José Silva was an American self-taught parapsychologist and author of the “Silva Method” and the “Silva UltraMind ESP System”, which claimed to help people increase their IQ, develop psychic skills, and heal themselves and others remotely. He was also a successful radio repairman, electronics instructor, and businessman. He died peacefully in February 1999, aged 84, but the exact cause of his death remains unknown. In this article, we will explore his life, his work, and the possible reasons for his demise.
Early Life and Career
José Silva was born on August 11, 1914, in Laredo, Texas. He was raised by his grandmother along with his older sister and younger brother, after losing his father and his mother remarried. He never attended school as a student, but learned to read and write by watching his siblings do their homework. He also studied a correspondence course on radio repair by renting the lessons from a barber and earning the diploma in the barber’s name. At the age of 15, he began to repair radios and built a successful business that lasted for 40 years[1][1].
During World War II, Silva joined the Signal Corps and studied advanced electronics. He became an instructor and developed an interest in psychology and hypnosis. He was intrigued by the nature of perception and suggestion in altered states of consciousness. After the war, he resumed his radio repair business and also taught electronics at Laredo Junior College, where he created the school’s electronics laboratories. He later quit teaching when his business flourished with the advent of television[1][1].
Parapsychology Research and Methods
In the 1940s, Silva began to experiment with his children’s IQs and psychic abilities. He bought an electroencephalograph (EEG) and found that one area of the brain, the part that produces alpha brain waves, was stronger than the others. He believed that this part of the brain was more efficient and could receive and store more information. He also believed that it could access a higher intelligence or a universal mind. He devised a set of techniques to train his children and others to enter and control the alpha state and use it for various purposes, such as learning, memory, intuition, healing, and telepathy.
He called his techniques the “Silva Method” and later the “Silva UltraMind ESP System”. He claimed that his methods could help anyone to develop their full potential and achieve their goals. He also claimed that his methods could cure diseases and even alter physical reality. He wrote several books and conducted seminars and workshops around the world to teach his methods. He also founded Silva International, an organization dedicated to continuing his mission. He claimed to have trained over 6 million people in his methods.
Death and Legacy
Silva died peacefully in February 1999, aged 84. The exact cause of his death is not publicly known, but some sources suggest that he had a heart attack or a stroke. He had completed his final work, the Silva UltraMind ESP System, shortly before he died.
Silva’s legacy is still alive today, as his methods are still taught and practiced by many people around the world. His methods have also influenced other self-improvement programs and movements, such as the Law of Attraction, the Secret, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). However, his methods have also been criticized and debunked by many scientists and skeptics, who argue that there is no scientific evidence or logical basis for his claims. They also point out the ethical and moral issues of his methods, such as manipulating others, violating privacy, and creating false expectations.
Conclusion
José Silva was a remarkable and controversial figure in the field of parapsychology and self-improvement. He created and taught methods that he claimed could help anyone to achieve their dreams and improve their lives. He died in 1999, but his legacy continues to inspire and challenge millions of people. However, his methods are also disputed and rejected by many others, who question their validity and value. His cause of death remains a mystery, but his life and work are certainly worth exploring.