How to Think Impossibly: About Souls, Ufos, Time, Belief, and Everything Else

Kripal presents a compelling argument for a reality that defies conventional categorization, skillfully weaving scholarly depth with accessible storytelling. However, this book will not suit readers strictly adhering to positivist scientific frameworks or those seeking empirical proof over phenomenological experience. It challenges the very definition of 'impossible,' requiring an open-minded approach to belief and perception. While intellectually stimulating for those willing to question established assumptions, it may feel abstract or unsatisfying to skeptics who demand concrete data over philosophical exploration of the mind's capacity to shape reality.

Readers who feel constrained by rigid materialist worldviews will find liberation in this text. It offers a profound re-evaluation of phenomena often dismissed as impossible, such as telepathy and UFO sightings, framing them as fundamental aspects of human existence rather than aberrations. Those seeking to understand the 'supernatural' not as something outside nature but deeply embedded within it will appreciate the blend of scholarly inquiry and personal narrative. It is ideal for individuals ready to expand their perception of reality, accepting a dimension that is both mental and material yet transcends both categories.

Redefining The Impossible

Kripal provocatively argues that the "impossible" isn't an objective state but a boundary drawn by our current understanding of reality. He unpacks how extraordinary experiences, often dismissed as mere anomalies, are actually vital clues to a more expansive, interconnected human consciousness and a reality far richer than conventional thought allows.

Beyond Mental And Material

This book explores a profound "third way" of understanding existence, moving beyond the binary of purely mental or purely material interpretations. Kripal suggests a foundational reality that underpins both, manifesting in experiences often labeled "paranormal." This challenges us to integrate these phenomena into a holistic view of being.

The Supernatural As Natural

Kripal posits that what we term "supernatural" is, in essence, "super natural"—an intrinsic, albeit profound, aspect of nature itself. He dismantles the artificial distinction between the mundane and the miraculous, presenting so-called impossible events as expressions of a deeper, inherent reality that is always available for human experience.

“The 'impossible' is merely the frontier of our current conceptual horizon, not an objective boundary of existence itself.”

“To declare the supernatural 'unnatural' is to misunderstand the profound depths and inherent strangeness woven into the very fabric of nature.”

✍️ More books by this author Kripal, Jeffrey J

🏛 Books from this publisher University of Chicago Press