"When I use a word,"
Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone,
"it means just what I choose it to mean
- nothing more nor less."
- Lewis Carroll
Through the Looking Glass
This glossary is more about the meanings (connotations intended to be conveyed) of terms than it is
about the definitions (precise unambiguous explanations) of terms. While the meanings provided
for terms used in the text are, in most cases, standard and conventional (or at least relatively
so), there are some notable exceptions. Terms (and their abbreviations) that have been assigned non-standard
meanings appear in {{purple font }},
rather than in {{this standard typeface}}. Other terms, the precise (even if standard) meanings
of which are especially important, are handled in the same way. See the Preface for further discussion
of this convention.
Altered State of Consciousness (ASC): Any State of Consciousness
that differs (whether or not that difference can be noticed by the experiencer or an observer) from the three theoretically
discrete "ordinary" States of Consciousness — that is,
waking consciousness, dreaming consciousness
and sleeping consciousness. The number of possible ASCs
is presumably infinite. See text, Chapter 10. See also, "consciousness," "
State of Consciousness" and "Transpersonal
Consciousness."
amnesia: A loss of, or gap in memory. See also, "cryptomnesia" and "hypermnesia."
anomalous: Inconsistent with, or deviating from what is usual, normal, or expected. While "anomalous"
can suggest a qualitative difference, in this text it is primarily used to suggest a quantitative difference — in
statistical terms, two or more standard deviations removed from the mean — and, under no circumstances is it intended
to imply "weird" or "strange." See also, "mean" and "standard deviation."
Anomalous Cerebral Laterality (ACL): (1) From a structural perspective — an enlargement
of portions of the right cerebral hemisphere and/or diminution of portions of the left cerebral hemisphere,
such that standard hemispheric asymmetry ceases to exist and (2) from a functional perspective — a greater
than normal participation of the right cerebral hemisphere in functions normally under the purview of the
left cerebral hemisphere (notably language and motor control for handedness). Believed to be the result of an anomalously
high level, in utero, of the hormone testosterone. See text, Chapter 4. See also, "anomalous," "brain,"
"cerebrum," "cortex," "corpus callosum," "Less
Strongly Lateralized," "temporal lobe" and "testosterone."
Anomalously Sensitive Person (ASP): A person who has anomalously high levels of sensitivity in the
Physiological, Cognitive, Emotional, Altered States of Consciousness and/or
Transpersonal Experiences realms; statistically, one who scores two or more standard deviations
above the mean on both of the first-level HISS scales, Predispositions (toward sensitivities) and Indicators (of
sensitivities). See also, "anomalous," "Holistic Inventory of Stimulus Sensitivities," "mean"
and "standard deviation."
Asperger’s Syndrome: A mild form of autism characterized by: (1) impairment in social interaction,
(2) speech and/or language difficulties, (3) problems with non-verbal communication, (4) restricted, repetitive and
stereotyped patterns of behaviors, interests and activities and (5) motor clumsiness. See text, Chapter 8.
association: A mental process involving the joining together of behaviors, affects, sensations,
or knowledge that are normally dissociated in ordinary waking consciousness; unification and incorporation.
The inhibition of normal subject/object ("self/not-self") differentiation; the perceptual/experiential
incorporation of that which is generally agreed to be (part of) "not-self" into that which is generally agreed
to be (part of) "self." See text, Chapter 10. See also, "Altered
State of Consciousness," "consciousness," "
dissociation," "hallucination," "hypnosis," "regression,
" "State of Consciousness" and "Transpersonal
Consciousness."
biological clock: A colloquial term referring to an inherent timing mechanism responsible for controlling
various physiological and behavioral cycles. Its measurement of time facilitates the nervous system’s integration
of the needs of the body with the demands of the environment. Light (especially), temperature, electric and magnetic fields,
are its primary cueing stimuli. In human beings, the biological clock is believed to be controlled by the suprachiasmatic
nucleus located within the hypothalamus. See text, Chapter 4. See also, "Electro-Magnetic Sensitivity," "limbic
system" and "pineal gland."
brain: The principal structure of the central nervous system, it has four lobes, is located in the
cranium and is composed primarily of neurons and their supportive and nutritive structures. The brain is
generally believed to be involved in environmental interaction activities, regulation of bodily functions activities
and mind activities. See text, Chapters 4 and 10. See also, "cerebrum," "corpus callosum," "cortex,
" "limbic system," "pineal gland" and "temporal lobe."
