JRE #2091 – Diana Walsh Pasulka

This podcast features Diana Walsh Pasulka, a writer and professor of religious studies, discussing her book “Encounters: Experiences with Nonhuman Intelligences.” It delves into the nature of consciousness, the intersection of religion and science, and the potential for a transcendent realm beyond our everyday understanding.

Provocative topics include UFO abductions, psychedelic experiences, and the influence of government agencies on public perception of these phenomena. Underlying themes explore the limits of human understanding, the importance of critical thinking, and the possibility of a shared human experience across cultures and time.

1. The Nature of UFO Abductions and Psychedelic Experiences:
   • Pasulka challenges the common perception that UFO abductions only occur at night, suggesting that the brain’s production of endogenous psychedelic chemicals during sleep might explain this phenomenon.
   • She explores the possibility that these experiences represent a gateway to an alternative dimension, accessed through altered states of consciousness.
   • Pasulka draws parallels between these experiences and those reported by individuals undergoing near-death experiences or using psychedelics.
   • She highlights the similarities between these experiences and ancient religious traditions that spoke of encounters with nonhuman intelligences.
2. The Interplay of Religion and Science:
   • Pasulka discusses her academic background in Christian history and how her research led her to study UFOs through a cross-cultural lens.
   • She argues that ancient philosophers like Plato and Socrates explored concepts of transcendent realms and non-material realities, foreshadowing modern scientific discoveries in quantum physics.
   • Pasulka points to the example of Tyler, a Space Force mission controller and rocket scientist, who practiced ancient protocols to access information and insights, highlighting the potential connection between physical practices and altered states of consciousness.
   • She emphasizes the need for a more comprehensive understanding of these phenomena, integrating scientific data with historical and religious perspectives.
3. Government Influence and Public Perception:
   • Pasulka reveals that the government has been actively managing public perception of UFOs since the early 20th century, using programs like Project Blue Book to control the narrative.
   • She describes her own experiences being harassed by individuals affiliated with government agencies, suggesting a deliberate effort to suppress research and silence dissent.
   • Pasulka discusses the concept of “crash retrieval,” where government agencies have allegedly recovered materials from UFOs, highlighting the potential for scientific breakthroughs and national security concerns.
   • She raises questions about the government’s motives, suggesting that different factions within the government have conflicting agendas regarding UFOs and their implications.
4. The Transcendent Realm and the Pineal Gland:
   • Pasulka delves into the significance of the pineal gland, a small gland in the brain, and its connection to psychedelic experiences, particularly with DMT.
   • She highlights the presence of pine cone imagery in ancient religious art and architecture, suggesting that it symbolizes a gateway to a transcendent realm.
   • Pasulka argues that accessing this realm through altered states of consciousness could explain the common themes of light, enlightenment, and contact with nonhuman beings found in many religious traditions.
   • She emphasizes the importance of recognizing the potential for a shared human experience across cultures and time, regardless of how it’s interpreted or understood.
5. The Limits of Human Understanding and the Need for New Language:
   • Pasulka acknowledges the limitations of current scientific understanding and the need for new language to describe the phenomena being encountered.
   • She suggests that the terms “angels” and “demons,” while potentially relevant, may not adequately encompass the complexity and diversity of these experiences.
   • Pasulka encourages a more nuanced and open-minded approach to investigating these phenomena, embracing a multi-disciplinary perspective.
   • She emphasizes the importance of ongoing research and exploration to better understand the nature of consciousness and the potential for a transcendent reality.

5 Memorable Quotes:

• “The universe doesn’t give a shit what where the sun is in position to the planet.” – Pasulka challenges the Earth-centric perspective often used to explain UFO abductions.
• “We’ve lost that language.” – Pasulka expresses the need for a new way to articulate the experiences being encountered, recognizing that secular culture has abandoned the language of the sacred.
• “There’s something that we’re accessing. And I don’t think it’s within our space-time reality to tell you the truth.” – Pasulka emphasizes the potential for a realm beyond our everyday understanding.
• “It’s a donation site.” – Pasulka reveals the unique terminology used by those within the government’s UFO programs, suggesting a different perspective on the nature of these encounters.
• “That pinecone is the gateway.” – Pasulka highlights the symbolic significance of the pine cone, connecting it to the pineal gland and its potential role in accessing a transcendent realm.