1994-01-23 – Leo Sprinkle – Reincarnation

Show: Area 2000

Air Date: January 23, 2024

Guest(s): Leo Sprinkle

Topic(s): Reincarnation

The show features Linda Howe, who talks about an upcoming Titan 11 G rocket launch carrying the spacecraft Clementine to the moon. Clementine, developed by the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (formerly the Strategic Defense Initiative), aims to map the moon’s surface and study an asteroid named 1620 Geographics. Linda raises intriguing questions about possible structures and mining activities on the moon, suggesting a potential alien presence. She also touches upon the 1947 Roswell incident and the government’s response to inquiries about extraterrestrial crafts.

Art continues the discussion with Linda Howe, focusing on government transparency regarding UFOs and extraterrestrial encounters. They delve into the efforts of Representative Steve Schiff, who expressed frustration over the Pentagon’s stonewalling in providing information about the alleged 1947 Roswell crash. Schiff’s determination to uncover the truth about government cover-ups is highlighted, indicating a growing curiosity and skepticism about the government’s forthrightness with the American people.

The conversation then shifts to mysterious occurrences in Colorado’s San Luis Valley, where residents reported strange lights and unexplained animal mutilations. Linda describes several incidents of cattle mutilations, characterized by precise excisions and lack of blood or tracks, baffling both ranchers and veterinarians. These incidents, coupled with sightings of unidentified flying objects, add to the intrigue and mystery surrounding these events.

The segment concludes with a discussion about an unexplained ‘heat bloom’ detected by an infrared satellite over the San Luis Valley, reported by the Rio Grande Sheriff’s Office. Despite investigations, the cause of this phenomenon remains a mystery, further fueling speculation about extraterrestrial activities and government secrecy surrounding these events.

Art transitions to a discussion with Dr. Leo Sprinkle, a professor emeritus in counseling services at the University of Wyoming. Dr. Sprinkle, known for his work in psychology, particularly in areas like ESP, hypnosis, reincarnation, and UFO research, shares his experiences and findings.

Dr. Sprinkle recounts his initial skepticism about reincarnation. He describes how, during the 1960s, he encountered clients with irrational fears, such as a fear of dogs or drowning. When he used hypnotic suggestions to explore the origins of these fears, his clients seemed to recall past life experiences. For instance, a young man who feared dogs recalled a past life as a medieval woodsman attacked by wolves. Similarly, a young woman afraid of drowning recalled a past life experience related to her fear.

These experiences led Dr. Sprinkle to reconsider his stance on reincarnation. Despite his initial doubts, he found that exploring these past life memories was pragmatically helpful for his clients. This segment of the show delves into the intriguing possibilities of past life memories and their impact on current phobias and fears.

Dr. Leo Sprinkle discusses his experiences with patients who, under hypnosis, recalled past life experiences. He describes how these individuals exhibited changes in mannerisms and speech, leading him to believe they were accessing memories of past lives. For example, a woman under hypnosis visualized herself as a pirate, experiencing a traumatic death, which explained her current fear of drowning.

Dr. Sprinkle also mentions his collaboration with Dr. Helen Wambach, a psychologist in California, and his participation in workshops where people explored past life experiences. He emphasizes that, regardless of whether one believes in reincarnation, these experiences often have profound personal significance and suggest a more complex world than previously understood.

The discussion then shifts to the broader topic of reincarnation beyond hypnosis. Dr. Sprinkle references cases where individuals, including children, spontaneously recall past lives without hypnosis. He cites the work of Dr. Ian Stevenson, who studied children’s spontaneous recall of past lives, suggesting that these memories are fresher and more accessible in early childhood.

Finally, Dr. Sprinkle shares his personal views on reincarnation. He expresses a high degree of confidence in its reality, rating his belief at nine out of ten. He appreciates the philosophy of reincarnation for its emphasis on long-term justice and the principle of receiving back what one puts out into the world, whether it be love or hate. The segment concludes with a discussion on the compatibility of reincarnation with Christian beliefs, noting historical shifts in Christian doctrine regarding reincarnation.

Dr. Sprinkle shares his insights on ESP, noting that like most human abilities, ESP can be enhanced through sustained and disciplined practice. He mentions that certain states of consciousness, such as meditation or self-hypnosis, can facilitate psychic experiences. However, he also acknowledges that for many people, psychic experiences are spontaneous and not easily controlled or reproduced.

The conversation then shifts to psychokinesis, the ability to affect material objects with the mind. Dr. Sprinkle references studies and anecdotal evidence of individuals who have demonstrated this ability, though he notes that such effects are often subtle and require significant energy and practice. He mentions a woman who, under the observation of Charles Honorton, was able to move an object along a platform using her mind.

Art and Dr. Sprinkle also discuss the evolution of these abilities in humans. Dr. Sprinkle suggests that societal and cultural factors play a significant role in the development and recognition of psychic abilities. He observes that in some societies, psychic abilities like telepathy are more accepted and integrated into daily life. He speculates that as technology advances and people potentially have more leisure time, there might be a renewed interest in exploring and developing these paranormal abilities.

