ISNESS
This page outlines a proposed interfaith community psychedelic integration circle and psychological sciences study group called ISNESS.
What is ISNESS?
ISNESS stands for the Interfaith Study of Noetic and Entheogenic Spiritual Science.
It comes from the philosophical term "Isness" that refers to the quality of being or existing as something. It may also help to know the definitions of Noetic [1] and Entheogen, too. We'll assume familiarity with the other terms in the anagram.
While the concept goes all the way back to Aristotle's Metaphysics and Vedanta traditions, it is often associated with writings inspired by psychedelics and Eastern spirituality like Ram Dass, Alan Watts, Terence McKenna, Ken Wilber, and Eckhardt Tolle.
"All there is, is the Isness of Being." -Alan Watts [2][3][4][5][6]
The Goal of ISNESS
The goal of ISNESS is to facilitate discussions about the intersection of science, psychology, psychedelics, and spirituality among diverse religious and secular communities.
We study the nature of mind, and explore ways to improve the subjective experience of consciousness.
We bring together communities of intellectually curious and open-minded people to revel in our shared human experience, deepen our universal values, and curate a sense of wonder.
Monthly Community Psychedelic Integration Circle
The first step is the formation of a monthly, peer-led, community psychedelic integration circle in Knoxville. Groups like these have formed all over the country in order to facilitate discussions of psychedelics, helping people make sense and meaning from the simultaneously profound and absurd experiences they produce.
Psychedelics are one of the most common ways that modern people experience transcendence, effervescence, ineffable epiphanies and awe-inspiring awakenings about the nature of reality and consciousness. If those who believe in love, inclusivity, science, and progress aren't there to embrace people in those moments when there minds and hearts are most open, it is easy for questioning to become contrarianism and loss of trust, leading people to find answers in conspiracy theories and pseudoscience. This is especially the case in the Internet age, where Joe Rogan has both the biggest media platform and is a passionate advocate for psychedelics. It is vital that we form real, in-person communities in order to counteract the extremist influence of algorithmic integration.
Psychedelics are called "entheogens" because they have a very strong tendency to induce a significant, profound spiritual experience. For some, this can mean the dissolution of existing mythologies and questioning of everything they've been taught. For others, means recognizing the connection we each have with every other human, and every atom in the universe, leading to a newfound sense of spirituality. Sometimes it's both!
This is why an Interfaith partnership between the progressive spiritual community, atheists and secular humanists, and members of the therapy and academic psychology communities is important. This will help ensure that the group stays firmly grounded in positive, universalist spiritual traditions, and evidence-based interpretations of psychological phenomenon. It will also provide many opportunities for attendees to explore additional therapies, yoga and meditation classes, discussion groups, book clubs, and values-based communities that the contributing organizations provide. It will also help keep the group focused on the scientific, therapeutic, and spiritual aspects of psychedelics, over the more recreational uses.
These meetings are strictly sober--the goal is to discuss previous psychedelic experiences not to create present ones. This creates a safe, legal environment that should fully align with the code of conduct from any partner organization.
Benefits and Expectations of Partner Organizations
The goal of ISNESS is to facilitate conversations and introduce new people with similar values and passions to local groups that share them.
What We Ask of Partners
- Share ISNESS events on your group's calendar, mailing lists, and social media
- Designate one or more representatives that can commit to attending 1 meeting per quarter
- Provide handouts or any other materials you would like to make available at meetings
- Allow us to list your organization as a partner in announcements and other promotions
That's it! There is no financial commitment.
If your organization has a meeting space available that is suitable, that would be very helpful. Any expense required to procure a meeting space will be covered by the ISNESS organizers with no obligation to partners.
What We Provide for Partners
- Promote your organization in all announcements and promotional materials
- Provide a table for handouts, brochures, etc. at each meeting
- Announce relevant news or events about your organization at each meeting
- Encourage attendees to join groups that share their values and interests
- Refer attendees seeking therapy and other treatments to partners that provide them
- Opportunities for presentations or discussions about your organization at meetings
Examples of Other Similar Groups
Similar groups exist in Atlanta, Asheville, Nashville, and even Johnson City, but no similar group has yet formed in Knoxville.
What Should ISNESS Do?
ISNESS facilitates a variety of activities in partnership with local faith communities that have an interest in exploring the exciting research in neuroscience creating scientific evidence demonstrating the benefits of many spiritual practices and beliefs.
Subjects are discussed from a universalist and evidence-based perspective, making them accessible to members of any religion, as well as atheists, humanists, and others without supernatural beliefs. We seek ways to find commonalities and stimulate productive interfaith dialog by demonstrating the underlying scientific and psychological truths that give rise to our various cultural belief systems.
We organize and co-host events with local organizations, as well as attending established events that are of interest to the group.
Typical activities include:
- Discussion Groups
- Book Clubs (especially these Authors)
- Psychedelic Integration Circles
- Meditation and Yoga Classes
- Attend Religious Services
- Hiking and Camping "Trips"
- Mountain Biking, Kayaking, Skydiving, and other Adventures
- Concerts, Raves, and Music Festivals
- Drum Circles, Dance, and other Flow Activities
- Sweat Lodges, Ayahuasca Retreats, and other Shamanic Rituals
Many of these activities are meant to get members out of their comfort zones and create "peak experiences" that lead to significant growth towards self-actualization, and create powerful in-group bonds.
The Sunday Nomads Meetup Group currently shares similar events in the East Tennessee region that our friends plan to attend.
Some Thoughts on Isness
While most content on the concept of "isness" tends towards the esoteric, ISNESS always seeks to find grounding in scientific evidence for these spiritual concepts.