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Frequently Asked Questions
Will you please explain the term "group field." I
am not familiar with that term.
When several people gather
in a group with the intention of going deeper, it creates a container.
Some call this group field. If you cultivate that field, it can be like
sitting within a meditation. And we find out the group moves as one mind
through us. What surfaces in us, we often recognize in others, and what we
see coming from others, often resonates with us. So we find we move both
with the personal and with the collective, as is to some organic
unfoldment. The more you can tune into this field, the more you can find
yourself. You can get very skilled. If you pay tune your attention finely
the field informs you. For a good reference to this please see the book
called "The Field" by Lynne McTaggart and "Presence: An Exploration of
Profound Change in People, Organizations, and Society," by Peter Senge, C
Otto Scharmer, Joseph Jawoski, and Betty Sue Flowers.
Please see these small articles entitled
The Power of the Group
and The Group from IONS
Northwest web.
What
does the term "noetic" mean?
The word "noetic" comes from
the ancient Greek nous, for which there is no exact equivalent in English.
It refers to "inner knowing," a kind of intuitive consciousness—direct and
immediate access toknowledge beyond what is available to our normal senses
and the power of reason.
See the link to the article below on What Are Noetic Sciences? by
Willis Harman IONS Review # 63.
We also recommend reading IONS newly
published book The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer.
And we also recommend IONS Newest Release
(recently published), Living Deeply by Marilyn
Schlitz and Cassandra Veiten.
How are
trancework and breathwork used and what does it mean?
We create an intentional container where we can share in a communication
deeper aspects of individual and collective psyche. With hypnosis, working
with trance and breath, we access deeper resources through the
subconscious. It is in connection with these deeper aspects of ourselves
that we can truly transform deeper beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions of
the universe.
The meaning of trance can expand though in more profound directions. It’s
linguistic roots are connected to concepts of; passage, vision, to go over
or across, and even to die. This is not a physical crossing over, but a
release from normal consciousness. This release can be experienced as a
passage or a journey. Most indigenous cultures use some form of trance to
get a clearer perspective and understanding of reality. The more profound
the trance, the more we leave the limitations of our conscious beliefs
behind and enter into other ways of knowing.
You can also link to our individual web pages through our Biographical
Page on this web.
See this link About The
Presenters
James O'Dea - The Institute of Noetic Sciences
Susan Burns - Feeling Whole
Patrick Marsloek - Inner Works Resources
What is
Consciousness?
We
recommend viewing this video on The Definition and Source of Consciousness
on The Shift in Action Website.
In the first segment, Deepak explores
the definition and source of consciousness. He discusses perception, the
brain and how they relate to consciousness in a scientific yet humorous
way.
We
recommend viewing this video on The Simultaneity of Consciousness by
Deepak Chopra on The Shift in Action Website.
In this segment, Deepak describes
consciousness as a field of awareness which is “a-causal, non-local,
quantum-mechanical interrelatedness” that operates with simultaneity.
Although he studied a local biological model in medical school, there is
another level at which our bodies operate. He says it can’t be explained
logically how one double strand of DNA becomes the hundred trillion cells
in our bodies after conception. The simultaneity of the bodily functions
and influence from cosmic to local rhythms can not be explained by a
reductionist model.
We recommend viewing this video
on
Consciousness: Discontinuity of the Universe by Deepak Chopra on The Shift
in Action Website.
In this segment, Deepak defines
consciousness as a mirror image of the supreme intelligence of the
universe; a universe which constantly recreates itself. The discontinuity
of the universe has been described by physicists as the universe turning
on and off at quantum speeds. Deepak compares this to a film projection,
which is actually a series of still images and our brains create the
continuity. So what is in the ‘off’ of the universe? Deepak discusses five
attributes of the off: 1. Pure potential, 2. Infinite correlation
(inter-connectedness), 3. Creativity 4. Quantum leaps in evolution 5.
Observer effect.
We
recommend viewing this video on The Soul and Consciousness by Deepak
Chopra on The Shift in Action Website.
Deepak describes the
attributes of the soul and tells us that there is no more valuable quest
for human beings than to find their soul. He says there is a rift in our
collective soul and healing is the restoration of the memory of wholeness.
We can not truly heal until we release the fear of death. Deepak lists the
five reasons for human suffering from the Vedanta:
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Not knowing the essential
nature of reality |
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clinging to that which is
changing and unreal |
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being afraid of that which
is changing and unreal |
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identifying with ego |
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fear of death |
He ends this lecture and video series with
a poignant quote from Rumi
What do you mean by Conscious
Universe?
IONS President James O'Dea will
be giving a presentation on this subject on 1/30/08 at Portland Unity
Church, followed by a panel discussion. Though there is another open
introductory evening for this event, this would be a great introduction to
this topic. You can see more at this link
Conscious Universe:
Science, Faith, and Activism for a New Cosmology. We also like the
work of Brian Swimme.
