Paradigm Shift

Disclaimer: 1. This page is under construction. It might appear to look gramatically and cosmetically offending. It might offend or be percieved as a threat to your current B.S. (Belief System)- it might do this all and more. Maybe it will expand your horizon or maybe it will just help you answer the question of what research is being done into the subjects you always wished would be reseached in more depth. 2. The sites linked are not affiliated with s23

Introduction
Paradigm

Trying to find avenues whereby as humans we can make a quantum jump in our "interpretation" of our reality/existance. I write and quote "interpretation" because, from what i have read, even science is acknowledging that much of how we percieve "outside" of us is not necessarily a direct experience. Our senses each play a role in "providing" and "reporting" data to our Central Nervous System which then passes it on to our brains. These lightning quick mechanisms are subject to modification, a form of 'editing'. The editing that seems to take place depends on: when, where, how we were born, who raised us; the environment raised in; the Belief System we were taught (which also means how we understand the Universe and our place within it).

So..here is a page dedicated to listing and tracking current research:

Mind & Life Institute

 * Overview Vision: To establish a powerful working collaboration and research partnership between modern science and Buddhism - the world's two most powerful traditions for understanding the nature of reality and investigating the mind. (Source:


 * Purpose: To promote the creation of a contemplative, compassionate, and rigorous experimental and experiential science of the mind which could guide and inform medicine, neuroscience, psychology, education and human development. To contribute to the epistemological revolution which is taking place through modern physics as well as philosophy, in order to extend our understanding of knowledge to one that integrates the diverse dimensions of our world.

(The Mind and Life Institute is a non-profit tax-exempt organization incorporated under section 501(c)(3) in the United States.)
 * The Mind and Life Institute is dedicated to fostering dialogue and research at the highest possible level between modern science and the great living contemplative traditions, especially Buddhism. It builds on a deep commitment to the power and value of both of these ways of advancing knowledge and their potential to alleviate suffering. It realizes its mission through a range of inter-related activities:
 * Extended semi-private meetings between prominent scientists and leading figures from the contemplative traditions, most notably, the Dalai Lama of Tibet
 * Public conferences to stimulate interest in the potential of these scientific dialogues within the larger scholarly community
 * Intellectually rigorous yet accessible publications, based on Mind and Life meetings and conferences to share the power and potential of these collaborative exchanges with the general public
 * Collaborative research projects and meetings focused on designing research, between laboratory scientists, scholars and practitioners of Buddhism and other forms of contemplative practice
 * Educational programs based on our research findings that teach people proven, effective techniques to enhance human development and alleviate suffering

See also Investigating the Mind

Institute of Noetic Science
Founded 1973
 * Overview: A "nonprofit membership organization located in Northern California that conducts and sponsors leading-edge research into the potentials and powers of consciousnessùincluding 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." (Source )


 * Authors of the Bibliography on The Physical and Psychological Effects of Meditation by Michael Murphy and Steven Donovan (founders of the Institute)


 * Mission Statement:

At the Institute of Noetic Sciences, we employ the rigor of science, balanced by personal and collective wisdom, to support a shift in consciousness that transforms present global conditions into a world grounded in freedom, wisdom, and love. We serve an emerging movement of globally conscious citizens dedicated to manifesting our highest capacities." The Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS):   * Explores the frontiers of consciousness    * Builds bridges between science and spirit    * Researches subtle energies and the powers of healing    * Inquires into the science of love, forgiveness, and gratitude    * Studies the effects of conscious and compassionate intention    * Seeks to understand the basis of prevailing worldviews    * Practices freedom of thought and freedom of spirit  (Source: )

The Esalen Center for Theory and Research
Founded 1962
 * Mission Statement: "The Esalen Center for Theory & Research supports essential philosophic, academic, and research aims of the Esalen Institute. It evaluates frontier inquiry, creates networks of pioneering individuals, and works to catalyze new discoveries that promote personal and social transformation. It carries forward projects at the growing edge of philosophy, psychology, comparative religious studies, education, sociology, somatics, the arts, ecology, and related disciplines that bear upon transformative practice and the continued evolution of humankind. Among these projects are an archive of extraordinary human functioning and a bibliography of scientific research on meditation." (Source: )
 * Article: How to have an extraordinary life Publication: Psychology Today Date: May 92

Monroe Institute
founded 1979 (Research group since late 50's)
 * Mission Statement: "To maintain a parent organization dedicated to providing a positive environment for the contnuing transformation of human consciousness and to establish a global network that facilitates the many benefits of the Hemi-Sync« technology." (Source:

The Mind-Body Medical Institute
Incorporated in 1988 (30 years previous research)
 * Mission Statement: The Mind/Body Medical Institute is a non-profit scientific and educational organization dedicated to the study of mind/body interactions, including the relaxation response. The Institute will use its expertise to enhance the recognition and understanding of mind/body medicine's role in the practice of medicine, to foster and expand the uses of mind/ body interactions in healthcare and other appropriate settings, and thereby, to advance health and well-being throughout the world. It accomplishes these objectives in a variety of ways, including:
 * documenting and furthering the understanding of the scientific bases of mind/body medicine, including the role of belief, and exploring their uses by conducting basic and clinical research, both independently and collaboratively,
 * disseminating its knowledge and experience and the results of its findings through medical and general publications, lectures, symposia, continuing medical education programs and other appropriate media,
 * quantifying the benefits and costs of mind/body programs,
 * teaching medical students and training post-doctoral fellows and other researchers,
 * training health care and other professionals and helping them integrate mind/body interactions into their work, and
 * fostering the establishment of clinical and research programs in institutions that provide health care. (Source: )

The Institute of General Semantics
Non-profit established in 1938 -
 * Notable folks who attended the Institute over the years: Robert Anton Wilson, Buckminister Fuller, Richard Bandler and John Grinder (Co-Founders of Neuro Linguistic Programming), Robert A. Heinlein (Famous author Stranger In A Strange Land one among many titles), and Abraham Maslow.

Constantly appending more info to this page..feel free to add

Related links Meditation Breath Yoga Posture The Invisibles (revolutionary comic book writing)