BAE 4.3

Magazine Overview

Title: Bulletin of Anomalous Experience
Issue: Volume 4, Number 3
Date: June 1993

This issue of the "Bulletin of Anomalous Experience" (BAE) is a contribution-driven project serving as a forum for the presentation and discussion of ideas within the field of anomalous experiences, with a particular focus on UFO phenomena. The editorial comments express gratitude to subscribers and contributors, highlighting the international reach of BAE and its role in fostering discussion.

Mail and Editorial Comments

The "Mail" section features several responses and contributions. Pamela Freyd, Ph.D., responds to an editorial on False Memory Syndrome (FMS), emphasizing the reconstructed nature of memories and the need for research to ensure settings are not suggestive. Leo Sprinkle, Ph.D., replies to Dennis Stacy's critique on "abductions and abortions," defending his research and suggesting a broader view of psychic manifestations. He also touches upon the "numbers game" in UFO/ET encounters and the possibility of UFO activity being an educational program for cosmic consciousness. Eberhard Bauer discusses the concept of "abduction by aliens" in Germany, suggesting it is a "New World phenomenon" influenced by American culture and noting the relative scarcity of German-speaking abductees.

Filip Coppens comments on Nicholas Reiter's research into the "Magnetic Implant Response" (MR), suggesting that high EM fields, rather than implants, might explain the observed reactions. Reiter, in his reply, clarifies his research methodology and acknowledges the need for further exploration. Michael Grosso discusses his experiences with electrically-related phenomena, linking them to a peculiar state of mind and the broader concept of conscious dreaming. He also advocates for integrating psychical research concepts into understanding the entity enigma.

Book and Literature Reviews

The issue includes several book and literature reviews:

• Alien Identities: Ancient Insights into Modern UFO Phenomena by Richard Thompson, Ph.D.
• Into the Crystal: The Miracles of Peter Sugleris by Berthold E. Schwarz, M.D.
• Contemporary Issues Concerning the Scientific Study of Consciousness by Imants Baruss, Ph.D.
• Dissociation and Memory: A Two-Hundred Year Perspective by Adam Crabtree, M.A.
• Remembering Satan, Parts 1 and 2 by Lawrence Wright

Key Articles and Discussions

"Alien Abduction Workload" by R.J. Durant: Durant clarifies that his article was meant to introduce the concept of using numbers and logical relationships in abduction research, rather than endorsing specific theories or polls. He contrasts his logical approach with what he perceives as Stacy's dismissal of data.

"On Magnetic Implant Response" by Filip Coppens: Coppens discusses Nicholas Reiter's MR research, proposing that reactions to high EM fields, rather than implants, could explain the phenomena. He notes that the MR occurs within a specific distance and relates it to L-fields and brain areas involved in altered states.

Reiter Replies: Nick Reiter responds to Coppens, appreciating the input and reiterating that his research aimed to promote thought. He distinguishes between EM and magnetic fields and acknowledges that the MR might relate to implants or other factors.

"On SLIDE and more..." by Michael Grosso: Grosso shares personal experiences of electrical phenomena occurring during states of excitement and frustration. He connects these to a broader understanding of consciousness and the potential for psychical research to interpret the "entity enigma."

Response from David Cherniack, producer of Skymagic: Cherniack addresses John Robert Colombo's review of his documentary "Skymagic: UFO's, Myth and Reality in the Modern World." He clarifies that the film's focus was not on medical materialism but on a broader sense of reality, incorporating elements of folklore, mythology, and anthropology. He regrets that the film's one-hour format limited its scope, particularly regarding the connection between UFOs and psychic phenomena.

"Missing Fetus Syndrome" by Keith Basterfield: Basterfield critically examines the "Missing Fetus Syndrome" (MFS) hypothesis, which suggests aliens are interbreeding with humans. He notes that while Hopkins has documented many cases, published evidence is limited, and a thorough medical investigation of one case found no evidence of MFS, suggesting mundane explanations. He questions the assertion that MFS is a central theme in the "genetic experimentation" hypothesis, citing a statistic of approximately 9% of female abductees reporting such experiences.

From Laura Silva: Silva expresses her enjoyment of BAE and discusses her work as a therapist with experiencers, focusing on moving through fear and anger towards understanding the deeper significance of their experiences. She mentions her participation in a cable program and her work with clients who illustrate their experiences through artwork.

From Marie-Louise Kagan: Kagan, a researcher of the "Phenomenon" for over three decades, emphasizes the multidisciplinary nature of the field and the need for a "Human Principle" in interacting with experiencers. She suggests that advanced technologies can serve as metaphors for understanding the phenomenon and that exploring the connection between our evolution and the phenomenon can enhance an experiencer's sense of worth. She also poses questions about the role of the phenomenon in the abortion debate.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, rigorous research, and open discussion within the UFO and anomalous experience community. There is a recurring theme of questioning established hypotheses, such as the "genetic experimentation" theory, and seeking alternative explanations that integrate psychological, cultural, and even spiritual perspectives. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging diverse viewpoints and thorough investigation, acknowledging the complexity and often elusive nature of the phenomena studied.

