Do UFOs Have a Metaphysical Aspect?

FATE May-June 2009, Vol 62, No 3 :

Untold amounts of high-strangeness UFO-abduction information has been ignored, rejected, or never even noted. When an investigator is told by a UFO witness, “I had the feeling that I was being watched,” it has been dismissed as the thinking of an attention-seeking individual. In gathering data there is typically no place to record much in the way of subjective reality.

The percipient may relate to the investigator: “This may sound crazy, but just before this happened I had a sudden urge to go for a walk,” despite the fact that it was after dark on a clear, quiet weeknight. The excursion inexplicably leads to some deserted place, such as a field or an empty parking lot.

The supposedly least credible witness of all is the one who reports repeated UFO sightings. It seems illogical that while most people never see a UFO (even if they want to or try to) others see several of them.

Openings such as these, however, provide an observant investigator with an opportunity to ask questions of a more metaphysical nature. Most researchers are committed to gathering information about physical reality only: Can it be measured? Weighed? Disassembled? Analyzed? Photographed? They remain faithful to the modern Western world’s dedication to reductionistic science.

Speaking to his colleagues at Harvard University in 1895, psychologist and philosopher William James said, “There is included in human nature an ingrained naturalism and materialism of mind which can only admit facts that are actually tangible. Of this sort of mind the entity called ‘Science’ is the idol. Fondness for the word scientist is one of the notes by which you may recognize its votaries; and its short way of killing any position it disbelieves is to call it unscientific.”

We live in an era in which the scientific view has been that the supernatural, or paranormal, cannot exist; therefore, it does not exist. Thus, either no attempt, or only a very cursory one is made at explaining unusual phenomena. More frequently that type of information has just been ignored. In far too many instances the subjective facts have not even been collected.

Pressures for the Investigators

There are so many elements of the UFO phenomenon that are illogical, unreasonable, unbelievable, or just too weird to be given serious consideration by scientific observers. It is not surprising that the door has been closed to investigating or even contemplating the most paranormal claims of UFO and abduction percipients. An investigator who wants to be taken seriously rarely includes details that seem more appropriate for ghost hunters, parapsychologists, New Agers, or even demonologists and exorcists.

Only a few intrepid investigators have gathered information in UFO reports about the metaphysical aspects of this phenomenon, such as psychokinesis, materializations and dematerializations, levitation, mental telepathy, clairaudience, clairvoyance, clairsentience, synchronicities, religious visions, or even anomalous animals.

An Unparalleled Enigma

Jacques Vallée is a scientist well known for his investigations into the absurdities (or “metalogic”) of the UFO phenomenon. In his evaluation of the metaphysical aspects involved, he has said: “The key to an understanding of the UFO phenomenon may lie in the psychic effects it produces (or the awareness it makes possible) in some observers; whose lives are deeply changed and who develop unusual talents with which they may find it difficult to cope…”

Individuals who have close encounters and/or abduction experiences are sometimes frightened, sometimes confused, but always amazed by phenomena that happen to and around them, or by what they themselves are suddenly able to do. Curiously, many investigators begin to experience anomalies in their own lives as they become more involved in these high strangeness cases.

UFO craft exhibit puzzling aspects, such as their seeming ability to defy the laws of physics as we currently understand them. They travel at incredible speeds, hover silently, morph into different shapes, and seem to defy gravity. In the blink of an eye, they appear and disappear. Even with our best stealth technology we cannot render objects invisible.

In CE IIIs and CE IVs (close encounters of the third and fourth kinds), there is a great probability that the sudden disappearance of a craft at close range is the point at which an apparent abductee is “switched off,” then “on” by the force with which they have been interacting.

ET Seems to Be Able to Materialize and Dematerialize

The entities associated with UFOs also display incredible abilities. Often these seem to be passed on to the human in such cases.

These beings seem to materialize and dematerialize before the witnesses’ eyes. On several occasions I have had abductees attempt to describe what that looks like. Some have explained it as dissolving either in midair or in a misty haze. Others say they twinkle or sparkle as they seem to disintegrate.

After hearing many such descriptions, I was amazed when I read in an older book the following account: “I heard a peculiar rumbling sound… His body began to melt gradually within the piercing light. First his feet and legs vanished, then his torso and head…faded; nothing remained before me but the…window and a pale stream of sunlight.”

On another occasion the same author wrote: “There was a sudden flash; we witnessed the instantaneous dechemicalization of the electronic elements of [his] body into a spreading vaporous light… trillions of tiny…sparks faded into the infinite reservoir.”

