The sixth man to walk on
the moon
shares his unconventional
views
by Waveney Ann Moore
Times Staff Writer
Published February 18, 2004 |
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ST. PETERSBURG
The aliens have landed
Thus declared Apollo 14 astronaut
Edgar Mitchell on Saturday to more than
200 admirers.
"A few insiders know the truth . . . and are studying the bodies that have
been discovered," said Mitchell, who was the sixth man to walk on the moon.
Mitchell, who landed on the moon with Alan B. Shepard, said a "cabal" of
insiders stopped briefing presidents about extraterrestrials after President
Kennedy.
For those who might consider his statements farfetched, Mitchell, who has a
doctorate in science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, noted
that 30 years ago it was accepted that man was alone in the universe. Few
people believe that now, he said.
Besides aliens, Mitchell talked about being freed of prostate cancer during
a healing ceremony and his epiphany while returning from the moon.
"I had an opportunity to be a tourist," he said, going on to speak about the
sensation he felt as he watched the Earth, moon and sun.
Raised as a Southern Baptist, Mitchell said his feeling of
interconnectedness could not be explained by traditional religion alone. He
later founded the
Institute of Noetic Sciences.
On its Web site, the California organization says it conducts and sponsors,
"leading-edge research into the potentials and powers of consciousness" and
that it explores "phenomena that do not necessarily fit conventional
scientific models, while maintaining a commitment to scientific rigor."
The site also states that IONS, as it is known by members, is not a
spiritual sect, political action group or single-cause institute.
Saturday afternoon, dozens of people made their way through rain to hear
Mitchell and IONS president James O'Dea speak at the
Heritage Holiday Inn in
downtown St. Petersburg. Lisa Raphael, a member of
IONS who describes herself as a transformational
holistic healer, said she was pleased to hear Mitchell's comments.
"Personally, what was most delightful to me was that he was more open than
he has ever been, very direct about knowing that there are other forms of
intelligent life in the universe and most probably that they have been
here," said Ms. Raphael.
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