Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book offers an overview of work in parapsychology, the science of psychic experience. Since time immemorial people from all over the world have reported extraordinary experiences such as apparitions, visions, telepathy, hauntings, divination, healing, out-of-body, near-death and abduction experiences. In addition miraculous and supernatural phenomena are central to most traditions of religious belief. Traditionally many apparently paranormal experiences were assumed to involve communication with an unseen spirit world. Parapsychology is an area where views often polarise, with believers taking for granted that paranormal phenomena are a reality and sceptics ruling the possibility out of hand. Some scientists take a third position, which is to accept the reality of psi experiences and to study their nature without taking a position on their origin. Parapsychology conferences provide a rare chance to meet with such agnostics.