brainwave coherence: Brainwaves from different parts of the brain having the same frequency and amplitude
and being mutually entrained so that they operate together in a smooth, continuous pattern. The more focused one’s
attention is, the more coherent one’s brainwaves are likely to be. The greater the communication between different parts
of the brain, the greater is the opportunity for brainwave coherence to occur. See text, Chapters 10 and 11. See
also, "Anomalous Cerebral Laterality," "brain," "electroencephalogram"
and "Less Strongly Lateralized."
cerebrum: The expanded anterior portion of the brain, it overlies the rest of the brain. The
cerebrum has two hemispheres that are connected by the corpus callosum and other structures of nerve fibers.
It has two layers, an outer layer of gray matter (the cortex), surrounding a thicker layer of white matter. See
text, Chapter 4. See also, "brain," "corpus callosum," "cortex" and "temporal
lobe."
consciousness: A process arising out of one or more types of mind activities that are
associated with the brain and that involve awareness and/or thought. See Text, Chapter 10. See also, "
Altered State of Consciousness," "State
of Consciousness" and "Transpersonal Consciousness."
coefficient of correlation: A number, mathematically represented by "r," that is a
quantification of the linear relationship that exists between two sets of paired data or two random variables. It is
equal to their covariance divided by the product of their standard deviations and has a two-decimal value ranging
between -1.00 and +1.00. The nearer the number is to 1.00 (plus or minus), the stronger is the correlation
(either positive or negative). See text, Chapter 13. See also, "correlated," "mean," "predictive
reliability," "regression" and "standard deviation."
consensus reality: That reality, or those aspects of reality, that are, by general agreement (consensus),
said to be "really real." See text, Chapter 10. See also, "explicate order," "really real,
" "hallucination" and "implicate order."
Controlled Remote Viewing (CRV): Clairvoyance (with its various sub-categories) performed
under controlled conditions using stringent, structured protocols. See text, Chapter 12.
corpus callosum: The primary bundle of nerve fibers connecting the two cerebral hemispheres
and functioning as a conduit for the transfer of information between them. See also, "brain," "
cerebrum," "cortex" and "temporal lobe."
correlated: Having a mutual or reciprocal relationship. Fitting together and varying together.
See text, Chapter 13. See also, "coefficient of correlation," "mean," "regression"
and "standard deviation."
cortex: The outer layer of the cerebrum, generally believed to be the organ from which arises
logical, rational, linear thought and thus said to be the part of the brain that makes humans uniquely different
from all other animals. Also called "neo-cortex," "neo-mammalian brain," "new brain,"
or "gray matter." See text, Chapters 4 and 10. See also, "brain," "cerebrum," "corpus
callosum" and "temporal lobe."
cryptomnesia: Detailed and accurate recall of information that was previously learned, often
unconsciously and then forgotten. Literally means "hidden memory." See also, "amnesia" and
"hypermnesia."
debunker: An individual who is committed to convincing others that one or more beliefs, theories,
or phenomena are false or fraudulent. See text, Chapter 2. See also, "skeptic."
developmental learning disorder: A term applied loosely to a group of conditions with onset before
puberty and characterized by difficulties in acquisition of speech or certain cognitive functions, or in anomalies
of emotional development. Included are Reading Disorder, Mathematics Disorder and Disorder of Written Expression.
Can also be considered to include stuttering, delayed speech, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder,
Tourette’s Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome and others. Previously believed to be outgrown, these disorders
are now known often to continue into adulthood. See text, Chapter 4. See also, "Anomalous
Cerebral Laterality" and "Asperger’s Syndrome."
dissociation: A mental process involving the disjoining of behaviors, affects, sensations
and knowledge that are normally associated in ordinary waking consciousness; separation and fragmentation. The
exaggeration of normal subject/object ("self/not-self") differentiation; the perceptual/experiential
disincorporation of that which is generally agreed to be (part of) "self" from that which is also generally
agreed to be (part of) "self." See text, Chapters 5 and 10. See also, "Altered
States of Consciousness," "association," "
consciousness," "hallucination,"
"hypnosis," "regression," "State of Consciousness" and "
Transpersonal Consciousness."
