f 4 \ raAppravgech Renck eeaser000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R0004022900228 Décember 1988 where a materialized entity writes or talks in a language perfectly unknown to the medium holding the séance. To underline this peculiar event, the author presents some documented examples. The article starts with the phenomenology of Laura Edmonds obtained during her séances in New York. She was able to talk fluently in languages she absolutely did not know, so that the researchers considered the possibility of an outside posses- sion. We read about Major Tudor Pole who was able to talk and understand Persian, a language absolutely un- known to him. The article describes Thérese Neumann who, during her mystic raptures, used to talk in Aramaic, perfectly recognized as the real Christ language by the scholars who had the possibility to assist her. “Nephentes" materialized herself during the séances held by E. D'Esperance. She was able to write a message in the memo book of a researcher assisting in the séance. In the end of the article we read of an ancient poem corrected for a better comprehension by the “Confucius” entity. This request came from Doctor Whymant during a sitting with the medium Valiantine. The author ends the article by saying that during his life he had the opportunity to at- tend many xenoglossy manifestations where many languages and dialects were spoken. He is sure that such languages were unknown to present people, and for this reason he is perfectly sure of the autonomy of the entities. - DA 03049. Ravaldini, Silvio. In memory of Gastone De Boni. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Jul/Sep), 87(3), 205-208. On the 23rd of September 1986 Gastone De Boni left us, having finished his human experience. Only after having put in order all the material he left us will we fully understand the importance of his wide knowledge. De Boni’s aim was knowledge of the psyche--that defined by Myers as “the subliminal self" and evidenced in his book, Human Personality and Its Survival of Bodily Death. We must not ‘forget that Myers was considered a teacher by De Boni. In fact, he wrote: "In this psychic microcosm we only can catch a glimpse of the power and shining of psychic macrocosm." As a follower of Jung’s thought, he rationally examined the possibilities of the psyche under its different appearances, and he once said: “Our position makes us fight in favor of an idea, which, even if it grows and finishes under the control of pure thought, must and will have an important place in human life." - DA 03050. Giovetti, Paola. Near-death experiences in other cultures. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Jul/Sep), 87(3), 209-213, Dr. Giorgio Fonzo is a medical doctor who for many years worked for the World Health Organization, being constantly in touch with Moslem people. On several occa- sions he had the opportunity to deal with persons who were near death and to listen to their impressions. They reported experiences that were very similar to the ones reported by so many people of different religions, which have been collected all over the world in recent years. Dr. Fonzo’s patients reported out-of-body experiences and “tunnel experiences,” visions of beautiful places and of a marvelous light, encounters with dead friends or relatives, etc. Those who are familiar with the specialized literature will recognize in Dr. Fonzo’s material some transcultural elements of great interest. - R.A.W. 03051. Iannuzzo, Giovanni. Studies of the history of parapsychology in Italy from 1982 to 1986: A report and a critical revision. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Jul/Sep), 87(3), 214-225. 46 refs; 1 table After a detailed review of the most important Italian 15 parapsychology journals in order to better analyze the way scientific research has been carried on from 1982-1987, the author thinks more scholars are interested in pursuing studies in this field. His research examines the quantita- tive data at our disposal that specifies which research areas are the most studied, and he suggests a way to im- prove such researches qualitatively. - DA 03052. Ravaldini, Silvio. Daniel Dunglas Home. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Jul/Sep), 87(3), 226-244. 54 refs It is not easy to discuss all the different phenomena Daniel D. Home produced during his life, especially the physical ones. Therefore the author has‘put in evidence only three of them: the telekinetic phenomena produced on an accordion, those concerning levitations, and the fire- immunity ones. The accordion was playing while the medium was holding it on the side with no keys, but it was playing as well as when anybody was touching it. This peculiar phenomenon was fully described by trustwor- thy people. In addition, a journalist for the Times was not able to find any trick. Home's ability to hold burning coals in his hands was confirmed by scholars such as Sir William Crookes and Charles Richet. The author describes Home's levitations in more detail, especially the one at Ashley House where Home went out one window and came back in another. [n considering every side of the problem, the author thinks these phenomena actually took place. He proposes that the phenomena Home produced are still happening nowadays, for example, those produced by Roberto Setti, the Florence medium. - DA/R.A.W. 03053. Heim, Albert. Death from falls. (Trans. by Paola Giovetti.) Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Jul/Sep), 87(3), 245-252. This article was written in 1892 by the Swiss geologist, Dr. Albert Heim, and published in the Bulletin of the Swiss Alpine Club. The author describes his per- sonal experiences and those of several persons who nearly died because of mountain falls. Their sensations and vi- sions were wonderful: They felt no fear, no pain. Sensa- tions of peace, well-being, and beautiful visions were com mon. This is very similar to modern. near-death ex- periences, and in this sense Dr. Heim’s analysis is really a ‘pioneer one and worthy of note. - DT/R.A.W. 03054. Giroldini, William. Parapsychology and research, Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Jul/Sep), 87(3), 253-259. 7 refs The author critically debates the proposal many researchers have advanced to reevaluate the study of spon- taneous ESP-PK phenomena. Many believe that spon- taneous phenomena are more repeatable and of a “superior quality" than the results obtained in the laboratory using the traditional experimental criteria derived from the aor- mal sciences. Giroldini thinks that all the existing studies of spontaneous cases overlook the problem of chance coin- cidence, Because of this, it is not possible to know if the collected events are mainly “true” or “spurious.” Therefore, the study of spontaneous events runs the risk of being worthless because of this underlying ambiguity. The author proposes that the study of spontaneous events must be made following a method which makes it possible to evaluate the probability of chance coincidences. The phenomena that seem most suitable could be hallucinations in connection with the death of a relative. If this proposal is accepted by scholars, then it would be possible to increase our knowledge of paranormal phenomena by concentrating the study on the less polluted phenomena in- stead of the spurious ones. - DA/R.A.W. Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400220002-8
Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400220002-8 Parapsychology Abstracts International help. Proceeding further is not allowed by the old rules of a worn-out game but one must look to “new” and inter- nally oriented approaches. In order to overcome the im- passe it is necessary to realize that both infinite and purest causality are laying traps for us, but we must claim the centrality of a self-conscious ego which, interacting with our self, suggests a coherent identity and then an in- imitable oneness of the experience of evolution. This con- ception is looming on the horizon, and “unitary” law and both official science and all the other types of knowledge are converging on it. Perhaps this last indication could make us reach beyond the changing and temporary ap- pearance of the phenomenological chaos to the harmonic equilibrium of a universal conscience linked to absolute and eternal values. But how shall we find the head of the skein? In the end, a fairy tale will perhaps lead us to a possible “key” able to give us answers to this last question in order to allow us to reach a different “reading” of everyday reality. - DA | 03044, Giovetti, Paola. Inquiry on spontaneous phenomena promoted by C.G. Jung. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Apr/Jun), 87(2), 124-132. In 1957, the Swiss paper Schwetzerischer Beobachter published several articles about paranormal phenomena and asked the readers to send a description of their psi ex- periences. One thousand two hundred letters, with the description of 1,500 different experiences, were received; the whole material was given to C.G. Jung, whose interest in the subject was well known, Jung, who was at that time 82 years old, examined ail the letters and entrusted them to his collaborator, Aniela Jaffé, asking her to make a psychological analysis of the material.. The detailed and original analysis of Jaffé was published in 1958 and had a second, wider edition recently. The Halian edition ap- peared in 1987. The historical reality of the single facts has hardly any interest for Jung and Jaffé, because such events as the ones reported by the readers of the paper have been happening in every time and every place. There is no reason therefore to doubt the single facts. The interesting point is why people continue experiencing the same extraordinary things, and the author's answer is that such experiences--as psychical events--belong to the universal human experience and are in a deep relationship with the basic structure of our psyche. Paranormal phenomena (dreams, visions, intuitions, apparitions of ghosts, precognitions, etc.) show the independence of the unconscious from time and space, and are symbols of the archetype, which is unknowable in-itself, aad as Jaffé says, gives us the intuition of the unity of Everything existing. - DA 03045. Biondi, Massimo. Man and today’s parapsycho- logy, IZ. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Apr/Jun), No. 2, 133-138. In this second part [for the first part see PAI: 03033], the author underlines the changes in the parapsychological research field we have had in recent years. While the scholars of the SPR directed their attention to some spon- taneous psychic events, nowadays they prefer to work in the laboratory on both perception and paranormal action. The author does not think laboratory research is the best solution to finding an explanation for parapsychology. Furthermore, when we are talking about spontancous paranormal events it means that such events have been recognized, studied, and qualified as paranormal, but all this is not necessarily true. There are, in fact, still many doubts about the existence of paranormality and on what a paranormal event represents. It would be necessary, there- fore, to discover the proper methodology for obtaining a Approved For Release 2000/08/11 14 ener mt _ Vol. 6, No. 2 December 1988 better knowledge of these phenomena. At this point, the author suggests as follows: (1) crossed knowledge of the investigations made with different methods, (2) study of the apparitions that happened in different ages and the possible influence the culture of the time had on them, (3) check on physical variations concerning the: involved place or locality, (4) correlation with other psychosocial events that happened at the same time, (5) study of the reactions of the examined subjects and check up of variations due to the different ages of the involved people. Perhaps all of the above will lead us to completely refuse the paranor- mality of events, but even if the results will help psychol- ogy, medicine, or physics, we will have done something useful - DA/R.A.W. 03046. Simone, Giorgio di. The apparent different ideas in mediumistic “messages” of a high level. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Apr/Jun), 87(2), 139-143. 1 ref The author’s response to the article by E. Bianco [sce PAI: 03042] published in this journal. Because for many years he has received teachings from Entity “A," he declares that the entities are compelled to adjust their speech to the type of culture present in the assisting group. Therefore, it can happen that a thought so impor- tant for humankind as the one that deals with freedom can be misinterpreted. The author tells how “A” has explained that the freedom of the spirits does not exist if one ac- cepts the reality of an omnipresent and omniscient God. There does exist an inner freedom that permits the spirits to become incarnate or not. In fact, we can call freedom, too, the possibility of choosing or not the way of incarna- tion or of undertaking the material experience in another way. Self-consciousness is perfect at the same moment that the spirit emanating from it is perfect and complete. His _knowledge from the begianing, then, is recognized and util- ized by the spirit itself during the whole span of his exis- tences. The article ends with a message from Dali--the Spiritual guide of the medium of Circle 77-—saying: "to make men understand the true sense of their existence .. . It is the duty of those who have reached this knowledge to communicate it. Such a duty is the reason why we feel compelled to communicate with you and that will make you feel compelled to communicate with other people.” - DA 03047. Caratelli, Giulio. Speaking in tongues, or glos- solalia. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Apr/Jun), 87(2), 144-159. 23 refs Apparently forgotten, but frequently noticed in dif- ferent contexts that range from mediumistic séances to the Sittings of religious groups of the so-called “charismatics,” is speaking in tongues. In the ethnological context as well as in the psychiatric one, the phenomenon of “talking lan- guages” or glossolalia has rarely been thoroughly examined by gathering evidence and evaluating its different peculiarities. Often, glossolalia has not been sufficiently | distinguished from a similar manifestation called "xenoglossy.” In the present work, evidence is examined of their different expressions, both in formalities and in situa- tions. In addition, some psychological and language charac- teristics that the two have in common are described. - DA/R.A.W. 03048. Ravaldini, Silvio. Xenoglossy, Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Apr/Jun), 87(2}, 160-176. 45 refs In this article, which is wholly devoted to xenoglossy, various phenomena in which a foreign language is involved are indicated. They range from talking to writing automatisms, from direct voice to direct writing, to cases : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400220002-8
WS Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400 Parapsychology Abstracts International respective countries of origin. Throughout the history of theology (from the early Church to modern theory and practice), one perspective uncovers decisive switches in the diagnosis and therapy of possession, and it points out the current state of the discussions on the question of posses- sion in both Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. Based on the results of an investigation into attitudes toward the devil, possession, and exorcism among Roman Catholic and Protestant theologists, deficiencies become apparent from a socichistorical perspective that need to be clarified. The medicopsychological perspective proceeds from the symptoms of possession, and is informed with the state-of- the-art in multiple personality research which in recent years has met with growing scientific interest. In addition, from this medicopsychological perspective, the symptoms and the etiology of the dissociation of personality are described, and the techniques, duration, and success of a secularized therapy are presented and explained. - DA/G.H. 03031. Meissner, Beate. Original forms of psycho- therapy: The method of Johann Joseph Cassner (1727-1779), exorcist. Zeitschrift filr Parapsychologie und Grenzgebiete der Psychologie, 1985, 27(1-4), 181-208. 