What do plants have to do with consciousness? Human beings perceive plants and trees utilizing our own sensory experience. Certain plants, such as those considered psychedelic or entheogenic, can alter human consciousness. Scientists and scholars in the humanities have debated whether plants themselves can be considered intelligent, sentient, cognitive, or even conscious. Spanning from plant souls to plant signalling and behaviour, this presentation and discussion seeks to bring the “vegetal turn,” a move toward recognizing plants as intelligent agents with their own lives, to conversations regarding consciousness. Laura Pustarfi, Ph.D., is adjunct faculty in Philosophy and Religion and Director of the Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research Certificate Program at California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Franscisco, California. Her scholarly interests include plant studies, integral ecology, psychedelic philosophy, and environmental humanities, especially environmental philosophy, eco-phenomenology, and religion and ecology. She is currently working on a volume co-edited with Dr. David Macauley, The Wisdom of Trees: Thinking Through Arboreality, forthcoming in 2025 from SUNY Press. Laura has presented at the several conferences on both plant studies and psychedelic-assisted therapy nationally and internationally. #Consciousness #PlantConsciousness #ConsciousnessStudies #MindAndNature #PlantIntelligence #NatureAwareness #ConsciousLiving #SpiritualityAndScience #Mindfulness #EnvironmentalAwareness

Psychedelic states of consciousness open the door to remarkable experiences. Despite popular perception, the spectrum of those experiences is wide - from delicate, gentle opening of senses to out-of-body experiences. The exact mechanisms behind psychedelic consciousness are still uncertain, but the prevailing therapeutic belief is that psychedelic substances don't introduce anything new into your system. Rather, they offer deep access to your implicit self and the experiences that have shaped it. Just like no healer can heal anyone directly but fosters an experience that represents the healing state, which the client chooses to integrate. Consequently, psychedelics are catalysts that reveal our inner world, activating the natural biological, psychological, and spiritual processes. Dr. Kasia Kopanska strives to bridge the experiential, scientific and mystical spaces. She is passionate about exploring the relationship between the body and altered states of consciousness. With a wide-open heart, she guides individuals and groups to experience nature within to transform and embrace trauma into belonging, aliveness, and authenticity. Kasia is somatic educator and psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) facilitator. She is a cell and tissue biology scientist (PhD from the University of Cambridge). Kasia is a scholar of feminine mysticism and oracular arts. She has extensive experience working with various tools and methodologies, including bodywork, touch, breathwork, sound, movement, parts inquiry, ritual, expressive arts and more. Website: https://www.kasiakopanska.com Instagram:    / kasia.embodied   Facebook:    / integral.embodied   LinkedIn:    / katarzynakopanska #somatictherapy #embodiment #embodiedexpanding #psychedelictherapy #psychedelicscience #psychedelicart #consciousnessstudies #consciousness #cellularconsciousness #bodyconsciousness

Psychedelics have long been stigmatized. With the recent psychedelic renaissance, their therapeutic potential has been rediscovered. This renewed interest in the psychedelic perspective has uncovered a remarkable blind spot in Western thought. Namely, the rich and impactful role psychedelics have played in shaping history, from early shamanism to the Rig Veda, and modern philosophy. The phenomenal accounts of psychonauts hint at a radically different metaphysics one would expect from a sober waking state of consciousness. Finally, what does the neuroscience of psychedelics teach us? Dr. James B. Glattfelder is an author, academic, quantitative researcher, and entrepreneur. He holds an M.Sc. in theoretical physics next to a Ph.D. in the study of complex systems, both from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. His research focuses on decoding complexity, the metaphysics of existence, and the limits to knowledge while being concerned about societal and environmental challenges. For over a decade, James worked as a quantitative researcher, both in traditional finance and in the distributed ledger ecosystem, where he was involved in various startups. In 2025, his latest book will appear, called "The Sapient Cosmos: What a Modern-Day Synthesis of Science and Philosophy Teaches Us about the Emergence of Information, Consciousness, and Meaning. Website: https://jth.ch/jbg #PsychedelicRenaissance #NeuroscienceOfPsychedelics #ConsciousnessExploration #Metaphysics #Psychonauts #JamesGlattfelder #psychedelicscience #psychedelictherapy

