Threshold - Vol 1 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: Threshold: Journal of Interdisciplinary Consciousness Studies
Issue: Volume 1, Number 2
Date: 2017
Publisher: Windbridge Research Center
Country: USA
ISSN: 2575-2510
Type: Free, online-only, open-access journal.

Letter from the Editor: Between Experience and Expectation

David B. Metcalfe, Editor-in-Chief, discusses the common human experience of a deviation between expectation and reality. He extends this to the profound question of what comes next after death, suggesting that while direct experience of the afterlife is inaccessible from this side of the veil, exploring analogous experiences, cultural influences, and personal lives can help develop a better understanding and align expectations with potential realities. The journal aims to illuminate this 'darkened path' through various lines of investigation, including cross-cultural studies, social rituals surrounding death, near-death and out-of-body experiences, and scientific analysis of mediumship.

Editorial: One Culture Haunts while Another Consoles: Differing Responses to the Deceased

Patricia Pearson, MSc, contrasts the Western Halloween tradition, which portrays the dead as scary and to be shunned, with the Latino celebration of Día de Muertos, where the deceased are welcomed as remembered loved ones. She argues that the latter is more aligned with the lived experiences of sensing the presence of deceased family members, which conventional psychiatry often labels as 'grief hallucinations.' Pearson recounts a personal experience of her brother-in-law feeling the presence of his deceased wife, which he described as a real, external, and indelible experience. She notes that early research by W.D. Rees on widowhood hallucinations found a high prevalence rate, with subjects not wishing to pathologize these experiences.

Sylvia Townsend Warner's account of an unexpected visit from her deceased lover is presented as an example of an 'actual' presence, not evoked or remembered. The editorial highlights the shift in therapeutic approaches from Freud's 'severed bonds' model to Dennis Klass's 'continuing bonds' model, which emphasizes integrating the memory of the deceased into the lives of the bereaved. However, this model faces a 'metaphysical crisis' as it requires these sensed presences to be perceived as real. The piece concludes by mentioning palliative physician Christopher Kerr and counseling psychologist Edith Steffen, who are exploring the complex ways the grieving and dying sense the dead.

Referenced Commentary: Dying to live: The power of transcendence in the treatment of existential anxiety

Sam Gandy, MR, addresses the lack of effective treatments for existential anxiety. He proposes that experiential avenues, such as near-death experiences (NDEs), out-of-body experiences (OBEs), and the use of classical psychedelics like psilocybin, hold promise. Gandy notes a 'renaissance' in psychedelic research, with psilocybin showing compelling results in reducing anxiety and depression in terminally ill cancer patients. He suggests that the psychotherapeutic efficacy of psychedelics is tied to their ability to induce mystical-type experiences. An intriguing property of NDEs is their 'mental contagiousness,' allowing benefits to be shared without direct experience. A common thread linking these experiences is the sensation of being disembodied and transcending bodily limits.

Original Research

This section lists two articles:

• Quantitative and Qualitative Analyses of Mediumistic and Psychic Experiences by Julie Beischel, PhD, Chad Mosher, PhD, and Mark Boccuzzi.
• Application of Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging (DITI) and Other Monitors for Documenting Physical Phenomena during Sittings with a Medium by Mark Boccuzzi.

About the Journal

The journal is described as a free, online-only, open-access publication disseminating information on interdisciplinary studies of consciousness related to dying, death, and what comes next. It includes peer-reviewed research, review articles, research briefs, conference presentations, educational aids, essays, editorials, case studies, and book reviews, tailored for practitioners, clinicians, scientists, and the general public. Articles are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around consciousness, death, dying, and the human experience of loss and grief. The journal adopts an open, interdisciplinary approach, exploring phenomena that challenge conventional paradigms, such as sensed presences of the deceased and the therapeutic potential of altered states of consciousness induced by psychedelics or NDEs. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these complex and often metaphysical aspects of human experience, moving beyond purely materialistic or psychiatric explanations to acknowledge the profound impact of these experiences on individuals and their grieving processes.

This issue of Threshold: Journal of Interdisciplinary Consciousness Studies, Volume 1, Number 2, published in 2017, features an article titled "Transcendent Experiences and Death Anxiety" by Gandy. The journal focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to consciousness studies.

Psychedelics and Death Anxiety

The article posits that in Western society, death is often viewed as a taboo and a medical defeat, leading to a lack of effective therapies for easing the passage of the dying and a societal regression in integrating death. Existential anxiety, including fear of death, is often overlooked, and physicians may feel ill-equipped to treat its psycho-spiritual effects. The paper highlights classical psychedelics as a promising avenue for research, noting their historical use in healing and divination and their current scientific renaissance. Psychedelics may offer unique efficacy in treating existential anxiety, with potential benefits extending beyond terminally ill patients.

Aldous Huxley is presented as a pioneer in this approach, corresponding with Dr. Humphry Osmond in 1958 about LSD's potential to make dying a more spiritual process. Huxley himself requested and received LSD injections during his final illness, which his wife Laura described as beautiful and serene.

Dr. Walter Pahnke is recognized as another key researcher who conducted psychedelic therapy with LSD and DPT at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, focusing on terminal cancer patients. His work, including papers and book chapters, explored the mystical-type experience and its implications for psi research and psychedelic therapy.

