PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

A New Year Message from IONS President
Marilyn Mandala Schlitz

As always, the change of years offers both an important and a sacred opportunity to reflect on our lives and the times in which we live. 2009 was certainly a dynamic and eventful year for our world, difficult for many but also hopeful, and for the evolution of IONS as well. Our community has endured through some challenging transitions and emerged with renewed commitment and focus. We’ve continued to explore the powers and potentials of consciousness through our cutting-edge research, thoughtful communications, enlivening education programs, and visionary global network of like-minded seekers. As an organization that is responsive to the complexities of this moment, we’re improving our ability to serve the needs of those who want to make a positive difference in their world, who seek creative new solutions to the constraints of limited worldviews. Thanks to you, our committed members and donors, we made meaningful progress toward our mission in 2009:

• Our research program continues to break new ground, including completion of an NIH-sponsored clinical trial of expectancy effects of prayer on wound healing, expansion of the Global Consciousness Project, and creation of the world’s largest online searchable bibliography on the psychological and physical effects of meditation.
• Our Worldview Literacy pilot program (now in eight classrooms) has had fantastic reception by students and teachers. This unique approach engages students to evaluate their consciousness and apply what they learn to improving relationships with peers, family, and their community.
• We published two new books: Mindful Motherhood by Cassandra Vieten, PhD, and Deep Medicine by William Stewart, MD.
• Dan Brown’s new book, The Lost Symbol, has generated an estimated 85 million media impressions for IONS worldwide, expanding our reach to a broader national and global audience. We developed a teleseminar series exploring the science behind the book.
• We launched The Noetic Post, our new semiannual bulletin, and will soon announce our first eBook, At the Frontiers of Noetic Science.
• We are about to begin a content partnership with the esteemed Explore journal that includes front-cover visibility for IONS. We’ll soon be offering a special subscription price to members.
• Significant progress has been made on developing our new website, to launch in April of 2010. It will feature extensive content and an online store with over 100 IONS products.

The challenges and opportunities of 2010 loom large and we’ll need your support and generosity more than ever. Your donations matter! They make it possible for IONS to serve our planet and all of its precious creatures through the birthing of a new worldview that is grounded in breakthrough science while drawing from the authenticity of deep personal insight and experience.

With heartfelt appreciation for all you do to heal our world,

Marilyn Mandala Schlitz, PhD
President/CEO