Peter Russell
Peter studied mathematics and theoretical physics at the University of Cambridge supervised by Stephen Hawking. As he became increasingly fascinated by the nature of consciousness, he changed to experimental psychology, gaining a first class degree in the subject. He also has a post-graduate degree in computer science and conducted some of the early research on 3-D displays and what is now known as “virtual reality.”He was one of the first people to introduce human potential seminars into the corporate field and for the last twenty years has been lecturing and consulting to major corporations on creativity, quality management and personal development. His books include The Brain Book, The Global Brain Awakens, The Creative Manager, The Consciousness Revolution, Waking Up in Time and From Science to God. He also created the award winning videos The Global Brain and The White Hole in Time.
Keynote: Consciousness: Returning to Essence
Sunday, March 29 - 8:45 am to 10:00 am
We stand at a most critical and exciting point in human history. For thousands of years, mystical and spiritual traditions have encouraged us to wake up to who and what we really are, to discover our essential nature. Knowing that essence, not just as an intellectual understanding, but as a direct personal acquaintance, brings a profound ease, a relief from our inner suffering and opens the heart to unconditional love.
In the past this awakening was held to be critical to our individual salvation. Today it is critical for our collective salvation. So many of the problems we are facing on a global level have their roots in a limited, self-centered mode of being. If we are to navigate our way safely through these turbulent times, as well as doing everything we can to heal the planet, we need to take seriously the wisdom accumulated over the centuries on how to free the human mind from its attachments and self-centered attitudes. We need to heal ourselves; heal our souls.
What does the awakening of consciousness entail? Beneath all the various teachings and techniques lies one common principle. Let go. Release the mind from attachments and judgments. Return to the experience of present moment. And in so doing discover the freedom and ease that comes when we open our awareness to the truth.
Goal: To appreciate the value of the world's wisdom traditions for contemporary times.
Learning Objectives:
- To understand the essential nature of consciousness,
- To discover the benefits of letting go, and
- To comprehend why global crisis is at root a crisis of consciousness.
Workshop: The Essence of Presence
Sunday, March 29 - 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
“Be here now.” It is an eternal call. In the present moment we find true freedom we can enjoy the peace and love that is the essence of our being.
To be more present, we need to let go of our fears, judgments, assumptions and attachments that keep our minds locked into the past and future. But letting go never seems easy. That is because we usually approach ‘letting go’ as something to do. We may know it is the opposite—an undoing—but that does not make it any easier.
We often look outside for help, but our perfect teacher is our higher self, which already knows precisely what we need to let go and how to let it happen. Just below the threshold of consciousness, the quiet voice of our own inner knowing beckons to us, showing us the easiest, most direct way to return to the present and find the peace and joy for which we yearn.
Goal: To learn new ways of becoming more present.
Learning Objectives:
- To learn how to let ‘letting go’ happen,
- To distinguish the inner voice from that of the ego, and
- To access the wisdom of your higher self.
