PaAppnovedshenkealeasaicdh00/08/11 : CIA-RDP96-00792R00040010G043-9 December 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 humana 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. Ia 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. Ravaldint, 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. In 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 frorn 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- tancous phenomena are more repeatable and of a “superior quality” than the results obtained in the laboratory using the traditional experimental criteria derived from the nor- 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 spontancous 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-RDP96-00792R000400100013-9 Fre nkaresean ce RUD PREG Per rm tert R I