Talk:Silva Method

message: After reading the article and the votes on the deletion page, it's obvious to me that the real problem is that this article is POV.  But no one ever said so, and its critics were too lazy to re-write it with all the prerequisite supposeds and allegedlys and so on.
And I'm glad it's not, frankly.  Such a rewrite would make the prose much clumsier without adding new information.  I'm happy to read about this subect on its own terms. It gives me a good feel for the flavor of this school of thought.  
Do Wikipedia readers really need to be protected from opinions by obfuscatory and qualifying language?  Doesn't the fact that anyone with an interest can write an article make it obvious that people with strong opinions will be the first to start one?  Perhaps those that can't read critically should go back to watching television.
Clarknova 16:39, 15 Feb 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: Would anyone mind if I move the above comment into its own section, below? At the moment it is wrongly positioned in the page and gives a false impression of importance over and above other discussion points, correctly entered below.Jimjamjak (talk) 21:43, 23 April 2012 (UTC)
replies: text:   HairyWombat 19:21, 7 February 2013 (UTC)
replies: text:  The problem is not just POV, it's the fact that, like so many POV articles on WP, it's badly written. In its current state I'd just sandbox the whole thing until an editor has time to do a complete rewrite. Dadge (talk) 19:49, 6 June 2013 (UTC)
thread_title:  POV 

message: I took the Silva Method introductory class/sessions several years ago (about 1995 when i was 14-15).  A large portion of the class wasn't actually about remote viewing, or ESP.  Basically a lot of it was sort of concerning meditation, with the more paranormal elements intertwined within, supposedly accessible from the "higher" meditative state(s).  I'll admit a lot of it was weird and nonsensical (my instructor claimed he could bend a spoon with his mind or shoot invisible balls of energy across the room). I'll attempt to add about the relatively unique meditative methods it advocates.  I'm not going to defend the class, because I don't really buy any of it outside the meditation parts, but I'll try to remain neutral.  I have a course book lying around somewhere I'll consult for references. if I do waver from NPOV someone please correct me. Zoffoperskof 06:04, 26 February 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Non-paranormal part of method 

message: The article states, "Claims of psychic abilities, remote viewing and healing have not been empirically proven."
I think there is research "empirically proving" such "claims." I'll look for references.
The Institute of Noetic Sciences is a start... http://www.noetic.org/
--sparkit 05:12, 4 Apr 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  Claims: proven or unproven 

message: The title, "Silva Mind Control," was originated by José Silva in the 1960s at the onset of his world-famous self-empowerment system. The name was changed years ago to "The Silva Method," in order to more accurately describe the program.
The article posted in Wikipedia is not supported by Silva International Headquarters in Laredo, Texas. The external link, listed as the "official website," is not the official site at all. The correct URL for the Silva Method Headquarters is http://SilvaMethod.com
The people who posted the Silva article are not affiliated with José Silva's Silva Method. It is unfortunate that they represent themselves as the home of the Silva Method, and fail to give credit where it is due.
Any comments may be directed to george@SilvaMethod.com— Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.78.52.6 (talk) 16:34, 7 April 2005 (UTC)
replies: text: What is all this stuff doing here in a Wikipedia talk page? Does the person who wrote this have any idea of what Wikipedia is for? I am considering removing the email address, as I absolutely don't think that editors should be encouraging the diversion of discussion away from the page and to a private email address. Any thoughts?Jimjamjak (talk) 21:46, 23 April 2012 (UTC)
replies: text:  It has been there since 2005. Try to relax more. HairyWombat 19:32, 7 February 2013 (UTC)
thread_title:  It is Called The Silva Method 

message: The Alpha  brainwave state can be achieve easily through entrainment, it is characteristic of  "mind methods" to attemp crude forms of visualisations to achieve 'subjective' results.
Writers to this page should focus on reporting objectively the method and changes to the Silva Method over the years, perhaps a chronology is in order to illustrate how the Silva Method has changed over the years.
Perhaps the Silva Method could invigorated with an entrainment device?
Carl --210.10.180.20 02:11, 28 September 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Reference to Alpha Brainwave State 

message: I made a typo moving this and can't fix it myself. Admin needed, I think. Also Silva Method redirect needs to be reversed. Thanks!
--sparkit 11:57, 8 Apr 2005 (UTC)
thread_title:  move request 

message: My opinion may be biased because I use the the Silva Mind Control Method, but this article is an outrage. It may also be that todays silva method is much different than the 1970's version. I suggest a new section on the page about the original intentions of the Silva Method or a whole new page titled "The Silva Mind Control Method" (The new page seems unneccesary but I assure you that the original silva method was not a "self-empowerment system to shape beliefs, augment personal success and allegedly view distant objects or locations and connect with a higher intelligence for guidance")
So, please write about original silva method, because I do not know nothing about 1970's version. Maybe author of this article also does not have any knowledge about original silva method? 62.21.67.47 12:54, 18 November 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: You are very welcome to write about the original Silva method, in addition to the updated, new or otherwise slightly different method that may or may not be correctly described currently. Please do feel absolutely free to make NPOV edits where you see fit. I have suggested elsewhere on this page that a chronologic development of the method would be very useful as a starting point for improving the page.Jimjamjak (talk) 21:49, 23 April 2012 (UTC)
thread_title:  Quite Dissappointed... 

