What is Enlightenment?

Coming to recognize (and deeply understand) the body and brain as temporary vehicles rather than one’s core identity is fundamental to any form of what has been referred to as spiritual enlightenment.  Looking inward (with or without the assistance of numerous existing tools) rather than looking outward for meaning and answers is also paramount.  An active vs. passive process--and charting and navigating one’s own journey give rise to “knowing” or “experiencing” vs. “believing” these fundamentals—and allow higher understanding, uncommon creativity, and greater effectiveness, happiness and fulfillment to unfold.

From the time humans are born on this planet, they are taught to look outward and look to various institutions for meaning and for answers—academic institutions, economic institutions, political institutions, social institutions, religious institutions, etc.  In reality, we need to look inward for answers.  Everything that is needed is inward, including the highest intelligence, which is contained within one’s individual consciousness and within each of the approximately 100 trillion cells in one’s body.

David O. Wiebers, M.D.

Find out more about the Theory of Reality on DavidWiebers.com

Inspirational Quote of the Week:

“Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”

-Carl Jung

What is the purpose of our lives?

During my recent visit to India, on several occasions, I was asked to comment about the purpose of our lives as humans on this planet and I mentioned that when one looks at Near-Death Experiences, the two most important elements for individuals as they are assessing their own lives (generally with help from a Divine Source) are:  (1) love (of others--human and nonhuman) and (2) knowledge (pursuing and advancing knowledge of all kinds).  

I believe that these are core components of the purpose of our lives and that we are also here on this plane to evolve our individual conscious selves and to learn a number of important lessons in the process.  One of the most important of these lessons is compassion for all life—including all humans, nonhumans and the earth (another life form).  Another is coming to recognize that there is much more to existence than this material dimension and that the brain and body are temporary vehicles rather than ones core identity.

-David O. Wiebers, M.D.

Inspirational Quote of the Week:

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience.  We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”

-Pierre Teilhard De Chardin

Theory of Reality Talk at India International Centre

We had a very engaged and dynamic audience at the India International Centre with an extended discussion period long into the evening on Pre-Diwali. It was a truly memorable evening with so many new found friends and colleagues.

David Wiebers, M.D., answering question from head of the Bahai Temple in Delhi, India, November 10,2015.

David Wiebers, M.D., greeting audience members after delivering Theory of Reality talk at the India International Centre, November 10, 2015. 

Amity University Honorary Professorship Award

Earlier this week, we had an incredibly warm reception at Amity University.  The campus exudes a dynamic energy and we enjoyed our many interactions with so many brilliant students, researchers and faculty.  It was a great honor and a pleasure for me to receive an Honorary Professorship from Amity University. This is clearly one of India's finest institutions of higher learning and a growing force in Asia and the world -  I’m happy to be a part of it. 

The visionary leadership of Amity, including the Chancellor Dr. Ashok Chauhan and President Dr. William Selvamurthy, are wonderful individuals who are very supportive of the Theory of Reality (TOR). We discussed many possibilities for collaboration between TOR Group and TOR Foundation. A Hindi translation of Theory of Reality will be published by Amity University Press in the near future.  All of us at TOR Group and TOR Foundation are so pleased to be working with Amity University - there is a lot that we have to do together moving forward.

David Wiebers, M.D., awarded Honorary Professorship at Amity University by Amity Chancellor Dr. Ashok Chauhan on November 9, 2015.

David Wiebers, M.D., awarded Honorary Professorship at Amity University by Amity Chancellor Dr. Ashok Chauhan on November 9, 2015.

David Wiebers, M.D., awarded Honorary Professorship at Amity University by Amity Chancellor Dr. Ashok Chauhan on November 9, 2015.

Audience member during Q&A session after the Theory of Reality presentation at Amity University Delhi campus on November 9, 2015.

Audience member during Q&A session after the Theory of Reality presentation at Amity University Delhi campus on November 9, 2015. 

David Wiebers, M.D., delivering Theory of Reality presentation at Amity University Delhi campus on November 9, 2015.

David Wiebers, M.D., at the podium at Amity University Delhi campus delivering Theory of Reality presentation on November 9, 2015. 

David Wiebers, M.D., at the podium at Amity University Delhi campus delivering Theory of Reality presentation on November 9, 2015.

Audience members at Amity University Delhi campus during Theory of Reality presentation on November 9, 2015.

David Wiebers, M.D., delivering Theory of Reality presentation at Amity University Delhi campus on November 9, 2015.