Recent Research on Psychedelics for Anxiety

The article details recent studies demonstrating the safety and efficacy of psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin in treating existential anxiety and depression in the terminally ill. A pilot study by Grob et al. (2011) with psilocybin showed safe responses and no adverse events, with anxiety reduction and mood improvement observed over time. Gasser et al. (2014) found that LSD (200 µg) treatment for anxiety in patients with life-threatening diseases resulted in no lasting adverse reactions, sustained long-term benefits, and significant reductions in anxiety and improvements in quality of life.

Larger studies using psilocybin, such as one by Griffiths et al. (2016) at Johns Hopkins, reported significant decreases in depression and anxiety, along with reduced death anxiety and increased quality of life, meaning, and optimism in patients with life-threatening cancer. The mystical-type experiences induced by psilocybin were identified as a key mediator of these long-term therapeutic outcomes.

Ross et al. (2016) at New York University reported similar findings with psilocybin, noting immediate, substantial, and sustained improvements in anxiety and depression, along with decreased demoralization and increased spiritual well-being.

Mystical Experiences and Death Perception

It is suggested that the mystical-type experiences catalyzed by high-dose psilocybin are central to their long-term therapeutic effects on depression and anxiety, enhancing life meaning and outlook. These experiences appear crucial for altering perceptions of death and reducing death anxiety. Facets of the mystical experience, such as unity, interconnectedness, love, reverence, and noetic quality, are likely contributors to positive attitudinal shifts towards death, self, life, and others.

A study by Griffiths et al. (2017) on physically and mentally healthy individuals using psilocybin found that mystical experiences, combined with spiritual practices, led to significant positive changes in prosocial attitudes and behaviors, including "death transcendence." This suggests that such a shift in perspective is intrinsic to the psychedelic experience.

The article contrasts the paradigm of conventional medicine, where drug effects are temporary, with the findings that a single dose of a classical psychedelic in a psychotherapeutic setting can yield long-term psychotherapeutic effects lasting a year or more, a novel and revolutionary finding lacking clear scientific explanation.

Other Avenues for Addressing Death Anxiety

Rational Suicide in the Elderly: Psychedelics may offer promise in treating rational suicide in the elderly, potentially fostering a sense of life-meaning and positive outlook.

Mystical/Transcendent Experiences: These experiences, catalyzed by psychedelics, are strongly linked to reducing death anxiety by fostering connectedness, enhancing relationships, and promoting equanimity. They may allow individuals to transcend their primary identification with their physical bodies, leading to ego-free states and acceptance.

Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) and Out-of-Body Experiences (OBEs): The article notes the phenomenological overlap between NDEs and OBEs, and how OBEs, which can be induced voluntarily and safely, can reduce the fear of death. Learning about NDEs, even without direct experience, can promote psycho-spiritual benefits and change outlooks on death. Direct testimony from NDErs is considered a powerful medium for transformation.

Other Consciousness Practices: Holotropic breathwork is presented as an effective, legal alternative for accessing transpersonal states and treating existential anxiety. Mindfulness meditation is also suggested for alleviating existential anxiety and neutralizing fears of death.

5-MeO-DMT: This psychedelic compound, while less researched, shows potential for treating death anxiety. A retrospective study by Dr. Geraldo Ruben Sandoval Isaac indicated that a high percentage of participants reported mystical experiences and experiences of dying or death. The phenomenological effects of 5-MeO-DMT are noted to resemble NDEs, and reported death-related experiences are more commonly associated with it.

Comparison of Psychedelics: 5-MeO-DMT is described as more powerful but shorter-acting than psilocybin or LSD, potentially making it less taxing on treatment providers.

Psilocybin in Palliative Care: Psilocybin is considered well-suited for palliative care due to its favorable safety profile and potential to facilitate family communication and connection during end-of-life stages.

Grof's Research: Dr. Stanislav Grof's work with terminal cancer patients at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center revealed that patients reported NDEs similar to their prior psychedelic experiences, viewing them as invaluable training for dying. Both NDEs and psychedelics can induce long-term personality change, with NDEs potentially yielding deeper and more comprehensive changes than psychedelics, which tend to affect openness.

Value of Experiences: The article emphasizes that the value of mystical experiences should be judged "by their fruits" rather than "by their roots," as per William James. The psychological symptoms of existential distress are noted to overlap with the default-mode network, which psilocybin can quiet.

Conclusion

The article concludes that direct experiences, consciousness-related practices, and learning about these experiences offer significant potential benefits for lessening death anxiety and reinforcing life priorities. A simulated dying event may serve not only to reduce death anxiety but also to reinforce one's life priorities positively while alive.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the intersection of consciousness, transcendent experiences, and the human confrontation with death and existential anxiety. The editorial stance appears to be one of openness to and advocacy for the scientific exploration of non-ordinary states of consciousness, particularly those induced by psychedelics, as valid and potentially powerful therapeutic tools for addressing profound psychological and spiritual suffering related to death and dying. The journal champions an interdisciplinary approach, integrating psychological, spiritual, and neuroscientific perspectives.

This issue of the *Threshold: Journal of Interdisciplinary Consciousness Studies* (TJICS), Vol. 1, No. 2, published in 2017, is a free, online-only, open-access journal focusing on interdisciplinary studies of consciousness related to dying, death, and the afterlife. It features original research, reviews, briefs, presentations, essays, editorials, case studies, and book reviews, catering to researchers, clinicians, practitioners, and the general public. The journal is published by the Windbridge Research Center and is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Technical Brief: Application of Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging (DITI) and Other Monitors for Documenting Physical Phenomena during Sittings with a Medium

This technical brief, authored by Mark Boccuzzi of the Windbridge Research Center, explores the use of Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging (DITI) and other monitoring technologies to document physical phenomena occurring during séances with a physical medium (PM). The project aimed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of DITI in capturing these phenomena, particularly under the low-light conditions often required by mediums.