ElectroEncephaloGram (EEG): An instrument, using electrodes attached to the scalp, that measures the minute
electrical currents (brainwaves) generated by brain cells, especially in the cerebral cortex. See also, "brain,"
"brainwave coherence," "cerebrum" and "cortex."
Electro-Magnetic Sensitivity (EMS): Sensitivity to Electro-Magnetic Radiation, often resulting in anomalies
in psychological, neurological and immunological functioning. A potential kindling mechanism for Temporo-Limbic
Epilepsy, it is thought to originate in the limbic system of the brain by way of the pineal gland and the hypothalamus.
See text, Chapters 4 and 11. See also, "biological clock," "kundalini," "limbic
system," "pineal gland," "temporal lobe" and "Temporo-Limbic Epilepsy."
experimenter effect: The effect that an experimenter’s or observer’s prior expectations
can have on the outcome of an experiment. Positive expectations can lead to positive results; negative expectations
can lead to negative results. See also, "Perky effect" and "placebo effect."
explicate order: The concrete, tangible, objective, independent reality of everyday
life. Also called the "unfolded order." See text, Chapter 11. See also, "implicate
order," "consensus reality" and "really real."
Extra-Sensory Perception (ESP): The perception of objects, thoughts, or events without the mediation of
the known human senses, the use of information directly obtained from other people, or the direct use of
conventional information accessing tools; perception from a perspective that is bounded by neither space nor
time. In this text, ESP is also spoken of as "experiences of transpersonal perception." See
text, Chapter 11. See also, "psi," "psi-related," "PsychoKinesis"
and "Transpersonal Experiences."
False Memory Syndrome (FMS): A concept based on the hypothesis that memories of forgotten (repressed
or dissociated) events that are recovered during psychotherapy (especially when hypnosis is used) are not memories at all,
but rather fantasies that have been created as a result of the set and setting. One of the principal arguments of
debunkers, used primarily to dismiss allegations of childhood sexual abuse. See text, Chapter 2. See also, "
Altered State of Consciousness," "association
," "debunker," "dissociation," "experimenter
effect," "Fantasy-Prone Personality," "hallucination," "
hypnosis" and "Perky effect."
Fantasy-Prone Personality (FPP): A concept based on the hypothesis that, since highly
hypnotizable persons have a more profound fantasy life than the norm and because highly hypnotizable
persons report having more Transpersonal Experiences than the norm, Transpersonal Experiences are nothing more than
fantasies. Used by debunkers to pathologize and discredit those who report such experiences. See
text, Chapter 2. See also, "Altered State of Consciousness, "
association," "consensus reality," "debunker," "
dissociation," "experimenter effect," "False Memory
Syndrome," "hallucination," "hypnosis," "Perky
effect," "really real," "Transpersonal Consciousness"
and "Transpersonal Experiences."
Findings — Anomalous Group Sensitivities (FANGS): A graphical form used to report group
mean HISS scores, in terms of standard errors from the Reference Group mean, on the first- and second-level Predispositions
and Indicators scales. See text, Chapter 12. See also, "Holistic Inventory of Stimulus Sensitivities," "mean,
" "standard deviation" and "Tally of Applicable Individual Life Sensitivities."
hallucination: A perception that occurs in the apparent absence of a corresponding stimulus
in consensus reality. See text, Chapter 10. See also, "consensus reality," "hypnogogia," "Perky
effect" and "really real."
Holistic Inventory of Stimulus Sensitivities (HISS): A paper-and-pencil test instrument, consisting of
221 questions, used to measure an individual’s Predispositions toward sensitivities and Indicators of sensitivities.
Scores are broken out into 50 different scales. See text, Chapters 3 and 14 and Appendices A, B, C and E. See
also, "Anomalously Sensitive Person" and "Tally of Applicable
Individual Life Sensitivities."
hormone: One of several chemical substances produced by cells of the endocrine system and secreted
into the bloodstream to regulate the growth and/or function of a special organ or tissue in another part of
the body. See text, Chapter 4. See also, "melatonin," "neurotransmitter," "neurohormone,
" "pineal gland" and "serotonin."
hypermnesia: Unusually vivid or complete memory of historical events or stimuli. See also,
"amnesia" and "cryptomnesia."
