A New Year Note - Windbridge Institute
Transcription
A New Year Note - Windbridge Institute
A New Year Note from the Windbridge Institute January, 2015 We are grateful and pleased to be able to share with you once again everything we were able to accomplish at the Windbridge Institute over the last year. We are especially proud of these accomplishments since, as usual, they occurred with a very limited budget, no marketing department, no university affiliation, only two full-time researchers, and a handful of stellar volunteers. In this note, we have included a 2014 Year‐in‐Review includ‐ ing highlights of Windbridge Institute research, news, events, media, publications, conferences, and members’ newsletter features with links to the original materials where available. We have also included a peek into what is in store for the Windbridge Institute during 2015, its eighth year in existence. Please feel free to pass this note on to others who may be interested. We look forward to sharing our progress with you in the coming months. Please make sure you visit our website for lots of ways to stay connected. Best wishes for a year filled with stability, tranquility, and civility, Julie and Mark Julie Beischel, PhD Director of Research Mark Boccuzzi Director of Operations The Windbridge Institute www.windbridge.org NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. What’s Inside: Main Areas of Research at the Windbridge Institute 2 Windbridge Institute Major Research findings to Date 3 2014 Year in Review: 5-21 Independent Research 5 Funded Research 5 Exploratory Research 7 Institute News 8 New Service: PsiForms 10 Events 12 Conferences 13 Publications 15 Winds of Change Newsletter Features 18 Windbridge Institute in the Media 21 Looking Forward: 2015 23-24 Events, Conferences... 23 Research 24 Publications 24 Why Windbridge? 25 About the Institute 27 Page 1 The figure above diagrams the major research areas at the Windbridge Institute and how they intersect: Basic Parapsychology This program explores traditional parapsychological topics (i.e., telepathy, precognition, clairvoyance, and mind-matter interactions) as well as experimenter effects, alternative healing, intention, our connection to each other, and the potential that exists within each of us. Life After Death The survival of consciousness hypothesis proposes that at least part of an individual's personality or consciousness continues to survive after the death of the physical body. The Windbridge Institute is interested in all areas of survival research but is, at this time, primarily focused on studying mediums and the information they report, investigating technologies that may be useful in enhancing interaction and communication with the deceased [i.e., electronic voice phenomena (EVP) and instrumental transcommunication (ITC)], addressing reports of haunting and apparition phenomena, and exploring afterlife cosmology. Animal Consciousness Non-human animal consciousness research investigates a variety of phenomena including animal psi, the human-animal bond, and survival of animal consciousness after physical death. NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 2 Windbridge Institute Major Research Findings to Date Below is a brief overview of our research findings since we founded the Institute in 2008. Where available, references (p. 4) are linked to the original articles. The Source of Psi Problem and Psi Mediated Experimenter Effects continue to hinder experimental parapsychology. They also have a direct impact on Survival research. As such, we are continuing to explore how experimental outcomes are affected by the implicit and explicit beliefs, desires, expectations, and enthusiasm of experimenters and participants (11, 15). A mediumship reading involves a complex dynamic between the sitter, the medium, and the invited discarnate. Each can potentially impact the success of a reading (1, 5). Some mediums, under blinded and controlled conditions, can report accurate and specific information about deceased people. In addition, this finding has been replicated. However, we cannot currently identify the source of the information mediums report. Thus, we call this phenomenon Anomalous Information Reception (AIR) (3, 4, 8). Qualitative as well as blinded and randomized quantitative research with modern, American, secular mediums has demonstrated that the experience of receiving communication from the deceased involves phenomenological characteristics different from those that occur while retrieving psychic information about the living. Thus, an argument can be made that these are different tasks and could provide support for the Survival Hypothesis (i.e., that mediums are communicating with the dead) (4, 10, 14). Electroencephalograms (EEGs) of modern, American, secular mediums suggests that the experience of communicating with the deceased may be a distinct mental state that is not consistent with brain activity during ordinary recollection, perception, or imagination. Thus, the claims that mediums are fabricating information or recalling facts previously acquired about the target discarnate are not supported. In addition, given that the process of modern mental mediumship involves real-time verbal communication, EEG, which is susceptible to muscle movement artifacts, may not be well-suited for studying this phenomenon when accuracy data is needed. Further experiments exploring the neuroscience of mediumship using different brain imaging techniques are currently in the planning stages (13). An informal survey of the health of mediums demonstrated that the incidence of disorders such as autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and migraines far exceeds that of the general population. To explore the health impacts of performing readings, research examining the effects on various components in the mediums’ blood as well as basic psycho‐ physiological measures is currently underway (4). Preliminary research has demonstrated that receiving a mediumship reading may have a profoundly positive healing effect on those who are suffering from traumatic grief as the result of the loss of a loved one. We are currently crowdfunding support to conduct a large-scale clinical trial to further explore mediumship as a possible treatment option (www.afterlifescience.com) (2, 4, 6, 9). Using a fully-blinded protocol similar to that employed to test mediumship accuracy during readings for deceased people, exploratory and on-going research has demonstrated that some mediums can report accurate and specific information about deceased companion animals as well (4, 7). A recently completed pilot study indicates that it may be possible to collect information about the afterlife using a controlled, double-blind experimental protocol (3). Research has demonstrated that when a discarnate is invited to interact with different types of electronic devices under controlled conditions, the output of those devices changes. However, given the Source of Psi Problem, we cannot yet definitively attribute these changes to the invited discarnate (12). NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 3 Windbridge Institute Major Research Findings to Date (cont.) References 1. Beischel, J. (Ed.) (2014). From the mouths of mediums vol. 1: Experiencing communication. 2. Beischel, J. (2014). Assisted after-death communication: A self-prescribed treatment for grief [Extended abstract]. Journal of Near-Death Studies, 32, 161–165. 3. Beischel, J. (2014, November). Among mediums: Results from 10 years of research. Presented at the eighth annual conference of the Forever Family Foundation, Durham, North Carolina. 4. Beischel, J. (2013). Among mediums: A scientist's quest for answers. 5. Beischel, J. (2013). Meaningful messages: Making the most of your mediumship reading. 6. Beischel, J. (2013, October). Assisted after-death communication: A self-prescribed treatment for grief. Presented at the ACISTE 2nd Annual Conference: Therapeutic Issues of Spiritually Transformative Experiences, Washington, DC. 7. Beischel, J. (2012, June). Anomalous information reception by credentialed mediums regarding non-human animal discarnates. Presented at the 31st Annual Meeting of the Society for Scientific Exploration, Boulder, Colorado. 8. Beischel, J., Boccuzzi, M., Biuso, M., & Rock, A. J. (submitted). Anomalous information reception by research mediums under blinded conditions II: Replication and extension. EXPLORE: The Journal of Science & Healing. 9. Beischel, J., Mosher, C. & Boccuzzi, M. (2014-2015). The possible effects on bereavement of assisted after-death communication during readings with psychic mediums: A continuing bonds perspective. