- Noetic Sciences and the Power of the Mind - tung072
Noetic science refers to the study of how thought can affect matter. While this sounds quite simple, the noetic sciences are anything but, and encompass a wide variety of investigative topics and research. At the forefront of these topics are the issues of mind energy and consciousness states and how they relate to the other elements of life.
In Dan Brown’s book, The Lost Symbol, (ISBN: 9780385504225) the noetic sciences are featured prominently as a field of research burgeoning into world-wide notoriety . Whilst the reality of this situation can be argued, Dan Brown’s book does bring the issues of mind energy and consciousness states to the public’s eye, drawing attention to the field of research and that which it pertains to.
Edgar Mitchell and the Institute of Noetic Sciences
The Institute of noetic science was co-founded in 1973 by Edgar Mitchell and Paul N. Temple. Edgar Mitchell was part of the Apollo 14 space mission and said of his experience while in space; “The presence of divinity became almost palpable, and I knew that life in the universe was not just an accident based on random processes ... The knowledge came to me directly.” It was this experience that led Mitchell to found the institute and motivate research into the field of noetics.
Edgar Mitchell has published several books on his experiences, entitled The Way of the Explorer: An Apollo Astronaut's Journey Through the Material and Mystical Worlds.
The Institute of Noetic Sciences
Even though the institute of noetic sciences might not be able to live up to the claims laid by Dan Brown in The Lost Symbol, it has been successful in pursuing research into a number of areas. Some of these include extended human capacity in the form of meditation, psi studies, subtle energies as well as integral health and healing in the form of placebo affects, global medicine and biofields. They also do research in the field of emerging world views, focusing upon integral intelligence, gaia theory and a few other subjects.
The institute of noetic sciences has published a number of works relating to the noetic sciences. Their more notable books include Living Deeply, Deep Medicine, Mindful Motherhood and the End of Materialism.
The Future of Noetics
There is some resistance to the acceptance of noetics as a legitimate avenue of study. However, the prevalence and popularity of Dan Brown’s writing will do only good things for the study of noetics. What the future holds for this field of science, only time will tell.
Sources
- Mitchell, Edgar, The Way of the Explorer, GP Putnam's Sons, 1996
- Institute of Noetic Sciences official website: http://www.noetic.org/
Stuart Cooke - After being born and raised in the South of England, Stu moved to Bermuda for his teenage years. This was to shape his future, first ...
