CONTENTS

For September, 1967

 

 

THE PROBLEM OF SURVIVAL   ..................................................................................             2

WINGS   ..............................................................................................................................             5

HOW TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING   ..................................................................             6

BRITISH SCHOLAR'S VIEW   ........................................................................................             8

world report   ...........................................................................................................             10

poet’s corner   ..........................................................................................................             14

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING   ....................................................................................             15

bulletin board   ........................................................................................................             16

 

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THE STAFF

 

EDITOR ........................................................................................... Dr. DANIEL W. FRY

asst. editor ...........................................................................   kerttu campbell

circulation manager ...........................................................  edna basmajian

staff artist ...................................................................................  gus tanasale

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UNDERSTANDING

VOLUME XII                                SEPTEMBER, 1967                                 NUMBER 9

Dedicated to the propagation of a better understanding among all the peoples of the earth, and of those who are not of earth.

 

THE PROBLEM OF SURVIVAL

The problem of survival is not a new thought nor is it a new editorial. It is rather a summation of a number of editorials which have appeared in this magazine within the past few months.

It is particularly important, however, because it is the preamble to the specific proposal which will be presented to the world during the next year. Copies of this preamble and of the specific proposal will be sent to our correspondents in all countries for dissemination to the largest possible scale.

The Editors of all publications which have any interest in the survival of our civilization are urgently invited and urged to present this material in their own language, to their own people.

PREAMBLE TO THE AREA OF MUTUAL AGREEMENT

All of the civilization and all of the technology which have been achieved by mankind upon this planet, are now in constant danger of total destruction by an agency which that civilization and that technology have themselves conceived and brought forth at tremendous cost in material, in money and in human effort. This seeming paradox is one or several which appear to indicate that there are ultimate limits to the degree of technological advance which can he achieved by any human society or civilization before

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that society or civilization automatically though unintentionally brings about its own destruction.

Problems arise in human relationships which seem to have no adequate or mutually acceptable solution, but which nevertheless threaten to terminate the civilization if no solution is found.

The postulate that all civilizations must, and do contain within themselves the seeds of their own destruction, is not a new one, nor have the problems which threaten our present civilization come about suddenly or unexpectedly. For a full generation most of our political, social and spiritual leaders have been face-to-face with some of these problems, with full realization of their critical nature, but as yet no solutions nor even reasonable approaches to solutions have emerged from their deliberations. At best, their efforts have only postponed the dreadful finality, and passed on to those who follow, the desperate search for final solutions.

Every reasoning individual, every parent and every leader of men must now ask himself this question, "Will I leave to my children and to the descendants of those who look to me for guidance, a planet filled with beauty and opportunity as their rightful heritage, or will their charred remains be strewn about a burned out cinder, circling the sun as a perpetual memorial to the ultimate failure of logic and reason?"

Let no man make the mistake of thinking that there is an intermediate course, or that the problems will solve themselves if only we can manage to ignore them long enough!

If this civilization is to make any substantial progress in the future or if it is to continue in existence, we must begin now to study the true and basic nature of the problems which it faces. We must learn how and why they come into being before we can hope to achieve valid solutions.

The Social Science has been defined as the study of the relationship between man and his fellowman, and of the means by which that relationship may be made more successful, more productive and more enduring. The fact remains however that no genuine scientific foundation has ever been established for this study. It has developed as an art rather than as the science which it should be, and which it must become if it is to endure.

Many leaders and would-be leaders of men propound doctrines

SEPTEMBER, 1967                  3

concerning the proper attitude and actions of man towards his fellowman. Most of these doctrines, if published, will attract followers. In some cases the followers may be few, while in other cases entire nations or races may become eager and devout followers. Yet those who follow each leader do so primarily because of the aesthetic or the emotional appeal of the doctrine rather than because of any tested and proven merit. The result is that a continuing cries of more or less random social experiments are con-ducted by those who are in a position to control, to some extent, the thoughts and the actions of their fellowmen. Some of these experiments may he partly or wholly successful, many of them will prove to be total failures, and some of them may bring terrible tragedy and destruction to whole races of people. Yet none of these experiments add substantially to the sum total of knowledge in the realm of human relationship because none of the experiments have keen designed from, or built upon any foundation of universally accepted fact, or even belief.

