Paranormal

Proposal: http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/84880/paranormal

Paranormal are events and designates experiences that lie outside "the range of normal experience or scientific explanation" ([Wikipedia][1] & [The Free Dictionary][2]): such paranormal phenomena as telepathy or a medium's paranormal powers.

This can be also defined as:

"**claimed occurrence of an event or perception beyond the scope of normal scientific understanding.**"


> Paranormal phenomena are distinct from certain hypothetical entities, such as dark matter and dark energy, only insofar as paranormal phenomena are inconsistent with the world as already understood through empirical observation coupled with scientific methodology. <sup>([wiki][3])</sup>

> In most definitions of the word paranormal, it is described as **anything that is beyond or contrary to what is deemed scientifically possible**. <sup>([wiki][4])</sup>

> The validity of the existence of paranormal phenomena is controversial and debated passionately by both proponents of the paranormal and by skeptics. <sup>([wiki][5])</sup>

On the classification of paranormal subjects, Prof. [Terence Hines][6] (professor of neurology) in his book Pseudoscience and the Paranormal (2003) wrote:

> The paranormal can best be thought of as a subset of pseudoscience.
> What sets the paranormal apart from other pseudosciences is a reliance
> on explanations for alleged phenomena that are well outside the bounds
> of established science. Thus, paranormal phenomena include
> **[extrasensory perception (ESP)][7]**, **[telekinesis][8]**, **[ghosts][9]**, **[poltergeists][10]**,
> **[life after death][11]**, **[reincarnation][12]**, **[faith healing][13]**, **[human auras][14]**, and so forth.
> The explanations for these allied phenomena are phrased in vague terms
> of "**[psychic forces][15]**", "**[human energy fields][16]**", and so on. This is in
> contrast to many pseudoscientific explanations for other nonparanormal
> phenomena, which, although very bad science, are still couched in
> acceptable scientific terms.

[Charles Fort][17] (researcher) is considered by many as the father of modern paranormalism, which is the study of the paranormal.

> Reported events that he collected include **[teleportation][18]**;
> **[poltergeist events][19]**; falls of frogs, fishes, and inorganic materials of an amazing range;
> **[crop circles][20]**; unaccountable noises and explosions;
> **[spontaneous fires][21]** (**[Pyrokinesis][22]**); **[levitation][23]**; **[ball lightning][24]**; **[unidentified flying objects][25]**;
> mysterious appearances and disappearances; **giant wheels of light** in
> the oceans; and animals found outside their normal ranges (e.g.
> [phantom cat][26]). He offered many reports of **[Out-of-place
> artifact][27]**: strange items found in unlikely locations. He is
> perhaps the first person to explain strange human appearances and
> disappearances by the hypothesis of **[alien abduction][28]** and was an early
> proponent of the **[extraterrestrial hypothesis][29]**.

Wikipedia list the following Paranormal subjects:

- [Ghosts][30] and other spiritual entities ([spirits][31], [souls][32], [Higher-self][33], [demons][34], [angels][35], [supreme beings][36]),
- [Extraterrestrial life][37] and [UFOs][38],
- [Cryptids][39],

and the following Paranormal research:

- [Anecdotal approach][40],
- [Parapsychology][41] (psi),
- [Participant-observer approach][42],

and also links to the following other topics:

 - [Cryptozoology][43],
 - [Ghost][44] ([Yūrei][45]),
 - [New Age][46],
 - [Occult][47],
 - [Out-of-body experience (OOBE)][48],
 - [Psionics][49],
 - [Psychic][50],
 - [Supernatural][51].

However on [Outline of spirituality][52], there are the following topics:

 - [Paranormal][53]:
   - Anomalous operation and Paraphysics ([Parapsychology][54]),
   - Extra-sensory perception ([ESP][55]),
   - Near-death experience ([NDE][56]),
   - [Precognition][57],
   - [Psychokinesis][58],
   - Remote viewing ([RV][59]).
 - [Spirituality][60]:
   - [Esotericism][61] (esoteric [Buddhism][62] ([Tibetan][63]), [Christianity][64], Kabbalah),
     - [Esoteric cosmology][65]
     - [Esoteric healing][66]
     - [planes of existence][67],
     - [Sacred and mystical symbols][68],
     - [Spiritual evolution][69],
     - [Merkabah][70]
   - [Karma][71],
   - [Meditation][72],
   - [Mysticism][73],
   - [New Age][74],
   - [Occultism][75],
   - [Reincarnation][76],
   - [Subtle body][77]
 - Other topics:
   - [Chakra][78],
   - [Kundalini energy][79],
   - [Planes of existence][80],
   - [Tantra][81],
   - [Yoga][82],
   - [The Urantia Book][83].

