BAE 3.6

Magazine Overview

Title: Bulletin of Anomalous Experience
Issue: Volume 3, Number 6
Date: December 1992

This issue of the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience delves into the complex intersection of UFO phenomena, particularly abductions, with mental health, psychology, and the broader concept of human evolution. It features contributions from researchers and writers in the field, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of current thinking and evidence.

Mail: Bruce Maccabee

Bruce Maccabee addresses the increasing interest of mental health professionals in UFO abduction experiences. He cautions that while some professionals may view these experiences solely as 'mentally-derived 'normal' phenomena' (e.g., fantasy proneness, altered states of consciousness, old hag syndrome, temporal lobe epilepsy, suppressed memories of abuse), this approach risks ignoring the substantial evidence that UFO phenomena have a basis in objective physical reality. Maccabee rejects the notion that all sightings, including those with physical evidence like photographs or landing traces, are merely 'mental phenomena' or 'psychoids.' He highlights abduction cases where there is a continuum between seeing a UFO and the abduction experience itself, citing the Kathy Davis case from Budd Hopkins' book 'Intruders' as an example, where physical phenomena in the ground were recorded during the event.

Maccabee emphasizes that mental health professionals should consider the possibility of a physical aspect to abduction events, even if most lack evidence. He concludes by stating his conviction, based on years of study, that 'other intelligences - really are here.'

Mail: Hilary Evans

Hilary Evans responds to a hypothesis by 'Stacy' regarding abduction experiences, finding it a welcome and 'mind-opening' contribution. Evans agrees with Stacy's hypothesis, drawing parallels with Alvin Lawson's 'birth trauma' hypothesis. He quotes himself from his book 'Gods, Spirits, Cosmic Guardians,' suggesting that the abduction experience might be a modern interpretation of a 'return-to-the-womb' element or a 'rite of passage.' Evans posits that the psychodrama of abduction is the 'outer shell,' with the 'private experience' potentially taking the symbolic form of a birth trauma or, as Stacy suggests, an 'abortion-conflict.' He views the abduction experience as a 'psychological resurrection,' analogous to religious conversion in earlier times. Evans is impressed by Stacy's anticipation of objections and his model's ability to explain phenomena like the conflict in the American psyche versus a more 'laid-back attitude' in Catholic societies. He concludes that abduction events make sense when viewed not as literal fact, but as a symbolic expression of deep-seated psychological processes.

Networking

Mark Briggs, CSW, ACSW, introduces himself as a licensed psychotherapist specializing in clinical hypnosis, with experience in treating early trauma and an emerging practice with clients experiencing missing time and abduction-related phenomena. He welcomes referrals and seeks to network with interested individuals in his area.

Meetings

William P. LaParl announces the Seventh European Lyons Congress, scheduled for April 10-12, 1993, in Lyons, France. Organized by SOS OVNI, the congress is described as a European event, not international or Franco-French, that brings together researchers from various countries to exchange views on UFOs. The congress is open to researchers and features an official lecture program alongside opportunities for informal discussion. The deadline for prior full subscription is February 15th, 1993. The event will be held at a hotel offering various amenities and is noted for its high standards and the opportunity for English-speaking ufologists to connect with colleagues.

Organizations

The issue highlights 'The New Being Project,' which studies 'E.T.' (Evolutionary Transformation). The project seeks information on 'E.T.' from all sources and aims to help individuals experiencing extraordinary phenomena, described as 'evolutionary "edgelings."' The project suggests that humanity may be on the cusp of a significant evolutionary leap within the next 25 years, potentially leading to a new form of being, 'homo noeticus,' by 2050. This shift is indicated by environmental crises, population growth, global communication, and consciousness-expanding techniques. The project identifies potential 'edgelings' as adepts in contemplative traditions, individuals in existential crisis, those with illnesses causing consciousness modifications, adults and children with psychogenic wounds, athletes achieving peak performance, contactees/abductees, near-death experiencers, creative geniuses, savant syndrome individuals, and water-birth children.

From the Medical Literature: Paranormal Experiences in the General Population

This section reviews a study by Colin A. Ross MD and Shaun Joshi published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. The study administered the Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule to 502 adults in Winnipeg, Canada, and found that paranormal/extrasensory experiences were common. These experiences were linked to a history of childhood trauma and other dissociative symptom clusters. A factor analysis identified three factors accounting for 44% of the variance. The proposed model conceptualizes paranormal experiences as an aspect of normal dissociation, which can be triggered by trauma, particularly childhood abuse. The study highlights that these experiences are more common in individuals with childhood trauma histories and can discriminate the most highly traumatized clinical group (MPD) from others. However, it also notes that some individuals with psychic abilities are not abused and are free of overt psychopathology, suggesting the relationship between trauma and these experiences is complex.

The article includes a table showing the prevalence of various paranormal experiences, such as mental telepathy, precognition, telekinesis, precognitive dreams, déjà vu, contact with ghosts, and knowledge of past lives, comparing results from the Winnipeg study with a 1990 Gallup Poll.

Book Excerpts

Fire In the Brain: Clinical Tales of Hallucination by Ronald K. Siegel

The reviewer finds Ronald Siegel's book compelling, though perhaps too popular. The book effectively conveys the experiencer's conviction in the reality of their 'hallucinations.' The reviewer emphasizes the importance of understanding hallucinations for accurate differential diagnosis of anomalous experiences. Siegel's methodology involves spending extensive time with individuals, building rapport, and conducting thorough investigations, including physiological monitoring and interviews with friends and family. The reviewer notes that Siegel's subjects react with appreciation, not defensiveness, to his findings. The book explores how the brain can transform a visual image into a perception, making imaginary events seem real. The reviewer concludes that the book illustrates that under the right conditions, anyone can hallucinate, and the border between hallucinations and reality is easily crossed.

Looking for the Aliens by Peter Hough and Jenny Randles

This book excerpt discusses the case of Philip Spencer, who photographed a small green figure on Ilkley Moor in 1987. Spencer reported seeing the creature, then a hovering silver disc UFO, and experienced two hours of missing time. The photograph, though underexposed and fuzzy, shows a small green figure with ape-like arms and large ears. The authors, who have been involved in the investigation, note that results have been ambiguous, with no clear evidence of it being an alien or a hoax. They discuss the challenges of proving or disproving the case, including Spencer's desire for anonymity due to his professional career. Hypnotic regression revealed an abduction scenario, suggesting the photograph might have been taken after an abduction that was wiped from his memory. The investigation involved scientists, photographic specialists, and a clinical psychologist.

Experiencers' Section

This section features a contribution from an 'experiencer' who expresses concerns about the ability of professional bodies to decipher the meaning of their experiences without their participation. The contributor stresses that experiencers are 'triply courageous' for submitting to unknown forces, undertaking self-examination, and presenting themselves for investigation. They argue that attempts to decipher abduction phenomena through cooperation with experiencers constitute 'human experimentation.' The contributor criticizes some 'experts' for failing to acknowledge that experiencers are the true experts, as objective investigation can only reveal the 'how' but not the 'why' of the experience. The 'why' is a subjective question that shapes the experiencer's life and is crucial for understanding the meaning of the experience for humanity. The contributor calls for a greater appreciation of the dual nature (objective and subjective) of these experiences and advocates for methods of investigation that include the experiencer's perspective.

Notable Quotations

This section presents a quote from Richard Feynman regarding the scientific approach to ignorance and freedom of thought, emphasizing that doubt should be welcomed and discussed. It also includes a discussion on the nature of the 'alien theme' in literature, referencing Lovecraft and the concept of external intelligences influencing human reality, with a distinction made between Lovecraft's atheism and August Derleth's promotion of his work.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the nature of anomalous experiences, particularly UFO abductions, and their relationship with psychological states, trauma, and potential evolutionary shifts. The Bulletin of Anomalous Experience appears to adopt a stance that acknowledges the psychological aspects of these phenomena while strongly advocating for the recognition of their potential objective reality, moving beyond purely 'mental' explanations. There is a consistent emphasis on the importance of rigorous investigation, the value of experiencer testimony, and the need for a multidisciplinary approach that bridges the gap between scientific inquiry and the subjective reality of those who have had these encounters. The publication seems to encourage open discussion and critical thinking, challenging conventional paradigms and exploring the profound implications of these experiences for our understanding of consciousness, reality, and humanity's future.

Title: Bulletin of Anomalous Experience
Issue: Vol. 3, No. 6
Date: December 1993

This issue of the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience (BAE) addresses the complexities surrounding the study of the UFO abduction phenomenon. The publication aims to bridge the gap between academic research and the lived experiences of individuals, serving as a platform for mental health professionals and scientists.

Main Articles and Contributions

The Abduction Phenomenon and Scientific Standards

Chris McLachlan contributes a piece highlighting the difficulties in studying the abduction phenomenon. He argues that the subjects are human beings and that current scientific standards are insufficient, drawing a parallel to the Milgram experiment and the lack of updated guidelines for human experimentation. McLachlan calls for the development of rigorous, unbiased, compassionate, and cooperative investigational models and ethical codes to properly study the phenomenon, suggesting that the groundwork for this was laid in the previous spring.

Editorial Stance and Publication Philosophy

The editorial team, David Gotlib, M.D. (Editor) and Joanne Hager, Ph.D. (Associate Editor), outline the publication's mission. They strive to "comfortably tread the narrow path between the groves of academia and the dust and heat of the marketplace, inquiring and suggesting, not asserting or insisting." Distribution has historically been limited to mental health professionals and scientists, but a trial basis is being extended to experiencers.

Subscription and Contribution Information

The newsletter details its subscription costs, which have increased to $25 per calendar year due to rising postal fees in Canada. Back issues from 1990 and 1991 are available for $20 per year. The publication emphasizes that it remains a non-profit operation. Contributors are informed that unless they explicitly state otherwise, their correspondence is assumed to be permission for publication, at the editor's discretion. Confidential letters must be clearly marked. Lengthy contributions can be submitted on IBM-compatible diskettes in various formats, including Word for Windows 2.0, WordPerfect 5.0, and ASCII text files.

Copyright and Reproduction

All contributions to BAE remain the property of their respective authors. The Bulletin serves as a medium for discussion, and apart from editorial comments, it does not present itself as a unified voice. Reproduction of any part of the publication requires express written permission from the author.

BAE on the WELL

A selection of articles from BAE are available on the "mind" conference of the WELL (Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link) conferencing system. Contributors are asked to indicate if they do not wish their contributions to appear on the WELL.

Contact Information

All correspondence should be addressed to David Gotlib, M.D., at the provided mailing address in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. New telephone, fax, and CompuServe contact details are also listed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the challenges of studying anomalous experiences, particularly UFO abductions, from both scientific and personal perspectives. There is a strong emphasis on the need for ethical, rigorous, and compassionate research methodologies that acknowledge the human element of the experiencer. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry and discussion, providing a platform for diverse viewpoints while maintaining a commitment to a balanced approach between academic rigor and the realities of experiencers' lives.