At the end of each year's synopsis, we provide a count of the final reports and operational projects from SRI/SAIC and, beginning in 1979, operational remote viewing projects at Ft. Meade, MD. 1972 In 1972, Russell Targ and Dr. Harold Puthoff came together at Stanford Research Institute, later known as SRI International, at Menlo Park California, and began the first of several exploratory psi experiments-both informational (precognition, real-time remote viewing) and causal psi (psychokinesis) The results of these experiments inspired the CIA to look into the potential intelligence application of psi, especially since reports on Soviet parapsychology indicated that the Soviet military and KGB were looking at means to harness these capabilities for offensive use. Reports indicated that the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) had twenty or more centers for the study of parapsychological phenomena, with an annual budget estimated at 21 million dollars. Since SRI was a well-known advanced technology R&D defense contractor with the requisite security clearances and facilities, SRI scientists were a natural fit for the psi experiments.
In E. C. May, and S. B. Marwaha (eds.), The Star Gate Archives: Reports of the United States Government Sponsored Psi Program, 1972–1995. Volume 4: Operational Remote Viewing: Memorandums and Reports. Jefferson, NC: McFarland., 2019
Defined as a case in which JTF4 could nol task assets to respond to information in the report pro... more Defined as a case in which JTF4 could nol task assets to respond to information in the report provided. 6 NEGATIVE ; NO CORRELATION: Defined as a case in which JTF4 (o r other) assets were tasked as a direct result of the report provided, and the information provided was proven to be incorrect. 9 SOME CORRELATION: Defined as a case in which there was at least one data element provided in the report that correlated to known true information wl1ich was received by JTF4 after the case report was completed. This does not include correct responses on known ope rational data. 5 STRONG CORRELATION: Defi ned as a case in which th ere are several data elements in the report which correlate to known true information received by JTF4 after the report was completed. NOTE: The correlati ons were all on details provided in th e case ; no correlations in cases in which primary objective was to locate a vessel. Of cases in which a correlation was possible due to JTF4 asset tasking or reported information received after the case report was completed (34% of cases, 20): 30% had no correlation to known data. 45% had some correlation. 25% had strong correlation to known data.
Zeitschrift für Anomalistik / Journal of Anomalistics, 2022
In the millennia old cultural moorings of the Indian sub-continent, the feminine principle, Shakt... more In the millennia old cultural moorings of the Indian sub-continent, the feminine principle, Shakti (prakṛti, primordial cosmic energy, nature), is a core principle. Shakti is venerated in her benign and malevolent forms across the country.
Despite the uncertainties of life, human nature, and society, women have played a significant role in the survival and progress of this ancient civilization. Indian women, in the formal and informal sectors, have contributed to the knowledge systems and the scientific enterprise. In the first part of this paper, I present a brief historical background on the status of women, and few recent examples of Indian women achievers.
As a psi theorist, my interest rests in understanding the phenomena, for which understanding core concepts becomes a necessity. India is home to a diversity of philosophical schools and a vast body of literature that cover the body-mind-consciousness complex, with several scholars from the past to the present, contributing their views. Based in the Indian knowledge systems, Indian psychology has much to contribute to the theoretical issues in psi. In the context of this special issue, an inter- and intra-school discussion becomes too vast. Thus, in this paper I take the approach of presenting a consolidated view without fidelity to any specific school of thought. In the first section relevant core concepts are briefly described. This is followed by briefly describing the views on psi perceptions, both in agreement and disagreement, as noted by scholars from the various schools of thought.
Journal of Scientific Exploration, 2017
Annie Jacobsen has billed her book Phenomena as a "definitive history of the military's ... more Annie Jacobsen has billed her book Phenomena as a "definitive history of the military's decades-long investigation into mental powers and phenomena." The Star Gate program (last of several nicknames) is the ONLY extensive US government sponsored psi program. However, there are far too many errors in Jacobsen's work to be considered as definitive or even representing the Star Gate program. But first, let me introduce myself. I am Dr. Sonali Bhatt Marwaha, research associate with the Laboratories for Fundamental Research (LFR), Palo Alto, CA. The LFR inherited the psi research begun at SRI, SRI-International (1972-1990), and SAIC (1991-1995), and is actively involved in continuing the research to date. One of our current projects is archiving the Star Gate research from 1972-1995. This is due to be released shortly as: The Star Gate Archives: Reports of the US Govt. Sponsored Psi Program. (1972-1995) (4 Volumes) (McFarland, 2017). As the co-editor of the Star Gate Ar...
