Here he describes “agape” as a form of love in which the well-being of the beloved person is the foremost and only consideration. “Eros” on the other hand, is a selfish form of love, based on the lover’s impulse to satisfy their desire for their beloved person. He describes agape as the “conscience of eros” [...]

Here he suggests that group trance states create a self-conscious group mind. Generally, the group self-consciousness is less evolved than individual self-consciousness. He points to discussions of the group mind in psychology, sociology, Theosophy, and in religious studies. He suggests that the group mind can be either positive or negative in terms of its impact [...]

Here he explains his definition of a trance state and also delineates four different kinds of trance. He maintains that we are always in a state of trance of one type or another, in effect, going from trance state to trance state. He also points out that trance states can be both positive and negative. [...]

Here he explains that the condition we think of as “multiple personalities” is now regarded as an extreme example of the “dissociative identity disorder” psychological diagnosis. He has worked with about 40 such individuals in his psychotherapy practice. This painful condition is generally the result of early childhood trauma. In some rare instances, when the [...]

Here he notes that C. S. Peirce was regarded by William James as the most important philosopher of his era. Adam adds that Peirce has been extremely important in his own thinking. Peirce is considered the founder of American pragmatic philosophy, as well as the founder of the field of semiotics — the study of [...]

Here he points out that, more than two hundred years ago, the early experimenters in Mesmerism (or animal magnetism as it was sometimes known) reported a wide variety of paranormal phenomena. Telepathy was taken for granted and thought to be unremarkable. Other phenomena include “community of sensation” in which the Mesmerist might prick himself with [...]

Here he explains the problems confronting psychotherapists when confronted with cases of ostensible possession. Are the manifestations due to intrapsychic, subconscious dynamics? Or, has the manifestation resulted from the activity of an external psychic or spiritual entity. Both levels of causality may be involved. Crabtree shares some experiences from his psychotherapy practice, including what might [...]

Here he addresses the problem of why people sometimes think and act in ways that seem alien to themselves. Originally, this was thought to be due to a spiritual intrusion. Later, theorists speculated about physiological causes. The alternative consciousness paradigm suggests that we each possess, within our own depths, a vast personality of which we [...]

Here he describes the gradual evolutionary process from thinking about “magnetic passes” and “animal magnetism” to somnambulism and hypnosis leading to the significant theory of Sigmund Freud regarding psychoanalysis and the unconscious mind. In particular, he points out many examples of paranormal phenomena that were encountered by the early hypnotic practitioners.