I think, therefore I am. Right?! Maybe not. Modern science has typically localized consciousness in the brain, but recent studies have shown evidence of consciousness showing up in the heart, the gut, and parts of individual cells. What will be revealed next? Could the mystics be right in their experience that consciousness extends beyond the body? Across time and space? What if the brain resides in consciousness, rather than the other way around?
IONS Scientist, Dr. Arnaud Delorme, presented this talk at a Consciousness Hacking Event in San Francisco on January 4th where he explores just these questions. He doesn’t promise the red pill or the blue pill, but rather a rigorous scientific exploration of consciousness and the brain.
Dr. Delorme has run experiments to track meditation and mind-wandering on three continents. He’s using those results to design a new double-blind neurofeedback experiment to amplify and accelerate the effectiveness of contemplative practices. He gives a clear-eyed look at where the field could go next and discuss the possibility of testing if consciousness could extend beyond the brain.
