Abstract

In the Indian tradition, parapsychological phenomena are not regarded as anomalous, but as normal manifestations of the mind functioning independently of the sensorimotor processes. Classical Indian writings not only offer theoretical insights into psi phenomena, but they also describe methods that can be used to develop psi abilities. This article reviews contemporary attempts to interpret traditional ideas in the context of scientific research and also to review the empirical research carried out by Indian parapsychologists working in India and other countries, as well as the work of parapsy­chologists from other countries working in India. It is concluded that India is a fertile ground for field investigations such as reincarnation studies and that the Indian investi­gations have provided significant evidence for a strong relationship between ESP and personality factors and for the relevance of real-life settings to psi testing. Also, Indian studies are significant additions to the parapsychological database in several other areas, including the differential effect, subliminal perception, and meditation.