> What people like me want is demonstrable proof. If psi exists, then
it
> can be either measured or statistically demonstrated. Where are
these
> studies that you keep referring to? (I'm curious, not trying to
pull you
> down. I'd be pleased as punch to find valid experiments showing
that psi
> does exist.)

And yet, there are *so* many others who don't give a crap about the
science.

I was trying to get on disability and was forced to take a psych test
on a day that was up in the triple digits; I was hot, sick, on
morphine, and I did not want to go through a three hour test. I was
hoping, desperately, for something to happen-- thinking about the
time when Carl Jung was in Sigmund Freud's office and he told Freud
he could make something unusual happen; a moment later there was a
loud rapping from Freud's bookcase. Astonished, Freud asked him to do
it again and his friend obliged; another loud rapping came from the
bookcase.

There was no bookcase, but suddenly there was a rumbling noise and
the picture on the opposite wall suddenly exploded into pieces. The
psychologist looked at it for a moment, then looked at me and asked
me if I believed in ESP-- a very odd question to ask considering the
circumstances, don't you think?

Not quite knowing where that was going to, I lied and said that I
didn't. The psychologist gave me an odd look, but let the matter go.
While I was rather pleased with myself, I eventually forgot about the
matter until I got the report back from the Social Security
Administration. They passed me and I got on disability, but there was
the comment in the middle of the report, "Subject does not believe in
ESP." The fact that that was there floored me more than anything.
Since when does a Government agency deal with the paranormal? Wasn't
that a tacit acknowledgment that "ESP" was a reality? Well, at least
as far as Big Brother was concerned?

I asked my doctor about it cuz I thought it had been a trick
question. She was surprised the psychologist even asked, but didn't
know *why* he asked either-- unless he knew, or suspected, that there
was more to his broken picture.

Jung had no problems with the idea that there were forces and
abilities that went beyond science. And apparently, neither did that
psychologist. Nor does the thought bother my doctor, a highly
intelligent, learned, and competent physician.

personally, I think scientific "proof" is highly over-rated. Not even
worth the paper it's printed on. But hey, knock yourself out: there
are a lot of studies and I'm sure you'll find them if ya take the
time to look. Me, I have some more therapy sessions to go to resolve
to get my own wild talents (as the Military is so fond of saying)
straightened out. Winning the lottery may not be scientific proof,
but it is a hell of a lot more satisfying. <g>

Ron