This passage from Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda relates the disappearance of the spiritual entity with whom Yogananda had interacted on numerous occasions early in the 20th century.

Isn’t That Impossible?

Another metaphysical aspect displayed by these beings is the ability to pass through walls, roofs, and closed doors or windows, often with a human in tow.

Almost every abductee has at least one of these episodes to relate. Several have told how they tried to stiffen their bodies and pull back as they were being escorted toward a solid wall. The next thing they knew they were on the other side without having felt anything.

One unusual case involved a woman who told me that while lying in her bed one night she felt herself being drawn through a bedroom window head first, face down, arms pulled back at her sides. She could feel the glass as it seemed to drag across her face and body until she was out to about her waist. It seemed to her that something was not quite right. She had gone through walls and windows before without feeling anything.

The next thing she knew her direction reversed, and in a moment she was back in her room. She found herself almost immediately moving out the window again, this time quickly and without the earlier sense of drag across her face and body.

One very young girl asked her abductors how they could take her so easily through a closed door. Her guide told her that it was actually quite simple, but human scientific knowledge was rather primitive so we did not yet understand how this was accomplished. He added that very soon humans would begin to understand how to do this and much more.

Anomalous Animals Connected with Abductions

Another perplexing phenomenon associated with UFOs and abductions is the presence of anomalous animals. Out-of-place or oversized animals, Sasquatch-type beings, mixed-species entities, or even mythological animals may be observed in the general area of UFO sightings or around people who have sightings or abductions. This can occur before, during, and after UFO activity.

Most frequently reported is a black panther, always totally outside of its natural habitat. Occasionally a green lizard-man or a Mothman-type entity is observed. Localized reports of similar encounters are typically given by several independent witnesses.

I have collected several reports of Sasquatch-type creatures. One of my most interesting came from a 14-year-old boy. A few days after I had been on a local radio program talking about UFOs, one of my students approached me after school and cautiously asked if he could tell me about something that had happened to him. On a cold January night the previous year he had suddenly decided to go for a walk. He noticed a very bright light in the sky that seemed to follow him. Before long he heard a soft beeping sound. He remembered little else from that night, and remained quite puzzled by it.

After telling me about this event he asked if I believed in Bigfoot. When I assured him that I felt that there had to be something to all of the sightings, he told me that on several occasions he had seen such a creature. Curiously, it always seemed to be observing him. This happened when he was visiting his grandmother in a remote area of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Unusual Animals in the "Zone of Strangeness"

As an individual is drawn into the zone of strangeness, he may encounter a hauntingly attractive or compelling animal. Two most frequently reported are a deer or an extremely large owl. The animal is suddenly observed directly in view, usually remaining motionless while staring intently at the human with large, dark, mesmerizing eyes. Typically this is one of the last things remembered before a missing-time experience occurs.

I suspect that these and other animals (ravens, wolves, butterflies, or bees) may be a form of screen memory used to distract a human at the beginning of an abduction experience. In some cases, they may even be shape-shifters.

Why are so many of these unusual animals observed by UFO witnesses and abductees? Is the creature some part of the UFO phenomenon? Is this some form of energy or force attracted for some reason to people who have these experiences? Is it possible that the experiencer is viewing another dimension or reality? Or is it even possible that the individual herself is creating or releasing an energy by which they materialize?

Men in Black Make Appearances Too

Another long-standing curiosity connected with these experiences is the phenomenon of MIBs, or Men in Black. These unusual beings were common in the 1950s and ’60s, and rarely heard of in the ’70s and ’80s. They are again more frequently reported.

People who encounter MIBs are those who have had close encounters of the first, second, and third kinds, abductees (CE IVs), as well as UFO investigators. In most cases the targeted person is alone when she is visited by one, or more typically three, of them. Almost always male, they are described as being either pale-skinned, almost colorless, or as having an Oriental complexion and facial characteristics.

Usually only one individual speaks. The voice is often a flat, expressionless monotone. Many say that somehow they do not seem real with their stiff, awkward movements. Frequently they do not seem to understand how to operate fairly simple devices. They are dressed in a black suit, white shirt, black tie, a brimmed black hat, and dark sunglasses.

If a vehicle is observed it is typically a late model, immaculate, large black car, generally a Cadillac. When license numbers have been recorded and checked out, there is never such a registration in existence. Invariably a message is delivered to the human about knowing too much, getting out of this field of research, or not talking about it with anyone.

Black Helicopters as MIBs?