This issue of the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience, Vol. 4, No. 3, dated June 1993, features a "Book Reviews" section and articles exploring consciousness, memory, and anomalous phenomena. The magazine is published by the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience.

Book Reviews

Alien Identities: Ancient Insights into Modern UFO Phenomena by Richard L. Thompson, Ph.D.

This book, published by Govardhan Hill Publishing in 1993, is a comparative study of UFO literature and Vedic literature from India. The first five chapters provide an overview of UFO phenomena, while the remaining six chapters delve into Vedic literature, drawing primarily from the Bhagavata Purana and the Mahabharata, as well as the Ramayana and other late medieval texts. Dr. Thompson highlights striking resemblances between descriptions of flying machines (vimanas) and the behavior/powers of humanlike races in Vedic accounts and UFO phenomena, particularly in close-encounter cases. He notes parallels such as abduction reports, humanoids, levitation, induced paralysis, long-distance hypnosis, projection of illusory images, and the "oz factor." The Purāṇas describe 400,000 humanlike races on various planets, with human beings being among the least powerful. Vedic humanoid races are said to possess powers called "siddhis," which include mental communication, enhanced senses, levitation/antigravity (laghima-siddhi), changing size (anima- and mahima-siddhis), moving objects (prapti-siddhi), etheric travel (vihāyasa), mental travel (mano-java), hypnotic control (vaśitā-siddhi), invisibility (antardhana), and assuming different forms or generating illusions.

The Vedic concept of Maya is discussed as the material world being fashioned out of an energy of illusion, serving as a playground for souls seeking separate enjoyment from the Supreme Being. Sub-illusions within Maya cause individuals to forget the Supreme's omnipotence and the cosmic hierarchy. The book suggests that UFO phenomena might be a modern arrangement to revise materialistic outlooks, confronting scientists with the inexplicable and showing that humans are not the topmost species, while maintaining an element of doubt and contradiction.

Into the Crystal: The Miracles of Peter Sugleris by Berthold E. Schwarz, M.D.

This book, published by Eagle Wing Books in 1993, is a 244-page profile of gifted telekinetic Peter Sugleris. Dr. Schwarz, a psychiatrist, explores Sugleris's abilities, including levitation, bending objects without physical contact, and starting broken watches. The book also examines Sugleris's personality, background, and childhood environment to understand the role of mind and emotion in psi manifestation. It includes vignettes, such as Sugleris being tested by James Randi.

Personal Accounts

The UFO and the Bird

Angelo recounts an experience where he, his brother Peter, their father, and Grandpa Panagiotis observed a large, black bird with wings that did not flap, moving from side to side. Simultaneously, they saw what looked like a black UFO. The object was observed for two to three hours. The experience left them shocked and puzzled, describing the object as a black, solid, floating ball the size of a dinner plate.

Amazons

Peter and his friend Alan, joined by Angelo, were burying a pornographic book when they were approached by three women resembling Amazons, described as tall, light-skinned, with long black hair, and dressed like cave women. The women stood motionlessly, staring at the boys, who became scared and ran. Alan fell and injured his leg badly. The account raises questions about whether this was a psychic mass hallucination evoked by guilt or conscience, possibly linked to Peter's psychic abilities.

Literature Reviews

Contemporary Issues Concerning the Scientific Study of Consciousness

This review by Imants Baruss discusses the confusion in the scientific study of consciousness, stemming from diverse definitions and beliefs about reality. It highlights how anomalous experiences, such as mystical or out-of-body experiences, can lead individuals to reject physicalist worldviews and adopt a transcendentalist position, thus influencing their understanding of consciousness. The review also touches upon methodological issues, particularly the challenge of reconciling the scientific requirement for objective, interchangeable observers with the private nature of subjective experience. It suggests that introspection, though difficult, may be a necessary skill for understanding consciousness.

Anomalous Experiences

This section summarizes findings from studies by Baruss and Moore, indicating that a significant percentage of respondents reported experiences that science would find difficult to explain. These experiences often correlate with a dramatic change in ideas about life and can undermine materialist worldviews, leading to a transcendentalist perspective. The growing body of research on mystical experiences, out-of-body experiences, near-death experiences, and extrasensory perception is noted.

Dissociation and Memory: A Two-Hundred-Year Perspective

Adam Crabtree's article traces the history of dissociation research, starting from the discovery of magnetic sleep in 1784, which revealed separate consciousnesses with distinct memory chains. The concept of multiple consciousnesses and state-related memory is discussed, along with the BASK model and the recent concept of cultural dissociation. Cultural dissociation refers to a collective-level disorder where paranormal experiences and deep intuitive consciousness are suppressed by Western thinking, leading to a disconnect from these aspects of the self.

Cultural Dissociation

This section, referencing Colin Ross and Charles Tart, elaborates on cultural dissociation as a collective-level phenomenon analogous to multiple personality disorder. It suggests that Western industrialized society suppresses parts of the self that deal with unacceptable experiences, creating a "cultural dissociation barrier." Tart's concept of "consensus trance" or "the sleep of everyday life" describes how culture hypnotizes individuals into accepting only what is culturally designated as real. Overcoming this requires a cultural therapy that allows alienated voices and experiences, including paranormal ones, to be heard and integrated.

