How many people here are academically trained?

[kakkarot]

bachelor of technology in computer information systems (the canadian equivalent of the bachelor of computer sciences).

well, my explaination of psychic phenomena is that it's all normal but is a part of reality that most people just don't understand to be real.

as for science: in my mind science is the study of the universe around us, and since the psychic stuff exists, scientific methods help me to understand it and to help me make sure i'm not fooling myself ^_^ . in my books, it is the scientists who say metaphysical stuff doesn't exist, not science []

~kakkarot

[Euphoric Sunrise]

I'm still in high school so i don't have any at the moment, but when i leave i might try and get into some metaphysics type schools and get some certificates that way. What i'll be able to do with them is beyond me, but i'll get them anyway []

Universities around here don't cater for my interests really. Not in any depth at least. I may end up going for some sort of arts degree at some point, but i like to take things as they come so we'll see.

As far as explaining the unknown, i don't. I just experience/hear about things and think about them. I have no need to explore why they happen. It feels right to me the way i'm doing things though.

[Anonymous]

I graduate in May with a bachelor of music degree. Music is just one of my many passions. I am also interested in becoming a kung fu instructor and also train in qi gong and psychic abilities. I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe in them.

[Ramiel]

Currently studying a Bachelor of Business. Thinking of combining it with an Arts degree because there are so many great Ancient History, Religion, and Philosophy subjects I want to take, too.

[PeacefulWarrior]

BA in English and by next Spring I'll have an MA in Education.  I am planning on getting my MA in English too and eventually my PhD in English, but that's going to take some time.[xx(]

[Aries]

I have a PHD. Pimpin Hoes Degree.... []
[V]
I actually dont have anything.... *sob*
-Aries

[shaman]

Hey Atalanta,

If you are in psychology, there is a very good book written by a psychologist: The meditative Mind, the varieties of meditative experience, Daniel Goleman. This book addresses the different ways of meditation (budhist, India, and religions Christian, Jewish, Muslim - Kabbalah, Sufism, ...etc..) from the point of view of psychology. The first chapters explain the meditation in general that leads to the altered states of consciousness (transes). There are some intersting issues that can be related to AP/OBE, such as the stage at which visions start to form in the mind of the meditator. However, the aim of the meditator is to go passed the visions to what they call oneness or no-thing-ness. Eventually it shows how meditation does heal people suffering from psychological problems/illness, while modern psychology is unable to cure these people!

Anyway, I thought that as a psychologist you might like that book.

btw, back to your original posting, PhD in Physics (Astrophysics).
At this stage I do not see a way to "balance" science and metaphysics, at this stage I am only looking for solid evidence, proofs. The explanation would be of course that the laws of physics are not complete and that there is much to discover yet and that the paranormal (in the cases where there are actual proofs) might point to the fact that there is much to this world than what we can sens we our five senses and technology.

[Kazbadan]

I have licenciate´s degree in teacher of math and science (for teaching kids with ages between 6 to 12 ages).

Being a teacher in Portugal it´s an adventrue: the system is very corrupted and, althought older teachers have good profit, younger ones like me, and in the actual scenario of Portugal, the situation it´s very bad. You never know where you will be in the next year giving classes; there is a public concourse and you can "catch" a school very far way from home inm each here. Besides that, kids are not educated like in the past: they are more "electric", they have many psycological problems and don´t respect anyone...it´s bad!

But i like it

[Colin]

I'll be receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater (acting emphasis) in June.

[twstedrage]

I am currently going back to college this fall to finish what I started and get an electrical engineering degree. As far as explaining the unknown too, well I am still trying to figure that out myself.

[Sam]

Studied Information Technology at TAFE (college) and then went on to university to do Computer Science and Physics.  I'm now doing graphic design again.

[Blackstream]

I've got an AA (2 year degree) and I've almost got a BS in computer science.  Just a couple more quarters.

[volcomstone]

Im curently enrolled in my third year for a bachelor of science: biology honours degree

it helps me see psychic phenomenon as a natural ability
and if actual scientists didn't rely on their own dogmatic preachings then they would start to realize that there is proof to many of these "supernatural" claims.

[Michael_E]

I have a BA in psych, and am going for a doctorate program in the fall in forensic psychology.

[neo]

i have a a degree in butt kicking, but i would like to finish my masters in cruising for chicks,  but it requires a lot of studying(lucky im a natrual[])[]

[Jenadots]

PHD in Arts & Letters - so I teach World Lit to HS seniors who are currently enjoying Cyrano De Bergerac and will be writing their own love letters on Friday for Valentine's Day.

I don't think age or degrees have much to do with exploring one's innner self and psychic abilities or the astral realm.  I think everyone has some talent in those areas but we get cut off from them as we grow up.  I used to be able to read books in my sleep and dreamt in music.  As I have gotten older those abilities have faded.  Or maybe it is just that, like all of us, I have gotten sucked up by the daily chores and must do lists and traffic and all the adult things that those childhood abilities get lost.

Hoping they will return later in life when life is not so rushed.

[Rob]

Doing a masters in mechanical engineering at Bath uni. Both my parents have PhD's!!

[cainam_nazier]

This thread is making me feel dumb.  

I have a certain degree of desire to go back to school but I lack the motivation to do so.  Just call me lazy.

Part of the problem is what do I go back to school for?  There are a few things that I would not mind studying but honestly I don't see a practicle aplication for them in my life.  But I sappose that could change as I still don't really see myself doing any one thing for the remainder of my life.

I guess my biggest problem to over come would be first making that choice as what to do.

Oh yeah, I don't hold any degrees in anything what so ever.  But I did finish high school.

[ASunnieSpirit]

This fall im schooling for a BA in fine Arts and a minor in business. Im happy and not so surprised to see a lot of art related majors out there. I guess we all have to be creative people to be open to this kinda stuff []

[Tolvor]

I have a bachelor of science degree in both chemical engineering and computer science (I was minoring in comp sci, until it became easier to dual major).  If my major was anything other than engineering, I would have had a minor in math also (engineers have to take 4 extra math courses to get the minor otherwise all engineers would be getting math minors) The ironic thing is that I've done enough electronic work that I might just qualify for a electrical engineering degree.  However, raw knowledge and powerful technical degrees is somewhat like having a good engine in your car.  It's not the HP of your engine, it's how you use it.  It's an old old joke, but sadly true.

Here's a hint:  I've never qualified for Mensa.

[atalanta]

I was replying to the Frank 'issue' and I got to wondering how many people here actually have academic qualifications.

I am not asking for people to identify themselves, just generally, if they have been to uni and what the degree is.

I have a Bachelor of Arts in sociology, although my main interest is in psychology.  Unfortunately, my psych department was not interested in depth psychologies (psychoanalysis, etc) so I had to do psych through the sociology dept which had a lot of subjects in this area.  Strange times we live in!

I would love to have gone on and done higher level courses however, family obligations took over and I haven't been able to return.

I wouldn't mind also learning how you explain or reason these various phenomena.  Do you have a difficult time understanding paranormal events?  How do you balance science and these paranormal experiences?