It seems obvious therefore that before any significant and enduring advance can be made in the social science, it must be expanded to the position and to the status of a true science, by the determination and the documentation, on a world-wide basis, of the total area of mutual agreement. That is, there must be a specific effort, international in nature and world-wide in scope, to determine by mutual consultation, the sum total of those postulates, principles or methods of procedure pertaining to the social science, which are found to be generally accepted as valid principles or methods by the duly chosen representatives of all races, nationalities and philosophies.

In the branch of human knowledge and inquiry which is usually known as the Physical Science, the area of mutual agreement has long since been determined and documented. The document, as it originally came into being, is subject to periodic review, and is brought up to date by men of science who assemble from all parts of the world for that specific purpose. As a result of their labours it is possible to obtain text books on the subject of physics in virtually every portion of the Earth. These books are compiled by men of many nationalities and ethnic, groups, yet in each of these text books will he found the same rules, laws and methods of procedure

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that are accepted by every physicist in the world, regard-less of his race or of his social or economic ideology. Thus the text books document the area of mutual agreement which is the foundation of the science. From this foundation it is possible to create new theories or postulates from the observation of new phenomena. When new concepts are being created, differences of opinion are, of course, almost certain to arise. Even though two or more physicists may have observed the same phenomena, they may create totally different theories to account for that which they have observed. Since they are both working from the same foundation of mutual agreement however, it is usually possible to devise specific tests which will indicate the relative merits of the two or more theories. Since the scientists had all accepted the postulates upon which the tests were based, all are equally bound by the results of the tests, and must accept those results, at least until a still better theory or better tests have been formulated. Consequently there has never been a war or even a major feud which came about as the result of any disagreement in the physical science. It is built upon a foundation of mutual agreement, and so acceptable means of settling disputes and of resolving differences can always be found.

In the social science on the other hand, the area of mutual agreement has never been specifically denied or documented. Hence there is no foundation from which mutually acceptable tests or means of determination can be formulated. It frequently happens therefore that large numbers of people, and sometimes entire nations come to accept and to hold to suppositions and beliefs which seem to be diametrically opposed to the beliefs of others. Since there is no adequate means of resolving these differences, an increasing friction develops between the groups which frequently leads to war.

Warfare cannot, of course, determine the relative merits of the conflicting ideologies, it can only determine the relative fighting abilities of the participants. No matter how violent or how pro-longed the war, and no matter who may be the victor, there will still have been no approach to a solution to the problems which brought about the fighting. In a few months or a few years when the con-tenders have recovered somewhat from their wounds, they will be

SEPTEMBER, 1967                  5

ready to fight again. The winner usually learns nothing from such an encounter, and if the loser learns anything, it is only how to avoid the worst of his military errors.

As long as a civilization possesses only simple weapons of limited destructive power, it can tolerate and can endure this kind of tragic nonsense. Millions of innocent persons may meet violent and untimely death, and hundreds of years of patient human effort may be wiped out at the whine of one leader, but the race and at least some parts of the civilization will survive.

When weapons of absolute energy and total destruction come into being, however, the situation changes. A civilization may recover from the wounds of simple and limited weapons, but the wounds of super weapons are fatal.

The most elemental form of logic and reason as well as the instinct of self preservation all dictate that we must now begin to take the steps that are necessary to create the foundation upon which a true civilization may be built.

The first step, which is the determination and the documentation of the area of mutual agreement in the social science, has already been mentioned but will be more precisely discussed in the pages that follow.

-Daniel W. Fry

(October-The Proposal)

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WINGS

To rise on the wings of prayer is a very positive experience; to be lifted up and borne to the presence of our Father is a wondrous Blessing. There are definite steps which form the prelude to such a soaring into the Infinite.

First, one must acknowledge the relationship of the child to his Father and understand the love that flows between God and His children, who are manifest here on earth. This is not a lip service,, a mouthing of a phrase used daily by millions in their mechanical prayers-this is a REALization that God IS "our Father" and as. such He will endeavor to supply us with all the necessities of life, with the usual comforts of civilization, with as much beauty as. each one is able to appreciate. God IS "our Father" and will see

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that we receive the necessary instruction to enable us to do our required work here on earth, and will make certain that we receive spiritual experience in order constantly to rise toward the status of His perfected child.

