Presentation Title:

Brain, Mind, and Reality

Synopsis:

Consensual reality experienced during the normal waking state is rooted in sensory perceptions shared by a majority of the population. To a certain extent, these perceptions are creations of our brains reflecting objects and events that seem to be part of this reality. Altered states of consciousness (ASC) are associated to modifications in the electrical and chemical activity of the brain. ASC constitute a deviation in subjective experience relative to consensual reality. Individuals who experience ASC have commonly the impression that they are accessing other 'realities'. Interestingly, this impression is one of the core features of near-death experiences (NDEs) occurring in cardiac arrest, while the brain does not function anymore. This phenomenon suggests that normally, the brain acts as a filter that allows us to experience only a narrow portion of the Greater Reality.

Bio:

Mario is currently associate researcher at University of Montreal (Departments of Psychology and Radiology, Neuroscience Research Center). He is the author of more than 100 publications in neuroscience, psychology and psychiatry. His groundbreaking work on the neurobiology of emotion and mystical experience at the University of Montreal has received international media coverage.

In 2006, Mario received the Joel F. Lubar award for his contribution to the field of neurotherapy. The National Film Board of Canada has recently produced a documentary film about his work titled The Mystical Brain. He is co-author of The Spiritual Brain, and he has just released his new book Brain Wars (HarperOne).

Links:

• Mario Beauregard from HarperCollins Publishers
• Mystical Brain

Speakers

• Dr. Mario Beauregard
• Nicole Dunas
• Dr. Pierre Grimes
• Dr. Lothar Schäfer
• Dr. John H Spencer
• Juan F Tellez
• Joël Tibbits

Presentation Title:

The Feeling of Beauty: A Yogic Perspective

Synopsis:

In this presentation, we will explore the nature of beauty from a yogic perspective. Through a discussion of personal practice and yogic study, we will look at how an embodied perception of beauty, or one that arises through an experience of immediate noticing, is essential to having a direct experience of beauty and is more deeply yogic than the portrayal of beauty currently on display in the yoga marketplace.

Bio:

Nicole has been practicing yoga and meditation since 1994. She has been a devoted student of Sofia Diaz since 2003, and has been blessed to study yoga with several other masterful teachers in different traditions. She has taught yoga in Colorado and Indonesia, worked as a Yoga Journal Conference Work Exchange Coordinator, and is also a student of Zen. 

Nicole has written essays and articles for several online publications, and recently published the essay ‘The Feeling of Beauty – A Yoga Project’ in the book Yoga-Philosophy For Everyone. She received her M.F.A. from the Bennington Writing Seminars and currently writes, practices, tutors and teaches in Crestone, Colorado.

Links:

• Explorations in Practice: The Art of Noticing – Finding a Balm in the Natural World | Integral Chicks
• Amazon.com: Yoga - Philosophy for Everyone: Bending Mind and Body

Speakers

• Dr. Mario Beauregard
• Nicole Dunas
• Dr. Pierre Grimes
• Dr. Lothar Schäfer
• Dr. John H Spencer
• Juan F Tellez
• Joël Tibbits

Presentation Title:

One or Many? Exploring the Essence of Soul

Synopsis:

Here we have an ancient question returning once again, and we will present a new way of looking at this perennial problem. The consequence of answering this question will be to shed light on a possible solution as to whether or not the human race has a destiny to fulfill.

Bio:

Pierre studied with Alan Watts, who writes that ‘Pierre was a true jñana yogi; that is to say, one who comes to an authentic realization, or satori, by an intellectual rather than an emotional or physical discipline’ (Watts, In My Own Way). Pierre has also studied with various Taoist and Zen Masters, including Myo-Bong, the Patriarchal successor of Hye-Am of the Chogye Buddhist order of Korea, who sealed Pierre as his Dharma Successor.

Pierre was also a professor of philosophy at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, California from 1966-2004, and he has been offering five-day workshops at Esalen Institute since 1985. He has also lectured at San Quentin Prison and University of the Pacific, and he is a Director at the American Philosophical Practitioners Association. He is the co-author of Philosophical Midwifery. 

Links:

• OpeningMind.com
• American Philosophical Practitioners Association
• YouTube: OpeningMind

Speakers

• Dr. Mario Beauregard
• Nicole Dunas
• Dr. Pierre Grimes
• Dr. Lothar Schäfer
• Dr. John H Spencer
• Juan F Tellez
• Joël Tibbits

Presentation Title:

Quantum Reality and the Metamorphosis of the Human Consciousness

Synopsis:

I describe how the worldview of quantum physics leads us to a metamorphosis of our consciousness. The quantum phenomena show that the basis of the material world is non-material, and that there is non-empirical realm of physical reality, which doesn’t consist of material things but of forms. The forms have the nature of potentiality, that is, they aren’t part of the empirical world, but they are real because they have the potential to manifest themselves in the empirical world. There are indications that the forms in the realm of potentiality are contiguous like the water waves in an ocean, and that they have mind-like properties. Thus, the background of the universe appears as an indivisible wholeness and consciousness as a cosmic property. These aspects of physical reality are so contrary to our ordinary thinking that they probably indicate a mutation of the human consciousness in a new evolutionary step of life.