message: I have had results with Dynamic Meditation, Stress control, Memory & Concentration improvement, finding a most satisfying job without much effort, remote viewing/seeing places far away (sitting wherever you are - with eyes closed), Telepathy (mind reading/sending messages), stopping smoking, losing/gaining weight, improving confidence, regressing to a past life (especially to solve problems that one has in this life related to a past life), finding lost objects, getting answers for the unsolvable, getting whatever through guided visualization (a car, a house, money etc.), E.S.P. (Clairvoyance, Sixth sense, Intuition etc.) and so on. I can prove this anytime, anywhere. Visit #### for more information.
Dr.Ramanand 23:40, 24 March 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: I removed the link in the above text as it was not directed to any useful or relevant website - in fact it seemed just to be advertising. Feel free to revert if my edit is out of place in a comments page.Jimjamjak (talk) 21:50, 23 April 2012 (UTC)
thread_title:  These techniques really work 

message: This article does not appear to contain any cited references declaring it to be LGAT in nature. The LGAT category does not seem to apply here. Lsi john 23:46, 21 April 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Question 

message: Can someone explain why this subject seems to lack notability?  When I lived in Lexington, NC, there was a Silva office on West Center Street.  Since moving from there, I've listened to audio media about the Silva Method, and I've read lots of criticisms online of the Silva Method, mostly by Christian groups.
I've also wondered if the Silva Method was somehow connected with the occult.  I mean, how would you know that a screwdriver was accidentally dropped into a wall and left there during construction if some sort of entity or medium didn't reveal this knowledge?  Supposedly, Jose Silva hypnotized his kids in an attempt to get them to learn better.  Religious critics, particularly Fundamentalist Christians, tend to suggest that hypnosis opens up a person to to occult.
So I think this is a subject of notability and wide interest.--65.190.103.147 00:23, 30 April 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: I got to know the method in Bogotá, Colombia and I would dare to say that it is notable enough to remain in the wiki. Certainly there hasn't been many references to it but the movement is sufficiently big to remain IMHO. Although I went through the whole thing I cannot tell if their claims are valid or just the effect of suggestion. In any case I believe that it is important to have the article for reference and try to add some criticism. --Nicorojas 16:08, 17 May 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: Religious groups likely criticize it because Silva believed that using the method allowed you to open up your mind to some sort of higher universal consciousness. This kind of thing generally gets criticized by religious groups because it's a competing philosophy. - perfectblue (talk) 17:14, 2 February 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  Lack of Notability? 

message: The article, while correct in a limited sense, seems to be taken from a narrow POV. The Silva Method has many variations. The article is from the prospective of the Silva Ultramind. The Silva Ultramind is a course that focuses on ESP and intuition. The Silva Method BLS (Basic Lecture Series) focuses on your control of your own mind, controlled relaxation, improving memory, sleep control, awake control etc. The basis of the Silva Method is controlling your center of your brain frequency distribution to the Alpha region (from 9 to 14 Hz) and controlling what you focus on mentally. It is not really spooky stuff and has been the starting point to many of the similar programs that have copied Silva. The Silva Method BLS is the course that most people think of when they hear the name Silva Method because over 4 million people have taken it.  The Silva Ultramind is a superb course buts lacks the focus on controlling your own mind. It is best thought as a specialized version of the Silva Method. On hypnotism Jose Silva was an expert hypnotist before he discovered the basis for the Silva Method. Hypnotism while good for some purposes does not allow you to control yourself independently. It ties you to the hypnotic suggestion. If you want to change that suggestion you usually need outside assistance from a hypnotist. The Silva Method differs in that you write your own program. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.81.235.115 (talk • contribs) —Preceding undated comment added 16:50, 24 May 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: This is not the place to be discussing subjective evaluations of the method, or of individual courses. However, I would accept that there may be better ways of presenting the different types of courses that are presented as related to--or derived from--Jose Silva. I know little about these issues, but think that a chronological presentation of the different manifestations of the Silva Method would be very useful and good start for improving this article.Jimjamjak (talk) 21:41, 23 April 2012 (UTC)
thread_title:  Many Silva Courses not just one 