Once we REALize our proper relationship to God, we naturally will wish to repay Him for His loving care and all the gifts He has bestowed upon us; and we find His only desired gratitude is our surrender to a spiritual Way of Life. In our desire to please Him, we ask to be given "a sign," an indication of that which each one is best able and so destined to do; His response being the gift of intuitive knowledge, enabling us to be "about our Father's business."

Herein is tire beauty of His love-for each of us a planned destiny, enabling the expression of sonship in a happy and beautiful work-and it remains only for awareness to be developed so that each may heed the "still small voice" within and select the vocation best reflective of the love of God in the child's service to the Donor of that love.

Who are we, with finite perspective, to judge the best situation for the utilization of our God-given talents? Only God has infinite vision and can steer us in the right direction when we become amenable to His promptings.

So, on our Wings of Gratitude, our loving prayers, we raise ourselves in joyful praise-we strive to reach the Source of all Good. We use the natural Cosmic currents to help us soar, glide, swoop-savoring the thrill of knowing the great strength of these wings of prayer.

But remember! Wings must be flapped! Before we can soar and glide and swoop, we must get off the ground. And that entails hard work at first. We often try our wings before we have sufficient knowledge and so suffer an ignoble collapse. But, once the strength of spiritual knowledge is great enough to sustain us, we find it easy to rise-beating away in fearful trials at first, then becoming more sure of our abilities and more calm, as we learn to control our flight..

Do not envy the eagle its beautiful method of transportation-join it in the Heavens-lift yourself above and beyond its reach-"Arise, and go unto your Father."

-Dorothy Low

SEPTEMBER, 1967                  7

HOW TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING

COMMUNICATION AND UNDERSTANDING

(This Essay won Honorable Mention in our recent contest on: How to Promote Understanding.)

Essentially, the way to promote understanding, regardless of the subject or area to be explored, is through the medium of communication. Knowledge, ideas, viewpoints can be expressed orally, in discussions, or in person-to-audience contacts, such as public speaking, radio, or television: or through the written word. All this is communication, without which there is no dissemination or exchange of ideas and information between individuals.

The primary responsibility in communication belongs with the communicator. There are speakers or writers who do not realize that the expressing of thoughts in words is a form of communication and that you do not communicate merely by rolling out a string of words and sentences. A person can talk at length without: saying much of anything and there is writing that never gets across to the reader. It is the substance of what is said or written, and the organization of the material that marks the difference between aimless, meandering speech or writing, and genuine communication that promotes understanding.

There have been speakers or writers who think the responsibility of understanding rests upon the listener or the reader. Some of the avant garde poets and essayists are apparently of this opinion. Their attitude seems to be that "if you don't understand what I say (or write) it's your fault, not mine." This is an arrogant assumption which shows lack of consideration for the listener or reader. Some "intellectuals" write in an obfuscating style that. makes the reader wonder if the writer himself actually understands what he is trying to say. Such writers rarely, if ever, achieve wide recognition.

The first need in good communication is that the communicator really know his subject. Unless the subject is well organized in his own mind, he will not speak or write with conviction. Sometimes a person will embrace every theory which appear to his ideals or sentiments, and will be eager to share the new-found inspiration with others. But before he does, he might be wise to analyze and

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test those theories in the light of logic and experience, or with known facts. One sometimes finds, upon further consideration of a theory, that was so appealing at first encounter, that it is illogical and impracticable. History? can provide a long list of persons, particularly in the realm of science, politics, or economics, whose intellectual integrity forced them to revise some of the theories they accepted too hastily.

The second requisite of good communication is clarity of expression. The communicator should never forget his listener or reader. If he is instructing, he should be explicit and detailed, carefully defining his terms or any special meaning given to words. If he is giving information, lie should make sure that it is accurate. If he is offering new ideas or viewpoints, seeking to inspire or challenge the thinking of others, he should analyze, persuade, suggest, appeal to logic and reason, but should never be dogmatic. No one likes to feel that ideas are being forced upon him. People are free to think for themselves, and it is their privilege to do so, whether or not they avail themselves of it.