Bio:

Lothar is Edgar Wertheim Distinguished Professor of Physical Chemistry (emeritus), Department of Chemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, USA. His technical research is in the areas of Physical Chemistry, Electron Diffraction, Applied Quantum Chemistry, and Computational Chemistry.

Since 1998, Lothar has participated in more than 160 public lectures in the US, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Sweden, and Portugal. He is the author of In Search of Divine Reality – Science as a Source of Inspiration, and he has recently been featured on Chopra Radio.

Links:

• Dr. Lothar Schäfer, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of Arkansas
• Amazon: In Search of Divine Reality: Science as a Source of Inspiration
• Deepak Chopra Radio: Quantum Reality and Cosmic Consciousness with Dr Lothar Schäfer

Speakers

• Dr. Mario Beauregard
• Nicole Dunas
• Dr. Pierre Grimes
• Dr. Lothar Schäfer
• Dr. John H Spencer
• Juan F Tellez
• Joël Tibbits

Presentation Title:

The Most Beautiful Experience

Synopsis:

Much of what we believe we know about the relationships between science, religion, and philosophy is wrong. Science does not support materialism, the view that only physical things are real, and religion is not inherently irrational. In fact, religion shares with science several primary assumptions about the nature of reality. What we need is a profound philosophical inquiry in order to make sense of both scientific and religious approaches to understanding truth. Once we have cleared away several false but common assumptions about these topics, we will be in a better position to understand why Albert Einstein, one of the most important scientists in history, says that "the most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious."

Bio:

John was awarded his PhD from the University of Liverpool in 2008, specializing in the Philosophical Foundations of Quantum Physics, where he had the rare opportunity of being supervised and examined in both the Department of Physics and the Department of Philosophy.

Combining the highest levels of abstract thought with powerful personal experience and extensive scholarly research, John makes his discoveries accessible to a wide-ranging audience.

Links:

• Homepage - The Eternal Law: Ancient Greek Philosophy, Modern Physics, and Ultimate Reality
• Amazon - The Eternal Law: Ancient Greek Philosophy, Modern Physics, and Ultimate Reality
• Facebook: John H Spencer

Speakers

• Dr. Mario Beauregard
• Nicole Dunas
• Dr. Pierre Grimes
• Dr. Lothar Schäfer
• Dr. John H Spencer
• Juan F Tellez
• Joël Tibbits

Presentation Title:

Simplicity and Beauty in Technology

Synopsis:

By continually discovering underlying laws or solutions, we are able to integrate and further develop increasing diversity in novel applications. The deeper we can understand the unity in diversity, or the simplicity that binds together complexity, the greater our capacity for technological developments. This process requires a keen sense of both qualitative and quantitative aspects of beauty. In this presentation, we will clarify important aspects of the relationship between simplicity, beauty, and technology.

Bio:

After receiving his BSc from Dalhousie University with a major in Computer Science, Juan went on to co-found Param Media, a publishing, media production, and web design company based in Vancouver that aims to embody the highest metaphysical ideas. He is also a web strategy specialist at the Dean’s Office, UBC Faculty of Medicine.

Juan envisions a more simplistic, powerful, and unified web. His partnerships with academics and entrepreneurs allow him the opportunity to explore the abstract theories underpinning science and technology, with a focus on translating that knowledge into practical business applications.

Links:

• Param Media

Speakers

• Dr. Mario Beauregard
• Nicole Dunas
• Dr. Pierre Grimes
• Dr. Lothar Schäfer
• Dr. John H Spencer
• Juan F Tellez
• Joël Tibbits

Presentation Title:

Bach's Pea

Synopsis:

Relating an actual event from his life that has deeply influenced his work in sound and consciousness, Joël will tell a tale of synchronicity formed out of unanswered questions. He will also briefly discuss his principle of conductivity and how it relates to creativity and intention.

Bio:

Joël is a Vancouver-based composer and sound designer. Through a profound exploration in consciousness and his extensive training in martial arts and yoga, he has initiated several innovative projects focusing on meditation and healing through music and sound. His classes, workshops, and concerts focus on creating a deeper understanding of the relationship of sound and music to consciousness, self-knowledge, compassion, and spirituality.

Links:

• Sound and Consciousness - The Resonant Architecture
• MySpace: Joël Tibbits

Speakers

• Dr. Mario Beauregard
• Nicole Dunas
• Dr. Pierre Grimes
• Dr. Lothar Schäfer
• Dr. John H Spencer
• Juan F Tellez
• Joël Tibbits