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   MEMORANDUM THRU: PSE-C--S7p Div
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   FOR: Commander, Security Support De~~ent, 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 copie-s 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 (OOBE). 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 OOBE were conducted 12-13 years ago
   and therefore do not reflect the current state-of-the-art technology.
   His contributions are however scientifically valu?tble.
   3. (S) Of particular interest were the questions posed by the seminar
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     attendees. The attendees expressed there concern over what they believed
     to be a threat from Soviet efforts in par-apsychology. 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 abo~ut 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 rea going
     on in US Government channels.
     /X 7X, L~
          FREDERICK H. ATWATER
     2LT, MI
     Project Officer
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