The Origins of Psychic Phenomena author: Stan Gooch Inner Traditions 1984, 2007 ISBN #1-59477-164-2 In the real world that we live in, there are energies that no one wants to talk about ... including Poltergeists, Incubi, and Succubi. For those who experience them, it is hard to get anyone to take them seriously, and almost impossible to get help of any kind. Gooch addresses each of these phenomena, and what may be the key to the origin of these manifestations ... the cerebellum, the dream-producing part of our brain. This is where our unconscious physically resides, and where we process our daily experiences and concerns. Gooch posits that the repression of the role of the cerebellum in our unconscious in modern times may have had a role in the appearance of these supernatural phenomena. Gooch began his career as a highly regarded psychological researcher, authoring the books "Total Man" and "Personality and Evolution". His next books, "The Dream Culture of the Neanderthals", the "Double Helix of the Mind", and "The Secret Life of Humans", were based on his research on paranormal influences and Neanderthal culture. Rather than presenting a dry, clinical study, Gooch has chosen to work through a combination of definition and clinical study, allowing the reader to step into the lives of those affected y paranormal activity by telling their story. Specific phenomena covered are Incubi, Succubi, Demons Past and Entities Present, Poltergeists, Paranormal Fire, Automatic Writing, Past Lives, Hypnosis, Stigmata, Mediumship, and Discarnates. Other subjects include left handedness, and UFO's. What Gooch terms the "dynamic unconscious" is integral to the understanding of this book. He brings in the early work of Freud ("Introductory Lectures"), and Freud's first book ("Interpretation of Dreams"). Also discussed are the "defense mechanisms" of the mind (including projection). What this all leads to is the acceptance of the unconscious mind as a reality. Multiple personalities, psychosis, schizophrenia, and autism are also addressed. The connection here would be the dissociative nature of the manner in which these illnesses present themselves. I found it interesting that there is also a section in this book on the history of psychic ability within the human race. the point that Gooch makes is that there literally is no history! Not that psychic ability is not a real ability, and not that it has not been experienced by many people, but that it has not been accepted in any real way by the scientific community. I also found it quite interesting that psychic ability tends to run in families. Another aspect of this ability is that it often shows up in young children, and is then repressed by their elders. This book will be of interest to anyone interested in psychic phenomena, and in the power of the unconscious in our lives. Through story, Gooch gives the manifestations of our unconscious mind a very real, understandable structure. Whether you agree with him or not, the information here is a powerful place to begin study of this subject matter. © March 2007 Bonnie Cehovet Personal Lifestyle Reading - I offer a Personal Lifestyle Reading using Tarot that looks at past, present and future influences in your life, at the energies that are currently available to help you along your path, and at those energies that are appearing as challanges. My goal is to offer you insight into your decision making process, as well as tools that you can use to both better understand your path and make conscious, choice centered decisions. Home Personal Empowerment links Personal Empowerment articles Graphics by Art for the web