The Emerging New Story: Cosmos and Consciousness
February 20, 2010
Chabot Space and Science Center
Oakland, California
Join Marilyn Mandala Schlitz, Edgar Mitchell, Nancy Maryboy, Brian Swimme, and Siddha Master Sri Dattatreya Siva Baba as we explore ancient cosmology, map the cosmos, and give tribute to Edgar's 80th year.

Expand your mind, open your heart, and activate your full potential.

January 29-31, 2010 – Speaking the Soul: The Transformative Power of Words with Kim Rosen

February 5-7, 2010 – Women in Transition: Climbing into Your Authentic Self with Suze Allen & Jnana Gowan

March 5-7, 2010 – Live from Your Strengths: A Journey Toward Increased Engagement and Meaning in Life with Lauren Vanett, MA

March 19-21, 2010 – Green in Spirit: Healing through Permaculture and Biosynamic Gardening with Brenda Sanders

April 16-18, 2010 – Cells and the Sacred: Discovering the Cell as Messenger for the Marriage of Science and Spirituality with Sondra Barrett, PhD

April 16-18, 2010 – From Science to God: A Journey into the Mystery of Consciousness with Peter Russell, MA

April 23-25, 2010 – Learning Telekinesis:Your Gateway to Mind Over Matter and April 26, 2010 – Developing Subtle Energy Awareness and Telekinesis: One-Day Intensive, both with Natalia Shareyko, MD, PhD, of the Institute for Biosensory Psychology in Saint Petersberg, Russia

May 21-23, 2010 – The Six Life-paths of the Human Soul and the Imprints of Conception with Ralph Metzner, part of the six-part Alchemical Divination Series

June 25-27, 2010 – Primordial Qigong: A Gem from the Treasure Chest of Taoist Mystical Qigong with Donald and Cheryl Lynne Rubbo

Register online, email workshops@noetic.org, or call 707-779-8224.

Located on 200 acres of beautiful rolling hills just 25 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, we offer meeting facilities, cuisine, and accommodations for up to 120 people. Our clients offer educational programs, workshops, and retreats, with a broad focus on health, personal growth, and transformation. We also welcome weekend workshops and retreats for small groups (less than 25). Many programs are open to the public.

For more information and an Events Schedule: www.noetic.org/retreat.cfm
events@noetic.org

Climate Change Psychology

Because the work of IONS is about subjective reality, transformations in consciousness, and emerging worldviews, the phenomenon of climate change and its impact on human behavior is an area of particular interest. Few issues have stirred up emotions like climate change, especially in the wake of the recent conference in Copenhagen. But rather than focus on the science, the scenarios, or the politics, we want to look at the response of individual and collective consciousness.

Let’s assume for the moment that the vast majority of climate scientists are correct in their assessment that CO2 levels are rising and the overall climate is getting warmer, affecting numerous ecosystems and human societies in various destabilizing ways. How is this convergent analysis being received? Not surprisingly, it depends on how close the threat feels and, more importantly, on one’s belief system.

An excellent discussion of how people are responding—or not—to the evolving story of climate change is featured in “The Greatest Story Never Told,” posted in the Science section of The New York Times online. The piece includes comments by sociologist Robert Brulle of Drexel University on why coverage and response has been so, well, lukewarm. As Brulle points out, a variety of factors conspire to keep the reality of climate change at a distance. In large part, he says, it’s about how, over generations, “we’ve become progressively more accustomed to degraded environmental conditions.”

Also mentioned in the story is the Millennium Assessment of Human Behavior (MAHB), a new initiative being organized by Brulle, Stanford biologist Paul Ehrlich, and other researchers. As described by Ehrlich, “The central problem is clearly not a need for more natural science (although in many areas it would be helpful), but rather a need for better understanding of human behaviors and how they can be altered to direct humanity onto a course toward a sustainable society...” The MAHB website, still in early development stage, is here.

Also of interest is this fascinating article by science writer Jonah Lehrer (“Accept Defeat: The Neuroscience of Screwing Up”). It reports on a study by University of Toronto psychology professor Kevin Dunbar on what happens when scientists don’t get the results they expect. The answer may trouble you, and explain in part our conflicted feelings about global climate change. As Lehrer writes, "Over the past few decades, psychologists have dismantled the myth of objectivity." It has to do with the fact that our brains actually inhibit our ability to take in new information that conflicts with our existing belief systems. For another perspective on the prevailing patterns of human consciousness, see To Believe or not to Believe: The Social and Neurological Consequences of Belief Systems by Rahasya Poe, whose interviews of numerous thought leaders and scientists address the many impacts of our psychological and emotional conditioning.

Other Resources

“Seven Answers to Climate Contrarian Nonsense”: Scientific American’s detailed examination of seven “disputes” over the scientific reality of climate change.

Tread Lightly on the Earth: Religion, the Environment and the Human Future: A new report from the World Future Council, which identifies common principles across the world’s great religions regarding the environment and global sustainability.

Sandra Hobson

Sandra has been on the IONS Board since 1997, serving in many roles including Board Chair, Capital Campaign Co-Chair, and Executive Committee member. She strongly believes that the work of IONS "is helping to create a more compassionate and conscious world." Over the last three decades she has served on numerous nonprofit boards throughout the Bay Area. Sandra sees her life as one devoted to service, and has combined her interests in art and healing into a counseling and consulting practice for individuals and organizations that are interested in personal, community, and environmental healing. Traveling widely, she has studied with shamans throughout the world to gain knowledge and experience of indigenous wisdom, and has integrated those experiences into her practice.

Her first book, Rituals for Life Milestones, has just been published, featuring simple rituals for meaningful life transitions and events that draw on those travels and encounters. “Rituals,” says Sandra, “are a way of giving depth and meaning to important life passages. They create the form for acknowledging what’s important in our lives.” The unique design of the book reflects the connection to simple ingredients, especially stones and string, which are used in each ritual. For more information, e-mail sshobson@aol.com or visit www.charleshobson.com and click on “Artist Book List.” She and her husband Charles have two grown children and live by the sea in Stinson Beach, California.

In Memoriam

The IONS community mourns the passing of a very special lady, Sandra Wright. With a passion for understanding our human potential, Sandra supported the work of IONS for many years, and before its founding in 1973 was helping to fund early investigations into the phenomenon of anomalous experiences, including the ESP research of Uri Geller, Russell Targ, and Harold Puthoff. One of her last tributes to the Institute’s work was distributing copies of Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol, featuring noetic science, to friends and family members. A woman of stature and grace, she leaves behind a legacy of good works and heartfelt memories.

To learn more about IONS’ Circle membership, contact Deborah Breitbach at 707.779.8216 / dbreitbach@noetic.org.

The Institute often uses volunteers for a variety of tasks and projects, and you don’t have to live in the area to be helpful. Many kinds of skills are appreciated. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jamila Gulick at volunteer@noetic.org or call 707-779-8219.

The Institute of Noetic Sciences is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and educational organization located in Northern California that conducts and sponsors leading-edge research into the potentials and powers of consciousness—including perceptions, beliefs, attention, intention, and intuition. The Institute explores phenomena that do not necessarily fit conventional scientific models, while maintaining a commitment to scientific rigor.

We depend on and gratefully accept your financial support.