hypnogogia: The period of drowsiness preceding sleep (or preceding full awakening —
technically called "hypnopompia.") Involves dreaming consciousness
overlapping onto prevailing waking consciousness. Characterized by theta-predominant
brainwaves, muscle atonia, myoclonic jerks, a loosening of ego boundaries, synesthesias, extremely vivid imagery
and perceptual intermixing of dream stimuli with environmental stimuli. See text, Chapter 10. See also, "
Altered State of Consciousness," "consciousness
," "consensus reality," "hallucination," "hypnosis,
" "myoclonic jerks," "primary process cognition," "Perky effect," "really
real," "secondary process cognition," "State of Consciousness,
" "synesthesia," "tertiary process cognition" and "whole brain cognition."
hypnosis: A strategy or technique, employing a suggestion given by oneself or another, used
to facilitate entering into a "non-ordinary" (i.e., other than waking, dreaming and sleeping)
State of Consciousness. The States of Consciousness
accessed by way of hypnotic techniques are generally characterized by focused attention, suspension of critical
judgment, heightened suggestibility, vivid mental imagery, a heightened sense of reality and the transformation
of thoughts and ideas into actions, sensations and perceptions without the intervention of cortical (intellectual)
inhibition. See text, Chapter 10. See also, "Altered State of Consciousness,
" "association," "consciousness,
" "cortex," "dissociation," "
hallucination," "hypnogogia," "Perky effect," "regression," "
State of Consciousness" and "Transpersonal Consciousness."
hypopigmentation: Having a lower than normal level of melanin pigment. Hypopigmented individuals
generally have blond or red hair, blue or gray eyes and very fair or fair complexions. See text, Chapter
4. See also, "melanin."
imaginal realm: A third realm that lies between the empirical realm of the senses and
the abstract realm of the intellect. Posited to be ontologically real and suggested to be a realm in
which imagination functions as an organ of perception. Said to be accessible only when one is
in an Altered State of Consciousness. See text, Chapter 11. See also, "Altered
State of Consciousness," "consciousness," "consensus
reality," "explicate order," "implicate order," "really real," "
State of Consciousness," "Transpersonal
Consciousness" and "Transpersonal Experiences."
implicate order: A deeper order of existence underlying the "really real" explicate
order (consensus reality). A vast, primary level of reality out of which arise all the objects and
appearances of the physical world as we know it — in much the same way that a piece of holographic film gives rise
to a hologram. What we see in the world of consensus reality is only the surface of the implicate order
as it unfolds into the explicate order. Time and space are the forms of the unfolding process. Also
called the "enfolded order." See text, Chapter 11. See also, "Altered
State of Consciousness," "consciousness," "consensus
reality," "explicate order," "imaginal realm," "really real," "
State of Consciousness," "Transpersonal Consciousness" and "
Transpersonal Experiences."
kundalini: In the Hindu tradition, said to be a subtle form of bioenergy lying dormant, coiled
up like a sleeping serpent, at the base of the spine. When aroused, kundalini energy moves upward along the spine
activating energy centers (called "chakras"). Kundalini arousal purportedly has the potential to transform the central
nervous system in such a way as to result in spiritual enlightenment, but the experience can be profoundly
destabilizing, both physiologically and psychologically. See text, Chapter 11. See also, "Electro-Magnetic
Sensitivity" and "Temporo-Limbic Epilepsy."
Less Strongly Lateralized (LSL): In a standard brain, the left cerebral hemisphere is
larger than the right. A Less Strongly Lateralized (one-sided)
brain generally has greater hemispheric symmetry, a larger corpus callosum and greater inter-hemispheric communication,
than the asymmetric norm. Anomalous Cerebral Laterality
is a special case of a LSL brain — one that is the result of anomalous
hormonal influences in utero. See text, Chapter 4. See also, "Anomalous
Cerebral Laterality," "brain," "brainwave coherence," "cerebrum," "
cortex," "corpus callosum" and "temporal lobe."
limbic system: A complex set of linked structures in the mid-brain and fore-brain
(specifically the thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala and hippocampus), that is closely connected to the temporal
lobes. The limbic system is believed to be responsible for emotions and to function as a conduit for transmittal
of information from the brain’s central core to the cortex. Also called the "animal brain" or the
"paleomammalian brain." See text, Chapters 4 and 9. See also, "biological clock," "cerebrum,
" "cortex" and "temporaL lobe."
manifestation: That which appears; that which is made evident to the mind and/or the senses.