Background and Rationale

The brief begins by defining mediumship, distinguishing between mental and physical types. Physical mediumship involves "paranormal physical events in the medium's vicinity," such as disembodied voices, raps, paranormal lights, ectoplasm, and materialization or movement of objects. A significant challenge in studying physical mediumship is the common requirement for near or total darkness, which hinders documentation with conventional visible light imaging. Even active infrared (IR) photography is often disallowed by mediums, who believe added light can prevent phenomena. By the mid-1990s, non-invasive image-intensification equipment was proposed, and more recently, affordable technologies like DITI have become practical.

DITI cameras capture images from ambient heat, allowing investigators to "see" in darkness without contaminating the space with artificial light or using clandestine techniques. The project specifically focused on examining DITI's feasibility and effectiveness, setting aside aspects like mechanisms, fraud prevention, and the survival hypothesis.

Research Participants and Methodology

Due to the need for participant protection, only essential information about the research participants is provided. The physical medium (PM) is described as a highly successful, professional, non-denominational psychic medium, certified by the Windbridge Research Center. Unlike commercial mediums, PM does not offer physical mediumship as a paid service but engages in personal exploration. The sitters comprised friends, family members, and professional associates of PM, consistent with PM's regular private sessions to maximize the potential for phenomena.

The study employed a range of monitoring equipment in addition to the FLIR i7 DITI camera. This included data logging thermometers, electromagnetic field meters, audio recorders, visible light and full spectrum video cameras, and a Psyleron REG-1 random event generator. Custom tray tables fitted with data logging 3-axis accelerometers were also used to track table movement.

Reported Phenomena and Typical Sitting

Interviews with the PM and sitters revealed a variety of reported physical effects, termed macroscopic psychokinetic effects (MPEs), including table tipping, movement of objects, and environmental changes. To date, only table tipping had been witnessed by the investigator. A distinction is made between table tipping (where the table maintains floor contact) and table levitation (free floating).

A "Typical Sitting" involves a small wooden tray table in the center of the séance space, surrounded by two or three chairs. Overhead lights are off, with illumination from a small, low-wattage, red-colored light bulb. PM and sitters place fingertips on the table, and PM invites a discarnate to communicate via table movement. Successful sessions involve the table rocking, sometimes quickly, while maintaining floor contact. Questions are posed, with faster movement interpreted as "yes" and slower as "no." Sessions typically last about five minutes, and multiple discarnates may be contacted. Participants also report other phenomena during table movement, though not witnessed by the investigator.

Equipment and Data Collection

The primary equipment was a FLIR Systems i7 Thermal Imaging Camera, capable of capturing and displaying images in the 7.5-13 µm range. It was chosen for its ability to capture existing radiant heat, function in darkness, and its relative affordability. The camera was housed in a light-tight enclosure with a custom-built Arduino-controlled auto-triggering mechanism to create animation sequences from stitched-together still images.

Documented Sittings and Findings

In the first documented sitting, PM and three sitters conducted a typical session where a discarnate was contacted, and table tipping occurred in response to questions. This initial sitting was primarily observational, documented by seven video cameras. DITI still images captured the room, table, and participants, revealing heat transfer patterns on the table, including finger patterns from sitters. Analysis of the DITI images indicated no hidden apparatuses and adherence to protocol.

Standard video quality was poor due to low lighting, but provided context. Interviews with participants confirmed their belief that the table movement was caused by the discarnate, describing a "low vibration" that grew in strength. The investigator decided not to pursue accuracy testing of discarnate responses, as it would require significant protocol changes and PM already demonstrated accuracy under controlled conditions. The primary goal remained testing DITI's utility for examining MPEs.

Follow-up sittings tested additional monitoring methods. While the auto-trigger mechanism for the DITI camera was developed, its slow frame rate (approx. 7 seconds per image, 8 frames per minute) limited its effectiveness for capturing rapid table movement, resulting in lost data. Methods for combining still images into video are now considered less necessary with current DITI technology.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly emphasizes the scientific investigation of consciousness and anomalous phenomena, particularly physical mediumship. The journal's stance is to provide a platform for rigorous, interdisciplinary research, utilizing advanced technologies like DITI to overcome methodological challenges. The focus on open access and peer-reviewed content underscores a commitment to disseminating credible research within the field. The technical brief itself demonstrates a methodical approach to studying phenomena that are often difficult to document, highlighting the journal's dedication to exploring complex aspects of consciousness.

This issue of Threshold: Journal of Interdisciplinary Consciousness Studies, Volume 1, Issue 2, published in 2017, focuses on "Thermal Imaging of Physical Mediumship" and "Quantitative and Qualitative Analyses of Mediumistic and Psychic Experiences." The journal is an open-access publication from the Windbridge Research Center, dedicated to interdisciplinary studies of consciousness.

Thermal Imaging of Physical Mediumship

This section details an exploratory project demonstrating the application of Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging (DITI) in investigating physical mediumship séances. The study utilized a FLIR i7 thermal camera, controlled by an Arduino Uno and servo mechanism, to capture detailed thermal images of activity during séances without disrupting the low-light conditions often required by mediums.

