Introduction

Multi-Dimensional Science, or MDS is an attempt to fully integrate science with mysticism, and religion. Naturally enough, it includes parapsychology, or psychical resarch which is the evolving science into claimed "supernatural" phenomena.

Before proceeding further, it must be made very clear that in NO way is MDS a religion, cult, or sect even though it may use terms associated with them. Admitedly, most of this new "science" consists of speculative metaphysical issues such as reincarnation, post mortem existence, pre-destination, other worlds, et al. Essentially, MDS hopes to largely indirectly prove, or alternatively disprove the the reality, or non-reality of such "revelations".

This article, or paper is a simple brief non-technical account of the above subject. Incidently, MDS is in the process of research, and development which may take several years to complete.

The basic thesis, and methodology of Multi-Dimensional Science (MDS).

Central to mysticism, and religion is the concept of an unseen non-physical psychic, or spiritual universe. It is undetectable by our by five limited senses, and by other means. In religion, and indeed, in western philosophy it can only be accepted on grounds of faith, or belief. In mysticism though such non-physical realms can be "proven" via direct experience by the awakening sixth sense of mind, and conciousness during some form of meditation, or spiritual technology. This whole process involves "going within" oneself, and entering the inner realms, or planes of higher conciousness.

This normally invisible non-physical universe may well be a shared objective reality rather than the figment of the imagination. Those who claim to visit it via some form of meditation, or indeed, through deliberately induced out-of-body experiences (or OOBEs) should be able to independently come up with corroborative information concerning the major sights, and energies witnessed. This is the main underlying concept of MDS. Moreover, it puts emphasis on the need to collect data on the psycho-spiritual "energies" which are said to exist. Such claimed forces manifest themselves in a variety of ways such as colourful auras, pulsating lights, and sounds along with rays coming out of beings, and objects, et al.

To see whether such reports are indeed independently correlative, or not requires in MDS five special steps. They are explained in the following:-

Step One: A search for specific willing psychics, and mystics who have regular if not daily inner experiences of various "energies". They are termed as Multi-Dimensional Observers, or MDOs for short. A large number of them may well emanate from the psychic healing field.

Step Two: The aim here is to find out what kind of experiences they have via an initial questionaire. A more elaborate, and detailed one(s) may follow.

Step Three: When the data via the questionaires has been collected it may well be found that the "energies" described are independently corroborated beyond the mathematical laws of chance. If so such information should be converted on paper, and computer into images, or pictures of the Unseen.

Step Four: Such visible depictions of the "energies" should be interpreted into mathematical models for an on-going theory, or working hypothesis concerned with the nature, and purpose of the "Great Beyond".

Step Five: If MDOs continue to give largely reliable data concerning their inner experiences then they should be involved in various studies, and experiments. They may be able to help us see how psycho-spiritual "energies" can benefit humanity. In effect, MDS could be the greatest scientific breakthrough in the world because it offers for the first time methods that can prove (albeit indirectly) the non-physical psychic, and spiritual reality of life. This could have massive untold implications for medecine, psychology, physics, biology, parapsychology, et al. In academia the inner experiences discussed here are referred to as phenomenology.

Furthermore, for the individual it would mean that their existence would become more happier, and fulfilling as never before imaginable. The reason being that a new generation of meditational methods would come into existence based on scientific research rather than just on purely faith, and belief.

Knowledge concerning the psychology of human beings would include serious objective information concerning their "energies", and how they could be best used.

Moreover, there would be a far greater scientific understanding of claimed psychics powers, and their actual modus operandi will become clearer. Though mainstream science has given humanity many great technological benefits such as computers, television, aeroplanes, better medecine, and the like it will probably be nothing compared with the advances made by MDS. It may well be that in the far future people will become like "gods" self-reliant with "full" authentic knowledge concerning spiritual, and psychic development. Such evolution would ultimately supersede modern technology, and even Multi-Dimensional Science itself.

Apart from the above another suprising, and controversial aspect of our subject is that it may well be possible to quantify non-physical energies. This would be in keeping with true science. Let us take an example of what we mean. Suppose Mr. Z has an aura which is a certain measurement from the body. Tested, and reliable MDOs should by means of a simple physical "tool" be able to gauge its length. With their inner vision opened they should independently come up with the correct measurement. In a similiar manner other properties such as weight, and velocity concerned with psycho-spiritual energies should be quantifiable with the aid of physical detectors, or by non-physical methods not discussed here.

