CE4 Corner Draft - Spirit, Hardware and Mystery - the many realities of the visitor phenomenon

A week ago (as of the writing of this article) I had the truly unique experience of attending the first MUFON field investigator boot camp. It was one of those unforgettable experiences - the first of its kind, probably anywhere in the world. And for me, it was very different from the world I normally move in. It was a week of learning how to do forensic evidence gathering of past UFO encounters. It was a week of no-nonsense, nuts-and-bolts field work straight out of the set of CSI.

Working with close encounter experiencers, especially in the Twin Cities, which tends to be more of a new-age/metaphysical orientation, I mostly hear about the spiritual aspects of the close encounter phenomenon. I see the way it melds into the spectrum of the clients' spiritual, paranormal and metaphysical experiences. And as a result, I mostly see a spiritual/metaphysical side of the phenomenon.

In contrast, my week in the Arizona desert at MUFON FI boot camp was focused on hard-boiled, evidence-based, forensic investigation. It began with a discussion of various tools and procedures to be used in the field. Then we covered different possible scenarios of UFO physical evidence - a historical UFO crash, a UFO landing, a UFO-car interaction leaving magnetic traces on the car, and a present-day crashed UFO. In each case, we learned procedures and techniques for carefully gathering evidence, taking careful readings and measurements, documenting the scenario, etc.

Most of the people attending this workshop were seasoned field investigators. Many of them were had backgrounds in law-enforcement, engineering and the military, including several who were retired special forces. Many had been involved in some way with the hidden side of the government-UFO scenario and knew more about past UFO events than they were able to say. Yet at the same time, all were intent on understanding the phenomenon in depth. Many of the attendees had had their own sightings or experiences and I'm sure a few were life-long abductees. In short, this was a hard-boiled no-nonsense group of investigators, pragmatic, analytical - deeply curious and dedicated.

A few weeks before, I had attended the Paradigm symposium in Minneapolis - another group of researchers with a different bent, to seek out the hidden history of humanity. One of the featured speakers there was Graham Hancock, who spoke extensively on the influence of shamanism in human history. In his book, Supernatural, Hancock offers a very different approach to anomaly and close encounter experiences from the nuts-and-bolts understanding I sensed at FI boot camp.

In Supernatural, and in his talk at the Paradigm Conference, Hancock offered the idea that close encounters may be at least in part, a type of shamanic journey. He described events of the shamanic experience - star beings, trials and tortures, sexual encounters, and other elements that have a similar ring to those described by abductees. This suggests that the experiences have something in common, yet at the same time, it does not even begin to explain the physical aspects of the phenomenon.

A significant portion of the UFO abduction cases in the MUFON data base, including many in our own case files, have both physical evidence and shamanic or metaphysical aspects to them. The implications of this are profound. It suggests that there is an overlay of realities between this world and the world(s) beyond our everyday reality. And in many cases, these overlapping worlds can interact with each other, leaving marks on our physical world.

Does this mean the UFO/Close-encounter phenomenon is primarily metaphysical in nature? I don't believe we can conclude that. However resemblance between shamanism and UFO abduction suggests that the visitor interaction with us is far beyond our every day experience. The UFO phenomenon is physical, leaving traces in the dirt and marks on the experiencer. Our visitors might just be biological beings in nuts-and-bolts craft, visiting from nearby stars. Yet the UFO encounter is often also spiritual, a shamanic, metaphysical experience that often resembles dreams more than alien space ships.

This suggests that the nature of the phenomenon and who/whatever is behind it is still far beyond our understanding. It is far from being either a simple nuts and bolts visitation, or purely a dream-like metaphysical experience. Rather, it is at once a phenomenon of many worlds, of spirit, hardware and mystery.

"Something wrong with the world" - Dealing with runway anxiety

How many readers of this blog have had the feeling of runaway anxiety at some time or another. It feels as if "something is wrong with the world," but you just can't put your finger on it? You couldn't point to a particular thing and say, "that's the problem." But deep within your mind, alarm bells are going off. It feels like the sword of Damocles is hanging over you by a thread, ready to fall at any instant.

Last night, I saw a great discussion of this on the Channel 4 (WCCO TV) news. They described what it feels like, and what it's like to live with feelings of anxiety. They gave some good ways to deal with that oppressing feeling of alarm and fear that never seems to go away.

In this case, they portrayed the wife of a major sports figure. She described how she had had a sudden increase in stress, fear and panic in the last few years. For her, it began shortly after their children were born and got progressively worse. In the broadcast, she described how at one point, she couldn't be alone and needed a relative to stay with her to help keep the fear at bay. In her blog, she describes what it feels like. In part two of her article, she discusses how to come to terms with the ever-present anxiety.

