Arlington Texas Noetic Science Group - Archives
| Date | Title and Brief Description | Speaker/Facilitator |
| August 3, 2021 |
Immanence, Transcendence, Cognition Similarities of ideas regarding immanence and transcendence of the sacred and divine to topics in contemporary science are discussed. The relevance of immanence and transcendence perspectives to multiple topics in psychology is noted. A trend in science to transform the transcendent into the immanent (e.g., mind/body dualism, reductionism, artificial intelligence, noetic science, a shrinking God-of-the-Gaps, elimination of mind) is identified, and reactions to this trend (participation rather than conceptualization, extension of social cognition to nonhuman entities, cybernetic approaches, re-enchantment of the natural world) are discussed. It is suggested that reductive transformation of the transcendent into the immanent left the natural world meaningless and devoid of mind, and that the goal of a separate and neutral observer is not always optimal. |
Timothy L. Hubbard, Ph.D. |
| September 7, 2021 | A Discussion of How Animals Talk Not since the initial publication of How Animals Talk, and other Pleasant Studies of Birds and Beasts in 1919 has the subject of animal telepathy and communication been so fully researched. Through his keen observations, author William J. Long theorized that animals are much more intelligent, emotional, and moral than we have traditionally thought, and his findings have amazing relevance today. In reading this book, I was reminded of Thoreau, Muir, and other naturalists who got close and personal with the world of nature and original habitats and relationships. Rupert Sheldrake, who wrote Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home and Other Unexplained Powers of Animals in 1999, wrote the forward to a recent edition of Long's book, and Marc Bekoff added a preface in which he suggested Long's book is stimulating, inspirational, and prescient. |
Elin Jacks, M.S.S.W., L.C.S.W. |
| October 5, 2021 | CANCELED | |
| November 2, 2021 | CANCELED | |
| December 7, 2021 | CANCELED |
| Date | Title and Brief Description | Speaker/Facilitator |
| January 5, 2021 |
Exploring the Cognitive Unconscious Evidence regarding the cognitive unconscious, as well as methods used to study the cognitive unconscious (e.g., clinical tests, stem-completion, priming, etc.), are discussed. Differences between the Freudian unconscious and the cognitive unconscious are highlighted. Differences between controlled processing and automatic processing, and between explicit cognition and implicit cognition, are discussed. The possibility of subliminal perception is addressed. Examples of apparent unconscious cognitive processing in neuropathology (e.g., amnesia, blindsight, hemifield neglect, prosopagnosia) are briefly noted. Overall, there is strong evidence for the existence of a cognitive unconscious. |
Timothy L. Hubbard, Ph.D. Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University |
| February 2, 2021 | Free Will and Moral Responsibilities The scientific study of free will and studies in neuroscience have given rise to questions surrounding moral responsibilities. Are you guilty if your brain made you do it? Are you responsible for your action if you don’t have free will? In this presentation, we’ll revisit the landmark study by Benjamin Libet regarding conscious intention and discuss whether that research, along with subsequent research, successfully challenges the existence of free will. More generally, what might scientific studies suggest about whether we can (or should) hold people legally and morally responsible for their actions? |
Eve Isham, Ph.D. University of Arizona |
| March 2, 2021 | The MacDonald Laboratory for Psychical Research (MacLab) and James Randi’s Project Alpha Early in my career, I was Design Engineer in the Departments of Psychology and Physics at Washington University in St. Louis, including the MacLab, a new operation funded by James McDonnell, owner of McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft, and chartered to study parapsychology. I was essentially the Harold Ramus character of that "ghostbuster" enterprise, designing and building all the testing instrumentation. The MacLab became well-known because of James Randi's project Alpha, in which he infiltrated MacLab with two magicians who claimed to be psychic metal benders and were tested by the lab. The sequence of events was one of the crowning achievements of Randi's career and later celebrated in a movie about him, "An Honest Liar." I will describe scientific instrumentation I built for MacLab and summarize some typical results. I'll also describe how I believe the lab proceeded through Project Alpha in a genuinely scientific manner, in contrast to how Randi and the media generally portrayed things. | Michael McBeath, Ph.D. Arizona State University |
| April 6, 2021 | Exploring the Science of Near Death Experience Pim von Lommel, MD, was one of the first physicians and scientists to study near-death experience (NDE), and he found that a NDE is an authentic experience that cannot be attributed to imagination, psychosis, or oxygen deprivation, and he also found that after an NDE most patients' personalities undergo a permanent change. Dr. van Lommel's studies suggest that current views on the relationship between the brain and consciousness held by most physicians, philosophers, and psychologists are too narrow, and that consciousness can be experienced separately from the body. Dr. von Lommel’s findings are discussed in his book Consciousness Beyond Life, and ideas in this book will be summarized and discussed. Prior to discussing Dr. von Lommel’s ideas, we will watch a brief video on Dr. Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14 astronaut and founder of the Institute of Noetic Sciences. |
