In the first half, author and psychiatrist Dr. Bernard Beitman joined Richard Syrett to delve into the concept of synchronicity, which he described as a "meaningful coincidence" that illuminates connections within our lives and can reveal hidden currents that unify us. He explained that while coincidence is the basic term, synchronicity arises when these events become imbued with significance. "Coincidences meaningfully connect us," he stated, adding that "you have to be looking in order to see them."
Discussing historical examples, he recounted the extraordinary case of Robert Todd Lincoln's near-miss with a train at a New Jersey platform, when he was saved by Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes Booth, around two months before Edwin's brother John Wilkes Booth assassinated Robert's father, President Lincoln. "It demonstrates a kind of precognitive aspect," he noted, with Edwin making a contribution to the Lincoln family as a way, "perhaps, to do penance for what his brother did without knowing the reason he was doing it at the time."
The conversation turned to the concept of the "psychosphere," which Beitman described as a shared mental atmosphere that fosters emotional and intuitive connections. He posited that this atmosphere allows for phenomena like telepathy and collective unconscious experiences. He also introduced the ideas of "seriality," which he defined as a series of meaningful coincidences that reflect shared information, and "simulpathity," the phenomenon where individuals feel the distress of loved ones from afar. He shared a poignant personal story of experiencing a choking episode while his father was dying in a hospital 3,000 miles away.
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In the latter half, writer Miguel Conner discussed his book, "The Occult Elvis," which argues that Elvis Presley could be considered America's greatest occult shaman or magician, attributing to the singer not only showmanship but profound metaphysical abilities. Conner proposed that Elvis had supernatural gifts, including visions, astral travel, and healing abilities. "Priscilla Presley herself said that Elvis could heal her headaches at will just by touching her," he noted, recounting instances where Elvis reportedly cured ailments of friends and family. He also offered numerous accounts of Elvis' alleged ability to manipulate clouds and the weather.
Elvis' spiritual exploration led him to seek deeper truths about existence, guided by figures like Larry Geller and Daya Mata, a pupil of the guru Yogananda. Conner described Presley's evolving theology, which blended Christianity with Eastern mysticism. He also touched upon a mysterious blue light reported at Elvis' birth, suggesting it could signify a moment of destiny.
Elvis' spiritual journey was intertwined with his interest in UFOs, which he approached with an open mind. He didn't subscribe to extraterrestrial narratives but instead speculated about ancient alien theories and their implications for humanity, Conner said. Notably, he experienced several UFO sightings, including one at Graceland. "One time he was with his super fan, Wanda June Hill," and he told her, "I am not from this world. I am from the ninth moon of Jupiter," and she claimed that his eyes started glowing and his hair was fluttering and that "he looked like an alien being."