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What do We Really Know About Psychics?
The word psychic is used to describe any phenomenon that involves the acquisition of information through means outside of the five human senses, as well as the power to directly affect the outside world using only ones mind. It also refers to those people who possess such abilities, including those who attempt to artificially imitate such abilities for the purpose of stagecraft and entertainment. Psychic phenomena have been reported since the dawn of history - from prophesies contained within ancient religious texts and the writings of Nostradamus to the actions and claims of more recent mystics like Grigori Rasputin and Miss Cleo.
Psychic surgery came into public recognition in the late 1950's, after two authors published the book Into the Strange Unknown. The authors, Ron Ormond and Ormond McGill, referred to the procedure as "fourth dimensional surgery," while expressing their belief that there must be some level of truth to the phenomena, since their motion picture evidence indicated no sleight of hand or other tricks that would be used by common magicians. The practice has been condemned in many places in the world, declared a hoax by the Federal Trade Commission, and cited by the American Cancer Society as a threat to the life of anyone who undertakes it in lieu of standard and accepted professional medical surgery.
Any attempt at understanding the types of psychic phenomena invariably begins with extrasensory perception, or ESP. ESP is a general classification that encompasses all phenomena involving the obtaining of information by means outside of the senses. As such, it includes telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition. These are the more readily identifiable paranormal abilities, often portrayed in book s and movies. However there are more than just these three.
Then, of course, there is telepathy. In the world of psychic detective work telepathy has to be considered the most sought after tool any policeman could have at his disposal. Imagine interrogating a suspect with a telepath at your side! This ability has been dramatized effectively in the first season of NBC's Heroes, where Matt Parkman used it to great effect to solve a case involving a missing child. Unfortunately, there have to date been no confirmed cases where any missing child has been found with the assistance of a telepath.
Psychokinesis on the other hand, involves the interaction of the mind with physical objects. It can encompass telekinesis and bio-psychokinesis. Telekinesis is the ability to mentally move or otherwise affect other objects, while bio-psychokinesis is the ability to mentally interact with other living systems, affecting tissue on the molecular level. It is most often used by psychic healers all over the world.
Sometimes people confuse psychic surgery for faith healing; however these are two entirely different acts. Faith healing uses spiritual means like prayer, spiritual insights and other means to improve ones health. However it is also outlawed in the United States just like psychic surgery. Many faith healers believe they can summon supernatural interventions and heal the ill by this practice. However just like psychic surgery it isnt true in the publics eyes or governments eyes and is outlawed many places around the world.
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