mean: The sum of a set of values divided by the number of values summed. Commonly
called "average," "mean" is a more specific term and is used to ensure its differentiation from
"mode" and "median," other terms with similar, but somewhat different meanings. See text, Chapter
13. See also, "standard deviation."
melanin: A brown to black pigment that influences skin, hair and eye color. People with more
melanin than the norm (hyperpigmented) generally have black hair, brown eyes and dark complexions. See text, Chapter
4. See also, "hypopigmentation."
melatonin: A hormone, chemically related to both the pigment melanin and the neurotransmitter
serotonin, it is produced primarily in the pineal gland (in the absence of light) from the neurotransmitter
serotonin. It appears to be the chemical agent for several functions of the pineal gland having to do with timing
and cycles. A powerful anti-oxidant, it enhances the immune system and is involved in the regulation of other
hormonal levels. See text, Chapter 4. See also, "hormone," "neurohormone," "neurotransmitter,
" "pineal gland" and "serotonin."
meta-: A prefix meaning a later, more comprehensive, transcending, or more highly organized version of
something. Used with the name of a discipline to designate a new but related discipline designed to deal
critically with the original one.
mind: The element, or complex of elements, in an individual, that feels, perceives, thinks,
wills and reasons; the organized conscious, subconscious and unconscious adaptive mental activity of an
organism. Believed by some to be nothing more than a product of the brain’s electro-chemical activity; believed
by others to have viability independent of the brain. Similar to, but more closely associated with the brain
than is either spirit or soul. In the text, "mind" generally
refers to the "mind/spirit/soul" complex. See text, Chapter 1. See also,
"brain," "consciousness," "soul" and "spirit."
mnemonic: Of, or relating to, memory.
myoclonic jerks: Sudden, involuntary muscle contractions.
neurohormone: One of several chemicals blurring the distinction between neurotransmitters
produced by neuron cells and hormones produced by endocrine cells. The central nervous system and the endocrine system
are intimately interconnected. For example, the nervous system can stimulate the adrenal glands of the endocrine
system to produce the hormone adrenaline, but some nerve cells can also secrete neurohormones that act much like adrenaline.
One can think of the nervous system as a rapid-acting electrical system and the endocrine system as a slower-acting
chemical system, the two systems being complementary to, rather than independent of, each other. See text, Chapter
4. See also, "hormone," "melatonin," "neurotransmitter," "pineal gland"
and "serotonin."
neurotransmitter: One of several chemicals that serve as a vehicle of communication between
nerve cells by mediating the transmission of nerve impulses across the synapses between adjacent neurons. See text,
Chapter 4. See also, "melatonin," "hormone," "neurotransmitter," "pineal
gland" and "serotonin."
Non-Right-Handed (NRH): Any degree of ambidexterity up to and including full left-handedness.
See text, Chapters 4 and 7. See also, "Anomalous Cerebral Laterality" and "Less
Strongly Lateralized."
Perky effect: The occurrence of vivid mental imagery, in any sensory modality, that,
in the absence of cortical reality judgment, assumes the perceptual status of reality as opposed to
fantasy and seems to be "more real than real." Because the human brain actively constructs
perceptions and because perceptions and internally generated imagery utilize the same mental mechanisms,
the differentiation of imagery as an internal event, from perception as an internal representation of
an external event can become confounded. See text, Chapter 10. See also, "Altered
State of Consciousness," "consensus reality," "hallucination
," "hypnogogia," "hypnosis," "primary process cognition," "really
real," "secondary process cognition," "tertiary process cognition," and "whole-brain
cognition."
pineal gland: A tiny gland located in the middle of the brain, it is involved (in the presence
of light through the eyes) in the conversion of the amino acid tryptophan into the neurotransmitter serotonin
and (in the absence of light through the eyes) of the neurotransmitter serotonin into the hormone melatonin.
