Seer
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Seer
Angela Thompson Smith's SEER offers a candid look into the development of a remote viewer, eschewing grand pronouncements for the granular detail of lived experience. The strength of the book lies in its unvarnished presentation of journal entries and case studies, allowing the reader to trace the evolution of Smith's understanding and practice over three decades. This directness provides a valuable counterpoint to more theoretical treatments of psi. However, the sheer volume of personal narrative, while authentic, can sometimes make the core concepts of remote viewing feel embedded rather than explicitly articulated. A particularly striking passage details the challenges of maintaining objectivity when personal subjective experiences become the primary data. While the book effectively demonstrates the author's dedication, its narrative structure might benefit from more explicit synthesis of her findings. SEER is a compelling personal log for those invested in the practical realities of remote viewing research.
📝 Description
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Angela Thompson Smith details thirty years of consciousness research, focusing on remote viewing, in her 1999 book, SEER.
SEER chronicles Angela Thompson Smith's extensive engagement with consciousness research, particularly remote viewing, over three decades. The book draws from her personal journals and case studies, providing a firsthand look at her investigative path. Smith aims to demystify remote viewing, showing its practical uses and the rigorous, often unconventional, approach needed to understand and employ such abilities.
This work is for those intrigued by the edges of human perception and consciousness. It will interest readers with a background in parapsychology, psychic phenomena, and the scientific study of subjective experiences. Those who want to learn about the practical development and use of psi abilities, beyond just theory, will find significant content here.
SEER begins with Smith's engagement with the work of Hal Puthoff and Russell Targ, figures prominent in the 1970s SRI International remote viewing studies. Her exploration spans decades of evolving research in consciousness, parapsychology, and shamanism. This places her work within the historical trajectory of psychical research, a field that experienced notable institutional attention before shifts in academic acceptance.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Understand the personal trajectory of a remote viewer, tracing the evolution of practice from initial inquiry into Dr. Hal Puthoff and Russell Targ's research in the 1970s to sustained personal investigation. • Gain insight into the practical challenges and methodological considerations of consciousness research through detailed journal entries and case studies presented in SEER. • Explore the intersection of remote viewing with shamanism and parapsychology, appreciating how diverse fields of study informed Angela Thompson Smith's long-term research into psi phenomena.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When was SEER first published and by whom?
SEER by Angela Thompson Smith was first published on March 31, 2016. It chronicles her over thirty years of research into consciousness and remote viewing.
What is remote viewing as described in SEER?
SEER presents remote viewing as a cognitive ability that allows individuals to perceive information about a distant or unseen target through psychic means, often detailed through personal journal entries and case studies.
Who are Dr. Hal Puthoff and Russell Targ?
Dr. Hal Puthoff and Russell Targ were key researchers at SRI International whose work on remote viewing in the 1970s inspired Angela Thompson Smith's decades-long journey into parapsychology.
What kind of content does SEER contain?
The book contains excerpts from Angela Thompson Smith's personal journals and case studies, illustrating her personal journey and the practical application of remote viewing over thirty years.
What other fields does the book connect remote viewing to?
SEER connects remote viewing to broader fields such as consciousness research, parapsychology, and shamanism, reflecting the author's interdisciplinary approach to understanding psi phenomena.
Is SEER a theoretical or practical book on remote viewing?
SEER leans towards the practical and experiential, using personal journals and case studies to demonstrate what remote viewing is and how it can be applied, rather than focusing solely on abstract theory.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
Personal Evolution in Psi Research
SEER meticulously documents Angela Thompson Smith's personal evolution over three decades, beginning with her encounter with Dr. Hal Puthoff and Russell Targ's remote viewing research. The book's strength lies in its direct use of journal excerpts, offering an unvarnished view of how her understanding and practice developed. This chronological approach allows readers to witness the iterative process of learning, questioning, and refining techniques within the challenging field of parapsychology. It highlights the dedication required to pursue phenomena that lie outside conventional scientific paradigms, demonstrating a commitment to empirical observation of subjective states.
Practical Application of Remote Viewing
Beyond theoretical discussions, SEER emphasizes the practical application of remote viewing. Through detailed case studies, the book illustrates how this ability can be utilized in various contexts, moving from abstract concepts to concrete examples of information gathering. The author's journey involved developing methodologies for her own practice and understanding its potential utility. This focus offers a grounded perspective for those interested in developing or understanding the real-world implications of psychic perception, showcasing the disciplined approach required to bridge subjective experience and objective reporting.
Interdisciplinary Consciousness Studies
Angela Thompson Smith's research path, as depicted in SEER, extends beyond a singular focus on remote viewing. The book highlights her engagement with broader fields of consciousness research, parapsychology, and shamanism. This interdisciplinary perspective enriches the exploration of psi phenomena by drawing connections between seemingly disparate areas of study. The integration of shamanic practices, for instance, suggests a holistic approach to understanding altered states of consciousness and their relation to perceptual abilities, positioning remote viewing within a wider spectrum of human experience.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“The work explores the challenges of rigorous documentation in consciousness research.”