What is going on? What is at the core of anxiety and how can a person come to terms with it? Runaway fear seems to be a reaction to a sudden increase in life stress. Frequently, it seems to occur when something in life changes, responsibilities increase or some other factor generates long-term stress in life. The result is that the alarm bells are triggered frequently - so frequently that the mind gets used to feeling alarmed, as if this were the normal state of life.

The mind under potential stress could be likened to a battleship at sea. Under normal circumstances, with no enemy in sight, there is no reason to be immediately alarmed. Normal common-sense precautions and a regular watch should suffice to keep the ship safe. When the radar detects the enemy, suddenly the alarm sounds "ALL HANDS TO BATTLE STATIONS." Cannons and missiles are readied to fight the enemy until the threat passes. Damage control is prepared in case the ship takes a hit. Then, once the threat passes, routine life is able to resume.

But often the mind can become overly sensitive. In the battleship analogy, perhaps the sea seems to be  full of enemy ships and planes. Perhaps the radar is overly sensitive or misidentifies non-hostile craft as enemies. There are many possible ways for the alarm to sound prematurely, but the result is similar. The crew goes to battle stations frequently - too frequently.

In the same way, if a person's mind becomes overly sensitive to potential threats the same feeling battle-readiness can result. As if threats were everywhere, a person can feel fearful, ready for fight-or-flight far more frequently than their world requires. The fear is not real, the danger is not real, but the response is very real.

How can one deal with this oppressive, overhanging cloud of fear? How can one improve their quality of life, realistically dealing with life in a safe, loving, secure way. How can we get rid of that sword of Damocles and live normal lives free of the runaway fear?

The WCCO broadcast did a good job of treating the topic compassionately, usefully and informatively. They looked at ways to keep the fear at bay. In this case, she dealt with it by regular exercise such as running, by using medications, and by going to therapy. All of these work together, and all can be very effective. If you have a condition like this, please know you are not alone, and that it is OK to get help.

Several clients I have worked with have had issues similar to the one described on the WCCO broadcast. In each case, I found that the cause was relatively easy to find using hypnotherapy, and we were able to achieve excellent results. Today, these same people are able to live normal lives largely clear of the excessive fear they felt every day.

I will use the example of a typical fear-management client, whom I will refer to as "Jim". Jim was referred to me by his counselor for help using hypnotherapy. He had the same issue as described in the WCCO broadcast, ever-present fear that something was wrong - non-specific but with him constantly. Using hypnosis, we were able to take Jim into a relaxed state, bring up feelings of safety and then give him post-hypnotic suggestions that he could feel this safety at other times of normal life.

In addition, through hypnotherapy, we were able to find the thought patterns based upon memories from his early childhood that contributed to his fears. At that early time in life, something scary had apparently happened. Now, events in his recent life had reawakened this part of his mind, bringing these fears back into play. Although they were based on old-childhood events, the emotions from his subconscious were now incorrectly focused on the present day resulting in excessive fear and anxiety.

In hypnosis, we were able to return to the source of the childhood fears within his subconscious mind - as if a little child lived at the core of his consciousness. We were then able to bring adult awareness and present life feelings of safety and security back to that childhood element, reminding it of how it was - and is today - safe and loved.

The result was life-changing. Jim now lives a normal life, free of the disproportionate fear he felt before. Now he can go about his day with the quality of life each person deserves. Like a heavy weight off his shoulders, he is now free of the burden of fear.

My heart goes out to the woman featured in the WCCO documentary. And if there is any way for a person with her condition to find help through hypnosis, I would encourage him/her to check it out. In conjunction with her other physical and mental health providers, hypnotherapy can provide an excellent  way to find and resolve the core issue - feeling like there is "something wrong with the world."

#hypnosis, #hypnotherapy, #anxiety

More fun with fundamentalism - Beliefs, Biblical literalism and business referrals

A few days ago, I had one of those non-favorite experiences as a hypnotist, an unexpected encounter with a frightened Christian fundamentalist. In this case, the incident came as a surprise to me during a meeting as part of a networking organization I belong to. As we met to discuss referrals, business details, etc., I expected my friend would be there to discuss the possibilities for delivering mutual value to clients, etc. My friend had always showed every sign of being fair, open and even adventurous in his views, willing to go the extra mile to bring the right services to his clients.