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, 70(2), 169-194. doi: 10.2190/OM.70.2.b 10. Beischel, J., Rock, A., & Boccuzzi, M. (2013, June). The source of mediums information: A quantitative phenomenological analysis. Presented at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Scientific Exploration, Dearborn, Michigan. 11. Boccuzzi, M. (2011, June). Three methods for examining experimenter effects in investigations of psychokinesis. Presented at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Society for Scientific Exploration, Boulder, Colorado. 12. Boccuzzi, M., Beischel, J., & Gebhart, R. (2012, August). Invited ostensible discarnate interactions with electronic equipment: A pilot study. Presented at the 55th Annual Convention of the Parapsychological Association, Durham, North Carolina. 13. Delorme, A., Beischel. J., Michel, L., Boccuzzi, M., Radin, D., & Mills, P. J. (2013). Electrocortical activity associated with subjective communication with the deceased. Frontiers in Psychology, 4: 834. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00834 14. Rock, A. J., Beischel, J., & Cott, C. C. (2009). Psi vs. survival: A qualitative investigation of mediums' phenomenology comparing psychic readings and ostensible communication with the deceased. Transpersonal Psychology Review, 13, 76-89. 15. Windbridge Institute. (n.d.) Whose psi is it? Determining the impact of psi experimenter effects [Research brief]. NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 4 2014: A Year in Review Independent Research Bereavement and Mediumship (BAM) Study Funded by: Crowdfunding As a first step in discerning who might and might not benefit from mediumship readings, we have designed a randomized clinical trial (the BAM Study). Only with controlled research such as the BAM Study can the grief community effectively determine if receiving mediumship readings is helpful, harmful, or neither for different fractions of the bereaved. This study is being funded solely by interested individuals through a crowdfunding initiative. Status: As of today, over 100 people have contributed a total of $12,964 towards the $35,000 needed to complete the study. Our deepest thanks go out to everyone who has helped. While we still need to raise the remaining funds to finish and publish the study, we have used the funds we have raised for putting the groundwork for the study in place. For more information, please visit: http://www.afterlifescience.com/ Funded Research Grants from these funding organizations are competitive awards. Submissions are reviewed by other researchers and experts who determine which projects have the best protocols and will contribute the most to the field. Hematological and Psychophysiological Correlates of Anomalous Information Reception in Mediums Funded by: Bial Foundation The aim of this two year study is to systematically investigate the biological components of anomalous information reception (AIR) by modern-day, mental, credentialed mediums. The grant will allow us to collect data from five Windbridge Certified Research Mediums (WCRMs). Status In Progress. AIR by Mediums Regarding Non-Human Discarnates Funded by: Survival Research Committee of the Society for Psychical Research (SPR) This study employs established, published methods from mediumship research to determine if Windbridge Certified Research Mediums can report accurate and specific information (that is, accomplish anomalous information reception or AIR) about the deceased companion animals of living sitters. Status: In Progress. Investigating Possible Electronic Interactions with Discarnates Funded by: Helene Reeder Memorial Fund for Research into Life after Death The project involves replicating and extending Mark Boccuzzi’s work on Invited Ostensible Discarnate Interactions with Electronic Equipment. The current study focus on completing more trials and collecting more information about the source of the effects and will also test an Infrared Absorption Detector (IRAD). Status: Publication in preparation. NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 5 Funded Research (cont.) The VISTA Project Funded by: Forever Family Foundation If the afterlife exists, can we, the living, ever really know what it is like? Most of what we currently understand about the nature of the afterlife has been gleaned from sources including religious texts, channeled material, mediumship readings, and reports from near-death experiences. While these accounts are important, they are, nonetheless, anecdotal in nature. Since those reporting the information knew they were describing the afterlife, there is no way for us to know if the descriptions are completely accurate, or somehow filter by the lens of the experiencers’ own biases and beliefs. The goal of the VISTA project is to attempt to collect information about the afterlife under controlled, blinded, randomized conditions. To accomplish this, Windbridge Institute researchers have partnered with Dr. Dominique Surel, Professor and Dean of Faculty at Energy Medicine University (EMU), and the EMU Remote Viewing Research Institute. Using Controlled Remote Viewing (CRV), researchers are tasking remote viewers with providing information about a range of targets that include both living and deceased people. The viewers are provided with a Target Coordinate (a random string of six characters; example: 8392Y8) and asked to provide information about the target. Viewers are blinded to any other information about the targets, including that they may be viewing a deceased person. Status: Preliminary data for this project has been collected and is currently being analyzed. After the analysis is complete, an article will be prepared for publication. Potential Application of Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging in the Investigation of Macroscopic Psychokinetic Phenomena During Field Investigations of Physical Mediumship Funded by: Parapsychological Association’s Gilbert Roller Fund In 2013, Windbridge Institute researcher, Mark Boccuzzi, was awarded a grant for a project that explored the potential application of digital infrared thermographic imaging in the investigation of macroscopic psychokinetic phenomena during field investigations of physical mediumship. Status: The project is complete and the final report has been approved by the funder. We are now in the process of preparing an article for potential publication. In general, the study demonstrated that thermal imaging provides researchers with a powerful tool for documenting the activity in the often restrictive environment of the séance room without violating the requirements set by the medium. This approach allows investigators to maximize controls while still optimizing the conditions for phenomena to occur. Additionally, new advances in thermal imaging technology provide a wide range of cost-effective options for researchers that didn’t exist just a few short years ago. Ultimately, however, the types of controls and technology that are allowed in the séance room are decided upon by the medium being studied. NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 6 Exploratory Research The funding from grants and crowdfunding covers the costs of specific, large-scale research projects. However, smaller, more exploratory projects and day-to-day operating costs are covered by memberships and private contributions. Here are some of the exploratory studies we conducted in 2014, many of which will continue during 2015. Kirlian Photography: In 2012 we received the generous donation of a Kirlian Device from Images SI (www.imagesco.com). The device is now used in a series of on-going experiments. The Physiology of Micro-Psychokinesis (PK): This study looks at electroencephalograph (EEG) and heart rate variability (HRV) during micro-PK tasks. Predicting the Future with Big Data: We are currently collecting and analyzing public social media posts from Twitter and Facebook in an attempt to finds trends that might be used to predict large events. Macro-Psychokinesis Testing: As a follow-up to our earlier macroPK research, we have started to prototype a test chamber that will allow us to track and measure the movement and distribution of airborne particles. Lasers are used to highlight the surface of the test chamber during video-recorded sessions. The full-color video is converted into 8bit black and white images for analysis (upper-left). Movement is then measured using Particle Image Velocimetry (upper-right). Intensity data are turned into 3D surface maps (lower-left) and Intention Target Maps (lower-right). A short video can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPuFwBmDxMI ITC: