CSICOP and attitudes to paranormal http://www.gurdjieff-con.net/2009/02/05/sam-harris-at-edgeorg-and-aleister-crowley/#comment-34605 James said, Overview of CSICOP: “Surveys show that over half the adult population in the U.S. have had psychic experiences and believe in the reality of the phenomena (Gallup, 1982; Greeley, 1975, 1987; Haraldsson & Houtkooper, 1991). Those who have had the experiences but encounter the debunking attitudes of … Continue reading CSICOP and attitudes to paranormal /2009/02/05/csicop-and-attitudes-to-paranormal/

The evolution debate and anti-modernism Why pigs don’t have wings Much of the confusion/debate over New Age issues revolves around evolution, although New Agers tend to be cagey and avoid the kind of direct collision we see with the Bible Belt. We should be wary of New Age substitutes, but the basic objection stands. To … Continue reading The evolution debate and anti-modernism /2009/02/05/the-evolution-debate-and-anti-modernism/

Sam Harris at edge.org, and Aleister Crowley Sam Harris at Edge.org (unwittingly) makes a statement about our discussion here. If I have one quibble with Dyson, it is that he has been far too modest in drawing out the implications of his argument. He is, of course, right to declare that “science and religion are … Continue reading Sam Harris at edge.org, and Aleister Crowley /2009/02/05/sam-harris-at-edgeorg-and-aleister-crowley/

Burton again on sufism More on origins of Sufism We had a lot on the origins of sufism, here’s an old post from MBFM, on Richard Burton and his book, cited: two different authors on origins of Sufism: Richard F. Burton quoted from Sindh and the Races that Inhabit the Valley of the Indus: ‘It … Continue reading Burton again on sufism /2009/02/04/burton-again-on-sufism/

Essay series Looking at Shirley’s book is depressing. We have our own book here, at least the basis for one to start. Thus: just a reminder of the Essay series on Gurdjieffianity, which I would like to upgrade to a book, sometime soon when time permits. The basic issue is to provide a public resource … Continue reading Essay series /2009/02/04/essay-series/

BBC on AIT From The BBC: Aryan Invasion Theory. How about the possibility that Indian religion is indigenous, while there was an Aryan influx, if not invasion? This would answer to much of the confusion. One of the most controversial ideas about Hindu history is the Aryan invasion theory. This theory, originally devised by F. … Continue reading BBC on AIT /2009/01/26/bbc-on-ait/