From Rupert Sheldrake
London, April 23, 2008
On the afternoon of Wednesday April 2, 2008, I gave a talk on the extended mind to several hundred people at the International Science and Consciousness Conference in the ballroom of the La Fonda Hotel, in the centre of Santa Fe, New Mexico. After the talk ended at 3 pm, I stepped down from the podium and was talking to people in a small group that had gathered around me. Suddenly I felt a violent blow on my left thigh, as if I had been punched. It was totally unexpected, and I did not see my assailant run towards me. He was rapidly pulled away. I looked down at my leg, and to my astonishment saw the handle of a dagger sticking out of my trousers. Without thinking, I pulled it out. The blade of the bloodstained weapon was about five inches long and an inch wide; the entire blade had been plunged into my leg.
I was fortunate that several people from the audience with medical experience rapidly came to my assistance, including nurses and a doctor. Soon the paramedics arrived. I was taken to St Vincent Regional Medical Center where Dr Ceasar Ursic, the head trauma surgeon, operated to stop the flow of blood from several arteries, and cleaned out the wound. He removed a blood clot the size of a tennis ball. Luckily the dagger missed my femoral artery by half an inch.
Thanks to Dr Ursic, the nursing staff at St Vincent’s and the support and prayers of my family and of many friends, I have been recovering fast. I am now back home in London, able to walk and get around again, though my left leg is still stiff and swollen. Surprisingly, at no stage have I been in pain, and I have needed no medication.
My assailant was Japanese, and had arrived from Japan just before the conference began. He spoke to me the day before my lecture, telling me he was hearing voices. I later learned that he had told several other people about the voices, and some had tried to help him. After stabbing me, he was rapidly brought to the floor by an Australian rugby player, and was held down by several men until the police led him away in handcuffs. While on the ground, he apparently said that a male voice had told him to attack me. He is now in Santa Fe Jail awaiting trial on a charge of attempted murder. I feel no anger towards him, but am pleased that he is locked away, unable to harm anyone else.
I am grateful to all those who have helped me by their love, friendship, prayers, practical help and kindness through this very unexpected journey.
News reports:
youtube.com Rupert Sheldrake Stabbed in Santa Fe
Santa Fe New Mexican Police arrest suspect after attack at lecture
Santa Fe New Mexican Man accused of stabbing speaker arraigned
Santa Fe New Mexican Biologist: Lecture didn't prompt stabbing
Santa Fe New Mexican Defendant says victim controlling his mind
Santa Fe New Mexican Alleged assailant says he's not crazy
Santa Fe New Mexican Voices drove attack on lecturer
Santa Fe New Mexican Man gets three years for stabbing
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