Another point to remember in the communicating of ideas or information is that understanding may not induce complete agreement. Understanding is comprehension, and it is possible to comprehend the ideas and opinions a speaker or writer offers without being in complete accord with them. All people do not think alike, and it is a good thing. If we did, there would be little advancement in the world of knowledge or understanding. It is the challenges to the mind, presented by diverse viewpoints, or new ideas, that induces the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.

The listener or reader does have some responsibility in communication: he should meet the speaker or writer half-way at. least. Yet there are those who put up mental blocks against anyone who offers ideas to them. Many personas listen or read with prejudices or pre-conceived opinions about a matter, or with emotional attitudes which prevent them from giving fair consideration to the ideas new to their minds.

Sometimes the best one can achieve in communicating ideas to others is tolerance on the part of the listener or reader, with the hope that whatever merit the thoughts convey will stimulate new

SEPTEMBER, 1987                  9

avenues of thinking, a greater understanding of the subject considered.

Every article or book that attracts the interest should be read with an open mind, yet with skepticism. In that way the mind is neither a sponge, soaking up everything without question, nor a concrete wall of stubborn resistance.

In some subjects there is no precise truth, no right nor wrong, since research or human experience has not yet revealed all there is to know. Much in science, for example, is still in this process of unfolding.

The road to understanding is a continuous journey. The sincere seeker never reaches a final destination; every goal becomes but a resting place from which one sees further roads ahead to travel.

Through the exchange of ideas and knowledge; through communication-we help each other along the way.

-Lois H. Sargent

——— ♦ ———

BRITISH SCHOLAR'S VIEW

(This article by George W. Connell, AP Religious writer, appeared in the San Jose (California) Mercury, June 8, 1967. It presents another aspect of the changing relationship which is developing between science and religion.)

Scientists, concentrating on physics and chemistry in trying  to explain man's development, still face many puzzling question marks and a noted British zoologist maintains the answers may be in the realm of religion.

He suggests that telepathy, or thought transference, may offer a clue to new, revealing lines of inquiry into the human makeup. He calls for vigorous research into "the nature of religious experience" and into the psychic side of man."

And he predicts the results would "show the way to a re-establishment of the idea of God as both a philosophical and scientific reality. "

These striking views, citing gaps still looming in Darwin's evolutionary theory of Natural selection, are advanced by Sir Alister Hardy, until recently head of Oxford University's zoology department

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and a renowned exponent himself of the natural selection theory.

However, he says it is likely to "have to be modified" to cope with still unsolved mysteries about human life, and to take into account factors unexplained by physical sciences and mechanistic interpretations.

Presenting his case in a new book, "The Living Stream," issued by Harper & Row, he says: "If only one per cent of the money spent upon the physical and biological sciences could he spent upon investigations of religious experience and upon psychical research, it might not be long before a new age of faith dawned upon the world. "

Sir Alister, knighted for his biological research and investigations into sea life and other species in various parts of the world, says science has dwelt one-sidedly on physical-chemical aspects, to the neglect of other influences.

"So many people seem to think that science has banished the nonmaterial side of life," he says, adding that this is definitely not the case. He twits fellow scientists for shunning certain "properties of living things simply because they seem to complicate the issue. "

"The hitherto generally accepted mechanism of a natural selection by only the physical side of the environment is by no means the whole of the evolution story," be says.

He calls for a "greatly widened scientific outlook," approaching theology through the scientific method, and taking into consideration evidence that generally has been overlooked, such as telepathy and other behavioral influences.

He says that while he is not religious in an orthodox sense, he is convinced that "some power we call God" is involved in the process.

"I believe that the living world is as closely linked with theology as it is with physics and chemistry; that the divine element is part of the natural process--not strictly supernatural but paraphysical."

In addition to describing various complex patterns of behavior and consciousness unexplained by the physical sciences, he says there already is "sufficient. evidence to prove" telepathic. communication among human. beings.

