Book Review - Captain of My Ship, Master of My Soul

One of the more extraordinary stories about Edgarwould seem that intuition, or psychic ability, first had to
Cayce's psychic ability is the time he was preparing tobe put into the most sterile, technological, and practical
do a reading for a client in a distant location. As heterms to gain recognition, and now can be rejoined
began, he noted that the client was not present at thewith its spiritual roots.
location mentioned in the client's letter requesting theA supreme example of this evolution has its seeds in
reading. In a moment, Cayce announced, "Oh, here hethe military's Stargate program itself. It is the book by F.
comes now," and began the reading. The client hadHolmes "Skip" Atwater, Captain of My Ship: Master of
just returned home.My Soul (Hampton Roads). Atwater was in Army
A few years back, on a television program called "PutIntelligence when he "happened" to be
it to the Test," they showed a demonstration ofJohnny-on-the-spot with his knowledge of remote
Joseph McMoneagle, who had worked as a "psychicviewing to create the military's psychic spying
spy" for the CIA. In the session, McMoneagle wasoperation. He was, in fact, McMoneagle's trainer. I used
asked to psychically spy a location far away knownthe word happened deliberately, as the subtitle of
only to a couple of individuals. It was the Los AngelesAtwater's book is "Living with Guidance." Atwater
harbor.reports that he had many psychic experiences as a
McMoneagle does a pretty good sketch of the majorchild. His parents, members of the Unity Church,
visual elements of the scene. As he does so, a largenormalized his experiences with responses that made
freighter passes through that point in the harbor.him feel that "everyone knew that." His parents also
McMoneagle notes that something has come onto thetaught him about spiritual guidance. As a teenager, he
scene that is blocking the view.used his abilities to see into his hot rod's engine to
The television reporter was flabbergasted at thefacilitate repairs. He was guided to join the army, to
immediacy and accuracy of McMoneagle'sapply for the intelligence division, and to then start the
demonstrable psychic abilities.remote viewing operation.
That particular television program was in response toAfter retiring from the Army, Atwater joined the
the startling revelation that the CIA had been usingpsychic training organization, the Monroe Institute, near
psychic spies. In an unusual break with secrecy, theCharlottesville, Virginia. In this atmosphere, Atwater
existence of "Stargate," the code name for theexpanded the remote viewing methodology to
government project to use the clairvoyant skill ofembrace spiritual guidance. He proposes a variation of
remote viewing as an intelligence gathering method,Cayce's vision of "oneness" with the idea of "All That
was headline news. The fallout of this revelation wasIs." Psychic ability is a natural byproduct of our being
gradual "coming out" of persons who had participatedone with "All That Is." He explains that remote viewing
as psychic spies. Another fallout was that remoteis not really "traveling" or "seeing," but merely an
viewing catapulted from an arcane laboratoryexpression of our being "All That Is."
methodology to the subject of many new consultingAtwater's tone is down to earth, personable, and
firms serving corporations and investment firms whoreassuring. Reading the book makes you feel that you,
wanted to gain the latest advantage.too, can realize your connection with "All That Is," to
The impression created about remote viewing fromknow your spiritual identity, to realize your purpose for
the publicity surrounding its birth into public awarenessthis lifetime, and to gain the necessary guidance for the
was that it was a "psychic power" with all thenext step of your mission. The book certainly turned
ambivalence that the word power evokes. It could bearound my feelings about remote viewing.
used for competitive advantage and personal profit. ItIn his final words, echoing Cayce's ideal of "individuality
was lacking in spiritual value. The term remote viewing,in oneness" Atwater writes, "Open your heart. And
with its technological tone, adds to that impression ofwith an open heart, speak the truth. Say to yourself
sterility. What would be a spiritual use of remotefrom your heart, 'I reveal the truth and realize that I
viewing? Edgar Cayce once surmised that the highestAm.' Put a smile on your face and carry love in your
use of psychic ability would be to hear the voice ofheart. Show the world you know that you are a divine
God. As remote viewing is coming of age, it isexpression of God I Am. See you around the
beginning to approach the idealism of Cayce's vision. Itcampfire.