The Knoxville IONS Community Group was formed in January, 2004, by members of the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) living in the Knoxville, Tennessee, area.
The vision for creating the Institute of Noetic Sciences came in 1971. Nations throughout the world had galvanized around the exciting frontier of space exploration. The potential for scientific understanding of our world seemed unlimited to a naval air captain named Edgar Mitchell. He was a pragmatic young test pilot, engineer and scientist; a mission to the moon on Apollo 14 was his "dream come true." Space exploration symbolized for Dr. Mitchell what it did for his nation as a whole—technological triumph of historical proportions, unprecedented mastery of the world in which we live, and extraordinary potentials for new discoveries.
But it was the trip home that Mitchell recalls most. Sitting in the cramped cabin of the space capsule, he saw planet Earth floating freely in the vastness of space. He was engulfed by a profound sense of universal connectedness-an epiphany. In Mitchell's own words: "The presence of divinity became almost palpable, and I knew that life in the universe was not just an accident based on random processes. . . . The knowledge came to me directly."
After his safe return "home," Mitchell sought out others who likewise felt the need for an expanded, more inclusive view of reality. They resolved to explore the inner world of human experience with the same rigor and critical thinking that made it possible for Apollo 14 to journey to the moon and back. In 1973, this small group of explorers founded the Institute of Noetic Sciences-derived from the Greek word nous, meaning something close to "intuitive ways of knowing." (Dr. Mitchell's story is told in the book The Way of the Explorer: An Apollo Astronaut's Journey Through the Material and Mystical Worlds).
Community Groups are self-organizing, self-directing, voluntary associations of members. While IONS assists these groups in many ways, each one operates independently of the institute and is legally and financially responsible for its own activities.
Although it is not a requirement to be a member of IONS to attend our meetings, we do encourage support of IONS through purchase of memberships. A basic yearly membership is $55.00. IONS has initiated a new membership program called Shift in Action. For information, please click on this link www.shiftinaction.com or call 877-769-4667.
For information about the Knoxville IONS Group, contact Stephen Anthony at OASIS Institute, telephone 865.588.7707, E-mail oasisinstitute@bellsouth.net.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Knoxville IONS Community Group will be Saturday, March 27, 3:00 to 5:00 PM, at OASIS Institute, 4928 Homberg Drive, Suite A-4, Knoxville, TN 37919.
At our next meeting, we will show the video Peace and Prosperity, featuring His Holiness The Dalai Lama.
In 2007, His Holiness the Dalai Lama appeared to a sold-out crowd at Radio City Music Hall to discuss the ways that individuals can best cultivate virtuous qualities within themselves to bring about peace and prosperity in today's world. National Geographic filmed this public talk imbued with the basic tenets of Buddhism and with an introduction by Richard Gere. In his address, His Holiness the Dalai Lama further expands upon his desire to promote religious harmony and tolerance among all the countries and peoples of the world. The film includes a question and answer session with candid responses from His Holiness on such topics as achieving inner peace in the chaotic environs of New York City, the difficulty of converting the practice of patience from a theoretical teaching to an everyday reality and the challenges of remaining hopeful in a violent world.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Peace and Prosperity offers insight for those seeking peace and inner harmony in their everyday lives. The film is an historic record of one of the world’s most important spiritual leaders and brings his unique message of hope and compassion to audiences throughout the world.
Please join us for this presentation Saturday, March 27, 2010, 3:00-5:00 PM.
Suggested donation for the IONS Community group $5.00.
* For those who attended the February 6, 2010, meeting, the presenter, Bill Stanley, had a limited number of printed forms with a list of further references. These references are listed at this page: http://www.oasisinstitute.org/html/billstanley2-6-10.html.
Institute of Noetic Sciences — A World Transforming
In 2007, His Holiness the Dalai Lama appeared to a sold-out crowd at Radio City Music Hall to discuss the ways that individuals can best cultivate virtuous qualities within themselves to bring about peace and prosperity in today's world. National Geographic filmed this public talk imbued with the basic tenets of Buddhism and with an introduction by Richard Gere. In his address, His Holiness the Dalai Lama further expands upon his desire to promote religious harmony and tolerance among all the countries and peoples of the world. The film includes a question and answer session with candid responses from His Holiness on such topics as achieving inner peace in the chaotic environs of New York City, the difficulty of converting the practice of patience from a theoretical teaching to an everyday reality and the challenges of remaining hopeful in a violent world.