Blinded Manual Radio Sweep: Radio (or Frequency) Sweep Instrumental Transcommunication (ITC) is a controversial technique that involves the constant “sweeping” of frequencies by a radio receiver. Most modern Radio Sweep is accomplished by using specialized radios, like the P-SB7, that automate the process. However, automation may be limiting or removing the intuitive (mediumistic) abilities of the operators. These abilities could be helpful in the communication process. The current test employs a multitrack recorder which allows one operator to control the sweep without feedback while a second operator engages in realtime communication. Psi Testing: Multiuser 3D Environments: The image to the right is a screen capture of a prototype level we are developing to train and test intuitive skills for search-and-rescue teams that are working with psychics. This is part of our basic science research into using real-time, immersive, multiuser computer applications to test and train people in using their intuition to successfully complete time-sensitive, high-risk tasks. NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 7 Exploratory Research (cont.) Multiplayer Psi Apps: Windbridge Institute researcher Mark Boccuzzi is experimenting with multi-player apps that will allow groups of friends to practice and test their skills on psi tasks. Players will be able to compete head-to-head or collaborate in order to accurately predict the outcome of a future event, sense remote staring, and other psi tasks. Players can choose to upload their results to a central database for analysis. The results from all of these studies will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals once data collection and analysis are complete. To be notified about the status of these and other studies and to learn about opportunities for volunteer research participants, please be sure to join our email list. For a full list of research projects, please visit http://www.windbridge.org/current.htm Institute News Team News In June, Windbridge Institute Co-founder and Director of Research, Julie Beischel, PhD, was re-elected for a second three-year term to the Council of the Society for Scientific Exploration (SSE). Dr. Beischel also continued to serve as Adjunct Faculty in 2014 in the School of Psychology and Interdisciplinary Inquiry (PII) at Saybrook University. In October, Windbridge Institute Co-founder, Mark Boccuzzi, was a guest lecturer for the third year at Pima College’s PSY224 class: Investigating Paranormal Psychology. Growth in Public Outreach On average, the Institute’s public outreach increased by just over 19% in 2014. We saw growth in the number of new email list sign-ups, website hits, social media “likes” and follows, and new memberships. Our thanks to all our mem‐ bers, friends, followers, and colleagues who helped get the word out about our work! Windbridge Institute on Social Media NYN 2015 Facebook: Windbridge Institute: Julie’s page: Mark’s page: www.facebook.com/Windbridge.Institute www.facebook.com/julie.beischel www.facebook.com/mark.boccuzzi Twitter: Windbridge Institute: www.twitter.com/Windbridge Instagram: Windbridge Institute: www.instagram.com/windbridgeinstitute YouTube: Afterlife Science: Mark’s Channel: www.youtube.com/user/AfterlifeScience www.youtube.com/c/MarkBoccuzzi Blogger : Julie’s Blog: Mark’s Blog: www.drjuliebeischel.blogspot.com www.markboccuzzi.blogspot.com ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 8 Institute News (cont.) The Open Source Initiative One of our highest priorities is to conduct research that can be easily replicated and built upon by others. To achieve this we have been moving away from commercial products (like Stata, MatLab, and MS-Office) and toward the increasing number of alternative open source software and hardware solutions. By taking this approach we hope to ensure that everyone, from citizen scientists to university-based researchers, can replicate our research protocols and tools. Our most frequently used Open Source software tools: Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) FreeBASIC (http://www.freebasic.net/) FreeMat (http://freemat.sourceforge.net/) ImageJ (http://imagej.nih.gov/ij/) Joomal (http://www.joomla.org/) LibreOffice (http://www.libreoffice.org/) Lua (http://www.lua.org/) MySQL (http://www.mysql.com/) Octave (https://www.gnu.org/software/octave/) OpenCV (http://opencv.org/) PHP (http://php.net/) Processing (https://processing.org/) Python (https://www.python.org/) R (http://www.r-project.org/) SciLab (http://www.scilab.org/) WordPress (https://wordpress.org/) These base programs are often expanded with Open Source libraries that are used for a wide-range of computing tasks including machine learning, analyzing physiological data, linguistic analysis, data mining social networks, Big Data analysis, data visualization, etc. We also use a number of the specialized programs and web-based tools on an as-needed basis. Our most frequently used hardware platforms: Arduino (http://www.arduino.cc/) Raspberry Pi (http://www.raspberrypi.org/) While these platforms are primarily used for our OpenITC Project, they have also been deployed as controllers to auto-trigger cameras and lasers and to collect and log psychological and environmental data. While we have not yet been able to transition completely to an Open Source ecosystem, we are excited to keep moving in that direction. Our Raspberry Pi development platform was generously donated by a Windbridge Institute Member. Thank you! NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 9 New Service: PsiForms The Power of Consciousness: PsiForms from PsiArt.net In May of 2014 we launched a new service available at www.PsiArt.net Explaining this service and the creation of the beautiful PsiForms pictured here requires a review of a few facts: Research, most notably from the Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research (PEAR) Lab, has demonstrated that the minds of living people can have an effect on electronic equipment, specifically random event generators (REGs). Recent studies conducted at the Windbridge Institute under blinded and randomized conditions have demonstrated that the minds of deceased people may also be able to interact with other types of electronic equipment. In house, we call those studies Equipment Study I and II. Windbridge Institute co-founder Mark Boccuzzi, a computer software developer by training, recently began exploring data visualization (DV) techniques which use software to display data in new and interesting ways in order to enhance our understanding of the data beyond what we could learn from simple graphs or statistics. An Afterlife Connection PsiForm While Julie was at a conference in Gettysburg in March, Mark took that quiet weekend to explore writing some specialized DV software (because that’s how software developers relax). During the development of the soft‐ ware, Mark's exploration evolved from creating a scientific visualization of the data into the creation of artistic images influenced by the data. He wrote software that transformed the data output from the types of equipment used in the Equipment studies into colorful images. He then invited discarnates he knew to interact with the equipment and his software transformed the resulting data into what he termed Afterlife Connection images (see above). When Julie saw the images, she wondered what transformed data from a REG collected while she concentrated on a specific intention would look like. Mark wrote a second piece of software that transformed REG data into colorful Intention images, or ‘PsiForms,’ with a slightly different aesthetic than the Afterlife Connection PsiForms. The Afterlife Connection PsiForms produce (unexpectedly/serendipitously) a ‘boundary’ that people have experi‐ enced as representing the veil between this world and the next, our connection to it, its reflection in our world, and other concepts. The Intention PsiForms (see below) contain colors slightly more saturated and shapes more discrete than in the Afterlife Connection PsiForms. Mark and Julie collected REG data while they focused on the intentions of Hope, Gratitude, and Abundance. The resulting Intention PsiForms can be seen here. The feedback we received from those who saw the images led us to offer the creation of PsiForms as a service to bring beauty, mystery, and inspiration into the lives of others. An Intention PsiForm Our goal at the Windbridge Institute is to focus on applied research; that is, to develop ways to make people’s lives better on a daily basis. We believe that art can do that, especially art that allows people to explore the non-local impact of