Methodology and Equipment

The auto-trigger system, comprising a breadboard, Arduino Uno, and servo, was designed to operate the FLIR i7 camera at a specific rate. Consecutive thermal images captured during a table tipping session are presented (Figure 5b). The camera's utility lies in its ability to produce detailed images in low light and measure heat transfer, thereby maximizing controls and optimizing conditions for research. This detailed documentation aims to provide deeper insight into reported phenomena.

Accelerometer Data and 3D Simulations

To investigate participants' reported "low vibration" in the table prior to movement, a triple-axis accelerometer was attached to the table. This device recorded magnitude, direction, and duration of table movement at 30 samples per second. A 3" foam pad was used to measure z-axis movement (up and down) and downward pressure. In test trials where participants held their hands above the table, an analysis of accelerometer data and thermal imaging confirmed no physical contact or table movement occurred when a discarnate was invited to move the table. However, during a typical sitting where contact with a discarnate was made, the table moved as expected, and accelerometer data was recorded. To better understand this movement, a real-time 3D computer simulation was developed using the Processing programming language, allowing for detailed review of table motion from various angles (Figure 6).

Additional Sensors

Beyond thermal imaging and accelerometers, the study incorporated additional sensors to capture temperature, electromagnetic fields, and random event generator data. Five Alpha Lab Trifield meters and three Onset HOBO data-logging thermometers were deployed around the table and room to record anomalies. A Psyleron REG-1 random event generator, connected to a laptop running FieldREG software, was also used. Data from these sensors, analyzed alongside thermal imaging, did not reveal any anomalies.

Technology Advancements

The article notes that technology has advanced significantly since the study's design in June 2013, with the discontinuation of some devices like the FLIR i Series cameras and HOBO loggers, and the availability of new, lower-cost DITI camera systems. Investigators are encouraged to research current devices.

Conclusions and Discussion

Drawing on Beischel (2007), the authors emphasize the importance of studying mediumship in environments that optimize conditions for both the medium and the hypothesized discarnate. The primary aim of demonstrating DITI's application in physical mediumship investigations was met, showing its potential for detailed documentation without violating low-light requirements. DITI is suggested as a valuable tool for identifying or ruling out intentional fraud. The primary investigator acknowledges the Parapsychological Association's Gilbert Roller Fund, Julie Beischel, Chad Mosher, Ryan Gebhardt, the physical medium, and the sitters.

Quantitative and Qualitative Analyses of Mediumistic and Psychic Experiences

This section presents a study examining similarities and differences in the reported experiences of secular American mediums during readings involving communication with the deceased (mediumistic) and readings for the living (psychic). The study employed quantitative analysis using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) software and qualitative analysis through content analysis.

Participants and Methodology

The study included 113 self-identified mediums and 14 Windbridge Certified Research Mediums. The participants were predominantly white females, with an average age of 54.2 years. Most reported being able to distinguish between mediumistic and psychic experiences. Survey responses were analyzed using LIWC text analysis software and qualitative content analysis.

Key Findings: LIWC Analysis

Statistically significant differences were found in the proportion of words used in several LIWC categories between mediumistic and psychic experiences. These included social processes (p=0.004), perceptual processes (p<0.001), ingestion (p<0.001), past-focused time orientation (p=0.001), religion (p<0.001), and insight (p=0.002). No significant differences were found for emotions, present/future time orientation, health, or money.

Key Findings: Qualitative Content Analysis

Three overarching themes emerged from the text regarding mediumistic communication: preparation, communication triangulated, and experience of the communication. Four themes emerged from psychic readings for the living: establishing the connection, experiencing the connection, content of the reading, and psychic information flow. Notably, psychic readings for the living included "non-specific discarnates" as a source of information, challenging frameworks that strictly separate communication with the deceased from other psychic experiences.

Psi and Mediumship Research

The paper defines Psi as an umbrella term for anomalous information or energy transfer processes, noting its historical presence across cultures. Mediumship is defined as regular communication with the deceased. Modern mediumship research employs both quantitative and qualitative methods, examining practices, training, language, psychology, and phenomenology. The study highlights the value of mixed-methods approaches for a comprehensive understanding of mediumship.

Hypotheses and Methodological Approaches

The research discusses two hypotheses for the source of accurate information reported by mediums: survival psi (telepathy with the deceased) and somatic psi (telepathy with the living, clairvoyance, precognition). Due to the limitations of accuracy data in distinguishing these, qualitative phenomenological methodologies are used to examine mediums' experiences. Qualitative research, in general, provides insight into experiential accounts, involving retrospective reporting and introspective observation. Phenomenological methods aim to specify the essential characteristics of phenomena, considering every experience valid.

Themes in Mediumistic Experiences

Previous qualitative research identified common themes in mediumistic experiences, including communicators being perceived as separate but close, feeling in control of transmission, receiving and expressing information, cooperative partnership, detachment from information, physical sensations, and positive feelings. Emmons and Emmons (2003) noted that mediums sometimes experience intuitive "g-knowing." Rock, Beischel, and Cott (2009) identified nine themes in mediumship experiences, such as "signs," "merging" with the discarnate, multi-modal sensory experiences (visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory), and "just knowing." Psychic readings for the living involved seven themes, with several overlapping with mediumship themes, including empathy and "just knowing."

