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Continuing Education Students of De Anza College What is Parapsychology? Al Thompson ESP, the occult, personal awareness; these are all areas covered by the phenomenon of Parapsychology. This is also the subject of an off campus class conducted by psychology Instructor, Bob Swanson. Swanson's interest in parapsychology came about through his search for an alternative to drug oriented experiences. He felt there must be a way to experience the same type of mind control without the harmful side effects often attributed to drugs. Swanson feels that parapsychology is the answer to his search and it would seem that there are many others who feel the same, as more than twenty students were turned away from his class. Another indication of the interest that the subject of parapsychology engenders is the response to a questionnaire Swanson and his associates circulated on campus. Of the 1000 copies passed out, 318 were returned. This is a fantastic response, as anyone associated with such surveys knows. Some of the statistics revealed by the survey are rather interesting, though certainly not conclusive. More than 90% said that they had had two or more psychic experiences, and yet only 30% felt that others would believe them. It is this ignorance that Bob hopes to overcome with his class. He likened the situation to the similar feelings concerning sex in the past. "It was like everyone was doing it, but no one talked about it." Bob related that the purpose of parapsychology class was to help each individual find his inner energy. Mr. Swanson, who is currently working on his Masters degree in psychology, spent two years in India studying meditation and parapsychological phenomenon. He recommends Swami Gurupremananda in San Jose as a good local teacher of yoga. Parapsychology, according to Bob, goes back as far as Biblical times. “Christ was a parapsychologist. He taught the lesson of finding Inner peace.” Though the field of parapsychology covers many things, the class concentrates on the self analysis and personal awareness. I was impressed by the frank and honest answers given by Mr. Swanson to his students questions. He seemingly is a very open and forthright person. |
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is a copy of the original proposal prepared by Bob Swanson as part of his
graduate work at Sonoma State University. His proposal was accepted by
De Anza College in Cupertino, California. These classes were taught
by Bob Swanson and Randall Fontes.
Special thanks to John White, Director of Education at "The Institute of Noetic sciences" for his encouragement and for reviewing and commenting on the draft class proposal. The Institute was formed to conduct research and to educate the public regarding paranormal phenomena. It was founded by Astronaut, Dr. Edgar D. Mitchell who had conducted parapsychological experiments from the moon. Introduction
to Parapsychology
The first of my special field projects is a proposal submitted to Bay Area Community Colleges to initiate introduction to Parapsychology classes that would educate students to the field of Parapsychology. Rationale
Thus it is apparent that there is a need to educate the public about the recent findings in the field of parapsychology. Procedure The class syllabus, introductory letter and personal resume (Appendix A), was prepared to include the goals of the course, class content and appropriate text material. Included was a structured grading procedure. A straight forward cover letter was then prepared to accompany the class syllabus. Finally, a resume of my qualifications as class instructor was included to be sent with the above materials. The proposal was then mailed to the following Bay Area community colleges: Canada College, Redwood City, Chabot College, Hayward, College of San Mateo, San Mateo, De Anza College, Cupertino, Foothill College, Los Altos Hills, Ohlone College, Fremont, San Jose City College, San Jose, West Valley Community College, Campbell.Results This proposal was accepted at De Anza
College by the Psychology Department and the Board of Trustees, "Introduction
to Parapsychology" is now a permanent part of the De Anza College curriculum,
transferrable to the California State College and University system as
well as the University of California. The first class began Spring Quarter
1975. Due to the popularity of the class in the first quarter, a second
section of the class was opened. The class has been offered each quarter
to date with more than full enrollment. As the class instructor, I have
found the class a challenging and a rewarding experience.