David Wiebers, M.D., being introduced at Amity University Delhi campus to deliver his Theory of Reality presentation on November 9, 2015.

Amity University President, Dr. William Selvamurthy, Dr. David O. Wiebers, and Amity University Chancellor, Dr. Ashok Chauhan on November 9, 2015.

David Wiebres, M.D., at Amity University Delhi campus with Amity Chancellor Dr. Ashok Chauhan on November 9, 2015.

David Wiebers, M.D., at Amity University Delhi campus with Amity Chancellor Dr. Ashok Chauhan on November 9, 2015.

David Wiebers, M.D., and colleague Steve Ann Chambers from TOR Group, LLC, touring the radio/television communication laboratory at Amity University's Delhi campus on November 9, 2015.

David Wiebers, M.D., touring Amity University Delhi campus library on November 9, 2015.

David Wiebers, M.D., touring Amity University Delhi campus on November 9, 2015. 

David Wiebers, M.D., and Amity University faculty in the President's conference room prior to touring Amity University Delhi campus on November 9, 2015. 

Compassion for All Life in South India

I gave two Theory of Reality talks in Mangalore this week.  I've enjoyed the wonder and beauty of South India. Compassion for All Life is a concept that deeply resonates with its people.

The first presentation, on November 6th, was at Alva College and Educational Foundation which is a large, modern and extremely progressive educational facility with 25,000 students. The talk was held at their Institute of Engineering & Technology, where over 1,000 people attended and resonated with the Theory of Reality talk.

David Wiebers, M.D., accepting an award from Alva College and Educational Foundation outside of Mangalore, India.

David Wiebers, M.D., at the podium at Alva's Institute of Engineering & Technology outside of Mangalore, India.

David Wiebers, M.D., presenting Theory of Reality talk at Alva's Institute of Engineering & Technology outside of Mangalore, India.

Audience members at the Theory of Reality lecture at Alva's Institute of Engineering & Technology outside of Mangalore, India.

David Wiebers, M.D., presenting Theory of Reality talk at Alva's Institute of Engineering & Technology outside of Mangalore, India.

David Wiebers, M.D., with Cardiologist friend Professor Monappa Hegde at Alva's Institute of Engineering & Technology outside of Mangalore, India.

The second presentation, on November 7th, was at Mangalore University which has over 200,000 students.  The talk was held in the majestic Mangala Auditorium and was filled to capacity. There were so many questions during the Q&A session that program organizers had to move the crowd out to the front of the building so the auditorium could be set up for the next program that evening. 

David Wiebers, M.D., with Professors at Mangalore University.

David Wiebers, M.D., presenting Theory of Reality lecture at Mangalore University. 

David Wiebers, M.D., presenting Theory of Reality lecture at Mangalore University. 

David Wiebers, M.D., presenting Theory of Reality lecture at Mangalore University. 

David Wiebers, M.D., presenting Theory of Reality lecture at Mangalore University. 

David Wiebers, M.D., during Q&A session after the Theory of Reality presentation at Mangalore University.

David Wiebers, M.D., during Q&A session after the Theory of Reality presentation at Mangalore University.

David Wiebers, M.D., shaking hands with physics professor at Mangalore University. 

David Wiebers, M.D., at Mangalore University. 

David Wiebers, M.D., and students during Q&A session after the Theory of Reality presentation at Mangalore University.

David Wiebers, M.D., and students during Q&A session after the Theory of Reality presentation at Mangalore University.

David Wiebers, M.D., shakes hands with student during Q&A session after the Theory of Reality presentation at Mangalore University.

Mangalore University's Mangala Auditorium.

We are buoyed by the energy and friendship of so many new friends, colleagues and audiences that share many of our same hopes and dreams.  

To read more about my talks and to see photos, visit the TORGroup.org blog: http://torgroup.org/david-wiebers-presents-in-south-india/

Science and Spirituality

Science meeting spirituality is key and something that is long overdue.  The science behind various types of Expanded-Reality Experiences and Peak Experiences allows a quantum leap in human understanding of ourselves and our universe.  Science and spirituality can combine (rather than conflict) to open new vistas (and provide self-actualization resulting in enhanced/optimal brain and neurologic function).  Neuroscience meeting physics to expand and enhance each other is also key.  Both neuroscience and physics need to evolve into the 21st century and beyond.  They are both slowed by the inertia of outdated and limited concepts and paradigms.  Until these disciplines incorporate what are now thought of as largely spiritual and metaphysical dimensions, our models will only be able to account for the most materialistic and mundane aspects of our existence and will miss many of the most important aspects of life and existence.