Journal of Scientific Exploration, 2020
The remote viewing research conducted at Stanford Research Institute (SRI) and later at Science A... more The remote viewing research conducted at Stanford Research Institute (SRI) and later at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) was covered in The Star Gate Archives Volumes 1 and 2, both reviewed in this journal (see Mörck, 2018, 2019). Less well-known is the fact that much psychokinesis (PK) research was also carried out. This research “ . . . was never intended to be an academic exercise typical of most laboratories. Rather, the only interest was to determine the degree to which PK might be used as part of a defensive or even offensive weapon system” (p. 12). This sounds dramatic. To U.S. intelligence agencies, a proper threat assessment was deemed necessary due to research conducted in the Soviet Union. The research in America, at SRI, was initially directed by Harold Puthoff from 1972 on, and later, for about ten years, by one of the volume’s editors, Edwin May. In addition to research reports and reviews, Volume 3, like its predecessor volumes, includes nine appe...
Asian Philosophy, 2013
This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or s... more This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae, and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand, or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.
SAGE Open, 2015
In this article, we define precognition as an atypical perceptual ability that allows the acquisi... more In this article, we define precognition as an atypical perceptual ability that allows the acquisition of non-inferential information arising from a future point in spacetime. The Multiphasic Model of Precognition (MMPC) identifies two distinct phases: The first is the physics domain, which addresses the question of retrocausation and how it is possible for information to traverse from one spacetime point to another. We suggest that the solution might be found within entropic considerations. The second is the neuroscience domain, which addresses the acquisition and interpretation of retrocausal signals. We propose that this occurs across three stages: (a) perception of signals from an information carrier, based on psychophysical variability in a putative signal transducer; (b) cortical processing of the signals, mediated by a cortical hyper-associative mechanism; and (c) cognition, mediated by normal cognitive processes, leading to a response based on retrocausal information. The model is comprehensive, brain-based, and provides a new direction for research requiring multidisciplinary expertise.
Professor K. Ramakrishna Rao’s first academic work in psi was his M.A. (Hons.) dissertation –– Pa... more Professor K. Ramakrishna Rao’s first academic work in psi was his M.A. (Hons.) dissertation –– Paranormal Cognition: An Essay in Survey of Evidence and Theories –– submitted to the Department of Philosophy, Andhra University, 1955. His first publication in this area started with an East-West dialogue, discussing Vedānta and parapsychology, the article “Vedanta and the Modus Operandi of Paranormal Cognition” published in the Philosophical Quarterly (Rao, 1955). These early publications set the tone for his life-long journey in an East-West dialogue in psi phenomena and consciousness studies, culminating in The Trident (Triśūla) Model of Body-Mind-Consciousness.
Extrasensory perception: Support, skepticism, and science, Vols. i-ii
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Books by Sonali Bhatt Marwaha
-- The Star Gate Program Over the Years (1972–1995): A Synopsis. This is a synopsis of the behind-the-scenes activities drawn from the several memorandums and reports.
-- Memorandums and Reports –– Includes reviews of the program
addresses the fundamental questions that the evidence of ESP evokes; examines parapsychology research from all over the world; and explores the controversies, skepticism, and contemporary criticism disparaging the field. Written for a multidisciplinary audience ranging from physicists to
psychologists to lay persons, the volumes present the scientific validity of the field. With a foreword by James Fallon, Volume 1 addresses the historical, philosophical,
skeptical, and research viewpoints; volume 2 lays out the current theories on ESP. Chapters reveal how strict scientific protocols and state-of-the-art technologies enable scientists—at sites such as Harvard and Cornell universities and their international counterparts in Amsterdam, Austria, and Asia—to pinpoint and investigate ESP abilities. Appendices include a glossary of key terms in parapsychology, ESP research protocol, ESP research organizations, skeptic associations, and recommended reading.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VOLUME 1: HISTORY, CONTROVERSY, AND RESEARCH
Foreword James Fallon
Preface
1. The Fundamentals of Psi Edwin C. May and Sonali Bhatt Marwaha
