The Esoteric Experience
The Author
mike@esoteric-experience.org.uk
Mike Rush
I graduated from Keele University with a BSc in Biomedical Science in 1997 and completed the MA in Religious Experience at the University of Wales, Lampeter in 2009. In 2011 I gained a PGDip in Consciousness & Transpersonal Psychology via Liverpool John Moores University.
I am also a Committee member and local group organiser for the Alister Hardy Society. I founded the Chesterfield AHS Group in 2003 further details of which can be found under the AHS Group link above.
My other interests include the academic study of Western Esotericism and occultism. I am also a student member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Transpersonal Section, a member of the Association for Transpersonal Psychology (ATP), an associate of the Societas Magica and a member of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF).
I am also a Committee member and local group organiser for the Alister Hardy Society. I founded the Chesterfield AHS Group in 2003 further details of which can be found under the AHS Group link above.
My other interests include the academic study of Western Esotericism and occultism. I am also a student member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Transpersonal Section, a member of the Association for Transpersonal Psychology (ATP), an associate of the Societas Magica and a member of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF).
Michael J Rush BSc, MA.
Publications
2012, Rush, M.J. Book Review: The Quest for Hermes Trismegistus by Gary Lachman, De Numine, No. 52, Spring 2012, pp47-48.
2011, Eyre, W. Porter, T. & Rush, M.J. Psychic Sensitivity: Photographic Experiment, Anomaly, Vol. 45, pp73-83.
2011, Rush, M.J. The Esoteric Experience: Positive or Negative?, Paranthropology, Vol. 2, No. 3, http://paranthropologyjournal.weebly.com
2010, Rush, M.J. Book Review: The Anthropology Of Magic by Susan Greenwood, De Numine, No.49, Autumn 2010, pp48-49.
2010, Rush, M.J. If God Is A Delusion - Why Bother?, The Skeptic website: http://www.skeptic.org.uk/magazine/competitions/596-rush-god-why-bother
2009, Rush, M.J. On The Side Of The Angels: Neuroscience & Religious Experience, Religious Experience Research Centre (RERC) 2nd Series Occassional Paper #49.
2008, Rush, M.J. The Esoteric Experience: Negative Spiritual Experience or Positive Experiential Spirituality? MA Dissertation, Lampeter.
2003, Rush, M.J. Potter Harried, ASSAP News, No. 95.
2002, Rush, M.J. Transcending The Everyday, ASSAP News, No. 86.
2001, Rush, M.J. Healing and the Paranormal, ASSAP News, No. 80.
Presentations Given
2011, If God is a Delusion - Why Bother?, AHS Chesterfield Group
2009, Images From Alchemy, AHS Chesterfield Group
2008, The Esoteric Experience, AHS Chesterfield Group
2005, An Introduction To Western Esotericism, AHS Chesterfield Group
2004, On The Side Of The Angels, AHS Chesterfield Group
2009, Images From Alchemy, AHS Chesterfield Group
2008, The Esoteric Experience, AHS Chesterfield Group
2005, An Introduction To Western Esotericism, AHS Chesterfield Group
2004, On The Side Of The Angels, AHS Chesterfield Group
Memberships
BPS Transpersonal Section 2010-present
The British Psychological Society (BPS) (student) 2010-present
Association for Transpersonal Psychology (ATP) 2010-present
Alister Hardy Society (AHS) 2001-present
Chesterfield Psychic Study Group (CPSG) 1999-present
International Association For Religious Freedom (IARF) 2003-present
Societas Magica (associate) 2009-present
Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena (ASSAP) 2000-2006
Scientific & Medical Network 2003-2006
Society For Psychical Research (SPR)1998-2005
The British Psychological Society (BPS) (student) 2010-present
Association for Transpersonal Psychology (ATP) 2010-present
Alister Hardy Society (AHS) 2001-present
Chesterfield Psychic Study Group (CPSG) 1999-present
International Association For Religious Freedom (IARF) 2003-present
Societas Magica (associate) 2009-present
Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena (ASSAP) 2000-2006
Scientific & Medical Network 2003-2006
Society For Psychical Research (SPR)1998-2005
Academic Qualifications
2011, PGDip Consciousness & Transpersonal Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University
2009, MA Religious Experience (Distinction) University of Wales, Lampeter
1997, BSc Biomedical Science (Honours), Keele University
2009, MA Religious Experience (Distinction) University of Wales, Lampeter
1997, BSc Biomedical Science (Honours), Keele University
Research Interests
Western Esotericism & Transpersonal Psychology
Magical Belief & Practice from Ancient to Modern Times
Neuropsychology of Anomalous Experience
Barry Smith's New World Order Conspiracy Theory
The Voynich Manuscript
Mediumship & Spiritualistic Phenomena
Magical Belief & Practice from Ancient to Modern Times
Neuropsychology of Anomalous Experience
Barry Smith's New World Order Conspiracy Theory
The Voynich Manuscript
Mediumship & Spiritualistic Phenomena
Experience
2010-2011, A self-devised course of Integral Experiential Practice centred on Dr. Israel Regardie's One Year Manual.
