Hi Noah -
It's ok, first of all. To be the silk that snags on any responses may keep you up at night and blind at day. Instead know what is your strand that is snagging (uncomfortable/upsetting feeling to responses?). Maybe journal all of your feelings on the experience of this thread; see if you carry those feelings into other parts of your day (so-called projection). People have suggested that I be gentle with myself (and, frankly, i am understanding what that means in regards to others as a result)
If this Merrell-wolff is compelling to you, find those deeply versed in it. Find some exercise that they recommend on that path and really try it over time. If you have time and ability, try exercises that you've read here that you also may find compelling (because you're here!).
It's rather a matter of course that starting any thread in a specific forum (i.e., AF) with "I really think this is the same this as AF/PCE/EE, as well as what John C. Lilly called "+12" is going to result in some testing of that equivalence. When people make claims on the site, they have even been known to get a call from Mr. Daniel Ingram for a some Q&A, to see if a claimant is probably what they say they are (no one knows for sure, even that person can waiver regarding themselves over time).
In the end, queries are going to come down to your practice and your ability to observe its effects of your life and report on it. If you did such a practice thread (and probably in another realm of the DhO) that might fly. People here bring a lot of cross-pollination.
Regardless, if you are really compelled by Merrell-Wolff (of whom I know nothing and which links I did not read -- too pressed for time, too old! to dedicate myself to more than one real effort!) than there is something (and maybe only one some thing) there. What one thing stood out to me in your thread was:
What they ALL need is LOVE.
If you don't know where to start, then for the second time tonight I am going to make the very safe and clear recommendation to go to MCTB http://www.interactivebuddha.com/Mastering%20Adobe%20Version.pdf and run a search on the word "love". You will at least be receptive to Aliens if they arrive at Thanksgiving...
And, yes, i mostly agree with your statement:
If we as a community (everyone, not DhO) really want to understand this phenomenon, we need to investigate it fully and scientifically: experientially, neurologically, historically, and spiritually
and would add to your blind word-use reference that it is not a wise idea to blindly believe anyone/thing. Build a reasonable conviction upon which to actually practice (is my way of thinking).
Good luck!
{Edit: it would not be my post if I didn't edit for the 1-2 minutes after posting...}
{Edit: make that 1-4 minutes GDDMMT!}
{Edit: about a full hour later for accuracy of blind belief reference...}
{edit: initial post 10/28/10; edit post 11/14/10 to add quotes around excerpted statement of LOVE}