— This highlights the inherent difficulty in applying standard scientific methods to subjective experiences. It suggests that the book grapples with how to reliably record and verify psychic phenomena when the observer and the observed are intrinsically linked.
“Angela's career path swerved from medical studies into consciousness research.”
— This indicates a significant personal and professional shift, driven by an evolving interest in the nature of consciousness and psychic abilities. It underscores a deliberate departure from conventional scientific inquiry towards more unconventional fields.
“Excerpts from thirty years of personal journals form the core of SEER.”
— This emphasizes the book's foundation in firsthand experience and personal documentation. It signals that the reader will encounter raw, unedited accounts of the author's research and development over a considerable period.
“The book shows what remote viewing is and how it can be used practically.”
— This interpretation suggests SEER aims to provide both a definition and an operational understanding of remote viewing. It promises to move beyond mere description to illustrate its tangible applications and methodologies.
“Smith's journey began with sending for a paper on Dr. Hal Puthoff and Russell Targ's research.”
— This pinpoints a specific starting moment and influential figures in the author's long-term engagement with remote viewing. It anchors her extensive work to the early, foundational research in the field.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
SEER interfaces with the broader esoteric tradition of consciousness exploration, particularly within the modern psychical research movement that blossomed in the late 19th and 20th centuries. While not strictly Hermetic or Gnostic, it shares their focus on hidden knowledge and the potential for human faculties beyond the conventionally recognized senses. The work draws from a lineage that includes figures like J.B. Rhine and the researchers at SRI International, who sought to apply scientific methodology to what is often considered mystical or occult perception, thereby bridging empirical inquiry with esoteric concepts of mind and awareness.
Symbolism
Within SEER, the primary symbolic motif is the act of 'seeing' or perceiving beyond the physical veil – the essence of remote viewing. This can be interpreted as a modern manifestation of the 'third eye' concept found in various traditions, representing inner sight or intuitive perception. The journal itself functions as a symbolic container for fragmented glimpses of truth, representing the alchemical process of distilling knowledge from raw experience. The 'target' in remote viewing becomes a symbol of the hidden divine or the unknown aspects of reality that the consciousness seeks to apprehend.
Modern Relevance
Angela Thompson Smith's work in SEER remains relevant for contemporary thinkers exploring consciousness, non-local awareness, and practical psi applications. It provides a tangible, experiential counterpoint to purely theoretical or digitally simulated explorations of these topics. Modern practitioners and researchers in fields like consciousness studies, integrated remote viewing (IRV), and even certain forms of energy healing can find resonance in Smith's methodical approach and her detailed accounts of personal development. Her research contributes to the ongoing dialogue about the nature of reality and the potential of the human mind.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Aspiring remote viewers seeking practical guidance and a realistic portrayal of the development process, moving beyond sensational claims. • Researchers in parapsychology and consciousness studies looking for firsthand accounts of long-term psi investigation and methodological challenges. • Individuals interested in the intersection of subjective experience, personal journals, and the scientific inquiry into anomalous mental abilities.
📜 Historical Context
Published in 2016, SEER emerges from a lineage of psychical research that gained momentum in the mid-20th century. Angela Thompson Smith's journey, initiated by an interest in the work of Dr. Hal Puthoff and Russell Targ, places her within the tradition of scientific investigation into anomalous phenomena, particularly remote viewing, which saw significant institutional backing at places like SRI International in the 1970s. This era was marked by both intense research and growing skepticism, influencing how such work was received. Smith's decades-long path, moving through parapsychology and shamanism, mirrors the broader field's evolution from focused, lab-based studies towards more eclectic and multidisciplinary approaches. While figures like J.B. Rhine had earlier established parapsychology as a distinct field, Smith's work represents a later generation grappling with the practical and personal implications of psi research, often conducted outside mainstream academic acceptance. The book's emergence in the 2010s reflects a continuing, albeit niche, interest in consciousness exploration.
📔 Journal Prompts
Remote viewing data as recorded in journal entries.
The initial interest in Dr. Hal Puthoff and Russell Targ's research.
Connections between shamanism and remote viewing perception.
Challenges in documenting subjective consciousness research.
Practical applications of remote viewing illustrated by case studies.
🗂️ Glossary
Remote Viewing
A psychic sensory process by which an individual can perceive information about a distant or unseen target, often described as a subjective experience of images, feelings, or data.
Parapsychology
The study of alleged psychic phenomena and other paranormal claims, including extrasensory perception (ESP) and psychokinesis, often seeking empirical evidence.
Consciousness Research
The multidisciplinary study of consciousness, exploring its nature, function, and relationship to the physical brain and the wider universe.
Shamanism
A range of traditional spiritual practices, typically involving a practitioner who is believed to interact with a spirit world, often for healing or divination.
Case Study
An in-depth investigation of a single individual, group, or event, often used in research to provide detailed understanding of a phenomenon in its real-world context.
Journal Excerpts
Selected passages from a personal diary or record, used in SEER to provide direct, chronological insight into the author's experiences and research over time.
Psychic Phenomena (Psi)
Events or abilities that are believed to occur or be manifested outside the range of known physical or biological processes, such as telepathy or precognition.
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