Biologically, it is composed of nerve cells; functionally, it is considered to be a master gland of the endocrine
system. In the brain, it has reciprocal links with the thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus and amygdala; in the endocrine
system it has reciprocal links with the pituitary gland, thymus gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands
and adrenal glands. It is involved in the regulation of cycles, immune system functioning and other hormones
and is said to be extremely sensitive to Electro-Magnetic Radiation. See text, Chapter 4. See also, "biological
clock," "Electro-Magnetic Sensitivity," "hormone," "melatonin," "neurohormone,
" "neurotransmitter" and "serotonin."
placebo effect: The effect a patient’s expectations (or the expectations of medical personnel,
as communicated to the patient) can have on the efficacy of a medication or other medical intervention. Positive
expectations (the placebo effect) can lead to positive results, negative expectations (the nocebo effect) can
lead to negative results. See also, "experimenter effect" and "Perky effect."
predictive reliability: A term used to refer to the square of the coefficient of correlation between
two series of paired data, expressed as a percentage. It indicates the percentage of variability in one data
series that can be accounted for by the variability in the other data series. See text, Chapter 13. See
also, "coefficient of correlation" and "correlated."
primary process cognition: A cognitive process, generally associated with the right hemisphere and subcortical
structures of the brain, it involves a richness of ideas and originality and is characterized by movement away
from set patterns and goals. It includes as many stimuli as possible in its field of consideration; it is simultaneous,
holistic, unconscious, non-logical, non-rational and impulse controlled; it perceives similarities and recognizes
patterns; and it uses a strategy of incorporation and unification. See text, Chapter 8. See also, "cerebrum,"
"cortex," "limbic system," "secondary process cognition," "tertiary
process cognition" and "whole brain cognition."
PsychoKinesis (PK): The movement or change in state of physical objects by the mind, without
the use of physical means. When used broadly, the term’s meaning also includes electrical PsychoKinesis
and psychic healing. In the text, PsychoKinesis is also spoken of as "experiences of transpersonal influence." See
text, Chapters 1 and 11. See also, "Extra-Sensory Perception," "psi," "psi-related"
and "Transpersonal Experiences."
psi: The 23rd. letter of the Greek alphabet (Ψ). Used to refer to theoretically
verifiable Transpersonal Experiences — experiences of transpersonal perception (Extra-Sensory
Perception [ESP]) and experiences of transpersonal influence (PsychoKinesis [PK]) — collectively. See text,
Chapters 1 and 11. See also, "Extra-Sensory Perception," "psi-related," "PsychoKinesis"
and "Transpersonal Experiences."
psi-related: Connected to, or related to, psi. Used to refer to theoretically unverifiable
Transpersonal Experiences — experiences of transpersonal manifestation of
mind. See text, Chapters 1 and 11. See also, "psi" and "Transpersonal
Experiences."
"really real": Having concrete, tangible, objective, independent existence. See also, "
consensus reality" and "explicate order."
regression: (1) In a hypnotherapy context, "regression" refers
to reversion to an earlier mental or behavioral level. Narrowly, it refers to age regression in
which a subject relives or recalls an earlier experience, generally with all five senses functioning. Broadly,
it refers to the accessing of prevailing cortical brainwave patterns that are slower than those of ordinary
waking consciousness — the slower the brainwaves, the younger the corresponding age. See text,
Chapter 10. See also, "Altered State of Consciousness," "
consciousness," "hypnosis," "primary process cognition,
" "State of Consciousness" and "whole brain cognition."
(2) In a statistical context, "regression" refers to finding the equation that represents
the linear relationship between two correlated variables. The equation, the general form of which is y
= bx + a, can be used to predict the value of one variable that corresponds to a known value
of the other variable. See text, Chapter 13. See also, "coefficient of correlation" and "correlated."
Schumann Resonance Frequency: The "fundamental frequency of the Earth" — approximately
7.8 cycles per second — at which energy is able to travel vast distances without significant attenuation.
See text, Chapter 11. See also, "Transpersonal Consciousness."
secondary process cognition: A cognitive process, generally associated with the left hemisphere and other
cortical structures of the brain, it is analytical reasoning of the type measured by I.Q. tests and tends
to use rationality to move toward a single goal. It excludes from its field of consideration as many extraneous
stimuli as possible; it is sequential, reductionistic, logical, rational and deliberation controlled; it perceives
differences and recognizes discrete entities; it uses a strategy of separation and differentiation. See text, Chapter
8. See also, "cerebrum," "cortex," "limbic system," "primary process cognition," "
tertiary process cognition" and "whole brain cognition."
serotonin: A neurotransmitter produced primarily in the pineal gland (in the presence of light through
the eyes) from the amino acid tryptophan. In the absence of light through the eyes, it is converted to the hormone
melatonin. Serotonin conveys messages between neurons and plays a major role in dampening the brain’s
response to incoming stimuli (the "serotonin screening mechanism") so as to prevent overload. It is one of
the primary neurotransmitters involved in moods and emotions. See text, Chapter 4. See also, "hormone," "
melatonin," "neurohormone," "neurotransmitter" and "pineal gland."
