A dictionary of Parapsycology. Please note that words in grey are hyperlinked to a corresponding archive with articles related to that particular topic.

Dowsing:

The paranormal detection of underground water or mineral deposits (or lost persons and objects) using a divining rod or pendulum.

(See also: Dowsing , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Guru:

Refers to the 'Spiritual Master'. One who has attained perfection in yoga. Also refers to the name for Jupiter as well as the general title for a 'teacher'. Guru literally means 'heavy' and refers to 'heavy with knowledge'. Jupiter is also the largest planet.

The blessings of the real guru are totally necessary for material and spiritual advancement. This stands for Jupiter as well as teacher or guru in life. Guru ninda, or guru aparadha, offenses to the guru for a follower of the pure vedic path are completely detrimental for all aspects of life. In the vedic tradition when approaching one's guru and requesting spiritual instructions, one should approach very humbly and bow down.

In the Bhagavad-Gita Lord Krishna recommends approaching a real guru, asking sincere meaningful questions ready to render menial services in return and thus receive from the tattva-darshini or seer of the truth the real meaning and essence of life.

(See also: Guru , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Cosmic Consciousness:

A blissful experience in which the person becomes aware of the whole universe as a living being.

See also altered state of consciousness, mystical experience.

(See also: Cosmic Consciousness , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Mysticism:

Religious or spiritual doctrines which argue that the human mind or soul can directly experience the divine. See also mystical experience, transpersonal psychology.

(See also: Mysticism , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Kundalini Yoga:

 See Kundalini .

(See also: Kundalini Yoga , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Control:

(a) In experimental parapsychology a procedure undertaken in order to ensure that the experiment is conducted in a standard fashion and so that results are not unduly influenced by extraneous factors.

See also Control Group , Artifact. (b) In spiritualism, a discarnate entity who communicates with a trance medium and who generally controls the trance state.

(See also: Control , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Alchemy:

An ancient "psuedo-science" commonly recalled for experiments to transmute base metals into gold, the formulation of a universal cure to remedy all known diseases, the indefinite extension of life through chemical and magical means, and the production of artificial life forms in a laboratory setting.

Richly illustrated in symbolism and steeped in arcane traditions, the practice of alchemy eventually led to the formation of accepted sciences such as chemistry. Today, sometimes regarded as a symbolic philosophy for the evolution of the human spirit from 'base man' to 'enlightened man' through the use of alchemical symbolism and imagery.

(See also: Alchemy , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Immortality:

Various beliefs based on the assumption that some aspect of personal existence survives death.

(See also: Immortality , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Out of Body Experience, OBE, OOBE:

A fully conscious experience in which the person's centre of awareness appears to be outside of the physical body.

(See also: Out of Body Experience, OBE, OOBE , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Collective Apparition:

An apparition seen simultaneously by more than one person.

(See also: Collective Apparition , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Divination:

Practices involving the interpretation of signs or symbols that seek to obtain oracular knowledge of events. Examples of divinatory practices are geomancy, tarot, I Ching, sortilege, and reading tea leaves.

(See also: Divination , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Benefic:

Refers to a planet, which is beneficial, given the particular rising sign of the chart. In general, the most benefic planets are the lords of the trikona houses: the first, fifth and ninth. The lords of the kendra houses, the fourth, seventh and tenth are also benefic, but may become malefics under certain rules.

(See also: Benefic , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Fortean Phenomena:

Strange phenomena, especially those that challenge conventional scientific knowledge. Named after the American researcher and writer Charles Fort. Fortean phenomena include those generally considered paranormal, but also bizarre non-paranormal events such as monsters and prodigies, extraordinary coincidences, and unusual rains.

(See also: Fortean Phenomena , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Rebirth:

In Buddhism, the belief that there is some continuity of mind from one life to the next. Buddhism, however, does not accept the existence of the individual soul and therefore does not view rebirth as the soul's literal re-incarnation.

See also Bardo, Reincarnation.

(See also: Rebirth , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Vision:

A religious apparition.

(See also: Vision , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Haunting:

Paranormal phenomena such as apparitions, unexplained sounds, smells or other sensations that are associated over a lengthy period of time with a specific location.

(See also: Haunting , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Entity:

See Discarnate Entity.

(See also: Entity , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Metaphysics:

Derived from the Latin word meta which means beyond, metaphysics would literally mean that which is beyond the laws of physics. The study of psychical research.

(See also: Metaphysics , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

Vedas:

'Veda' means knowledge. 'Vedic' refers to things that come from the original knowledge of the Vedic scriptures of ancient India, revealed by God through sages.

(See also: Vedas , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)