At [List of psychic abilities][84] we can find the following psychic abilities:

 - Apportation - Materialization, disappearance or teleportation of an object.
 - Aura reading - Perception of energy fields surrounding people, places and things.
 - Automatic writing - Writing produced without conscious thought.
 - Astral projection or mental projection - An out-of-body experience in which an astral body becomes separate from the physical body.
 - Bilocation or multilocation - Being in multiple places at the same time.
 - Clairvoyance or second sight - Perception outside the known human senses.
 - Death-warning - A vision of a living person prior to his or her death.
 - Divination - Gaining insight into a situation, most commonly through a ritual
 - Dowsing - Ability to locate objects, sometimes using a tool called a dowsing rod.
 - Energy medicine - Healing by channeling a form of energy.
 - Faith healing - Diagnosing or curing diseases using religious devotion.
 - Levitation - Bodily levitation and flying.
 - Mediumship or channeling - Communicating with spirits.
 - Precognition, premonition and precognitive dreams - Perception of events before they happen.
 - Psychic surgery - Removal of diseased body tissue via an incision that heals immediately afterwards.
 - Psychokinesis or telekinesis - The ability to manipulate matter by the power of thought.
 - Psychometry or psychoscopy - Obtaining information about a person or object, usually by touching or concentrating on the object or a related object.
 - Pyrokinesis - Manipulation of fire.
 - Remote viewing - Gathering of information at a distance.
 - Retrocognition or post-cognition - Perception of past events.
 - Scrying - Use of an item to view events at a distance or in the future.
 - Telepathy - Transfer of thoughts or emotions in either direction.

So technically all above Wikipedia mentioned topics counts as paranormal (standard question rules apply).

In addition to above, the following areas should count as paranormal as well:

 - [Chi][85] (also known as [Qi][86], [Qigong][87], [Lung][88], [Vijñāna][89], [prana][90], [nefesh][91], [orgone][92]),

    > Universal life force energy which is an active principle forming part
    > of any living thing. In martial arts it's popular as [Qigong][93].

 - [Astral projection][94],

    > Astral projection refers to an out-of-body-experience (OBE) during which the astral body leaves the physical body and travels to the astral plane.

    > It can be mastered (induced at will) by practicing the simple techniques.

 - [Lucid dreams][95] (various dream control techniques),

    > During most dreams, the person dreaming is not aware that they are dreaming.
    > A lucid dream is any dream in which one is aware that one is dreaming.
    > The next challenge will be to learn how to apply various dream control techniques.

 - [Consciousness][96]/Perceptronium,

    > The omnipresent substance that feels subjectively self-aware in terms of [Consciousness as a State of Matter][97] study.

    > Consciousness is the quality or state of awareness. It is
    > ever-increasing awareness of your spiritual essence (soul), the
    > meaning of life and of the underlying spiritual nature in all things.

 - [Meditation][98],

    > Is a practice in which an individual trains the mind or induces a mode
    > of consciousness (self-induced and with full self-awareness). Goal of
    > meditation is to focus and quiet your mind, eventually reaching a
    > higher level of awareness and inner calm.
    >
    > The meditation from ancient times is the method of communication with other realms/planes of existence and entities.

 - [Kirlian photography][99] ([Auraphotography][100]),

    > Photographic techniques used to capture the phenomenon of electrical
    > coronal discharges which are depictions of the auric or human energy
    > field.

 - [Channeling][101] (Mediumship),

    > Practice of certain people — known as mediums — to purportedly mediate
    > communication between spirits.
    >
    > Mediums claim that they can listen to and relay messages from spirits,
    > or that they can allow a spirit to control their body and speak
    > through it directly or by using automatic writing or drawing.
    >
    > During seances, mediums are said to go into trances, varying from
    > light to deep, that permit spirits to control their minds.

 - [Reiki][102] (literally ‘universal life energy.’ in Japanese),

    > A healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can
    > channel energy into the patient by means of touch, to activate the
    > natural healing processes of the patient's body and restore physical
    > and emotional well-being.

    > In Hindu, there is similar concept called [Ayurveda][103].

 - [Crystal healing][104],

    > Crystal healing is an alternative medicine technique that employs crystals and other stones as conduits for natural healing energy.

 - [Chakras][105] (in Sanātana/Hindu/Buddhist/tantric/yogic belief systems and many other),

    > Energy points or nodes in the [subtle body][106] which govern our psychological qualities. There are said to be seven main chakras in our body; four in our upper body, which govern our mental properties, and three in the lower body, which govern our instinctual properties.