Part I: History of Psi Research
2. A Brief History of Psi Research Nancy L. Zingrone and Carlos S. Alvarado
3. Mind and Knowledge at the Margins: On the Possible Revitalization of Research on Mind and Knowledge through a Reunion between Philosophical and Psychical Research Anand Jayprakash Vaidya
Part II: Psi Research and Skepticism
4. ESP, Causation, and the Possibility of Precognition Richard Corry
5. The Psychology of Belief and Disbelief in the Paranormal Christopher C. French
6. A Skeptical Eye on Psi Eric Jan Wagenmakers, Ruud Wetzels, Denny Borsboom, Rogier Kievit, and Han L. J. van der Maas
Part III: Psi Research
7. What Constitutes Replication in Parapsychology? Jessica Utts
8. Anomalous Cognition and Psychokinesis Research in European Labs Patrizio Tressoldi and Michael Duggan
9. Anomalous Cognition/ESP and Psychokinesis Research in the United States Loyd Auerbach, Dominic Parker, and Sheila Smith
10. Anomalous Cognition and Psychokinesis Research in Australian and Asian Labs Lance Storm and Adam J. Rock
11. Evidence for Precognition from Applied Remote Viewing Joseph W. McMoneagle
12. Psychophysiology and Anomalous Cognition Dean Radin
13. Neuroscientific Investigation of Anomalous Cognition Michael A. Persinger
14. Variation of ESP by Season, Local Sidereal Time, and Geomagnetic Activity Adrian Ryan and S. James P. Spottiswoode
VOLUME 2: THEORIES OF PSI
Foreword James Fallon
1. Fundamental Issues for Psi Theorists Sonali Bhatt Marwaha and Edwin C. May
Part I: Theories of Psi
2. Higher Dimensions of Space and Time and Their Implications for Psi Bernard Carr
3. Physics beyond Causality: Making Sense of Quantum Mechanics and Certain Experimental Anomalies Richard Shoup
4. Remembrance of Things Future: A Case for Retrocausation and Precognition Daniel P. Sheehan
5. What You Always Wanted to Know about the Observational Theories Brian Millar
6. Entropy and Precognition: The Physics Domain of the Multiphasic Model of Precognition Edwin C. May and Joseph G. Depp
7. The Multiphasic Model of Precognition Sonali Bhatt Marwaha and Edwin C. May
8. Consciousness-Induced Restoration of Time Symmetry Dick J. Bierman
9. Activational Model of ESP Zoltán Vassy
10. Experimenter Psi: A View of Decision Augmentation Theory Edwin C. May
11. The Model of Pragmatic Information Walter von Lucadou
12. First Sight: A Way to Thinking About the Mind, and a Theory of Psi James Carpenter
13. Anomalous Cognition and the Case for Mind-Body Dualism David Rousseau
Part II. The Future of Psi Research
14. Has Science Developed the Competence to Confront Claims of the Paranormal? Charles Honorton
15. Next Step: Process-Oriented Research: Guidelines for Experimenters Edwin C. May and Sonali Bhatt Marwaha
Appendix 1: General PK Protocol
Appendix 2: AC Protocol
Appendix 3: Research Organizations and Journals
Glossary
About the Editors and Contributors
Index
The conclusions from this 35+ year research effort can be summarized as (1) ESP exists; (2) the gradient of Shannon entropy is the key factor influencing information transfer; (3) because of the innate nature of the ability, the phenomenon so far resists training for excellence (and replication studies will not yield results), and (4) evidence for psychokinesis (PK) is questionable.
This book presents the state-of-the-art, with 26 key papers on research methods, physiological research, decision augmentation theory, entropy, other research, and research challenges.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments vi
Foreword Richard Broughton 1
Introduction Edwin C. May 4
Research Methods in Anomalous Cognition
Anomalous Cognition: Two Protocols for Data Collection and Analyses
(Edwin C. May, Sonali Bhatt Marwaha and Vinay K. Chaganti) 18
A Target Pool and Database for Anomalous Cognition Experiments (Edwin C. May and Laura V. Faith) 38
Managing the Target-Pool Bandwidth: Possible Noise Reduction for Anomalous Cognition Experiments (Edwin C. May and S. James P. Spottiswoode) 48
Advances in Remote Viewing Analysis (Edwin C. May, Jessica M. Utts, Wanda L. W. Luke and Thane J. Frivold) 57
Advances in Anomalous Cognition Analysis: A Judge-Free and Accurate Confidence-Calling Technique (Edwin C. May) 80
Target and Sender Dependencies in Anomalous Cognition Experiments (Nevin D. Lantz, Wanda L. W. Luke and Edwin C. May) 89
Feedback Considerations in Anomalous Cognition Experiments (Edwin C. May, Nevin D. Lantz and Tom Piantanida) 104
Physiological Research in Anomalous Cognition
A Methodological Issue in the Study of Correlation Between Psychophysiological Variables (Edwin C. May, S. James P. Spottiswoode and Laura V. Faith) 118
Skin Conductance Prestimulus Response: Analyses, Artifacts and a Pilot Study (S. James P. Spottiswoode and Edwin C. May) 131
Anomalous Anticipatory Effects in the Human Autonomic Nervous System (Edwin C. May and S. James P. Spottiswoode) 152