message: This article is almost a Carbon Copy of one of the two sources cited.
Most of the citations don't contain sources either.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by Jcblackn (talk • contribs) 06:30, 22 June 2008 (UTC)
replies: text: If there are whole sentences included here that are copied verbatim from primary sources, and are not strictly quoted, please highlight them as they should be removed/edited.Jimjamjak (talk) 21:56, 23 April 2012 (UTC)
thread_title:  Not enough sources 

message: Added  to EL sect. Cirt (talk) 15:01, 29 April 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: All of the external links are credulous of the Silva Method. I feel there needs to be at least once link to a skeptical source for balance.  I would like to suggest the online Skeptic's Dictionary.  Would this be acceptable? Jackbox1971 (talk) 20:05, 20 February 2011 (UTC)
replies: text: Seems like a reasonable starting place to me. I am sure that there are plenty of more detailed sources out there though. Any thoughts anyone?Jimjamjak (talk) 21:58, 23 April 2012 (UTC)
thread_title:  External links 

message: I find the use of James Randi's name in the opening paragraph to be somewhat misleading in tone. The context seems to (mildly) suggest that Randi is a proponent of SMC. In fact, Randi is very critical of it.  Jackbox1971 (talk) 20:07, 20 February 2011 (UTC)
replies: text: Indeed  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 122.169.181.127 (talk) 18:41, 3 November 2011 (UTC)
replies: text: I don't know much about Randi, but it would appear from the Wikipedia article on him that he is likely to be critical of this method, rather than a proponent of it. Can someone who knows about this please make the appropriate edits?Jimjamjak (talk) 21:38, 23 April 2012 (UTC)
thread_title:  Use of James Randi  

message: :I am curious should we expand on that part in the criticisms section with Johanna Michaelsen and her story,and should be make a page for her as well? Megamenomichi (talk) 19:04, 22 December 2013 (UTC)
thread_title:  Criticisms 

message: This article is in desperate need of a rewrite, it reads like an advert and is totally positive in its view of the method, apart from one sentence mentioning James Randi there are basically no critical or neutral descriptions.  Silent1 11:06, 8 January 2015 (UTC)
thread_title:  Article Rewrite 

message: Hello fellow editors, let's discuss what to do about the huge problems with this article. {u|Billca42}, your edit summary undoing the redirect to meditation stated that it's not an appropriate topic to redirect to. Do you object to redirect, period? If not, have a suggestion for what to redirect to? 
:If you do object to any redirect whatsoever, and you think this topic is likely notable enough for WP and want to put in the legwork to demonstrate that, then please do. Several talk sections above itemize some of the problems. A brutal copyedit is needed to remove promotional language, but more importantly, a good number of quality sources need to be added (and invalid or duplicate sources removed). Thanks!--Karinpower (talk) 00:21, 14 March 2015 (UTC)
thread_title:  Discussion of Redirect - please comment 

message: Hello fellow Wikipedians,
I have just added archive links to  on Silva Method. Please take a moment to review my edit. If necessary, add  after the link to keep me from modifying it. Alternatively, you can add  to keep me off the page altogether. I made the following changes:
*Added archive https://web.archive.org/20120426021736/http://aphilosophersnotes.com/notes/all/the-silva-mind-control-method-of-mental-dynamics to http://aphilosophersnotes.com/notes/all/the-silva-mind-control-method-of-mental-dynamics
When you have finished reviewing my changes, please set the checked parameter below to true to let others know.
Cheers. —cyberbot IITalk to my owner:Online 01:37, 30 August 2015 (UTC)
thread_title:  External links modified 

message: The existence of a Template seems unnecessary. One thing could be used to flesh out the article, though - it does mention two "notable students," Werner Erhard and Alexander Everett. I hadn't heard of these two, but from their WP articles, Erhard is the founder of EST trainings (from the Human Potential Movement, perhaps the first major personal growth training), and Everett is perhaps less notable but involved in the same world. Cited in Everett to show relationship to Silva: Navarro, Espy M.; Robert Navarro (2002). Self Realization: The Est and Forum Phenomena in American Society. Xlibris Corporation. pp. Pages 54–64. . Erhard's bio doesn't mention Silva; maybe it should if sources show a connection.--Karinpower (talk) 07:07, 27 December 2016 (UTC)
replies: text: I agree. The relevant links are either in the article or could be added to the 'See also' section. T.Shafee(Evo&Evo)talk 09:57, 17 April 2019 (UTC)
thread_title:  Why is there a Silva Method template? (see the very bottom of the article) 

message: The second paragraph in the lead uses a very questionable source as a basis for the claims made. The source is merely a dissertation from 1984 by an unknown student at Wayne University. Because the complexity or level of research required of a thesis may vary significantly among universities or programs, to present "the Powers dissertation" as if it is academic and peer-reviewed is a stretch. Maybe moving it down in the article and clarifying who "Powers" is may remove the (perhaps) unintended bias.  Buster Seven Talk (UTC) 15:00, 15 March 2024 (UTC)
thread_title: Questionable source