UFO Abductions - A Dangerous Game
Philip J. Klass
Prometheus Books
Book Review: by John Rau
I admit it. Reading books about strange phenomena is like candy to me. When I’m in need of easy reading (when I’ve had my fill of the “other” stuff), I seldom reach for fiction (at least not so labeled), rather I often grab some sensational UFO book, any of which are exceptionally entertaining “if” one keeps an open mind and does not swallow heavily. From the fifties through the nineties there have been scores of books published on phenomena in our skies. As I said above, some are fun to read, then there are the rest. The rest? You know, those that are obviously intended to frighten the reader regardless of what the author’s supposed intentions are (or were) by writing down their points of view or the story they present. Budd Hopkin’s INTRUDERS returns to my mind often. I read it a few years back and shared it with a few other people (who were capable of thought outside of being led by an author). To get to my point quickly on Hopkin’s book let me say that it was obvious to me that the sessions involving hypnosis as reported in the book were filled with leading questions and irresponsible actions on the part of the practitioner/author that resulted in sending chills up my spine equal to the scary stories told by those under the power of the manipulative hypnotist. From a theosophical point of view, I felt deep sorrow for the victims of the author. Fear sells, I see that fact in the bookshop regularly.
It was indeed a pleasure to discover Philip J. Klass’s UFO ABDUCTIONS - A DANGEROUS GAME (Prometheus Books ISBN: 0-87945-430-3). Thumbs up!, as they say. There is alot of talk in some New Age circles concerning UFO abductions today, thereby linked to the theosophical root philosophy and movement, and truly, if any reader is serious about Truth, and if they are interested in the abductee phenomena popularized today by more than one book, movie and television show, they owe themselves a look at this book. If one is attracted to this phenomena, it is a must read.
I will not use this book review as a springboard to explore the theosophial/philosophical concepts of invisible operations that are naturally occurring in our world, nor will I write of hypnosis versus self-hypnosis (we will save those for a future time) except to say that we are not talking here and now about simple past-life regression type (fantasy filled or not) hypnotic sessions. We are concerning ourselves with hypnotic regression that deals with abductions, kidnapping, and rape. Klass’s book is also so concerned.
The book opens with a short history of the abduction era concerning UFO’s. Many needed facts are brought forth to place upon our “truth in process” mental-shelving. The reader becomes familiar with the author’s common sense quickly and will also discover experts in the fields of clinical hypnosis. What these experts have to say concerning their subject is, if not surprising from a theosophical viewpoint, very interesting and revealing. In the book we read a warning from Dr. Martin T. Orne, “director of experimental psychiatry at the Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital and a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia” wherein it is his opinion based on years of experimental studies that there “is no way...by which anyone-even a psychologist or psychiatrist with extensive training in the field of hypnosis-can for any particular piece of information determine whether it is actual memory versus a confabulation unless there is independent verification” Dr. Orne also explains the relatively easy process of planting “pseudo-memories” while a subject is “under hypnosis” so that the pseudo-event will become part of conscious memory. In other words - PROGRAMMING of memories. Wild and scary stuff in the hands and wills of motivated and able “abductionists”.
The reader encounters talk show hosts, star-maps, marketing motivated media (according to the book a famous FICTION author was paid one million dollars in advance for his TRUE abduction tale that becomes a bestseller and a movie) , fairy circles and more.
In Klass’s last chapter, P.S. For Potential Abductees we find the words “If you are considering contacting an abductionist to undergo regressive hypnosis, heed the warning voiced by Dr. David Jacobs about the potential serious consequences for your future life” where we are referred to chapter 15 of the book for Jacob’s information, then, based on that same warning Klass boldly speaks out saying “...Don’t try it, even for kicks, because it could be as dangerous as hard drugs”. Further on we read “However, if you choose to ignore these warnings...... I strongly recommend” (a Dr. is named) where “you are more likely to encounter a gentle and uplifting type of UFOnaut than one who takes flesh samples, ova, sperm, or removes unborn children from their mothers’ wombs.” This being a clear reference to the influence of the hypnotist and their preconceived ideas and personal dogmas concerning “aliens” (UFOnauts) and the transferring/transplanting of these “thoughts” (consciously or unconsciously) as pseudo memories into a client under the influence of their WILL. In other words, if one desires to encounter regressed memories of this type, why not find a practitioner that will deliver an uplifting experience, rather than one looking for evil and darkness. Or better yet, leave well enough alone and try to trust you own “will”, instead of surrendering yours to that of another person.
There are alot of dubiously motivated people in this world. Klass has done a service through his book in an attempt to save some from sorrow and expose others (the readers) to provocative thoughts and facts. Again, if this subject of abduction is of interest - read this one.
In 1890, concerning the type of irresponsible mind manipulation touched on by Klass, H. P. Blavatsky said “any such process - however cunningly disguised in words and hidden by false noses - is simply to psychologize the patient.....it is - Black Magic......This is one of the dangers of the new cycle, aggravated enormously by the pressure of competition and the struggle for existence.” (see H.P. Blavatsky to the American Conventions, Theosophical University Press).