Elin Jacks M.S.S.W., L.C.S.W. |
| May 4, 2021 | Can Embodied Cognition Inform Philosophical Questions about the Mind? Embodied cognition is a framework for understanding the mind as determined and constrained by the physical body beyond the brain. This philosophical framework has led to empirical research on abstract conceptual thought and how it might be grounded in sensory-motor systems. In turn, the results of this research could be informative for updating our answers to philosophical questions such as the mind-body problem, the symbol grounding problem, and the binding problem. |
Ryan Brigante, Ph.D. OpenText Corporation (formerly of UT Dallas) |
| June 1, 2021 | The Promise and Perils of Psychic Technologies We will watch a video presentation by Dean Radin, Chief Science Officer at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, that was given at a recent IONS conference. Dr. Radin's presentation addresses many topics in contemporary consciousness research, and after viewing the recording, we will have a group discussion. |
Elin Jacks M.S.S.W., L.C.S.W. |
| Date | Title and Brief Description | Speaker/Facilitator |
| August 4, 2020 |
Reconciling Shamanism and Science What shamanism is (and is not) is briefly described, and historical Western views toward shamanism are noted. A reconciliation of scientific and shamanic approaches is attempted, and this involves consideration of similarities in shamanic and nonshamanic cognition (e.g., use of an intentional stance, heuristics, magical thinking), social behaviors (e.g., fundamental attribution error, in group/outgroup behavior and perceived relatedness, locus of control, supernaturalizing social life), and implications for theory of mind (e.g., use of metaphor and analogy, modularity of mind). It is concluded that shamanic cognition reflects many of the same mechanisms used in nonshamanic (normal waking) cognition. |
Timothy L. Hubbard, Ph.D. Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University |
| September 1, 2020 | When Homo habilis Met Homo linguisticum: Were the origins of tool-making and language connected? The last three decades have seen increased interest in determining if/how the origins of stone tool making among our earliest ancestors may have been connected with the origins of language. Numerous experiments attempted to teach gorillas, chimps, and bonobos how to communicate using sign language; observe brain activity during the process of learning how to shape simple and complex stone tools; attempted to separate and combine language with stone tool manufacturing; and examed the way language may have influenced how skills of stone tool making were passed from one generation to the next. These experiments produced intriguing, if contentious, results that have far-reaching consequences for understanding distinctions between our genus (Homo) and related primates, considerations of cause and effect analysis in scientific research, and larger questions about how different dimensions of body/mind/consciousness are connected. |
Tim Sullivan, Ph.D. Dallas College |
| October 6, 2020 | About Time Perception and Psychological Time An overview of some important themes in a fascinating and rapidly developing field of study, that of temporal perception and psychological time, will be provided. We must constantly deal, under one form or another, with temporal requirements in daily life, and how we perceive and deal with time will be considered. Different questions will be asked and avenues of answers will be proposed. Among these questions are the following: How can we study time perception? Is there an internal clock? Is temporal perception affected by certain pathologies? Does time pass more quickly as we age? | Simon Grondin, Ph.D. Laval University |
| November 3, 2020 | Wild Consciousness: Everything Matters, Including Matter Contemporary science and philosophy tend to perpetuate a physicalist world view that conceptualizes consciousness as a residual, non-causal by-product of the physical work of the brain. In contrast, Wild Systems Theory (WST) conceptualizes all of reality as an energy-transformation hierarchy in which “stable” states such a matter are seen as scale-relative, contextually-emergent embodiments of context. Given such embodiments MUST exist WITHIN a context, they are naturally and necessarily ABOUT that context. As a result, all of reality, including matter, is “about” context. WST conceptualizes such embodied context as MEANING. As a result, reality is constituted of meaning. Or, said another way, everything matters, including matter. |
J. Scott Jordan, Ph.D. Illinois State University |
| December 1, 2020 | Entrainment and the Temporal Structure of Attention: Insights from an Explosive Demolitions Firm This talk is about attention, how it fluctuates over time, and how a type of organization seeks to manage these fluctuations. It is based on a case study of an explosive demolitions firm, where even a moment of inattentiveness can spell death and disaster. Explosives operators, because of the physical conditions of work, experience fatigue and fluctuations of attention. But the organization itself maintains reliable performance because it develops sophisticated bundles of practices that map onto and help manage these fluctuations. This suggests a different view, where attention regulation is not an individual process, but one designed into social structure. |