Anomalous Anticipatory Skin Conductance Response to Acoustic Stimuli: Experimental Results and Speculation Upon a Mechanism (Edwin C. May, Tamas Paulinyi and Zoltan Vassy) 158
A Search for Alpha Power Changes Associated with Anomalous Cognition (Edwin C. May, S. James P. Spottiswoode and Laura V. Faith) 172
Neurophysiological Correlates of Remote Viewing (Edwin C. May, Wanda W. Luke and Thane J. Frivold) 195
Decision Augmentation Theory: A Phenomenological Model
Decision Augmentation Theory: Toward a Model of Anomalous Mental Phenomena (Edwin C. May, Jessica M. Utts and S. James P. Spottiswoode) 222
Applications of Decision Augmentation Theory (Edwin C. May, S. James P. Spottiswoode, and Jessica M. Utts) 244
The Global Consciousness Project: Identifying the Source of Psi (Edwin C. May and S. James P. Spottiswoode) 268
Entropy: A Fundamental Model of Anomalous Cognition
Anomalous Cognition Technical Trials: Inspiration for the Target Entropy Concept (Edwin C. May and Nevin D. Lantz) 280
Shannon Entropy: A Possible Intrinsic Target Property (Edwin C. May
and S. James P. Spottiswoode) 299
Anomalous Cognition: A Replication and Correlation with the Gradient of Shannon Entropy (Edwin C. May) 314
Toward a Classical Thermodynamic Model for Retro-Cognition (Edwin C. May) 327
Testing Schrodinger’s Paradox with a Michelson Interferometer (Evan H. Walker, Edwin C. May, S. James P. Spottiswoode and Tom Piantanida) 339
Other Research
Forced-Choice Anomalous Cognition (Edwin C. May) 352
The Possible Role of Intention, Attention and Expectation in Remote Viewing (Joseph W. McMoneagle and Edwin C. May) 368
Anomalous Cognition Effect Size: Dependence on Sidereal Time and Solar Wind Parameters (S. James P. Spottiswoode and Edwin C. May) 377
Research Challenges
Facing the Challenges of Parapsychology (Edwin C. May) 388
The American Institutes for Research Review of the Department of Defense’s STAR GATE Program: A Commentary (Edwin C. May) 398
Glossary 415
Publications of Edwin C. May 423
About the Contributors 429
Index 431
edited by: K. Ramakrishna Rao & Sonali Bhatt Marwaha
Preface
Foreword: G. J. V. Jagannadha Raju
01 Introduction K. Ramakrishna Rao
02 Scope and substance of Indian psychology K. Ramakrishna Rao
03 A model of self, work, and spirituality from the Bhagavad-Gita: Implications for self-efficacy, goal setting, and global psychology Dharm P. S. Bhawuk
04 Being and wellbeing in Upanishadic literature Sangeetha Menon
05 Concept ahamkara: Theoretical and empirical analysis S. K. Kiran Kumar
06 Manas: In defense of the inner self Arindam Chakrabarti
07 The concept of Sakshin (witness-awareness) in Dvaita and Advaita Vedanta: A critical study of similarities and dissimilarities Prahalada Char
08 Disintegrity in self-centeredness, integrity in self-knowing: A perspective of J. Krishnamurti G. Aruna Mohan
09 Self and personality in Sri Aurobindo’s yoga: An overview of his terminology Matthijs Cornelissen
10 From the self to the Self: An exposition on personality based on the works of Sri Aurobindo Suneet Varma
11 The evolving soul, a key concept in Sri Aurobindo’s work: Its ramifications for further development of human potential and Indian psychology Neeltje Huppes
12 The science of affect: Some Indian insights Girishwar Misra
13 Personality research: An Indian perspective Jitendra Mohan
14 Trigunas: A review of empirical studies M. Sitamma
15 Development of a personality tool based on Upanishadic concepts: Conceptual and methodological issues L. S. S. Manickam
16 Relationship among chakras, character, constitution, and karma Hiroshi Motoyama
17 Self in contemporary life: Challenges and possibilities Sunil D. Gaur
18 Child care in ancient India: A life span approach Malavika Kapur
19 Classical Indian approaches to psychological dysfunction J. P. Balodhi
20 Psychotherapeutic concepts in the Atharva Veda K. Rangaswami
21 Perspectives of religio-spiritual groups on health and well-being Meena Sehgal
22 Spirituality, human health and wellness: Overview of the field Michael Miovic
23 Spirituality: It’s impact on health and well-being Deepa Mohan
24 Coping with incarceration: The role of yoga, meditation, and spirituality K. Suneetha
25 Living with poverty: Are psycho-spiritual dimensions the x-factor in family resilience? A proposed research agenda Sonali Bhatt Marwaha
26 Building tall on solid foundations: Directions for indigenous personality research in India Anand C. Paranjpe
Glossary of Sanskrit Terms
Author Index
Subject Index
Contributors
Papers by Sonali Bhatt Marwaha
Despite the uncertainties of life, human nature, and society, women have played a significant role in the survival and progress of this ancient civilization. Indian women, in the formal and informal sectors, have contributed to the knowledge systems and the scientific enterprise. In the first part of this paper, I present a brief historical background on the status of women, and few recent examples of Indian women achievers.
