Common Ground - No 01 1981

Magazine Overview

Title: Common Ground
Issue: No. 1
Date: May 1981
Subtitle: Studies at the Fringe of Human Experience.

This inaugural issue of "Common Ground" positions itself as a new journal dedicated to exploring paranormal phenomena from an inter-disciplinary perspective. It aims to foster discussion, criticism, and cooperation among researchers in fields such as ufology, earth mysteries, religious mysticism, and out-of-body experiences. The publication is a collaborative effort involving individuals from organizations like the Society for Psychical Research (S.P.R.), BUFORA, and UFOIN.

The Dyfed Enigma: Tread Thou in Them Boldly by Hilary Evans

Hilary Evans, a prominent figure in paranormal research, presents a critical re-investigation of the "Dyfed Enigma" or "Welsh Triangle" flap of 1977. This event, which comprised over fifty incidents in South-West Wales, is described as one of the richest and most varied in UFOlogy, featuring sightings of grounded UFOs, entities, teleportation of cattle, and alleged offshore UFO bases. Evans expresses disappointment with the quality of investigation and reporting, particularly noting the sensationalism of some media coverage (e.g., The SUN) compared to the more objective reporting of the local Western Telegraph.

Evans scrutinizes the published accounts, including those by R.J. Pugh and F.W. Holiday, Clive Harold, and Peter Paget. He points out numerous inconsistencies and discrepancies in witness accounts and timelines, such as variations in the age of witnesses and the duration of journeys. He also identifies exaggerations and enhancements, citing the portrayal of Ripperston Farm as a sinister, isolated location when it was a typical farmhouse, and the misrepresentation of Billy Coombs' role as a herdsman rather than a manager. Outright invention is also alleged, such as the claim that snow never settles on Stack Rocks, which was disproven by local residents.

Furthermore, Evans highlights omissions, such as the failure to investigate the Klasses, neighbours of the Coombs family, who might have provided alternative explanations for events like the mysterious entity peering through the window (potentially a prank by local jokers). He also notes the unsubstantiated explanation of UFOs vanishing into Stack Rocks and the questionable claim of Rose Granville confirming entities from a distance, without mentioning the presence of RAF jets using the rocks as markers.

Evans concludes that the Dyfed case demonstrates how a combination of factors can escalate minor incidents into a sensational scenario disproportionate to its original components. He emphasizes the need for comprehensive, objective, and critical investigation, advocating for a network of trained investigators and a cooperative organization.

Despite the criticisms, Evans acknowledges that some incidents may have been genuine, citing the case of Josephine Hewison seeing a massive object near her home as potentially valid, though lacking scientific evidence.

A Spook in the Family by Jenny Randles

Jenny Randles discusses the challenges of publishing research on paranormal phenomena, particularly the difficulties encountered with publishers who believe the 'general public' is the primary audience and prefers sensationalism over detailed analysis. She describes the process of writing a book, "Alien Contact," about a bizarre series of UFO contacts involving the Sunderland family from Oakenholt, North Wales.

Randles compares the Oakenholt case with two other well-known British cases: the Dyfed poltergeist (Ripperston Farm) and the Enfield poltergeist. She notes similarities in family structure (multiple children, dominant mother figures) and the potential for psychological factors to influence or create paranormal experiences. She suggests that the need for attention in large families might play a role, and that the investigators' desire to live with the experiencers could lead to biased accounts. Randles also touches upon the role of 'acceptance levels' and how investigators' concepts can influence witness testimonies.

She argues that while the Oakenholt case is extraordinary, the socio-psychological factors appear to be more significant than objective reality. She also draws parallels between the Sunderland family and other CE4 (Close Encounter of the Fourth Kind) witnesses, suggesting a psychological profile might be relevant.

The Third Secret of Fatima

This section briefly discusses the "Third Secret of Fatima," a secret allegedly revealed by the Virgin Mary to Lucia dos Santos in 1917. It notes that while parts of the secret have been officially acknowledged, a further part remains hidden, purportedly concerning future global events and the Church. The text suggests a widespread feeling that important facts are being withheld against divine wishes.