Of course, all that we have said may be utter nonesense. But, it is not, because its own inbuilt reasoning is simply alien to our normal ways of understanding. Moreover, counter-arguments could be created against MDS even if it produces correlative results via its questionaires of the MDOs. This could notably include that brain physiology being similiar from one person to another may be the real reason why mental "illusions" appear to be independently corroborative. In the philosophy of science such counter-arguments like this would appear to be in line with the concept of falsification posited by the philosopher Karl Popper.

The success, or failure of MDS largely rests on collecting sufficient corroborative data on the inner experiences of MDOs. As yet this needs to be done. Critics will undoubtedly claim that most of the ideas presented here are totally premature but the author, and indeed, originator of this unique system is confident that the necessary correlative information will emerge from the questionaires. This admitedly suggests bias, and an unscientific approach to the subject concerned. However, when the data has been brought together the evidence, or rather "proof" will speak for itself.

Multi-Dimensional Science is a new paradigm.

At first sight MDS may appear similiar to other scientific, or "new age" ideas. This is incorrect. It is though made up of old methods brought together for the first time into one system. This is the key point to understand.

Firstly, the notion that MDOs, and other "senstive " people can be used by researchers to give hopefully correct information concerning "higher" energies is not completely new. Von Reichenbach for example used this method, and succeeded in getting corroborative data concerning the existence of the so-called Odic Force.Secondly, simple, and complex questionaires have been used by researchers, and organisations to explore Near-Death-Experiences (or NDEs), and Religious, or Mystical Experiences. Thirdly, converting images of the Unseen into visible pictures is again nothing new.

Charles Leabeater, a leading light in the Theosophy movement notably had changes in the human aura recorded as "accurate" colourful depictions for all to see. Fourthly, using mathematics to try to describe something of the "other world" is by no means unique.

Developing elaborate, and detailed questionaires.

There are a number of existing descriptions published of the "Great Unseen" which can help us frame questionaires. New unpublished reports about it from MDOs would also prove beneficial especially in connection with the "existence" of psycho-spiritual energies.

An important aspect of all this is that one needs to be aware that some of these inner experiences may to varying degrees be indescribable in the language of this world. Sometimes, symbols may be used, and these may still have a scientific value if they crop up again elsewhere. Infact, the questionaires themselves should give researchers some idea as to what extent, and in what way inner experiences, or visions if you will would be totally indescribable, or ineffable.

To get some notion of how elaborate, and detailed a questionaire could be the following should suffice. Readers can skip it, and go to the next section of the article/paper if they desire..

Auras: How large is it around the body usually? Does it have a specific colour? Do you see thoughts leaving, and entering it? What sounds does it usually make? Do you get specific "smells" from particular types of auras? Does it change shape around the body? Are there different layers in the aura? et cetera. Inner Sounds: Do you hear sounds during waking conciousness from people, and objects which may be non-physical? Is there a specific one in meditation? If you hear more than just one inner sound then what is it like? Maybe they are instrumental, choral, or something else? Does the sound, or sounds enter the top of the head, through the ears, or wherever else? et cetera.

Inner Lights: Do you see disembodied lights now, and again in the physical, and non-physical worlds? How do they appear? Do they have colours which change? Do they "shape-shift" into particular objects that are easily describable? Do the inner lights create specific sounds? et cetera........

The Chakras ( or energy centres of the psychic body). Do they create specific sounds? Do their coloured lights change? Are thoughts seen to enter, and leave them? Do they change shape sometimes? Do patterns appear in the centres? Can rays be seen entering them? et cetera...........

Some important theoretical points about "The Hidden Reality".

No doubt many ordinary mainstream scientists will regard the following as being "pseudo-scientific".

However, this is unimportant as the following is only meant to be a brief non-technical account easily understood by anyone in connection with the "the higher worlds" of being.

It is believed that these realms exist at a vibratory rate beyond the speed of light itself. They consist of various levels, or Spiritual Regions in ascending order around our planet, and beyond. They can be simply illustrated diagrammatically by using horizontal (or circular lines)lines. The spaces in between them represent the Spiritual Regions. Each of these Realities can be sub-divided further by thinner lines which make up the intermediate planes, or spheres of existence. In other words, ("minor") worlds within Worlds (ie. the Spiritual Regions). Their number altogether is probably infinite. Traditionally, from an occult, or esoteric viewpoint they are seven Spiritual Regions, and seven intermediate planes. Yet, the number of these different levels tends to vary in mythology, and in mystical writings.