Then, early on in the meeting, he said something to me that knocked my socks off. He told me that he was going to "lay it on the line" about hypnosis - and presumably other forms of complimentary or alternative healing as well. He indicated he felt frightened by it. Without saying it in so many words, he appeared to consider me a purveyor of evil. While he said he thought I meant well and was passionate and dedicated to my healing work, it was clear to me that he considered me to somehow be misguided, deceived, etc. With a kick-off like that, I knew I had my work cut out for me if we were going to salvage any kind of business relationship.

I don't have any issues with anyone's political or religious beliefs, myself. I work on a daily basis with people of all faiths, political views, lifestyles, perspectives, etc. I respect each person's right to personal and spiritual growth. As long as one's beliefs - and the actions that arise from them - do not somehow impinge on another person's success or well being, I believe people are fully entitled to believe what they will. I don't think my friend thought the same way.

As the meeting went on, he grilled me about how I had gotten interested in hypnosis, digging in to the fact that I had been an anomaly researcher, speaker, etc. Having an idea of where he was going with that line of discussion, I told him that like him, I was a Christian. I believe in Jesus and follow Him as my own personal healer, teacher and redeemer. In turn, my friend told me that he believed the Bible was the sole authority, the literal verbatim word of God. While I believe the Holy Cannon is to be taken seriously, I believe it was written through history, perhaps under divine influence, but written over the space of several thousand years by human beings. It is a book about God, inspired by God, chronicling words and actions of God. It is a book of stories and lessons, wisdom and spiritual teaching that defines Christianity. But to me, it is NOT to be taken literally.

In contrast, my friend told me that Christianity - particularly literal, Biblical Christianity - was the only way. Any other way was anathema. And any beliefs that differed from that were (by extension) sinful, evil, heretical or whatever you wish [my interpretation]. At no time did he use an 'I believe' phrase in there. His was a statement of 'fact' (to me it says he has a lot of faith).

We talked some more, still amicably if a bit strained, and finished our discussion. At one point, he tried to sell me his product - NOT the purpose of a networking meeting. I told him I was not in the market for it but I knew others who might be. As we wrapped up our meeting, I asked him for referrals - which IS the purpose of a networking meeting. At that time, even though I had explained what hypnosis is and is not (and he appeared to understand) he turned around and told me he was not comfortable with hypnosis - so I would doubt if he would be likely to refer someone to a hypnotist.

To repeat my argument to him, hypnosis is NOT spiritual, although spirituality can be part of hypnosis, just like it can be part of any other activity in life. Hypnosis does NOT involve ceding of control - the client retains full conscious awareness and personal will/discernment at all times. Hypnosis is not magic - it is an ordinary property of the mind which you enter once every 90 minutes or so, and you experience spontaneously several times a day. We call it daydreaming, being in the groove, reading a novel, watching a movie, etc. 

In short, hypnosis is nothing more than a state of focused attention. That's all. Period. 
Unfortunately, I found that my friend was refractory to rational arguments. In spite of my explanations and assurances, he clung to the fear he held for what I do.

In doing a little research on the mechanics of belief rigidity, etc., I learned some very interesting things. 

1. Believing something in spite of rational evidence to the contrary is a sign of prior programming known as dogmatism.
2. According to the Law of Consistency [Hogan, The Psychology of Persuasion, pp 53], even in the face of compelling evidence to the contrary, one will maintain a point of view once they have  publicly stated belief in that point of view. 
3. Similarly, according to the Law of Conformity [Hogan pp 57], one will seek to maintain a view acceptable to their peer group.  
4. Fear based thinking is another response to ideas that seem to fly in the face of the conformity of belief. It is the view that "my belief is the right way. If you disagree with me, you are wrong and must be a threat." In a world of "us and them" you must be one of "them". The obvious result is fear of all those "others out there."

In retrospect, I saw all of these in the reactions of my friend. The fear was notably etched in his face. The rigidity of thought and conformity of belief were solidly entrenched in his voice. 

While I still consider my friend to be a friend, I now know the bounds of that relationship. Unless a potential client is a Christian fundamentalist, I doubt the potential customer would be a good referral for my friend. On the other hand, if the person IS a Christian fundamentalist (and I do work with quite a few), my friend might be a person for them to work with. Would my friend refer someone to me? Only he knows that. And in that, he will have to trust his own conscience and divine guidance.

While I felt disappointment at my friend's words, attitudes, beliefs and reactions, I have to realize he is on his own life path. He will have to make his own discoveries. All things happen for a reason and that reason is God's alone to know. But in the meantime, life goes on in the world of belief, religion and business referrals.