Hallucinations and Illusions by Sue Blackmore

Dr. Sue Blackmore, a parapsychologist, explores the nature of hallucinations and illusions, defining them as apparent perceptions without corresponding objects or misinterpretations of stimuli. She explains that the brain constantly analyzes information, and errors can occur due to the complexity of perception, leading to illusions. Factors influencing these errors include the nature of the object, viewing conditions (briefness, poor lighting), and the observer's state (tiredness, stress, drug influence).

Blackmore notes that hallucinations can occur under various conditions, including sleep deprivation, sensory deprivation, drug use, fevers, and crystal gazing. She highlights the consistency in the types of hallucinations experienced, often involving small animals or caricatures. She emphasizes that while hallucinations can be mistaken for reality, the distinction is usually maintained, but under certain conditions, this breakdown can occur.

Abstracts

The "Abstracts" section provides brief summaries of articles from various journals and publications relevant to paranormal research, covering topics such as UFO sightings, out-of-body experiences, psychic phenomena, animal mutilations, and conspiracy theories. Notable publications reviewed include Aquarian Arrow, Awareness, BUFORA Journal, Christian Parapsychologist, Earthlink, EVP News, Flying Saucer Review, Fortean Times, Frontiers of Science, Investigation, Magonia, Mersey News, MUFON UFO Journal, Northern Ufology, Northern UFO News, Pursuit, S.P.R. Journal, Sunday Times, UFO Insight, UFO Research Review, and Zetetic Scholar.

The S.P.R. Dispute

This section details a dispute within the Society for Psychical Research (S.P.R.) at its Annual General Meeting on April 25, 1981. The conflict is framed as a contest between Professor A.J. Ellison, Chairman of the Council, and Mr. Hugh Pincott, former Hon. Secretary and Treasurer. The dispute appears to involve differing approaches to research, with one side favoring a strictly scientific, lab-oriented approach, and the other more open to 'spontaneous' phenomena and public communication. The meeting concluded with a vote in favor of the existing Council's wishes, indicating a clear majority for their stance.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently emphasizes the importance of rigorous, objective, and critical investigation in paranormal research. There is a clear critique of sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, advocating for a more scientific and evidence-based approach. The magazine aims to provide a platform for detailed analysis and comparison of cases, encouraging collaboration among researchers. The editorial stance appears to favor a sober, analytical approach to phenomena, while acknowledging the complexity and often subjective nature of reported experiences. The publication also highlights the challenges faced by researchers in getting their work published and taken seriously.

Title: Common Ground
Issue: 1
Volume: 1
Date: August 1981

This inaugural issue of 'Common Ground' aims to serve as a vital resource for researchers and enthusiasts in the paranormal field. It emphasizes the importance of specialist magazines as the 'life-blood' of the field and seeks to encourage the exchange of information and ideas. The publication is biased towards UK-based resources but welcomes details of others. The editors express a desire to eventually pay contributors and are committed to publishing critical material without succumbing to destructive criticism or sensationalism.

Hallucinations and Near-Death Experiences

Sue Blackmore's article explores the nature of hallucinations, noting that simple geometric forms like spirals and tunnels often appear, with colors shifting from blues and yellows to red. These tunnel forms are common in near-death experiences (NDEs) and are sometimes interpreted as pathways to another world or the astral body drawing out of the physical. Blackmore suggests that understanding hallucinations can shed light on supposedly psychic phenomena like NDEs, apparitions, hauntings, and UFO perceptions. She posits that while physiological changes occur in NDEs, it's crucial to determine if all aspects are hallucinatory or if some point to life after death. She also discusses out-of-body experiences (OBEs), opining that they are best understood as altered states of consciousness where the 'astral world' is created from memory, rather than something physically leaving the body.

The Case of Lobrang Rampa

The lead article, "Are you there, Lobrang Rampa?", critically examines the life and claims of Tuesday Lobrang Rampa (alias Dr. Kuon, alias Cyril Hoskins), who died in January 1981. Rampa, author of the best-selling 'The Third Eye', claimed to be a Tibetan Lama. However, investigations by Tibetan scholars and researchers like Clifford Burgess and John Pitt of 'Psychic News' suggested that Rampa's claims of attending Chungking University, having psychic surgery, meeting the Abominable Snowman, or flying in the Chinese Air Force were unsubstantiated. Evidence indicated he had lived a quiet clerical life in England, with his knowledge of Tibet derived from reading. Rampa's subsequent books, 'Doctor from Lhasa' and 'The Rampa Story', attempted to explain away these discrepancies, with Rampa claiming he had taken over Cyril Hoskins's body after Hoskins fell from a tree in 1949, in exchange for karmic credit. Despite the inconsistencies, Rampa's books sold well, influencing many in the paranormal field. The article raises speculative questions about whether a hypnotically regressed Rampa would believe in his Tibetan existence and, if personality survives death, which set of memories persists – the real Cyril Hoskins or the complex Lobrang Rampa.

Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP)

Alan Cleaver's article, "But Are The Voices Lying?", delves into the Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP), the recording of sounds interpreted as paranormal voices. He contrasts the work of Robert Dixon, who scans for extraterrestrial signals with modern equipment and has found none, with Gilbert Bonner, who claims to have recorded 10,000 paranormal voices using a domestic radio. Cleaver outlines three popular theories for EVP origins: voices of the dead, extraterrestrial intelligences, or subconscious projections of the researcher. He highlights the work of Friedrich Jurgenson, who first discovered voices on magnetic tape and later found them clearer when using a radio. Dr. Konstantin Raudive, impressed by Jurgenson's findings, conducted his own successful experiments and published 'Breakthrough'. Despite initial media interest, the phenomenon was largely forgotten until persistent researchers continued their work. The article discusses interpretations of EVP messages, with some researchers like David Ellis concluding they are indistinct radio transmissions and mechanical noises, while others, like Mr. Philip Rodgers, believe the voices originate from UFOs. Richard Sheargold suggests that voices can be made to claim any origin the experimenter desires, stemming from 'self-generated, semi-autonomous thought forms'. However, the article acknowledges rare instances where voices provide information unknown to the researcher, citing Michael Vinter's 'Anna Nanji' voice as a classic example, which remarkably matched a spirit voice heard in a Leslie Flint direct voice sitting. The possibility of entities having independent existence is raised, particularly in relation to Jurgenson's reported 20-minute two-sided conversations.

Tulpas

This short section defines Tulpas as Tibetan thought-forms, often mentioned in paranormal literature but lacking factual support. It references Alexandra David-Neel's book 'With Mystics & Magicians in Tibet', where she describes Tulpas as 'magic formations generated by a powerful concentration of thought'. David-Neel claimed to have created one herself, a monk, which was briefly seen by an independent witness. However, she admits that much of her account relies on hearsay and that people may have deluded themselves. The article cautions against taking anecdotal snippets out of context and quoting them as established facts.

Journal Listings

This extensive section provides a comprehensive list of paranormal journals and publications, including their titles, brief descriptions, subscription details, and contact addresses. It covers a wide range of topics such as ancient mysteries, UFOs, earth mysteries, spiritualism, and psychical research, with a focus on UK-based publications. Notable listings include 'Ancient Mysteries', 'Flying Saucer Review', 'Fortean Times', 'MUFON UFO Journal', 'Pursuit', and 'Zetetic Scholar'.

Closing Remarks

Kevin Czure, the editor, reflects on the first issue, expressing hope that readers enjoyed it. He outlines plans for the next issue, which will include contributions on research resources, abnormal psychology, mental illness, and a critical analysis of 'Control-system' theories of the UFO phenomenon. He also mentions the possibility of setting up a research scheme into psychical and spontaneous phenomena. Czure acknowledges that the quality of articles is paramount, not the reputation of the authors, and expresses embarrassment about not being able to pay contributors, though a token payment is hoped for in the future. He concludes by noting that many seemingly strong cases may not be as they appear, citing criticisms of the Enfield and Oakenholt cases, and the debunking of the Dyfed business by Hilary Evans.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of paranormal claims, the importance of rigorous research methodology, and the interconnectedness of various paranormal fields. The editorial stance is one of cautious skepticism, emphasizing the need to distinguish between genuine phenomena and misinterpretations, delusions, or hoaxes. The magazine aims to publish material that is critical of paranormal claims but does not dismiss the possibility of genuine phenomena, encouraging thorough investigation and a balanced approach. The issue highlights the challenges in establishing the truth behind paranormal experiences and the potential for researchers to influence or even create the phenomena they investigate.