shaman: A term from the language of the Tungus people in Siberia, used by anthropologists
to encompass other terms such as "witch doctor," "medicine man," "wizard," "
sorcerer," "medium" and "seer." Narrowly defined, it means: "One who,
at will, enters into Transpersonal Consciousness and experiences her/his
mind or spirit journeying to other, normally hidden, realities and interacting
with other entities to acquire knowledge and power and to help other people." More broadly, it means: "one who,
at will, enters into Altered States of Consciousness in service of her/his community." See
text, Chapter 12. See also, "Altered State of Consciousness," "
consciousness," "mind," "State
of Consciousness," "Transpersonal Consciousness" and "
Transpersonal Experiences."
skeptic: An individual who holds that true knowledge, or knowledge in a particular area, is
uncertain. Often incorrectly used as a synonym for "debunker." See also, "debunker."
soul: The immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life.
Similar to "mind" and to "spirit," but less closely associated with the
brain than either and said to be able to survive (brain) death. See also, "brain," "
consciousness," "mind" and "spirit."
spirit: An animating or vital principle held to give life to physical organisms; the immaterial,
intelligent, or sentient part of a person Similar to, but less closely associated with the brain than
is "mind"; similar to, but more closely associated with the brain than is "soul.
" See also, "brain," "consciousness," "
mind" and "soul."
standard deviation (s.d.): Technically: "A measure of the dispersion of a frequency
distribution that is the square root of the arithmetic mean of the squares of the deviation of each of the class
frequencies from the arithmetic mean of the frequency distribution." More comprehensibly, a standard deviation
score indicates the degree to which a specific value in a series falls above or below the arithmetic mean
of all the values in that series. A value of +/- 1 s.d. is in the top/bottom 16%; a value of +/- 2 s.d. is in the
top/bottom 2%, a value of +/- 3 s.d. is in the top/bottom 0.14%. See text, Chapter 13. See also, "mean."
state-dependent memory: The proposition that the accessing of the memory of an experience
is dependent (at least to some degree) on recreation of the specific State
of Consciousness in which the experience originally occurred. See text, Chapters 2, 8
and 10. See also, "amnesia," "cryptomnesia," "hypermnesia," "regression,
" "State of Consciousness" and "Transpersonal
Consciousness."
State of Consciousness (SOC): A specific set of mind activities with a specific pattern of awareness
and/or thought. A specific SOC may be characterized by a specific
(but not necessarily measurable) set of brainwave patterns. The four theoretically discrete
SOCs are waking consciousness, dreaming consciousness,
sleeping consciousness and Transpersonal Consciousness —
but SOCs are seldom (if ever) pure, discrete, or clearly boundaried. Any
SOC that differs substantively from the three "ordinary" SOCs
(i.e., waking, dreaming and sleeping consciousness) can be thought of as "Altered
State of Consciousness" (of which there are presumably an infinite number). See text, Chapter 10.
See also, "Altered State of Consciousness," "consciousness
" and "Transpersonal Consciousness."
synesthesia: The spontaneous association of a sensation
being activated by external stimuli with another sensation of a different kind. For example, hearing a sound
in association with the visual perception of a color, or smelling an odor in
association with the tactile perception of a texture. See text, Chapter 7.
See also, "hallucination," "hypnogogia" and "Perky
effect."
Tally of Applicable Individual Life Sensitivities (TAILS): A graphical form used to report individual
HISS scores, in terms of standard deviations from the Reference Group mean, on the first- and second-level
Predispositions and Indicators scales. See text, Chapters 3. See also, "Findings — Anomalous
Group Sensitivities," "Holistic Inventory of Stimulus Sensitivities," "mean" and "standard
deviation."
temporal lobe: One of the four primary lobes, or divisions, of the cerebral hemispheres (the others
being the frontal lobe, parietal lobe and occipital lobe), it is located behind the temple of the cranium.
It has tight reciprocal links (especially in the right hemisphere) with the limbic system that presumably give
rise to its involvement in emotions. It is also involved in hearing and memory and the senses of time and
individual identity. See text, Chapter 4. See also, "brain," "cerebrum," "corpus
callosum," "cortex" and "limbic system."
