The Call of the Cosmos
Author: Peter A. Shafton
Zeus Publications, 2005

Reviewer: Lee Paqui

Zeus Publications is based on the Gold Coast and it is heartening is to see an adventurous local publisher promoting the work of Australian authors and topics that the mainstream might term ‘questionable’ subject matter.

The author of this work, Peter A. Shafton is well-read and a deep-thinker, crossing all boundaries in his quest for an understanding of our interstellar connections. He explores ufology, religion, contactee and spiritual experiences in his quest to find meaning in the universe that surrounds us. But, as is stated quite clearly, the purpose of this work is not to prove nor disprove theological or ufological beliefs, but rather to view them from a different perspective. Call of the Cosmos is, in the words of the author, a ‘mental expedition.’ It is not for the superficial thinker, not for the sceptic, and not for the unprepared.

Call of the Cosmos begins with the recounting of some spectacular and meaningful extraterrestrial (ET) encounters and UFO sightings, and documented healing interventions in human lives by unknown entities. This style is continued throughout the book with the author drawing on UFO and ET experiences from across the globe, as well as presenting stories and folklore from New Zealand, India, France, Australia and the Americas. For further support, evidence from the works of Edgar Cayce, David Jacobs, Graham Hancock, Robert Bauvall, Lyssa Royal, Billy Meier, Betty Andreasson, Kelly Cahill, and many other contactees and experiencers are presented, along with the words of Ashtar and similar new age prophets, and a variety of ET-Human interactions and encounters. Shafton explores the notion of ‘contact’ throughout our history as seen through the Bible and other religious works, and he further explores the views of orthodox religion to UFOs and the possibility of life on other planets, and how that life may view ‘God.’ But don’t be fooled. This is not a religious work, though religion is referenced throughout. It is rather an attempt to reconcile the interconnectedness of God, ET, angels, reincarnation, indeed all paranormal experiences, within the universe. It is a personal quest for meaning.

Peter Shafton feels there is a need to combine science and religion in order to come to a truer understanding of the cosmos. Our prior information regarding our place in the grand scheme of things has initially been religious. Now we have more information from our cosmic brothers via direct meetings, channelling, abductions etc. Call of the Cosmos demonstrates that human history has been a constant interplay between ourselves and unseen universal forces. Human lives and history have been guided and changed by these cosmic encounters, and there are uncanny similarities and overlap between spirit and ET contact.

The author also explores the healing power of the human mind – if we know how to use it. The mind has the ability to create, heal and destroy, but he wonders if it is the strength of our minds alone or are we tapping into unseen forces? Again there are ample anecdotes in support of this contention, the notion that certain individuals are tapping into an as yet unnamed force. It seems however that we are unable as yet to understand this interplay and what or who it is we are interacting with. The author suggests ways to quantify and qualify this interaction as he explores ways we can get meaning from it, and points out that remote viewers, clairvoyants, psychic healers and psychic spies may be tapping unwittingly into this energy. Shafton views prayer as a form of transmission that can span the entire universe and make contact with this as yet unknown force. He could be right.

Shafton also delves into the physical processes of the brain behind thought and idea formulation, and the notion of consciousness as a separate phenomenon to brain activity – what the author likes to term the ‘ghost in the machine.’ In support of this the author explores near-death experiences, astral travel, and the notion that our sleeping lives could be just as active and eventful as our waking lives – we can be in two places at once! Could dream activity also be the human mind receiving guidance from an external force? And who would have guessed that Singer, the inventor of the sewing machine, received inspiration from a dream about elephants?

There is a point to all this, a reason the author has present such a variety of evidence and information, a conclusion that brings together the alien experience and God as creator, and finally, finding not so much a purpose behind it all but a process and a force that seems to be at work amongst all this.

Call of the Cosmos is an expansive work, interesting and entertaining. A fascinating exploration as the author tries to find meaning and make a coherent whole out of all these strange experiences. Shafton presents ideas and questions he has grappled with his entire life, important questions about why we are here, what this might be all about. Are we the first on this planet, and are we more than our physical senses?

Call of the Cosmos makes the case for a continuous and continuing interaction between men and forces or beings external to our world and suggests processes aimed at facilitating our interaction with the greater cosmos and its denizens, and provides suggestions as to how you can make contact with these forces. The contents of this book are so diverse that it is best to let the author describe it and the reader discover it.

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