Stories of a Psychical Researcher

Psychologist Ed Bokert worked part time for four years at the American Society for Psychical Research. He will share several of his unusual experiences there. An expert in dream therapy, he plans to lead a discussion on those experiences — waking and otherwise — that we’ve all had that defy our usual rational analyses. As has been said, “The pointing finger points — but at what?” Some welcome evidence that for all our knowledge and sophistication, there is much we still don’t understand about ourselves and our world. Some dismiss all such talk as wishful thinking or delusion. What has your experience led you to believe? Ed graduated in l958 from New York University with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. His was an award-winning thesis on the subject of influencing dreams. He worked briefly at NYU in their sleep lab and then at the American Society of Psychical Research. Following that position, Ed worked at the Family Service and Child Guidance Center in Orange for the next 35 years, having held the positions first of dream researcher, then director of their drug and alcohol program and later as psychotherapist. Upon his retirement, Ed has continued his private therapy practice but also focused his attention on writing poetry. His first book of poems, entitled Healing Hullabaloo, will be published this fall. Ed and his wife Karen are members of the society and live in Maplewood. The Ethical Culture Society of Essex County is a progressive non-theist religion dedicated to living ethically in a complex world. Founded in l876 and established in Maplewood in l945, over the years the ethical culture movement (known as The American Ethical Union) has been instrumental in launching Planned Parenthood, the NAACP, Visiting Nurses, New York Settlement House, Fieldston School, and National Ethical Service at the UN. The Society began a long-running Ethics for Children program and most recently, Essex Time Exchange (a time bank facilitating the exchange of services) among other initiatives. The Maplewood Society was the first peace site in the country. Its motto is: to act so as to bring out the best in ourselves by bringing out the best in others. Contact information: 973-763-1905; www.essexethical.org. Join us for weekly programs, discussions, and fellowship Sundays at 11 am. All are welcome.