Consciousness in Science 2019 conference.
The weekend of 18th-20th January marked the first Consciousness in Science 2019 (CS19) conference in Gainesville, Florida, hosted by the Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies (BIHS). The opening ceremony at the University of Florida’s Harn Museum saw a total of 400 consciousness and science enthusiasts enjoying an inauguration by the Mayor of Gainesville, followed by keynote talks from eminent scientists, Professor Stuart Hameroff and Brenda Dunne. After a remarkable start to the event, the conference retreated to the tranquil and historic Thomas Centre for two days of lively talks and breakout discussion groups. 20+ countries were represented from six continents, with some traveling from as far away as Australia, India and Russia. It included a broad array of highly esteemed guests, including 50 devotee scholars holding a PhD or MSc qualification. The range of specialties presented by devotee scholars at the conference was encouraging, providing attendees with a renewed enthusiasm to go deeper in connecting with sastra and science. Scientists, philosophers of science and Vedic scholars brought to their attention topics ranging from the gunas and consciousness research, to quantum physics and metallurgy, all the way to DNA, medicine, psychiatry and astrophysics. Tears, laughter and synergy abounded as they heard touching contributions from those devotees who were in close relationship with the late bedrocks of the Bhaktivedanta Institute, Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami, and Sadaputa dasa. The Science & Philosophy Initiative (SPi) – would like to extend an enormous thank you to Bhaktivedanta Manor for sponsoring Ramananda das to travel to the conference and present his paper on Biology, Life & Information. Visit https://www.consci19.org/ to view the conference proceedings online, and please keep a lookout for news on how to connect and get involved.