Ravi S. Kudesia, Ph.D. Temple University |
| Date | Title and Brief Description | Speaker/Facilitator |
| January 7, 2020 |
Inventing Reality We will view a documentary (hosted by Dr. David Maybury-Lewis, Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at Harvard University) in which the experiences and worldview of a Huichol Shaman (from an indigenous people of northern Mexico) will be explored. The ways in which traditional societies and science view the world will be compared and contrasted. It will be suggested that traditional approaches often complement or parallel modern science in many ways; a traditional worldview often focuses on why and not on how an event (e.g. an illness) might happen, whereas a scientific worldview often focuses on how and not on why an event might happen. These ideas have important implications for how a given culture constructs its reality, and we will discuss those implications. | Tim Sullivan, Ph.D. |
| February 4, 2020 | The Science of Hypnosis Whether hypnosis involves a distinct type of consciousness is considered. Two common scales for assessing hypnotic susceptibility are described, and methods used in scientific study of hypnosis are described. The roles of (different types of) suggestion in hypnosis are considered, and cognitive and physiological correlates of hypnosis are noted. Neodissociation theory and the "hidden observer" are described, and post-hypnotic amnesia and post-hypnotic suggestion are discussed. The possibility of age regression and hypnotic enhancement of memory are considered, and use of hypnotherapy in treatment of a wide range of clinical and medical issues is noted. | Timothy L. Hubbard, Ph.D. |
| March 3, 2020 | The Current Hemorrhage of Consciousness and Available Remedies This presentation and hosted discussion proceeds from the supposition that our consciousness(es) are, presently, unnecessarily and undesirably impaired and aims to enumerate remedies. In other words: How we can avoid, unnecessarily, narrowing the "bandwidth/spectrum" of our consciousness/awareness? | Gregory Jason Ellis |
| April 7, 2020 | CANCELED Due to an abundance of caution regarding the COVID 19 virus, and to guidelines from state and local offficials, the April meeting has been canceled. | |
| May 5, 2020 | CANCELED Due to an abundance of caution regarding the COVID 19 virus, and to guidelines from state and local offficials, the May meeting has been canceled. | |
| June 2, 2020 | CANCELED Due to an abundance of caution regarding the COVID 19 virus, and to guidelines from state and local offficials, the June meeting has been canceled. |
| Date | Title and Brief Description | Speaker/Facilitator |
| August 6, 2019 |
Artifical Intelligence: How Does It Work and Can It Be Conscious? The human brain has often been compared to a computer, and questions regarding whether computers could experience consciousness, emotions, or mental states like humans do have been asked. In addressing these questions, we will consider (a) the computer metaphor in psychology, (b) similarities and differences of biological systems and computer systems, (c) key developments and insights in the history of artificial intelligence, (d) philosophical approaches to artificial intelligence, (e) implications of replacement of biological by technological components, and (f) the Turing test and Chinese Room scenarios. | Timothy L. Hubbard, Ph.D. |
| September 3, 2019 | The Quantum Activist Amit Goswami, Ph.D., a quantum physicist, shares his vision of the unlimited potential of consciousness as the ground of all being and how this revelation can help us to live better. The film "The Quantum Activist" tells the story of a man who challenges us to rethink our notions of existence and reality. The work of Dr. Goswami reveals the overarching unity inherent in the world's major religions and mystical traditions. Meet the man behind the message as Dr. Goswami tells how he moved away from the religious teachings of his childhood, to seek his path in nuclear and theoretical quantum physics, and how he has come full circle, through quantum insight, back to the very religious axioms offered as a youth. | Joanne Stewart |
| October 1, 2019 | "Live" from the Here and Now: It's Spiritual Comedy! We will watch a recording of Swami Beyondanada (a.k.a. Steve Bhaerman, a friend of the group), who will present a laugh-filled journey through reality as seen through a cosmic comic perspective. Is it comedy disguised as wisdom? Or wisdom disguised as comedy? The Swami is a master of the ancient art of Foo Ling - using laughter as a tool for enlightenment (and to help us "lighten up") - and has searched for the Key to the Universe (the joke was on him, though, as the universe was already unlocked). So, now is the perfect time to hear the "Totally Quips of the Swami" (and anyway, it's too late to have done it sooner). Come join us for an "up-wising" and see how levity can overcome the gravity of our daily lives and help us all get our shift together. | Elin Jacks, L.C.S.W |