our intentions or art that serves as a reminder of our continued connections to those who have passed. This is art informed by science. If you are interested in your own custom Intention or Afterlife PsiForm, please see the next page. NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 10 PsiForms (cont.) Turn the Power of Mind and Spirit into Art at PsiArt.net Those interested in receiving their own custom PsiForms can schedule sessions and either focus on an intention (Intention Art) or invite a deceased loved one to interact (Afterlife Connection Art) while we collect data from the lab equipment. Because the effects of consciousness are not bound by location, there’s no need to come to our lab. It works from wherever you are in the world. To receive your PsiForm as an image file by email which you can print, use as a desktop image on your computer, post to social media, etc., follow the three steps below. Step 1: Schedule. Go to www.PsiArt.net to schedule a 10-minute online session to reserve your time with the specialized equipment in the Windbridge Institute lab. Step 2: The Session. During your scheduled session, we will collect data from laboratory equipment while you (from wherever you are) concentrate on your intention or invite your deceased loved one to participate. Step 3: The PsiForm. Using our specialized software, we will transform the data we collect during your session into a custom PsiForm. We will email you the digital file of your PsiForm to serve as a beautiful and permanent keepsake of your experience that can inspire you every day. All sales support research. Enlargement, printing, and framing options (on acrylic, metal, or canvas) as well as PsiForms printed on cell phone cases, greeting cards, and throw pillows are also available at an additional cost. PsiArt.net Testimonials: "It was really fascinating how my intention was clearly represented in the PsiForm." "Scheduling my session was fast and easy." "This was a validation of their presence in my life." "I couldn’t be any happier with my experience!" "The PsiForm had profound meaning for me." "It was a beautiful experience." "It’s very exciting to see intention manifested as a creation of artwork in this way." "This is SOOOOOoooo cool!" Also see an excerpt from an article by Windbridge Certified Research Medium Daria Justyn about her experience with a PsiArt.net Intention session on page 20. To learn more or to schedule your session, please visit www.PsiArt.net. Have questions? Email us at art@windbridge.org or click here for the PsiForm FAQs. NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 11 Events Windbridge Institute researchers participated in the following events in 2014. Everybody's Psychic: Discovering Your Psychic Potential and What to Do With It Evolver Learning Lab Webinar January 15-February 19, 2014 Hosted by David Metcalfe and Craig Weiler Live, interactive, online video course Guest speakers included “some of the leading thinkers in the fields of Parapsychology and Anomalistic Science” such as: Jim Carpenter, William Bengston, Chris Carter, and Windbridge Institute’s Julie Beischel. Dr. Beischel talked about current research and findings and was able to respond to face-to-face questions from attendees through their webcams. Finding Ghosts: Qualitative, Quantitative, Clinical, and Spiritual Approaches to Paranormal Investigation Windbridge Institute Workshop July 12, 2014 Glendale, Arizona Windbridge Institute research team members Mark Boccuzzi and Chad Mosher, PhD, and Windbridge Certified Research Medium Dave Campbell presented a full-day workshop titled “Finding Ghosts: Qualitative, Quantitative, Clinical, and Spiritual Approaches to Paranormal Investigation.” The workshop covered current investigation methods used by parapsychologists, clinicians, and mediums to study and document cases of reported haunt phenomenon. Attendees participated in interactive discussions and took part in hands-on psi experiments that demonstrated precognition, telepathy, remote viewing, and micro- psychokinesis. Other topics included: emphasizing the use of proper research methods for both the collection and analysis of data; examples of data collected in the field and the lab; matching education and training to the investigator’s research goals; understanding the potential impact of experimenter psi on investigations; and ethical considerations for investigators. Attendees received a certificate of completion at the end of the workshop. Workshops like these are only possible with the support of our amazing volunteers! A big Thank You to Katie, Mikal, and Ryan for all their help!! NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 12 Conferences Windbridge Institute researchers were presenters or attendees at the following 2014 conferences. (For citations of specific presentations and other publications, see page 14.) Exploring the Extraordinary (EtE) Conference March 21-23, 2014 Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania EtE was founded by post-graduate researchers at the University of York in the UK. This 6th (and first in the US) EtE conference was organized by EtE’s Dr. Hannah Gilbert (photo: center) and Dr. Charles Emmons, Chair of the Sociology Department at Gettysburg College (photo: right). On Friday, March 21, Dr. Beischel (photo: left) gave the keynote address at the EtE conference. Her talk, titled "A Scientist Among Mediums: Intriguing Findings from 10 Years of Laboratory Research," also served as the J.H.W. Stuckenberg Memorial Lecture at Gettysburg College and was free and open to the public. Dr. Beischel talked about the data we have collected that demonstrate certain mediums’ abilities to report accurate information about both human and non-human discarnates under blinded conditions as well as the importance of research examining the impact of mediumship readings on the bereaved. Society for Scientific Exploration (SSE) 33rd Annual Conference June 5 – 7, 2014 San Francisco, California Julie says, “For the first time in a long time (if not ever), I attended a con‐ ference without presenting any research. This year focused on publications rather than data collection for us (as the cycle can) and so I went to the annual Society for Scientific Exploration (SSE) conference in early June to attend the Council meeting (where I learned that I was elected to serve for three more years), hear about new and exciting projects, and spend time with colleagues and friends but not worry about giving a presentation. (I didn’t even bring my ‘conference boots.’)” For more information, see: http://www.scientificexploration.org/meetings/2014-SSE-Program.pdf or the Summer 2014 issue of the Windbridge Institute members’ newsletter, Winds of Change. NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 13 Conferences (cont.) Tenth Anniversary Forever Family Foundation Conference An Afterlife Convention: A Melding of Organizations Investigating Life Beyond Physical Life November 6-10, 2014 Durham, North Carolina On November 8th and 9th, in celebration of its 10th anniversary, Forever Family Foundation (FFF) held its 8th (and last) Annual Afterlife Convention in Durham, North Carolina. The theme was “A Convergence of Noted Organizations Dedicated to the Investigation of Life Beyond Physical Life” and all the big names in survival research were there: Carlos Alvarado represented the Parapsychological Association and presented: “Seeing the Dead: Early Studies of Deathbed Visions.” Cal Cooper represented the Society for Psychical Research and presented “Telephone Contact with the Dead and other Unique Methods of After Death Communication.” Sally Rhine Feather represented the Rhine Research Center and presented “Continuing Psi Experiences Suggestive of an Afterlife.” Jim B. Tucker represented the Division of Perceptual Studies at the University of Virginia and presented “Return to Life: Children’s Memories of Past Lives.” Nancy Zingrone represented the Parapsychology Foundation and presented “Is There Anybody In There? Evi‐ dence for Survival from Hauntings and Apparitions Research.” As the current president, Loyd Auerbach represented FFF and he presented “Never Been Slimed: Recollections of a Ghostbuster” and finished off the conference with a lively demonstration of his psychic entertainment as Professor Paranormal. Dr. Beischel represented the Windbridge Institute and presented “Among Mediums: Results from 10 Years of Re‐ search.” In addition to discussing the Information, Operation, and Application mental mediumship research programs at the Windbridge Institute, she also covered the current status of our physical mediumship, instrumental transcommunication, ghosts and hauntings, and afterlife cosmology research programs as well as the PsiArt.net project. After hearing her presentation, John Kruth, Executive Director of the Rhine Research Center noted, “The research that is currently being done at the Windbridge Institute is the best research being done in the field of parapsychology.” To learn more about the Forever Family Foundation, visit https://www.foreverfamilyfoundation.org/ Citations for Invited Presentations Beischel, J. (2014, March). Keynote: A scientist among mediums: Intriguing findings from 10 years of laboratory research. Exploring the Extraordinary 6, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Beischel, J. (2014, November). Among mediums: Results from 10 years of research. Eighth annual conference of the Forever Family Foundation, Durham, North Carolina. NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 14 Publications Beischel, J., Mosher, C. & Boccuzzi, M. (2014-2015). The possible effects on bereavement of assisted after-death communication during readings with psychic mediums: A continuing bonds perspective. