Supernormal: Science, Yoga, and the Evidence for Extraordinary Psychic Abilities

This is a very courageous book, because its author is brave enough to risk ridicule by his peers, and provide evidence that certain Paranormal events are not myth but scientifically proven truth. This book does not give tabloid type sensationalised stories of genuine abilities that some people claim to have. It looks at large amounts of evidence, (in the form of experimental results), and by careful statistical analysis, shows that certain abilities, (telepathy, clairvoyance, and many others), have been proven to exist. For most of us, these are small events that can be explained as chance or coincidence, (thinking of someone, when they phone you, etc). The evidence suggests that meditation can enhance and strengthen these skills, which may be latent in many, or even most of us. The book can be a bit scientific and statistical at times, but the author guides the reader through with clear explanations - and it's all relevant to understanding what the book is all about. We CAN be telepathic, clairvoyant, and possess many other "paranormal" skills, that might just be rare, but perfectly normal - if you meditate!

Dear Radin is the senior scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences. It was founded by Edgar Mitchell the astronaut who did telepathy experiments on his trip to the moon. Radin examines the connections between the powers claimed by yoga practitioners with experiments in the West. He indicates there are hundreds of experiments which support the abilities described in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. If these abilities exist, it means some of the basic assumptions of science need to be changed. He says that the materialist paradigm is outdated, not just due to the findings of these experiments but by advances in science as well.He cites such materialist concepts as the mind cannot influence matter, there is no 'action at a distance' (as observed in psychic effects), time can only flow in one direction, everything can be understood in terms of causal networks, everything is made of matter or energy and the 'immaterial' doesn't exist, there is no free will and causation is 'upward' from the subatomic to the larger. This accounts of the almost 'built in ' rejection of psychic claims. He gives examples of what can only be described as 'scientific prejudice'. However, relativity and quantum mechanics undermines these ideas.He acknowledges that some people will use those two developments for support of their assertions but without understanding of the fields. However, he then goes to quote people who do understand and speculate how it may happen. Angela Merkel the German Chancellor, has a doctorate in Quantum Chemistry (Radin doesn't say this but it is so) and quantum biology is emerging.The whole understanding of our universe could be drastically revised and the traditional accounts of yogic powers could well fit into a new paradigm. Radin would suggest you read and judge for yourself.

I like Dean Radin and I like this book. Yes, it's heavy on the detail of individual studies, but it's an informative, not overly-techincal summary of the state of parapsychology. The connection with yoga is a bit dodgy though - it feels like the discussions pertaining to yoga have been tacked on to the real subject matter - experiments in parapsychology.

I have only really recently discovered the research into psi phenomena in the past couple of years. Before that, I believed in it, but did not realise that there was any scientific evidence, thinking that it was similar to religious belief. However, I was clearly wrong, the universe is perhaps even more amazing than it is already. This book neatly summarises the experiments for the various kinds of abilities that seem to be present in human beings, whilst injecting a decent supply of good humour and neat little anecdotes to keep the reader entertained. Dr Radin is without doubt a good writer and communicator of his ideas. In addition, it was interesting to read about the benefits of meditation. Whilst I could have probably found them out independently, it is thanks to reading this that I myself have started doing it. My only gripe with this book is the association with Deepak Chopra. If psi phenomena are going to be accepted by the wider world and scientific community, then parapsychologists need to steer clear of him, as I feel he muddies the waters of their research with his brand of spirituality that he has managed to cash in on substantially. That said, this does not impact on the actual book itself, which is well written, researched, and informative about psi and the benefits of meditative practice.

I was so excited to get this book. It’s a fascinating subject matter, but reading endlessly about the structure of experiments got rather boring and dry…

There's no end of books on these controversial subjects. If you're looking for a fact based book which gives it to you straight explained by a scientist who knows exactly what he's talking about then this won't disappoint.There's so many experiments that have been conducted over the years that I knew nothing about. The odds against chance in some of the results are astounding.Given that the majority of scientists are too scared of ridicule to publicly accept that this phenomenon is real, yet have no problem agreeing that the whole universe came from a single event, it's refreshing that this scientist has been studying this stuff openly for decades.

Dean Radin is a sober and reliable guide through this radical territory.The title is perhaps an accurate description, but I would prefer a different word used.This particular word tends to sensationalize something that is in fact normal.I have a sense of grief that Dean Radin's area of research remains heretical to many of the dogmatic guardians of conventional scientific thinking. However, anything that raises the profile of yoga as a practice and lifestyle is strongly to be supported through all difficulties, fads, and the tides of fortune.