CIA-RDP96-00788R002000160013-0

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SO POREIGN DISSEM
31 July 1978
MEMORANDUM THRU:
Chief, OPSEC Spt Div
Rek
FOR:
Commander, Security Support Detachment, 902d MI Group
SUBJECT: Attendance at Scientific Seminar in Support of GONDOLA WISH (U)
1. (S) On 29 Jul 78, the undersigned attended an educational seminar
entitled Parapsychological Research on Out-of-the-Body Experiences and
Strengthening ESP Abilities conducted by Charles T. Tart, Ph.D. Dr. Tart
is an internationally respected authority in the field of parapsychology.
He has recently served as President of the Parapsychological Association,
the international professional organization of scientific investigators
of psi. He is a professor of psychology at the Davis campus of the
University of California. He is currently on a one year leave of absence
from Davis and is serving as a consultant to Stanford Research Institute,
Menlo Park, CA, in the field of parapsychology.
2. (S) The seminar was an oral review of Dr. Tarts latest book, PSI
Scientific Studies of the Psychic Realm, E. P. Dutton, New York, 1977.
The undersigned purchased several copies of this book (for resale to
interested parties) as it is not yet available in book stores on the East
coast. The seminar was conducted from 1000 hours to 1600 hours with a
90 minute lunch break from 1200 hours to 1330 hours. The morning
session involved an introduction into the scientific examination of ESP.
Dr. Tart followed exactly chapter one of his book. During the morning
session Dr. Tart also spent a short period of time explaining the
extinction principle which is common in routine ESP testing.
Dr. Tart
has invented a machine for testing and teaching conventional ESP guessing.
The particulars of this device are well documented in psi literature.
Basically, the machine provides immediate reinforcement to the subject
as to the accuracy of his ESP guess, thereby defeating the extinction
affect. In the long run, subjects demonstrate a learning curve ( they
improve in there ESP guessing ability). The afternoon hours of the
seminar were dedicated exclusively to the discussion of Out-of-the-Body
Experiences (00BE). The subject matter covered was exactly as stated
in chapter nine of his book. The entire afternoon session was recorded
by the undersigned. The tape recording is available for review upon re-
quest and lasts approximately four hours. It is of interest to note
here that Dr. Tart's experiments in 00BE were conducted 12-13 years ago
and therefore do not reflect the current state-of-the-art technology.
His contributions are however scientifically valuable.
3. (S) Of particular interest were the questions posed by the seminar
CLASSIFIED BY CAR, 902d MI Gp
EXEMPT FROM GENERAL DECLASSIFICATION
SCHEDULE OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11652
EXEMPTION CATEGORY.
2
CY % OF 4 CYS.
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attendees. The attendees expressed there concern over what they believed
to be a threat from Soviet efforts in parapsychology. They asked Dr. Tart
to comment on this matter. Dr. Tart expressed the opinion that the Soviets
were far ahead of us in parapsychology research and that funding for
their efforts came from the Soviet military. Dr. Tart also stated that
US Government sponsored research in parapsychology is almost zero and he
wished he could do something to improve the situation. Dr. Tart stated
that he had approached US Government officials on several occasions,
but was discouraged. (no further information available) Another question
from the seminar attendees was where one could go to learn more about
OOBE. Dr. Tart refered them to the Monroe Institute of Applied Sciences
in Afton, VA.
4. (S) After the seminar the undersigned had the opportunity to talk with
Dr. Tart privately. The undersigned casually questioned Dr. Tart as to
how common it was for his audiences to ask him about the Soviet para-
psychology effort. Dr. Tart stated that the question always comes up.
The undersigned also asked Dr. Tart if he had ever been contacted by the
Soviets. His response was very evasive (he was and is not aware of the
official capacity of the undersigned) but he did state that he had
received requests for copies of his scientific studies in parapsychology
from the Soviets. (no further information available)
5. (S) No classified or sensitive information was disclosed during the
seminar. Dr. Tart stated that he did not have access to classified
information when the seminar attendees asked him what was really going
on in US Government channels.
Andwich A. atwater
FREDERICK H. ATWATER
2LT, MI
Project Officer
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