Silva Method
{{Short description|Self-help and meditation program}}
The Silva Method is a self-help and meditation program developed by José Silva. It claims to increase an individual's abilities through relaxation, development of higher brain functions, and psychic abilities such as clairvoyance.{{Cite book|title=The skeptic's dictionary|last=Carroll|first=Robert Todd|publisher=Wiley|year=2003|isbn=0471480886|location=Hoboken, NJ|chapter=Silva Method|oclc=55751218|chapter-url=http://www.skepdic.com/silva.html}}
It has been variously classified as a self-religion,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DouBAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA591|title=Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements|author=Peter Clarke|date=March 2004|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-49970-0|pages=591–592}} a new religious movement, and a cult,Powers, A. M. (1984). [https://www.proquest.com/openview/2692f9eab69dd696e841a22c6807798f/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y Silva mind control international: An anthropological inquiry (Parapsychology, cults, psychic, religion)]. Wayne State University. and has been criticised as pseudoscience.{{Cite web |title=Business Thought - Silva {{!}} Profit |url=https://www.profitmagazin.com/editions/number_070.519.html |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=www.profitmagazin.com}}
Biography of José Silva
José Silva (August 11, 1914- February 7, 1999), an American electronics repairman, grew up in Laredo, Texas. He developed an interest in psychology to see if it could help him increase his children's IQ. After experimenting and being convinced of his daughter's sudden clairvoyance, Silva decided to learn more about the development of psychic abilities.Swain, P. (2020). [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41407-021-0651-7 The Silva Method]. BDJ Team, 7(7), 36-37.
In 1944 Silva began developing his method, formerly known as Silva Mind Control. He used it on his family members and friends before launching it commercially in the 1960s.{{cite Encyclopedia of Claims |title=Silva Mind Control |first-letter=S |access-date=26 January 2022 |quote=A system developed by José Silva (1914- ) that claims to develop improved memory, learning ability, and paranormal powers like telepathy. Much of the course consists of 'visiting' absent persons imagined by students and performing diagnoses on them. No tests of the validity of this practice have been done; such tests are discouraged by the teachers of the system.}}
Silva was the subject of a 1990 biography.{{cite book |last=Stone |first=Robert B. |title=José Silva: The Man Who Tapped the Secrets of the Human Mind and the Method He Used |year=1990 |publisher=H.J. Kramer, Inc. |isbn=0-915811-29-4}}
Technique
The technique aims to reach and sustain a state of mental functioning, called alpha state, where brainwave frequency is seven to fourteen Hz.{{cite book | title=the Silva Mind Control Method | publisher=Pocket Books | author=Silva, José | year=1977 | location=New York, New York | isbn=978-0-671-73989-8 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/silvamindcontrol00silv_0 }}:p19-20 Daydreaming and the transition to sleeping are alpha states.:p19-20
Silva claimed to have developed a program that trained people to enter certain brain states of enhanced awareness. He also claimed to have developed several systematic mental processes to use while in these states allowing a person to mentally project with a specific intent. According to Silva, once the mind is projected, a person can allegedly view distant objects or locations and connect with higher intelligence for guidance. The information received by the projected mind is then said to be perceived as thoughts, images, feelings, smells, taste, and sound by the mind. The information obtained in this manner can be acted upon to solve problems.
Skepticism
James Randi wrote of the Silva Method:
{{quote|A system developed by José Silva (1914- ) that claims to develop improved memory, learning ability, and paranormal powers like telepathy. Much of the course consists of 'visiting' absent persons imagined by students and performing diagnoses on them. No tests of the validity of this practice have been done; such tests are discouraged by the teachers of the system.}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.silvacasesonline.com Silva Method Case Working Site]
- [https://www.silvamethod.com The Silva Method official website]
- [https://www.semicolonites.com The Silva Method Official Partners]
{{Meditation}}
{{Authority control}}