Reflections on Four Decades
of Consciousness Research
Charles Tart, PhD

The late 60s were a time when cultural dissatisfaction, psychedelic drug research, widespread psychedelic use outside the laboratory, and the introduction of Eastern systems of thinking and spiritual development catalyzed a new force in our culture. Tart's book, Altered States of Consciousness, brought a new degree of respectability and opening of approaches to the then almost taboo study of the mind, as well as providing thousands of experiencers with conceptual frameworks to help them work with and integrate their new experiences. The book made the phrase "altered states" a household word. Still researching the nature of mind, he will share some reflections on what we know and don't know, and what we very much need to learn.

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Presenter Bio: Charles teaches at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, at the University of California, and is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Noetic Sciences. He was also involved in the government-funded parapsychological research at Stanford Research Institute. Charles is internationally known for his research with altered states, transpersonal psychology and parapsychology. His 13 books include two classics, Altered States of Consciousness and Transpersonal Psychologies. Three books, Waking Up, Living the Mindful Life and, his latest, Mind Science: Meditation Training for Practical People synthesized Buddhist, Sufi and Gurdjieffian mindfulness training ideas with modern psychology. A recent book, Body Mind Spirit: Exploring the Parapsychology of Spirituality, explores the scientific foundations of transpersonal psychology to show it is possible to be both a scientist and a spiritual seeker. His primary goals are to build bridges between the scientific and spiritual communities and to help bring about a refinement and integration of Western and Eastern approaches to personal and social growth.

From Orgasm to Ecstasy: Love is the Gateway to Altered States of Consciousness
Margot Anand

Since time immemorial, the ancient practices of Tantra have taught initiates how to access transcendental states of consciousness through sexual practices involved in this Yoga of Love. Margot presents some of these practices and the tantra map that can transform lust into bliss.

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Presenter Bio: A native of France, Margot received her degree from Sorbonne University in Paris. She has had extensive training in Gestalt Therapy, Hindu and Buddhist Tantra (having studied with several spiritual Masters including the great mystic Osho in India), bioenergetics, massage, meditation, Arica and Integral Yoga. Over the past two decades, Margot developed and taught the "Love and Ecstasy Training," a method of healing and enhancing sexuality to its ultimate potential: Ecstasy. She is the founder of eight SkyDancing Tantra Institutes worldwide.

An internationally acclaimed teacher of Tantra, Margot has brought the teachings beyond the bedroom and into one's everyday life. She is pioneering a new "Yoga of Living," in which she coaches people in designing ecstatic lifestyles. Margot's teaching style is a rare synthesis of French erotic humor, American pragmatism, and Indian mysticism. She is particularly appreciated for her ability to bring healing, lightness, fun, and passion to her teaching.

Margot is the author of The Art of Everyday Ecstasy, The Art of Sexual Ecstasy, and The Art of Sexual Magic, as well as her latest release Sexual Ecstasy: The Art of Orgasm. Her CDs, include SkyDancing Tantra: A Call to Bliss and the recently released The Music of Everyday Ecstasy: Music for Passion, Spirit & Joy.

The Genome Approach to Spiritual Transformation
Carlos Warter, MD, PhD

We communicate with our world through a form of energy that operates outside the bounds of measured time and space. What does DNA have to do with our thought patterns, generational history and our relationships? Every thought, word, and deed has a physiological correlate, a cellular response to impulses that is stored in the cell as a memory and is supported by its own particular chemistry. The web of life is subtly and intricately linked through biochemical energy. The system of the body is powerfully linked to the system of the mind through biochemical transmission between cells. We are discovering that our DNA is not only genetically coded but records our experience. By tuning in to the higher frequencies -shifting from anger to forgiveness, for example - we can lower our blood pressure and increase T-cell counts. As our stress subsides, these systemic and immunological changes take place.

Thus, tuning into the holographic awareness of the heart can be a way to change the frequency patterns that cause illness. From there, the activation of the heart takes place and we can forgive ourselves and forgive others, magnetize our appreciation and caring, and see even death and dying as a frontier on which to move toward the light. Love is the core energy of the heart. It is also the energy of expansion, of connection. It is the vital divine current of creation and regeneration.

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Presenter Bio: Carlos is a psychiatrist, and author, gifted in healing, intuition, and group work. He is spiritually oriented, has studied with many masters, shamans and teachers around the world and teaches and lectures internationally. He is president and founder of Heartnet International and the World Health Foundation for Development and Peace, organizations dedicated to empowering sacred identity and promoting healing and world peace. He has written numerous books in English and Spanish, and has translations in Croation, German, Korean, and French.