КОЛЬЦО ВЕЛИКОГО СВЕЧЕНИЯ

Magazine Overview

This issue, number 22, of the ufological journal-gazette "КОЛЬЦО ВЕЛИКОГО СВЕЧЕНИЯ" (Ring of Great Illumination) was published in 1996. It is a quarterly publication that has been in print since July 1990. The cover headline is "ЛЮДИ, НЕ БОЙТЕСЬ СМЕРТИ!" (People, Don't Fear Death!), suggesting a focus on existential and spiritual themes.

Articles and Content

People, Don't Fear Death!

The lead article, "People, Don't Fear Death!", argues that while documented evidence of past-life memories and near-death experiences (NDEs) exists, society still largely dismisses the concept of the soul's immortality. It posits that fear of death is misplaced; the true concern should be the consequences of a life lived against divine laws. The article highlights that NDE experiencers often report a sense of peace and a tunnel of light, with encounters varying between religious figures (Jesus, Messiah) and more abstract concepts like Goodness or Higher Beings. A common thread is the cessation of the fear of death after such experiences.

Reincarnation Cases

The issue presents several compelling cases of alleged reincarnation:

• Diana Farouk: A 7-year-old Arab girl from Kfar Rami inexplicably spoke Hebrew in her sleep, claiming to be Yael ben-Yair, who had previously lived in Tel Aviv and died in a car accident with her parents. Investigations confirmed the existence of such a girl and a fatal accident.
• Heni Saif: A 4-year-old boy from Osafia recognized guests from another village, identifying them as his parents from a past life and insisting on returning to his former home in Deir Had. The case was accepted by the Druze community, with the boy splitting his time between both families.

These cases are presented as evidence supporting the ancient belief in reincarnation, which is gaining traction among psychologists and folklorists.

Vegetarianism

The article "Вегетарианское эссе" (Vegetarian Essay) explores the concept of vegetarianism, its historical spread in India and Europe, and its presence in Russian sects and among intellectuals like Tolstoy. The author expresses a personal ambivalence, recalling childhood horror at dealing with raw poultry but also noting a physical weakening from prolonged meat abstinence. The article questions the idea that consuming meat transfers negative karma or information, arguing that if this were true, people would easily take on others' burdens. It suggests that conscious vegetarianism might be a way to discipline the flesh, a voluntary test of will, or a means to spiritual energy, akin to asceticism. It also touches on the possibility of subconscious desires for self-affirmation or protest driving vegetarian choices, drawing a parallel with nudism.

The Urantia Book

Under the heading "ФУНДАМЕНТАЛИЗМ КНИГИ УРАНТИИ" (Fundamentalism of The Urantia Book), the magazine publishes a fragment from the book's preface and an analysis. The article contrasts Christian fundamentalism's literal interpretation of the Bible with the approach to "The Urantia Book." It argues that while many educated readers of "The Urantia Book" fall into the same illusory trap as biblical fundamentalists, assuming its scientific content is divinely inspired, the book's authors themselves state that its revelations are primarily spiritual and that its scientific aspects may require revision. The analysis suggests that "The Urantia Book" draws on scientific achievements of the 1930s-40s and that its true value lies in its spiritual enlightenment and its attempt to harmonize science, philosophy, and religion. The author, Meredith Spranger, advocates for a critical and creative study of the book, free from fundamentalist dogma.

UFOs and Alien Encounters

Several sections are dedicated to UFO sightings and alien encounters:

• J. Allen Hynek's UFO: A Scientific Approach: This section continues a series based on the work of J. Allen Hynek. It details the Socorro, New Mexico, incident of April 24, 1964, involving police officer Lonnie Zamora, who witnessed a UFO and two beings. The article notes the physical evidence of a landing site and supports the credibility of Zamora's account.
• Boainai, Papua New Guinea, 1959: The issue recounts the significant case from June 26-27, 1959, in Boainai, involving Reverend Williams Bruce Gill. This event, witnessed by over 25 people, is described as a close encounter of the third kind. The article mentions that British authorities initially dismissed the case but later provided information to the author.
• Alien Typology: A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to classifying and describing various types of extraterrestrial beings encountered. These include:
• Type 11: Tall beings (2.5m) in spacesuits with a single eye, observed in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. They are described as having a normal head, sometimes long hair, no nose or ears, and exhibiting friendly behavior even when attacked.
• Type 12: Very tall beings (2.4-3.0m) in spacesuits, observed in Argentina, Portugal, Scotland, and England. They have transparent, shiny spacesuits and are described as having normal proportions and friendly behavior, with one instance of dialogue.
• Type 13: Small beings (0.8m) without spacesuits, seen in Peru and Argentina. They are described as indifferent and not engaging in conversation.
• Special Cases: A list of unusual sightings includes beings with frog-like faces, asymmetric bodies, large eyes, bat-like ears, or covered in silver and gold ribbons. One is described as a "little woman" with a large mouth and pointed ears.
• Mixed Crews: Mentions of encounters involving mixed alien types from different countries.
• Non-Humanoid Forms: Descriptions of beings resembling "sugar cubes," "ghosts," amorphous gelatinous creatures, beings with wings like bats, and cylindrical boxes with stick-like arms.