2004-2005, Participant/Observer at a spiritualistic circle involving attempts at table-tilting, ouija and trance mediumship.
2000-2006, ASSAP Vigils
2000-2002, Member of Temple of Set
2000, Israel Trip: Haifa, Akko, Galilee, Golan Heights, Dead Sea, En Gedi, Jerusalem.
1998 & 1999, Evangelical Christian concerts, Alton Towers.
1996-1998, Christadelphian meetings, Tabernacles & Bible Home Study Groups.
1997-1999, Member of Servants of the Light
1998, Meditation sessions with the Brahma Kumaris, Malvern Road Centre.
1996-1997, Alpha Course run by Keele Evangelical Christian Union, Keele University.
1997, Catholic Mass & meditation sessions, Keele University Chapel.
1996, Discussions with LDS missionaries and attendance at Mormon Church, Newcastle-Under-Lyme & LDS Temple at Preston.
1996, Taize style worship, Keele University Chapel.
2004-2005, Participant/Observer at a spiritualistic circle involving attempts at table-tilting, ouija and trance mediumship.
2000-2006, ASSAP Vigils
2000-2002, Member of Temple of Set
2000, Israel Trip: Haifa, Akko, Galilee, Golan Heights, Dead Sea, En Gedi, Jerusalem.
1998 & 1999, Evangelical Christian concerts, Alton Towers.
1996-1998, Christadelphian meetings, Tabernacles & Bible Home Study Groups.
1997-1999, Member of Servants of the Light
1998, Meditation sessions with the Brahma Kumaris, Malvern Road Centre.
1996-1997, Alpha Course run by Keele Evangelical Christian Union, Keele University.
1997, Catholic Mass & meditation sessions, Keele University Chapel.
1996, Discussions with LDS missionaries and attendance at Mormon Church, Newcastle-Under-Lyme & LDS Temple at Preston.
1996, Taize style worship, Keele University Chapel.
Courses, Conferences & Talks Attended
2012, The Dark Side of Self: Jungian Perspectives on Dissociation and Psychosis, WMIP, Birmingham.
2012, What Can Transpersonal Psychology Offer to Deepen Your Own Self-Awareness and Counselling Practice? The Academy SPACE.
2012, Learn About Spiritual Crisis, Spiritual Crisis Network, Sheffield.
2011, Exploring the Extraordinary, University of York.
2011, Psychosynthesis Essentials Course, Psychosynthesis & Education Trust, London.
2010, Alister Hardy Society, Open Day & AGM, Friends' Meeting House, Oxford.
2010, Exploring The Extraordinary, University of York.
2009, Alister Hardy Society Open Day & AGM, Harris Manchester College, Oxford.
2009, Exploring The Extraordinary, University of York.
2008, Worlds Apart, Worlds Together: Science, Spirituality & Psychical Research, AHS & Parasearch, The Guildhall, Worcester.
2006, Alister Hardy Society Open Day & AGM,Friends' Meeting House, Oxford.
2005, Alister Hardy Society Open Day & AGM,Friends' Meeting House, Oxford.
2005, Developing Perspectives On Anomalous Experience, Liverpool Hope University College.
2004, Alister Hardy Society Open Day & AGM, Friends' Meeting House, Oxford.
2003, Alister Hardy Society Open Day & AGM, Friends' Meeting House, Oxford.
2003, Magical Practice & Belief 1800-present, Society for the Academic Study of Magic, Bristol University.
2002, Alister Hardy Society Open Day & AGM, Friends' Meeting House, Oxford.
2002, Shades & Shadows Parasearch Conference, The Guildhall, Worcester.
2000, The UFOsThat Never Were by Jenny Randles, Andy Roberts, & David Clarke, Chesterfield Library.
1999, The Interaction of Physics & Religion, The Institute of Physics, London.
1998 The Resurgence of Psychical Research, Society for Psychical Research Study Day, St. Mary Abbot’s Hall, London.
1997, From Vision to Reality, seminar with Dadi Jenki of the Brahma Kumaris, Sheffield University.
1997, The Interaction of Science & Theology, John Polkinghorne, Keele University.