Quantitative Research Findings

Quantitative research suggests that communication with the deceased may be quantitatively different from experimental control conditions but similar to obtaining psychic information about living targets. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating qualitative and quantitative methods for a comprehensive assessment of experiences.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue consistently explores the intersection of consciousness, anomalous experiences, and scientific investigation. The journal's stance appears to be one of open inquiry into phenomena related to consciousness, mediumship, and psychic experiences, utilizing rigorous scientific methodologies, including both quantitative and qualitative approaches. There is a clear emphasis on exploring these phenomena in a way that respects the subjective experience of participants while also seeking objective data and controls. The journal advocates for an interdisciplinary approach to understanding consciousness and its potential extensions, as demonstrated by the use of advanced technology like thermal imaging and sophisticated data analysis techniques. The articles highlight the ongoing evolution of research methods in these fields and the challenges in interpreting findings within existing theoretical frameworks.

This issue of Threshold: Journal of Interdisciplinary Consciousness Studies, Volume 1, Issue 2, published in 2017, focuses on "Mediumistic and Psychic Experiences." The issue delves into scientific research examining the subjective experiences of mediums and the potential differences between mediumship (communication with the deceased) and psychic readings (information about the living).

Research on Mediumship and Psychic Experiences

The article begins by reviewing previous research on the topic. Rock and Beischel (2008) used the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI) to study seven Windbridge Certified Research Mediums. Their findings suggested an altered state of consciousness during mediumship readings, characterized by negative affect, altered body image, and altered time sense, while self-awareness, volitional control, and memory were lower. A subsequent study by Rock, Beischel, Boccuzzi, and Biuso (2014), involving 19 claimant mediums, did not replicate these findings, suggesting that the mediumship reading condition did not induce an altered state of consciousness in this larger sample.

Beischel, Rock, and Boccuzzi (2013) quantitatively compared 10 Windbridge Certified Research Mediums during mediumship and psychic readings. Using the PCI, they found no quantitative differences in phenomenological dimensions between the two types of readings. However, studies by Rock, Beischel, and Cott (2009), Roxburgh and Roe (2013b), and Beischel, Rock, and Boccuzzi (2013) indicated that medium participants could differentiate between experiences of discarnate communication and psychic readings for living targets.

Current Study: Secular American Mediums

The primary focus of this issue is a study examining secular American mediums, a population less described in existing literature. The study aimed to explore the similarities and differences in self-reported experiences during mediumship readings (communicating with the deceased) and psychic readings (about the living). This was achieved through a quantitative method of computerized text analysis and a qualitative method of content analysis of 122 mediums' open-ended survey responses, making it the largest phenomenological study of its kind.

Methodology

The study was approved by the Windbridge Institutional Review Board (WIRB, #2014-BF-723). Participants were recruited through the Online Census of Traits and Observations (OCTO) Study and then invited to participate in the Secular American Mediums Survey (SAMS) Study. Participants had to self-identify as a medium and not practice mediumship as part of an organized religion, reflecting the focus on secular mediums. The majority of mediums in the US are believed to be secular.

The SAMS Study involved a five-part online survey. Participants were asked if they could differentiate between communication from the deceased and psychic information about the living. Those who answered 'Yes' provided open-ended descriptions of their experiences for both types of readings. These 244 retrospective narratives were then analyzed quantitatively using LIWC (Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count) software and qualitatively using content analysis.

Participant Characteristics

A total of 127 participants provided responses. The mean age was 54.2 years. The majority identified as female (90.6%). Regarding race, 92.7% identified as White, with smaller percentages identifying as Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, or 'Another race.' The participant pool included 14 Windbridge Certified Research Mediums and 113 self-identified secular mediums.

Quantitative Analysis

LIWC software was used to analyze the text for 12 categories, including positive/negative emotions, social processes, insight, and time orientation. The study found statistically significant differences in several categories:

• Social Processes: Descriptions of mediumistic experiences had a higher percentage of words related to social processes (e.g., family, friends) compared to psychic readings (11.76% vs. 9.93%, p=0.004).
• Perceptual Processes: Mediumistic communication descriptions contained significantly more words related to perceptual processes (sight, sound, touch) (6.63% vs. 4.81%, p<0.001).
• Ingestion: Words related to ingestion (e.g., cooking, food) were also higher in mediumistic descriptions (0.23% vs. 0.05%, p<0.001).
• Time Orientation: Mediumistic descriptions were more past-focused (3.09% vs. 2.06%, p=0.001).
• Religion: Words related to religion (e.g., spirit, god) were more prevalent in mediumistic descriptions (0.90% vs. 0.34%, p<0.001).
• Cognitive Insight: Conversely, psychic readings contained a significantly lower percentage of words describing cognitive insight (e.g., discern, categorize) (5.06% vs. 6.48%, p=0.002).

No significant differences were found for positive/negative emotions, present/future-focused time orientation, health, or money after Bonferroni correction.

Qualitative Content Analysis

Qualitative content analysis was performed by a researcher blinded to the LIWC results. Three overarching themes emerged for mediumistic communication:

• (A) Preparing for mediumistic communication: This involved intentional processes of shifting mental state, including meditation, prayer, focusing on guides, using objects like pendulums, and focusing on the discarnate. Participants described centering themselves, breathing, and raising their frequency to establish a link. Preparing the physical surroundings, such as using sage aromatherapy spray, was also mentioned.
• (B) Communication triangulated: Information is received by the medium from the deceased or guides and then communicated to the sitter. One participant described triangulating through a guide or listening directly to the deceased, posing questions and listening/seeing answers.
• (C) Experience of the communication: Participants described how they received information, sometimes directly from the deceased, and how they posed questions and received answers or messages.