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, 70(2), 169-194. doi: 10.2190/OM.70.2.b [Link to abstract] Summary: In this article (accepted for publication in July, 2013), Windbridge Institute researchers state: it would be beneficial for healthcare providers, counselors, caregivers, social workers, mental health professionals, chaplains, grief workers, palliative and hospice care professionals, volunteers, and other supportive individuals to be aware of the basics regarding the relationship between mediumship readings and grief in order to best serve the bereaved population. (p. 170) They suggest that an “unbiased awareness regarding assisted post-death experiences gained during readings with psychic mediums—one based on current research rather than historical stereotypes or popular culture depictions” would be clinically helpful (p. 171). They discuss grief in general and the discrepancy that exists “between the poten‐ tially serious risks of complicated grief and the presence of effective treatments that may be offered to the grieving” (p. 172). The authors note: In contrast to psychotherapeutic and pharmaceutical therapies, non-traditional interventions and experiences have been repeatedly demonstrated to positively and dramatically impact grief in individuals after the death of a loved one. These include both spontaneous and induced phenomena. Though these types of after-death experiences have been described with words like “paranormal” and “extraordinary” or even associated with delu‐ sion and psychopathology, the reality is that spontaneous experiences of after-death communication are quite common. (p. 173) Beischel, Mosher, and Boccuzzi also define medium (vs. psychic); differentiate mental and physical mediumship; briefly review mediumship research; discuss the mediums who participate in research at the Windbridge Institute and their ethics and reading styles; and review the three types of information most often reported by mediums. They hypothesize how assisted after-death communication during readings with mediums fits well within the continuing bonds model of grief and report findings from an exploratory study with 83 participants that demonstrated “recollections of noteworthy relief from grief after mediumship readings” (p. 189). The authors conclude with a dis‐ cussion of future research directions including a randomized clinical trial [called the Bereavement And Mediumship (or BAM) Study] utilizing a standard randomization scheme, waiting list control group, group assignment method, quantitative grief instrument, and statistical analysis to examine the impact of a reading on the sitter’s recovery from grief over the loss of a loved one... Only with controlled research such as the BAM Study can the grief community effectively determine if receiving mediumship readings is helpful, harmful, or neither for different fractions of the bereaved. (p. 190) The authors further “suggest a scenario in which credentialed mediums work together with licensed [mental health professionals] in addressing the acute grief experiences of the bereaved who may benefit from readings” (p. 190). We believe this scenario is a necessary and practical solution to the increasing use of mediumship readings by the general public and the limited demonstrable efficacy of traditional grief therapy. We are currently working on bringing it to fruition through controlled research and training material development. (p. 191) NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 15 Publications (cont.) In this new book series, From the Mouths of Mediums: Conversations with Windbridge Certified Research Mediums (WCRMs), Julie Beischel, PhD, gathers insight on various topics from mediums tested under controlled conditions and who provide real readings to real people nearly every day. In the first book in the series, Vol. 1: Experiencing Communication, 13 WCRMs discuss: how they experience communication from the deceased; what suggestions they have for people interested in experiencing communication on their own; and why it might be that someone has not heard from their loved one. They also share some extraordinary examples of communication experienced by their clients as well as their own personal stories of connection. The WCRMs who contributed to Vol. 1 were Ankhasha Amenti, Traci Bray, Dave Campbell, Carrie D. Cox, Joanne Gerber, Daria Justyn, Nancy Marlowe, Sarah McLean, Tracy Lee Nash, Troy Parkinson, Ginger Quinlan, Eliza Rey, and Kim Russo (The Happy Medium). This collection should not be considered controlled research as it reflects a conversation among the mediums as a group which is often not possible during studies in which individual participants are interviewed, surveyed, etc., and averaged or compared. These are their own experiences in their own words, free from the assumptions and judgments of the current scientific paradigm. Note: To keep the price low, From the Mouths of Mediums is available exclusively as an Amazon Kindle book. No print version is available. You can download and read Kindle books instantly on almost any tablet, smartphone, computer, or other device. Download a free reader app here. Praise for Vol. 1 of From the Mouths of Mediums... “Highly informative and deeply provocative for both the experienced and inexperienced, this inspirational and com‐ forting book demonstrates that mediums are just people, too, and not the oft-portrayed unrealistic versions seen in various media.” --August Goforth, psychotherapist, medium, and co-author of The Risen: Dialogues of Love, Grief, & Survival Beyond Death “Dr. Beischel gets inside the very souls of 13 living mediums and lets us see the world through their eyes. We see how they can tell they are making contact with the deceased. We learn the part that we, the living, must play if we are to communicate with our loved ones. And we get more than a glimpse of the world they live in. Finally, we see what we must do if we aspire to mediumship ourselves. All this and so much more. A fascinating account in plain layman’s language.” --Stafford Betty, author of The Afterlife Unveiled: What the Dead are Telling Us About Their World and Heaven and Hell Unveiled: Updates from the World of Spirit “Vol. 1 of From the Mouths of Mediums offers a fascinating insight into the processes and experiences of spirit medi‐ ums. Far from the shadowy figures demonized by outspoken skeptics, the Windbridge Institute-approved mediums interviewed for this book are shown to be caring, feeling human beings with as much curiosity about what they do as the scientists that are currently studying them.” --Greg Taylor, author of Stop Worrying! There Probably Is an Afterlife Get your copy of Vol. 1 of From the Mouths of Mediums here. NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 16 Publications (cont.) Beischel, J. (2014). Advances in quantitative mediumship research. In A. J. Rock (Ed.), The Survival Hypothesis: Essays on Mediumship (pp. 177-195). Jefferson, NC: McFarland. Excerpt: “...I strongly recommend that we , as a community, agree to use the Windbridge Institute methods to perform proof-focused studies or that someone publish another set of effective methods that we can all agree to use. Until mediumship researchers adopt a common protocol that has been shown to achieve positive results while controlling for all sensory sources of information, the limited time and resources available to study mediums will continue to be squandered.” Beischel, J., Boccuzzi, M., & May, E. C. (2014). Mediumship and its place within parapsychology. In A. J. Rock (Ed.), The Survival Hypothesis: