The change in terms reflects our greater understanding of the breadth and range of these phenomena and a desire to be more accurate in how they are described. Many early parapsychologists were Greek and Latin scholars. The term telekinesis was derived from the Greek words "tele" for distant and "kinesis" for movement) to refer to how mediums could move objects they weren't touching. As parapsychologists became aware of the importance of consciousness, this was amended to psychokinesis (which combines the Greek words for soul and movement). However, further research made it clear that the influence of a mind (whether existing only in spirit or with a body) on external objects or processes without the mediation of known physical energies or forces need not always involve movement at all, but can involve other kinds of influence, such as metal softening, healing and fire-immunity. Because of this, a new, more accurate and inclusive term was needed. The one chosen was mind-matter interaction or MMI.

Early research was performed on a variety of large-scale objects, including tables (looking for movement), rolling dice, moving stones or insects into or out of sealed containers or living beings (China), stopping frog hears (Russia), bending metal (as measured by strain gauges), and spinning energy wheels (which can be done even in a sealed vacuum chamber). However, most of these require gifted individuals. Because of this, parapsychologists looked for ways they could measure smaller changes and rely on larger pools of data for any result to show up.

Computer games (often performed over the internet) are the most popular method of mind-matter interaction today because a large database can be built up quickly and easily. There is some controversy in Parapsychology as to whether RNGs and REGs measure MMI at all, but could be just as well explained by ESP -- knowing the exact moment to start your study to get the results you wish. This theory is called "Decision Augmentation Theory." In addition, we are starting to see more mainstream interest in the effectiveness of anomalous healing, with some well-designed studies on psychic healers appearing in medical journals.

MMI doesn't have to be done solo. In fact, it can be an advantage doing it with others, which may explain part of the long popularity of séances and table-tipping parties. This may relate to a number of things, including distraction, combined talent, and the factors described by Kenneth Batcheldor's sitter-group work (see "What is a sitter group?" below).

Spoon bending parties were started in California in the 1960s by Jack Houck, a mechanical and aerospace engineer. He was interested in showing people that everyone has the ability to perform mind-matter interaction by letting them bend silverware into curlicues and a variety of other shapes that are beyond what is capable by physical force alone. Indeed some metal strips which were sealed inside glass bottles at the party were seen to bend not only during the party, but for several days afterward as well. Houck thinks the same energy can be used for healing purposes, and is available to us all. PK parties have about a 85% first time success rate, with the key being not to get overly analytical. His three step program is:

• FIRST: Make a mental connection with the target (or spoon)
• SECOND: Command your intention (he recommends shouting "Bend")
• THIRD: Let go mentally (distract yourself or think of something else for a moment)

Mr. Houck also recommends "asking" your target item if it is will to bend for you before you start, using a pendulum. This is a clever way of accessing the unconscious mind, and checking whether it is willing to bend the item, or not. The short, positive, present tense command used ("Bend") is also a hypnotic technique which seems to work well with the unconscious mind. Many experimenters have commented on the fact that the unconscious mind seems to be what really controls or mediates our access to psi abilities, so using techniques designed to enlist its cooperation seem very smart. The party atmosphere is very helpful in making people feel comfortable doing mind-matter interaction.

Table tipping has been performed for thousands of years (for more, please see my YouTube video). However, Kenneth Batcheldor was one of the first to investigate table movement outside the séance parlor. He used ordinary individuals in good light with no spirits. Batcheldor thought that there were three big reasons why mind-matter interaction (MMI) might succeed or fail. These were:

• BELIEF: Even the slightest doubt can make it hard to results when you're in a skeptical environment.
• OWNERSHIP RESISTANCE: A term Batcheldor used to describe people's reluctance be responsible for mind-matter interaction.
• WITNESS INHIBITION: The fact people are sometimes very uncomfortable watching mind-matter interaction, no matter who is responsible for it.

Batcheldor felt the best way to get around all three of these problems is to use a group party atmosphere. Often he would have one person "prime the pump" by faking an event to get around the need for belief to get things rolling. Ownership resistance was less of a problem because no one knew who in the group was actually responsible for the PK. Perhaps most importantly, he used laughter, singing, and a light party-like atmosphere to cut down on witness inhibition. This method was used by the Toronto group in their table tipping experiment that became a paperback book, Conjuring up Phillip. This research suggests that the unconscious knows how to do psi -- it just needs to have a set goal and a way to keep the conscious mind from interfering with the production of mind-matter interaction.

There are a number of limited to psychic healing. I am unaware of anyone who can heal a broken tooth. In addition, MMI is difficult, if not impossible for even the most gifted healers to perform on someone they love who is seriously ill. As best I can tell, it is a case of them being too invested in the outcome, which blocks their success. Even if you are working with a stranger, it will only temporarily improve chronic illness. That makes healing a treadmill of having to keep doing it over and over or lose ground.

Where psychic healing seems to work best with with acute problems--whether a broken bone, short illness, or cut. Once healed, those folks can stay that way. However, there can be two types of toll it takes on the healer. One is that they may exhaust themselves to the point they temporarily lose their psychic abilities (ESP as well as MMI). The other is a risk of illness transfer from the healer to the patient or from the patient to the healer. Because of this, anomalous healing should only be done with care, with proper shielding and using direct energy transfer from the universe to the healee without making the healer part of the circuit. For more on psychic healing, check question 18 of the Psychic FAQ.

The short answer is no. It can't really be taught. However, it can be learned.

This is an odd distinction that we don't often make in our culture. The reason is that (1) MMI is controlled by unconscious needs (the conscious mind doesn't get a vote here) and (2) the state of consciousness that works best may not be the same for everyone I offer tips for doing MMI in my old Do's and Don'ts flyer. However, there is always a certain amount of figuring things out for yourself. However, before you do so, make sure you are clear as to your own motivations. This opens a door that cannot be easily shut again. A lot of unconscious stuff will come up. Whether you pursue MMI or ESP development, I highly recommend working with a licensed, professional counselor or therapist to deal with whatever arises.