Philosophy and Approach

The experimenters' overall attitude aligned with methodological guidelines for studying anomalous experiences, emphasizing avoiding dogmatic prejudice, pathologizing, and instead evaluating phenomena in their normal context. They advocated for using non-clinical populations, careful terminology, distinguishing experience from interpretation, maintaining a neutral yet empathetic attitude, and employing diverse research methods.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the scientific investigation of subjective experiences in mediumship and psychic readings. The journal's stance appears to be one of open-minded yet rigorous inquiry into consciousness and anomalous phenomena, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The emphasis on secular mediums suggests an interest in exploring the phenomenon outside of traditional religious or spiritual frameworks. The research aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of these experiences by differentiating between types of readings and analyzing the language used by mediums to describe them.

This issue of the Journal of Interdisciplinary Consciousness Studies, Volume 1, Issue 2, published in 2017, focuses on "Mediumistic and Psychic Experiences." The content is primarily research-based, presenting findings from a study involving 122 mediums (14 laboratory-tested and 108 self-identified). The articles delve into the linguistic and experiential aspects of both communicating with the deceased (mediumship) and providing psychic information about living individuals.

Analysis of Language in Mediumistic and Psychic Experiences (Table 1) The first major section, presented as Table 1, compares the percentages of language categories used in descriptions of mediumistic experiences versus psychic readings for the living. The study analyzed language provided by 122 mediums. It includes means, standard deviations (s.d.), p values, and Pearson's effect size (r) for twelve language categories. Significant findings, highlighted in bold, indicate notable differences. For instance, 'Social Processes' (e.g., communicate, family, friends) and 'Perceptual Processes' (e.g., sight, sound, smell) showed significant differences between the two types of experiences. 'Religion' (e.g., angel, spirit, afterlife) was also significantly different, with higher usage in mediumistic communication. The Bonferroni-corrected alpha for these analyses was 0.0042.

Mediumistic Communication with the Deceased (Table 2) Table 2 breaks down mediumistic communication into categories (A, B, C) and subcategories that emerged from a content analysis of the text. These include:

A. Preparing for Mediumistic Communication This section covers intentional shifts in mental state (meditation, prayer, opening channels, using objects) and enhancing the communication space.

B. Communication Triangulated This category addresses the perceived control of the communication (whether the spirit or medium is in control), the meaningfulness of the communication to the sitter, and the medium's role as a translator.

C. Experience of the Communication This is further divided into: * C.1. Sensory Experience: Including seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, and tasting. * C.2. Cognitive Experience: Such as merging with the deceased or 'just knowing' information. * C.3. Emotions: Empathy with the deceased and strong emotional reactions during communication. * C.4. Bodily Sensations: Described as internal, external, and direction-specific sensations.

Detailed Descriptions of Mediumistic Experiences The text elaborates on the categories presented in Table 2. Participants described the discarnate (deceased individual) as controlling the information flow. Communication was sometimes spontaneous, with mediums providing a 'beautiful space of openness.' The content of communication was often personal to the sitter, requiring translation by the medium. Sensory experiences were diverse, with most participants referencing at least three senses, primarily seeing, hearing, and feeling. Some described single sensory inputs (e.g., thoughts, sounds), while others experienced simultaneous multisensory input. Cognitive processes included 'merging' with the discarnate's essence and 'just knowing' information. Emotional responses ranged from empathy and joy to being overwhelmed by the deceased's emotions or pain. Bodily sensations were also reported, including internal feelings and external sensations like tingling or temperature changes, as well as direction-specific sensations (e.g., from the left ear, right side).

Psychic Connection (Table 3) This section, detailed in Table 3, focuses on psychic readings for the living. Four overarching themes emerged: (A) establishing the connection, (B) experiencing the connection, (C) content of the reading, and (D) psychic information flows from various sources.

A. Establishing the Connection This involves setting intentions for protection, attuning to the recipient, using objects, and tapping into intuition.

B. Experiencing the Connection This includes sensory experiences (seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling – taste was omitted), cognitive experiences (information download, 'getting ego out of the way,' acquisition/transference of expertise), emotions, and qualities like 'bursts and flashes of information' or 'lifeless, dense energy.'

C. Content of the Reading This category highlights differences from mediumistic communication, noting that psychic readings are often easier to understand, clearer, and direct. They can specify time and include confirmatory checks with the recipient.

D. Psychic Information Flows from Various Sources Information sources for psychic readings are diverse, including the recipient's energy, guides/angels, non-specific discarnates, the 'Source/universe,' internal intuition, and dreams.

