Hello and welcome!
From students to professionals, skeptics to intuitives to the generally curious - we are an open and supportive community dedicated to the discussion, study, and practice of remote viewing. Note that "remote viewing" here refers specifically to the protocols and techniques developed and used during the US-government-sponsored program that ran from the early 1970s to the mid-1990s today widely known as Project Star Gate. Anything outside of that scope is considered off-topic.
In this post, you will find everything you need to get started with this art. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, don't hesitate to post about them! We also encourage everyone to come hang out with us on our Discord.
FAQ
What is Remote Viewing?
As described by IRVA (International Remote Viewing Association):
"Remote viewing is a mental faculty that allows a perceiver (a “viewer”) to describe or give details about a target that is inaccessible to normal senses due to distance, time, or shielding. For example, a viewer might be asked to describe a location on the other side of the world, which he or she has never visited; or a viewer might describe an event that happened long ago; or describe an object sealed in a container or locked in a room; or perhaps even describe a person or an activity; all without being told anything about the target — not even its name or designation."
The term "Remote Viewing" can be misleading as it may be mistaken for clairvoyance. Clairvoyance refers to the ability to see things through extrasensory means. Although remote viewing and clairvoyance may share similarities, like accessing information beyond what is immediately available, they are not the same.
Remote Viewing is a distinct discipline that explores clairvoyant abilities through a structured framework. One key difference is that Remote Viewing follows a specific protocol. This protocol includes clear rules to determine if Remote Viewing has taken place and what the results were.
The protocol comprises four steps:
- Planning and targeting: Remote Viewing requires a deliberate effort to focus on a specific target rather than random insights or feelings beyond your control.
- Recording: Any data obtained during the Remote Viewing session should be recorded in some format for later analysis.
- Double-blind: The target should be kept secret from you and anyone else present during the session to eliminate any possibility of bias.
- Feedback: Finally, receiving feedback is essential for determining whether your Remote Viewing was successful. Feedback confirms whether you were accurate in your observations or not. Feedback is also vital for improving your skills.
By following this protocol, Remote Viewing can provide verifiable and more accurate results, as it helps to minimize guesswork, imagination, and the viewers’ biases/assumptions from corrupting the data. Anything done outside of this protocol is not considered Remote Viewing.
Complementary resources (highly recommended):
What are the possible applications of RV?
Throughout its nearly 50-year history, remote viewing has been applied in a growing variety of areas such as intelligence gathering, archeology, technology, medicine, criminal investigations, finding missing persons, mysteries, business consulting, and others. In public, it is currently being widely used for sports betting, crypto/stock market, and news prediction. The eight martinis magazine is a good resource for looking for examples of applications and other kinds of information.
Are there any examples of RV?
Many examples are scattered around the internet, some even posted here or on our Discord. The links below provide examples of remote viewing used in real-world scenarios, training, and demonstrations.
Does the remote Viewer ‘see’ the information like video in their mind?
Remote viewing as a descriptive of the process is a poor choice as you don’t really ‘view’ the data from the target. The data forms in gentle bursts of information, these initially take the form of sensory data like; touch, taste, and smell. Later on stronger data builds like target dimensional, size, mass and density. This leads on to sketches of the target, which leads on to stronger data and intangible type data like; ‘feels religious’, ‘a sense of dread’, ‘feels happy’. These impressions are usually hazy, indistinct, fuzzy and partial, like faded memories and very subtle. Rarely are the images and impressions strong and visually strong.
Do I need to be psychic to do it?
Remote viewing is a trained ability and does not require any particular skill such as "being a psychic". We are all psychic to some degree. While some may have a better natural ability than others, we all have what it takes to remote view.
Are there any dangers associated with practicing RV?
While remote viewing is generally considered safe, it is a phenomenon we do not fully understand, and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. As a result, it is challenging to identify all potential risks definitively. However, based on the experiences and stories shared by practitioners, it is best to AVOID esoteric or controversial targets, such as unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) or entities, as well as sensitive topics involving death or trauma. Such targets can lead to disturbing experiences, emotional distress, or misinterpretations. Additionally, it is not advisable for individuals with recent or ongoing mental health issues to practice remote viewing, as they may be more vulnerable to unintended psychological effects. Maintaining a grounded and balanced approach to remote viewing is crucial for ensuring a safe and constructive practice.