In today’s fast-paced world, businesses often disconnect from natural cycles, leading to imbalance and burnout. Drawing from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), leaders can reconnect with nature’s rhythms to foster resilience and sustainability in their organizations. Concepts like yin and yang, the five elements, and the balance of mind, body, and spirit offer valuable insights into leadership. By aligning business practices with these principles, leaders can create harmonious environments, enhancing both organizational health and leadership effectiveness. This ancient wisdom encourages a more sustainable and thoughtful approach to modern business. Annie-Laure Fernandez Annie-Laure Fernandez has spent over a decade immersed in the healing arts, with a focus on Traditional Chinese Medicine. She has guided numerous impact investors, CEOs, and change-makers toward realizing their potential by aligning their inner values with tangible outcomes. Annie-Laure's deep understanding of the balance between mind, body, heart, and spirit informs her unique approach to organizational leadership, where she helps leaders integrate the wisdom of nature into their business practices to foster harmony and resilience. Website: https://annielaure.com Website: https://www.lifeflowtao.com #NatureLeadership #OrganizationalResilience #SustainableLeadership #TraditionalChineseMedicine #YinandYang #LeadershipBalance #MindBodySpirit #HolisticLeadership #BusinessSustainability #ElementalLeadership

The body is life’s pure desire to live, an organ that drinks the nectar of reality with its delicate senses open to the outside and inside. The body forms unpredictable experiences we often imagine are never possible. Consciousness is what makes it all possible. The body is both a vessel and an active participant in creating our experiences. Through the body, we truly live and learn, here and now, as part of the interconnected whole. The body's natural inclination is to flow with the experience, much like an artist actively participates in creating their work. Our bodies serve as a canvas for the boundless possibilities connected to our unconscious. Like skilled artists, we channel these possibilities into individual and collective consciousness, using our bodies to express our innermost thoughts and feelings. with Dr. Kasia Kopanska: I invite you to join me in the cycle of experimental gatherings in collaboration with MQ Academy. Each part will start with the visual poetic journey to engage our subconscious, followed by insights from current scientific research, mystical teachings, and personal experience, complete with embodied free-flow togetherness. About Embodied Expanding Cycle ... to the world, we always remain as children... In Embodied Expanding, we explore how to navigate the infinite rhythmic process of evolution, defragmentation, and creation intimately bound to living inside the body. We are all part of nature, intricately woven into its cycles and physical laws. Yet, our highly developed conscious mind, a marvel of evolution, gives us a unique perspective on life. We feel like we stand on the top of a mountain, gazing down at all the creation. In our lives, we endure moments of pain, upheaval and rapture - both spontaneous and induced - that shatter our illusions and cast us into the deep chasms of our bodily existence with nowhere to go. These cycles of disarray and rebirth are as inescapable as the physical laws governing our flesh. In these moments of profound transformation, we often recognise the thread that binds us to all of existence. This thread, this profound interconnectivity, I refer to as love. Dr. Kasia Kopanska strives to bridge the experiential, scientific and mystical spaces. She is passionate about exploring the relationship between the body and altered states of consciousness. With a wide-open heart, she guides individuals and groups to experience nature within to transform and embrace trauma into belonging, aliveness, and authenticity. Kasia is somatic educator and psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) facilitator. She is a cell and tissue biology scientist (PhD from the University of Cambridge). Kasia is a scholar of feminine mysticism and oracular arts. She has extensive experience working with various tools and methodologies, including bodywork, touch, breathwork, sound, movement, parts inquiry, ritual, expressive arts and more. Website: https://www.kasiakopanska.com Instagram:    / kasia.embodied   Facebook:    / integral.embodied   LinkedIn:    / katarzynakopanska #somatictherapy #embodiment #embodiedexpanding #psychedelictherapy #psychedelicscience #psychedelicart #consciousnessstudies #consciousness #cellularconsciousness #bodyconsciousness

As the world has evolved, so has our consciousness. From the early days of living in caves to the modern era of quantum computing, humanity has made significant strides. Alongside this physical and technological progress, our understanding and awareness—our consciousness—have also developed in profound ways. Many Western philosophers have dedicated their work to studying and mapping the evolution of consciousness. Notable among them are Jean Gebser, and Ken Wilber. Each of these thinkers has explored different modes of consciousness, proposing unique models that illustrate how human awareness has transformed over time. Jean Gebser introduced the concept of different structures of consciousness, such as the archaic, magic, mythical, mental, and integral stages. Ken Wilber, on the other hand, has created an all-encompassing framework that integrates various schools of thought, both Eastern and Western, to present a holistic view of consciousness evolution. These philosophers have not only contributed individually but have also leveraged both Eastern and Western philosophical traditions to provide a more integral and comprehensive picture. Deepak is deeply rooted in Indian philosophy, particularly the Vedas and Vedanta. A passionate explorer of the question, 'What does it mean to be human?', he stands at the intersection of technology (MTech - India), business (MBA, HSG Switzerland), and humanity (MA, Philosophy, California; coach CPCC, ACC). With over 15 years in the corporate world, he has held executive positions, including COO and Director, in consulting firms and multinational companies such as Accenture, Deutsche Post DHL, and Zurich Insurance Company. As the founder of the EduQua-certified humanistic skills academy, MQ Learning, he combines Eastern and Western philosophical traditions to make Eastern wisdom more applicable to global minds. Deepak lectures on topics related to self-leadership, philosophy & consciousness, digital ethics, and Eastern wisdom traditions. Website: https://www.mq-learning.com/conscious-studies #ConsciousnessEvolution #JeanGebser #KenWilber #IntegralTheory #WesternPhilosophy #ConsciousnessStudies #HumanAwareness #PhilosophyOfMind #EasternAndWesternWisdom #ModesOfConsciousness