If you are a Shift in Action member you can download
the audio of this teleseminar on the
Attention Revolution with Buddhist scholar
B. Alan Wallace and IONS President
James O’Dea dialoguing about advanced
states of consciousness in "The
Attention Revolution."
Wallace begins with the synchronistic events that led to
him to meet his Buddhist teachers, start a period of deeply committed
meditation and eventually become a primary translator for the Dalai Lama.
He then explores the interface of science and spirituality, as well as
diving deeper into the ground state of awareness, the part of us that
remains unsullied and even blissful. This state is connected to clarity,
creativity, and the spontaneous upwelling of insight. Drawing upon his
years teaching meditation, he goes into subtle understandings of
consciousness that balance stillness and motion, attention and service,
the power of contemplative science. He also discusses quantum theory in
relationship to consciousness in this fascinating exploration.
Astronaut and IONS Founder Edgar Mitchell 3 Part Audio Series on
Transformation as a Vital Aspect of Sustainability
Captain Edgar Mitchell - Continuing to see our Earth as a literal
and violent battleground for contending world views is a sure course
toward the collapse of our civilization. The solution must begin with a
change of individual thinking on a very large scale. Edgar opens dialogue
and discussion of the ramifications, possibilities, responsibilities, and
courses of individual action for sustaining our future, for the benefit of
ourselves and our progeny.
Andrew Harvey 4 Part Audio Series on The Seven Laws of Sacred Activism
(sign up for trial Shift in Action membership $1/1 month and download).
Andrew
Harvey - It has become increasingly clear that only Sacred
Activism--the fusion of the deepest mystical knowledge, peace, strength,
and stamina with calm, focused, and radical action in every arena of
society, culture, economics, and politics--can be of help in our growing
world crisis. Neither a purely "spiritual" nor simply "activist" approach
can solve our enormous problems. The core teachings of all the major
mystical paths make it clear that there is, within human beings, an
enormous unused reservoir of pure divine power, the pure power of sacred
wisdom consciousness, passion, and compassion--the power of what Jesus
called the kingdom of heaven, and of when in Hinduism is known as
bliss-consciousness. These core teachings also reveal that if we can learn
how to use this power--or rather how to let it use us as its luminous
instruments--we will harness the "energies of love" and discover for
ourselves how a clear, focused, purified, divine passion devoted to
transformative action on all levels can birth a new world.
Riane Eisler 2 part audio series on Creating a Caring Economics
(sign up for trial Shift in Action membership $1/1 month
and download).
Riane Eisler -
We can no
longer wait for the world's leaders to act at this critical time when the
old approaches are simply not working. It's not realistic to expect more
caring, equitable, and sustainable policies and practices as long as these
are culturally and systematically devalued by economic indicators and
rules. Riane shows how every one of us can by a leader in both inner and
outer transformation and in building a caring economics for ourselves, our
children, and generations to come. All of us can raise our consciousness
and take the practical steps for building a less violent, more equitable,
and sustainable way of living and making a living.
Elliott Dacher, MD - 2 part Audio Series on Integral Health
(sign up for trial Shift in Action membership $1/1 month
and download)
Elliott Dacher, M.D. - Our uppermost potential for health and
healing is not fixed. The integral level of health transcends and embraces
all earlier approaches, offering expansive and profound well-being.
Elliott introduces the principles and practices of an evolutionary,
holistic, and developmental integral health.
Charles Tart 4 Minute Video on Intellectual or Experiential
Knowledge
Charles Tart discusses his work in transpersonal psychology. He
briefly explores altered states of consciousness, intention, science,
religion, and a deeper connection to transformative experiences needed to
make a change in the world today.
IONS 2007 Shift Report: Evidence of A World Transforming
About The 2007 IONS Shift Report
Purchase Here
IONS Founder, Captain Edgar Mitchell on
Transformation as a Vital Aspect of Sustainability
Astronaut and IONS Founder Edgar Mitchell Audio Series on Transformation
as a Vital Aspect of Sustainability
IONS Intention Download Series
IONS has some transcribed some articles from its Intention Download
Series. Interviews with global spiritual leaders and luminaries who were
asked the same 4 questions on Intention.
Here is the link for those that are summarizes below. You can also use
this link to download interview from many more. IONS has a promotion
now where you can sign up for $1 trial.
Rupert Sheldrake
This scientist and pioneer of consciousness discusses intention as it
relates to all living organisms in this engaging discussion with IONS’
Senior Scientist Dean Radin. Rupert’s morphogenesis theory shows intention
to not be a unique trait of human consciousness, but an essential part of
the nature of life in all biological systems.
Sequoyah Trueblood
The release of intention and the intellect is the message from
Sequoyah Trueblood of the Choctaw Nation, in this enlightening interview
with IONS’ President, James O’Dea. Sequoyah's epiphany came while
imprisoned, when he shifted to acceptance, stillness and gratitude for
every moment.
