Here Stanley Krippner discusses the three main spiritist religions of Brazil: Candomblé, Umbanda, and Kardecismo. Candomblé and Umbanda are, essentially, variations of the African Yoruba tradition. The African slaves in Brazil incorporated Catholic Saints into their religion in order to disguise the fact that they were still worshipping the deities of their homeland. The Kardecismo [...]

Here he suggests that, at a subconscious level, we are all subject to the influence of myths operating in our lives. Some of these are irrational and destructive. Others are positive and rational. Through the use of ritual, dreams, and mental imagery, we can bring these powerful dynamics into the light of consciousness. Krippner describes [...]

Here Stanley Krippner describes his association with Harry Benjamin, the doctor who first introduced gender reassignment surgery into the United States. Krippner’s studies showed that transgender individuals typically came from normal backgrounds and did not suffer from any psychiatric condition. They are simply individuals whose inner gender identity is not consistent with their sexual organs. [...]

Here he discusses the common features that he has observed in his studies of shamans around the world. He describes their rituals in terms of drumming, dancing, sensory deprivation, drugs, diet, and dreaming. He notes that shamans often invoke the “trickster” archetype, but that this should not be taken to imply that they are necessarily [...]

Here he tells how he was introduced to Rolling Thunder by Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead. That was the beginning of a friendship that lasted for twenty years. During their time together Rolling Thunder exhibited an uncanny ability to communicate with animals and even, it seemed, directly with nature. With help from the Grateful [...]

In this interview, host Jeffrey Mishlove describes two extraordinary dreams that were instrumental in shaping his career in parapsychology. Stanley Krippner describes a variety of ways in which dreams can have a life-changing impact. Famous musical composers have heard their compositions in dreams. Dreams can impact athletic performance. Dreams can be instrumental in problem solving [...]

Here Stanley Krippner describes how he was inspired to learn hypnosis as a child by reading the “Mandrake the Magician” comic books. He describes how trickery can be used to augment the efficacy of hypnosis. He notes that hypnosis is a powerful tool that can be used to improve study habits, overcome addictive behaviors, help [...]

Here Stanley Krippner describes how psychology is taking a renewed interest in out-of-body experiences, near-death experiences, reports of UFO-related abductions, mystical experiences, past-life memories, synesthesia, lucid dreaming, hallucinations, and psi. There is research showing a correlation between such experiences and early childhood trauma. In some instances, such as UFO abduction claims, the remembered experience may [...]

Here he describes his encounters, during the early days of the psychedelic movement, with such notable figures as Alan Watts, Timothy Leary, Ralph Metzner, Richard Alpert, Salvador Roquet, Maria Sabina, Jean Houston, Robert Masters, and the Grateful Dead. He maintains that psychedelic experiences have been uniformly positive for him – and that he always approaches [...]

Here he describes his complex relationship with individuals he terms “scoffers” of parapsychology. Some of these individuals have labeled him a “charlatan” and have also consistently misrepresented the details of his own research – even after having been repeatedly corrected. However, on other occasions he has developed good working relationships with skeptics – many of [...]

He is a Fellow of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, and has published cross-cultural studies on spiritual content in dreams.

He is a Fellow of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, and has published cross-cultural studies on spiritual content in dreams.