| November 5, 2019 | Five Problems in Relating Sensation and Consciousness A critical part of our subjective and conscious experience involves our sensations; however, links between sensation and consciousness are not clear. Five problems in relating sensation and consciousness will be described, and these include the existence of subjective contours, the effects of context on sensation, the existence of ambiguous and reversible figures, phantom limb syndrome, and the nature of qualia (e.g., what is it like to be a bat, perceiving an inverted spectrum, Mary the color scientist and subjective knowledge, and the existence of zombies). Potential implications for our understanding of consciousness will be discussed. | Timothy L. Hubbard, Ph.D. |
| December 3, 2019 | Noetics and Noel We will not have a scientific, philosophical, or historical presentation for this meeting; instead, we will discuss the agenda and calendar for the group in 2020 and have a Christmas celebration. The discussion could include topics you'd like to see addressed, speakers you'd like to nominate (including yourself!), and any other ideas you have. To borrow a phrase from Swami Beyondananda (whose comedic wisdom we enjoyed in October), come and "tell-a-vision" about noetic science and the noetic science community in Arlington. |
Elin Jacks Joanne Stewart |
| Date | Title and Brief Description | Speaker/Facilitator |
| February 5, 2019 | How Your Brain Computes Your Soul: The Computational Awareness Theory Of Consciousness Just as Dean Radin sought to explain psi phenomena in terms of the science of quantum entanglement, this presentation will seek to explain the human spirit, i.e., consciousness, in terms of brain science and, in particular, in terms of the brain's awareness of information explained by that science. This presentation will show there is nothing we experience of consciousness other than awareness of information, albeit an awareness of information that has extremely complex and special qualities. It will show how many of these special qualities can be partially or substantially explained by our current understanding of the informational awareness inherent in certain computations of the brain. And it will explain that our current understanding of science requires all of reality to have an awareness of information, and, thus, a form of consciousness and spirit. | Ed Porter, B.A., J.D. |
| March 5, 2019 | The Science of Sleep and Dreams, Part II: Dreaming and Lucid Dreams Traditional and contemporary approaches to understanding dreams are considered. Differences between REM and nonREM stages of sleep are briefly reviewed. Characteristics of typical dreams are described, and examples of psychoanalytic, physiological, and cognitive approaches to explaining dreams and dream content are presented. The issue of meaning in dreams is addressed, and common demographic differences in dreams are briefly noted. Possible reasons why dreams are usually not remembered are considered. Lucid dreaming is described, results of recent laboratory experiments involving lucid dreaming are considered, and suggestions for achieving lucid dreams are given. | Timothy L. Hubbard, Ph.D. |
| April 2, 2019 | Soul Dog: A Journey into the Spiritual Life of Animals After a near-fatal car crash, Elena Mannes decided to get her first dog. But unexpected experiences with her dog Brio sent her on a quest to understand the consciousness and communications of animals and the ways they teach and connect humans to the larger universe. The book Soul Dog: A Journey into the Spiritual Life of Animals describes Mannes' investigations into the spiritual life of animals, and also describes the ideas of animal communicators, psychics, and scientists studying animal intelligence. Mannes offers a new understanding of the bond between humans and animals, and she suggests that animals are conscious, thinking, feeling, and spiritual beings whose connections with humans extend far beyond life and death. | Elin Jacks, L.C.S.W. |
| May 7, 2019 | The Inner Meaning of Outer Space: Reflections on the Final Frontier Many cultures organize stars into constellations (i.e., impose structure); attribute properties, behaviors, and abilities to objects in the celestial realm (i.e., impose meaning); and use regularities in the celestial realm in development of calendars, navigation, and astrology (i.e., seek predictability and control). Additionally, physical inaccessibility of the celestial realm allows creation of metaphor and projection of myths (e.g., regarding human origin, gods, the afterlife). Developments in astronomy and cosmology changed views of humanity's place in the universe, and these changes parallel declines in egocentrism with human development. Views regarding beings (e.g., angels, extraterrestrials) from the celestial realm are generally anthropocentric. In considering ancient and contemporary views of the celestial realm, we learn about human nature. | Timothy L. Hubbard, Ph.D. |
| June 4, 2019 | Pondering the Infinite Potential of Consciousness Through seven short films, the science and spirituality of Consciousness will be explored while celebrating the continual mystery of Being. Many of the speakers are scientists as well as philosophers. Discussion will be encouraged between each film. Underlying concepts from various perspectives will be introduced, and questions that arise will include: How do we know the Self? What does Quantum Theory contribute to this pondering? What is the nature of Perception or Awareness? |
Bill Weldon, D.O. Cindy Atha-Weldon, Ph.D. |
| Date | Title and Brief Description | Speaker/Facilitator |