As a psi theorist, my interest rests in understanding the phenomena, for which understanding core concepts becomes a necessity. India is home to a diversity of philosophical schools and a vast body of literature that cover the body-mind-consciousness complex, with several scholars from the past to the present, contributing their views. Based in the Indian knowledge systems, Indian psychology has much to contribute to the theoretical issues in psi. In the context of this special issue, an inter- and intra-school discussion becomes too vast. Thus, in this paper I take the approach of presenting a consolidated view without fidelity to any specific school of thought. In the first section relevant core concepts are briefly described. This is followed by briefly describing the views on psi perceptions, both in agreement and disagreement, as noted by scholars from the various schools of thought.
-- The Star Gate Program Over the Years (1972–1995): A Synopsis. This is a synopsis of the behind-the-scenes activities drawn from the several memorandums and reports.
-- Memorandums and Reports –– Includes reviews of the program
addresses the fundamental questions that the evidence of ESP evokes; examines parapsychology research from all over the world; and explores the controversies, skepticism, and contemporary criticism disparaging the field. Written for a multidisciplinary audience ranging from physicists to
psychologists to lay persons, the volumes present the scientific validity of the field. With a foreword by James Fallon, Volume 1 addresses the historical, philosophical,
skeptical, and research viewpoints; volume 2 lays out the current theories on ESP. Chapters reveal how strict scientific protocols and state-of-the-art technologies enable scientists—at sites such as Harvard and Cornell universities and their international counterparts in Amsterdam, Austria, and Asia—to pinpoint and investigate ESP abilities. Appendices include a glossary of key terms in parapsychology, ESP research protocol, ESP research organizations, skeptic associations, and recommended reading.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VOLUME 1: HISTORY, CONTROVERSY, AND RESEARCH
Foreword James Fallon
Preface
1. The Fundamentals of Psi Edwin C. May and Sonali Bhatt Marwaha
Part I: History of Psi Research
2. A Brief History of Psi Research Nancy L. Zingrone and Carlos S. Alvarado
3. Mind and Knowledge at the Margins: On the Possible Revitalization of Research on Mind and Knowledge through a Reunion between Philosophical and Psychical Research Anand Jayprakash Vaidya
Part II: Psi Research and Skepticism
4. ESP, Causation, and the Possibility of Precognition Richard Corry
5. The Psychology of Belief and Disbelief in the Paranormal Christopher C. French
6. A Skeptical Eye on Psi Eric Jan Wagenmakers, Ruud Wetzels, Denny Borsboom, Rogier Kievit, and Han L. J. van der Maas
Part III: Psi Research
7. What Constitutes Replication in Parapsychology? Jessica Utts
8. Anomalous Cognition and Psychokinesis Research in European Labs Patrizio Tressoldi and Michael Duggan
9. Anomalous Cognition/ESP and Psychokinesis Research in the United States Loyd Auerbach, Dominic Parker, and Sheila Smith
10. Anomalous Cognition and Psychokinesis Research in Australian and Asian Labs Lance Storm and Adam J. Rock
11. Evidence for Precognition from Applied Remote Viewing Joseph W. McMoneagle
12. Psychophysiology and Anomalous Cognition Dean Radin
13. Neuroscientific Investigation of Anomalous Cognition Michael A. Persinger
14. Variation of ESP by Season, Local Sidereal Time, and Geomagnetic Activity Adrian Ryan and S. James P. Spottiswoode
VOLUME 2: THEORIES OF PSI
Foreword James Fallon
1. Fundamental Issues for Psi Theorists Sonali Bhatt Marwaha and Edwin C. May
Part I: Theories of Psi
2. Higher Dimensions of Space and Time and Their Implications for Psi Bernard Carr
3. Physics beyond Causality: Making Sense of Quantum Mechanics and Certain Experimental Anomalies Richard Shoup
