"Just because you don't experience these things in a tangible sort of way doesn't mean that no one does."

(I see Wolfgang already picked that startement out to comment on..*grin*)

my comment: The burden of proof is on the assertor. If someone wants to CLAIM that they experience these things 'in a tangible way', they must show how this could happen. If they wish merely to experience them, there is nothing to prove. Those who do NOT have these experiences and are told "Oh, you just have to 'open yourself'!" may perhaps be excused for wondering how this is done.

There are SO many physical ways that strange psychic/paranormal experiences can be induced that simply assuming NON-physical ones seems to me to be a bit of wishful thinking. Some of us just have a need to believe certain things.

Those of you who read Mudcat regularly know that there are almost every combination of beliefs and non-beliefs represented among our members. Some believe in a Christian God, but not in psychic phenomena--some accept paranormal events, but are not 'religious'--some accept religion in other forms, whether 'pantheistic' or monotheistic---some hotly deny most of this, while others only hotly deny SOME of it..*grin*....others just shrug and make no committment.

So?....well, they CANNOT all be right, in an absolute sense of the word 'right'. There is an old joke about "what is too much sex?"...and the answer is "anyone who does it more than I do."
    ...the same idea can be applied to belief systems....What is 'extreme' and absurd? Why, anything which *I* don't understand or experience!
Oh, it's a can of worms, my friends! All I can do is recall Alice talking to the Red Queen:
"I can't believe that!" said Alice.

"Can't you?" the queen said in a pitying tone. "Try again, draw a long breath, and shut your eyes."

Alice laughed. "There's no use trying," she said. "One can't believe impossible things."

"I dare say you haven't had much practice," said the queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

I guess it's just that I'm too lazy to practice.