| August 7, 2018 | Crop Circles: Fact and Fantasy Where do the hoaxes stop and the mystery begin? We will take a brief look at the history of crop circles and crop circle research, consider mysterious phenomena (electromagnetic anomalies, musical tones) associated with some crop circles, and consider some of the mathematical and other information purported to be encoded in crop circle formations. We will consider what kinds of phenomena distinguish "true" crop circles from "hoaxed" crop circles and speculate on the possible meaning of the crop circle phenomenon. | Elin Jacks, L.C.S.W. |
| September 4, 2018 | Cooperation, Play, and the Ptutite Vision Dr. Daniel Levine from UTA will talk about his utopian novel in progress called The Ptutites. Here is a brief synopsis: Ptut was an ancient advanced, cooperative, and playful civilization in what is now the northeastern United States. The Ptutites have been in exile for thousands of years, while an international conspiracy has suppressed proof that they ever existed. In the 1970s American archaeologists discover a small surviving Ptutite community in Afghanistan. In 2045 the Afghan Ptutite community has been destroyed: its descendants have settled in their ancient American homeland and influence progressive politics. Subplots involve a mathematical proof about reincarnation, a biological/electromagnetic basis for witchcraft, and interpersonal trust as an energy source. | Daniel S. Levine, Ph.D. |
| October 2, 2018 | The Science of Sleep and Dreams, Part I: Sleep and Sleep Disorders We spend between 25-33% of our lives asleep, and over the past 50 years, scientific studies of sleep have uncovered some amazing and unexpected findings. Techniques to measure and assess sleep stages will be reviewed, and a detailed comparison of different sleep stages will be presented. Probable functions of sleep are briefly reviewed, and some of the more common types of sleep disorders will be described. | Timothy L. Hubbard, Ph.D. |
| November 6, 2018 | Nature vs. Nurture Revisited: Questions of Morality and Male Aggression toward Females We know that male aggression toward females is not limited to humans but is exhibited across species. We also know that other animals, particularly primates, exhibit behaviors that may be considered expressions of morality: generosity and even fairness. We will explore if, and how, these two behavioral patterns may be related and/or reconciled. To what extent is our behavior in general, and 'morality' in particular, a product of our genetic and evolutionary heritage or our social and cultural circumstances? The presentation will involve a guided discussion based on this article and a TED talk by primatologist Franz de Waal. | Tim Sullivan, Ph.D. |
| December 4, 2018 | How to See Yourself As You Really Are We'll discuss the book "How to See Yourself As You Really Are" that was written by H. H. the Dalia Lama. The book describes how we each possess the ability to achieve happiness and a meaningful life, but that the key to realizing that goal is self-knowledge and harnessing the power of meditative concentration to the service of love. Ideas and exercises given in the book that can aid in achieving these goals will be discussed. Although written by a Buddhist, the ideas in the book present an inspirational and empowering guide to achieving self-awareness that can be used by spiritual seekers of all faiths. | Bill Weldon, D.O. Cindy Weldon, Ph.D. |
| Date | Title and Brief Description | Speaker/Facilitator |
| January 2, 2018 | Laughter and Spontaneous Evolution Steve Bhaerman, aka Swami Beyondananda, has the perfect antidote for the anger, sadness, and depression that most of us feel when we think about the state of our world... laughter. Join us for an evening of (prerecorded) hysterical comedy and commentary intended to heal the heart and free the mind as Swami Beyondananda describes the "up-wising" and spontaneous evolution of a universe that is not random but is highly spiritual, loving, and intentional. | Elin Jacks, L.C.S.W. |
| February 6, 2018 | The Importance and Role of Emotion: A View from Neuroscience Evidence from neuroscience that brain and mind are roughly organized into layers representing instincts, emotions, and thoughts, with many interconnections among brain regions involved in all three, is reviewed. Evidence against the mainstream belief that emotion and reason are opposites with reason superior to emotion, and against anti-intellectual emotional appeals of demagogues and supremacy of "rational" people over "emotional" ones, is presented. It is suggested that neuroscience supports an inclusive view of our minds which fosters democracy. | Daniel S. Levine, Ph.D. |
| March 6, 2018 | What Visual and Spatial Illusions Tell Us About Consciousness Cognitive psychologists and psychophysicists have discovered many visual and spatial illusions and biases in which our subjective perception of objects and scenes is distorted. The nature of these spatial illusions and biases sheds light on how our conscious experience of the world is constructed. Some of these spatial illusions and biases will be demonstrated, and their implications for explanations of conscious perceptual experience will be discussed. | Timothy L. Hubbard, Ph.D. |
| April 3, 2018 | The Power of Eight Lynn McTaggart's recent book "The Power of Eight" describes ten years of experiments on the dynamics of group intention and the power of groups in healing. The main findings from this book will be discussed, and after the discussion, those wishing to do so can participate in a Power of Eight Group Circle. | Dorothy Lynn Brooks, Ph.D. |