SEPTEMBER, 1967                  11

He says this "seems likely to be of considerable biological significance" and may provide subconsciously "a sort of psychic 'blue-print' shared" among humans.

Just as time and space differ, yet have an interrelationship, lie says the psychic side of life "may be independent." of the genetic code "that governs the form of the physical frame," and yet. interact with it in evolution.

While physical energy, derived from the sun, fuels the physical body, he speculates that another force acts on the psychic side of man, as indicated by behavioral patterns.

"Perhaps all true love-animal, human or divine may he of one tremendous `force' animating the organic world on the psychic side," he says, noting the fourth Gospel's description: "God is love."

Sufficient investigation into religious experience, Sir Alister maintains, would show "the reality of some power, apparently coming from outside the consciousness of the individual."

He says that apparent conflict between science and dogma is a "temporary phase," adding: "I say temporary because I believe the dogmas on both sides may be revised as theology becomes more natural and science's mechanistic interpretation of life is shown not to be the whole truth."

Contending that "theology and evolution" are interlinked, he says that in an increasingly scientific age, only a theology with a scientific approach can survive in the intellectual atmosphere of the future."

"Just as knowledge of the biology of sex does not destroy the love of a lover," he says, "so a religion linked with science through natural theology need not destroy the rapture of communion with God.

"Let us go forward to reclaim the ground that has been lost in the world through a- false belief that science points only to materialism." The outcome, he says, will at least show "some subconscious shared reservoir of spiritual ‘know-how,' "but is more likely to establish "that there is something much more wonderful to which we give the name God."

——— ♦ ———

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world report

Disc over Pacific Ocean

(U.F.O.J.C. Newsletter, Sydney, Australia, June 1967)

Peter Rasmussen, a California seaman, reported an incident which happened at sea on June 26, 1966 some 800 miles south-west of Hawaii. In absolutely clear weather, at night, he noticed an unusual light on the starboard quarter. The light soon became a huge disc-like object estimated at some 460 feet long, and it hovered silently over the ship for several minutes then disappeared straight. up. He described the object as having a solid-like center, possibly metal, with a pulsating white light, with the outer rim having; some sort Of "force field." Three other seamen, including the ship's captain, also saw the object. Mr. Rasmussen went on to saw that the U.F.O. hovered over the ship for about 10 minutes... . . then it went straight up at a high rate of speed, and after about 3 minutes, had lost its outer halo and, disappeared. The Captain's entry in the log that June 26, 1966, read 0350 to 0402-strange flying object observed passing from 060 degrees overhead to 220 at 20 decrees altitude, emitting halo-like glow of varying size, shape and luminosity. It was also, indicated that the incident occurred in an area near some small, uninhabited islands where similar sightings have been re-ported by airline pilots.

Sky Watch Results

(The Otago Daily Times, New Zealand, June 27,1967)

LONDON-Flying saucers observed the twentieth anniversary of their first sighting by turning out in force over Britain and South America on Sunday night.

Five UFOs were photographed doing "gyrations and extraordinary maneuvers" near Manchester airport by some of the 300 British sky gazers. The patience of the London branch of the International Sky Scouts was rewarded when 15 people saw a cigar-shaped object cruising in the sky a few miles east of the capital and several people saw a UFO above the rail terminus in London.

SEPTEMBER, 1967                  13

Brinsley Le-Poer Trench, chairman of the International Sky Scouts, said he hopes to piece together an overall picture of saucer activity round the world when all reports from other countries are received.

Reports from South America tell of six unidentified objects which flew over Asuncion, Paraguay, disrupting communications at the international airport for several minutes. The objects flew over the city for 10 minutes on the twentieth anniversary of the first reported flying saucer sighting. The objects were silent and at an altitude of 2,500 feet, the control tower director said.

Skeptic Changes Mind

(Stockton Record, Stockton Calif., July 7, 1967.)

CORNING, Calif. (AP)-Two police officers and a bowling alley owner say that they saw a flying saucer about daybreak July 4 in this quiet Sacramento Valley olive grove community.

"I was kind of skeptical about these flying saucers, but you couldn't convince me otherwise now," Officer Jim Overton, 31, Corning, said last night. "I know what I saw."

