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The ESP Enigma: The Scientific Case for Psychic Phenomena [Hardcover]

Diane Hennacy Powell
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)


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Book Description

December 23, 2008
A revolutionary scientific explanation of psychic phenomena and the nature of human consciousness.

Although much is now known about the brain, relatively little has been determined about where consciousness comes from: What is the source of the “I” in our internal monologue? How does something as nonmaterial as consciousness arise from something material like the brain? Dr. Diane Powell, a Johns Hopkins–trained neuroscientist, has brilliantly reassessed the meaning and nature of consciousness by exploring research on the workings of psychic phenomena.

Over the past few decades several well-designed and rigorously supervised experiments have documented the existence of telepathic interconnection, clairvoyance, precognition, psychokinesis, and out-of-body experiences. Mainstream science has largely ignored these data because they all defy the traditional model of consciousness as being solely the product of brain chemistry.
 
Building from these experiments, Powell constructs a new theory of consciousness. I ntegrating concepts from physics, neuroscience, and other disciplines, she offers an insightful and intriguing explanation of ESP, provocatively claiming that the existence of psychic abilities expands our understanding and appreciation of consciousness. Psychic abilities are also consistent with findings in modern physics: For example, psychokinesis implies that consciousness is a type of force field, while precognition suggests that the past, present, and future exist concurrently.

Eye-opening in its conclusions and exciting in its implications, The ESP Enigma will challenge your preconceived notions and expand your mind.


Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In science it is axiomatic that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Powell, a neuropsychiatrist who has taught at Harvard Medical School, certainly makes extraordinary claims about the four basic psychic abilities: telepathy, psychokinesis, clairvoyance and precognition. But her evidence is consistently below par. She relies on self-reported claims by psychics, hundred-year-old newspaper accounts and the results of studies published by organizations like the Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research rather than in reputable, peer-reviewed scientific journals (and sometimes she cites no source at all). Powell is woefully short on mechanisms to explain the phenomena she claims are so common, although she does turn to quantum physics to assert that molecular resonance and the space-time continuum are likely responsible, and she finds evolutionary explanations for the existence of psychic phenomena. She claims, for instance, that psychic events are related to dreaming, which may have evolved so babies, who mostly sleep, can detect threats and communicate them psychically to their parents. Undaunted by the weak evidence, Powell asserts that she is on the forefront of a Copernican revolution of the mind. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Psychic power has had trouble gaining scientific respectability, but Powell makes a game effort to propose serious consideration of its existence. Powell, who has a medical degree, soberly approaches the controversial subject, summarizing research in four areas of extrasensory perception: telepathy, psychokinesis, clairvoyance, and precognition. Powell provides many startling stories about premonitions and dreams that seemed to come true and acknowledges the dominance of anecdotal evidence in ESP research. Researchers have accordingly attempted to put things on the less subjective footing of controlled experiments. Powell discusses these frankly, noting statistical support for psychic abilities yielded by some trials or ambiguities in results, as the case may be, as in those obtained by CIA researchers on “remote viewing.” Not about to compromise her credibility by claiming that mind power can levitate tables, Powell adheres to the possibility that human consciousness might affect matter at the quantum mechanical level. Incorporating Powell’s knowledge of neuroscience, this work should appeal to those open to the idea that ESP exists. --Gilbert Taylor

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Walker & Company; First Edition edition (December 23, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0802716067
  • ISBN-13: 978-0802716064
  • Product Dimensions: 1 x 5.8 x 8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #878,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
(25)
4.6 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and mind expanding January 18, 2009
Format:Hardcover
I read this book primarily for my interest in validating my own personal experiences with psychic phenomena. The anecdotal and experimental data for PSI are entertaining and compelling but the scientific evidence from Dr. Powell's knowledge of the brain and physics is what really blew my mind! Reading this book not only validates my first hand experiences of psychic phenomena but it also expanded my view of consciousness and the universe. I can't wait to read it again!
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17 of 21 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The BIG picture for humanity's hope December 24, 2008
Format:Hardcover
The number one question (and all related subsets) for humanity in this 21st century is: What is consciousness?

The ESP Enigma by Diane Hennacy Powell, MD is the very best work I have seen in this area of consciousness. Powell has impeccable and prodigious credentials, experience and background qualifying her powerful perspectives on this subject. Unlike most scientific minds in the 21st century, her thinking does not get stuck in reductionism, but is strategic in her approach to the subject. She examines the BIG picture and expands and deepens the perspective of consciousness beyond anything I have read to date.