| May 1, 2018 | Sikhism and Spirituality The Sikh tradition and philosophy originated just over five hundred years ago in the north of the Indian sub-continent. It focuses on naam simran (chanting of scriptures) and meditation to reach the spiritual potential that exists within everyone. | Harbhajan Singh Virdee, B.Sc. |
| June 5, 2018 | The Nature of Pantheism Pantheism is a modern term for the ancient belief that all reality is identical with divinity. Individual pantheists have held a broad range of ideas about the forms of, and relationships between, divinity and reality. The basic concept of pantheism, exploration of some contentious issues raised by the idea of pantheism, and the range of possible options within pantheism, will be discussed. | John Blair, M.A. |
| Date | Title and Brief Description | Speaker |
| August 1, 2017 | What is Noetic Science? An introduction to selected topics in noetic science will be presented. Traditional topics in noetic science (telepathy, clairvoyance, remote viewing, presentiment, psychokinesis), as well as other topics related to consciousness but not typically considered part of noetic science (change blindness, phantom limb syndrome, visual illusions, qualia, philosophical zombies, aspects of free will), will be discussed. | Timothy L. Hubbard, Ph.D. |
| September 5, 2017 | Investigating Extrasensory Perception: Classic and Contemporary Approaches The first laboratory tests for extrasensory perception were developed by J. B. Rhine. We'll conduct mini-versions of his experiments (on telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition), and we'll consider Rhine's ideas and their implications. Subsequent methodological innovations in ESP testing (e.g., use of a ganzfeld; controls to eliminate cheating, fraud, or other alternative explanations) will also be discussed. NOTE: Please bring a pen or pencil and some paper, as you will probably want to write down your responses during the demonstrations and tests we'll be doing. | Timothy L. Hubbard, Ph.D. |
| October 3, 2017 | The Anatomy of an Investigation Using different methods of photography, audio recording, and data analysis, NTParanormal will explain audio and visual phenomena associated with the paranormal. We will discuss the methods we use for testing these theories, present evidence, and explain what this data is actually telling us. We will do some experiments with monowavelength photography, IR light, and sound recognition (to demonstrate the effect of Pareidolia). And talk about how to conduct experiments on your own. | NTParanormal Investigations |
| November 7, 2017 | "Brain to Body... hello..." (or: The Body's Responses to Thought) A description will be posted soon | Elin Jacks, L.C.S.W. |
| Date | Title and Brief Description | Speaker |
| January 3, 2017 | The Role of Imagery and Intention in Shaping our Reality Both science and spirituality are converging on the idea that our thoughts and intentions influence our views of reality. We will examine both waking consciousness and so-called altered states, and consider some ways in which we might access the unique functions of different states of consciousness and how those functions might shape our perceived realities. | Elin Jacks, L.C.S.W. |
| February 7, 2017 | What Do Spatial Biases and Illusions Tell Us About Consciousness? Cognitive psychologists and psychophysicists have found many examples of spatial biases and illusions in which our subjective perception of objects and scenes is distorted. The nature of these spatial biases and illusions sheds considerable light on how our conscious experience of the world is constructed. Some of these spatial biases and illusions, and their implications for explanations of conscious perceptual experience, are discussed. | Timothy L. Hubbard, Ph.D. |
| March 7, 2017 | The Reality of Consciousness (DVD presentation) Dr. Peter Russell, author of From Science to God: A Physicist's Journey into the Mystery of Consciousness, suggests that wave-particle duality, the uncertainty principle, the collapse of the wave function, and entanglement all point to awareness being an intrinsic aspect of reality. Dr Russell suggests that consciousness is primary, and that the universe is best described as an unfolding of self-awareness and a field of knowing. | Joanne Stewart |
| April 4, 2017 | Sufism and the Poetry of Rumi A brief biography of the 13th century Islamic poet, scholar, and theologian Rumi will be given. The effects of Rumi's encounter with the Sufi master Shams on his writings will be discussed. Rumi's homeland was Persia (modern day Iran), and some of the recitations of Rumi's poetry and other writings will be presented in his native language of Farsi. | Mohammad Borougerdi |
| May 2, 2017 | Electromagnetic Fields, Health and Consciousness, and Some Reflections on Edgar Mitchell and the Founding of IONS With the recent addition of man-made electromagnetic fields (EMF) to our environment (e.g., WiFi), concentrations of EMF are rapidly expanding. Amusing and amazing stories from 45 years of studying the healing aspects and hazards of natural and artificial EMF on health and consciousness, as well as insights and stories from the early days of IONS by one of the co-founders, will be shared | James B. Beal, B.S, M.E.; retired NASA engineer |
| June 6, 2017 | The Rosicrucian Order AMORC (Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis) The Rosicrucian path incorporates both metaphysics (e.g., intuition, visualization, healing) and mysticism (e.g., direct, concise union with the Divine, Absolute, or Universal Intelligence). Steps along the path to Divine or Cosmic Consciousness, which include various natural laws, will be described. | Joe Carr |