In recent years, UFO investigators and abductees have had repeated close encounters with large, black, unmarked helicopters. These are generally Hueys equipped with a special antenna. There are no identifying numbers, marks, or insignia anywhere on these craft. Even the windows are so dark that when seen at close range it is impossible to observe who (or what) is inside. They fly illegally, making low passes, circling or hovering over populated areas, all without proper identification.

The Rev. Barry Downing has suggested that these may not really be helicopters. Many people are beginning to consider these helicopters to be the modern version of the Men in Black. They feel that those who control the supposed helicopters are trying to intimidate and scare them away from learning anything more about UFOs.

While I have personally had several experiences with black helicopters, I have never felt intimidated or threatened by them. I do, however, resent their intrusion into my personal life and I feel very closely observed.

A curious sidelight to this issue can be found in an entry in Harper’s Encyclopedia, stating that in “Eastern mysticism the MIBs have a parallel in the ‘Brothers of the Shadow,’ evil beings who try to prevent occult students from learning the great truth.”

Mind Control

An abundance of evidence about close encounters shows that there is intense control of the human mind during an abduction experience. Whatever the method used to achieve this control, an experiencer is inexplicably and suddenly influenced to act or to think in certain ways. While driving he may suddenly, without provocation, turn down a deserted road. Or he may, during a solo walk, unexpectedly go into a wooded area or to a lonely park.

Or he may awaken to become aware that there is an intruder going into a sleeping child’s room. He first thinks: I must get up and go to my child’s room to protect her! but then inexplicably concludes: Oh, everything’s okay. I’ll just go back to sleep now. Invariably in the morning the child relates a very strange dream or memories of some strange being at his or her bedside during the night.

Abductees report that as much as 100 percent of the communication during their experiences is done telepathically. Most abductees report having heard their names called telepathically at the beginning of the encounter. Only rarely is the name heard aurally. Their name may be repeated over and over until they respond in some manner. On some occasions as an individual is recalling having heard that voice (usually reported as sounding male and only occasionally as having a mechanical sound quality) they become agitated and say something like, “He’s inside my head!”

Frequently abductees explain how, in their terror, they mentally struggle with, challenge, or question their captors. Many recall having been given the thought that their resistance makes the experience much more complicated and unpleasant than it needs to be. Many of them are led to believe that their mental resistance also led to controlling and ending the experience. This may be another example of a screen memory.

Most percipients report that post-abduction changes include being able to use telepathy in their daily lives. Many report being able to think of someone and have them call or appear in a short time. Or they send mundane messages (e.g., “Bring me a candy bar”) to someone who then, without knowing or even wondering why, responds in the appropriate manner. Some claim that they can look into the eyes of another person and read what is in his thoughts.

Development of Clairaudience

Closely associated with telepathy is clairaudience, the clear or acute perception of sounds, music, and voices from no apparent external source. Many abductees begin to experience such skills at an early age. While most do not associate it with their close encounters, there are too many commonalities among these incidents to ignore the connection.
 

Clairaudience includes being given messages while in a dreamlike state, just before falling asleep or waking. Most clairaudience is perceived as an internal voice distinctly different from one’s own.

Many abductees report hearing music in their heads, something quite different from having a catchy song or jingle on your mind. It seems to be received internally as though it were a recording playing. It usually comes as a surprise, then suddenly shuts off.

Abductees frequently hear their names called, again internally. This has been going on for centuries. King Solomon heard his name called, as did Moses and Samuel, and also Mohammed, Socrates, and Joan of Arc. The contacted individual is usually told to go to a certain location, or to engage in a particular activity, like cleaning up the Earth’s environment or to improving one’s eating habits. Others report being forewarned about disasters or other approaching events.

We can only wonder what may be involved with those who hear voices that tell them to preach or to start cults. Some have been instructed to arm themselves heavily and to gain complete mental and physical control of their followers and as many other souls as possible. It is clear that not all such communication is of a positive or constructive nature. Furthermore, not all messages are meaningful, and some are downright dishonest.

Do Abductees Also Become Clairvoyant?

Clairvoyance is defined in Harper’s Encyclopedia of Mystical and Paranormal Experiences as “The perception of current objects, events, or people that may not be discerned through the normal senses.” It “may manifest in internal or external visions, or a sensing of images.”

Many percipients relate experiences that they or their family members have had which could be called clairvoyance.

On several occasions, one woman would envision a car, complete with license number, and within hours see that exact car. The same woman had a vision of a house on a vacant field across the road. She said it sat at an odd angle and had rather unique windows. Within a year the land had been sold and the house, exactly as she had seen it, was constructed.

