The best parapsychology books
Parapsychology is the scientific study of experiences that seem to go beyond the known senses and the brain: telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition and the effect of mind on matter. The field has run controlled experiments for more than a century and is still disputed.
This list starts with the researchers who summarise the experiments, then moves to the specific lines of work. Every title is non-fiction and is cited in Brendan D. Murphy’s work.
- 1
The Conscious Universe
Dean Radin, 1997
Dean Radin lays out the experimental evidence for psychic phenomena, with the meta-analyses and the statistics. The best single overview.
Brendan cites it in The Grand Illusion (The Question of Consciousness; Telepathy; Clairvoyance; Psychokinesis And The Belief Effect)
- 2
Entangled Minds
Dean Radin, 2006
Radin links the research to quantum entanglement and asks whether minds can be connected the way particles are.
Brendan cites it in The Grand Illusion (Quantum Weirdness And Cosmic Oneness; Telepathy; Clairvoyance; Psychokinesis And The Belief Effect)
- 3
The Parapsychology Revolution
Robert M. Schoch and Logan Yonavjak, 2008
An anthology of paranormal and psychical research, with contributions from many of the field’s researchers.
Brendan cites it in The Grand Illusion (The Question of Consciousness; Science Ain’t Always Scientific; Quantum Weirdness And Cosmic Oneness; Telepathy)
- 4
Psychoenergetic Science
William Tiller, 2007
A Stanford materials scientist reports experiments on whether focused human intention can change physical systems.
Brendan cites it in The Grand Illusion (Science Ain’t Always Scientific; Quantum Weirdness And Cosmic Oneness; The Human Aura; Psychokinesis And The Belief Effect)
- 5
The Power of Premonitions
Larry Dossey
A physician explores presentiment and premonition, and what it would mean if time does not work the way we assume.
Brendan cites it in The Grand Illusion (Clairvoyance)
- 6
Primary Perception
Cleve Backster, 2003
Cleve Backster’s experiments on whether plants and living cells respond to people’s thoughts and intentions.
Brendan cites it in The Grand Illusion (The Human Aura; Telepathy; Psychokinesis And The Belief Effect)
- 7
Psychokinesis
John Randall, 1982
John Randall’s history of the claimed effect of mind on matter and the evidence for it across the ages.
Brendan cites it in The Grand Illusion (The Question of Consciousness; Quantum Weirdness And Cosmic Oneness; The Human Aura; Psychokinesis And The Belief Effect)
- 8
Thoughts Through Space
Hubert Wilkins and Harold M. Sherman, 2004
The 1937 to 1938 telepathy experiment between Sir Hubert Wilkins in the Arctic and Harold Sherman in New York.
Brendan cites it in The Grand Illusion (Telepathy; Psychokinesis And The Belief Effect)
- 9
Synchronicity
C.G. Jung, 1973
Jung’s essay on meaningful coincidence and the idea that events can be connected without a physical cause.
Brendan cites it in The Grand Illusion (Quantum Weirdness And Cosmic Oneness; Telepathy; Clairvoyance; Psychokinesis And The Belief Effect)
The Grand Illusion devotes whole chapters to telepathy, clairvoyance and psychokinesis, drawing on the researchers on this list. Brendan’s position is that the evidence is stronger than its reputation, and that it points to consciousness reaching beyond the brain.
Brendan cites every book here. That does not mean he agrees with all of it.
All 35 books
Take one down to see why it is here and where to find it.
What is parapsychology?
The scientific study of reported psychic phenomena, including telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition and psychokinesis. Its researchers use controlled experiments and statistical analysis, and the field is disputed within science.
Is there scientific evidence for telepathy?
Researchers report effects above chance in experiments such as the ganzfeld studies, and sceptics dispute how those results should be read. Dean Radin’s The Conscious Universe presents the case from the researchers’ side.
What is synchronicity?
Jung’s term for meaningful coincidence: events connected by meaning rather than by physical cause. His essay Synchronicity is the source.
Where should I start with parapsychology?
Dean Radin’s The Conscious Universe is the best overview. For how the claims are tested, read it alongside a sceptical account of the same experiments.
- The whole bookshelf
- Non-local consciousness (glossary)
- The best non-fiction books about the afterlife
- The best books on near-death experiences
- The best books on consciousness
- The best books on remote viewing
- The best books on mysticism
- The best books on chakras and the human aura
- The best books on Theosophy
- The best books on energy healing and the biofield
- The best books on physics, space and consciousness
- The best books on lost civilisations, ancient mysteries and suppressed science
- The best books on plasma and the Electric Universe
As an Amazon Associate, Brendan earns from qualifying purchases. Links to Amazon are affiliate links and cost you nothing extra.