36 refs From a psychological point of view, this contribution describes the healing method used by the exorcist, Johann Joseph Gassner, and Meissner attempts to analyze and in- tegrate into historical contexts of medicine and psychotherapy those effective therapeutic factors that are at the roots of Gassner’s method. It is pointed out that Gassner’s healing method combines heterosuggestive ele- ments with those of autosuggestive exercises involving the application of optical and haptic techniques. The im- mediate effects of his method are comparable to the entire scale of the effects that are observed in modern hypnosis. There are distinct similarities between the specific for- mulas given out by this exorcist and autogenic training as developed by J.H. Schultz. There can be no doubt that in a comparison of Gassnerian exorcism with currently ac- cepted criteria for psychotherapeutic procedures, the former can be shown to be an early form of modern psychotherapy. - DA/G.H. 03032. Butsch, Maria. Historical and psychological aspects of reports on miracles in the Middle Ages. Zeitschrift fiir Parapsychologie und Grenzgebiete der Psychologie, 1985, 27(1-4), 209-233, 24 refs This contribution outlines the historical context of medieval miracle healing and then attempts to delineate the psychological structures found in such reports. As source material, books of miracles (so-called “Mirakel- bticher") are cited that were written by clerics who used to live in the respective places of pilgrimage, and which con- tain details of miracle healings as well as about the per- sons healed and where they came from. It is shown that the genesis of a shrine was closely linked with manifest economic interests: a sacrifice was left at the shrine or promised in the case of recovery from an illness. The dis- sections of the mortal remains of martyrs into small relics corresponds to magical thinking which could also prove to be profitable for the cleric. A number of cases of “spontaneous healing” of severe illnesses are reported that occurred in an emotionally charged affective “field” of pilgrimage or of intensive prayer; however, there also were reports of miracle healing outside religiously inspired mass meetings. An attempt is made to understand certain reports of miracles, eg, of spontaneous healings of paralyses or blindnesses with the help of modern theories of neurosis and psychosomatics. The function of medieval 12 Vol. 6, No. 2 December 1988 saints within the healing process is seen in analogy to Carl Jung's archetypes. Some reports suggest a paranormal in- terpretation, for example the unexplained movement of ob- jects near certain shrines. - DA/G.H. ITALIAN LANGUAGE (Editor: Paola Giovetti) LUCE E OMBRA 03033. Biondi, Massimo. Man and parapsychology today. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Jan/Mar), 87(1), 1-9. Since the end of World War II a sequence of | changes, both in quantity and in quality, deriving from the Rhinean school, have characterized experimental researches in parapsychology. For several years parapsychology seems to have been in a state of crisis and confusion. This is due to renewed criticisms, to the death of the foremost researchers who were followers of Rhine’s methods, and to the interest of new researchers addressed to more critical ideas (such as how psi happens inside the biological and physical sciences). All this could lead to the end of mat- ter, or, anyway, to a major change in how we conceive of it. Consequently, being able to bring back the researchers’ interest about phenomena which received so much atten- tion at the end of the past century--the so-called “spontancous phenomena”--should be desired. In analyzing all the material at our disposition and comparing it at the same time with the results obtained by scientific branches, it is possible to foresee the direction research wili take, suggesting a more adequate interpretation of our current knowledge. When we dispose of such a reference point, the human image arising from parapsychological research docs not basically move away from what classic science has al- ready said. That such a fact is important should be recog- nized, not only because it could help parapsychology to receive more consideration from the ruling culture, but be- cause it would be possible to harmonize data from dif- ferent sectors. This would allow us to then visualize human nature without so many contradictions. Parapsy- chology could overcome its own crisis by finding a sig- nificant role inside current knowledge. - DA/R.A.W. 03034. Servadio, Emilio, Obituaries of Gastone De Boni. (Jan/Mar), 87(1), 10-11. Two tributes to the pioneer researcher Guastone de Boni. - R.A.W. and Bernardi, Sergio. Luce e Ombra, 1987 Italian psychical 03035. Piancastelli, Corrado. A humanistic pattern for scientific parapsychology. Luce e Ombra, 1987 (Jan/Mar), No. 1, 12-15. Parapsychology must broaden its view of human na- ture, It should renew itself by (1) paying attention to the "borderline” phenomena, which can create a continuity be- tween the field of parapsychology and the psychic reality . field as known by other sciences, (2) recognizing how im- portant subjectivity is, (3) considering a unitary theory about personality in which “borderline” phenomena could be included, (4) exclusion of math conceptualism as being unable to understand the vividness of the personal ex- periences, (5) not appealing to analogies with artifical in- telligence (computers), (6) a thorough study made of “brain activity” and the “unconscious.” These points should be _kept in mind in order to reestablish parapsychological research, and most of all, to create a global comprehension of the human being. -DA/R.A.W. Approved For Release 2000/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R000400220002-8