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Please find enclosed a course outline for a proposed class called "Introduction to Parapsychology" that I would like to teach in your Evening College beginning Fall, 1974. Parapsychology is a growing field of major interest both to the scientific community and to the world at large. Many fine scientists and research institutions are now probing to find the answers to a phenomenon that has occurred cross culturally since the dawn of history. Perhaps the finest research facility in the world, Stanford Research Institute, is now conducting serious research in the area of parapsychology and paraphysics. This frontier area of science is of interest to the lay public as it is rooted in the depths of human potential. Man's science has been seeking knowledge of the basic truth of existence in this universe. The behavioral scientists have said that man uses, perhaps only one tenth of his brain. If that is true, what abilities does man have in the other nine tenths? Perhaps answers to the spiraling problems that man faces in his physical environment are the problems of his inner mental environment. These problems affect and concern every individual. Now, in this time of change, it is important to explore all areas of existence so that we can plan for the future. It is important that each man be kept abreast of the latest research findings in such frontier areas. It is in this spirit that I propose this course, to be taught at your college, as a four unit, transferrable course. In fall of 1973, Santa Rosa Junior College began its first course in parapsychology. In their first semester, the course was so popular that they had to turn away a large number of students. Foreseeing the demand for this class, the college provided the instructor with a teaching assistant so that they could accommodate a greater number of students. Over sixty students of varied backgrounds were admitted. In light of such serious interest, they are now expanding their program and adding a new course to broaden their curriculum. The course is to be an in depth course in research parapsychology. California State College, Sonoma is now in the process of forming an interdisciplinary program in parapsychology that would result in a baccalaureate degree. This program is being formed in cooperation with their psychology, physics, and interdisciplinary studies departments. The program is proposed to begin in fall of 1974. If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you would like to meet with me or you would like me to meet with faculty, administration, or the board of trustees, I would be quite enthusiastic about doing so. Sincerely, Robert E. Swanson, Jr. als encls:
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TO PARAPSYCHOLOGY
The goals of this course are: 1) to give the serious student an academic introduction to the field of parapsychology, 2) to acquaint him or her with the history of parapsychological experience from the ancient scriptural text of the east and west to the modern scientific approaches of the more recent past, 3) to introduce the new material being generated by the recent interest of modern science in this field, and 4) to explore the implications of parapsychology on future technology, psychology, sociology, and spirituality. The course will be four units, meeting four hours per week. There will be no prerequisites. Following is an outline of the course content. I. History of Parapsychology A. Parapsychological
phenomena in ancient times.
II. Description of Parapsychological Phenomena A. Telepathy
III. Parapsychology and Methodology A. Research methods
IV. Theoretical Physics and Parapsychology A. Electromagnetic radiation
V. Psychology and parapsychological phenomena A. Psychic energy
VI. Research in Altered States of Consciousness and Parapsychology A. Dreams and telepathy research
of Dr. Stanley Krippner of Maimonidies Dream Laboratory.
VII. Neural Psychology and Parapsychology A. Review of research in
left and right hemispheres of brain
VIII. Methods of Training A. Yoga
IX. Current Research with Biological Sensing Devices A. Kirlian photography
X. Futuristic Potentials of Parapsychology A. Instantaneous communication
Required Text: Psychic Exploration, (A
Challenge for Science)
Required Magazine: Psychic Magazine (Exploring
the Extended Nature of Man and the Universe)
Required Magazine Articles: 1. "Particles Beyond the Light Barrier," by Bilaniuk and Sudarshan, Physics Today, May 1969 2. "Tachyon Paradoxes," by Schulman, American Journal of Physics, May, 1971 Recommended Reading:
Each student will contract for the grade that they wish to receive. A student may take the class for either a grade or on a credit/no credit basis. For the grade of "C" the student must: 1. Read required textFor the grade of "B" or "A" the student must complete all of the above requirements and put together a written or oral project. The grade of "A" or "B" will be given according to the quality of the project. |
The Plant and Human Consciousness Research at SRI
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By: H. E. Puthoff and R. Fontes Electronics and Bioengineering Laboratory S.R.I Project 3194 (Task 3) November 1975 
Randall Fontes, M.A. worked with the twice nominated physicist for the Nobel Prize Dr. Harold E. Puthoff and Russell Targ at Stanford Research Institute (SRI International): CIA-Initiated
U.S. Government
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The Play of Light is about the Beauty of Light, of Sound and of Form. As each of these is deeply resonant with the other, the underlying unity that they share is revealed within their dance; and can be realized through direct experience. Within this experience, the mind becomes still and spontaneous Meditation arises. I have developed this technique over a period of 45 years, and this is as effortless and joyful a path into meditation as I am aware of. |
The
Play of Light
Art and Science in the Spirit of Meditation
Be Still
ph:
510.235.5371
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