This is
a relatively new area of inquiry in the academic world.
However, known as the “perennial philosophy,”
its roots date back to the ancient Vedas of India and
Taoist wisdom teachings of China. Even before that, it was
the essence of various shamanic rituals found in tribal
cultures across the globe.
Today,
it is an emerging interdisciplinary field offered in
universities in the West, embracing psychology, philosophy,
spirituality, anthropology, history, neuroscience, and
cognitive science, as well as gender and race studies.
A
growing number of colleges in the US, Europe, and South
America now offer masters degrees in Consciousness Studies,
and a handful of universities offer interdisciplinary
doctoral programs involving science, philosophy, and
religion.
Depending
on the bias of individual institutions and teachers,
emphasis may be on first-person exploration of
subjective
experience
(e.g.,
through meditation and other experiential practices), or
third-person investigation of objective
physiological
correlates of consciousness (e.g., brain and nervous
system), as well as philosophical investigations leading to
rational understanding of the mind and how it relates to
the body and the rest of the physical world. Another
approach, recognizing the pervasiveness and importance
of relationship,
focuses on second-person intersubjective
explorations
of consciousness (e.g., through dialogue and group
rituals).
As with
all advanced degree programs, which can take from two to
six years of dedicated study, three common obstacles need
to be overcome: time, cost, and commitment. Many people who
are passionate about consciousness and self-knowledge do
not have the resources to pursue a full-time (or even
part-time) degree course. Yet exploring consciousness
remains a passion and priority for them.
If you
are one of these people, a
Mentorship in Consciousness Studies may be a
preferable option. Personal mentorship programs can be
individually tailored to meet the time and financial
resources you have available. All it takes is your
commitment to follow a course of guided study.