Essays on Mediumship (pp. 275-284). Jefferson, NC: McFarland. Excerpt: “Examining the mediumship process using modern methods and technologies provides a unique and specific endeavor within the field of parapsychology. The continued study of mediumship remains important for several reasons and may hold several advantages over the study of other parapsychological topics. These include the existence of a specialized and skilled participant population; the occurrence of psi as part of the phenomenon regardless of the true source; a collection of experimental methods allowing researchers to mimic the natural phenomenon in the laboratory while also controlling for all sensory explanations for positive results; large demonstrable effect sizes; an opportunity for researchers to confront their own implicit biases regarding the investigation of controversial topics not explainable by current scientific paradigms; and a unique platform for addressing the survival of consciousness hypothesis.” Beischel, J. (2014). Assisted after-death communication: A self-prescribed treatment for grief [Extended abstract]. Journal of Near-Death Studies, 32, 161–165. [Link to full paper PDF] This Special Issue of the Journal of Near-Death Studies (JNDS) includes proceedings from the second annual conference of the American Center for the Integration of Spiritually Transformative Experiences (ACISTE, pronounced ‘assist’) which took place near Washington, D.C., October 3-5, 2013. Included in the issue is the cited Extended Abstract by Julie Beischel, a condensed version of the presentation she gave at that conference. NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 17 2014 Winds of Change Features The following discuss featured articles from the Windbridge Institute Members’ quarterly e-Newsletter, Winds of Change. Anomalous Attention: Thoughts on Presenting Parapsychology to the Public by David Metcalfe Excerpt: “...Archival work shows that the popular interest in parapsychology and re‐ lated areas has been much more influential than we would assume based on how the topic is treated in today’s media... Ignoring the empirical evidence for the strong opin‐ ions of vocal skeptics the mainstream media slowly lost interest in the possibilities of human potential, and by the mid-1990’s funding and attention had fallen away from the paradigm shaking research being conducted by parapsychologists around the world... The growth of digital media has allowed parapsychology to speak for itself, and reach the public directly with amazing research and empirical evidence that expands our understanding of our place in the world... With direct access to the research being conducted by pioneers like the Windbridge Institute, we are all at the cutting edge of a new science of life which promises to bring us to the edge of human potential and beyond.” David Metcalfe is a contributing editor for Reality Sandwich, The Revealer, and The Daily Grail. You can follow David’s work on-line by visiting: http://twitter.com/davidbmetcalfe and http://realitysandwich.com/x/mind/ “Psi” and Science by Charles F. Emmons, PhD During Charlie Emmons’ presentation titled “Moving Experiences and the Experience Movement” at the 2014 Society for Scientific Exploration (SSE) Conference, the audience of scientists and scholars erupted into spontaneous applause during his talk. We then asked Charlie, who is Chairperson of the Department of Sociology at Gettysburg College and who had invited Julie to give the Keynote address at the Exploring the Extraordinary conference in March, to write up the applause-worthy section for Winds of Change. Here is an excerpt: “I take ‘psi’ to be a scientific concept used by parapsychologists and others to refer to mysterious information sharing and actions at a distance not understood currently in mainstream science... ‘Psi’ is not the only scientific concept that stands for a lack of understanding of anomalous phenomena... Science is about exploring the unknown. ‘Psi,’ ‘dark energy,’ and ‘dark matter’ are all place-holder concepts for what we don’t yet understand about the universe, which is a lot... In a way, we know more about psi than we do about dark energy and dark matter. Most people, after all, have had subjective experiences of the so-called paranormal... Part of the ideological excuse for the deviant label, namely that psi is an empty explanation (because we can’t demonstrate a mechanism for it), doesn’t hold water.” Charlie Emmons, PhD, is Chairperson of the Department of Sociology at Gettysburg College. His books include: Chinese Ghosts and ESP (1982), Guided by Spirit: A Journey into the Mind of the Medium (2003, with Penelope Emmons), Science and Spirit: Exploring the Limits of Consciousness (2012, with Penelope Emmons), and Chinese Ghosts Revisited (forthcoming). NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 18 2014 Winds of Change Features (cont.) Choice Compass: I’m afraid, but I want it... How do I choose? by Julia Mossbridge, PhD Julia Mossbridge is a neuroscientist at Northwestern University. In her downtime, she invented an app called Choice Compass, which uses smart phones to record changes in heart activity while people think of two contrasting life choices; it then tells them which choice is more joyful. In this article, Dr. Mossbridge writes about how she realized that Choice Compass really can be a transformative tool and how it worked for her during a major life choice. For more information, visit: www.choicecompass.com The Changing Language of Ghost Hunting by Mark Boccuzzi One of the goals of the workshop “Finding Ghosts: Qualitative, Quantitative, Clinical, and Spiritual Approaches to Paranormal Investigation” (July, 2014) was to encourage paranormal investigators to think about all the potential sources of data to which they have access but may not be analyzing such as investigation requests. In this article, Mark discusses the striking changes in the content and tone of the investigation requests he received between 1999 and 2006 (Group 1) vs. those received 2007 to 2014 (Group 2). Using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC, pronounced ‘Luke’) text analysis software, Mark demonstrated a decline between the two time periods in words associated with Positive Emotions and a general increase in words associated with a range of negative states including anxiety and sadness. There were also more references to health (e.g., ‘pain,’ ‘injury,’ ‘illness,’ ‘headache’) and religion (e.g., ‘spirit,’ ‘demon,’ ‘god’) in Group 2. Mark also saw significant decreases (see graph below) between the groups in language associated with cognitive processes (e.g., ‘consider,’ ‘think,’ ‘maybe,’ ‘could’), insight (e.g., ‘wonder,’ ‘question,’ ‘aware,’ ‘prove,’ ‘define’), and inclusiveness (e.g., ‘we,’ ‘with’) while there is a significant increase in language associated with causation (e.g., ‘made,’ ‘because’). “So, what hap‐ pened between 1999 and 2014 to cause these changes? A lot. The world is a complex place and I think trying to pin down simple causes would be naïve. If, however, I were to take a guess, I would consider two main factors: 1) the explosion of paranormal-themed reality enter*p <.0002, z-ratio test (two-tailed) tainment television shows and 2) the way we now use electronic media to communicate.” Mark Boccuzzi is Co-Founder, Researcher, and the Director of Operations at the Windbridge Institute. NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 19 2014 Winds of Change Features (cont.) My Journal of Walking between Worlds by Daria Justyn, Windbridge Certified Research Medium In the Summer 2014 issue of Winds of Change, Mark introduced PsiArt.net, a project that allows him to visualize data collected from equipment in our lab as colorful images called PsiForms. Data is collected during two types of sessions: Afterlife Sessions in which a deceased loved one is invited to interact with the equipment and Intention Sessions in which a living person focuses on manifesting a specific intention. After a customized session, the resulting image is emailed for easy printing on a home printer or other digital use (see page 10). In this article, Windbridge Certified Research Medium Daria Justyn discussed her experience with a PsiArt Intention Session, her specific intention, and how the resulting image (pictured right) reflected the intention she had set. Here is an excerpt: “The researchers entangle your energy with laboratory equipment and gather data during your session. Then, using computer software, the data are transformed into a custom piece of artwork. I think of it as biofeedback with your energy instead of your body... When I received the email with the