Extra-Terrestrial Contact & Cultural Competency

This guide is intended to serve as a general briefing to enhance cultural competence while providing insight into the complexities of extra-terrestrial (ET) first contact. Within the context of this field guide, cultural competence is defined as: the ability to function effectively in the context of cultural differences. A more specific orientation or training must be provided to individuals, such as diplomatic personnel and social service providers, who will be having repeated or prolonged contact.

First contactees should use this guide to ensure the following Five Elements of Cultural Competence* are being addressed:

3. Understanding the range of dynamics that result from the interaction between entities of different cultures.

4. Developing cultural knowledge of the particular entity encountered or accessing cultural brokers who may have that knowledge.

5. Ability to adapt individual understanding and communication strategies to fit the cultural context of the individual entity, species, or home world.

A close encounter is an event in which a person witnesses an unidentified flying object. The terminology and system of classification behind the close encounter was originally developed by astronomer and UFO researcher J. Allen Hynek. This scale was first suggested in his 1972 book The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry. Hynek developed his scale in the years following his work with the U.S. Air Force and "Project Blue Book." In developing this system, Hynek's conscious intent was to bring a scientific rigor to the study of ufology. In this scale, the close encounter event is further defined as being one of three distinct sub-classifications...

First
A sighting of one or more unidentified flying objects:

Flying saucers
Odd lights
Aerial objects that are not attributable to known human technology

Second
An observation of a UFO, and associated physical effects from the UFO, including:

Heat or radiation
Damage to terrain
Crop circles
Human paralysis (Catalepsy)
Frightened animals
Interference with engines or TV or radio reception.
Lost time: a gap in one's memory associated with a UFO encounter.

Third
An observation of what Hynek termes "animate beings" observed in association with a UFO sighting. Hynek deliberately chose the somewhat vague term"animate beings" to describe beings associated with UFOs without making any unfounded assumptions regarding the beings' origins or nature. Hynek did not necessarily regard these beings as "extraterrestrials" or "alien" as the close encounter may be one of "ultraterrestrial" origin. Additionally, Hynek further expressed discomfort with such reports, but felt a scientific obligation to include them, at the very least because they represented a sizable minority of claimed UFO encounters.

ETs communicate a great deal through non-verbal gestures. Careful observation is necessary to avoid mis-interpretation of non-verbal behavior.

ETs may look down to show respect or deference to elders, or ignoring an individual to show disagreement or displeasure.

Getting messages across through telling a story (traditional teachings and personal stories) is very common and sometimes in contrast with the “get to the point” frame of mind in earthling society. Patience, acceptance and thoughtfulness are critical in establishing and maintaining effective communication.

Fact: The idea of all ET having a mystical spirituality is a broad generalization. This romantic stereotype can be just as damaging as other more negative stereotypes and impairs one’s ability to communicate to ETs as “real people”.

Myth: ETs have distinguishing physical characteristics and you can identify them by how they look.

Fact: Due to galactic diversity, as well as thousands of years of inter-world and inter-species interaction, there is no single distinguishing “look” for ETs. Again, this is stereotypical and could lead to unintended consequences in communication.

Prior to making contact, examine your own belief system about ETs, related to social issues such as species phobia, mammalian-centrism, terran-centrism and psychedelic drug use, as well as galactic issues such as the potential break-down of consensual reality and the resulting trauma associated with it. You are being observed at all times, so avoid making assumptions and be conscious that you are laying the groundwork for others to follow.

Adapt your tone of voice, volume, and speed of speech patterns to that of specific entities to fit their manner of

communication style. Preferred body language, posture, and concept of personal space depend on species norms and the nature of the personal relationship. Observe others and allow them to create the space and initiate or ask for any physical contact.

As you establish communication, you may experience expressions of mistrust, frustration, or disappointment from other situations that are outside of your control. Learn not to take it personally. If ETs tease you, understand that this can indicate rapport-building and may be a form of guidance or an indirect way of correcting inappropriate behavior. You will be more easily accepted and forgiven for mistakes if you can learn to laugh at yourself and listen to lessons being brought to you through humor.

Rapport and trust do not come easily in a limited amount of time; however, don’t be surprised if ETs speak to you about highly charged issues (e.g., sexual customs and reproductive modalities) as you may be perceived as an objective expert. Issues around gender roles can vary significantly in various ET communities. For bi-gender species, males and females typically have very distinct social rules for behavior in every day interactions and in ceremonies.

Common behaviors for humans to be aware of as they relate to gender issues are: eye contact, style of dress, physical touch, personal space, decision making and the influence of male and/or female elders. Careful observation and seeking guidance from an entity elder on appropriate gender-specific behavior can help contactees to follow specific customs and demonstrate cultural respect. Multiple-gender species bring up unique cultural challenges.

Extra Dimensional Hypothesis (EDH or inter-dimensional hypothesis) is an idea advanced by Ufologists such as Jacques Vallée, suggesting that unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena involve visitations from other realities or dimensions, as opposed to distant star systems within our galaxy. These separate realities coexist relatively independent of our "indigenous" reality, yet are extra-dimensionally (or psychedelically) interlaced with our local reality.

Coincidentally, within contemporary esoteric investigations into ancient Gnostic writings that were uncovered near the Egyptian town of Nag Hammadi in 1945 (known as the Nag Hammadi Codices), a strange narrative emerged. Certain specific codices seemed to correlate the Gnostic understanding of Archonic (interpreted as either angelic or demonic) worldly powers, with Ancient Astronaut Theory, extra-terrestrial contact, and modern UFOlogy.

The following Abduction scenario has been adapted from biblical era Gnostic materials discovered within the Nag Hammadi Library. The resemblance to entheogenic (or psychedelic) experiences, as well as the striking similarity to contemporary abduction reports and close encounters, is undeniable. The following ancient excerpt, emphasizes the uncanny correlation to contemporary ET/UFO lore.

"Whenever you are seized and you undergo mortal fear, perceived entities may turn on you, thinking they can capture you. And in particular, three entities will seize you… those who pose as toll collectors. Not only do they demand toll, but they take away souls by theft.

Now, when you come under their power, one of them, who is the overseer will say to you: "Who are you, and where are you from?" You are then to say to him: "I am a child of humanity and I am from the Source."

He will then say to you: "What sort of child are you, and to what Source do you belong?" You are to say to him: "I am from the pre-existent Source, and I am the offspring of the Source."

Then he will say to you: "Why were you sent out from the Source?" Then you are to say to him: "I came from the Pre-existent One so that I might behold those of my kind and those who are alien."

And he will say to you: "What are these alien beings?" You are to say to him: "They are not entirely alien, for they are from the Fallen Sophia, the female divinity (Mother Earth) who produced them when she brought the human race down from the Source, the realm of the Pre-Existent One. So they are not entirely alien, but they are our kin. They are indeed so because she who is their matrix, Sophia, is from the Source. At the same time they are alien because Sophia did not combine with her like in the Source (her divine male counterpart), when she produced them."

When he also says to you: "Where will you go now?" You are to say to him: "To the place when I came, the Source, there shall I return."

And if you respond in this manner, you will escape their attacks."

(NHC V, 3. 33 - 34: 1- 25. Translation from NHLE 1990, pp. 265-6 and Kurt Rudolf, Gnosis, p. 174-5.)

First A sighting of one or more unidentified flying objects:

Second An observation of a UFO, and associated physical effects from the UFO, including:

First
A sighting of one or more unidentified flying objects:

Second
An observation of a UFO, and associated physical effects from the UFO, including: