Real Magic
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Science and a Guide to the Secrets of the Universe.
By Dean Radin
Penguin Random House (April 10, 2018)
Calling all skeptics.
If that’s you — or you just want to learn more about magic, check out Dean Radin’s new book, Real Magic. It is full of useful information and interesting stories as he takes us on his journey — exploring magic from an “evidence based scientific perspective.” Since scientists tend to dismiss magic, I was glad to see this scientific approach to magic.
A scientist approaches magic
You see, Dean Radin is a scientist. He currently serves as the Chief Scientist of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, a non-profit organization supporting “consciousness research, transformative learning, and engaging a global community.” He has studied paranormal phenomena for decades.
Radin spends much of the book looking at the history of magic and science. He offers evidence on how magic has been around throughout written history – and yet rejected by the scientific community. Even when magic clearly demonstrates itself, some scientists cannot change their belief systems to accommodate their actual experiences. Radin gives us an example of this with the great skeptic himself, Michael Shermer walking away still shunning magic even after he just experienced it. (No “spoiler alert” needed. You can find this story on page 6 of the hardback.)
Magic is Everywhere
Despite the dismissal by fellow scientists, Radin concludes that magic is everywhere in our lives as demonstrated in prayers, in the wearing of sacred symbols, and in the multitude of books that have been written on the power of affirmations and positive thinking. I have believed in magic since I was a little girl growing up in South Africa. My career path reinforced these beliefs. Prior to becoming a Bioenergy therapist, I worked for 30 years as a psychoanalyst with the unconscious mind. Magic works in the same area of our minds – behind our consciousness.
As foreshadowed by the book title, Radin concludes that “based on a substantial body of experimental evidence, we can state with a high degree of confidence that real magic exists.” He predicts magic to evolve into a scientific discipline. This is encouraging.
It does exist
Radin does explain in detail some of the experiments which back up his claim that magic is real and present in our everyday lives. I am familiar with most of these experiments discussed — like the use of random number generators and mood studies of people who drank “blessed tea.” I still find them fascinating.
The book did encourage me to try a sigil ceremony which I did. According to various YouTube demonstrations, you write the object of your desire on a piece of paper. Then you take out all the vowels and any letters that are duplicates. With the letters that are left, you create a design, like a logo and send the intention of your desire into it. I had never done one before and am still waiting for the magic to work.
All in all, I feel that this book is a good read. I recommend it if you are relatively new to the world of magic. It would also make an excellent gift for a friend who is skeptical of magic or wanting to learn more.
You can listen to Dean Radin introducing his Real Magic book on YouTube. Enjoy.
Peace,
Ellen
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P.S. I am currently reading Living in a Mindful Universe by Eben Alexander. I will give you my review once I complete it. Until then, have wonderful, magical time.