Expert Definitions
These are definitions from declassified CIA documents on the US government programs which studied these abilities during the Cold War, as well as from Psi-Field Encyclopedias:
“All the events and abilities of human beings and animals termed paranormal . . in its cognitive aspect . . it is an ability to learn things without using the sensory channels of information. In its kinetic aspect . . the ability to affect physical objects with the mind alone.” - The Encyclopedia of Parapsychology and Psychical Research
“The informational and energetic possibilities of the psychic and biophysical activities of living organisms . . The complex of phenomena relating to the interaction of living organisms with each other and with the surrounding environment, without the meditation of the known sense organs or presently identified energy transfer mechanisms.” — Declassified CIA Document (“Soviet and Czechoslovakian Parapsychology Research”)
“The ‘informational’ and ‘energetic’ psi abilities. One which focuses on perceiving information at a distance, the other on manipulating matter or energy at a distance. ‘Informational access’ and ‘energetic influence.’” — Declassified CIA Document (”Terminology and Definitions”)
My Complete Definition
PSI abilities are the abilities that allow beings to interact with phenomena at a distance—whether by perceiving them without using known senses, or physically influencing them without using known physical energy or forces.
These abilities are considered “paranormal” only because their mechanisms are unknown. But, if the physical processes enabling their apparent distance-based perception and distant-influence are identified—they no longer would be!
In fact, some mechanisms have already been thought of and experimentally tested (electromagnetism for telepathy, and infrared radiation for hand-hovering healing practices like “reiki”). So, these may one day be entirely “normal” abilities and phenomena, operating through known mechanisms. Only time (and science) will tell.
Names Throughout History
There’s many names for psychic abilities, experiences, or phenomena. Below are all the ones that I know of. You can choose whichever one floats your boat.
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Psychic Abilities or Phenomena (”Psi”) — From the Greek psykhikos ("of the soul, spirit, or mind") as opposed to somatikos (”of the body”), so etymologically it means “abilities of the mind.” A world-wide term, emphasizing the main manifestation of these abilities in the mind (psyche). It is often abbreviated as “psi,” which is the most common and field-preferred term for these abilities. I’ll be using this term throughout the database because it’s the most known and the shortest to write.
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Psi Abilities or Phenomena —
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Paranormal Abilities or Phenomena — Combining the Greek para- ("beside," or "beyond”) and the Latin normalis (“normal”), etymologically it means “beyond normal abilities.” A widely used and another field-preferred term, emphasizing these abilities clash against our accepted views about the nature of space, time, causality, death, and the limits of human perception. This term does not imply they’re “supernatural,” as they must be part of nature if they occur. It simply implies they conflict with our prevailing beliefs about nature—not necessarily with nature itself.
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Psychoenergetic Abilities or Phenomena— Combining the Greek psykhē (”soul, spirit, mind”) and "energetics" (energy/force), etymologically rendering as “mind-energy abilities.” A Soviet-era term, meant to emphasize the mental and physical energy basis of these abilities. This contrasts with the term “psychic,” emphasizing the mental basis only. The term was later adopted by the US government psychic programs, and became the main term for these abilities in declassified documents between ~1971-1986.
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Biocommunications — Another Soviet-era term.
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Psychophysiology —
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Psionic Abilities — A sci-fi term, which referred to applying principles of engineering (especially electronics) to the study and use of PSI phenomena. It was recently used in an interview with Jake Barber, a UFO whistleblower claimed to have been part of a secret government UFO retrieval program, which used individuals with “psionic abilities” (Barber’s words) to summon UFOs. If his claims are true, this leads me to believe this term is being used in the currently classified UFO retrieval programs, which employ individuals with “psionic” abilities to remotely interact with UFO tech.
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Anomalous Mental Phenomena (AMP) — A US term, which emphasizes the mental manifestation of these abilities, and sees them as “abnormal” (anomalous). It was coined by scientist Edwin May, at Science Applications International Corp (SAIC), while he was working in US government psychic programs. It became the main term used to refer to PSI phenomena in US government PSI programs from ~1986-1995.
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Extrordinary Functions of the Human Body (EFHB) — A Chinese term, emphasizing that these abilities are an “extraordinary” way that human bodies work.
Sources
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