West Suburban IONS takes science discussion to new frontiers
It's hard to imagine that standing on the moon looking back at Earth and out at the cosmos wouldn't have a profound impact on the few men who've been fortunate enough to have that view of the universe.
For Edgar Mitchell, who landed on the moon with Alan Shepherd as part of the Apollo 14 crew, the experience completely changed his view of life, as well as his views on science and human knowledge and understanding.
Back on terra firma, Mitchell began the Institute of Noetic Sciences in an effort to expand human consciousness and to use scientific methods to explore phenomena that don't fit into traditional scientific disciplines.
Around the country, groups following Mitchell's lead meet to learn about and discuss thought-provoking issues in science. Among them is the West suburban IONS Community Group, which meets monthly in Carol Stream.
When members and guests gather Thursday, Feb. 2, Fermilab physicist William Wester will speak on the topic “The Big Bang Theory and Modern Cosmology.”
Wester, an experimental physicist at the Fermilab Hadron Collider, is working on an experiment called the Dark Energy Survey, in which images of more than 300 million galaxies are being collected to allow scientists to take measurements and better understand modern cosmology and its connection to fundamental physics principles.
Next month, West suburban IONS will hear from medium Cindi Muntz, who works as a clairvoyant and aims to deliver messages from the dead to their living loved ones.
Mary Beth Speer, a member of the West suburban IONS, tells us more about the local chapter of the Institute of Noetic Sciences.
Q. What is your group's mission?
A. To develop a community where members can explore interesting and thought-provoking topics that push the boundaries of scientific discovery as they relate to us in our lives.
Q. How do you work toward accomplishing that goal?
A. Once a month, West suburban IONS meets to explore group-chosen topics using multimedia presentations or invited guest speakers. Presentations are followed with group discussion or a question-and-answer period.
Q. When and why did the organization start? How has it grown?
A. West suburban IONS Community Group is based on the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS), www.noetic.org. IONS was co-founded in 1973 by astronaut Edgar Mitchell of the Apollo 14 mission. Mitchell experienced an epiphany during Apollo 14 as he looked down upon the Earth.
“The presence of divinity became almost palpable, and I knew that life in the universe was not just an accident based on random processes,” Mitchell said.
Following his spaceflight, he and others founded the IONS Institute. Their aim was to explore knowledge beyond our “normal” senses and power of reason.
Q. What kind of success have you had?
A. Ours is a new group. The primary successes we are experiencing are from attracting like-minded people who share our excitement in the diversity of topics we can offer through IONS meetings.
Q. What challenges does the organization currently face?
A. Getting the word out about our new group.
Q. What are you best known for in the community? How does the group contribute to the community?
A. While our monthly topics and speakers are diverse, we share a common goal: to help awaken people to the positive possibilities and solutions that exist in virtually every area of life, despite what they hear on the news.
Q. What do you wish the community at large knew about the organization?
A. That there is so much going on throughout the world that is not conventionally reported about, and IONS is dedicated to spreading the word.
Q. Who are your members?
A. All ages, all walks of life, varied interests — we are open to everyone.
Q. What do you expect of your members?
A. The commitment of any member is to attend the meetings with an open and curious mind as we explore topics that broaden the awareness of our individual and collective knowledge and potential. There is always an opportunity for members to be involved in the planning and execution of monthly meetings.
Q. How can readers get involved?A. The reader can get involved by just coming to a meeting and joining in exploring the evening's topic.
If you go
<b>What</b>: Fermilab physicist William Wester speaks on “The Big Bang Theory and Modern Cosmology”
<b>Who</b>: Wester is an experimental physicist at the Fermilab Hadron Collider
<b>When</b>: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2
<b>Where</b>: The DuPage Center for Spiritual Living, 150 E. St. Charles Road, Suite A, Carol Stream
<b>Cost</b>: $10 free-will offering suggested
<b>Info</b>: (630) 653-2222, dupagecenter@sbcglobal.net or www.dupagecenter.org