Primary Perception: Biocommunication with Plants, Living Foods, and Human Cells

by Cleve Backster

This is the only book by Cleve Backster himself, describing 36 years of research in biocommunication, observed electrical responses in plant life and other living organisms. All life forms have the capability of responding to one another, from plants and bacteria to foods and animal cells. Most amazing is his work with human leukocytes. These discoveries have opened up a new paradigm in science, ecology and healing.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Nature, Health, Spirituality

Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Linda Branham · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading a chapter about Cleve Backster in Derrick Jensen's a Language Older than Words... I had to read this book to learn more. I will warn you... it is NOT well written BUT Backster's tireless years of research in the laboratory have resulted in a giant leap forward to prove scientifically what others have only conjectured about the nature of consciousness.
Primary Perception details Backster's astounding discovery that the cells of our body--even when removed and observed at a distance--somehow receive the "messages" of our thoughts.
Cleve Backster accidentally discovered that by attaching a lie detector to plants he could record their responses... that started his research

[Clifton Coetzee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cleve Backster is regarded as one of the Polygraph Gods. He had some strange (at the time) theories and certainly performed some extraordinary experiments in the course of his work.
Even today, Backsters PDD question protocols rank amongst the most widely used worldwide. This book is quite fascinating. If you can get it, do so and experience Cleve Backsters view of the world.

[James Madsen]

This sounds like an extraordinary claim. Of course, as Carl Sagan wrote, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of evidence is presented here! (Or as Ronald Reagan used to say, "Trust but verify"!)

[Lynett Mitterer]

wo bekomme ich das Buch von Cleve Backster?

[Carlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book! Wow! The author is basically relating his lab experiments with plants where he repeatedly registered electrical style, emotive reactions by living plants in reaction to various threatening stimuli....burning them with matches, etc. He used a polygraph machine to measure the reactions and graph them onto paper for visible observation. He showed reactions to plants themselves being threatened, and other living beings from bacteria to animals and humans being hurt or threatened in the presence of the plants. I've long thought there was far more to plant life than just the brainless, cellular fact of empty life. I think Backster's work is intriguing and I'm very curious about what it all means and how valid it is. I have never even seen a polygraph machine in person and honestly have no real idea how they work or how plausible the scientific facts he's positing are....I am a poor judge. I have some light doubts about how terribly reliable Backster is a person...although he details his connection to the CIA and his distinguished military career he is also excited by the reaction of psychics, dowsers and other paranormal curiosity seekers. Although a lot of these folks have interesting ideas I wouldn't put a lot of weight on the fact that THEY are into his research. His applications (most of the second half of the book) for what his research and findings may mean for science and for the world also seem slightly pie-in-the-sky and slightly iffy. That said, his research is still there and the facts are extremely interesting! Can't wait to read The Secret Life of Plants (a companion book of sorts in the same field).

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cleve Backster is a top scientist in his field who will likely be recognized after he is gone as an almost mystical character, like Einstein, Da Vinci or Tesla. If his research hadn't inadvertently challenged the religious dogma of materialistic science, he would have been celebrated and carried on the shoulders of the world. But he was ridiculed and scorned for daring to suggest something that others were afraid to accept, or even to hear: that plants, yeasts, and even our own cells respond to things in their environment that we in the materialistic Western culture never suspected they could even perceive. A few were wise enough to examine his work, and found it worthy. He is not a great entertainment writer, but he makes his points, and the story is an awesome one. If you're the kind of person who dares to think outside the box, meet Cleve Backster. He might just be your hero.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Knowing that Backtster’s research was viewed as controversial, I approached this book with an open mind. I enjoyed learning about his exploration into consciousness and communication between living cells. The implications of his findings are eye opening and far reaching and if accurate aid in bridging the gap between spiritual philosophy and science. The thoughts expressed in this book expanded my perception of consciousness and for that I am grateful.

[Jen]

Had a mini debate with someone about plants and their ability to feel pain, emotion, etc. Part of me has always felt they are no different than humans or animals in regards to their basic response to pain, emotion etc. Hoping this book will clarify a few things.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_pe...

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

in my opinion this is a critical read for someone trying to understand nature and coming to terms with the drastic inadequecies of the western scientific approach.

the author may be a bit rigid in his thinking but his experimental results are amazing!

[Gene Knauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as background research for a novel I'm writing. It's about how this specialist in lie detector technology became interested in using them to detect perception and biocommunication in plants. Very interesting.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is simultaneously crazy interesting and excessively dull. It's worth reading, but you probably won't enjoy reading it so much as thinking about the implications of what you've read.

[Anne Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but not as well documented as I'd hoped since I'm using it for my thesis.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn't finish it due to leaving Australia and my friend who owned the book but definately worth a read! Amazing what general public is not aware of. I <3 plants :) Have to find a copy to finish it!