LATEST New Options Community Group Calendar October-November 2008
Since 1997 our New Options Community Group in Amherst, Massachusetts has been exploring pros and cons of a wide variety of research findings, concepts, practices, and ideas . . . all for more integrally conscious, healthful, wise, mutually empathetic living, aging, dying, and thereafter . . . as they newly emerge from scientific, humanistic, and psychospiritual communities worldwide. No topic is out of bounds. All our members participate in planning our calendars. Thus everyone has a piece-of-the-action, consequently ownership for our meetings.
If you want to read a copy of our calendar in larger font please see the attachment.
October 1 - Environmental Issues. Renowned polymer scientist and University of Massachusetts Amherst Goessmann Professor of Chemistry, Emeritus Richard Stein will lead our discussion on climate, energy, global warming, and related challenges.
October 8 - Mysteries of the Brain, Mysteries of Healing. What makes people do and feel what they do and heal? An effective new answer to that question -- the Hoffman Process -- is discussed with Professor Bruce Prince, M.D. who is Chief, Department of Neurology at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School.
October 15 - Art from the Roof of the World. Professor Robert A.F. Thurman is a renowned scholar-activist considered the leading American expert on Tibetan Buddhism. Known as a riveting speaker, Thurman uses wit and creativity to present this video focusing on "Inner revolution: Life, Love and the Pursuit of Real Happiness."
October 22 - Inside the Terrorist Mind. Scientists are probing the psyches of terrorists to reveal what motivates their monstrous acts. In this Scientific American Mind article, economist and independent science journalist Annette Schaeffer writes, "Far from being crazed killers, terrorists are gunning for the greater good - as they see it."
October 29 - Your Cells Are My Cells. "Many, perhaps all, people harbor a small number of cells from genetically different individuals -- from their mothers and, for women who have been pregnant, from their children, What in the world do these foreigners do in the body? " writes Scientific American writer J. Lee Nelson who is a member of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and professor of medicine, University of Washington.
November 5 - Spirits of the Rainforest -- Paradise Found. This Discovery Channel video takes us on a journey three thousand miles from the mouth of the Amazon to the world's largest rainforest preserve, the Manu Biosphere Reserve. Entering a pristine environment containing more species of animals than any other place on Earth, we will boat down uncharted rivers, and experience the myths and magic of the Machiguenga Indians whose tribal lifestyle has changed little since the time of the ancient Incas.
November 12 - Life-Between-Lives Spiritual Regression. Returning by popular request, certified past lives regression hypnotherapist Trish Casimira will discuss Dr. Michael Newton's original LBLSR method which offers one a means to access soul memories through a trance-induced "superconscious" state of awareness that brings a deep sense of love, compassion and an understanding of our life purpose. Discussion will include the afterlife, evolution of the soul, and interdimensional souls.
November 19 - Responding to a Crisis and Transformation. Guest presenter Jonathan Mark will discuss his perspectives on survival in the 21st Century relative to human rights, preserving our ecosystem, peace in space, etc. Publisher of FlybyNews.com, Mark began his online news resource following NASA's 1999-Cassini "flyby" of Earth with 72.3 pounds of radioactive plutonium on board. Those who have internet access may want to visit his interesting site FlybyNews.com.
November 26 - Varieties of Sexual Identity. Are human beings born only as MALE and FEMALE? We now know about lesbians and gays, but there are still more variants in sexual identity and sexual preference. A member of the transgender community will speak to us from personal experience.
Coordinated by Bob Johnston all our meetings, unless otherwise designated, are on Wednesdays from 2:00 to 4:00 PM in the Bangs Community Center, Room 101. Our discussions are limited to twenty people. Seating in the discussion circle is on a first come basis. Latecomers, if all seats are taken, may sit on the periphery and listen. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact Bob at 665-8920, or you may Email him at: omnimind@admin.umass.edu.
If you are interested in reading "Purpose, Values, and Attitudes of Our Community Group" please see http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/2052
If interested in a brief history of our New Options Community Group see http://www.shiftinaction.com/node/5293
Yours with empathy and trust in probabilistic evidence-based integral natural science and our timeless, omnipresent, caring, mysterious Source of all cognitive and experiential consciousness,
Bob
