ConnectIONS Live!
Imagination is not just for artists and dreamers. It is one of the foundational operating systems behind how we all think, act, and live. Drawing on original, cutting-edge neuroscience and research, IONS Senior Fellow, Cassandra Vieten, PhD introduces the concept of imagination neurodiversity: the idea that each of us has a unique imagination profile. You have your own set of imagination strengths and tendencies that can be understood and activated to transform your life and our world.
In this special preview of her forthcoming book, to be published in August by Simon & Schuster, Vieten highlights key neurological, cognitive, and social dimensions of imagination. She also shares how many facets of imagination—such as visualization, future speculation, originality, and more—can be cultivated and strengthened through intentional practice.
Unlocking the Science of Imagination to Transform How You Think, Feel, and Live
Friday, April 3
11:00am – 12:00pm PDT
All registrants will receive a link to the recording. Please register even if you can’t attend live.
PRESENTERS
Cassandra Vieten is Clinical Professor and Director of the Center for Mindfulness at the Centers for Integrative Health in the Department of Family Medicine at UC San Diego. She is also Director of Research at the Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination and Clinical Psychology Director at the Psychedelics and Health Research Initiative at UCSD. She is Senior Advisor of the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation where she served as Executive Director from 2019-2023, and a Senior Fellow at IONS, where she served as President from 2013-2019. Her research has focused on spirituality and health, transformative experiences and practices, the development of mindfulness-based interventions for emotional well-being, and development of media technologies to inspire awe. She is author of the forthcoming book Imagine That: Transform How You Think, Feel, and Live with the Science of Imagination (Simon and Schuster, August 2026).
