retreats & Meetings
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Because exploring these ideas is more powerful when we are together, we are planning a series of retreats/in-person meetings in 2023.
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upcoming:
A revolution in neuroscience:
alternative models of consciousness
A symposium at the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Conference
Open to the public, registration is not required for this event (to SfN or otherwise)
Saturday, November 11, 2023
6:30 - 10pm ET
Potomac Salon 1
Westin Downtown DC Hotel (formerly known as the Renaissance Washington DC Downtown Hotel)
999 9th Street NW DC
Agenda:
6:30 - 6:50: Introduction: Mona Sobhani and Allison Paradise
6:50 - 7:50: Speaker Presentations:
What We Talk About When We Talk About Consciousness
7:50 - 8:20: Panel Discussion, moderated by Mona Sobhani & Allison Paradise. All speakers and Christof Koch (Allen Institute of Brain Sciences; in person)
8:20 - 10:00: Group Discussion with all attendees and speakers
Abstract
Consciousness remains one of the greatest mysteries of science. Despite decades of research and theory, consciousness researchers are far from closing the gap between neurons and phenomenological experience with a widely-accepted theory. While the dominant theory in neuroscience proposes that consciousness arises from the brain, the past few decades have seen alternative theories based on experimental evidence being published in scientific journals – including the idea that consciousness is fundamental. This symposium will present an array of alternative theories of consciousness and the brain and include group discussion about possible alternative mechanisms.
Support
This event is not financially supported by SfN. Please consider an individual donation to fund this symposium.
For corporate sponsorship opportunities, please contact us.
Open to the public, registration is not required for this event (to SfN or otherwise)
Saturday, November 11, 2023
6:30 - 10pm ET
Potomac Salon 1
Westin Downtown DC Hotel (formerly known as the Renaissance Washington DC Downtown Hotel)
999 9th Street NW DC
Agenda:
6:30 - 6:50: Introduction: Mona Sobhani and Allison Paradise
6:50 - 7:50: Speaker Presentations:
What We Talk About When We Talk About Consciousness
- Allison Paradise The Epicenter; in person
- Bernardo Kastrup Essentia Foundation; remote
- Jonathan Schooler UCSB, Dept of Psychological & Brain Sciences; remote
- Julia Mossbridge USD, Dept of Physics and Biophysics; in person
- Donald Hoffman UCI, Dept. of Cognitive Sciences; remote
7:50 - 8:20: Panel Discussion, moderated by Mona Sobhani & Allison Paradise. All speakers and Christof Koch (Allen Institute of Brain Sciences; in person)
8:20 - 10:00: Group Discussion with all attendees and speakers
Abstract
Consciousness remains one of the greatest mysteries of science. Despite decades of research and theory, consciousness researchers are far from closing the gap between neurons and phenomenological experience with a widely-accepted theory. While the dominant theory in neuroscience proposes that consciousness arises from the brain, the past few decades have seen alternative theories based on experimental evidence being published in scientific journals – including the idea that consciousness is fundamental. This symposium will present an array of alternative theories of consciousness and the brain and include group discussion about possible alternative mechanisms.
Support
This event is not financially supported by SfN. Please consider an individual donation to fund this symposium.
For corporate sponsorship opportunities, please contact us.
past retreats:
Neuro Spirituality
April 21-23, 2023
University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA
Join us for a retreat on Neuro Spirituality April 21-23, 2023 at the University of Puget Sound. Siddharth Ramakrishnan (Neuroscience), Suzanne Holland (Bioethics/Religion), and Greta Austin (Religion) of the University of Puget Sound with support from Mona Sobhani (Neuroscientist) and Allison Paradise (Neuroscientist) are convening a group of neuroscientists, religious scholars, and interdisciplinary thinkers to think about large questions pertaining to the neuroscience of spirituality, consciousness and the philosophy of religious thoughts. Over this weekend we will engage in conversation and workshop ideas that we can further pursue leading to white papers, grants, curricular modules and experiments.
University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA
Join us for a retreat on Neuro Spirituality April 21-23, 2023 at the University of Puget Sound. Siddharth Ramakrishnan (Neuroscience), Suzanne Holland (Bioethics/Religion), and Greta Austin (Religion) of the University of Puget Sound with support from Mona Sobhani (Neuroscientist) and Allison Paradise (Neuroscientist) are convening a group of neuroscientists, religious scholars, and interdisciplinary thinkers to think about large questions pertaining to the neuroscience of spirituality, consciousness and the philosophy of religious thoughts. Over this weekend we will engage in conversation and workshop ideas that we can further pursue leading to white papers, grants, curricular modules and experiments.
Science & Spirituality retreat
April 1, 2023
Venice, CA
How can we build a bridge between spirituality and science to unify and deepen our understanding of the human experience? As scientists, we are often taught to ignore or disregard paranormal or spiritual experiences. Yet a growing body of evidence, both anecdotal and scientific, suggests that these experiences are not only real, but worthy of investigation. In this one-day retreat, we will explore our own personal experiences through the dual lenses of spirituality and neuroscience.
The day's events will be comprised of
This small, 16-person retreat will be led by neuroscientists Mona Sobhani and Allison Paradise with a special meditation led by Connor Maliesky, who is experienced in guiding meditations at the Esalen Institute.
Venice, CA
How can we build a bridge between spirituality and science to unify and deepen our understanding of the human experience? As scientists, we are often taught to ignore or disregard paranormal or spiritual experiences. Yet a growing body of evidence, both anecdotal and scientific, suggests that these experiences are not only real, but worthy of investigation. In this one-day retreat, we will explore our own personal experiences through the dual lenses of spirituality and neuroscience.
The day's events will be comprised of
- Introductions + personal stories
- A meditative exercise
- Presentation of scientific findings on exceptional human experiences
- A potentially transformational light and sound experience of presence, awareness, and connection, provided by Chromasonic
- Exploration of our experiences in Chromasonic
This small, 16-person retreat will be led by neuroscientists Mona Sobhani and Allison Paradise with a special meditation led by Connor Maliesky, who is experienced in guiding meditations at the Esalen Institute.