Module of Consciousness Studies delves into the insights of the Vedas and Upanishads, complemented by the evolution model presented by Sri Aurobindo. - with Deepak Bansal at MQ Learning Academy Consciousness is not a static field but has evolved over time and will likely continue to evolve in the future. Various Eastern scriptures, such as the Vedas and Upanishads, propose that consciousness extends beyond the individual mind. These texts have developed models that explain what consciousness is, the different types of consciousness, its origins, and its potential future evolution. Many scholars have drawn on this wisdom to define their own models of consciousness. Sri Aurobindo, an Indian philosopher and mystic, provided a comprehensive model of consciousness and outlined what humans need to do to advance to higher levels of consciousness. Deepak is deeply rooted in Indian philosophy, particularly the Vedas and Vedanta. A passionate explorer of the question, 'What does it mean to be human?', he stands at the intersection of technology (MTech - India), business (MBA, HSG Switzerland), and humanity (MA, Philosophy, California; coach CPCC, ACC). With over 15 years in the corporate world, he has held executive positions, including COO and Director, in consulting firms and multinational companies such as Accenture, Deutsche Post DHL, and Zurich Insurance Company. As the founder of the EduQua-certified humanistic skills academy, MQ Learning, he combines Eastern and Western philosophical traditions to make Eastern wisdom more applicable to global minds. Deepak lectures on topics related to self-leadership, philosophy & consciousness, digital ethics, and Eastern wisdom traditions. Website: https://www.mq-learning.com/conscious-studies #ConsciousnessStudies #VedasWisdom #Upanishads #SriAurobindo #EasternPhilosophy #SpiritualEvolution #HigherConsciousness #Vedanta #MysticalPhilosophy #MQAcademy

Philosophical perspective of Mind & Reality that lays out the intellectual foundations for exploring consciousness and the cosmos. What is the relationship of scientists towards philosophy? How does science relate to metaphysics? What role does the enigma of consciousness play? Why is consciousness so hard to understand? These are some of the questions that will be addressed in this focused voyage through human understanding, with Dr. James B. Glattfelder Dr. James B. Glattfelder is an author, academic, quantitative researcher, and entrepreneur. He holds an M.Sc. in theoretical physics next to a Ph.D. in the study of complex systems, both from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. His research focuses on decoding complexity, the metaphysics of existence, and the limits to knowledge while being concerned about societal and environmental challenges. For over a decade, James worked as a quantitative researcher, both in traditional finance and in the distributed ledger ecosystem, where he was involved in various startups. In 2025, his latest book will appear, called "The Sapient Cosmos: What a Modern-Day Synthesis of Science and Philosophy Teaches Us about the Emergence of Information, Consciousness, and Meaning. Website: https://jth.ch/jbg #MindAndReality #PhilosophyOfScience #ConsciousnessEnigma #Metaphysics #PhilosophyOfMind #ScienceAndPhilosophy #ConsciousnessStudies #CosmosExploration #JamesGlattfelder #IntellectualFoundations

A scientific perspective on mind & reality that lays out the intellectual foundations for exploring consciousness and the cosmos. With Dr. James B. Glattfelder What is the knowledge-generation system of science? Why does it work? How can we decode complexity? What are the challenges to understanding consciousness and reality? What role does the enigma of consciousness play? These are some of the questions that will be addressed in this focused voyage through human understanding. Dr. James B. Glattfelder is an author, academic, quantitative researcher, and entrepreneur. He holds an M.Sc. in theoretical physics next to a Ph.D. in the study of complex systems, both from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. His research focuses on decoding complexity, the metaphysics of existence, and the limits to knowledge while being concerned about societal and environmental challenges. For over a decade, James worked as a quantitative researcher, both in traditional finance and in the distributed ledger ecosystem, where he was involved in various startups. In 2025, his latest book will appear, called "The Sapient Cosmos: What a Modern-Day Synthesis of Science and Philosophy Teaches Us about the Emergence of Information, Consciousness, and Meaning. Website: https://jth.ch/jbg #ScientificPhilosophy #MindAndReality #ConsciousnessResearch #DecodingComplexity #KnowledgeGeneration #PhilosophyOfScience #CosmicUnderstanding #ConsciousnessAndScience #JamesGlattfelder #UnderstandingReality