WHAT IS THE INSTITUTE OF NOETIC SCIENCES?
The Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) is a 501(c)(3) research and educational
organization located in Northern California on 200 acres of beautiful rolling
hills just 25 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. We conduct, sponsor, and
collaborate on leading-edge research into the potentials and powers of consciousness,
exploring phenomena that do not necessarily fit conventional scientific models
while maintaining a commitment to scientific rigor. IONS also has an eco-friendly
retreat center that offers meeting facilities, cuisine, and accommodations
for up to 120 people.
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WHAT IS "NOETIC"?
The word "noetic" comes from the ancient Greek nous, for which there
is no exact equivalent in English. It most closely refers to "inner knowing" or
a kind of intuitive consciousness—direct and immediate access to knowledge
beyond what is available to our normal senses and the power of reason.
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WHAT ARE "NOETIC SCIENCES"?
Noetic science uses scientific methods to explore the "inner cosmos" of
the mind (consciousness, soul, spirit) and how it relates to the "outer
cosmos" of the physical world. In other words, it studies how people come
to know things or affect things through experiences or capacities (intuitions,
synchronicities, psi, “after-death” communication, energy healing,
etc.) that have no apparent rational explanation and what this suggests about
the nature of human consciousness. For more on this topic, go to our What
is 'Noetic'? page.
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WHO FOUNDED THE INSTITUTE OF NOETIC SCIENCES?
Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar
Mitchell, the sixth man to walk on the moon, founded
the Institute in 1973 after experiencing what he described as a "samadhi" moment—a
profound sense of universal connectedness—on his return trip from the
moon. His mission for the Institute was to “broaden our knowledge of
the nature and potentials of mind and consciousness and to apply that knowledge
to the enhancement of human well-being and the quality of life on the planet."
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HOW MANY MEMBERS DOES THE INSTITUTE HAVE?
The Institute of Noetic Sciences is an international membership organization
with approximately 12,000 members located in nearly all 50 states and in
more than 60 countries.
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WHAT DOES THE INSTITUTE STUDY?
Since its founding in 1973, the Institute has focused on the intersection
of science and spiritual experience, human potential, consciousness and
healing,
mind-body interaction, social transformation, and creativity. Our activities
in each of these areas have been diverse and have included empirical research,
the organization of scientific or scholarly conferences, sponsorship of scientific
and scholarly publications, supporting the professional development of colleagues,
professional networking, and hosting educational workshops at our retreat
center. Our current research
programs are focused on the following topic
areas: Extended
Human Capacities, Integral Health and Healing, and Worldview Transformation.
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HOW IS THE INSTITUTE SUPPORTED FINANCIALLY?
Our principal sources of income include members, who contribute through annual
dues and monthly giving programs; larger individual financial gifts; research
grants; and revenue from our retreat center. Our board
of directors also
contributes significantly to the Institute. Guidestar publishes online information
about
nonprofit organizations; you can find financial
information about our institute
there.
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WHO ARE THE MEMBERS OF IONS' BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND HOW ARE THEY SELECTED?
Members of our board are committed individuals from among our membership
who want to further the Institute's work through significant financial support
as well as through contributions of time and professional expertise. New
board
candidates are evaluated and then selected by existing board members and
are elected to three-year terms of service.
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WHAT KINDS OF EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES DOES IONS SUPPORT?
Every two years we host an international conference at various locations
throughout the U.S. We also organize smaller regional events in the San
Francisco Bay
Area, including lectures by visiting scientists, scholars, and social entrepreneurs.
In 2009 we began sponsoring a series of Transformative
Learning Workshops here on the IONS campus. We also offer CDs
and DVDs on topics in the noetic
sciences,
a semiannual bulletin (The Noetic Post), and a monthly e-zine
(iShift).
Our Retreat Center is
the location for a variety of single- and multi-day programs
that highlight the importance of human development. Our global network
of nearly 200 local community
groups provides members and others with opportunities
for
intellectual inquiry, experiential exploration, and networking.
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DOES IONS SPONSOR ANY AWARDS?
IONS currently sponsors the Temple
Awards for Creative Altruism, which is presented
biannually at our international conference to three individuals whose lives
and work embody the inspirational light of unselfish service motivated by love.
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WHAT ARE THE INSTITUTE'S PRIMARY PUBLICATIONS?
Until the summer of 2009, the Institute published the highly respected quarterly
Shift: At the
Frontiers of Consciousness (formerly IONS Review), which
reported on developments in the broad field of noetic sciences and consciousness
studies.
Shift has been replaced by a twice-yearly bulletin, The Noetic Post.
We also publish iShift,
our monthly e-zine with content features, news items, and updates on IONS-specific
events. The Noetic Post is available to members only; iShift is
open to all—subscribe
online.
The Institute
published two unique reports
on the intersection of noetic science and cultural change: The 2007
Shift Report: Evidence of a
World Transforming and The 2008 Shift Report: Changing the Story
of Our Future.
You can order back issues of both Shift magazine and the Shift
Reports by
contacting
Tiffany Mitchell at tmitchell@noetic.org or
707-779-8230.
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WHAT BOOKS HAS THE INSTITUTE SPONSORED OR PUBLISHED?
IONS has published or co-published a number of books during the past three
decades, including The Way of the Explorer by Edgar Mitchell, Global
Mind Change and New Metaphysical Foundations of Modern Science by
Willis Harman,
Biology Revisioned by Willis Harman and Elisabet Sahtouris, and The
Heart of Healing by Bill Poole. In 2007 the Institute launched its own
book imprint, Noetic
Books, in collaboration
with New Harbinger Publications. We sometimes accept unsolicited submissions.
Email a book proposal to Matthew Gilbert at mgilbert@noetic.org and allow
at least six weeks for a response. Because of the overwhelming number of
materials that come in, we have to pass on many worthy submissions.
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HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED IN A LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUP?
Nearly 200 local community groups now
exist around the world. These groups are self-organizing and self-directing,
and most are open both to members and
nonmembers. A list of current group coordinators can be found here.
Anyone interested in forming a local community group is encouraged to contact
Angela Murphy (707-779-8228) at IONS or go here.
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HOW DO I FIND OUT MY MEMBERSHIP STATUS?
If you have specific questions about your membership, please email membership@noetic.org or call 877-769-4667, Monday through Friday, 9am–4:30pm PST. For more
answers to your membership questions, please see our Member
Services page.
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WHAT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES DOES IONS HAVE?
We occasionally post job
openings
on our website. We currently employ a staff of 35 full- and part-time employees,
and we also have numerous volunteers who generously donate their time and skills.
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HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER AT IONS?
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 email volunteer@noetic.org.
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IS IT POSSIBLE TO VISIT THE IONS CAMPUS?
We have tours on the second Tuesday of the month from 2:30–3:30pm. If
you would like to come at another time, please check with us first. To sign
up for the tour or to make arrangements to come at another time, contact email
membership@noetic.org or call 877-769-4667. Please check in with reception
when you arrive on campus.
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CAN I SHOW MY ART ON THE IONS CAMPUS?
Our Community Center features a gallery of changing exhibitions in collaboration
with the Lucid Art Foundation. Their
panel of professionals selects the shows and curates them. For more information
or to submit an inquiry,
contact Hannah Mott at registrar@lucidart.org.
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DOES IONS PROVIDE GRANTS FOR CREATIVE PROJECTS SUCH AS BOOKS OR DOCUMENTARY
FILMS THAT FEATURE NOETIC SUBJECTS?
We do not have the resources to support the many worthwhile ideas and projects
that are presented to us.
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