A Note on Ingo's Studies
Prior to studying what he called L. Ron Hubbard's teachings, Ingo pursued a diverse spiritual education that included studies at Alice Bailey's Arcane School, Rudolf Steiner's Anthroposophical center, and explorations of the Fourth Way teachings. At the Arcane School, Ingo engaged with esoteric philosophy rooted in Theosophy, focusing on meditation, soul science, and service to humanity through the “New Group of World Servers,“ guided by the teachings of the Tibetan master Djwhal Khul. His time at Steiner’s center exposed him to Anthroposophy, a spiritual science emphasizing intuitive cognition, spiritual hierarchies, and a metaphysical Christian perspective, distinct from Theosophical concepts like Masters or Rays, which he also studied in depth. Additionally, Ingo explored the Fourth Way, a system developed by G.I. Gurdjieff, which emphasizes self-awareness, conscious effort, and balancing the physical, emotional, and intellectual centers to achieve spiritual awakening. In fact, ancient astronaut author Raymond Drake called Ingo a “New Age Prophet,” dedicating a book to him, while Ingo co-edited Cosmic Art. This eclectic blend of teachings shaped Ingo’s understanding of consciousness and psychic phenomena, influencing his later work in remote viewing and esoteric research.
Therefore to understand Ingo’s Scientology link, it’s important to consider the context of what Scientology stood for in the 1970s and its relevance to Ingo’s continuing exploration of what he called the “psychic humanoid.“ This concept was largely uncharted and rarely discussed at the time outside of Scientology. More directly the reasons behind Ingo’s attraction to Scientology are likely best understood through the paper he presented in Prague in 1973, a copy of which is preserved in his archives. A link to this paper can be found in the box to the right.
At this time too, Ingo’s network was remarkably diverse, encompassing far more than his Scientology ties. While he was connected with Hubbard and Hubbard's aide Virginia Downsborough, Ingo's circle extended to non-Scientologists like Harold Sherman (Urantia enthusiast), psychiatrist Shafica Karagulla (Higher Sense Foundation), medium Viola Pettit Neal (Brunner Research Foundation), and psychiatrist Jan Ehrenwald. He also supported by real estate magnate Trammel Crow, Edgar Cayce supporter Lucille Kahn, artist Buell Mullen, journalist Ruth Hagy-Brod, and Erickson Foundation’s Zelda Suplee. In addition to these eclectic connections, Ingo maintained close ties with his Presbyterian and Southern Baptist family.
“Scientological Techniques: A Modern Paradigm for the Exploration of Consciousness and Psychic Integration” Ingo Swann paper presented at the First International Congress of Parapsychology and Psychotronics, Prague, 1973
A Note on Men Who Stare At Goats
No Goats Were Harmed In The Writing Of This Review
No Goats Were Harmed In The Writing Of This Review
No Goats Were Harmed In The Writing Of This Review
The Movie. Is it at all accurate as a portrayal of real events? No. There are bits of pieces of many real events sprinkled throughout, but almost without exception they have been pureed in a screenwriter’s blender to the point where actual historical representations and linkages have been lost. This, actually, is a saving grace. The book was dangerous because it pretended to be a generally accurate account, while working insidiously to undermine the credibility of Star Gate and the other programs the book pretended to “document.” With the film, there is no pretense of being the literal truth. If you have seen the movie, you will likely agree that it is amusing, humorous, and mostly inaccurate — intentionally so. If you have not seen the movie, I recommend it — you will find it amusing, humorous, and intentionally inaccurate. But the inaccuracy doesn’t hurt — as long as you don’t take it seriously, it contributes to the amusement and the humor and, surprisingly, leaves you wondering if there might not have been something to the military’s brush with ESP after all.
-- Paul Smith, Star Gate Remote Viewer
The Real Men Behind “The Men Who Stare at Goats”
No Goats Were Harmed In The Writing Of This Review
No Goats Were Harmed In The Writing Of This Review
The movie seems to blend real and composite figures from the U.S. Army’s remote viewing program into a satirical narrative. George Clooney’s Lyn Cassidy merges Glenn Wheaton (goat-staring death), Lyn Buchanan (computer issues, name “Lyn”), F. Holmes Atwater (“Skip” nickname), Joe McMoneagle (locating a general), and possibly Bill Ray (Iraq plot), with John Alexander’s cloud-bursting. Jeff Bridges’ Bill Django is mostly Jim Channon (“First Earth Battalion”), with Alexander’s influence. Nick Offerman’s Scotty Mercer echoes Buchanan’s feats, while Kevin Spacey’s Larry Hooper reflects Ed Dames’ unauthorized projects and Psi Tech, with a fictional LSD tragedy tied to recruit Norm Pendleton, loosely based on a lieutenant (“Pemberton”) who didn’t commit suicide. Stephen Lang’s General Hopgood caricatures Bert Stubblebine, who tried wall-walking and fought for the program. “Mel” nods to Mel Riley, a Star Gate veteran. The film uses these real-life inspirations as a springboard for its satirical narrative, mixing historical details with creative liberties.
-- Summary of insights from Paul Smith, Star Gate Remote Viewer
Jon Ronson’s The Men Who Stare At Goats
No Goats Were Harmed In The Writing Of This Review
Jon Ronson’s The Men Who Stare At Goats
The book (2005) exaggerates remote viewing by linking it to absurd, unsubstantiated claims—such as generals attempting to walk through walls, individuals stopping goats’ hearts by staring, and alleged abuses at Abu Ghraib—none of which withstand scrutiny. Now a George Clooney film, the book entertains but distorts how remote viewing moved from military to civilian use. Jon Ronson and team favor sensationalism, cherry-picking interviews and omitting context. Misquotes, like labeling Col. John Alexander “Al Gore’s friend” or tying General Stubblebine to Ed Dames and Heaven’s Gate deaths, mislead. Stubblebine’s one-time wall-walking attempt is overblown, and unrelated stories, like Fort Bragg’s “goat staring” or Jim Channon’s First Earth Battalion, are falsely connected. The book ignores remote viewing’s documented successes and scientific grounding, grossly misrepresenting the "Star Gate” program’s legacy while weaving a narrative that prioritizes entertainment over accuracy. Fun but misleading, it’s worth reading with heavy skepticism.
-- Summary of insights from Paul Smith, Star Gate Remote Viewer