4. Remembrance of Things Future: A Case for Retrocausation and Precognition Daniel P. Sheehan
5. What You Always Wanted to Know about the Observational Theories Brian Millar
6. Entropy and Precognition: The Physics Domain of the Multiphasic Model of Precognition Edwin C. May and Joseph G. Depp
7. The Multiphasic Model of Precognition Sonali Bhatt Marwaha and Edwin C. May
8. Consciousness-Induced Restoration of Time Symmetry Dick J. Bierman
9. Activational Model of ESP Zoltán Vassy
10. Experimenter Psi: A View of Decision Augmentation Theory Edwin C. May
11. The Model of Pragmatic Information Walter von Lucadou
12. First Sight: A Way to Thinking About the Mind, and a Theory of Psi James Carpenter
13. Anomalous Cognition and the Case for Mind-Body Dualism David Rousseau
Part II. The Future of Psi Research
14. Has Science Developed the Competence to Confront Claims of the Paranormal? Charles Honorton
15. Next Step: Process-Oriented Research: Guidelines for Experimenters Edwin C. May and Sonali Bhatt Marwaha
Appendix 1: General PK Protocol
Appendix 2: AC Protocol
Appendix 3: Research Organizations and Journals
Glossary
About the Editors and Contributors
Index
The conclusions from this 35+ year research effort can be summarized as (1) ESP exists; (2) the gradient of Shannon entropy is the key factor influencing information transfer; (3) because of the innate nature of the ability, the phenomenon so far resists training for excellence (and replication studies will not yield results), and (4) evidence for psychokinesis (PK) is questionable.
This book presents the state-of-the-art, with 26 key papers on research methods, physiological research, decision augmentation theory, entropy, other research, and research challenges.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments vi
Foreword Richard Broughton 1
Introduction Edwin C. May 4
Research Methods in Anomalous Cognition
Anomalous Cognition: Two Protocols for Data Collection and Analyses
(Edwin C. May, Sonali Bhatt Marwaha and Vinay K. Chaganti) 18
A Target Pool and Database for Anomalous Cognition Experiments (Edwin C. May and Laura V. Faith) 38
Managing the Target-Pool Bandwidth: Possible Noise Reduction for Anomalous Cognition Experiments (Edwin C. May and S. James P. Spottiswoode) 48
Advances in Remote Viewing Analysis (Edwin C. May, Jessica M. Utts, Wanda L. W. Luke and Thane J. Frivold) 57
Advances in Anomalous Cognition Analysis: A Judge-Free and Accurate Confidence-Calling Technique (Edwin C. May) 80
Target and Sender Dependencies in Anomalous Cognition Experiments (Nevin D. Lantz, Wanda L. W. Luke and Edwin C. May) 89
Feedback Considerations in Anomalous Cognition Experiments (Edwin C. May, Nevin D. Lantz and Tom Piantanida) 104
Physiological Research in Anomalous Cognition
A Methodological Issue in the Study of Correlation Between Psychophysiological Variables (Edwin C. May, S. James P. Spottiswoode and Laura V. Faith) 118
Skin Conductance Prestimulus Response: Analyses, Artifacts and a Pilot Study (S. James P. Spottiswoode and Edwin C. May) 131
Anomalous Anticipatory Effects in the Human Autonomic Nervous System (Edwin C. May and S. James P. Spottiswoode) 152
Anomalous Anticipatory Skin Conductance Response to Acoustic Stimuli: Experimental Results and Speculation Upon a Mechanism (Edwin C. May, Tamas Paulinyi and Zoltan Vassy) 158
A Search for Alpha Power Changes Associated with Anomalous Cognition (Edwin C. May, S. James P. Spottiswoode and Laura V. Faith) 172
Neurophysiological Correlates of Remote Viewing (Edwin C. May, Wanda W. Luke and Thane J. Frivold) 195
Decision Augmentation Theory: A Phenomenological Model
Decision Augmentation Theory: Toward a Model of Anomalous Mental Phenomena (Edwin C. May, Jessica M. Utts and S. James P. Spottiswoode) 222
Applications of Decision Augmentation Theory (Edwin C. May, S. James P. Spottiswoode, and Jessica M. Utts) 244
The Global Consciousness Project: Identifying the Source of Psi (Edwin C. May and S. James P. Spottiswoode) 268
Entropy: A Fundamental Model of Anomalous Cognition