| Date | Title and Brief Description | Speaker |
| August 2, 2016 | From Supernatural to Natural: The Passages from Doubt to Acceptance of the Extraordinary Features of the Ordinary World There appears in many places in history, and in many different disciplines, a regular and predictable cycle of psychospiritual development that leads human beings towards a deeper understanding of themselves, their world, and the context of both. There are, as a result of these deepenings, at least five specific features that can become clear that make a tremendous difference in how we live day to day. The way we approach this subject, and what we call it, has a direct bearing on how we will, or if we will, go through these cycles of growth. | Graham Maxey, L.P.C. |
| September 6, 2016 | Return from the Other Side: New Science on the Near Death Experience A review of personal accounts of near death experience, and a discussion of new discoveries regarding how consciousness is able to return to a seemingly dead body. | Elin Jacks, L.C.S.W. |
| October 4, 2016 | Learning to Welcome Difficulties and Find the Balance Yoga Nidra, as the heart of meditative yoga, is a practice by which we can find our Inner Truth. This process leads to a limitless, timeless wisdom wherein our sensations, thoughts and emotions are welcomed with infinite heartfelt equanimity, unchanged by our experiences. Yoga Nidra or iREST has been studied scientifically and has been found to be effective for PTSD, addictions, victims of trauma, chronic pain sufferers, etc. An guided interactive session will be given. | Bill Weldon, D.O. |
| November 1, 2016 | Buddhist Perspective on Mental Awareness The Buddhist perspective on mental awareness as it relates to karma, reincarnation, and the ultimate goals of the Buddhist path will be discussed. A guided meditation will be included. | Gen Kelsang Menla, ordained Buddhist monk, Education Program Coordinator at Kadampa Meditation Center Texas |
| Date | Title and Brief Description | Speaker |
| January 5, 2016 | Shamanism and Healing: A Panel Discussion A panel discussion on shamanism and healing energies. A personal account of shamanism and healing published by Claude Poncelet, Ph.D., a physicist, will be presented, and wider implications of shamanism as a healing practice and as a way of life will be discussed. | Elin Jacks, L.C.S.W. Timothy L. Hubbard, Ph.D.Cindy Atha-Weldon, Ph.D. |
| February 2, 2016 | REAL Community via the Merging of Psychology, Science & Spirituality
There is increasing commentary, questioning from sociologists, psychologists, government statisticians, and ordinary people like you and me about the lack of connection we so often experience in our western culture. The need for and emergence of a new, higher level of connection among us, in conjunction with a merger of psychology, science, and spirituality, will be addressed. | Eric N. Best, Ph.D. |
| March 1, 2016 | Looking Backward, Looking Forward
Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14 astronaut and founder of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, passed away in February 2016. A short video in which he recounts his experience leading to the founding of IONS, and then a longer recent video in which Dr. Dean Radin, Chief Scientist at IONS, speculates on the future of research on consciousness (i.e., on the future of noetic sciences) will be presented. A discussion of both videos will follow. | Elin Jacks, L.C.S.W. Timothy L. Hubbard, Ph.D.Cindy Atha-Weldon, Ph.D. |
| April 5, 2016 | The Science of Sleep We spend between 25-33% of our lives asleep, and over the past 50 years, scientific studies of sleep have uncovered some amazing and unexpected findings. Techniques to measure and assess sleep stages will be reviewed, and a detailed comparison of different sleep stages will be presented. Probable functions of sleep are briefly reviewed, and some of the more common types of sleep disorders will be described. | Timothy L. Hubbard, Ph.D. |
| May 3, 2016 | Everlasting Life: Learning the GPS System for the Journey Various spiritual traditions hold beliefs concerning "eternal life," and almost all traditions include passing through the "Valley of the Shadow of Death." A study of relevant ideas drawn from Dr. Robert Thurman's translation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and of related spiritual and scientific aspects discussed in Dr. Amit Goswami's book The Physics of the Soul, are presented. Everlasting life, reincarnation, and near-death experiences may be better understood by considering the GPS of the journey. | Bill Weldon, D.O. |
| June 7, 2016 | Reprogramming the Life Code Two short TED talks by Dr. Juan Enriquez on the history, possibilities, and consequences of reprogramming the genetic material of plants, animals, and humans will be presented. Following the videos, Cindy Atha-Weldon will lead a discussion and present some additional potential consequences for consideration. | Cindy Atha-Weldon, Ph.D. |
| Date | Title and Brief Description | Speaker |
| August 4, 2015 | Testing Extrasensory Perception J. B. Rhine developed some of the first laboratory tests for extrasensory perception. We'll consider the importance of Rhine's ideas and their implications, and we'll conduct mini-versions of three of his experiments (on telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition) so you can test your own extrasensory perception. | Timothy L. Hubbard, PhD |
