Psychological assessment has failed to link the experience to
psychopathological causes including, psychosis/schizophrenia,
hysteria, dissociative states, paranoid personalities, sociopathic
personality and childhood sexual trauma although the experiencers do suffer from a type of post-traumatic stress disorder appropriate to their experiences. It has been concluded by a number of psychiatrists/psychologists and abduction researchers that events
described by the participants are not imaginary (Carpenter 1992,
Jacobs 1991, Mack 1994).
The Abduction Scenario
The abduction data acquired by investigators is quite complex and even disturbing but patterns have emerged. For those unfamiliar, the classic abduction scenario begins with the participant being wakened from sleep by a subtle but ominous light filling the room (usually reported as bluish in color) and/or the presence of
something; some people report a strong vibratory, electric-like
sensation. The participant is confronted by alien beings usually of
the "Grey" category (3.5-4 feet tall, large heads, small, frail bodies
and large, black, almond-shaped eyes). The participant falls into
paralysis or is comforted by the alien beings who then precede to
float the participant through walls and/or windows to the craft, which paralysis or is comforted by the alien beings who then precede to float the participant through walls and/or windows to the craft, which is commonly described as metallic and saucer or cigar-shaped. Once aboard the craft, the participant is subjected to a number of medical procedures mostly directed to the human reproductive system. Sperm or ova extraction occurs and sometimes the participant is implanted with a device either in the nasal cavity, ear or behind the eye. Communication with the beings is telepathic and sometimes information is revealed. There has been reported evidence of a human/alien hybridization program that is occurring including witnessing of hybrid nurseries aboard the craft and interaction between human participant and hybrid offspring. The participant is 'told' not to remember the episode and is then returned to the place of abduction.
This is a very much simplified and condensed version of the
scenario but presents the basic situation. It must be noted that
abduction research has revealed that abductions occur unpredictably
throughout a selected individual's life, usually beginning in infancy;
abductions tend to be generational, occurring over many generations throughout a selected individual's life, usually beginning in infancy;
(daughter, mother, grandmother, etc.). I invite the reader who is interested in all that goes on during an abduction to refer to _Secret
Life: Firsthand Documented Accounts of UFO Abductions_ written by David M. Jacobs, Ph.D. It is the most complete report to date of the procedures and experiences during abduction scenarios. A fuller appreciation of the scenario and all of its intricacies is beneficial.
When researching the abduction experience, Dr. John Mack has
classified pertinent information into three levels. The first level
concerns itself with "phenomena that occur within the physical
universe familiar to Western science and can be studied by it
empirical methods." These include visual sightings or radar
illumination of unidentified flying objects, electromagnetic
interference associated with them, burn patches and/or radiation left
by a landed craft, aborted pregnancies and lesions on the surface of
or implants left in the participants' bodies following an encounter.
The second level or class of information concerns itself with
what are known as practical impossibilities, which could be alleviated through technological advancement and understanding. These include "phenomena which look like they could be understood within our space/time universe if only we had the scientific and technological knowledge and ability to do so." Examples of such include how the craft got here (propulsion systems), its modus operandi pertaining to their unbelievable flight characteristics, how the aliens float people through windows, doors and walls; assorted mental control abilities the aliens appear to have mastery over including telepathic communication and the switching off of memory and/or consciousness and the creation of human/alien hybrid fetuses shown to the participants on board the craft. "These phenomena are, at least theoretically, not inconsistent with some sort of extension of the physical laws set forth by Western science." Although our understanding of these phenomena is limited, "they do not, per se, require a fundamental change of paradigm Spectacular advances in physics, biology, neuroscience and psychology might, conceivably, shed light on them." It should be noted that our recent efforts in the cloning of human zygotes, McDonnell Douglas' recent research into alternative propulsion systems (Froning 1993), popular ideas concerning free energy and our understanding of the implications of quantum mechanics and chaos theory are all examples contributing to the progression of science to greater understanding and capabilities.
The third class of information Dr. Mack puts forth rings of a
more mystical tune; these "are phenomena and experiences reported by abductees for which we can conceive of no explanation within a
Newtonian/Cartesian or even Einteinian space/time ontology." These
include the fact that participants often report that their experiences
are not occurring within the context of our space/time universe; they often report the collapse of space/time, experience of other realities not unlike the mystical experiences and travels of shamans and other people learned in mystical traditions. They also report "the deeply felt sense of opening up to or returning to the source of being and creation or cosmic consciousness, experienced by abductees as an inexpressibly divine light or 'Home'." This notion parallels the research of Dr. Kenneth Ring who discusses the parallels of the Near Death Experience (NDEs) and UFO encounters in his book, _The Omega Project_ (1992). Participants also report of their alien origins and a dual alien/human identity. They also report of the reliving of past life experiences and incarnations; it has been proposed that this serves as a kind of template to illustrate that the evolution of human consciousness, on an individual level, occurs over a time scale greater than a single human incarnation (Mack 1994). These phenomena can not be understood within the context of the modern scientific world view even though they are "fully consistent with the beliefs developed thousands of years ago by other non-Western cultures," they present a challenge to our dominant ontology, which denies the value
of mystical experience.
