SFTS Lodge fellow (and University of San Francisco Professor) Jeff Curtis represents us at the annual Toward A Science of Consciousness conference (Phoenix, Az) and then reports back on the latest developments.

Indeed, the Third Avowed Object, “To explore the unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in …” is alive and well in City of the Golden Gate.

Here is an audio recording of Jeff’s report on this year’s event.

And here’s link to his 2011 report.

Celebrating the Third Avowed Object – Jeff Curtis Reports on Tuscon 2010 Consciousness Conference

Mary Kamadulski, SFTS fellow, opened up the conversation by acknowledging the enery it takes for each of us, all of us, to come together, and expressed gratitude. Mary remarked that we are all polishing each other’s understanding by participating (or not), and explained than any topic (other than politics) is welcome … She passed out printed copies of powerful sacred images, from nature, from architecture, from science and from art, ranging from Georgia O’Keefe painting to a Hubble telescope photograph, and from the various versions of OM to the structures of the Anasazi. She also passed a book of Ancient Egyptian Art around the circle … Mary quoted Chuang-Tzu in asking the open question, “What is meant by the harmonizing of conflicting views in the invisible operation of Heaven?” (Adapted from the Lodge Secretary’s Minutes)

Here is an audio recording of this inspiring conversation –

Chris Black, SFTS fellow (and long-time Zen practitioner) led a conversation centered on two texts, the Autobiography of Hui-Neng, the Sixth Patriarch, and the Hsing Hsing Ming. Chris led off by telling the remarkable story of how Hui-Neng came to be the Sixth Patriarch. Chris spoke about Samadhi and Prajna, using an analogy from Hui-Neng, saying that the two were like the light and the latern, but he didn’t know which was which. He also spoke about the so-called Sudden and Gradual Schools. Meaning some people get “there” faster than others, but when “it” finally happens, “it” is all called grace. If enlightenment is an accident, you can practice to become accident-prone. Chris then passed out copies of the Hsing Hsing Ming, and each person in the circle took turns reading a few lines from the short masterpiece, with discussion of the meaning of the text interspersed. (Adapted from the Lodge Secretary’s Minutes)

Here is an audio recording of this delightful hour -

As noted previously, the SFTS Lodge has been fortunate over the last two decades to be graced with a genuine opportunity to celebrate and engage the Third Avowed Object of the Theosophical Society, i.e., “To investigate the laws of nature and the powers latent” in all sentient life.

Dr. Jeff Curtis, one of our long-time SFTS members, is a Professor of Chemistry at University of San Francisco (USF); and he has been leading us on a journey through the meme-shattering, mind-blowing universe of quantum physics, astronomy and related mysteries. Jeff’s insightful perspective reflects both his professional training and his personal spiritual journey.

His Friday the 13th talk was a further exploration along the line established in Measurement, Meaning and Mind (11-11-11)

Listen to this recording of “Quantum Measurement and Ego Meat,” and join our caravan into the unknown:

Here are some links to the papers Jeff references in this fascinating presentation:

Xiaolei Zhang, On the Nature of Quantum Phenomena

Xiaolei Zhang, Emergence of Consciousness in the Quantum Universe

Henry P. Stapp, Philosophy of Mind and the Problem of Free Will in the Light of Quantum Mechanics

Henry P. Stapp, Casually Effective Free Will

Henry P. Stapp, My Talk at the Chopra 2011 Symposium “Sages and Scientists”

Some Related Posts:

Dr. Jeff Curtis: Measurement, Meaning and Mind (11-11-11)

Jack Sarfatti on Our Once and Future Holographic Universe (SFTS Lodge, 7/30/10)

Celebrating the Third Avowed Object – Jeff Curtis Reports on Tuscon 2010 Consiousness Conference

Dr. Jeff Curtis: More Developments in Quantum Theory & the Nature of Consciousness (1-29-10)

Each Friday night, year in and year out, the SFTS Lodge has served as a venue for the celebration of the diverse paths and the articulation of personal quests by countless beings from all walks of life. Taken as a whole, these individual testaments comprise a beautiful mandala of human aspiration and realization.

Consider, for example, the testament of Jay Dizon.

Jay has a background in sports medicine which led him to becoming a registered nurse. A recent graduated from California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) with a Masters degree in Philosophy, Cosmology and Consciousness from the department of Philosophy and Comparative Religion. His martial arts experience includes Aikido, on and off in his early twenties, until he encountered Grand Master Robert Castro, who has promoted Dizon to the rank of Professor or 7th degree in Eskaboo Daan.

Here is an audio recording of Jay’s compelling talk.