Human consciousness is the ultimate tool for humanity's quest in taking on the mind-bending challenges facing us in the 21st century, perhaps by the end of the century, the very existence of the human species. From the current global economic melt-down, to the global warming melt-down, from the "peak oil" resource depletion to the commercialization of water resources, Einstein's relevant dictum holds true; We will not solve our problems with the same thinking that created them. Powell's perspective offers humanity great hope that we do have access to universal wisdom. Now do we have the guts to go for it!
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33 of 43 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Nothing Original Herein February 1, 2009
Format:Hardcover
There are many book like this one: a quick overview of the history of ESP and the experiments conducted with regards to it and then a few chapters on the brain and then a leap into the realm of quantum physics to hopefully explain all the mysterious goings-on in the world. No new ground is broken here - and that's the pity of it all. This is an overview, a distillation of the works of others, all blended together for an easy read.

The 'Publishers Weekly' notice that leads off this page covers the book's major faults quite on-the-money. Where is ONE researcher who will actually dirty their hands and dig up something NEW??? For example, the story of some patient's NDE (Near Death Experience) wherein the person saw a tennis shoe on a third story ledge of the hospital whilst having surgery has been told innumerable times in countless books - and if this ONE story is true, then the World DOES NOT work the way our senses seem to strictly tell us. I would love to have someone investigate just this one story fully and thoroughly: who was the patient? How reliable are the doctors and nurses who relate what was told them about the shoe? What hospital and when did this occur? Is the story simply myth? Or, quickly mentioned in this book, are the hundreds of precognitive dreams that allegedly preceded 9/11. Okay. But where is there any original investigation into this area that, if true, is not just something told to the author by another author who heard if from somewhere and someplace.

I believe in ESP and the existence of the future and our ability to glimpse it in dreams and precognitive flashes. I believe in the simultaneous existence of the past, present and future in an eternal NOW. I believe in these things primarily because of my own experience with a precognitive dream that could not have been in any way, shape or form a coincidence - and it was a dream well remembered before the event took place. The event did not trigger a recall of the dream, in other words. So, given that, the book alone wouldn't convince me of anything. It is a grab-bag of notions pulled from other books and in this slim volume, Dr. Powell is simply standing on the shoulders of giants.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good
Covers pretty much everything involved with ESP abilities. Well written. Good break down in Chapters, she definitely did her homework in writing this book. I need to meditate now!
Published 18 days ago by Mary Gaffney
5.0 out of 5 stars good book
the book was very interesting. the book used many studies and scientific methods to explain ESP as well as other unexplained human abilities. Read more
Published 1 month ago by C. Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars Clear minded review of complicated and controversial subject
Unlocal nature of consciousness may indeed be startingpoint for a new copernician revolution - this book reveals this possibility with interesting arguments.
Published 3 months ago by HeavyReader
5.0 out of 5 stars Plenty of ideas
As a young research scientist within Psychology, Physics, Biological sciences and technology, The ESP Enigma is a fantastic book to read as it provides new insight on ESP and has... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Josh
5.0 out of 5 stars Well-written, well-researched book. Awesome!
This book really makes you think about ESP, telepathy, and clairvoyance and the what history and research has shown. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Amy Hussey
4.0 out of 5 stars Good study on extra-sensory perception
Read this mostly to get a better understanding of the topic while trying to avoid the new-age rubbish and wishful thinking found in many books. Read more
Published 5 months ago by James D. Crabtree
5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking and enlightening
To simply put it,this book is what I've searched for for years.It's simple,to the point and the information is so profound,at times my mouth dropped open in total amazement in how... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Robert
5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Read! A Must Have for People with a Scientific Mind...
I am almost finished reading the ESP Enigma.

I decided to read it in the first place for several reasons:

- I was researching for a screenplay that I was... Read more
Published on November 30, 2010 by Robert K. Beshara
4.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction scientific ideas about ESP.
This book is a great introduction to current scientific thinking about ESP. It is well writte0n and clear, dealing with complex ideas in a very well organized and approachable way. Read more
Published on October 20, 2010 by Gonzalo
5.0 out of 5 stars The ONE book you must read
For over the past twenty years I have been on a quest, gathering as much information and background I could on the subject of ESP. Read more
Published on May 30, 2010 by RBD
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