With every passing year, the study of UFOlogy grows more complex, as UFO sightings and ET contacts continue across the world. We are faced with an enormous body of research at our disposal, well documented and extensively studied. Facing the dawn of the 21st century, we have no problem finding data to support the claim of true extraterrestrial visitation. Our problem is how to interpret and make sense of all this data.

As we seek to uncover the deeper levels of meaning, we have to realize that empirical methods, for all their merits, have built-in limitations. Put simply, the scientific approach of most UFOlogists and SETI scientists gives us but a piece of the puzzle. While it does provide ample documentation of isolated events and experiences, it is completely unable to address the larger dynamics. UFOlogists have little to say about the metaphysics of such "visitors from beyond."

However, there are other sources of information to consult. As documented by Richard Thompson in his book, Alien Identities, many aspects of modern UFO/ET phenomena were well understood by ancient Hindu priests, extensively documented in the Vedic scriptures. We can find comparable material in the texts of almost all religions, including the Judeo-Christian and Native American traditions, such as the Mayan and Hopi. There is also a huge body of material in Western esoteric schools, including Theosophy, as well as from more modern "ET channels." All these sources offer a wealth of information on cosmic life and its relation to Earth, and when wisely used, can help us fill in the gaps left by more recent empirical UFO research.

Admittedly, the reliability of these sources varies, they offer no proof of their claims, and being based on subjective, non-empirical methods, they often suffer from exaggeration and mythologizing. Nonetheless, they do give us important perspectives, which, in some cases, can help us interpret and integrate the disparate facts emerging from UFO investigation. It is arrogant and naïve for UFOlogy to dismiss all such sources, due to the distortions of some. It is prudent that we take a careful look.

For instance, we can find numerous references to extraterrestrial life in Buddhist texts, spanning a period of more than 2500 years from the time of the historical Buddha. In particular, they document the polarized intentions of two main groups of non-human, non-physical, cosmic beings. These groups are placed in the traditional Buddhist cosmology of the "six realms," and in Sanskrit, are termed devas ("radiant gods") and asuras("angry, jealous, or fighting gods"). The idea of benevolent spiritual beings who support humanity, and evil beings who do harm, can be found in most mystic traditions, and is highly applicable to the pursuit of understanding ET agendas.

We also find numerous references to interplanetary evolution in the writings of Alice Bailey, an exponent of Theosophy. In these writings, often highly complex and intricate, it is well understood that souls live on different worlds, divided according to their age and level of development, and that there are cosmic "administrative" bodies that govern their growth and interaction. We can even find commentary on the relationship between Earth and specific solar systems, such as Sirius and the Pleiades. Interestingly, these are two stars that figure highly in the mythology of the Maya, Sumerians, and Dogon of Africa -- and many ET contactees claim to have just met such groups. Obviously, the ancients did know some things about cosmic life that modern UFOlogy is only now discovering.

Finally, we can even find useful data amidst the popular books that claim to be channeled from ET groups, despite the obvious folly of some. In my own comparative research, one such source stands out as the most credible and accurate. Consisting of four main volumes, The Law of One series (also known as The RA Material; see: www.llresearch.org) speaks extensively on the metaphysics of UFOs and ET contact. Most importantly, they explain precisely why these visitors are now coming to Earth.

According to this source, coming from an ET group that claims to have also contacted the Egyptian Pharaoh Ikhnaton, humanity on Earth is nearing the end of a major cycle of soul-evolution. They say that ET groups are well aware of this fact, and knowing that the time is short before drastic changes occur in our dimension, those groups which are benevolent seek to influence us towards a more conscious choice of our own destiny. Not surprisingly, many ET experiencers also bring the same kind of message. They say that UFO visitation is basically a collective, and yet truly subjective wake-up call, to help us open our own eyes to cosmic mystery and the glory of our true spiritual nature. Again, these are ideas largely absent from modern UFOlogy, and the annals of empirical research.

Admittedly, we have much to learn about the metaphysics of UFOs and cosmic life, and we need to take a careful approach to our study and data collection. Nevertheless, facing such a complex, abstruse topic, it is essential that we broaden our perspective, and consider alternative sources of information, outside the limited realm of empirical investigation. UFO phenomena need not remain a mystery, and the big picture can be known -- but we certainly need courage, discernment, and an open mind to find the answers.