His words are supported by officer Frank ,Rakes, a 23 year old former Corning patrolman and by Jay Munger, 46, the bowling alley owner...

The object "was shaped like a big cigar," Munger said, "aluminum in color." Officer Rakes picked up the story, saying it had " the brightest light I've ever seen. There was no sound coming from it at all."

The men's narratives agreed the UFO was about a quarter mile away, at a height between 300 and 500 feet. They said it disappeared after three of four minutes, after which they rushed inside and drew rough sketches of the object.

Ancient Flying Saucer

(Philadelphia Bulletin, July 16, 1967.)

LA SPEZIA, Italy (AP)-A 16th century flying saucer or unidentified flying object was reported in a manuscript found in La Spezia's public library.

The chronicler, Antonio Cesena, wrote in 1555 that peasants in two separate areas saw from time to time "a strange disc, changing from yellow to red, and red fireballs shining beneath it."

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Strange Beeps

(San Jose Calif. Mercury, July 16, 1967 Bob Lindsay)

If you've  heard strange "beeping" later, Santa Clara Valley's flying saucer searchers are looking for you.

The local NICAP organization is investigating the report of a Los Gatos woman who said she heard the inexplicable "beep.. . beep ... beep" noise near her home. The report is fascinating, said Paul Cerney, Bay Area NICAP chairman, because it appears to mesh with the baffling mystery in northern Washington and British Columbia.

Since about May 1, hundreds of persons have heard unexplained "beeping." Ornithologists, physicists, civil defense authorities and others have tried to identify the source of the sound, which usually comes from overhead and sometimes moves at high speed.

"But they haven't been able to relate it to any known phenomena," said Cerney.

Space Glows With X-Ray Light

(Grants Pass Courier, July 7, 1967)

WASHINGTON (UPI) -Rocket astronomers report evidence that all space glows with X-ray "light," apparently a byproduct of a primeval fireball that exploded with a big bang 10 billion years ago to create the universe.

They also reported:

- Detection for the first time of X-radiation from a quasar, one of those recently discovered mysterious objects near the edge of the universe which pour out energy in amounts baffling to science.

- Confirmation that the super galaxy M87, 10 times more massive than our own 100-billion-star Milky Way galaxy, is a gigantic X-ray machine as well as a powerful radio source.

- Discovery of three other unidentified X-ray sources far out in space which may be quasars invisible in ordinary or radio light.

These new "firsts" in the infant science of X-ray astronomy were disclosed at, a news conference by Dr. Herbert Friedman of the Naval Research Laboratory.

X-rays provide a new window on the universe, disclosing information not seen in visible light or radio. The discoveries reported today were made by au Aerobee rocket launched from White Sands May 17.

SEPTEMBER, 1967                  15

Detecting Planetary Life Through Lenses

(Medford Tribune, Medford, Ore., Jul 29, 1967)

London (UPl)- Man may be able to determine whether there is life on other planets without leaving the earth, in the opinion of scientists experimenting with advanced techniques o astronomy.

These scientists think it possible this discovery may be made before astronauts are sent out to heavenly bodies “and at a relatively trivial cost." Their program-one scientist envisages a thousand inch telescope-is intended to assist a manned space program and not supplant it.

Seven scientists took part in the discussion in the magazine Science Journal under the healing: "Detecting Planetary Life from Earth."

Prof. James Lovelock and Dian R. Hitchcock, two of the American contributors, said it was easy to forget that the earth's atmosphere is modified by the fact there is life on our planet. They recommended investigation of the atmosphere of other planets using an infrared telescope equipped with a device called a multiplex interferometric fourier spectrometer (MIFS) which can, analyze even small trace components.

"A complete analysis of the atmosphere of a planet," they said "would have a good chance of revealing the presence of life.

"One unique aspect of this approach to life detection is that it, is unlimited in both space and time. It therefore differs from a landing experiment (unmanned) which depends for its success on arrival where there is the type of life it has been sent to detect."

Prof. James Ring of Hull University estimated the 1000-inch telescope might cost 14 million dollars-about the same as the cost of landing an instrument package of 30 pounds on Mars.