Challenge to Ontology
Participants often report that their foundations of reality are shaken by their experiences; they often claim that they have to unlearn what they have learned building a new view of reality in accordance interconnectedness of earth's living systems and of all consciousness revealed to them. The typically accepted notion of the separation of consciousness from the physical world is challenged; participants claim that their experiences are as real or more real than those experiences that occur on the physical plane of reality despite their quasi dream-like quality. These notions provide challenge to the dominant ontology, which is based on the separation in favor of a more relational or holistic world view that appreciates interrelatedness and interconnectedness. The distinction between the objective and subjective becomes less defined in the light of the abduction scenario just as it does with the mystical experience.
Deeper analysis of abduction data and recollection by
participants has revealed that some participants have been selected
for instruction or enlightenment; as some participants claim, a type
of reprogramming is occurring. These types of encounters have a more spiritual tone to them and are not recalled until a relationship
between participant and abductor has been sufficiently established;
encounters of this sort are not usually the first recollected. Dr.
Mack discusses in great length the transformational or consciousness
altering aspects of the encounters not unfamiliar to more shamanistic
or mystical traditions that place great importance on man's
understanding of the universe as a totality and his spiritual growth.
Some of the transformations that typically occur in participants
include a more holistic or systems view of the world, greater
ecological concern for the planet and her systems, and a shift from
dogmatic religious and materialist notions to a more universal
spirituality to be shared by all.
John Mack put forth the notion that it my be wrong to expect that a phenomenon such as the abduction scenario whose very nature is subtle, and one of whose purposes may be to stretch and expand our ways of knowing beyond the purely materialistic approaches of Western science, just as it is with mystical experience, will yield its secrets to an epistemology or methodology that operates at a 'lower' level of consciousness. This is to say that it may very well be impossible for us to know and understand aspects of the phenomenon given the finite limit our ontology and Western acculturation has forced us to place upon ourselves. This is not merely an epistemological hurdle to cross but lends itself to more metaphysical notions revolving around our understanding of ourselves as human beings, the nature of the universe and our integral part within it along with the nature of consciousness which under the dominant world view can not be explained satisfactorily.
Dr. J. Mack tells us that "the alien abduction phenomenon is a
potentially rich source of information for our understanding of
ourselves and the surrounding universe in which we participate. But
to make such knowledge available we need first to admit our great
ignorance of nature and nature's secrets." This admission of
ignorance is beginning to take place; this is evident when looking at
the evolution of thought concerning quantum mechanics and chaos theory where our limits as human beings have been noticed.
The abduction scenario runs counter to the notions of the
modern scientific world view. Our society believes that it is simply
not possible for these events to be taking place. Our ontology will
not allow it to exist as objective reality; we have no conventional
explanation for what the participants are experiencing. Participants
are forced to acknowledge the reality of entities and domains that our Western acculturation has taught us in recent centuries can not, even must not, exist. Dr. Mack makes the case that this kind of
ontological shock may be an essential step in the process of human
consciousness evolution that seems to lie at the heart of the alien
abduction phenomenon.
Ontological Shift
It can not be discounted that the participants of the
abduction phenomena are in fact experiencing something of profound
importance with implications that have repercussions for all of us.
Although we can not, as yet, know what the source of the encounters
is, we can discuss an ontology that might help us in our quest for
understanding. The first and most shocking ontological shift would
have to include a universe or multiverse much more vast and complex than we first anticipated, one that does not place us at the apex of intelligence but rather acknowledges the fact that we are but one aspect of intelligence within a greater whole that we are just
beginning to discover. Another important aspect that the abduction phenomenon forces us to accept, if taken seriously, is that empirical
rationality is not the only tool for knowing; consciousness, in it
entirety, is the primary epistemological tool with rationality and
intellect being necessary for the integration and understanding of
information acquired through a fuller use of consciousness. There is
much to be learned and studied if only we were to open ourselves to
ontological possibilities beyond that of empirical materialism. This
process has been seen as an evolution of consciousness and it seems to lie at the very heart of the abduction scenario.
----------------------------------------------