Charles Tart
Join the distinguished academic psychologist Charles Tart for an
insightful and humorous exploration of intention and its relationship with
mindfulness, will, and enlightenment.
John Hagelin
In this interview, quantum physicist and former Presidential candidate
John Hagelin explains the difference between intention and consciousness,
which opens the door on a fascinating discussion of how spending time in
deep meditation in the “nuclear” level of thought can multiply the
efficacy of intentions.
Babar Harihar Ramji
Founder of the Sonoma Ashram in California and a teacher at the Nine
Gates Mystery School, Babaji (Baba Harihar Ramji) discusses a unique
perspective on intention as a state of tension in which something is
desired. Through experiencing a way of being that is aligned with the
greater “wholeness” of life , we can allow things to manifest naturally
from a place of acceptance.
Angeles Arrien
Anthropologist, educator and author, Angeles Arrien offers insights
into her views on intention. At age 33 she set a conscious intention
through prayer and affirmation to do work that had heart and fire and
meaning. She has lived that intention for almost 40 years now, surprised
sometimes at the synchronicity that has led her to do the work she loves.
Michael Murphy
In this interview, Esalen’s co-founder Michael Murphy explores the
further reaches of human potential, ranging from the philosophy of Sri
Aurobindo to the bodybuilding practices of Arnold Schwarzenegger. His
perception is that we are always a complex mix of conscious and
unconscious intentions, often pulling in opposite directions.
James O’Dea
IONS President begins this interview by clarifying the relationship
between attention and intention, thereby creating a more integral
perspective that includes inner and outer transformation. In his deeply
heartfelt and poetic style, James contrasts a more materialistic
understanding of intention with the summoning of purpose in a life such as
we witness with a Mahatma Gandhi.
Edgar Mitchell
The founder of IONS has a unique vantage point to view intentionality,
having witnessed and helped facilitate many new scientific studies, as
well as developing a theory of quantum holography that can help explain
“miraculous” results that some healers produce. In this interview, he
delves into theory but also into his personal story, sharing how group
healing contributed to eradicating his own cancer.
Barbara Marx Hubbard
Barbara long been a visionary leader, helping us all to imagine a bold
and evolutionary future that we can co-create. In this interview with IONS
President James O’Dea, she explores the power of entering into imaginal
realms in order to link our creative intent with the power of the
universe.
Shift in Action
Video:
Transformational Life Mapping
At the IONS 2007 Conference, Tina Amorok
took the audience through a process to identify transformational practices
and experiences in their lives. You too can now participate in this
exercise! In this first segment, Tina describes what activities in your
life might be considered transformative. She suggests taking 30 minutes to
‘map’ your transformational practices and experiences with broad strokes
in seven year increments.
Shift in Action Audio Series
Howard Martin and IONS leaders on the Heart Approach to Conscious Living
Leading experts from the Institute of
HeartMath and the Institute of Noetic Sciences present compelling new
research combined with practical techniques and new technology, to offer
access to the inner guidance needed for developing balance, intuition, and
new intelligence. Through HeartMath's research on the intelligent heart,
you'll better understand how the power of spiritual practices affects the
body, heart, and collective fields of consciousness. Through IONS'
research you will learn about the latest leading-edge studies on the
capacities of consciousness and concepts such as subtle energy and
collective fields. This presentation offers insightful understanding and
effective inner-technologies that can improve health, learning,
performance, and well-being while relieving anxiety, fatigue, and tension.
Articles of Interest
Dimensions of the Great Turning: An
Expanded Definition of the Great Turning
"Coming Back to Life: Joanna Macy," a talk
originally published in
TIMELINE,
September/October 1999
Joanna Macy
Trusting the Web
of Life
http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/459
IONS Review # 56
David La Chapelle
The Practices of
Essential Spirituality
http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/453
Roger Walsh, PhD
IONS Review # 58
Co-Intelligence:
A Vision for Social Activism
http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/161
IONS Review # 62
The Power of Presence
http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/139
Steve Donoso
IONS Review # 63
What Are Noetic
Sciences
http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/140
Willis Harman
IONS Review # 63
Mind and
Healing: Psychology of the Future
http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/66
Stanislav Grof, MD
Shift Issue #
Molecules and Choice
http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/1700
Candace Pert
Shift Issue #4
Romancing the
Cosmos
http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/2704
Richard Tarnas, PhD
Shift Issue # 9
Embracing the
Immaterial Universe
http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/2685
Bruce Lipton, PhD
Shift Issue # 9
Intelligent
Evolution
http://www.shiftinaction.com/discover/articles/shift11/intelligent_evolution
Shift Issue No. 11
Gary E Schwartz
A Call To A Global Wisdom Society
http://www.noetic.org/publications/review/issue58/r58_Franklin.html
Wink Franklin Former President
IONS Review #58 2001-2
The Way of An Explorer
http://www.noetic.org/publications/shift/issue1/s1_way.pdf
Doris Lorn
Shift Issue #1
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