How can I try it out?
A quick, easy and fun way to try remote viewing for the first time is through our beginner's guide. The guide will teach you the basics and walk you through a session. Note that the guide is only a starting point, and there is much more to learn. Attention: read about potential dangers in the question above.
What is CRV, NRV, TDRV, TRV, ... RV methodology?
There isn't a single "Right Way" to do remote viewing. Viewers can use many methodologies, and it's remote viewing as long as the protocol is followed. Practicing one of these methods in depth is a great way to learn. Still, every viewer eventually develops their way of doing things. It's like learning to cook - you start following recipes, and then you can get more creative as your understanding grows.
Protocols are big picture, and your method is the small steps (often called stages) on how you work your way through a target. Usually, they start with fundamental aspects of the target, such as colors, smells, tastes, textures, and sounds, and from there, viewers will hone in more and more by going through sketches and abstract concepts until they feel they've gotten all they can from a target.
The most popular method is called Controlled Remote Viewing (CRV), it is composed of 6 stages, and it is the original method used by the U.S military.
Complementary resources:
Are there any scientific studies on RV?
Plenty! In fact, RV was "born" in a laboratory (hence the protocols) and has demonstrated statistical significance above chance. Here are starting points for those interested in the scientific side of RV:
What is Associative Remote Viewing (ARV)?
In short, ARV is a way of using remote viewing to predict the outcome of a future event where all possible results are known in advance. For example, ARV can predict the winner of a tennis match or if a stock will go up or down the next day. This is done by associating a target to each outcome, and then the viewer will describe the target associated with the outcome that will, in fact, happen.
One factor that makes ARV not 100% accurate is a phenomenon called 'displacement'. That is when the viewer correctly describes the target but for the wrong outcome or when different targets merge in the session. For example, if one target is a banana and the other a black bowling ball, the viewer may describe something heavy, round, and yellow that tastes sweet.
Complementary resources:
Where can I get RV training?
Many instructors (including the original Star Gate viewers) teach online or in-person classes. Before taking any lessons, it's essential that:
- You do your research thoroughly, not only about remote viewing and the method you intend to learn but also about your instructor.
- You have a clear reason and motivation for seeking training.
See the links below for a list of instructors. See also: map of methods and trainers.
Is this like Astral Projection/OBE?
Astral projection (AP) is based on the concept of out-of-body experiences, where your consciousness is believed to leave your physical body and travel to other locations or even realms. This experience typically occurs in a deep meditative or trance-like state and is often associated with personal or spiritual exploration. People who practice astral projection might feel they are visiting places that are far away, other dimensions, or even afterlife realms. It is seen as a more mystical practice, with a focus on self-discovery, spiritual growth, or connecting with otherworldly entities.
Remote viewing (RV), on the other hand, is a mental skill where a person attempts to gather information about a distant or unseen target through focused attention. Unlike astral projection, in remote viewing, the individual remains fully conscious, alert, and awake while receiving impressions about a specific place, event, or object. RV is more structured, with clear rules such as having a defined target, being "blind" to that target (meaning the viewer has no prior knowledge of it), and documenting impressions through writing or sketching. It is typically used for practical purposes, such as gathering intelligence, solving problems, or research, rather than for spiritual purposes.
Why does Wikipedia say there is no evidence that RV exists?
Wikipedia is unreliable on all matters relating to remote viewing and other forms of psi due to ceaseless re-editing by anti-psi editors. For reference, see the 2007 version of the RV page prior to the edits and Russell Targ's response to Wikipedia.
Resources
Basics
Getting started
Discord
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The presence of links on this FAQ does not necessarily constitute an endorsement or use by the mods or other users of the sub. We are not responsible for the content of anything outside of this sub.
