Customer Reviews

The PK Man: A True Story of Mind Over Matter

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The loonies are coming out of the cracks again," said my wife, Caryl, as she handed me this book from our daily pile of mail. My first impression agreed with hers -- until I saw that it was written by Jeffrey Mishlove, whom I personally know and respect. "What's Jeffrey up to this time?" I wondered.

Ted Owens, who called himself "The PK Man" (PK = psychokinesis, mind-over-matter), was a flamboyant, controversial figure in the ufology community, who died back in 1987. During his lifetime, Owens predicted a wide variety of storms, plane crashes, and other disasters. He claimed to do this through mental contact with UFOs and non-corporeal beings that he called "Space Intelligences." Because he wanted Dr. Mishlove to write his biography, Owens regularly sent him copies of the predictions, along with clippings about events that he felt were fulfillments. The result is the worlds's largest collection of material on Ted Owens, which formed the database for this book.

The first manuscript was written back in 1979, but publication was delayed for a number of reasons, not the least of which was Mishlove's worry that the book would affect his own credibility. Had Owens merely predicted these events, there would have been no problem, since studies on precognition are considered legitimate in psi circles. But psychokinesis is another matter. Owens claimed that he actually CAUSED all those hurricanes, floods, snowstorms, plane crashes --- even the eruption of Mt. St. Helens (which, according to Owens, was a mind experiment gone wrong!) A book on a man who claims to control the weather through contact with UFOs sounds more than a little, well, uh -- crazy.

Personally, I don't believe Owens actually controlled the weather. He did however, seem to have had psychic abilities from an early age. It's possible that he was able to sense upcoming weather patterns, which he then exploited for his own ends. Whenever he gave his predictions, he (not the researchers) chose the time and nature of the events, within a rather large time frame -- usually 90 days or, in some cases, as much as a year. In that much time, a lot can happen naturally. However, there does not seem to be any indication of conscious fraud. Owens sincerely believed he had the power and, over the years, there were enough weird coincidences to reinforce that belief.

Let us assume, just for the sake of argument, that Owens WAS causing these events through PK. We are then faced with yet another problem, namely, the moral character of a man who would purposely bring disasters just to prove that he could. Owens seems to have had a very fragile ego, becoming angry and later embittered when the world didn't hail him as a great psychic. Although he sometimes compared himself to Moses and the Ten Plagues, a better analogy would be the sorcerer Balaam, who was hired by King Balak to curse the Jews (see Numbers 22-24.) Moses was seeking to free his people from slavery, not glorify himself. Jewish commentaries agree that, had Pharoah let the Jews go in the beginning, the Plagues would never have happened. Balaam, on the other hand, was a magician-for-hire who would put curses on one's enemies for the right price. Moses served God for a higher purpose, but Balaam went to the highest bidder.

Ted Owens exhibited many Balaam-like behaviors, attempting on several occasions to contract with sports teams to put the hex on their opponents, in return for a hefty fee. When he was turned down, he then cursed the refusing team instead. Similarly, he claimed to have caused a destructive storm in Cleveland in retaliation for people not coming to his lectures there. These are not the motivations of a Moses, but they do fit those of a Balaam. On many occasions, Owens claimed to work disasters for no other reason than personal revenge.

Dr. Mishlove expresses serious concern about Owens' lack of moral responsibity, even calling one chapter "The Dark Side of the Force." But, being a scientist with a certain distrust of organized religion, he is reluctant to make value judgements about "black magic." I have no such qualms. As a Jewish theologian, I don't believe in the Christian forms of "satanism," but I do believe there are negative powers and entities out there. Whether or not Owens actually had the power he claimed, he often set out with specific intent to do harm at the bidding of his UFO entities, and that suggests demonic posssession. Judaism long ago recognized that psychic ability is not synonymous with spirituality, and one should "test every spirit." Even shamanic cultures recognize that a shaman can go bad. This is precisely why mystical disciplines the world over insist that their initiates go through a long period of rigorous training, in order to subjugate the ego to the higher laws of moral responsibility -- a form of training that Owens did not have. Whoever or whatever those "Space Intelligences" might have been, they chose poorly when they picked Owens as their representative. Owens, on the other hand, might have done better to refuse the "gifts" of such capricious entities, who, even if they did come from another dimemsion, seems to have little love for the people of Earth. In the end, Owens became a broken man whom few took seriously, the object of much ridicule and scorn.

