Glossary Of Terms - P
PARAPSYCHOLOGY: The scientific study of psi (psychic abilities) and related subjects dating back to the late nineteenth century.
PAST LIFE RECALL: The hypnotic or meditative state in which
an individual is able to recall past lives or images of another
time period in which he or she views himself or herself as an
active participant. The regression also brings up emotions and
events of that time period that can be resolved in the present
life for the purpose of psychological and often physical healing.
PLANETARY CONSCIOUSNESS: An outgrowth of the ecology
movement of the 1960s expanded with the concept of the Earth as a
living, self-regulating organism.
POLARITY THERAPY: (Click here)
POLTERGEIST:A germanic term from poltern "to knock" and geist, "spirit". It is commonly believed to be a spirit, usually mischievous and sometimes malevolent, manifesting through noises, moving objects and assaulting people and animals. The most common phenomena are rains of stones, dirt and other small objects; throwing and moving of objects, including large pieces of furniture; loud noises and shrieks; strange lights; apparitions; vile smells; interference with telephones and electronic equipment and turning lights and appliances on and off. They are also said to pinch , bite, hit and sexually assault the living.
These disturbances
have been reported around the world since ancient times. In the late
1970's a computer analysis of 500 cases was done which identified 63
general characteristics. In the 1930's, there was a theory that there
might be two separate causes. Some cases of poltergeist activity are
unexplained and may involve actual spirits. Other cases seemed to be
caused by subconscious
psychokinesis
(PK) on the part of one individual.
In studying a number of cases attributed to living agents and to spirits
of the dead, Ian Stevenson, a psychologist, noted significant differences.
The phenomena in living agent cases was without purpose and often violent,
while cases involving the spirits of the dead featured intelligent communication,
purposeful movement of objects and little violence.
PRANA:
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here)
PSEUDOPODS:
Phantom
hands allegedly created with
ectoplasm at early spiritualists sances. The pseudopod shook the hands of participants
and was icy to the touch.
PSYCHIC: A person with exceptional ability to acquire information through extrasensory perception and/or affect objects with psychokinesis on demand.
PSYCHOKINESIS: Comes from the Greek words psyche, meaning "breath of life", or "soul", and kinein, meaning "to move", and is the apparent influence of mind over matter through invisible means, it occurs spontaneously and deliberately, indicating that it is both an unconscious and conscious process. It has been observed since ancient times. For example, in Acts 16:19-40, Paul and Silas, imprisoned in Ephesus, prayed and sang hymns and at midnight their chains fell off and the prison doors swung open.
What it actually is and how it operates remains an enigma. Some of the theories hold that 1) it is a supernatural ability, 2) it is a human ability possessed only by extraordinary individuals, and 3) a human ability possessed by all people.
It appears in many ways. Holy people and adepts around the world have been said to levitate, perform miraculous healings, become invisible, individuals cause luminosity, apports and other physical phenomena. Magic spells, curses and rituals to control the weather may involve PK. In mediumship as well as, alleged materializations and dematerializations, table-tipping, raps and the manifestation of ectoplasm and pseudopods, or the handling of hot coals without injury.
Studied since
the 1930's, it is the fastest growing field of parapsychology; however,
statistical findings to this point are contradictory.
PSYCHOLOGY: The science of human behavior. Literally the study (ology)
of the psyche (psycho) as manifested in human behavior.