Andrija Puharich

Summary

Andrija Puharich (1918-1995) was an American medical doctor and parapsychologist who played a pivotal role in the study of psychic phenomena and the controversial Council of Nine channeling phenomenon. His work bridged the gap between scientific inquiry into psychic abilities, military intelligence interests, and esoteric communications with alleged extraterrestrial entities. Puharich's discovery of Israeli psychic Uri Geller and his documentation of the Council of Nine communications have made him a central figure in UFOlogy, conspiracy research, and the study of government interest in psychic warfare.

Early Life and Education

Medical Background

Puharich earned his medical degree and developed an early interest in:

• Electrical stimulation of the brain
• Altered states of consciousness
• Paranormal phenomena
• Extrasensory perception (ESP)

Research Focus

His career spanned multiple disciplines:

• Medical research
• Parapsychology
• Electronic voice phenomena
• Channeling and mediumship
• UFO research

The Council of Nine

Initial Contact (1952)

In 1952, Puharich established "Lab Nine" at his Glen Cove, Maine property, bringing together a group of psychically gifted individuals including:

• Dorothy Serieux - Primary psychic who first established contact
• Alice Bouverie - Wealthy socialite and psychic
• Marcella Du Pont - Du Pont heiress
• Art Young - Artist and psychic

Through séances, the group established contact with entities identifying themselves as the "Council of Nine."

The Nine's Claims

The channeled entities claimed:

• To be extraterrestrial intelligences
• To have created human life on Earth
• To be guiding human evolution
• To be "Aeons" - the highest form of celestial power in Gnostic cosmology

Uri Geller Discovery

Finding the "Messenger"

In the early 1970s, Puharich traveled to Israel and discovered Uri Geller, a young man demonstrating remarkable psychic abilities including:

• Spoon bending
• Telepathy
• Remote viewing
• Psychokinesis

Puharich became convinced that Geller was the "messenger" or primary channel for the Nine.

Scientific Investigation

Puharich brought Geller to the United States and conducted extensive testing:

• Laboratory experiments at Stanford Research Institute (SRI)
• Documentation of psychic phenomena
• Investigation of alleged extraterrestrial contact experiences

"Uri" Book (1974)

Puharich published "Uri: A Journal of the Mystery of Uri Geller" in 1974, documenting:

• Geller's psychic abilities
• Alleged communications from the Nine through Geller
• Claims of extraterrestrial spacecraft contact
• Predictions of future events

Military and Intelligence Connections

Army Chemical Corps

Puharich had documented connections to:

• U.S. Army Chemical Corps - Research into behavioral modification
• Interest in psychic phenomena for military applications
• Potential use of ESP for intelligence gathering

DARPA and Intelligence Community

His work attracted attention from:

• Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
• Various intelligence agencies
• Researchers interested in psychic warfare

The Stargate Connection

Puharich's research paralleled and potentially influenced:

• The CIA's remote viewing program
• Later Stargate Project activities
• Military interest in psychic espionage

Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek

Hollywood Connection

In the 1970s, Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek, participated in sessions with the Nine through Puharich's group. According to researchers:

• Roddenberry had extensive communications with "Tom," the Nine's spokesman
• Star Trek concepts may have been influenced by these sessions
• The "United Federation of Planets" resembles the Council of Nine structure

Science Fiction as Revelation

Some researchers suggest that:

• The Nine used science fiction as a vehicle for their messages
• Roddenberry's work served as "soft disclosure"
• Military intelligence may have encouraged this connection

The Only Planet of Choice

Phyllis Schlemmer Collaboration

Working with psychic Phyllis V. Schlemmer, Puharich helped document decades of communications with the Nine. The resulting book, "The Only Planet of Choice: Essential Briefings from Deep Space" (1993), compiled:

• Session transcripts from 1974-1991
• Alleged scientific knowledge from the Nine
• Spiritual teachings about human evolution
• Predictions about Earth's future

Core Messages

The Nine's teachings emphasized:

• Earth as the "only planet of choice" with free will
• Individual responsibility for spiritual evolution
• Action over passive prayer or meditation
• Humanity's special role in cosmic evolution

Controversy and Criticism

Scientific Skepticism

Critics have challenged:

• The verifiability of the Nine's "scientific" information
• Failed predictions
• Cold reading and suggestion techniques
• The convenient alignment of messages with channelers' beliefs

Intelligence Manipulation Theories

Authors Picknett and Prince in "The Stargate Conspiracy" (1999) alleged:

• The Nine phenomenon was manipulated by intelligence agencies
• Military interests used channeling for psychological operations
• Puharich may have been knowingly or unknowingly involved
• The "alien" messages served as cover for classified research

Relationship to Michael Aquino

The parallel between Puharich's channeled Council of Nine and Michael Aquino's Temple of Set Council of Nine (both emerging in the mid-1970s) has raised questions:

• Were both men working from similar intelligence directives?
• Was the "Council of Nine" concept a psychological operation template?
• Did Aquino know about Puharich's work through military channels?

Legacy and Influence

Remote Viewing

Puharich's research contributed to:

• The scientific study of psychic phenomena
• Military interest in remote viewing
• Later government programs like Stargate

New Age Movement

His work influenced:

• Channeling movements of the 1970s-1990s
• UFO contactee groups
• Esoteric organizations
• Concepts of "starseeds" and alien guidance

Conspiracy Research

Puharich remains significant for researchers investigating:

• Government interest in psychic phenomena
• Military use of occult organizations
• UFO phenomenon as psychological operation
• Connections between intelligence and New Age movements

Key Publications

1. "The Sacred Mushroom" (1959) - Research into consciousness and fungi
2. "Uri: A Journal of the Mystery of Uri Geller" (1974) - Documentation of Geller phenomena
3. "The Only Planet of Choice" (1993) - Compilation of Nine communications (with Phyllis Schlemmer)

Significance

Andrija Puharich represents a crucial nexus point between:

• Scientific investigation of psychic phenomena
• Military intelligence interest in paranormal abilities
• Esoteric channeling and UFO contact
• Popular culture (Star Trek)
• The formation of New Age spirituality

His work with the Council of Nine, whether genuine interdimensional contact or sophisticated psychological operation, profoundly influenced:

• Government remote viewing programs
• UFO and extraterrestrial belief systems
• Channeling movements
• Conspiracy theories about alien involvement in human affairs

Whether visionary researcher, intelligence asset, or both, Puharich's legacy continues to generate debate about the intersection of science, espionage, and the paranormal.