According to Beverly
Jaegers in The Psychic
Paradigm, (Berkley Books,
New York, 1998) extra-sensory perception is really “extended” sensory perception and should be brought back into
the realm of physics and removed from the domain of either psychology or the occult where it has often been relegated
and consequently misunderstood.
Inspired by revelations
of Russian experiments performed during the cold war, the author (a former reporter) went on to create her own
similar methods of training. What
caught her imagination about the Russian experiments is that, having run out of suitable subjects on which to conduct
research, the Russians recruited students with no background or knowledge of the psychic field, and had considerable
success in teaching everyone measurable skills.
This idea that extended
sensory perception is possible to teach to anyone has been replicated by Jaegers who taught these “extended” skills
to herself and subsequently to her students. Her
premise is that with dedicated practice anyone can become more proficient. Inevitably some people will exhibit
more talent, just as some people may be natural artists while others can learn to draw acceptably. Jaegers draws the analogy between psychic skills
and wine tasting. Initially
the fledgling wine taster may be unable to separate a Chardonnay from a Merlot. However,
after some practice, one would expect improvement, a more sensitized and experienced palette that would coordinate
with the now-schooled brain to recognize even subtle differences in vintages.
Currently Jaegers
does investigative work for the police, but only when requested. She
is aided by a squad of psychics, many of whom she’s trained. The
preciseness of a clue she renders law enforcement could mean the difference between life and death for a missing
person, for example, or opening the door for more “facts” to be obtained.
The Psychic Paradigm covers many of the processes Jaegers considers fundamental to developing psychic skills.
There’s
nothing “touchy-feely” about her exercises. “ESP is no good to you if you must lie down or go into a near-sleeping
state to be able to use it. Much of my training involves the physical fact of writing down each perception as it reaches
the conscious mind. In order to write, you must be in an awakened and alert state.” This, she says, is merely a matter of
training. Clearly her style is straightforward, analytical and measurable.
Perhaps related to
her reporter’s background, Jaegers recommends that we proceed with the intention of answering the following questions:
when, where, how, who, what, and why. Her
acronym for this is Newoty, which incorporates the last letters of each word. While
she (or we) may not need or even be able to supply answers to all those questions, she uses it as a jumping off
place in order to supply powerful and precise information.
The following exercises
exemplify Jaegers methods for awakening the mind and body to new experiences. Each
skill serves as a building block, opening the door to other abilities.
Seeing
with Eyes Closed
Conjuring Images: (This process trains the mind to do what you
ask) Ask yourself to see a daisy, red rose, have the red rose turn white, yellow, pink.
Color
Sensing
Obtain enamel paint
selector chips.
You may place these on 3x5
index cards.
The next step is to notice
the different sensations that each color engenders (especially noticing temperature changes).
First feel temperature
for each color with fingertips of left hand (jot impressions)
Then feel color with
fingertips of right hands (note impressions)
Example, red may feel
hot or warm and have a prickly sensation to fingertips while blue may feel smooth and cool.
Psi
Sensing
Poker deck (not pinochle,
though she never states why; perhaps you have to be a pinochle player to know.)
Shuffle and deal three
cards face down
Place left fingertips
lightly on top of the first card in row
--Ask yourself what
is the color of the card
--When ready, jot
answer
Ask yourself what
suit, jot down
Ask number, jot down
Go to next card in
row
Note impressions
Score
Repeat using entire
palm
Rate yourself. Remain neutral and simply practice until you’ve
achieved mastery.
