One point I think worth mentioning is our perspective of time and eternity. We tend to perceive time within the context of our lifetime (although we do of course imagine past and future times). In this context, something like 6-sensory experience which comes and goes may seem odd, ie., if it comes, shouldn't it then be permanent? Well, it is, but we have to look at it from an eternal perspective.

If you imagine yourself as an eternal being (obviously, not the physical body) then your past and future experience are so vast as to be unimaginable. Place this lifetime into that context, and abilities coming and going are much like concentrating on your shoes; sometimes you do, a lot of the time you don't. Whatever we focus our awareness on becomes more obvious, a bit like the kids game of 'spot the car' on a long journey. Look for white cars, and suddenly you start to see huge numbers of white cars.

One of the problems modern life and the scientific perspective have caused is the viewpoint that any skill can be logically and systematically developed. This is true for a lot of things, but beyond the boundaries of this physical universe the same laws don't apply.

Something a helper of mine once said to me is that clarity comes not by looking deeper or further afield, but by simply removing that which stops you seeing clearly in the first place. This is very true of 'extrasensory gifts'. We all have these abilities, and they're part of our true nature. What we've been conditioned to believe in this life gives rise to concerns and fears about such things, so we often limit our true view of reality. In other words, our own perspective on the universe is a brick wall we've built around us to protect our fragile sense of what's real and what isn't.

Mental disease was mentioned too, and having worked in that field I've seen some very interesting things. Some people 'haunted and taunted' by beings who just like to mess with others - nothing new. Others who went from screaming madness to calmness and 'normality' simply due to a change of diet; things in certain foods messed up their brain chemistry. I'd suggest it's always sensible to check various options, but if there's nothing medically wrong then choose another avenue from psycho-pharmaceuticals.

Eastern traditions have continued to pass on knowledge and experience which has been 'cleaned out' in Western society due to fear. Everything overlaps, but I'd suggest trying Kiko/Chigung to learn about your own subtle energy body (ie., the real you), and something like Reiki for going further into working with others. Some psychics are perceptive and helpful, but if they don't understand the energies behind things, then they're just relying on visions and appearances. A good start for those with little or no experience of such things - in this lifetime at least - is The Celestine Prophesy by James Redfield. His writing and storytelling aren't the best in the world, but the concepts and events in the book are real enough to millions of people.

Fear of something tells us that we're not ready to deal with it yet. Fear also allows those who play on fear to goad us further, and that goes for physical as well as non-physical beings. Being open and loving, however, causes the good to want to be closer to you, especially those who are further down the road and can offer advice and teaching. It also bores the pants off those playing mind games, so that they eventually leave you alone.

People in this world have forgotten what they know - a natural part of the birth process - and have to remember as they go through life. Some remember very quickly as their main purpose is to help others remember. Those who remember little or nothing, and don't want to, are on a slower journey, perhaps just enjoying all the physical world has to offer before taking tentative steps into the eternal. Whatever stage we're at, it's all fascinating, from how grass grows to how those we call loving angelic beings slip from universe to universe with casual ease.

I don't know if this is a great help, and if it seems a bit non-specific, that's because I try not to push people into seeing things one way or another. Your perspective on everything is just that, and to grow you have to gently change it yourself, usually by letting go of what you think you know, rather than trying oh so hard to learn more. The animal thing mentioned is a good pointer too (though I long ago found that all animals aren't psychic and clued-up as people say). When you're more in tune with the meta-physical, many animals can sense it, and even feel the good energy you're giving off. Sometimes they'll show you that directly, like the tiger and others did with Smiless. That, too, comes and goes with our moods and energy changes though.

If we're living in this world there are reasons for us being here, and I've found that relaxing and letting our true nature reveal itself is the best way. The Zen/Chan traditions have, sadly, become just institutions in various ways, but masters in past centuries gave very sound advice. Have a Google and see; their teachings speak to the eternal part of us, beyond the struggling of the rational mind.

Easy. Silent Hill, Playstation. In the dark, alone, headphones on, late at night (preferably when you're just a little too tired).

@Mario1108: I don't have time right now to post much, but will look in again soon. I've learned/taught various 'ways' and modalities, having been a natural seer all my life. I'd suggest that you're opening up to greater experience than 5-sensory, ie., you're realising your 6-sensory abilities. Nothing weird about it, and it's actually great fun and deeply moving when you really connect. Anyway, more later.