The Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) was voted by the members and visitors of Universe Spirit as our Organization of the summer Quarter 2006.
IONS is a nonprofit membership 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.
The institute is not a spiritual association, political-action group, or a single-cause institute. Rather, we honor open-minded approaches and multiple ways of knowing, bring discernment to our work, and support diversity of perspectives on social and scientific matters.
Through publications, events, and educational media IONS informs their members and the public about the findings of their frontier research on consciousness and its relationship to the physical world.
IONS’ 200-acre Retreat Center hosts workshops, retreats, and educational activities. They support community-building through local community groups, online discussions, and other networking opportunities.
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 to knowledge beyond what is available to our normal senses and the power of reason.
What are 'Noetic Sciences'?
Noetic sciences are explorations into the nature and potentials of consciousness using multiple ways of knowing—including intuition, feeling, reason, and the senses.
Noetic sciences explore the "inner cosmos" of the mind (consciousness, soul, spirit) and how it relates to the "outer cosmos" of the physical world.
The institute explores consciousness from three perspectives:
(1) First-person perspective — Supporting individuals exploring and developing their own subjective consciousness (e.g., meditation and other spiritual practices). Emphasis on inner knowing and personal transformation.
(2) Second-person perspective — Exploring and supporting transformative relationships and intersubjective consciousness (e.g., compassionate dialogue, community building, a global wisdom society). Emphasis on transformative learning and collective wisdom.
(3) Third-person perspective — Gathering data about objective physiological correlates of consciousness (e.g., research using rigorous scientific protocols, including experiments in psi, mind-body healing, and subtle energies). Emphasis on scientific understanding.
These are the complementary elements of a "noetic science." All three perspectives value and employ multiple ways of knowing—including intuition, reason, and the senses in varying combinations. The goal of this work is to support individuals in transformation of their own consciousness (developing their innate human potentials and creative capacities) as a foundation for collective transformation toward a world grounded in freedom, wisdom, and love.
Please visit www.ions.org to join IONS and to learn more.