Paranormal Series #1: Is Paranormal the new Normal?

As a writer who works in the paranormal novel genre and a reader who indulges in paranormal non-fiction as well, I thought to put together a series, threaded through my blog among other subjects as the “spirit” moves me, on paranormal phenomena. Perhaps to justify the time splurged on material that many consider wishful thinking at best and diabolic at worst. More likely, I’m looking to start some thoughtful cyber-conversation among people, especially other writers, on an evolutionary premise that is headed in the right direction but requires a lot more discussion, experimentation, and improvement to be considered a practical reality. That theory in a sound bite:  today’s paranormal will be tomorrow’s normal.

The long dictionary definition of paranormal is “pertaining to the claimed occurrence of an event or perception without scientific explanation, as psychokinesis, extrasensory perception, or other purportedly supernatural phenomena.” The shorter one is “beyond normal explanation.” Since it contains the word normal, with the prefix para (meaning either beyond, above, below or in some relationship with), the very word assumes two distinguishable groups of objects or experiences: normal and paranormal.

But we know what a slippery critter normal can be. Like junk and treasure, one person’s normal is another person’s nuts—The Gods Must be Crazy kind of nuts. Put time and science into the mix, and the Fun House becomes berserk. What if someone from a mere 150 years ago were zapped into the present? Could he be blamed for calling jets UFOs, or claiming TV shows or movies are supernatural visions, or saying he was channeling other dimensions through voices issuing from a phone? He might try to destroy computers as instruments of the devil (even when there is no problem with Windows). There are hundreds of instances where science or closer observation has normalized the paranormal.

And according to cutting edge scientists and futurists, we ain’t seen nuttin’ yet. Ervin Lazlo, philosopher and Nobel Peace Prize nominee writes:  “The ability of altered states to convey veridical [genuine] information about the world was known to traditional peoples who prized and cultivated them for the powers they confer. But modern people think of altered states as pathological—a sign of disease, of dementia, or of being high on drugs… Natural healers, leading-edge psychiatrists, and consciousness researchers have a different view of such states. The psychiatrist John Nelson, for example, considers altered states basic to the human psyche, with one end of the spectrum shading into madness and the other reaching the loftiest realms of creativity, insight and genius.” (Science and the Akashic Field, p. 99)

It can be said that no class of humans has been persecuted for so long and as violently as the occultist (occult means, by the way, “beyond the range of ordinary knowledge or understanding”; another word for paranormal). Natural healers were labeled witches and burned at stake. Prognosticators who proved too accurate had their books burned, if not their bodies. Wizards, like the Druids, had to choose between conversion and exile. Even today, people who perform feats that defy accepted science are quickly labeled quacks. (Granted, there are some ducks out there who will sell you an expensive route to paranormal powers that turns out to be a expressway to nowhere!)

However, I am inviting all occultists to come out of the closet. (Wear an asbestos suit if you are still leery of lurking inquisitors.) Contribute your paranormal experience, theories, and objections to the conversation: Will today’s paranormal become tomorrow’s new normal?

NEXT TIME: PAST LIFE RECALL: REQUIRED FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL WHOLENESS?

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