David Wiebers, M.D.

Compassion: Our First Instinct

There is considerable emerging evidence to suggest that the universe is a unified living process rather than a collection of separate objects, and, although things and beings can still be part of a unified whole while possessing their own unique qualities, our tendency to fragment our world and to see ourselves as separate from the universe, from the earth, and from other human and non-human beings is responsible for many problems in science and society, and ultimately is responsible for our neither being at peace as a species nor as a society.  

When one looks at the profound interconnectedness of all life on this planet including all human and nonhuman beings, as well as the earth itself (another life form), it becomes clear that compassion for all life is not a luxury for humanity but rather a necessity.  

Ultimately, the survival not only of other species on this planet, but also of our own, will depend upon humanity’s ability to recognize the oneness of all that exists, and the importance and deeper significance of compassion for all life.

Peak Experiences

Peak Experiences (PEs) generally involve seconds to minutes where one feels the highest levels of peace, connectedness, happiness, harmony and possibility.  They often are pivotal moments in a person’s life and are often associated with key insights, "waves of understanding", and/or instantaneous "thought balls” (large packages of ideas that arrive instantaneously and need to be rolled out by speaking or writing in real time as our brains process them for this material plane).

A variety of other related phenomena and techniques have been associated with producing or facilitating peak experiences or with otherwise deeply enhancing one’s creative, intellectual, visionary or integrative understanding and/or capabilities.  These phenomena and techniquesgenerally involve focused (coherent) states of consciousness and getting one’s consciousness free from “waking chatter” and “noise” of day-to-day living.

Going from random incoherent thought to coherent consciousness can be a powerful tool for increasing one’s effectiveness, understanding, creativity and intuition.  PEs have been associated with all sorts of extraordinary discoveries, uncommon creativity, insight, and understanding.  They occur in all walks of life and they can be important tools for all kinds of discovery and understanding—e.g. scientific, spiritual, musical, artistic, and interpersonal.

Future healthcare paradigms will give greater intentionality to the process of having and creating PEs and related experiences that catalyze personal advances, and will place increasing emphasis upon coherence, resilience and equanimity as vehicles to promote optimal neurological and psychological function as well as overall health.

To learn more about Peak Experiences, please visit: 

http://torgroup.org/theory-of-reality/spiritual-adventure-tools-techniques/

David Wiebers, M.D.

Vision of a New Era

The universe is a unified living process rather than a collection of separate objects.  Consciousness is not contained within matter or the world--it contains all matter and the world.  Intelligent informative consciousness is fundamental to all matter, and, although things and beings can still be part of an individual whole while possessing their own unique qualities, our tendency to fragment our world and see ourselves as separate from the universe, from the earth, and from other human and non-human beings is responsible for many problems in science and society and ultimately is responsible for our neither being at peace as a species nor as a society.  The TOR (Theory of Reality) provides the underpinnings for a different perspective and an approach for personal and societal transformation.

To learn more about the Theory of Reality, click here: http://torgroup.org

David Wiebers, M.D.

Wellness

The construct of a more proactive and prevention-oriented approach to healthcare involves attention to more than the absence of disease.  It includes adding things to individuals to make them better than normal and more capable than ever before as opposed to the more traditional approach of trying to identify and subtract diseases or abnormalities to try to get individuals back to “normal” or “baseline”.  It involves the recognition that health includes a balance of physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being that allows an individual to live, learn and love, and to express the full range of that individual’s potential.

At the heart of such an approach is the emerging science which surrounds the concepts of resilience, equanimity and coherence.  Resilience is the capacity following adverse or stressful events to adapt to (and even thrive in) the resulting challenges and changing circumstances.  Such a capacity proactively insulates and protects individuals from a variety of adverse conditions such as anxiety disorders and depression.  Similarly, equanimity is the inner strength and stability to experience well-being and confidence in the eye of the storm-- enabling one to maintain a relaxed body and calm, balanced mind regardless of the circumstances.  It allows one to remain centered and to see the big picture with perspective and patience.  Coherence implies a form of order or focus—coherent thought implies very focused, clear, non-random thought as opposed to disorganized, haphazard, “noisy” thought processes that we are used to in our day-to-day living.  Going from random incoherent thought to coherent consciousness can be a powerful tool for increasing one’s effectiveness, understanding, creativity and intuition.   By achieving a highly focused level of awareness, individuals are able to tap into normally unconscious or latent abilities.  

Photo courtesy of Sarah Lee:  www.sarahleephotography.com