I gave this book four stars for being well-written and researched, even though I found much of it to be utterly preposterous. Still, it was a compelling and sometimes chilling read, raising many questions about the sometimes-fuzzy boundaries between mysticism, possession, and mental illness. At the very least, it can serve as a warning, clearly demonstrating what happens to those who choose the Dark Side, whether it be that of the UFOs or their own minds.

This case study, told by psychologist Jeffrey Mishlove, PhD, would be impossible to believe -- if it were not for the fact that the author has been known to me, and millions of others, for over a decade as the dignified and intelligent host of the national, public television series, Thinking Allowed.

PK Man deals with phenomena that are mostly relegated to fictional accounts like Harry Potter, Star Trek or the X-Files. But, Mishlove's documentation is impeccable in convincing me that the events he describes actually did take place. And, as Mishlove concludes, the case deserves further study because phenomena of this type are rare.

The book is about Ted Owens, who died in 1987 and who was studied by Mishlove for more than ten years. Owens claimed that he was in telepathic contact with hyperdimensional beings he called the "Space Intelligences." By virtue of this connection, Owens attempted to prove -- over and over again -- that he could control large-scale events such as hurricanes, climatic changes, UFO sightings, poltergeist phenomena, and power blackouts.

Ted Owens called himself the "PK Man." PK stands for psychokinesis, the parapsychological term for mind over matter. Typically, Owens would produce his forecasts, in writing, to Mishlove and other scientists in advance of the actual events. Newspaper descriptions and eye-witness accounts would follow. The events forecast by Owens (who claimed he would actually be "causing" them -- with the help of the Space Intelligences) were quite unusual and highly unlikely. That any of them at all happened, in fact, is strange enough. But, Mishlove documents dozens of such events. So, the big questions are: was this mere coincidence? Did Owens actually cause the events as he claimed, or did he predict them? Either possibility is extremely interesting.

The events that Mishlove describes are highly dramatic. I imagine some Hollywood studio will want to create a feature film about this book. The special effects would be incredible. And the story is very compelling. But, more important, the book raises significant issues about the nature and power of human consciousness itself. This is the part that is intriguing to me, as I imagine it will be to many readers of this book.

Ever since the days of William James, America's first psychologisy who lived a century ago, researchers have been presenting their case for the existence of paranormal abilities. I think that Mishlove's book may well be the most forceful account available and deserves careful reading.

One more thing. In addition to raising all sorts of compelling questions, the book is well written and is an excellent read.

I was enthralled to read this remarkable true life story of Ted Owens, also known as "The PK Man". Ted Owens achieved great fame and notoriety in the 1970's for accurately predicting numerous earthquakes, vehicle crashes (including the space shuttle Challenger), weather changes, sporting event outcomes, UFO appearances, and power outages, among other things. Ted considered himself to have psychokinetic (PK) abilities conferred upon him by what he called "the space intelligences", although he often had difficulty convincing skeptical journalists and scientists of his powers.

I love the way Dr. Jeffrey Mishlove methodically examines each example of Ted Owens' PK demonstrations in THE PK MAN, in order to determine the validity of Mr. Owens' claim that he was using psychokinetic (not precognitive or clairvoyant) powers. While Ted's PK powers were not 100% fool-proof, many of his predictions for unlikely events (such as a drought in Florida in the rainy season) came true, and his mere presence often seemed to trigger earth-changing events (such as the eruption of Mt. Saint Helens).

THE PK MAN fascinated me with its colorful descriptions of UFO manifestations, Ted Owen's vengeful PK attacks on those who doubted and discredited him, and the highlights from Ted Owens' PK training classes. Ted Owens' hypnotic trance suggestions were designed to greatly increase one's mental, emotional, physical and spiritual (including psychokinetic) powers... as well as help people contact extra-terrestrials... and they are included in their entirety in a chapter towards the end of the book.

