Dear Friends
A very interesting read
Especially For Women with Ann Barczay Sloan
My Interview with a Luminary
Introducing:
Marilyn Mandala Schlitz, Ph.D.
President / CEO
of the
Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS)
Marilyn and I: Our first connection
Back in the bygone era of 1995 - 96, I was part of a group of IONS Community Group coordinators in
Fast forward through a number of tumultuous years where my priorities took me I away from involvement with IONS... and yet now, Wow! Here I’ve arrived at this unexpected spot in time/space, where I’m fortunate enough to interview Marilyn and publish an article about her awe-inspiring accomplishments in (for her) a no doubt new publications niche.
Saved by Facebook!
In obtaining this interview, I had some unexpected assistance via social media: a setting in which I’m rather a novice. Here’s how this happened:
My usual method of asking someone to be my article subject is to send a standardized letter of invitation ─ and in my mind I had selected Marilyn Schlitz to be next. In fairness, I should mention here that Dr. Schlitz and I were already Friends on Facebook, connected via mutual friends involved with IONS groups.
But one fine day I woke up to find a major glitch had taken over my computer overnight: All (I do mean ALL) of my documents and all of my e-mail address book had vanished, totally disappeared. These were both later retrieved, by two different people on two separate days, but that’s another story; the main challenge here was I had no access to the invitation form letter I needed to send Marilyn ASAP! And of course, in approaching such an illustrious personage my invitation had to be “respectful”: perfect in every way!
What to do? Time was of the essence, so I wrapped some chutzpah around myself and sent off a Facebook message to Marilyn, telling her who I am and inviting her to be interviewed. Apparently, this less formal approach works just as well, because in a few days, she very graciously responded. And by that time, all my documents and e-mail addresses were in full operation again…
It must be Fate…
First off, I must admit I‘ve been in deep admiration of the
Curiously enough, now that I live on
What exactly is IONS?
The following descriptions are posted on the awesome information-rich web site, www.noetic.org :
We are 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.
Background: 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 our publications, events, and educational media, we inform our members and the public about the findings of our frontier research on consciousness and its relationship to the physical world.
Our 200-acre Retreat Center hosts workshops, retreats, and educational activities. We support community-building through local community groups, online discussions, and other networking opportunities
What is “Noetic”?
As this term is so little known, so many ask for a definition. Here we go:
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.
… And what’s Edgar Mitchell got to do with it?
The founding of IONS, based on the life-altering experience of astronaut Edgar Mitchell, is an extraordinary story. It’s summarized on the noetic.org site as follows:
Traveling back to Earth, having just walked on the moon, Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell had an experience for which nothing in his life had prepared him. As he approached the planet we know as home, he was filled with an inner conviction as certain as any mathematical equation he'd ever solved. He knew that the beautiful blue world to which he was returning is part of a living system, harmonious and whole—and that we all participate, as he expressed it later, "in a universe of consciousness."
Trained as an engineer and scientist, Captain Mitchell was most comfortable in the world of rationality and physical precision. Yet the understanding that came to him as he journeyed back from space felt just as trustworthy—it represented another way of knowing.
This experience radically altered his worldview: Despite science's superb technological achievements, he realized that we had barely begun to probe the deepest mystery of the universe—the fact of consciousness itself. He became convinced that the uncharted territory of the human mind was the next frontier to explore, and that it contained possibilities we had hardly begun to imagine. Within two years of his expedition, Edgar Mitchell founded the
Today, Dr Mitchell serves on the board of Directors of the institute. He continues to be active at institute events, including lectures and conferences.
Who is Marilyn Schlitz?
Marilyn’s bio is summarized on the IONS site as follows:
For three decades, scientist and anthropologist Marilyn Mandala Schlitz, Ph.D. has pioneered clinical and field-based research in the area of human transformation and healing. She is a thought leader on matters of individual and social change whose respected voice offers new insights into the most pressing challenges of our time. A researcher, speaker, change consultant, and writer, Marilyn's books include: Living Deeply: The Art and Science of Transformation in Everyday Life and Consciousness and Healing: Integral Approaches to Mind Body Medicine. She serves as the CEO and President of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, where she has worked for 15 years.
Honestly, there’s no way the above can even begin to begin to describe this all-around amazing woman. Go to the page http://www.shiftinaction.com/discover/luminaries/marilyn_schlitz and look at the list of her voluminous writings, teleseminars, web media projects and such, and you will glimpse just that: a glimpse of a part of a part of what she has created and continues to do.
Please note: Dr. Schlitz is headlined on this page as a Luminary: an impressive title indeed.
What is a Luminary?
Of course this word has to do with Light: (based on the Latin lumen.) Here‘s a more detailed definition from my rather old (1989) dictionary ─ but I figure definitions related to Light may not have changed so much:
Luminary (n.) 1. An object, as a celestial body, that gives light; 2. a source of spiritual or intellectual light; 3. a notable person.
There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Surely you agree the title of Luminary is a very apt one to describe Dr. Marilyn Mandala Schlitz!
Our Interview
Let’s move now to the actual interview I conducted with a very gracious Dr. Schlitz. I can not begin to imagine the extent of her obligations and activities, administrative as well as scientific / creative. Nonetheless, she has generously taken time to share herself with me and you, esteemed TNNW readers.
Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview, Marilyn! I‘d like to start by asking: How would you briefly describe what you do at IONS?