Each Spiritual Region is said to have distinguishing key sights along with inner Sounds, and (Coloured) Lights. As one ascends the "matter" of these worlds becomes increasing self-luminious, and more subtle in nature. At the same time, conciousness is progressively expanded.

To contact such realities via meditation, or OOBEs requires ones personal awareness to become like a mental radio. It tunes into the energy levels, or frequencies of the different intermediate planes. By doing so via concentrated effort one does not only see, and hear them but one can actually enter, and interact with them.

At this point, it is important to appreciate the fact that the simple, or complex visionary experiences cannot (as yet) be fully explained in purely materialistic terms in spite of the many decades of brain research. This is also true about certain powerful drugs, and electrical stimulations (ie. Neuro-Theology) which can cause such subjective experiences to manifest. But, it does not provide a scientific answer as to how the actual mental imagery itself is created. MDS takes the view that such visual thoughts may largely be a non-physical phenomena which is intimately related to the "wiring", or neuron nerve networks of the brain.

Esoteric tradition believes that human beings consist of multiple-parts referred to as subtle energy bodies.

They exist simultaneously in different worlds. They belong respectively to the vital, emotional, mental, higher mental, and soul Regions.

The MDS questionaires may well reveals variations in what groups of MDOs may well describe in the Unseen Universe. This is because they may be able to tune into different intermediate planes, or spheres of being.

Deception (deliberate, or otherwise) and self-deception may cause problems, and experiments needed to determine such situations need to be carefully thought out. There may be beings, and powers that may bring about difficulties with future MDS studies.

The question of truth, and "unknowingness"?

Many religions, and their (mystical) sects have a tendency to believe that theirs is the only pathway to "God", or the "Ultimate Reality". Whether this is true, or not is essentially a matter of personal belief. However, MDS may be able to throw some light on this subject, but admitedly it would probably be unable to fully prove it.

Here, it is suggested that the Radhasoami Faith could be the key to this great mystery. It believes that during what is called surat shabd yoga the soul can by means of inner Sound, and Light enter the highest Spiritual Region in which God can be realized. The Radiant Form of the inner living Perfect Master, or Satguru may well manifest itself. This acts as the essential guide to the Spiritual Regions. Like most eastern "groups" the Sikh sect of the Radhasoamis believes in reincarnation, and via shabd yoga one can be liberated from births, and deaths.

Anyway, it is claimed that it has as it were an accurate,and complete basic "road-map" to God in the highest Spiritual Region. It is interesting to point out that virtually all religions, and sects emanate from this "other world". Yet, the Radhasoamis claim that they all have their source of origin in the lower intermediate planes of the Spiritual Regions. In other words, their founders (eg. Buddha, and Mohammed) and indeed mystical practices (eg. raja yoga, kundalini yoga of the Indian tradition), and their practioners have mistaken these realms for being the final destination of their teachings. Incidently, such realms may have a residing "god" which would be easily mistaken for the highest of the highest. In other words, their spiritual knowledge is incomplete, and inaccurate.

Of course, the way to ascertain whether such claims are true, or false would be an elaborate comparative study via questionaire of the inner experiences had by them, and by those who follow surat shabd yoga.

Unfortunately, in keeping with esoteric tradition the world over such personal information is generally never disclosed.

Strictly speaking, the methods of some meditation, and resulting experiences are for the awakening intuition and not for the mind. They are thus meant to be experienced, and not discussed. As such they are largely kept "secret" from the masses, and are only intended for real seekers after Truth. Moreover, such knowledge in the wrong hands could be misused for personal rather than spiritual gain. In spite of all this alot already exists in the public domain.

As already mentioned the Radhasoamis not only believe in an inner Perfect Master but also in an outer one in the physical world. There are number of organisations which purport to have one. Such an Adept of shabd yoga is seen as being the visible material incarnation of the Supreme Power. However, Faqir Chand the "unknowing mystic" claimed that devotees came to him about their inner, and indeed, outer "miracles" with his spiritual form. Yet, though he was supposed to be omniscient he said he knew nothing about all these things. This same "unknowingness" appears in many present day "Perfect Masters". Some have argued that if they did display "knowingness" they would be openly using psychic powers to attract a following which is contrary to the teachings of the Radhasoami Faith.

Thus, they pretend to be "human" when actually they are not.

