The emerging awareness in many segments of society about what is sometimes called "anomalous cognition" is an interesting development that seems to hold much promise.

In fact, knowledge about this topic seems to be spreading throughout the U.S. and around the world.

Anomalous cognition is a term that refers to various kinds of human perception which can be highly effective and useful in a wide range of endeavors and activities.

Included under this umbrella term are several human perceptual abilities and skills. These include, but are not limited to:

- Enhanced intuition and instincts
- Increased awareness of one's surroundings and environment
- Improved insight into challenges and solutions
- Acquisition of information and understanding about remote situations

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines "anomalous" as "inconsistent with or deviating from what is usual, normal, or expected - irregular, unusual - of uncertain nature or classification marked by incongruity or contradiction - paradoxical."

"Cognition" is defined as "to become acquainted with, know - to come to know - cognitive mental processes - a product of these processes."

We may soon need to change the word "anomalous" when referring to enhanced human intelligence of this kind, because it may no longer be "unusual."

It may become very normal and routine for all of us.

In fact, it may be very useful to expand communication and education about research findings in this area as far and wide as possible, and in a timely manner.

Advanced research sponsored by our military and intelligence community, as well as universities and private research entities, has discovered that many, most or all people have the ability to use their "cognition," their mind and awareness, to perceive and understand things in a much more interesting way than previously recognized.

At the same time, average people around the world are doing their own research because each of us has the working tools to investigate anomalous cognition: Our brains, minds, bodies, and, some say, our hearts, spirits and souls.

The technique called "remote viewing" is one of the most common examples.

Remote viewing is a concept jointly developed by the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the CIA and private sector researchers during the 1970s, 80s and 90s.

Remote viewing is a particular set of methods that allow individuals to tap into enhanced and advanced perception.

This has proven to be a useful intelligence-gathering tool. Other applications have also been researched.

Anomalous cognition and remote viewing can provide insight about our daily thoughts and feelings as well as previously unknown information - even information that provides insight about situations that are outside of normal understanding about time and space.

It is believed that the nature of quantum physics is such that, in some ways, things like anomalous cognition and remote viewing make perfect sense. They are normal and natural. They are part of Nature.

Many average people now read books, take classes and watch video presentations about remote viewing. And, many people find that their intuition, dreams and sensitivity to information bubbling up from their unconscious can be very valuable and helpful.

Professional research into these kinds of human abilities and perception is very useful and seems to dovetail with other accepted aspects of psychology studies.

As in some conventional psychology theories, our unconscious mind is believed to be a great problem solver, when given the opportunity. In addition, our individual minds may be connected to a larger unified consciousness.

Some people theorize that there is a "higher consciousness" with profound spiritual and religious implications.

Remote viewing techniques also recognize that one element of success in these efforts is allowing the unconscious mind to work. Then, information from the unconscious is allowed to surface consciously where it can be accurately interpreted and applied to practical matters.

This, of course, is what many modern researchers have tried to establish: That clear evidence can be demonstrated indicating anomalous cognition of various kinds can provide accurate and useful information and insight.

Have they established this? It seems that they have.