Bulletin of Anomalous Experience

Magazine Overview

Title: Bulletin of Anomalous Experience
Issue: Volume 1, Number 3
Date: March/April 1990
Publisher: Bulletin of Anomalous Experience
Country: Canada
Focus: A networking newsletter about the UFO "Abduction" Phenomenon and Related Issues for Interested Scientists.

Key Sections and Discussions

This issue of the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience, dated March/April 1990, serves as a networking platform for professionals interested in the scientific study of UFO abductions and related phenomena. The publication aims to foster collaboration among mental health professionals, UFOlogists, scientists, and policymakers.

Editor's Corner

The editor, David Gotlib, M.D., discusses the use of new technology, specifically the Ventura 1.0 desktop publishing program and an IBM Laser Printer, for producing the newsletter. He invites suggestions for enhancements. The section also addresses feedback regarding the newsletter's name, with suggestions ranging from "Ratchet Patrol" to "New Frontiers" and "Abduction Research Newsletter (AbNews)." The editor proposes "Bulletin of Anomalous Experience" as a descriptive yet not overly narrow title.

Membership Guidelines (Forum 3)

This section outlines the policy for newsletter membership, emphasizing that it is intended for professionals and scientists who can contribute skills or knowledge to a scientific analysis of the UFO abduction issue. Mere interest in the topic is not sufficient for membership. Subscription rates are provided: $1 for a sample issue and $20 for a one-year subscription to cover postage and reproduction costs.

What Are The Questions? (Forum 5)

John Carpenter poses several critical questions regarding abductees, such as how they "receive messages" that seem to contain information beyond their life experience, the content of these messages, and whether abductees share common psychological, socioeconomic, or intellectual traits.

Networking (Forum 4)

This forum encourages members to submit short biographical sketches detailing their background, training, current work, personal views, and any other relevant information. The goal is to enhance the networking potential and sense of community among individuals from various disciplines. This issue features the biographical sketches of:

• John S. Carpenter, MSW / ACSW: Details his background in Psychology and Social Work, training in Clinical Hypnosis, experience as a Marital/Family Therapist, and work with adoption agencies. He expresses a long-standing UFO enthusiasm and has become involved in research and treatment of abductees, participating in conferences and serving as a Research Specialist for MUFON. He notes the challenging role of being both therapist and investigator and describes UFO occupants as scientists, teachers, researchers, and spiritual mentors, yet also frightening and unpredictable.
• Patricia Ann Hill: Lists her extensive education, including an Ed.D. in Transpersonal Psychophysiology and an M.Ed. in Clinical Psychology. Her specialized training includes Interior Design, Psychoanalytic training, hypnosis, Biofeedback, Medical Sophrology, Neuropsychology, and Gestalt Therapy. Her current professional activities include roles as President of the Institute for Excellence and Morningstar Foundation, Adjunct Professor, and consultant for various organizations, including General Motors and Federal Express.

Ethics (Forum 7)

Responding to a previous comment on hypnotic regression for abduction studies, John Carpenter emphasizes the importance of clinical symptoms and a thorough understanding of the patient's motives, expectations, and desires before undertaking such sessions. He argues against blanket statements and stresses the need to consider individual dynamics.

Towards a Unified Field Theory (Forum 11)

This section explores potential links between UFO experiences, electrical sensitivity, and Near-Death Experiences (NDEs), referencing Ken Ring's work. The author discusses observations from radio documentaries and personal practice, suggesting that "psychic" or paranormal experiences, including those with elements of ETs or missing time, might be related. The concept of the "imaginal realm," as described by Henry Corbin, is introduced as a potentially unifying framework. This realm is considered ontologically real and distinct from sensory perception or ordinary cognition. The author posits that UFO abductions could be understood as border phenomena reflecting the behavior of beings from this imaginal realm, manifesting into our material reality. The suggestion is made to broaden the newsletter's mandate beyond just abductions to encompass other anomalous experiences.

Investigator & Therapist (Forum 12)

Richard Hall discusses the ethical considerations for UFO investigators, stressing that the experiencer's welfare must take priority. He highlights the need for guidelines on detecting subject behavior indicative of serious disturbances and the importance of working with a network of emotional supporters and therapists. Hall shares his experience in the Washington D.C. area, which includes investigators, clinical psychologists, and "graduate" abductees. He raises the ethical question of how to approach individuals who exhibit abduction-like experiences but do not consciously recall them or actively seek help. His feeling is to let such individuals lead and to be prepared to refer them to professional psychologists when they express a desire for it.

Editorial Notes

The issue concludes with a call for reader contributions, comments, and suggestions for future discussions. The deadline for the next issue is April 24th, and information on subscriptions is referenced to Forum 3.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the scientific investigation of anomalous experiences, particularly UFO abductions. There is a strong emphasis on professionalism, ethical conduct, and interdisciplinary networking among researchers and mental health professionals. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging rigorous analysis while acknowledging the profound and often unsettling nature of the phenomena discussed. The newsletter actively seeks to connect individuals with relevant expertise and fosters a community dedicated to understanding these complex issues.