Reviews:
Brian
Allan
Chris Evers
Diane
Harrison
Kate Miller
Robert Snow
Steve Rider
The subject of alien abduction is a multifaceted minefield for both the experiencer and whoever is attempting to assist or comfort the person afflicted with this bizarre, hybrid condition. In this instance, Mary Rodwell, the author of Awakening has attempted to cover all the bases in this well-researched, well-written self-help manual. Her qualifications are impressive, she is a nurse, counsellor, and hypnotherapist, and more importantly, she also understands the subject of alien abduction. The book is designed both as an account of her efforts to establish a refuge, The Australian Close Encounter Resource Network (ACERN), for those who believe them selves to have been abducted and a valuable, almost definitive work of reference. That the author is a caring, compassionate and empathic woman is beyond doubt and this comes across clearly in the manner in which the book is presented. It is laid out in an orderly and progressive manner and includes case files, suggested approaches and questions for those interviewing the abductees/contactees to ask and also self-analytical questions for those who believe themselves to have been abducted.
Among the items covered are the symptoms themselves, anxiety, the certainty that the person is being watched, nighttime 'visitations' in the bedroom and electrical items malfunctioning and other affects. One curious factor common to the majority of assumed abductees is an inexplicable increase in psychic abilities and a general tendency to embrace spiritual matters. Often, the subject will develop healing and other abilities. Another, often ignored facet of the abduction scenario commented upon, is the appearance of 'Star Children' or children who appear to be advanced, especially psychically, beyond their years. These children it is thought, may be the products of pre and post-natal genetic modification and manipulation on their mothers by ET's.
There is however a worrying tendency expressed in the book and that is, it appears to be totally uncritical about some the accounts given by alleged abductees. This may create potential problems for the psychological well being of the person afflicted with the symptoms of abduction. In the case where the person has not in fact been abducted, this may serve to reinforce the erroneous idea that they have. While it is indeed possible, even probable that some people have been taken against their will by extraterrestrials, all of the 'abduction symptoms' quoted, right down to sleep paralysis, increased psychic awareness and nose bleeds, are both identical to and interchangeable with those of people who suffer from electrical hypersensitivity (EH). EH is induced in sensitive people over a period of time either by their proximity to electrical 'hotspots' both natural and artificial or increasing levels of electromagnetic pollution. Having said that, it is also quite probable that the electrical interference alters certain brain functions and actually activates areas otherwise dormant. The condition can also cause a wide ranges of 'entity' based hallucinations and regrettably, the book does not mention if this fully attested medical syndrome is factored into the counselling. Having said that, no doubt the abduction counsellors have sufficient experience to tell the difference between the merely misguided and those who genuinely have experienced alarming events for which they have no ready explanation.
Another particularly interesting section of the book deals specifically with the increased psychic awareness or 'High Sense Awareness' as the author calls them which include elevated PSI abilities, ESP, levitation, teleportation, out of body experiences/astral travel, etc. I find these increased latent abilities particularly interesting, because if indeed the persons affected have indeed been taken by extraterrestrials why should this have affected certain neurological and chemical processes in the brain? The book posits that there may be more than one explanation for this including deliberate genetic modification.
In
spite of some minor reservations, I consider this book to be a worthy addition
to any serious researchers bookshelf and should provide an excellent source
of information and guidance on the subject of alien abduction and how to
deal with it in others and in ones self.
END