Detailed Descriptions of Psychic Readings Participants described intentional attunement to the living recipient, focusing on their energy, issues, and feelings. Sensory experiences in psychic readings were less detailed than in mediumship, with taste being omitted. Information was often described as 'downloaded' or new knowledge. Differences in the quality of information between psychic readings and mediumship were noted. Psychic information was characterized as having more 'weight, density, or thickness' and being experienced at a faster speed, often in 'quick flashes.' It was also described as 'dense and/or lifeless,' akin to picking 'sticky notes' off a person. In contrast, mediumistic energy flows vertically, while psychic energy flows horizontally between the reader and recipient. Psychic information was generally perceived as clearer, lighter, and more factual than mediumistic information. The sources of information in psychic readings were attributed to multiple origins, including guides, the recipient, and the universe, whereas mediumship primarily involved communication with discarnates.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of consciousness, interdisciplinary approaches to studying psychic phenomena, and the detailed experiences of individuals who claim to possess mediumistic or psychic abilities. The journal's stance appears to be one of empirical investigation and detailed qualitative analysis of subjective experiences within the field of parapsychology and consciousness studies. The research presented aims to categorize and understand these complex phenomena through content analysis of mediums' descriptions.

This issue of Threshold: Journal of Interdisciplinary Consciousness Studies, Vol. 1, No. 2, published in 2017, focuses on 'Mediumistic and Psychic Experiences,' with articles authored by Beischel, Mosher, and Boccuzzi. The issue delves into the comparative analysis of these two types of experiences among secular American mediums.

Source of Information and Experience

The article begins by exploring how universal life energy is identified as a source of information about the living. Masters and teachers, or the universe, can reveal blocks to living a full life, showing what holds individuals back and how they appear. Information during psychic readings can come from unidentified discarnates unrelated to the recipient, with participants describing unexpected deceased individuals or guides as sources. These discarnates are distinguished from those directly related to the sitter in mediumship readings. Participants also provided comparisons between communicating with the deceased (mediumistic) and psychic readings for the living. One participant noted a similarity in interpreting information, acknowledging potential errors in sensing or hearing, and the ability to 'FEEL' where a mistake was made. Another contrasted psychic information as coming from a less focused, less high-vibration energy, described as 'potential energy,' distinct from the energy of the dead. This psychic information is considered relevant to the person's current life and future aspirations, serving to benefit their life.

Comparative Descriptions of Mediumistic and Psychic Experiences

The study compares descriptions of mediumistic and psychic experiences from 122 secular American mediums, using both quantitative and qualitative analyses. Similarities include important emotional components and the involvement of multiple sensory modalities. Qualitative analysis revealed themes of emotions for psychic connections and 'strong emotional reactions' for mediumistic experiences. Quantitative analysis indicated that both types of experiences contained significantly more words describing positive emotions than negative ones. Multiple sensory modalities, such as seeing, hearing, and feeling, were described in both types of readings.

However, notable differences were observed. Mediumistic experiences contained more references to social processes and involved a 'triangulated communication' between the sitter, medium, and deceased. Concepts related to food or taste were present in mediumistic descriptions but not psychic ones. Five sensory experiences were identified in mediumistic communication, while only four were in psychic experiences, with taste being absent in the latter. The LIWC category of perceptual processes was more prevalent in mediumship descriptions.

Differences in time-orientation were also significant. Participants' descriptions of communicating with the deceased showed a statistically higher past-focused time orientation compared to psychic experiences. Psychic experiences were described as containing time orientation that was qualitatively 'different than mediumship,' sometimes likened to reading a book containing past, present, and future information. Cognitive processes also differed, with psychic experiences described as a download of new information, while mediums 'just know' information during mediumistic communication. Mediumistic experiences showed a lower percentage of words related to insight (discern, categorize, evidence) compared to psychic experiences, suggesting mediumship is more intuitive than analytical.

Discussion and Confirmatory Findings

These findings provide insight into both types of experiences in the studied population. Confirmatory findings echoed previous research, highlighting components like altered states, bodily sensations, 'just knowing,' time orientation, emotions, interpersonal aspects, sensory perceptions, and cognitive processes. Mediumistic experiences involved intentional and unintentional shifts in awareness, similar to altered states of consciousness. Mediums reported 'not being in control' of communication with discarnates. Bodily sensations, such as tingling or pressure, were reported during mediumistic but not psychic experiences. The phenomenon of 'just knowing' specific information without conscious awareness of its acquisition was common to both, resonating with previous findings.

Time orientation was more past-focused in mediumship readings for the deceased compared to readings for the living. Psychic experiences were described as having a different time orientation. Emotions played a significant role in both, with findings suggesting that negative affect in previous studies might have been due to the control condition rather than negative emotions in mediumistic experiences. Interpersonal aspects in psychic readings tended to focus on the individual client, while mediumship readings pertained to the discarnate, sitter, and their relatives. Communication triangulation was a key theme in mediumistic experiences. Multi-modal sensory components were found in both types of experiences, with anecdotal evidence suggesting mediums could experience smells, odors, and even taste foods connected to the discarnate.

Novel Findings

Unique insights from this study include findings related to money, religion, health, taste/food, and the source of information. As expected, mediumistic communication with the deceased had a higher content of words related to religion (spirit, god, soul, afterlife) than psychic connections with the living. However, categories of money and health did not differ significantly between the two types of experiences. References to taste and food were present in mediumistic but not psychic experiences. Gustatory imagery was found in mediumistic descriptions, and the LIWC category of ingestion (cooking, dish, kitchen) was higher in mediumship descriptions, potentially reflecting discarnates' favorite foods.

The source of information for mediumistic experiences focused on the discarnate, while psychic experiences drew from multiple sources. This challenges claims that mediums use psi with the living to gain information about the deceased, suggesting instead that they might be communicating with the deceased to acquire information about the living.