Anomalous Cognition Technical Trials: Inspiration for the Target Entropy Concept (Edwin C. May and Nevin D. Lantz) 280
Shannon Entropy: A Possible Intrinsic Target Property (Edwin C. May
and S. James P. Spottiswoode) 299
Anomalous Cognition: A Replication and Correlation with the Gradient of Shannon Entropy (Edwin C. May) 314
Toward a Classical Thermodynamic Model for Retro-Cognition (Edwin C. May) 327
Testing Schrodinger’s Paradox with a Michelson Interferometer (Evan H. Walker, Edwin C. May, S. James P. Spottiswoode and Tom Piantanida) 339
Other Research
Forced-Choice Anomalous Cognition (Edwin C. May) 352
The Possible Role of Intention, Attention and Expectation in Remote Viewing (Joseph W. McMoneagle and Edwin C. May) 368
Anomalous Cognition Effect Size: Dependence on Sidereal Time and Solar Wind Parameters (S. James P. Spottiswoode and Edwin C. May) 377
Research Challenges
Facing the Challenges of Parapsychology (Edwin C. May) 388
The American Institutes for Research Review of the Department of Defense’s STAR GATE Program: A Commentary (Edwin C. May) 398
Glossary 415
Publications of Edwin C. May 423
About the Contributors 429
Index 431
edited by: K. Ramakrishna Rao & Sonali Bhatt Marwaha
Preface
Foreword: G. J. V. Jagannadha Raju
01 Introduction K. Ramakrishna Rao
02 Scope and substance of Indian psychology K. Ramakrishna Rao
03 A model of self, work, and spirituality from the Bhagavad-Gita: Implications for self-efficacy, goal setting, and global psychology Dharm P. S. Bhawuk
04 Being and wellbeing in Upanishadic literature Sangeetha Menon
05 Concept ahamkara: Theoretical and empirical analysis S. K. Kiran Kumar
06 Manas: In defense of the inner self Arindam Chakrabarti
07 The concept of Sakshin (witness-awareness) in Dvaita and Advaita Vedanta: A critical study of similarities and dissimilarities Prahalada Char
08 Disintegrity in self-centeredness, integrity in self-knowing: A perspective of J. Krishnamurti G. Aruna Mohan
09 Self and personality in Sri Aurobindo’s yoga: An overview of his terminology Matthijs Cornelissen
10 From the self to the Self: An exposition on personality based on the works of Sri Aurobindo Suneet Varma
11 The evolving soul, a key concept in Sri Aurobindo’s work: Its ramifications for further development of human potential and Indian psychology Neeltje Huppes
12 The science of affect: Some Indian insights Girishwar Misra
13 Personality research: An Indian perspective Jitendra Mohan
14 Trigunas: A review of empirical studies M. Sitamma
15 Development of a personality tool based on Upanishadic concepts: Conceptual and methodological issues L. S. S. Manickam
16 Relationship among chakras, character, constitution, and karma Hiroshi Motoyama
17 Self in contemporary life: Challenges and possibilities Sunil D. Gaur
18 Child care in ancient India: A life span approach Malavika Kapur
19 Classical Indian approaches to psychological dysfunction J. P. Balodhi
20 Psychotherapeutic concepts in the Atharva Veda K. Rangaswami
21 Perspectives of religio-spiritual groups on health and well-being Meena Sehgal
22 Spirituality, human health and wellness: Overview of the field Michael Miovic
23 Spirituality: It’s impact on health and well-being Deepa Mohan
24 Coping with incarceration: The role of yoga, meditation, and spirituality K. Suneetha
25 Living with poverty: Are psycho-spiritual dimensions the x-factor in family resilience? A proposed research agenda Sonali Bhatt Marwaha
26 Building tall on solid foundations: Directions for indigenous personality research in India Anand C. Paranjpe
Glossary of Sanskrit Terms
Author Index
Subject Index
Contributors
Despite the uncertainties of life, human nature, and society, women have played a significant role in the survival and progress of this ancient civilization. Indian women, in the formal and informal sectors, have contributed to the knowledge systems and the scientific enterprise. In the first part of this paper, I present a brief historical background on the status of women, and few recent examples of Indian women achievers.