Intention PsiForm attached, it was all there for me.” Why Science is Wrong about Psychics and Mediums by Alex Tsakiris This article featured and excerpt from the book Why Science is Wrong...about Almost Everything by Alex Tsakiris. In Why Science is Wrong Alex shares what he’s learned during over 200 interviews with some of the world’s leading consciousness researchers and thinkers. In doing so, he reveals “what the best research is saying about ‘big picture’ science questions and how they affect our understanding of the limits of science in general.” This article included por‐ tions from a more extensive chapter focusing on a Skeptiko interview with Dr. Julie Beischel. Alex Tsakiris is a successful entrepreneur turned science podcaster. In 2007 he founded Skeptiko.com, which has become the #1 podcast covering the science of human consciousness. Winds of Change is a quarterly publication of The Windbridge Institute and is provided free to our members. We include articles from a variety of authors writing on topics that relate to the mission of the institute. Views presented by authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Windbridge Institute. To gain access to these articles along with the entire Winds of Change archive, please consider becoming a member of the Windbridge Institute. You can lean more about memberships by visiting: http://windbridge.org/members.htm NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 20 Windbridge Institute in the Media in 2014 Windbridge Institute Researcher on America Now TV An interview with Windbridge Institute Director of Research, Julie Beischel, PhD, aired on a segment titled “Can a psy‐ chic help you through your grief?” on the national television show America Now with Leeza Gibbons and Bill Rancic. They overstated the research findings a bit, but, overall, it was not a bad segment. Unfortunately, this clip is no longer online. January 30, 2014 Signs of Life Radio Interview “The Potential Within the Body, Mind & Spirit” Windbridge Institute Co-founders Julie Beischel, PhD, and Mark Boccuzzi interviewed on Forever Family Foundation’s weekly internet radio show, Signs of Life. You can listen to an Mp3 of the interview here: http://s3.amazonaws.com/fff_attached_files/attached_files/attachments/000/000/443/original/Signs_of_Life_201401-30.mp3?2014 May 4, 2014 A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words by Katie Mullaly Interview with Windbridge Institute Co-founder, Mark Boccuzzi http://katiemullaly.com/a-picture-is-worth-a-thousand-words/ July 31, 2014 Signs of Life Radio Interview “The Afterlife Science Lab” Windbridge Institute Co-founders Julie Beischel, PhD, and Mark Boccuzzi interviewed on Forever Family Foundation’s weekly internet radio show, Signs of Life. You can listen to an Mp3 of the interview here: http://s3.amazonaws.com/fff_attached_files/attached_files/attachments/000/000/473/original/Signs_of_Life_201407-31.mp3?2014 July 21, 2014 The Psi Show Windbridge Institute Director of Research, Julie Beischel, PhD, was interviewed on The Psi Show. You can listen to a recording of the interview here: http://vimeo.com/101412800 October 22, 2014. Coast to Coast AM Windbridge Institute Director of Research, Julie Beischel, PhD, was interviewed by George Noory on Coast to Coast You can listen to a recording of the interview here (a membership to Coast to Coast is required to access it): http://www.coasttocoastam.com/show/2014/10/22 November 14, 2014 Q.Psience Project Internet Radio Windbridge Institute Co-founder and researcher, Mark Boccuzzi was interviewed by Jill Hanson. You can listen to an Mp3 of the interview here: http://windbridge.org/woc/qpsienceprojectboccuzzi.mp3 NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 21 Windbridge Institute Books Available exclusively at Amazon.com* Among Mediums: A Scientist’s Quest for Answers Dr. Julie Beischel forfeited a potentially lucrative career in the pharmaceutical industry to pursue rigorous scientific research with mediums full-time. Among Mediums is an accessible, bite-sized review of her 10-year journey and the answers she discovered along the way. $4.99 Buy Now “The finest and clearest piece you will find on this subject.” –Sami Longo-Disse, M.Div, PhD, Grief Counselor “Science writing at its best.” –Larry Dossey, MD, Author of One Mind Meaningful Messages: Making the Most of Your Mediumship Reading Meaningful Messages provides 10 helpful hints to keep in mind as you prepare for, experience, and reflect on a reading from a medium. Having realistic expectations and a clear understanding of the process will make the whole experience go more smoothly for the (at least) three people involved: you, the medium, and your deceased loved one. $0.99 Buy Now “Great advice. Well thought-out. Easy to read.” –Chance Houston, paranormal investigator From the Mouths of Mediums Volume 1: Experiencing Communication In FMM1, 13 mediums discuss how they experience communication from the deceased; suggestions for how you can experience communication; and why it might be that you have not heard from your loved one. Mediums who contributed: Ankhasha, Traci, Dave, Carrie, Joanne, Daria, Nancy, Sarah, Tracy Lee, Troy, Ginger, Eliza, and Kim (The Happy Medium). $3.99 Buy Now “Highly informative, provocative, inspirational, and comforting.” –August Goforth, psychotherapist, medium Learn more at: www.books.windbridge.org *To keep prices low, these books are available exclusively on Amazon.com as Kindle e-books; no print versions are available. You can download and read Kindle books instantly on almost any tablet, smartphone, computer, or other NYN using 2015 free reader apps available ©2015atWindbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 22 device Amazon.com 2015: Looking Forward There is much in store for the Windbridge Institute in 2015. Take a peek at our plans regarding research, publications, and events and conferences below. 2015 Events, Conferences, and Meetings Does Consciousness Survive Death? Evidence from the Laboratory with Dr. Julie Beischel An invited presentation for the Living At Your Peak Consciousness Series of the Vail Symposium Monday, March 23 2015, 5:30pm - 7:30pm Vail, Colorado, USA Tickets: $25 in advance, $35 at the door, $10 Students/Teachers Although mediums---individuals who experience regular communication with the deceased---are often stereotyped as charlatans based on the historical prevalence of such characters, modern mediumship research includes studies of the accuracy of mediums’ statements under controlled conditions as well as examinations of their psychology, physiology, neurobiology, and experiences. Dr. Beischel will discuss her work with a team of 18 laboratory-tested mediums. Her research findings provide empirical evidence for the nonlocality of consciousness as well as the ability of people (mediums and non-mediums alike) to connect with minds no longer bound by the physicality of the brain. For more information and to register, visit: http://www.vailsymposium.org/calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2015/03/23/2283/-/ ZmMxODgyNTg4YTYyYTNiZmYyZDI0N2IyNGE1ZmE1OGM= After-Death Communication: Instructions, Discussions, and Demonstrations A Vail Symposium Workshop Tuesday, March 24 2015, 3:00pm - 7:00pm Vail, Colorado, USA $50 (space is limited, pre-registration is encouraged) During this unique workshop, you will hear about spontaneous, induced, and assisted after-death communications (ADCs) and learn specific techniques that you can use to hear directly from your loved one. In addition, Windbridge Certified Research Mediums Traci Bray and Eliza Rey will discuss their experiences, respond to questions, and provide messages from those who have passed to attendees during gallery-style readings*. For more information and to register, visit: http://www.vailsymposium.org/calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2015/03/24/2287/-/ N2JiNjY1NjVkZWVlODAwZTllNDg3NDRiMjRjOTY5YjU= *‘Gallery-style’ readings means that readings will be random and not everyone will receive a message. Also, the messages that are given are a representation of the work and should not be considered the same as what one would receive in a full, private session. NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 23 2015: Looking Forward (cont.) 2015 Research In addition to wrapping up some of our current studies and continuing work on the Bereavement and Mediumship (BAM) study, we have a couple of new, and exciting projects in the works! Sorry, we can’t tell you about them just yet, but be sure to sign-up to our email list for periodic updates on new projects, events and publications. 