Another woman became frantic when, at our scheduled meeting time, I arrived at her home relating how I had just witnessed a small plane crashing. I calmed her, reassuring her that everything was okay. The only person in the plane, the pilot, had crawled out with only minor injuries. That was not the problem, she told me.

She had had a dream a few days earlier about my coming in and telling her exactly what I had just related.

Later that day this woman’s husband was scheduled to be released from a brief stay in a local hospital. The night before he had told her that after their now 22-month-old son had been born he had known that after a second child was born he himself would be hospitalized. He added that it would not be serious and that he would be home in a short time.

More than a year before, his wife had had another of her clairvoyant dreams. In that vision their small son stood next to the rocking chair in which she sat holding a baby in her arms. The older boy asked, “Mommy, when is Daddy coming home from the hospital?”

“Daddy is going to be fine,” she assured him. “He’ll be home in a few days.”

This woman rarely discusses her dream-visions, as they usually involve emotionally charged events centered on people with whom she is very close.

Dealing with Clairsentience

Though rarely called by its more metaphysical name, clairsentience, many abductees report an acute psychic perception involving any or all of their physical senses: seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or touching, as well as emotions that become psychic and intuitive impressions.

Many abductees become aware up to several hours in advance that an abduction is going to take place. Often they hear a buzzing sound or tone in their heads. They have the disquieting feeling that someone is hovering nearby, watching and listening. Work and other activities are performed as if only going through the motions. They know that later that night they will once again be visited.

Children who have these feelings tend to become hyperactive, even aggressive, or withdrawn and moody. They may try to put off going to bed for as long as possible, or try to sleep anywhere other than in their own bed. In abductee families it is not uncommon to have a lot of bed-switching. Many will sleep on a sofa, the floor, a chair, or even on a table. Sometimes moving to another place to sleep seems to help, but usually it does not.

An individuals may report a fleeting impression or feeling. Upon closer scrutiny this can be interpreted as a true instance of intuition, such as knowing which numbers to pick in the lottery, or that there is a police car nearby when one is driving too fast.

A number of years ago a percipient wanted to find another woman who had reported being assaulted and, as was not uncommon at the time, was being challenged by authorities. The percipient wanted to offer the victim moral and emotional support. With no idea how to find this woman, who lived in a remote rural area near a small village, she started driving, using gut-level instincts alone.

Without knowing why, at several places she suddenly turned down various roads and within a remarkably short time found herself at the victim’s home. After a brief explanation, she was warmly received.

Volumes could be filled with such experiences collected by open-minded investigators. Many have had such experiences themselves, whether or not they will admit to it publicly.

A serious-minded investigator was enthusiastically chasing a UFO across the countryside. When there was no longer a road to reach the area where the UFO hovered near the ground, he got out of his car. He climbed a fence and continued on foot across an open field, eager to experience his first close encounter.

Suddenly he stopped. He had a feeling that he should no longer continue. He hurried back to his car and left the scene without further thought. Afterwards he was dumfounded as to why he would have stopped this tantalizing pursuit.

Shouldn’t Psychokinesis Be Impossible Too?

The ability of the mind to control the movement or activity of inanimate objects is known as psychokinesis. Not only do abductees report that their abductors display such powers, but many of them find that they too can use their own minds to do seemingly impossible things.

Doors and windows can be made to slam shut without anyone touching them. Lights may be dimmed, brightened, or turned off or on in the same inexplicable manner. Telephones, clocks, radios, televisions, and recording devices can have their operations disrupted, or be turned off or on without a touch. Later they usually function normally once again.

Animals have been affected too. More than once I have heard an abductee describe how he has gotten an insect or some other creature to change directions by concentrating on it or pointing at it.

Psychokinesis is erratic for most people. It may be something like someone wondering what he should do next and at that instant a book falls off of a shelf displaying pertinent information. It appears that the stronger one’s emotions are at the time, the more successful the psychokinetic effects become.

What Does It All Mean?

The lives of individuals having close encounters are filled with metaphysical phenomena. Others include miracles and healings, space-time distortions, synchronicities, shadowy entities, poltergeist-like activity, empathy, and out-of-body experiences.

Is it just coincidence that these experiences have a transformative effect upon those who are abducted? Do these metaphysical aspects connected with the UFO phenomenon have meaning, or is it just an accidental byproduct? Apparently, only time and additional research of these unusual experiences will reveal that answer.

Virginia M. Tilly