 - [Geomancy][107] (also known as [Feng shui][108] in Chinese tradition),

    > It's system used to orient buildings in an auspicious manner based on
    > "invisible forces" that bind the universe, earth, and humanity
    > together, known as [Qi][109]). By manipulating the flow and direction
    > of energy based on aesthetics, location, and position of objects and
    > buildings, it can protect from negativity (e.g. [black streams][110])
    > and destruction. It's believed that many sacred buildings survived
    > thousands of years, because of ancient geomancy knowledge
    > (e.g. The Great Pyramid).

 - [Zero-Point Energy][111] (Free Energy, [perpetual motion][112]),

    > The ability to harness zero point energy for useful work.
    > Over the years, there have been numerous claims of devices capable of extracting usable zero-point energy (none of the claims have ever been confirmed by the scientific community). However a small but growing number of scientists now take the zero point field very seriously, among them are many professors of note and they are now taking on a radically different view of our reality.
    > For paranormal and psychic phenomenon, there is now a scientific basis for study. <sup>([source][113])</sup>

    > Many scientists have proven the existence of this field of energy and various inventors have achieved such ‘free environmental energy’ results. <sup>([Sirius][114])</sup>


  [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paranormal
  [2]: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/paranormal
  [3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paranormal
  [4]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paranormal
  [5]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paranormal
  [6]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terence_Hines
  [7]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extrasensory_perception
  [8]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychokinesis
  [9]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost
  [10]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poltergeist
  [11]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife
  [12]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation
  [13]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith_healing
  [14]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aura_(paranormal)
  [15]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psionics
  [16]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_(esotericism)
  [17]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Fort
  [18]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teleportation
  [19]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poltergeist
  [20]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crop_circles
  [21]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spontaneous_combustion
  [22]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrokinesis
  [23]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levitation_(paranormal)
  [24]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_lightning
  [25]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unidentified_flying_object
  [26]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_cat
  [27]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out-of-place_artifact
  [28]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_abduction
  [29]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraterrestrial_hypothesis
  [30]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost
  [31]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit
  [32]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul
  [33]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higher_self
  [34]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon
  [35]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel
  [36]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Being
  [37]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraterrestrial_hypothesis
  [38]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unidentified_flying_object
  [39]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptid
  [40]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anecdotal_evidence
  [41]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parapsychology
  [42]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenomenology_(psychology)
  [43]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptozoology
  [44]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost
  [45]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y%C5%ABrei
  [46]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Age
  [47]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occult
  [48]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out-of-body_experience
  [49]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psionics
  [50]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychic
  [51]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supernatural
  [52]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outline_of_spirituality
  [53]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paranormal
  [54]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parapsychology
  [55]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extrasensory_perception
  [56]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near-death_experience
  [57]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precognition
  [58]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychokinesis
  [59]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_viewing
  [60]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirituality
  [61]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esotericism
  [62]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajrayana
  [63]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Buddhism
  [64]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esoteric_Christianity
  [65]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esoteric_cosmology
  [66]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_esoteric_healing_articles
  [67]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plane_(esotericism)
  [68]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_symbols#Religious_and_mystical_symbols
  [69]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritual_evolution
  [70]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkabah_mysticism
  [71]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma
  [72]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation
  [73]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mysticism
  [74]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Age
  [75]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occultism
  [76]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnation
  [77]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subtle_body
  [78]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakra
  [79]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kundalini_energy
  [80]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plane_(esotericism)
  [81]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantra
  [82]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga
  [83]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Urantia_Book
  [84]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_psychic_abilities
  [85]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QI
  [86]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QI
  [87]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qigong
  [88]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lung_(Tibetan_Buddhism)
  [89]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vij%C3%B1%C4%81na
  [90]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prana
  [91]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_soul
  [92]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orgone
  [93]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qigong
  [94]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astral_projection
  [95]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucid_dream
  [96]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consciousness
  [97]: http://arxiv.org/abs/1401.1219
  [98]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation
  [99]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirlian_photography
  [100]: http://www.auraphoto.com/fundementals/how.shtml
  [101]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediumship
  [102]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reiki
  [103]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda
  [104]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_healing
  [105]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakra
  [106]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subtle_body
  [107]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geomancy
  [108]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui
  [109]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qi
  [110]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dowsing
  [111]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-point_energy
  [112]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_motion
  [113]: http://www.soulsofdistortion.nl/SODA_chapter4.html
  [114]: http://www.siriusdisclosure.com/zero-point/