As a psi theorist, my interest rests in understanding the phenomena, for which understanding core concepts becomes a necessity. India is home to a diversity of philosophical schools and a vast body of literature that cover the body-mind-consciousness complex, with several scholars from the past to the present, contributing their views. Based in the Indian knowledge systems, Indian psychology has much to contribute to the theoretical issues in psi. In the context of this special issue, an inter- and intra-school discussion becomes too vast. Thus, in this paper I take the approach of presenting a consolidated view without fidelity to any specific school of thought. In the first section relevant core concepts are briefly described. This is followed by briefly describing the views on psi perceptions, both in agreement and disagreement, as noted by scholars from the various schools of thought.
Marwaha, S. B. (2018). Multiphasic model of informational psi: A signal-based process-oriented model. Mindfield, 10(3), 91–97.
May, E. C., Hawley, L., Chaganti, V., & Ratra, N. (2014). Natural anomalous cognition targets: A fuzzy set application. The Journal of Parapsychology, 78(2), 195.
1. Hartmut Grote (2019). A Brief Commentary on IΨ.
2. Walter von Lucadou (2019). Neither Causal nor Information – Psi Always Slips Away and yet is Powerful.
3. Michael Nahm (2019). Assessing the Problem Space of Precognition:
Can it be the Only Form of Psi? A Commentary on the Multiphasic Model of Informational Psi.
3. Dean Radin (2019). Yes, But What is New?
4. Hartmann Römer (2019). Remarks on Informational Psi.
Full Paper avaiable at: https://www.anomalistik.de/en/zeitschrift-fuer-anomalistik/contents/zfa-vol-19-2019-informational-psi-prerelease
in a putative signal transducer; (b) cortical processing of the signals, mediated by a cortical hyper-associative mechanism; and (c) cognition, mediated by normal cognitive processes, leading to a response based on retrocausal information. The model is comprehensive, brain-based, and provides a new direction for research requiring multidisciplinary expertise.
The Star Gate Operational Remote Viewing Program A Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Collection Platform. (From Volume 4: Operational Remote Viewing: Memorandums and Reports. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2019)
The Star Gate Program Over the Years (1972–1995): A Synopsis. (From Volume 4: Operational Remote Viewing: Memorandums and Reports. (pp. 60-75). Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2019)
Abstract
The year 1972 saw the beginnings of the SRI program in psi research under the stewardship of physicists Dr. Harold E. Puthoff and Mr. Russell Targ. As a result of Army counterintelligence interest, what started as funding for a single research project by a government agency, went on to become the largest, sustained research program in the history of psi research, spanning a period of 22 years, eventually closing in 1995. Best known by its last nickname Star Gate, the program was funded by a variety of executive branches, agencies, and the military and intelligence communities of the US Government, for a total of $19.993 M. The program focused on the application of, and investigation into psi phenomena—both informational, that is passively gathering information (precognition and real-time remote viewing) and causal (psychokinesis), that is, interacting with the physical world by mental means alone. About 11067 documents—approximately 82518 pages—related to this formerly classified program were declassified since 2000 and have been available for review by researchers and the general audience. In the professional psi literature, generally, the Star Gate program is sometimes passed off in a couple of sentences. Beginning 2012, we started the task of putting together the SRI-SAIC research effort, which have been recently released as The Star Gate Archives: Reports of the US Government Sponsored Psi Program –1972-1995 (McFarland). It comprises four volumes titled:
• Volume 1: Remote Viewing, 1972-1984 (2018)
• Volume 2: Remote Viewing, 1985-1995 (2018)
• Volume 3: Psychokinesis (2019)
• Volume 4: Operational Remote viewing: Government Memorandums and Reports (2019)
In this article, we present an overview of the Star Gate program, focusing on what I have learned from the massive exercise of looking into these archives. Needless to add, this four-volume series is the final word on Star Gate, as it is (1) based entirely on the complete set of documents released, including some unclassified documents not available in the government released archives, (2) prepared under the scrutiny of Dr. Edwin C. May, who joined the SRI program in 1976, was the director of the program since late 1985, to its closure in 1995 at SAIC, (3) has the stamp of approval from Dr. Jack Vorona, Deputy Director Science and Technology, Defense Intelligence Agency, and (4), the former Secretary of Defense, William S. Cohen has written a foreword for the series.