President's Note
This morning I awoke to an email in which a friend shared a ChatGPT session. They had asked the AI about anomalous experiences, and while its answers were perhaps not exactly how I personally would have responded, they were pretty good. Reading the transcript led me to contemplate the nature of what it is that we really do when we ask questions, and I thought I would share those questions with all of you as well.
When we ask a question, is it only to receive symbols of information to help us find an understanding? If I ask for directions to the supermarket, is it always enough to be enabled to make that trip? Or are there circumstances where the interaction itself matters, i.e. where there is value in experiencing a connection with someone (or something?) with whom I have, or at least someday could have, a meaningful relationship? And if the latter is the case, what is the cost of asking more and more of our questions to a computer?
Interestingly, when I started writing this note I did not envision it connecting to the contents of this issue of our newsletter. Now, however, I realize it truly does, for nearly everything below is about people coming together to build connections with other people - and doing so in safe and beautiful spaces (for that plays an invaluable role in the process of personal and communal growth). |
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Consciousness Dialogues Retreat
Tuscany — September 11–15, 2025
Pari Center, Italy
We’re excited to invite you to our next Consciousness Dialogues Retreat, taking place at the Pari Center in the breathtaking Maremma region of Tuscany. Nestled on a hilltop surrounded by vineyards, forests, and ancient stone paths, the village of Pari offers an ideal setting for inner exploration and connection.
During this five-day retreat participants will engage in a dynamic range of experiences, such as remote viewing and Random Event Generator experiments, out-of-body explorations, focused meditation, group improv, dance, and collaborative art. Paired with each activity is a reflective group dialogue to integrate the experience at an intellectual level as well.
Feedback from past participants includes: “diverse collection of open-minded, beautiful souls”… “it felt like a true exploration”… “[I loved] the balance between experiencing and dialogue”…” It was hard to go back to the ‘I’ space that is normal life after leaving that lovely ‘WE’ space we created”.
Space is limited, and spots are already filling up. Reserve your place today!
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Join us for our next Exploring Consciousness session, where we’ll reflect on the Nature of Intuition. Each Exploring Consciousness session begins with a brief introduction by ICRL's President, Jeff Dunne, but the core of the event is open, moderated discussion amongst the participants. Join us on Zoom this Saturday at 12:00 PM (U.S. Eastern Time)!
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A big part of what defines ICRL as an organization is our focus on personal connections. Towards that end, we are exploring ways to renew the ICRL Academies held many years ago, where people interested in understanding the nature of consciousness could come together in person for friendship, discussion, and exploration. While the initial Academies were typically a week in duration, we're thinking to do something a bit shorter here - for this first round, just a weekend at our location outside of Roanoke, Virginia. Right now, we are soliciting interest for attending such a gathering the weekend of August 15th (and in Virginia as mentioned), although the longer-term possibilities are endless. If this is something of interest to you, please fill out this survey, which will both a) express your interest/get you on the invite list, and b) give you the opportunity to help shape the details (structure, alternate locations and timeframes, etc.)
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Last week the Pari Center held an event entitled: “Survival: Re-Appraising the Evidence for Life After Death”. This session brought together researchers and scholars exploring the growing body of evidence suggesting consciousness may persist beyond physical death. Evidence included a wide variety of facets such as near-death experiences, mediumship studies, and the philosophical implications of survival. At just before two hours into the recording, you can also catch the presentation of ICRL's Jeff Dunne, who ran through the scientific evidence supporting the hypothesis that consciousness doesn't continue past death of the physical body. Why? To highlight something of which many people are not aware: while there is rather a lot of evidence suggesting that consciousness does continue past death, there is no scientific evidence that it doesn't.
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Help Spread the Word
ICRL relies on its family to help ensure that our activities continue. Please consider helping out by sharing this newsletter with others, and/or by making a supporting contribution. Thank you!!
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