For decades, researchers have exhaustively documented modern UFO phenomena, but questions remain about the origins of these strange objects and the intentions of the beings associated with them. In Parallels, Richard L. Thompson shows that answers may lie in the records of ancient civilizations claiming thousands of years of contact with races appearing to have an unearthly origin. Startling parallels between modern UFO accounts and events described in the ancient Sanskrit writings of India offer fresh insight into the nature of exotic incidents reported throughout human history.Table of Contents:-IntroductionEpistemologyExplanations for the Origin of UFO LoreVedic Literature and Culture ShockPART 1: A Survey of the UFO Literature1) Science and the UnidentifiedUFO Reports by Scientists and EngineersOn Scientists Who Study UFOsRecent Scientific Studies of UFOs2) Close Encounters of Various KindsFalse UFO ReportsOn Misperception and Failings of MemoryThe False Memory SyndromeA Well-Corroborated Close EncounterA Report to CongressUn Disco VolanteMartians, Fertilizer, and PsychiatryCases Involving ChildrenPhysical Traces and EffectsElectromagnetic Effects on CarsPhotographic Evidence3) The Role of the GovernmentThe CIA and the Robertson PanelWhat Was Happening MeanwhileExamples of Military UFO ChasesCases Involving RadarThe Condon ReportMore Ongoing EventsDeep, Dark ConspiraciesThe Roswell CrashThe Vexing Question of the Alien BodiesDisinformation and MJ-124) UFO AbductionsThe Buff Ledge CaseHistory and Frequency of Abduction CasesGeneral Characteristics of UFO AbductionsRecurring Small DetailsInjury and DiseaseAnatomy of a Hallucination?On the Evolution of HumanoidsSeduction and GeneticsThe Element of FearMissing TimeThe Role of HypnosisPsychological Evaluation of AbducteesThe Paranormal Factor5) Contactees, Channels, and CommunicationsThe Adamski CaseFrom Abductee to ContacteeThe Quality of UFO CommunicationsThe Theory of Genetic InterventionDisasters and More GeneticsConclusionPART 2: Vedic Parallels to UFO Phenomena6) Transhuman Contact in Vedic CivilizationA Synopsis of the Vedic World ViewVimanasOther WorldsHumanoidsThe SoulThe Cosmic HierarchySelf-Centered ElementsHuman OriginsContactVedic Accounts of Close-Encounter PhenomenaThe Aerial Bombardment of DwarakaInvisibility and Sound-Seeking ArrowsLevitation, or Laghima-SiddhiDisappearance and ReappearanceBodily Travel Through Matter and SpaceThe Abduction of Arjuna by UlupiThe Abduction of DuryodhanaInduced Paralysis and Long-Distance HypnosisProjection of Illusory FormsThe Oz Factor7) The Story of VimanasMachines in Ancient and Medieval IndiaTraditional AirplanesThe Vaimanika-ShastraVimanas in the Vedic LiteratureGeneral Purpose VimanasFlying CitiesWhat About Flying Horses and Chariots?Vaikuntha Vimanas8) Modern Observations and Ancient TraditionsThe Fairy FolkAbductions and CrossbreedingGenetics and Human OriginsSuccubi and IncubiTime Dilation and Other WorldsParallel Realms and UFOsThe Fairy Folk and the NÄgasThe Nagas of KashmirVisions and Miracles-The Fatima CaseThe Solar MiracleThe Beings Seen at FatimaFatima as a UFO-Encounter Case9) Harm’s WayHairy Monster CasesCattle MutilationsThe Helicopter ConnectionGround Traces in Mutilation CasesHumanoid Reports in Mutilation CasesInimical Behavior of UFO Entities Toward HumansThe Cimarron, New Mexico, CaseUnusual Alien ClothingDirect Attacks on Human BeingsMen in BlackInimical Behavior of Vedic Humanoids Toward HumansStar Wars and Their ConsequencesThe Plot of the RamayanaThe Plot of the Mahabharata10) Gross and Subtle EnergiesOBEs and UFOsThe White-Robed BeingsPhysical Form or Subtle Form?Physical Aftereffects of UFO AbductionsNear-Death Experiences with Administrative BunglingUFOs and the Recycling of SoulsSoul Recycling and the GovernmentThe Physical, the Subtle, and Beyond11) UFOs and ReligionAtman, Brahman, and the Evolution of ConsciousnessTransmigration and Higher PlanesPantheism and ImpersonalismBrahman RealizationThe Role of MayaAppendix 1. On the Interpretation of Vedic LiteratureAppendix 2. Contemporary Indian CasesThe Smallpox LadyThe Spear of KaarttikeyaEncounter with a JaladevataUFOs over Mayapura