Do You See What I See?: Lasers and Love, ESP and the CIA, and the Meaning of Life

The book was in good condition, although might not have been as it was packed in a box with another book I had ordered without any packing to stop it rattling around.

This Book:The reference to Zelig in the book's description is apropos, and I was glad to find it wasn't marketing bull manure. There are lots of great stories here from a guy at the top of his game, and really nothing with which you could take issue. Targ's not selling any ideas here that you have to buy; the research and evidence from his career are presented in other publications.For me, "Do You See What I See?" was a fabulous book with many surprises. Not the least of which were these two, paraphrasing from Targ's writing: 1.) You're not your business card or personal story, and 2.) he believes that our species has evolved as far as it's going to, and now our business is about consciousness. To have seen a man who used to be all about military RV write such a thing is cause for pause and reflection. Although Targ wasn't an enlisted man, the massive organizations for which he worked literally wear their jobs and ranks in full view on their sleeves.There are also pleasant, personal anecdotes from Targ's earliest life, while he grew-up marinated in the environment of famous authors who worked with his publishing father. He drops thoughtful, funny and surprising one-liners with some regularity. Probably my favorite was, "Indeed, at this stage of my life, I am much more interested in questioning answers, than my previous specialty of answering questions." Having been afflicted with that attitude most of my life, his writing feels like that of a kindred soul.The style of this book is rambling, through Targ's stream of awareness. Since eidetic memory isn't one of my skills, I'll go back and revisit the sections which spoke to me. This is obviously not a textbook so one shouldn't expect it read like one. There are many sections which I found touching or amusing, especially Chapter 14. If you'd enjoy "sitting by a master" and hearing them hold forth about real life experience, with real mistakes and triumphs, this would be a lovely read for you. Although I do get the feeling Targ would deflect the label "master."My Introduction to Targ:What interested me about Russell Targ's work is *who* he is, because that has informed and directed his now legendary work. Targ is one of the men who initiated the remote viewing (RV) programs for the U.S. military. The RV programs eventually led to colorful or dark fictions like those contained in the movies, The Men Who Stare at Goats or Suspect Zero. So this book has been my pleasant introduction to Targ's compendium of personal and professional experience. Happily but unexpectedly, I had found myself on a June Sunday standing next to Targ in a sparsely-populated conference hallway of an organization he co-founded, the International Remote Viewing Association. He and Paul Elder (Eyes of an Angel) were examining and photographing a drawing Paul made of an object Targ uses for RV.I was interested in asking Targ a question about a project on which I'm working; to my pleasant surprise he invited me to sit with him at lunch. Targ was polite, direct and had droll humor in conversation. He even asked my opinion of one of IRVA's seemingly failed presenters. If you've co-founded the organization at which the presentation takes place, you're allowed that latitude. I hadn't seen the presentation, so I had the good fortune to answer that I couldn't have an opinion about it.I asked Targ why he got into remote viewing and was simply interested in what intrigues him. In the years I've known one of Targ's beloved friends, Stephan A. Schwartz, I hadn't delved into Targ's now legendary work because I didn't always agree with the uses to which the work was put. So I intended this published bio to be my first look at what Targ thinks about himself and his work.

“Science, metaphysics and parapsychology meet in this fine blend of mindful introspection driven by truth-seeker awareness.Targ escorts the reader through the sometimes sad, sometimes glorious threads of his life to share the lessons that form the fiber of his soul and energize the inquisitiveness of his mind. Many will relate to this memoir of a blind underdog and his blazed trails through the minefields of physics, remote viewing, and everyday hardships. From Sylvania to Stargate, Chicago to New York, from stage magician to grad student to laser pioneer to father and husband, Targ’s tale of a life well-lived will leave you feeling a better person for having read it.”-Jonathan Womack, author of Ram I Am

This book was recommended to me by an acquaintance who is a physicist, who thought I might find it interesting. As the daughter of a physicist, I thought I'd give it a try. I was worried it might be dull or hard to read, but nothing is farther from the truth. I actually couldn't put it down. It's very interesting, & full of wonderful Woody-Allenesque style humor and interesting facts. And it leans over into the metaphysical and spiritual arena in its subject matter, something you might not imagine when you think of what a typical "scientist" might write. But then, Russell Targ is no "typical" scientist. I've loaned the book to a friend, who is a very "conscious" person. He incorporates the practices of psychology and meditation into his own life, and has also found the book entertaining and educational. It's a great read and will open up your world, if you allow it.

Excellent book on the memiors on the man who began experiments on Lasers,remote viewing. It really peaked my interest as my late father worked at NASA when the 1st laser was being built. After a few beers he talked about great things, in the making, in Arizona/New Mexico area. Of course all the things he mentioned have come to pass but it makes me wonder what else he knew that is mentioned in the book by Russell Targ? I read another book by him and it teased my mind as well.Gale

A great book but doesn't read as well as it would if the reader has completed one of Targ's other books. Suggest "Limitless Minds" as a good start. It is an exciting and challenging view expounding the clear, scientific basis of the author's spiritual journey. Then read "Do you see what I see?"for the personal side of the man and the two books make sense of science, spirituality and personal growth in the human frame. Particularly relevant to those seeking to understand how Eastern philosophy has been successfully added to Western need, providing clear guidance for making personal decisions.Both books highly recommended.

Good

I bought this book on the advice from a friend. It is very well written, informative and not a dry book at all. The writer gives a very informative synopsis of his life and how ge began as a remote viewer and does lead the reader into the practice if they choose to give it a try. This is a book that I will keep for reference and further reading. Do You See What I See?: Memoirs of a Blind Biker

I enjoyed this book. I have read many books by Targ (including most Studies in Consciousness that he co-published) but this book, a light group of reminiscences, gives one the flavour of his mind and life journey. He moved through physics to laser science, to ESP/remote viewing, back to wind-shear research ... and on to a broad spacious awareness.Targ was centrally involved in "remote viewing", a skill/experience that is non-local and independent of time and space. For example there can be " remote viewing" of places geographically remote, unknown to the viewer ... before the events described have occurred (!).I say the style of the book is light. It is not full of physics and reads like a novel/travel book. There is humour and political insight. But I worry about what is understated. Targ is governed by official secrets legislation, and it's not clear what it's impact is. There is too little talk about many subjects eg Ingo Swann, remote viewing protocols, Joe Mcmoneagle.Targ is an impressive guy but I'm not sure he's a deep thinker about the implications of the ESP/remote viewing/non-local awareness issues. I seem to remember someone arguing that "anyone who wears glasses must be (intellectually) myopic". Targ doesn't touch upon the implications of his work for theories of causality, doesn't dwell on the possibility that "everything is mind-stuff". I'm still reading "The End of Suffering" but it feels as if he's not able to break out of the Buddhist mind-set, though to be fair I notice he says (in a video on his website) that in talking of Buddhism he is only re-stating some of the findings of eg Nagarjuna.

Great read

Un personnage attachant, Russell Targ, raconte sa vie, à l'intersection de la science et de la parapsychologie. Ayant dirigé pendant des années les recherches américaines sur la vision à distance, il peut en parler. Les autres livres de Russell Targ sont très bien aussi, d'habitude plus scientifiques-rigoureux.

Enjoyable book. May read another of Targ's titles in upcoming year. An interesting tie in with Bobby Fisher, the chess prodigy.

Very well written book about a mysterious subject the power of telepathy still not fully understood.e