Remembering Satan

This review discusses a two-part article by Lawrence Wright in The New Yorker, which explores intriguing parallels between abduction experiences and claims of satanic ritual abuse. Both involve repressed memories emerging, being emotionally powerful and traumatic, and often met with disbelief. The article focuses on a particular case of satanic ritual abuse and the investigation's scientific and ethical dilemmas.

Personal Accounts and Memory

The article discusses the Ingram case, where Ericka and Julie Ingram accused their father, Paul R. Ingram, of sexual abuse and satanic ritual abuse. The case highlights the controversy surrounding "recovered memories" and the concept of repression. Paul McHugh argues that severe traumas are usually remembered, not repressed, and that the conviction in such cases depends on therapists' beliefs about how child trauma memory works. The investigation into the Ingram case faced challenges due to contradictory testimonies and a lack of physical evidence, with explanations for the absence of evidence attributed to factors like acidic soil and the trauma of the survivors.

The article critiques the reliance on repression as a cornerstone of Freudian theory, suggesting that unquestioning belief in it can be as dangerous as belief in witches. It notes that the Ingram case, while bizarre, did not escalate further, but similar accusations based on recovered memories are happening to thousands of people, with many memories being false.

Pearls

This section contains three quotes:

1. From Rilke's "Letters to a Young Poet," emphasizing the importance of embracing the inexplicable and new experiences to enrich relationships and self-understanding.
2. From Wilfred Trotter (quoted by Arthur Koestler), describing the mind's resistance to new ideas as a defense mechanism.
3. From Michael Ventura, discussing how cultures that ignore certain modes of seeing defend their ignorance, leading to the suppression and devaluation of alternative worldviews.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the intersection of ancient traditions (Vedic literature) with modern anomalous phenomena (UFOs), the complex and often subjective nature of consciousness and human experience, and the challenges of investigating and understanding phenomena that lie outside conventional scientific paradigms. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into anomalous experiences, acknowledging the limitations of current scientific understanding and exploring alternative perspectives, including those from ancient wisdom traditions and psychological studies of consciousness and memory. The magazine also engages with controversial topics like recovered memories and satanic ritual abuse, presenting detailed analyses and raising critical questions about methodology and interpretation.

Title: Bulletin of Anomalous Experience
Issue: Vol. 4, No. 3
Date: June 1993

This issue of the Bulletin of Anomalous Experience (BAE) is a networking newsletter dedicated to exploring the UFO abduction phenomenon and related subjects. It targets mental health professionals and interested scientists, serving as a forum for the presentation of ideas, information, and debate.

Editorial Stance and Content

The publication's editorial policy, as articulated by Hilary Evans, aims to balance academic rigor with practical inquiry, encouraging discussion and suggestion rather than assertion. The BAE welcomes a wide range of contributions, including comments on published material, articles from relevant literature, notices of books or journals, and opinion pieces. A significant recent development is the introduction of an "Experiencer's Section," recognizing the valuable perspective of individuals who have directly experienced anomalous phenomena.

Participation and Contributions

Readers are encouraged to submit correspondence or contributions for publication. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, submissions are assumed to grant permission for printing, in whole or in part, at the editor's discretion. Contributors wishing to send confidential letters are asked to specify this clearly. Submissions can be designated for the main body of the newsletter or the "Experiencer's Section." Lengthy contributions can be submitted on IBM-compatible diskettes (5.25 or 3.5 inch), with compatibility for Word for Windows 2.0, WordPerfect 5.0, and ASCII text files.

Subscriptions and Costs

Subscriptions are now open to a broader audience beyond the initial target of mental health professionals and scientists. As of the 1993 issue, subscription costs have increased to $25 per calendar year. Back issues for 1990 and 1991 are also available at $25 per year. The publication operates as a non-profit entity, and despite postal fee increases and other cost rises, the subscription rates have been maintained for three years. Payments can be made via U.S. bank checks or money orders, payable to "David Gotlib, M.D.," not the Bulletin itself.

Copyright Information

All contributions to BAE remain the property of the respective authors. The BAE serves as a medium for discussion, and its editorial comments are distinct from the authors' voices. Reproduction of any part of a contribution requires express written permission from the author, who can be contacted directly or through the publication.

Past Online Presence

Previously, BAE featured a selection of articles from each issue on The WELL (Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link), a computer conferencing system. This service concluded with Volume 4, Number 1.

Contact Information

All correspondence should be addressed to David Gotlib, M.D., at Bulletin of Anomalous Experience, 2 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 607, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4V 1L5. Contact numbers include telephone (416) 963-8700 and fax (416) 962-4622. Electronic contact is available via CompuServe (72037,737) and The WELL (username "drdave").

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes revolve around the UFO abduction phenomenon, anomalous experiences, and their implications for mental health and scientific understanding. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry and discussion, prioritizing the sharing of diverse perspectives, including those of experiencers, over the imposition of a singular viewpoint.