The Third International Conference on Science and God (ICSG III), sponsored by the Hyo Jeong International Foundation for the Unity of the Sciences (HJIFUS), brought together scientists, researchers, and academics for two days (April 10 –11 EDT) in a virtual format to discuss their investigations into unexplained (anomalous) phenomena that call for a postmaterialist worldview. Possible applications for new technologies were explored in such areas as healing, energy generation, and restoring the relationship between humans and the natural world.
In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Douglas Joo, Chairman of HJIFUS, explained that the ICSG series was launched in 2020, “opening the door to unconventional, ‘frontier science’ approaches to broaden our search for the most promising solutions to environmental problems.”
In greeting the participants, Dr. Sun Jin Moon, daughter of HJIFUS founder Rev. Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, conveyed her mother’s hopes for the conference. “Thanks to scientific development, we can now hope to unveil the world that lies beyond matter and even encounter God, the Ultimate Cause of the universe. My expectation is that ICSG will explore what has not been touched on by traditional science and play a meaningful role in diffusing myths about the relationships between the environment and human beings; between mind and body, psychology, and physiology; and spirituality, and so on. By doing so, ICSG will contribute to the opening of a new history of science and enhance the ways by which we can restore the environment.”
The umbrella theme of ICSG III was, Environmental Restoration in the Era of Frontier Science. The session topics were arranged under three subthemes: Heralding a New Scientific Revolution; Applications of Frontier Science in Addressing Environmental Challenges; and Frontier Science Perspectives on Our Relationship with the Natural World.
The keynote address was given by Dr. Lisa Miller, Professor of Psychology and Education at Columbia University Teachers College, who spoke on “Exploring the Unknown: Where Is Science Leading Us?”
Prof. Miller, also founder and director of the Spirituality, Mind, Body Institute, explained how humans are out of rhythm with the universe and, as spiritual beings, need “awakened awareness” to align their brain wavelength to that of nature. She suggested that human beings try to develop a “self-sense of being one with nature” in one “sacred field of consciousness.”
Dr. Marjorie Woollacott, Emeritus Professor of Human Physiology at the University of Oregon, and President of the Academy for the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences, followed by speaking on the topic, “Characteristics of the Postmaterialist Era.” She emphasized the heralding of an era where mind and consciousness are “first-order,” and material reality is secondary. She cautioned that humans are not “hard-wired for unity” due to “brain filters” and that “mindfulness and meditation” are useful tools for increasing compassion and selflessness toward nature and human beings. It is important, she said, that we shift from a materialist to a “postmaterialist” perspective to achieve environmental restoration.
In the same session, Dr. Helané Wahbeh, Director of Research at the Institute of Noetic Sciences and an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at Oregon Health & Science University, stated that research has led her to the understanding that so-called anomalous—deviating from what is normal—phenomena, such as clairvoyance, ESP, etc., are commonly experienced by people in all walks of life. Her presentation laid out a body of research supporting the occurrence of various types of experiences, from “remote viewing” to modes of healing, such as “distance healing” and “Reiki.”
The second session began with Dr. Christina Ross, Biophysicist at the Wake Forest Center for Integrative Medicine, who spoke on the topic, “The Biophysics of Energy Medicine: Effect of Polarity Therapy / Subtle Energy on Cellular and Molecular Function,” in which she elucidated the use of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) on cells for the treatment of pain. She received substantial funding from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). The second presentation was titled, “‘Breakthrough Energy Technologies Derived from New Paradigm Science,” given by Dr. Thomas Valone, President of the Integrity Research Institute, during which he emphasized the need to explore various types of clean energy production technologies to address global warming.
In the final session, Dr. Gary Schwartz, Professor of Psychology, Medicine, Neurology, Psychiatry, and Surgery at the University of Arizona, spoke on “A Vision for Earth’s Future Arising from Frontier Science.” He mentioned some unexpected synchronicities, which greatly piqued the interests of the participants and brought about a vibrant discussion. In applications to relationships between humans and the environment, Dr. Schwartz states:
“The fact remains that the existence of super-synchronicities implies the active and intelligent participation of some sort of a universal mind in everyday life. The implications of emerging source science for human growth and transformation, and, by extension, our evolved co-stewardship of the Earth, expands our perspective on the process of guidance, organization, and design of all systems at all levels, be they scientific and technological, educational, and clinical, personal, and professional, political, and societal, legal, and spiritual, environmental, and global. The idea that we are part of an integrated, holistic, greater reality, and that we co-create with this greater reality what we experience, regardless of whether we are aware of this fact or not, touches all aspects of life.”
Participants appreciated the unique opportunity that the conference provided for discussing new paradigm, interdisciplinary approaches to environmental issues.