2015 Publications We have several research papers in the works, including the results from our study “Investigating Possible Electronic Interactions with Discarnates” funded by the Helene Reeder Memorial Fund for Research into Life after Death as well as the results from a previous project titled “Process- and Proof-focused Investigation of Anomalous Information Reception by Mediums: A Two-Part Quantitative Study” funded by the Bial Foundation. To be notified regarding the status of these publications, please join our email list. Thank you for your interest in our work! We look forward to sharing more progress with you during 2015. Be sure to get involved and stay connected! Mark, Julie, and the Windbridge Institute Team NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 24 Why Windbridge? Why is the existence of the Windbridge Institute important? Let us convince you. We are... Innovative: We study topics like life after death, mediumship, haunt-related phenomena, and animal psi which are considered “outside” of mainstream science (to say the least). We are interested in non-local consciousness, understanding our connection to each other, and unlocking the potential that exists within each of us. Efficient: We keep our overhead low and have no marketing department, editorial staff, development department, administrative staff, or public facilities. Around here, a little support goes a long way for research. Far Reaching: We perform both basic and applied research. We are dedicated to understanding the true nature of the phenomena we study and then applying what we have learned to solve real-world problems by developing new training methods, treatment modalities, and technologies. Unique: We are one of the only organizations in the world performing world-class, peer-reviewed scientific research regarding life after death and the only one that includes an elite group of certified mediums as part of the research team. If we can't do this research, who will? Independent: We have no endowments, receive no state or federal funding, and have no university affiliations. While this situation sometimes makes us feel like we are out here on our own, it also gives us the flexibility to ask whatever research questions we feel are important and to follow the data, wherever it might lead. Effective: Over the last seven years, we have published articles in peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of Parapsychology, Australian Journal of Parapsychology, Frontiers in Psychology, Transpersonal Psychology Review, Journal of Scientific Exploration, Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, and Journal of Near-Death Studies, and have presented research at the Toward a Science of Consciousness, Exploring the Extraordinary, American Center for the Integration of Spiritually Transformative Experiences (ACISTE), and Forever Family Foundation conferences and at scientific meetings of the Society for Scientific Exploration, the Parapsychological Association, the Rhine Research Center, the International Society for the Study of Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine, the Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness, Atlantic University, and the Institute of Noetic Sciences. Open: When our studies are complete, we actively get the results into the world as quickly as we can -- regardless of whether the results are positive or negative. We post our findings and methods on our public website, our blogs, through social media, and in our e-newsletter (with members-only “In Plain English” translations). Connected: Our international Scientific Advisory Board includes 18 researchers, authors, editors, and experts in their fields; we are members of several professional organizations; and we perform collaborative research with other institutions. Respected: Here is what others have said about the Institute and our work... “The research that is currently being done at the Windbridge Institute is the best research being done in the field of parapsychology.” —John Kruth, Executive Director, Rhine Research Center “The research that takes place at the Windbridge Institute has been judged by international peers to be important and reflects the Institute's commitment to conducting world-class science.” —Dean Radin, PhD, Senior Scientist, Institute of Noetic Sciences “Beischel herself has played a major role in strengthening the methods used in this field and her research exemplifies her rigor and sophistication.” —Daryl Bem, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Cornell University Join today! NYN 2015 Visit our website to learn more about memberships. ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 25 New Products from the Windbridge Institute! [Because the different fulfillment companies offer different selections, the items below are organized by site.] Visit www.cafepress.com/windbridge for: T-shirts, pajamas, purse hangers, mugs, clocks, journals, calendars, and more! Visit www.fineartamerica.com for: Canvas, acrylic, metal, and framed prints of PsiForms for Gratitude, Hope, and Abundance as well as greeting cards, phone cases, and throw pillows! Visit www.PsiArt.net to schedule your custom Afterlife or Intention Session! Turn the power of mind and spirit into custom artful keepsakes! Works from wherever you are! Resulting custom PsiForms are emailed to you for easy home printing and can also be applied to the items above. more atLLC.psiart.net NYN 2015 ©2015Learn Windbridge Institute, All Rights Reserved. Page 26 About the Windbridge Institute The Windbridge Institute for Applied Research in Human Potential is an independent research organization consisting of a community of scientists of varied backgrounds, specialties, and interests investigating the capabilities of our bodies, minds, and spirits and attempting to determine how that information can best serve all living things. Members of our international Scientific Advisory Board review research questions and protocols and provide feedback and suggestions based on their expertise. At this time, the Windbridge Institute is primarily interested in research regarding the survival of consciousness hypothesis; that is, the theory that an individual's consciousness or personality continues to exist, separate from the body, after physical death. We are also interested in traditional parapsychological topics (i.e., telepathy, precognition, clairvoyance, and mind-matter interactions); animal consciousness, animal psi, and the human-animal bond; applied intuition and intention; and complementary and alternative therapies for personal and planetary health as well as our connection to each other and the potential that exists within each of us. For more information, visit www.windbridge.org or email us at info@windbridge.org How can you help support important Windbridge Institute research? FREE: Tell your friends about the Windbridge Institute! Feel free to share this New Year Note! FREE: Find the Windbridge Institute on Facebook FREE: Join our email updates list FREE: When shopping for anything at all on Amazon, start at this Amazon home page FREE: Sign up and use iGive for other online shopping FREE: Discover other ways to get involved and stay connected Purchase books from our bookstore Become a Member of the Windbridge Institute Buy unique and useful products and gifts at CafePress or FineArtAmerica Make a contribution online -- every dollar helps! NYN 2015 ©2015 Windbridge Institute, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 27 Useful weblinks: About Us: www.windbridge.org/about.htm Current Research: www.windbridge.org/current.htm The Windbridge Institute on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Windbridge.Institute Opportunities at the Windbridge Institute: www.windbridge.org/opportunities.htm Publications: www.windbridge.org/publications.htm Become a Member: www.windbridge.org/members.htm Windbridge Certified Research Mediums: www.windbridge.org/mediums.htm Visit the Windbridge Institute Bookstore by Amazon.com http://astore.amazon.com/windbridge-20 Here are some books we couldn’t stop talking about in 2014. Visit the bookstore for more recommendations. All proceeds support independent research at the Windbridge Institute. Get your 2015 Windbridge Institute Calendars today! Get Involved Join our email list now by visiting: www.windbridge.org/connect.html Or by texting: “WINDBRIDGE” to 22828 Have a smart phone? Scan this tag to stay connected: These and other fine products available at: www.cafepress.com/windbridge www.windbridge.org NYN 2015 The Windbridge Institute for AppliedLLC. Research in Human Potential ©2015 Windbridge Institute, All Rights Reserved. info@windbridge.org Page 28