“We explore the ways in which consciousness matters for the future of our civilization, including our health and well-being--individually and as a global community.”
What makes your organization unique? Maybe I should say: What is the unique value of the service you provide in the world?
“The fact is,
This goes way beyond huge, Marilyn! I laugh in delight. So, my next question: What is your mission, the primary goal at IONS?
·”The
I am committed to bridging consciousness, science and healing to promote health and well-being.”
Could you please describe how you got started in all this, and how you arrived where you are currently?
“It all began in 1973—reading Thomas Kuhn’s The Structure of Scientific Revolutions and Edgar Mitchell’s book, Psychic Exploration. This set me on an odyssey to explore and understand consciousness and its potentials to create a more just, compassionate, and sustainable world.”
Was there a time of breakthrough, a turning point when you chose to change your course in life? Any specific quantum leap(s)?
“Many! “
Which of your projects are you currently most excited, most passionate about?
“The big picture, of course: Building IONS. Also, developing ‘Seeding the Change: A Curriculum on Worldview Literacy’.’”
We are also creating a series of E-learning courses ─ the first set is on “After Life Cosmologies: Implications and Applications for Health and Healing Practitioners.”
That’s so exciting, Marilyn ─ amazing that education of this caliber, this dimension is actually being created now… And speaking of education: your large IONS conferences ─ packed with brilliant leading thinkers: more luminaries, really ─ are outstanding!
Now can you tell me ─ how much of your work is focused specifically toward women?
“Well, as an example we just completed a clinical trial on expectancy effects and distant healing with women who are undergoing reconstructive surgery—many breast cancer patients.”
What are some of the ways and places you promote your far-flung organization?
“We work on this on an ongoing basis. For example, we are now in midst of redesigning our marketing and membership model to become more unified. This includes a new website and a set of engagement programs that we are very excited about.”
How far does your network extend? In other words, what is the size of your list?
“It’s pretty vast, based on many years and many partnerships.”
Must be quite an amazing list!
“You know, some ways, IONS was a social networking organization before social networking. Right now I am working to strengthen the global network based on shared programs and the internet as a wrap to connect local groups.”
What have you found is the best thing about building a network: Positive experiences? Benefits, expected and unexpected?
“In essence: Great people working toward common goal with collective intention.”
What challenges (if any) have you found in your networking experiences?
“To sum it all up: The more people, the more personalities, the more complexity. Complexity can be catalytic. It can also become a frustrating exercise in will and ill directed power relations and needs.”
Bottom line – What do you feel is really working well for you at the Institute?
“Here are some of the great things we have going for us:
· Vision,
· Staff,
· Change model based in four decades of systematic explorations of consciousness transformation, health and healing, and extended human capacities,
· Dynamic research and educational programs that can be grown,
· 200-acre property and retreat center to serve the transformational community,
· Communications capacities and reputation; and an
· Archive of the field of consciousness, science, spirituality, health and healing.”
Besides networking, how else are you promoting your organization? What do you view as the primary vehicle and what makes it more important than the other(s)?
“So many ways! Partnerships, publications, media relations with both mainstream and alternative press, professional presentations, beautiful 200-acre retreat center in northern
I must say IONS publications are outstanding in every way – as I’ve been around them for years, I feel they are a feast for the eyes as well as mind and heart ─ and spirit too!
Now here’s a big question: What’s the achievement, the accomplishment you’re most proud of at this time?
“To sum it up: Holding the complexities of a 40 year old not-for-profit at a time of great social and economic challenge with a sense of joy, hope, playfulness, optimism, clarity, and collaboration.”
Marilyn, at this moment I am more in awe than ever of what you as well as your predecessors at IONS are accomplishing…
Any other point you’d like to emphasize at this time?
“Feels to me like a moment when female leadership is emerging and will shape business/society more and more in the future. It is very exciting to be part of that and to reach out to other women leaders who are dealing with many of the same issues and challenges. I am looking forward to more collaborations that build synergy, creativity, social relevance, and sound business practices.”
In conclusion, anything you’d like to add ─ some words of encouragement, inspiration for our readers??
“In our book (Schlitz, VIeten, and Amorok, 2007), Living Deeply: The Art and Science of Transformation in Everyday Life, we found that the greatest catalyst for positive personal transformations is pain and discomfort. While not always, it is often the portal into a new way of living and being. This is important to remember as each of us deals with the many stresses of our times. Even the most challenging moments hold the potential for deep healing.”
With your permission, Marilyn, I’d like to close with these quotes from your 2008 Year-end Message:
For decades, researchers at IONS have shown that the barriers to deep, evolutionary change are often self-imposed. Too often we live in fear and with limited imagination. Through "inattentional blindness," we overlook opportunities to make positive, life-enhancing transformations, even in moments of deep challenges….
… At the heart of a global shift is the evolution of consciousness. For more than 35 years, IONS has been a respected leader in advancing our understanding of the powers and potentials of consciousness. We have discovered over and over again that our personal transformation and collective evolution are intertwined.
As I take on the new role of President and CEO for the Institute of Noetic Sciences, I am both humbled and invigorated by the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. I am convinced, as never before, that our work is essential to achieving a fundamental course correction.
Beautiful, elevating, inspiring ─ Thank you so much for sharing your personal and collective vision and soul-commitment with us!
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