Advantages of Pluralistic Research Methods

The study highlights the advantages of pluralism, which involves mixing quantitative and qualitative research methods. This approach can reinforce findings and provide additional conclusions. For instance, while LIWC analysis could quantify differences in sensory perception words, content analysis was necessary to determine which specific senses differed.

Limitations of this Study

The study acknowledges several limitations. Introspection has inherent difficulties, and describing anomalous experiences, which are often ineffable, can be problematic. Verbal description difficulties, forgetting, reconstruction errors, confabulation, and demand characteristics are potential issues with introspective reports. The study's participants were all self-identified mediums, and it is unclear if psychic experiences described here would be present in individuals who do not identify as mediums. The representativeness of the sample in terms of age, race, and gender is also uncertain.

Limitations of Theoretical Explanations for Mediumship

Explaining how mediumship works and the source of information presents challenges, particularly regarding language and terminology. Terms like 'living-agent psi' are considered imprecise. The study suggests rethinking terminology, proposing that 'survival psi' and 'somatic psi' might refer to the same phenomenon. The authors argue that these terms are theoretical constructs without empirical evidence, and using them as explanations risks the 'fallacy of misplaced concreteness.' It is concluded that it would be irresponsible to posit a general 'super-psi' without further evidence, as communication with the deceased cannot be definitively disproven or proven as part of all psi experiences.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout the issue is the detailed comparison and contrast between mediumistic and psychic experiences, highlighting their distinct characteristics, sources of information, and phenomenological aspects. The journal's stance appears to be one of rigorous, evidence-based inquiry into consciousness phenomena, employing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies while acknowledging the inherent limitations and complexities of the subject matter and the language used to describe it. The research aims to provide a nuanced understanding of these experiences, moving beyond simplistic explanations and challenging existing theoretical frameworks and terminology.

This issue of Threshold: Journal of Interdisciplinary Consciousness Studies, Volume 1, Number 2, published in 2017, focuses on "Mediumistic and Psychic Experiences." The journal is a free, online-only, open-access publication of the Windbridge Research Center, dedicated to disseminating information on interdisciplinary studies of consciousness related to dying, death, and the afterlife. The content is tailored for researchers, clinicians, practitioners, and the general public.

Study on Mediumistic and Psychic Experiences

The core of this issue features a study by Beischel, Mosher, and Boccuzzi that quantitatively and qualitatively examined the experiences of 122 secular American mediums. These experiences were documented through retrospective reports of communication with the deceased and psychic connections with the living, collected via an online survey with open-ended, counter-balanced items. The researchers employed Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) software for quantitative analysis and independently conducted qualitative content analysis of the participants' text responses.

The study found that both types of experiences (communication with the deceased and psychic connection with the living) appear to involve similar emotional and sensory aspects. However, differences were observed in social processes, specific sensory modalities (such as taste), time-orientation, and cognitive processes. Mediumship was characterized as a less analytical process compared to psychic reading.

A particularly noteworthy finding was the identification of "non-specific discarnates" as a source of information within experiences of psychic connections during readings for the living. The authors suggest this finding challenges theoretical frameworks that attempt to separate mediums' experiences into distinct categories based on whether they involve communication with the deceased. It also questions the continued use of terminology that reflects such a separation.

The article also touches upon the idea that understanding mediumistic phenomena might require the conveyer and receiver to be in similar altered states, referencing a quote from Moreira-Almeida and Lotufo-Neto (2017) that language is an "inappropriate tool" for describing anomalous experiences, especially for those who have not experienced them.

Acknowledgements and Correspondence

The study was supported by a research bursary from the Bial Foundation. The article was peer-reviewed by Charles F. Emmons, John G. Kruth, and Chris A. Roe. Correspondence regarding the article should be addressed to Julie Beischel, PhD, at [email protected].

References

The issue includes an extensive list of references, spanning a wide range of topics related to mediumship, psychic experiences, consciousness, qualitative research methods, and parapsychology. Key authors and works cited include those by C. & N. Pistrang, K. Barrett, J. Beischel, E. Cardeña, W. Carington, C. K. Chung, A. Delorme, D. A. Dillman, C. F. Emmons, G. W. Farthing, D. Fingeld-Connett, K. Harris, P. R. Heath, H. Hsieh, D. J. Hufford, J. Hunter, H. J. Irwin, L. Kean, E. W. Kelly, J. G. Kruth, A. Moreira-Almeida, J. Palmer, M. Q. Patton, R. J. Pekala, K. R. Rao, R. Reinsel, J. B. Rhine, A. J. Rock, E. C. Roxburgh, M. Sudduth, C. T. Tart, Y. R. Tausczik, and A. N. Whitehead.

About the Journal

Threshold: Journal of Interdisciplinary Consciousness Studies (TJICS) is published by the Windbridge Research Center. Its mission is to ease suffering around dying, death, and what comes next by conducting rigorous scientific research and sharing the results. The journal is available for free online and covers interdisciplinary studies of consciousness. Information about the center and how to access back issues can be found on their website, www.tjics.org.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of mediumistic and psychic experiences, the methodologies for studying them (both quantitative and qualitative), and the theoretical implications for understanding consciousness and survival after death. The editorial stance, as evidenced by the journal's mission and the content of the featured article, is to promote rigorous, interdisciplinary research into consciousness, particularly concerning phenomena related to death and the afterlife, with the goal of providing evidence-based information to a broad audience.