The segment concludes with a discussion on the innate human capacity for healing, both physical and psychological. Dr. Sprinkle emphasizes the importance of fostering this ability, suggesting that it is always present but often underutilized or overlooked in modern society.

Dr. Sprinkle discusses the significant potential of psychological and spiritual means in healing human diseases and discomforts. He references a study in the Regression Therapy Journal, which found that focused individual therapy led to improvements in various conditions for a majority of participants. This suggests a greater human potential for healing than previously realized.

The conversation then shifts to UFO research. Dr. Sprinkle shares his belief, based on his research since the 1960s, that extraterrestrial or extra-dimensional entities are interacting with humans. He conducted studies on individuals who reported UFO experiences and found that these people were normal and their encounters seemed genuine.

Regarding the connection between reincarnation and extraterrestrial encounters, Dr. Sprinkle believes there is a link. He shares an anecdote about a young man who, under hypnosis, recalled being taken aboard a UFO. This experience, along with others, leads Dr. Sprinkle to hypothesize that extraterrestrial activities might be a form of education or initiation for humanity, presenting phenomena as puzzles for individual and societal interpretation.

Dr. Sprinkle also explores the idea that extraterrestrial encounters could be a mirror reflecting our own nature and fears. He suggests that our perceptions of extraterrestrials – whether as benevolent, malevolent, or neutral – might reveal more about ourselves and our attitudes towards power and the unknown.

The segment concludes with Art Bell drawing a parallel between these discussions and the themes explored in the classic science fiction movie “Forbidden Planet,” highlighting the interplay between human psychology, extraterrestrial encounters, and the mysteries of the mind and universe.

Dr. Sprinkle recounts his first UFO sighting in 1949 as a college student at the University of Colorado. He describes seeing an elliptical, possibly metallic object with a blinking light, moving silently across the sky. This sighting, which he initially struggled to rationalize as a conventional aircraft, profoundly impacted him, leading to a period of depression and a loss of scholarship due to his inability to explain what he had seen.

He also shares a second sighting in 1956 with his wife, where they observed a glowing object moving silently over Boulder, Colorado. This second encounter reinforced his belief in the reality of flying saucers and spurred him to conduct his own research into UFO phenomena.

Dr. Sprinkle discusses the challenges he faced in his academic career due to his interest in UFOs. He left his association with the University of Wyoming in 1989 due to pressures to keep quiet about his research. Despite some support from colleagues, he faced criticism and difficulty in publishing papers. However, he views his path positively, emphasizing the rewarding experiences and the courage of the people he met who shared their UFO encounters.

Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Sprinkle affirms that he would pursue the same path again, driven by his curiosity and the profound effect these experiences had on his life. He concludes by discussing the psychological impact of his UFO sightings, suggesting that these encounters have deeper implications for understanding reality and human consciousness.

Dr. Sprinkle suggests that UFO sightings are not just physical phenomena but also psychic experiences, potentially having a profound influence on those who witness them. He believes these experiences can either send individuals into a tailspin or lead them on a grand adventure, depending on how they choose to interpret them.

He also touches on the idea proposed by Dr. Jim Deardorff, that the strategy for Earth might be to puzzle people and provide information without physical evidence. This approach would allow the general public to become aware of extraterrestrial presence while minimizing the interest of conventional scientists and officials. Dr. Sprinkle hypothesizes that as more evidence gradually emerges, it will become more interesting to conventional scientists and officials, leading to a grassroots phenomenon where governments eventually accept the reality of extraterrestrial presence.

Discussing the social consequences of contact with extraterrestrials, Dr. Sprinkle believes that society has slowly been panicking at the subconscious level since World War II, attributing various global tensions to the recognition of extraterrestrial presence. He anticipates that formal contact with extraterrestrials is unlikely to happen soon and that it might occur through consciousness, dreams, and meditation rather than physical encounters.

Art Bell compares the potential revelation of extraterrestrial presence to the gradual unfolding of the Watergate scandal, suggesting that the information might be released bit by bit. Dr. Sprinkle agrees with this scenario and envisions the involvement of think tanks and the United Nations in a global game plan.

The segment concludes with a return to the topic of hypnosis. Dr. Sprinkle addresses the skepticism surrounding hypnosis, particularly the belief that patients might be prone to flights of fancy or lying while under hypnosis. He suggests that hypnosis allows individuals to better express whatever they are inclined to do, whether it’s lying or telling the truth.

Dr. Sprinkle explains that hypnosis enhances whatever a person is inclined to do. If someone is trying to relax, they can relax better under hypnosis; similarly, if they are inclined to lie, they might lie more convincingly. The essence of the person doesn’t change significantly from their normal state to an altered state, although they might be surprised by their enhanced abilities, such as resisting pain or achieving deeper relaxation.

He likens this to an athlete who appears ordinary in everyday life but displays extraordinary skills in their sport. Similarly, a person under hypnosis can exhibit abilities or levels of performance that they might not typically show in their normal state.

Regarding the safety of hypnosis, Dr. Sprinkle suggests that the primary danger lies in forgetting to remind oneself that they are in a trance state. This implies that while hypnosis is generally safe, it’s important for individuals to be aware of their altered state of consciousness to avoid potential confusion or disorientation.