About Us

Our VALUES

•  Support rigorous applications of the scientific method
• Nurture curiosity and creativity in research
• Encourage open-minded exploratory and confirmatory investigations
• Model integrity and honesty in communication and education
• Value experimental and empirical data over dogma
• Create safe settings for sharing theories, evidence, and experiences
• Promote evidence-based innovation and positive societal change
• Expand awareness of the interconnectedness of all things
• Share postmaterialist evidence and understanding with the public

All the major spiritual and mystical traditions of the world incorporate teachings about the nature of mind and promote behavioural practices intended – amongst other goals – to bring about psychological transformations. Transpersonal psychology addresses these teachings and practices, researching their value and evaluating their relationships to ideas promulgated in Psychology. In essence Transpersonal Psychology seeks to integrate non-scientific spiritual insights with observations and models associated with the rigorous methodological approach of psychological science.

The Center for Consciousness Studies at the University of Arizona was formed in 1998 with a seed grant from the Fetzer Institute. The Center is unique in its broad spectrum approach. Other groups tend focus either on cognitive neuroscience, philosophy or purely phenomenal experiential approaches, whereas the Center not only integrates these areas, but “thinks outside the box” of conventional wisdom which has thus far, at least, failed to make significant breakthroughs. The Center has also inspired other groups such as the Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness and those who organise other conferences.

Our primary mission is one of support, education and research. We have 88 support groups around the US and some associations with European groups. We give an annual NDE conference and some smaller educational offerings every year. We distribute research through our professional journal and have published our first research book this year, The Self Does Not Die.

More than half of service users hold spiritual or religious beliefs they see as important in helping them cope with mental illness, but often feel unable to discuss such concerns with their psychiatrists.

Spirituality can be as broad as the essentially human, personal and interpersonal dimension, which integrates and transcends the cultural, religious, psychological, social and emotional aspects of the person, or more specifically concerned with ‘soul’ or ‘spirit’. While spiritual values and beliefs are found at the heart of all religious teachings, spirituality is a universal human quality that every person can experience independently of religion. It, therefore, brings together all those involved in mental health care, regardless of creed or culture.

We hold no corporate view about their existence or meaning; rather, our purpose is to gather information and foster understanding through research and education. Our members represent a variety of academic and professional interests all over the world.

The Society works to preserve, understand and develop the philosophy it inherits from Mr P.D. Ouspensky, Dr  F.C. Roles and His Holiness Shantanand Saraswati. These ideas present a unified view of the universe and stress the non-duality between the inner self and the outer world. The Study Society seeks to benefit from the study of other paths which may expand our understanding.

We focus on interactive and experiential education to develop the practical skills and strategic thinking required to tackle many of challenges we face in the 21st Century. Students work in small groups which embrace the learning principles of head, hand, heart. This takes place in the classroom, the gardens, the kitchen – it is part of everything we do. Here you will discover things about yourself, develop a deep participatory relationship with nature, make new friendships with people from around the world and start a lifelong connection with the College.

The purpose of the research is to articulate a coherent, meaningful view of the human being and his or her world, based on cutting-edge scientific research. The importance of this endeavor lies in providing an accurate and comprehensible picture of where we are today, and where we could be heading tomorrow.

New-paradigm research is to open fresh theoretical and practical perspectives for constructive and humanly and ecologically sound paths beyond the crises that threaten existence in the biosphere of the planet.