Faqir Chand though came up with a simple theory. He believed that it was the devotees faith, and belief in him as the Master which prompted the inner, and outer experiences of his spiritual form. He, himself had nothing to do with it! He suggested, or so it would seem that it was the devotees Higher Self, or ones pure personal God within which actually acted as the Master on the inner, and outer worlds of reality. In other words, belief, and faith in the outer Teacher was essential for spiritual phenomena. This ofcourse also implied that even a criminal posing as a guru could have the exact same effect. This also may be the reason why a few Radhasoami Satgurus past, and present may have experienced "moral falls", and yet, in spite of this their outer form, and teachings could still be valid as it was the devotees Higher Self which ultimately was the real cause of spiritual evolution. Incidently, devotees claim that since the Master is "God" he, or indeed she can do anything as a test of faith. Who can question the Almighty?

This is a big subject which we cannot further expand upon here.

The Association for Multi-Dimensional Science.

If the questionaires yield valuable correlative material the next possible stage would be to set up a non-profit Association for Multi-Dimensional Science.

It would have the following basic aims:-

1. It would continue to search out willing MDOs for possible studies, and experiments.
2. It would try to build an ever-expanding directory of Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, Judaic, Shinto, Sufi, and other mystical sects. This in itself would require detective work as most of them do not advertize themselves. This would involve i) contacing scholars, and writer ii) the internet iii) interfaith organisations iv) charity registers v) esoteric magazines vi) existing directories....and so on.
3. The need for on-going research, and development into a general theory, or working hypothesis of the Unseen Universe. This would involve ideas from Theosophy, the Alice Bailey Teachings, Spiritualism, Maharishis Vedic Science, and Technology, Pearsons Survival Physics, Bohms Implicate Order,and the like.

As well as this concepts from "mainstream" science would have to be included such as Quantum Mechanics, the Multi-verse, the Fourth Dimension, Tachyons, Anti-Matter Worlds, et al.

Finally, it must be remembered that the proposed Multi-Dimensional Science probably cannot give totally provable answers as to what the ultimate nature and purpose of Truth is really all about. It is quite possible that there are no absolute truths, and that the universe is itself infinite. Science can only go so far, and at the end of the day it is arguably our own personal experience that really matters.<./p>

Finally, MDS is a huge subject, and what has been presented cannot do it true justice. There are many many aspects to it.

An Important Notice.

Readers should understand, and appreciate another factor in the research, and development of MDS which was not fully high-lighted in the above body of the text. It is this. One of the big problems with "higher worlds" is that their lower intermediate planes, or spheres can be partly, or wholly made up of subjective projections externalised into objective realities. Such mental phenomena can be active, or static, or in between so to speak. Yet, the difference between genuine shared reality, and such self-created objects, and "beings" must be carefully determined with the Questionaire process already described.

It has been pointed out that MDS is similiar but not identical with Professor Tart's ideas referred to as State-Specific Science. However, the former arguably offers by far the most advanced, and complete set of methods for "scientifically" investigating "higher worlds," and so-called altered states of conciousness, or ASCs. This is the key point.

It is also interesting to claim that though genuine "objective" inner sights in shabd yoga, and other forms of meditation may not be necessarily experienced. In other words, it is possible to make spiritual progress, and "ascension" without even being aware of it during life....

Some References.

Ash, David, and Peter Hewitt, The Vortex; Key to Future Science. McMillans, 199O.

Bohm, David, Wholeness, and the Implicate Order, Routledge, and Kegan Paul, 198O

Capra, F. Tao of Physics, Shambhala, 2OOO edition.

Hardy, Alistair. The Spiritual Nature of Man. Oxford University Press, l979.

Karagulla, Shafica, Breakthrough to Creativity: Your Higher Sense Perception, De Vorss. n.d.

Leadbeater, C.W. Man, Visible, and Invisible, Quest Publishing. n.d.

McKinney, Neuro-Theology; Virtual Religion in the 21st Century. American Institute of Mindfulness 1994.

McTaggert, The Field: The Quest for the Secret Force of the Universe, Harper Collins 2001.

Muktananda, Play of Conciousness, Siddha Yoga Meditation Publications, 1994.

Moody, Raymond, Life Afte Life, Bantam, 1976 edition.

Puri, J R, The Radhaswami Teachings, Radha Soami Satsang Beas, l979, and also his two vol Mysticism: the Spiritual Path by the same publisher.