| September 1, 2015 | Reiki Holistic Healing "Reiki" offers a powerful form of natural holistic healing that treats the whole being... mind, body, and spirit as deeply as needed to create a shift towards health. Reiki can be used in conjunction with other complementary or conventional medical treatments. Baskett will discuss the system developed by Dr. Mikao Usui of Japan in the early 1900s and discuss Reiki treatment for children, animals, and cancer patients. | Bryan Baskett, 3rd degree Usui Reiki Ryoho Master |
| October 6, 2015 | Was Buddha Just a Nice Guy? In a DVD presentation, Dean Radin (of the Institute of Noetic Science and author of "Supernormal") discusses scientific experiments on siddhis (magical or psychic abilities that emerge with spiritual development). Despite the challenges posed by materialism, Radin suggests there is strong evidence for such siddhis, and that a spiritually developed person is "more than just a nice guy." | Joanne Stewart |
| November 3, 2015 | Cognitive Aspects of Shamanism Similarities and parallels between thinking, social attribution, and problem-solving strategies in shamanic states of consciousness and in ordinary waking consciousness will be considered. Implications of these similarities and parallels for scientific theories of consciousness and cognition will be suggested. | Timothy L. Hubbard, PhD |
| December 1, 2015 | Open Discussion An open discussion on future plans and directions of the Arlington IONS group. | Joanne Stewart, Elin Jacks |
| Date | Title and Brief Description | Speaker |
| January 6, 2015 | Consciousness Sends a Selfie Consciousness cannot be contained in any location at any specific time, but aspects of consciousness' self portrait can be glimpsed in "the space between" which acts as a picture frame for the selfie being expressed by consciousness. Insights from art, archaeology, linguistics, neuroscience, and religion, and ranging from ancient symbols to modern neuroscience, will be explored. | Cindy Atha-Weldon, PhD |
| February 3, 2015 | The Shaman's Mesa - Energetic Tools for Transformation The "Mesa" is the embodiment of the Shaman's quest for wholeness and fulfillment. Through energetic practices of transformation it becomes the repository of his power and wisdom and enables him to navigate the world of living energy, that of Mother Earth and Father Sky. Once personal healing is attained, this ability to "see" beyond the ordinary assists the shaman in being a conduit for the healing of others. | Patricia Ramsey, MEd, LPC, CHT |
| March 3, 2015 | Holograms: Their Role in Consciousness and Perception of Reality Current scientific observation suggests that "energy" and "vibration" are basic to the structure of the material world. But what part do energy and vibration play in the non-material experience of reality? How do the vibrational fields of holograms translate to experience? | Elin Jacks, LCSW |
| April 7, 2015 | BodyMind Harmony BodyMind Harmony is creative process involving a combination of physical exercises, positive words, and music. A free handout containing a CD and a booklet showing the exercises will be provided. | Barbara Patton, MA |
| May 5, 2015 | The Case for Telepathy Is telepathy possible? Why were the Rhine Institute experiments so inconclusive? Tom T. Moore says he's a telepath and will explain how he became one and will show you it's possible for you too! He will have his books available to sign. | Tom T. Moore, Author |
| June 2, 2015 | Consciousness, Near-Death Experience, and Reincarnation We'll view a DVD by Dr. Bruce Greyson on consciousness, near-death experience, and reincarnation, and afterwards, we'll talk about plans for the upcoming year (suggestions will be most welcome!) | Joanne Stewart, Facilitator |
| Date | Title and Brief Description | Speaker |
| August 5, 2014 | Activating the Third Eye with Yoga, Gemstones and Essential Oils In this program, you will learn how to bring out a deeper awareness with easy yoga movements, essential oils and gemstones, including a gemstone meditation. | Kelley Shaw, Arlington Yoga Center |
| September 2, 2014 | Following the Tao using
Traditional Chinese Medicine Those who follow the Tao will ALWAYS do better than those who don't. By learning some simple common sense practices you can learn to get in the flow with the TAO. Chinese Medicine teaches following the TAO helps protect your Qi or energy. Everyone wants more energy! Come see how to improve your body, mind and spirit with the Ancient Art of Chinese Medicine. | Bill Clement, L.Ac. |
| October 7, 2014 | Scalp Acupuncture in Treating intra-uterine stroke: A case study Also, a 90th Birthday party for Phil Porter, original organizer of Arlington Noetic Society group! | Allison Moore and Phil Porter |
| November 4, 2014 | Some Puzzles of Everyday Conscious Experience Noetic science often focuses on altered states of consciousness, but many phenomena of everyday conscious experience remain puzzling. A few such puzzles of everyday conscious experience are considered, and implications for our understanding of consciousness are suggested. | Timothy L. Hubbard, Ph.D, former Professor at Texas Christian University |
| December 2, 2014 | Dreams, dream interpretation, and states of higher consciousness via dreams and astral travel Having studied many types of ESP and metaphysical subjects, including dreams, I have recorded my dreams for 40 years, and have come to make some distinctions between a few types of dream and astral experiences. | Dale Miesen, BA. Organizer of several Groups in the DFW area |