Structure and Divine Beings (from The Urantia Book)

Sections VI, VII, and VIII of the magazine delve into abstract concepts related to "The Urantia Book," discussing energy, structure, and the nature of divine beings. These sections explore the relationship between material, spiritual, and mental energy, and the concept of divine personalities like the Father, Son, and Spirit, as well as the Supreme Being and the Seven-fold God.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of the paranormal, the spiritual, and the unexplained. It appears to adopt a stance that is open to phenomena beyond conventional scientific understanding, presenting anecdotal evidence and theories related to reincarnation, near-death experiences, and UFOs. The inclusion of detailed typologies of alien beings suggests a systematic approach to cataloging these phenomena. The critical analysis of "The Urantia Book" indicates an interest in comparative religion and spiritual philosophy, while also maintaining a degree of skepticism towards literal interpretations. The overall tone is investigative and aims to inform readers about a wide range of unusual occurrences and belief systems.

This issue of KBC magazine, volume 14, issue 11, dated November 25, 1996, is primarily in Russian and focuses on topics of UFO sightings, magical healing, karma, and vegetarianism. The cover headline highlights 'Magical Healing and Karma'.

UFO Sightings and Encounters

The magazine features a detailed account of a UFO sighting in Boainai, as narrated by Reverend William B. Gill. He describes observing a UFO for approximately four hours on a specific night, starting at 18:45 and ending at 23:04. Initially, he noticed a strong glow in the sky, which he initially dismissed. However, the phenomenon intensified, and he observed a bright white light. His colleague, Eric Kodavara, and teacher Steven Muah confirmed the observation. During the sighting, figures of people appeared on the object, described as moving, glowing, and interacting. The report details multiple appearances and disappearances of these figures and the main object, which was sometimes described as a 'mother ship'. The sighting concluded with the UFO disappearing into the clouds amidst heavy rain.

Donald Menzel is mentioned as a ufologist who attempted to explain the Boainai case as an observation of Venus, questioning whether Reverend Gill was wearing glasses. The article defends Gill's account, stating Venus was seen separately and that Gill did have glasses on.

The issue also recounts the classic close encounter of the third kind in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, USA, which occurred on August 21, 1955. This incident involved seven witnesses and lasted for four hours. The focus of this encounter was on the humanoids themselves, with the UFO being observed only as it passed by. The article notes that Bud Ledwith, a former radio announcer, investigated the case and created a composite sketch of the beings based on witness descriptions.

Karma and Esotericism

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the concept of Karma, presented from both religious and magical viewpoints. The article states that Karma is not a new concept but has been known in magic for thousands of years, representing the accumulation of changes a person undergoes through multiple lives.

Religious Perspective on Karma

Religions that believe in reincarnation, such as Buddhism and Hinduism, view Karma as a consequence of violating God's laws. Good deeds, particularly charity, can atone for bad Karma. The article briefly touches upon the Christian concept of a single life and divine judgment, mentioning Dante's depiction of Hell.

Magical Perspective on Karma

From a magical standpoint, Karma is described as a trauma acquired in previous incarnations. It is not transferable like a bruise or a broken bone, but one can be affected by interacting with someone who has karmic changes. The article explains that individuals can belong to multiple 'egregores' (collective consciousness entities), and violating the laws of an egregore can lead to negative Karma. It distinguishes between natural egregores (like national groups) and artificial ones (like organizations and religions). The article suggests that karmic diseases are a result of these accumulated traumas and are often congenital, posing a challenge for religions that deny reincarnation.

Egregores and Karmic Disease

Egregores are described as organisms of a higher level than humans, with their own laws. Humans are integral parts of these egregores. The article explains that violating the laws of an egregore leads to negative Karma. It highlights that the same action can result in different karmic consequences for individuals belonging to different egregores (e.g., polygamy for a Christian versus a Muslim). The concept of 'karmic twins' is also mentioned.

Vegetarianism and Morality

The magazine critically examines vegetarianism. It questions the assertion that vegetarianism does not affect physical strength, particularly for those engaged in heavy labor. The article suggests that while vegetarianism might be suitable for some in moderate climates with access to diverse foods, it is not universally applicable, citing examples of northern populations. It also touches upon the moral argument of 'not killing,' questioning why plants, which also possess a form of life and consciousness, are excluded from this consideration. The article criticizes the perceived hypocrisy of some vegetarians and suggests that their motivations may sometimes stem from ego rather than genuine compassion.

Other Topics

The issue mentions the Urantia Book and its translation efforts in Russia, with information provided about meetings with readers and representatives of the Urantia Foundation. It also references the 'Majestic-12' group, an organization reportedly established to study UFOs, and notes the suicide of James Forrestal, who was a member and Secretary of Defense.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores paranormal phenomena, esotericism, and alternative viewpoints on life and health. The editorial stance appears critical of mainstream explanations for unexplained events and promotes a more spiritual or magical understanding of reality. There is a clear interest in UFOs, extraterrestrial life, and metaphysical concepts like karma and reincarnation. The publication also engages in social commentary, particularly regarding dietary choices and their ethical implications.