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Interventions that have roots in spiritual traditions are being increas­ingly employed for treatment of depression and anxiety, as well as for enhancing psychological well-being. Mindfulness-based therapies have demon­strated effectiveness for improving anxiety and mood symptoms (Hofmann, Sawyer, Witt, & Oh, 2010; Toneatto & Nguyen, 2007). Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT; Linehan, 1993) and adaptations of it have shown promise and efficacy for treating borderline disorder, substance abuse, eating disorders, and depression (Robins & Chapman, 2004). Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT; Hayes, Strosahl, & Wilson, 1999) has demonstrated robust effect sizes compared to control groups across a number of difficulties (Powers, Zum Vörde Sive Vörding, & Emmelkamp, 2009; Ruiz, 2010). Various forms of spiritually informed cognitive behavioral therapy have demonstrated success, in particular with clients to whom religion is important (Waller, Trepka, Collerton, & Hawkins, 2010).

August — the hot, carefree summer lingers but for a hint of autumn’s longer nights and increasing responsibilities. The kids are restless and fidgety, excited at the prospect of reuniting with friends, and nervously anticipating the challenges of the coming school year.

Change starts within, a single spark spiraling outward.  This is the model of transformation espoused by IONS as a map of how shifts in consciousness can significantly impact the way people perceive and shape their realities.

Critics are fond of saying that there is no scientific evidence for psi. They wave their fist in the air and shout, “Show me the evidence!” Then they turn red and have a coughing fit. In less dramatic cases a student might be genuinely curious and open-minded, but unsure where to begin to find reliable evidence about psi. Google knows all and sees all, but it doesn’t know how to interpret or evaluate what it knows (at least not yet).

I’m delighted to let you know that two TEDx talks I gave last year have both just been released on video. It was an honor to have these opportunities to represent IONS and to share information about Noetic Sciences.

In our last Breaking News we mentioned analyzing data for a study on mediumship. Some of you wanted more information…

Research is humming at IONS! A few highlights below:

We’ve just updated our website with new information about the experiment that IONS research scientists collaborated on at the Burning Man gathering in Nevada just over a month ago.

In connection with an upcoming workshop I’m leading in Italy next month with my colleague, IONS Senior Scientist Dean Radin, I was recently interviewed about what we’ll be doing at the workshop. The interview includes a discussion of Noetic Sciences and Psychology, and how Noetic Science is relevant to practice in a clinical setting.

Just this week, IONS Senior Scientist Dean Radin was interviewed in Los Angeles by Elizabeth Vargas of the ABC News program, 20/20. Dean was interviewed along with several other scientists about the science of premonitions, and now the producer is looking for people who have had a premonition and are willing to talk about it on camera (especially one involving an unusual, dramatic, or transformative experience).