Were it not for the credentials of the author and the foreward by John Mack, M.D., professor of psychiatry at Harvard, I would never have read this book. A three-minute scan of the book would have left me with the conclusion that it was pure folly and fantasy. A man who can beckon UFO's,cause major hurricanes,changes in weather patterns, and other widespread phenomena is a bit more than I am prepared to accept, even though I have come to believe in many other psychic phenomena that are rejected by mainstream science.

After reading the book, I have moved from total disbelief to skeptical. I use the word "skeptical" in its truest sense, not the rationalist or cynical sense of most people who call themselves skeptics. How can I or anyone else discount the observations and investigation of someone as credible as Dr. Misholove, the author, or the other scientific investigators mentioned in the book who studied Ted Owens, the PK man?

I finished the book a few days ago, but I'm still shaking my head. What to believe? I believe there is so much out there that is simply beyond human comprehension.

Just finished reading "The PK Man," after hearing Dr. Mishlove talk about it on Mike Siegel's show in October. What a wonderful job he did with it - open and honest, revealing his own fears of being rejected by academia and not taking risks - and even Ted Owens (in a letter to Mishlove) putting him down on this account, when the book proposal wasn't getting accepted by publishers fast enough for Owen's megalomaniacal taste. The fact that Mislove laid all that out for us to judge means that he is much more comfortable with himself and his situation, enough to take risks now.

And yet he risked his 10-year relationship with the PK Man, taking him to task, accusing him of acting in an "evil" way (harming others inadvertently by causing weather changes) when he knew how much harm he could have done, or at least that the potential for harm was there.

Mishlove was between two very threatening sides - his own survival with his academic peers, and the very real potential for harm from Owens (throughout the book Ted convincingly makes the case that he can cause devastating storms or other accidents, which in some cases resulted in loss of life). And Owens was not above being vindictive, in fact he often exacted his revenge on those he perceived to be his enemies, through the use of his PK powers.

Throughout the book, Mishlove neither condemns nor condones Owen's abilities (although he does voice his personal objections to the man's darker actions, as any responsible person would). On the one hand, he is happy as a researcher to have such a powerful and fascinating subject to study and write about, yet on the other, he is afraid of the man's criminal propensities to cavalierly harm others in pursuit of his goals. This quote from the book sums up the struggle:

"It seems as Owens simply behaved like a child might, testing his own limitations. And who else could provide any guidance or oversight in a society that studiously avoided serious inquiry into such matters?"

From out of this adversarial setting comes a very beautifully told story, a real life adventure, warts and all, that engages the reader from beginning to end, and also opens up a dialogue about human potential and the responsibilities of spiritual power at the same time. To this I'd have to say, the book is on target, and an unqualified success.

This book is about Ted Owens' claimed psychokinetic(Mind-over-matter) abilities. Extensive number of stories supported with evidences and affidavits of witnesses are documented here. The author is a witness of many events and have even intreviewed most of the eye witnesses. Still, the events are so horrendous and appalling that many would prefer to reject the whole thing inspite of all the undeniable evidence collected. The author himself had delayed the publication of the book for 20 years!

Having encountered parapsychological manifestations by myself, I don't need proofs to make me 'believe' in Psi; I've seen enough myslef. But this BOOK IS BOLD. The evidence is overwhelming.
This book, and parapsychology in itself, points starkly to the existence of a metaphysical world, the spirtual world, and most possibly other dimentional worlds.

I so much thanks the author for his courage to reveal this book to the world.

I bought this book after hearing Dr. Mishlove speak at the International Remote Viewing Conference. I really didn't know what to expect, but Mishlove had given an excellent talk, so I thought I'd try his book. I'm so glad I did. It was excellent.,

THE PK MAN is the story of Ted Owens, who claimed to be a great psychic. Whether you believe that to be true of not, Dr. Mishlove handles the material with professionalism and interest. Then he goes on to explore the physics and spiritual implications of Owen's gift (or curse.) I literally could not put the book down, and although the possibility of Owen's intrigued me, the roads Mishlove explored concerning the Owens were even more fascinating.

I'm looking forward to reading more of Dr. Mishlove's work.

