The PK Man: A TRUE STORY OF MIND OVER MATTER [Paperback]

Say you've experienced static electricity while combing your hair. You can make your hair stand up using some invisible force of attraction. But since the comb doesn't actually touch your hair and "magically" works at a distance, no one believes you. Instead of combing their own hair to check this out, they tell you that you are fooling yourself, that you're crazy - even dangerous. Doing un-godly things. Exercising evil powers. Some do decide to check you out. They wet your hair to conform your phenomena to their experimental methodology; and when the "comb effect" doesn't work, you're labeled a charlatan. So it goes.

If you find yourself in such a place, you either become an extraverted psychic pyrotechnician like Ted Owens or you hide this ability under your hat and quietly conform to the critics.

Owens clearly had "issues" -some sort of narcissistic disorder for which he compensated by using his powers - like a huge neon sign that said "Look at Me!" Through self-hypnosis, he worked and developed his ability until it reached a high power level. To continue the electrical metaphor, it's as if he combed his hair a lot and saved the electricity in a Leyden jar for later use, or figured out the principle behind static electricity and then created an industrial-strength dynamo.

His personal idiosyncrasies do not invalidate his powers, nor are they necessary concomitants to those powers. And his powers do not absolve him of their reckless use.

The Space Intelligences: maybe, may be not.

Many traditions around the world (especially in the East) stress that psychic powers should be used for the good of the community but are really best left alone. They are distracting sideshows on the road to "better living."

Mishlove does an admirable job laying out the story, the evidence, and the counter-evidence. The writing is accessible. The author manages to tell the story as objectively as possible and dispenses with the eerie or "woo-woo" angle -- which could easily be played up to increase book sales. No, one gets the clear impression that Mishlove published this book as a duty to science and not to line his own pockets. He did so at some risk to his career as well. His motives are honest.

All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about humanity's latent abilities. For further study check out biographies on Swedenborg, Tecumseh and just about any Saint or Swami worth their salt.

Jeffrey Mishlove, Ph.D. tells Owens' fascinating story in The PK Man. Respected as an authentic investigator of spirituality and parapsychology, Mishlove writes books, hosts a talk show on public television, and serves as a director of Intuition Network.

He established contact with Ted Owens in 1976 and began "an investigation into the supposed powers and life of this eccentric man." He witnessed and recorded demonstrations, interviewed other witnesses, and collected documentation. After years of observations and study, he concluded that "Ted Owens had the rare gift of mind-over-matter."

Mishlove analyzes everything that's known about Owens, including his often petty uses of his powers.

Owens took credit for causing earthquakes, hurricanes and other weather disturbances, and power blackouts. He wanted to be believed and have his powers accepted, but often chose the wrong way in his aggressive attempts to gain attention.

Because of his capricious nature, Owens was often dismissed as a crackpot. He also claimed to have received his powers from "Space Intelligences" and at times said his actions were directed by the Intelligences rather than himself. Some experts claimed that Owens had psychic abilities which allowed him to accurately forecast events, rather than to cause those events as he claimed to do.

Mishlove attempts to sort through all the conflicting claims and confusion surrounding Owens. He doesn't always agree with what Owens has to say, and at one time angered the self-styled PK Man to the point of retaliation. Mishlove fell victim to a physical ailment that Owens took credit for causing.

Was Owens "the world's greatest psychic" or "a prodigious liar and dangerous con-man"? Mishlove presents the known evidence in The PK Man so you can decide for yourself. But take warning--many intriguing questions remain unanswered. You may end up wondering about the PK Man for a long time to come.