Conscious Living in Connection with Spirit Symposium Presentations

Spirituality in Research at NUNM | Ryan Bradley, ND, MPH | 60 minutes

This presentation will provide an overview of active research activities within the Helfgott Research Institute related to spirituality in health and medicine. Research described will include: qualitative research related to experiences with psilocybin; Yoga Nidra for anxiety and sleep; trauma-informed yoga for stress; and student health and spirituality at NUNM.

Discovering Spiritually Transformative Experiences: My inner and outer Journey | Yvonne Kason MD, MEd, CCFP, FCFP | 60 minutes

Dr. Yvonne Kason will describe how person experiences as a young medical doctor introduced her to spiritual experiences: while meditating in 1976 during her final year in medical school, she had what she now knows was a kundalini awakening: then in 1979 during her medical residency, she had her first adult Near-Death Experience in a medevac plane crash, an out-of-body and white-light mystical experience, followed by a psychic awakening of clairvoyance a few weeks later. Not finding a satisfactory explanation for her own “paranormal” experiences in the western medical traditions, she began a quest researching spiritual experiences, drawing from the literature of many faith traditions as well as from transpersonal psychology. Her discovery of the widespread occurrence and lack of understanding about these experiences, propelled her in 1992, to become the first Canadian medical doctor to specialize her practice in the counseling and research of patients with diverse “Spiritually Transformative Experience” (STEs), a term she coined in 1994.  STEs include Near-Death Experiences, mystical experiences, spiritual energy or kundalini awakenings, diverse psychic experiences, other death related-STEs, and inspired creativity.  Dr. Kason will describe the key diagnostic features of each type of STE, examine their common and often powerful after-effects on the body, mind, and spirit, and review key strategies for counseling persons who have had STEs.

An Overview of University-Based Scientific Experiments Definitively Demonstrating That Life Continues After Bodily Death | Mark Pitstick, MA, DC | 90 minutes

That life continues after bodily death has now been definitively demonstrated scientifically by replicated, controlled, multicenter, double-blinded, and peer-reviewed journal published experiments.  Dr. Pitstick will discuss the revolutionary research of Gary E. Schwartz PhD, former Harvard and tenured Yale professor and now senior professor at the University of Arizona.  Dr. Schwartz directs a team of electrical engineers, software specialists, evidential mediums, and other experts at the Laboratory for Advances in Consciousness and Health. 

Using a slide presentation, Mark will review the scientific, clinical, and experiential evidence that clearly shows death is not the end of life.  He will describe seven different scientific experiments that show the presence of postmaterial persons (so-called ‘deceased’ persons) and their ability to communicate.  These experiments reveal aspects of those who have passed on, e.g., their electromagnetic field, light, sound, visual images, and physicality.  Mark will describe the SoulPhone Project, the anticipated three commercializable devices, and the current status of post-material communication technology.  He will also discuss timelines for public demonstrations and commercialization for mass use.

Greater Reality Living: How Might Definitive Evidence for Consciousness Survival Affect the Way You Live Now? | Mark Pitstick, MA, DC | 90 minutes

University-based scientific research has now demonstrated that life continues after bodily death.  This comforting and life-changing news will be officially announced in early 2021 after the completion of multicenter studies at six universities / institutes and publication of Dr. Gary Schwartz’s seminal paper.  Widespread awareness of this evidence and availability of SoulPhone communication technology will trigger a worldwide paradigm shift. 

The term greater reality describes all that exists – the vast totality of life that usually can’t be perceived by humans.  The term greater reality living invites people to consider how they might live and treat themselves and others when they really know that bodily death is not the end of life.  The book Greater Reality Living by Drs. Pitstick and Schwartz and online and local Greater Reality Living groups will help people learn more about all of this.  The L.I.V.E.S. formula will enable people to: learn the afterlife evidence, internalize the great news, vitalize themselves holistically, enjoy the many benefits, and serve themselves and others.

How do Clinicians Become Healers | Christina Puchalski, MD | 60 minutes

The presentation will cover what healing means in the clinical environment, how the experience of the patient’s suffering can be support by addressing spiritual distress, providing compassionate presence and offering accompaniment. Clinicians need to be aware of their own inner life or spirituality to be able to provide such care. The concept of a transformational model of care will be discussed.