In brief, I consider this required reading for work that I do with other psychics, mediums, healers, ministers. I met with a retired agent who was affiliated with the designers and dirctors of the SRI programs after this book came out in print. He showed me a report that he had prepared for Jeffrey Mishlove which was a comparison of his data that he had collected as a team lead rv investigator for Space Challenger incident for a report given to Pres. Reagan. In that letter, it was explained to me that there was evidence which would not have been public knowledge and that his data coincided with similar data in the PK Man book.
In summary, Jeffrey Mishlove was moved by his own conscience and compassion for humanity to release his investigation of Ted Own for SRI. It is felt during meetings with retired rv team members that the although the intuitive issues of the rv projects may be common knowledge there are aspects of psychic phenomenon which is usually not revealed, hidden, or ignored and that the public at large needs to become aware of the nature of mind, if not soul itself. Science and Religion have more in common that our society pretends to accept. For the greater good of the society and planet there needs to be an all points bulletin releasing the fact that hard core science can be done on the field of dreams.

The author documents the paranormal powers of Ted Owens in this book. He admits that Owens' demonstrations were accomplished outside scientific controls. Of course, it is a huge leap to make, but considering the amount of evidence and the witnesses, I assume that Ted Owens' did indeed possess these incredible powers.

However, there is a "sub-plot" to this book, whether or not Mishlove intended it. It concerns how would monkeys like us use such a gift, if we possessed it.

Reading this work, I found myself wishing that I, too, possessed such a gift. No doubt other readers fantasized about it as well.
There are several reasons why one would want such a skill, but the desire for "power" and the freedom that comes with it must figure prominently. Many "new-agers" wont like my use of the term "power", they prefer much more "positive" and potentially deceitful verbiage as "spiritual progress". However, I am not using "power" negatively but neutrally. It may be "power" to help or to harm.

Like all "technologies" there is nothing inherently good or evil with psychokinesis. However, as in the case of Ted Owens, we can see what happens when a powerful weapon gets into the hands of one with a big ego who wants to prove that he is "right". Ted Owens' believes that he has the right to use any means necessary to prove the validity of his powers. People die, property destroyed...but "the ends justify the means"...How many times have we heard that in our history....and if you think that Ted Owens is an ethical/moral aberration, better go and read some history or, just as good, look around you or even in the mirror.

I am unable to discern whether PSI powers are something that are growing stronger in humans or whether they were previously stronger in humans, are dying out, and remain rare gifts enjoyed by a minority of humans.

Of course, if given the chance, I would jump at the opportunity to explore these powers. However, I think we should be CAREFUL.
People will label PSI exploration as a "spiritual" exercise and thereby do a sort of semantic exorcism of the potential dangers involved...Just keep in mind the atrocities carried out in the name of religion. The label of "spiritual" gives these activities the appearance of being "other" and "good". Instead, we should look at these powers as another human phenomenon and, therefore, be wary of potential human abuse.

Thomas Seay

I have to say that I enjoyed this quaint little book very much. I know that it took a lot of courage on Dr. Mishlove's part to write it. After all , he is well known and established with his series "Thinking Allowed" and his other books. The brilliant thing about this book is that it details so many of the PK experiments of Ted Owens that are absolute established facts and yet it is still unbelieved and taken so lightly.

I may appear to be a little biased in that I have had my own experiences with PK and know that Psychokinesis is an established fact. There is no mind over matter - there is just no such thing as matter - all is mind - and all you see is your own mind.

Ted Owens is a pushy, egotistic, conceited and beer swilling individual. There is no need to like him and every reason to dislike him. He kills people through his PK abilities to nourish his ego. Everyone has these abilities but Ted Owens was different in that he knew he had these abilities and was determined to make this known and in his later days to earn his crust from them. He fell victim to the age old adage "Tell a big enough Truth and no one will believe it". And so Goverment agencies and Newspapers ignored him, even though he told them in advance what he would create in perception. This is the real conspiracy. Disinformation by refusing to put wind under the sails of what is True.

The workshop that Dr. Mishlove had with Ted and he inserted towards the end of the book teaches some excellent techniques for improving one's mental health, self empowerment and in harnessing the power of positive intention.

Overall, well worth a read!