The Super Natural: A New Vision of the Unexplained

“The Super Natural: A New Vision of the Unexplained” is a book written by Whitley Strieber, a renowned author known for his works on alien encounters, and Jeffrey J. Kripal, a prominent scholar of religion. The book, published in 2016, explores the mysterious world of the supernatural and the unexplained, offering a new perspective on the subject matter. The authors look into the relationship between humans and supernatural beings, while examining various dimensions of human consciousness.

Key Points:

1. Revisiting the Term “Supernatural”: The authors argue that the term “supernatural” has been misused and misunderstood. They emphasize that it should be viewed as a natural phenomenon that transcends our current understanding of the natural world.
2. Personal Experiences: Strieber shares his personal experiences with alien encounters and abduction, which have shaped his view of the supernatural. He explores the possibility that these experiences may be linked to a higher consciousness and serve as a bridge between the human world and the supernatural realm.
3. The Limits of Scientific Understanding: The book highlights the limitations of current scientific methods in explaining the supernatural. The authors argue that the supernatural is an integral part of reality that cannot be explained solely by empirical data.
4. Interconnectedness: Strieber and Kripal argue that the supernatural is an expression of the interconnectedness of all things, challenging the traditional dualistic thinking that separates the natural from the supernatural.
5. Evolution of Human Consciousness: The authors posit that humanity is undergoing an evolutionary shift in consciousness, which is facilitating a deeper understanding of the supernatural. This shift is believed to be linked to the increased incidence of unexplained phenomena, such as UFO sightings and alien encounters.
6. The Role of Religion: Kripal, a scholar of religion, discusses the significance of religious experiences and myths in understanding the supernatural. He emphasizes the role of religion as a medium to explore the human relationship with the supernatural realm.
7. Extraordinary Experiences as a Catalyst: The book proposes that extraordinary experiences, such as near-death experiences and altered states of consciousness, can serve as catalysts for personal transformation and spiritual growth.
8. The Importance of Language: The authors discuss the role of language in shaping our understanding of the supernatural, as well as its limitations in accurately describing unexplained phenomena.
9. Integrating the Supernatural: Strieber and Kripal call for an integrative approach to understanding the supernatural, incorporating scientific, spiritual, and personal perspectives.

Important People:

1. Whitley Strieber: An American author known for his works on alien encounters and abduction, including his best-selling book “Communion.”
2. Jeffrey J. Kripal: A prominent scholar of religion, currently holding the J. Newton Rayzor Chair in Philosophy and Religious Thought at Rice University.

According to “The Super Natural: A New Vision of the Unexplained,” the category of the Super Natural includes a wide range of phenomena that are often considered beyond the scope of current scientific understanding or conventional explanations. The authors, Whitley Strieber and Jeffrey J. Kripal, emphasize that the Super Natural should be viewed as a natural phenomenon that transcends our current understanding of the natural world, rather than as something separate from it. Some examples of phenomena that would be included in the Super Natural are:

1. Alien encounters and abductions: Strieber shares his personal experiences with aliens, which have led him to explore the possible connections between these encounters and a higher consciousness.
2. UFO sightings: Unidentified flying objects are often associated with the Super Natural, as they challenge conventional explanations and suggest the existence of advanced technology or extraterrestrial beings.
3. Near-death experiences: These experiences, in which individuals report encounters with a transcendent reality or beings during moments of clinical death, may provide insights into the Super Natural realm.
4. Altered states of consciousness: Experiences that involve a significant shift in an individual’s perception of reality, such as those induced by meditation, psychedelics, or other practices, may offer glimpses into the Super Natural.
5. Psychic phenomena: Events that involve extrasensory perception, telepathy, precognition, or other forms of information exchange beyond the known physical senses can be considered part of the Super Natural.
6. Religious experiences and myths: As Kripal, a scholar of religion, discusses in the book, religious experiences, and the myths that emerge from them, can help us understand the Super Natural and our relationship with it.
7. Apparitions and hauntings: Encounters with ghosts or otherworldly beings are often considered part of the Super Natural, as they challenge conventional understanding of reality and the nature of consciousness.

The authors argue that these phenomena are interconnected and should be approached with an integrative perspective that combines scientific, spiritual, and personal experiences to better understand the Super Natural and its role in human consciousness and reality.

“The Super Natural: A New Vision of the Unexplained” presents a fresh perspective on the supernatural, challenging conventional understandings and exploring the human relationship with unexplained phenomena. The authors encourage readers to reconsider their beliefs about the supernatural and to embrace a more integrative approach in order to better understand these extraordinary experiences.