ABSTRACT
Matters of authenticity and experience are dominant themes in paranormal cultural practices. These themes are framed in different ways. Within the media, there is a crisis of evidence and the paranormal is caught up in a general narrative of distrust in the representation of reality in news, or eye witness accounts. Within personal stories of hauntings, or extrasensory perception, there is a focus on the individual who provides a compelling narrative of experience as evidence. In this context, the paranormal becomes a symbol for popular solipsism, a form of knowledge that prioritises personal existence. These two dominant narratives highlight how matters of authenticity are dealt with in one way that foregrounds rationality and reason, and in another way that foregrounds instinct and identity experiences. A market has arisen which addresses experiences that go against the grain and
prioritise personal existence. Mind, body and spirit is a growth area in the cultural, health and well being industries. It mixes paranormal ideas with popular psychology and personal empowerment. In this way, mind, body and spirit practices, products and services validate identity experiences that run counter to mainstream culture. This is an example of how secular spiritual and magical beliefs are the basis from which an industry can grow and connect with wider trends in alternative medicine, progressive religions and politics, or the ecology and environment. A generation of people characterised as metaphysical and spiritual seekers are participating in what has been called a culture of re-enchantment. A founder of a mind, body and spirit magazine summed up the approach as ‘we are all fabulously unique.’ This is a culture where alternative identity experiences are a foundation for paranormal beliefs in modern Western societies.