But whereas the instrument package, he said, would be a once-and-for-all experiment, designed two years earlier and out of the experimenter's hands front the moment of launch, the telescope could undertake a whole range of investigations for the use of spacecraft and astronauts.

"The ground leased exploration of these planets is not in any sense a rival to spacecraft methods," he said, "but rather complements them and is a prerequisite for their greatest. effectiveness."

The world's biggest telescope at present is the 200-inch "big eye" of Mt. Palomar, in Calif.

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poet’s corner

 

"The Greater Thing"

However humble the place I may hold,

Or lowly the paths I have trod-

There's a child who bases his faith upon me:

There's a dog who thinks I am God.

 

Lord, keep me worthy-Lord keep me clean,

And fearless and unbeguiled,

Lest I lose caste in the sight of a dog-

And the wide clear eyes of a child.

 

Lest. there shall come in the years to be,

The blight of a withering grief-

And a little clog mourn for a fallen God,

And a child for his lost belief.

-Rex Dorn

The Goal

To let no thought go unexpressed

That might give someone pleasure;

To say no word I might regret

In later hours of leisure;

To do the kindly, little deeds

That make life worth the living;

SEPTEMBER, 1967                  17

To overlook another's faults

Nor fail to be forgiving;

To strive to leave each task well done

And make a joy of duty;

Unceasingly to give God thanks

For life and love and beauty;

To honor God, and, loving Him,

Love, as myself, my neighbor;

This, the high test of perfect love

The goal toward which to labor.

--R. C. Johnston

——— ♦ ———

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

In the October-December 1966 issue of the Saucer Forum, published by Jimmy Goddard of Middlesex, England is a brief article by Ken Rogers entitled: Have the Venusians Blown Themselves Up?

"Earlier this year, the National Geographic Society claimed that strange creatures could be swimming about in the dense atmosphere of Venus. The society said that whereas fish, whales and other creatures live suspended in water, space scientists point out that on Venus living things may float in the thick clouds that completely hide the planet's surface. It added that scientists differed on whether life could exist, on Venus, the planet which approaches nearest to the Earth.

"One theory, the society said, held that life once existed on Venus and was annihilated, possibly by the Venusians themselves through some development similar to the hydrogen bomb. Agreeing with this theory is Soviet astronomer Dr. Nikolai Kozyrev, who stated recently that a flare on Venus in 1964, which was comparable in brightness and scale to a nuclear explosion, was one of the mysterious phenomena recorded on the planet."

——— ♦ ———

No one even for a moment can be so short-sighted as to try to suppress human thought by force. What can correct or conduct it to the just way is only other thought.

- Rev. Hidemaru Deguchi

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bulletin board

 

New Post Box Number

On the completion of a new Post Office in Merlin-actually an addition to the Merlin Development Building-Understanding , Inc. has been assigned a new post box number.

We advise our friends and correspondents to change their records to: Understanding, Inc. P. 0. Box 206, Merlin, Oregon, 97532.

Yearbooks Available

We call to the attention of the subscribers to the Understanding Its well as to new Units of Understanding, that Year books of past issues are still available.

Yearbooks for 1958-1962 sell for $1.00 a copy; those for 1963 and 1964 at $2.00 a copy. Until funds and shelf space are available the issues for 1965 and 1966 cannot be bound.

Please send all requested to P.O. Box 206, Merlin, Ore. 97532.

Understanding, Inc. Annual Meeting

All members of Understanding, Inc. are cordially invited to attend our Annual Meeting, October 14th. The meeting will be held at Giant Rock Airport, Yucca Valley, California, during the week of George Van Tassel's Annual Spacecraft Convention.

Books and Lecturers Needed

Steele Goodman, past President of Unit 46, Sacramento, California, is now employed by the State of California at the Denel Vocational Institute, Tracy, Calif. Rev. Goodman is currently involved in the rehabilitation  program of this correctional institution. He

SEPTEMBER, 1967                  19

has sent to Understanding, Inc. a request for New Age  and UFO books for the prison library. Please mail such texts as you no longer need to:

Rev. Steele Goodman

2426 "G" Street

Sacramento, Calif. 95816.

