Graham Nicholls
Encyclopedia
Graham Nicholls is an author, artist and expert on out of body experiences and spirituality. He speaks widely on issues around parapsychology, ethics and art at institutions ranging from the London Science Museum to the Cambridge Union Society
.
district of central London into a working class family. He states that during his early life he was surrounded by crime and social problems, but that the influence of literature, art, science and spiritual philosophies helped him to look beyond the limitations of this environment.
, hypnosis
, and psi
abilities. Nicholls had his first solo show at a gallery run by James Fuentes in New York City in July, 1999 and in 2004 developed many of his psychological ideas into an interactive virtual reality installation at London's Science Museum
, much of which was based upon his life and locations from his childhood.
Technology and science take a central role in his artistic output, his virtual web projects being considered internationally recognised by the Handbook of the economics of art and culture in 2003 (published 2006). Eight year ago his installation art
website was also mentioned by one commentator as rating in the top four sites in the world in terms of search engine hits in one subject area.
. In 2009 Nicholls outlined his experiences and ideas relating to OBEs in an article that appeared in Kindred Spirit magazine. In the article he makes it clear that he believes mainstream science will eventually fully embrace psi, or psychical perceptions as natural, rather than supernatural or paranormal. He draws upon the ideas of Brian Josephson, Dean Radin
and Rupert Sheldrake
. He also explores these issues in his 2011 book, Avenues of the Human Spirit.
As part of his inquiry into psi
and human consciousness, in 2009 he began working on a series of telepathy
experiments in a joint project with controversial scientist Rupert Sheldrake
. The resulting data formed part of the Perrott-Warrick project, administered by Trinity College
, Cambridge. Nicholls is also a member of the Society for Psychical Research
.
with a special focus on work towards relieving poverty, as well as human rights
and animal rights
. The network were official member's of the Make Poverty History
campaign focused on campaigning for debt relief to countries in situations of extreme poverty, this culminated with protests aimed to influence the G8
conference, which took place in 2005.
Cambridge Union Society
The Cambridge Union Society, commonly referred to as simply "the Cambridge Union" or "the Union," is a debating society in Cambridge, England and is the largest society at the University of Cambridge. Since its founding in 1815, the Union has developed a worldwide reputation as a noted symbol of...
.
Early life
Graham Nicholls was born in the PaddingtonPaddington
Paddington is a district within the City of Westminster, in central London, England. Formerly a metropolitan borough, it was integrated with Westminster and Greater London in 1965...
district of central London into a working class family. He states that during his early life he was surrounded by crime and social problems, but that the influence of literature, art, science and spiritual philosophies helped him to look beyond the limitations of this environment.
Art career
Since the early 1990s he has developed artistic works which explore subjects such as sensory deprivationSensory deprivation
Sensory deprivation or perceptual isolation is the deliberate reduction or removal of stimuli from one or more of the senses. Simple devices such as blindfolds or hoods and earmuffs can cut off sight and hearing respectively, while more complex devices can also cut off the sense of smell, touch,...
, hypnosis
Hypnosis
Hypnosis is "a trance state characterized by extreme suggestibility, relaxation and heightened imagination."It is a mental state or imaginative role-enactment . It is usually induced by a procedure known as a hypnotic induction, which is commonly composed of a long series of preliminary...
, and psi
Psi (parapsychology)
Psi is a term from parapsychology derived from the Greek, ψ psi, 23rd letter of the Greek alphabet; from the Greek ψυχή psyche, "mind, soul".-Etymology:...
abilities. Nicholls had his first solo show at a gallery run by James Fuentes in New York City in July, 1999 and in 2004 developed many of his psychological ideas into an interactive virtual reality installation at London's Science Museum
Science Museum (London)
The Science Museum is one of the three major museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is part of the National Museum of Science and Industry. The museum is a major London tourist attraction....
, much of which was based upon his life and locations from his childhood.
Technology and science take a central role in his artistic output, his virtual web projects being considered internationally recognised by the Handbook of the economics of art and culture in 2003 (published 2006). Eight year ago his installation art
Installation art
Installation art describes an artistic genre of three-dimensional works that are often site-specific and designed to transform the perception of a space. Generally, the term is applied to interior spaces, whereas exterior interventions are often called Land art; however, the boundaries between...
website was also mentioned by one commentator as rating in the top four sites in the world in terms of search engine hits in one subject area.
Out-of-Body Experiences and Parapsychology
Nicholls claims to have had hundreds of out of body experiences (OBEs) since the age of approximately twelve years old. These experiences led him to study many aspects of parapsychologyParapsychology
The term parapsychology was coined in or around 1889 by philosopher Max Dessoir, and originates from para meaning "alongside", and psychology. The term was adopted by J.B. Rhine in the 1930s as a replacement for the term psychical research...
