Sam Parnia - press conference -Part 3

from http://www.mindbodysymposium.com

Beyond the Mind-Body Problem:
New Paradigms in the Science of Consciousness
September 11th, 2008, United Nations, New York

An International U.N. Symposium Featuring

Mario Beauregard, Ph.D.
Elie During, Ph.D.
Ebrahim Elahi, M.D., FACS
Bruce Greyson, M.D.
Andrew B. Newberg, M.D.
Sam Parnia, M.D., Ph.D.
Christina M. Puchalski, M.D., FACP
Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D.
Henry P. Stapp, Ph.D.
Esther M. Sternberg, M.D.

Over the past decade, an increasing number of physicians and neuroscientists have sought to uncover the complex relationship between mind, brain, and consciousness as they continue to search for a more comprehensive perspective on the "self" and the workings of the human mind. Though much remains to be done, their findings to date have shed a more holistic light on our understanding of the elusive mind-body problem. Join our panel of renowned experts as they explain how new paradigms fueled by the latest scientific research are beginning to fundamentally alter how we perceive and relate to the physical world.

The symposium will also serve as the occasion for the formal launch of The Human Consciousness Project—a multidisciplinary collaboration of international scientists and physicians who have joined forces to research the nature of consciousness and its relationship with the brain. Led by Dr. Sam Parnia, The Human Consciousness Project will conduct the world's first large-scale multicenter studies at major U.S. and European medical centers on the relationship between mind and brain during clinical death. The results of these studies may not only revolutionize the medical care of critically ill patients and the scientific study of the mind and brain, but may also bear profound universal implications for our understanding of death and what happens when we die.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Consciousness
• Science
• Multidimensionality
• out
• of
• body
• experience
• astral
• projection
• near
• death
• sam
• parnia

[Itstheclaw]

If this dualism is confirmed for humans, what are people going to think when it is confirmed for animals as well?

[anewpersonalparadigm]

Or for insects, bacteria and viruses?

Science will have no problem adapting this perceived dualism to it's understanding of the natural world, but it's a really interesting question for the rest of us.

People will start wondering about the 'afterlife' for animals; for insects - for the unfathomable number of creatures that have existed and perished on this planet. Where do they go? Where do we go? Is it reasonable to look for a cyclical pattern, with regard to evolution and consciousness?

[MandyBabe88]

if you didn't know already...there are many religions that believe in reincarnation...and so there are many that believe animals/insects do have minds. Also in regards to bacteria and viruses...they don't have brains...they have a nucleus and they most likely don't have a mind but rather (viruses usually arise from mutations) and bacteria are cells that carry out their functions due to forces.

[anewpersonalparadigm]

@MandyBabe88 Ah, yes indeed - there are certainly many belief systems that acknowledge reincarnation, as well as give consideration for infinitesimal levels of consciousness in lower lifeforms (though I have no examples that come to mind)...

Though bacteria do not have brains, or even minds, as far as we know - they have been observed to possess what seems to be the beginnings of an extraphysical anatomy.

Viruses, on the other hand - who knows? I suspect they are not simple automatons...

[jimm124]

I have read alot on OBE and NDEs and have concluded that there is sufficient evidence out there that proves that these are real, however if this study comes back the way I think it will, it will be game, set, match, argument over for those doubters and skeptics out there.

[slafkec]

very interesting!

Does anyone know when the first results of the study will be available?

[buzzy1147]

So here is the question, If it's reincarnation how do you account for having more living creatures on earth as time goes. The worlds population has no doubt increased.. and therefore the amount of animals and sources of food have had to increase to support us humans. Then does creation and reincarnation work hand in hand. Was I originally born retarded 5 lives ago and in this life am one notch up from that?

[fozziebear26]

It's driving me crazy but anyone know what high school he went to....really like a guy I used to know...help

[anewpersonalparadigm]

@VegasSkateCulture The whole thing? No thanks :D

[anewpersonalparadigm]

@VegasSkateCulture Serial existence seems to be a reasonable concept as it relates to evolution. We live in a universe of cycles, after all.

As I recall, the Bible claims that "man lives only once".

[gogoasacenusie]

Any updates??

[forestloves]

Or for stones, grains, molecules and atoms? :D

And I don't think that this implies dualism. I think monism, where matter is a conceptual framework within our collective mind, is a much better and more fitting theory, when you listen to what people who have had very deep NDEs have to say about the way that reality is structured.

Or what do you say? Peace :)