The Transformational Potential of Entity Encounter Experiences

Abstract

Apparitions refer to the subjective perception of a figure or being, when no real figure is physically present and when normal means of communication are ruled out (after Irwin & Watt, 2007). Sense of presence experiences occur when there is a felt or perceived sense that a person or entity is present, in the absence of a definitive visual (or other sensory) apparition. Subjective encounters with entities have been reported across cultures and appear throughout history. Many of these experiences are highly personal and include “after death communications” with loved ones that are positive, meaningful and sometimes transformative (e.g., Hastings, 2012). In this presentation, the author will discuss the results of a mixed methods study that has investigated subjective experiences with entities. The presentation will particularly focus on people’s experiences with deceased loved ones. This will include the results of a qualitative analysis of experiences described in a survey and experiences that were reported in the context of a psychomanteum procedure.

Presenter Bio

Christine Simmonds-Moore is a UK native who has a PhD from the University of Northampton on “Schizotypy as an anomaly-prone personality.” She is currently working as an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of West Georgia. She has research interests in the psychology of exceptional experiences (including transpersonal and subjective paranormal experiences), paranormal beliefs and disbeliefs, personality and mental health correlates of exceptional experiences, synesthesia, altered states of consciousness, mind body relationships and healing and placebo effects. She is the recipient of several Bial grants to study exceptional experiences, and is currently completing a research study on ghost experiences. She is the co author of a text book on Anomalistic psychology and edited a collection of chapters about Exceptional Experiences and Health.