. In 2009 Nicholls outlined his experiences and ideas relating to OBEs in an article that appeared in Kindred Spirit magazine. In the article he makes it clear that he believes mainstream science will eventually fully embrace psi, or psychical perceptions as natural, rather than supernatural or paranormal. He draws upon the ideas of Brian Josephson, Dean Radin
Dean Radin
Dean Radin is a researcher and author in the field of parapsychology. He has been Senior Scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences , in Petaluma, California, USA, since 2001, and is on the Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Psychology at Sonoma State University, on the Distinguished...
and Rupert Sheldrake
Rupert Sheldrake
Rupert Sheldrake is an English scientist. He is known for having proposed an unorthodox account of morphogenesis and for his research into parapsychology. His books and papers stem from his theory of morphic resonance, and cover topics such as animal and plant development and behaviour, memory,...
. He also explores these issues in his 2011 book, Avenues of the Human Spirit.
As part of his inquiry into psi
Psi-Theory
Psi-Theory, developed by Dietrich Dörner, is about human action regulation, intention and behaviour. The theory describes a comprehensive model of the human brain, its cognitive processes, emotion and motivation. It is about the informational structure of an intelligent, motivated, emotional agent ...
and human consciousness, in 2009 he began working on a series of telepathy
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
experiments in a joint project with controversial scientist Rupert Sheldrake
Rupert Sheldrake
Rupert Sheldrake is an English scientist. He is known for having proposed an unorthodox account of morphogenesis and for his research into parapsychology. His books and papers stem from his theory of morphic resonance, and cover topics such as animal and plant development and behaviour, memory,...
. The resulting data formed part of the Perrott-Warrick project, administered by Trinity College
Trinity College
-Australia:* Trinity Catholic College Lismore, a Catholic secondary school in New South Wales* Trinity College , part of the University of Melbourne, in Melbourne, Victoria* Trinity College, Gawler, Adelaide, South Australia...
, Cambridge. Nicholls is also a member of the Society for Psychical Research
Society for Psychical Research
The Society for Psychical Research is a non-profit organisation in the United Kingdom. Its stated purpose is to understand "events and abilities commonly described as psychic or paranormal by promoting and supporting important research in this area" and to "examine allegedly paranormal phenomena...
.
Activism
In 2004 Nicholls founded an organisation called the Shahmai NetworkShahmai Network
The Shahmai Network is a UK based spiritual organization. The Network organizes retreats, meetings and training in various practices including fasting, meditation and trance. The Shahmai Network is active within the peace and humanitarian movements, and has been vocal in opposition to the invasion...
with a special focus on work towards relieving poverty, as well as human rights
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
and animal rights
Animal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
. The network were official member's of the Make Poverty History
Make Poverty History
Make Poverty History is the name of a campaign that exists in a number of countries, including Australia, Canada, Denmark , Finland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Romania, the United Arab Emirates, Great Britain and Ireland...
campaign focused on campaigning for debt relief to countries in situations of extreme poverty, this culminated with protests aimed to influence the G8
G8
The Group of Eight is a forum, created by France in 1975, for the governments of seven major economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In 1997, the group added Russia, thus becoming the G8...
conference, which took place in 2005.
Books
- Avenues of the Human Spirit (2011) ISBN 978-1-84694-464-2
- Navigating the Out-of-Body Experience: Radical New Techniques ISBN 978-0738727615 (Scheduled for April 2012 publication)
External links
- Grahamnicholls.com - Official website
- The Living Image - The website of the virtual reality project
- Polyamory.org.uk - The polyamory site founded by Graham Nicholls
- The Shahmai Network - The organisation founded by Graham Nicholls in 2004
Interviews
- Can Out-of-Body Experiences Explain God? - Graham Nicholls interview with Skeptiko exploring the existence of God, morality and the spiritual, 2011
- The Spirit Guides Network - Interview about his book as well as wider social and spiritual issues, 2011
- Shamanic Freedom Radio Episode 78 - Interview about his book, Avenues of the Human Spirit, 2011.
- Spiritual Lounge Magazine - Interview with Graham Nicholls about his spiritual philosophy and life, 2010
- The Spirit Guides Network - Audio interview with Graham Nicholls on his out of body experiences, 2010
- Veganism & Animal Liberation - An interview with Graham Nicholls on his vegan views, 2010
- London College of Spirituality - Audio interview on his out-of-body experiences, 2009
- Myartspace.com - Indepth Interview on his art and philosophy 2008
- Xfuns Magazine - Interview in English and Chinese, Issue 30, 2007
Articles & Reviews
- Out-of-Body Experiences: In Search of the Truth - Article by Graham Nicholls for Noetic Now, the journal of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, 2011
- Avenues of the Human Spirit - Article about Nicholls' first book, science and skepticism, 2011
- Skeptical Investigations - A report on TAM London by Graham Nicholls, 2010
- Expanding Horizons - Kindred Spirit magazine article by Graham Nicholls on his out-of-body experiences, 2009
- Art and Science: The Truth Behind Telepathy - Review of Graham Nicholls and Rupert Sheldrake's joint project, 2009
- Feeling Technoetic? See The Living Image - Culture 24 review of the Living Image Project, 2004
- New expression for virtual city - BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Review of the Living Image Project, 2004