Rev. Goodman also writes: "In the, near future intend to bring in lecturers of an educational and informative nature. I would be interested to hear from anyone on the lecture circuit who would be willing to stop for a visit or give a lecture. As no fee can be paid, this would be a goodwill gesture on the part of the speaker."

If you can and wish to serve, please write to Rev. Goodman at the above address.

Inglewood Lecture

On Saturday, September 23rd, 1967 at 8 P. M., the Inglewood Unit 15 will present: "Phenomena 7.7," a color U.F.O. documentary motion picture. Produced by Dr. Frank E. Stranges, "7.7" represents the yet unsolved percentage of U.F.O. reports throughout the U.S.

The picture will be shown in the Business & Professional Women's Clubhouse, 820 Java St., Inglewood, Calif. The Public is cordially invited. Admission is by donation.

Convention Dates

We remind our friends of forthcoming New-Age and UFO Conventions.

George Van Tassel will hold his Annual Spacecraft Convention at Giant Rock, Yucca Valley, California on October 14 and 15.

Mrs. Angela Kilsby is sponsoring the Annual Berkeley Under-standing Convention at the Claremont Hotel, Berkeley, California, on October 21 and 22.

Mrs. Angela Kilsby is also sponsoring an Understanding Convention at Dunsmuir, California, at. the Oak-Lo Motel, on October 28 and 29.

Stranger at the Pentagon

The latest book by Dr. Frank E. Stranges - The Stranger at the Pentagon --is now available from the Merlin Publishing Company, P.O. Box 105, Merlin, Oregon 97532. Price $3.98.

20                                                  UNDERSTANDING

Truth is that intangible commodity that we all profess to be seeking... but, I wonder,... are we seeking after Truth as it is, or just the answers that give us comfort. Are we willing to accept the claims of others if they say what we want to hear.. . or are we willing to apply the rule of reason and logic to that claim before accepting it? Remember ... whatever our understanding may be ... Truth Is! Truth itself never changes . . . only our understanding and knowledge of it changes as we develop. Open-mindedness is important, for if a claim does not meet our understanding at this time, we should put it aside to review it later, at a time when we may better understand it. Many truths considered mystical or occult a few generations ago are now accepted as scientific fact. Think about it..

-David D. Graham

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CLASSIFIED DEPARTMENT

6c per word per insertion; 3 or more insertions same copy, 5c per word.

PEACE REQUIRES ESPERANTO, Test, record loaned Free, Esperanto Library Dept. USI, Middleton, Wis. 53562.

FOR SALE: Wooded one-half acre in Oregon. One bedroom home with extra sleeping area. Large living room, fireplace. Water, electricity, oil heat. Write C. Jannusch, 102 Kings Way, Central Point, Ore. 97501.

AUTHENTICATED information about the Aquarian Age and what man needs to know for the development of self. The author of these astounding works promises: no obligations or fees, EVER! To receive a free gift copy of THE ORBIT, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

MARCAP COMMUNICATIONS, Route 4, Arlington, Washington 98223. "inspirational Incenses. Nocturnal essences--meditative aromas-Temple quality. Exclusive source! These Incenses of Persian and Hindu origin are recognized by higher perceptions within YOU. Send self-addressed stamped envelope for complete listing. ADLYN'S TEMPLE INCENSE, Route 4, Box 318, Arlington, Wash. 98223."

NEED $7,500. Good interest. Good payment record. Well known to Understanding group. Secured by printing equipment, laundromats, real estate. Bill Crawford, 14351 Alwood, Baldwin Park, Calif.

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Memberships in Understanding

Understanding, Inc is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the propagation of a better understanding among all the peoples of the earth so that they may live in harmony and be better prepared psychologically and sociologically for the space age.

Several types of membership are available to those who wish to support our endeavors either with dollars or with time and service, or both.

The Associate Membership is Two Dollars per year; the Contributing Membership, Ten Dollars per year, including the Understanding magazine; Sustaining Membership, Twenty-Five Dollars per year, including subscription; and Life Membership, Five Hundred Dollars, including subscription to Understanding magazine.

Welcome to the Understanding family!

UNDERSTANDING, INC.

P.O. Box 76, Merlin, Oregon 97532.