Temporal-Lobe Epilepsy (TLE): See "Temporo-Limbic Epilepsy."
Temporo-Limbic Epilepsy (TLE): A neurological condition involving sudden discharges of excess
electrical activity in the temporal lobes and limbic system of the brain. Symptoms are hallucinatory,
emotional, physical, motor, sensory and experiential in nature, but do not involve the convulsions associated
with classical grand mal seizures. Also called "Temporal Lobe Epilepsy," "complex partial seizures,
" "psychic seizures" and "psychomotor epilepsy." See text, Chapter 11. See also, "
biological clock," "Electro-Magnetic Sensitivity," "kundalini," "limbic
system," "pineal gland" and "temporal lobe."
tertiary process cognition: A cognitive process involving the coupling
of or cycling between primary process cognition and secondary process cognition, it is central to the creative process.
In tertiary process cognition, the full range of human intelligences can manifest in useful and productive
form. See text, Chapter 8. See also, "cerebrum," "cortex," "limbic system," "primary process
cognition," "secondary process cognition" and "whole brain cognition."
testosterone: A hormone produced primarily by the mammalian testes, it is responsible for the
growth and development of male sex organs and male secondary sexual characteristics. In utero, small
amounts of testosterone are present in female fetuses, having been produced by the mother, but the level
is much higher in males once the testes are formed. Testosterone is thought to be the biochemical factor responsible
for Anomalous Cerebral Laterality in that it may affect prenatal growth
of the cerebral hemispheres and may be responsible for differences between male and female brains. See
text, Chapter 4. See also, "Anomalous Cerebral Laterality" and "hormone."
Transpersonal Consciousness (TPC): A theoretically discrete State of
Consciousness involving awareness, but not thought — pure awareness. TPC is complementary to the three
"ordinary" (and theoretically discrete) States of Consciousness —
waking consciousness (awareness and thought), dreaming
consciousness (thought, no awareness) and sleeping consciousness (no
thought, no awareness). See text, Chapter 10. See also, "Altered State of Consciousness
," "consciousness" and "State
of Consciousness."
Transpersonal Experiences (TPEs): "Experiences that occur beyond the ordinary
differentiated boundaries of ego, space and time; experiences that suggest the interconnectedness (and/or absolute
unity) of all that ever was, is, or will be; experiences that imply the existence of mind (as distinct from
brain), of spirit, of soul." TPEs can be logically grouped into three categories:
(1) experiences of transpersonal perception (déjà vu, synchronicity, telepathy, precognition, psychic
dream and clairvoyance), (2) experiences of transpersonal influence (psychic healing, electrical PsychoKinesis
and PsychoKinesis) and (3) experiences of transpersonal manifestation of mind (contact with spirit guides,
Out-Of-Body Experience, past-life recall, apparition, mediumistic episode, UFO sighting, Near-Death Experience, spirit
possession and alien contact). See text, Chapters 1 and 11. See also, "Extra-Sensory Perception," "mind,
" "PsychoKinesis," "psi," "psi-related," "soul" and "spirit."
whole brain cognition: A variant of tertiary process cognition, whole brain cognition is a cognitive
process involving the simultaneous functioning of both primary process cognition and secondary process cognition.
It utilizes both the cortical structures and the subcortical structures of the brain. It is characterized
by slow (theta-predominant) cortical brainwave patterns, a high level of brainwave coherence and enhanced
communication between the different parts of the brain — thus permitting a greater-than-normal two-way communication
between subcortical brain structures and the environment. See text, Chapter 10. See also, "Altered
State of Consciousness," "brainwave coherence," "cerebrum," "cortex," "limbic
system," "primary process cognition," "secondary process cognition" and "tertiary process cognition."
wyrd: An Anglo-Saxon term having to do with a way of life governed by the beliefs that: (1)
all things and all events are intimately interconnected, as if by a seamless web, on all levels of reality; (2)
objects that are perceptible to human senses are nothing more than local manifestations of larger energy patterns;
(3) that which is imperceptible to human senses is just as important as that which is perceptible; (4)
any event, anywhere, affects everything else, everywhere, as a result of vibrations transmitted throughout the web; and
(5) everything, everywhere, is alive — that is, consciousness is all-pervasive;
body, mind and spirit are all one; and the entire universe is sacred and has purpose and meaning. See text,
Chapter 12. See also, "imaginal realm," "implicate order" and "shaman."
