Explore
July 1, 2026
Marjorie Woollacott, Joan Walton, Laurel Waterman
The educational system in most cultures today uses the materialist or reductionist worldview as its basis for generating and sharing knowledge. This worldview understands materiality as a fundamental characteristic of the universe, with subatomic particles being the foundation of reality, and consciousness being solely a product of brain activity. In this article, we propose that an alternative...
Psychology of Consciousness Theory Research and Practice
February 26, 2026
Natasha Tassell-Matamua, Karalee Kothe, Michael Nahm et al.
The unanticipated occurrence of unusually enhanced mental clarity just before death has been reported across time and cultures and has come to be known by the term “terminal lucidity.” Cases that appear to be characteristic of terminal lucidity in children have been sporadically documented in historical and more recent literature, yet no studies have systematically examined the characteristics...
Frontiers in Psychology
October 16, 2025
Bruce Greyson, Jeffrey Long, Janice Miner Holden et al.
3 citations
Introduction: In this study, we describe the construction of the veridical Near-Death Experience Scale (vNDE Scale), a structured instrument for evaluating the evidential strength of perceptions reported during near-death experiences (NDEs), and its first validation by human and artificial raters. Methods: The construction was implemented using a typical Delphi Method. The first draft of the...
July 26, 2025
Bruce Greyson, Jeffrey Long, Janice Holden et al.
preprint
Introduction: In this study, we describe the construction of the veridical Near-Death Experience Scale (vNDE Scale), a structured instrument for evaluating the evidential strength of perceptions reported during near-death experiences (NDEs), and its first validation by human and artificial raters.Methods: The construction was implemented using a typical Delphi Method. The first draft of the...
Journal of anomalistics
July 24, 2025
James Houran, Debra Katz, J C Williamson et al.
This case study examines the phenomenon of dimensional-slips, i. e., anomalous distortions or perceptions of spacetime that may involve transcendental content or themes. Our investigation specifically centers on “Nell,” a known ‘haunted’ woman who documented four experiences of perceived physical transports to other realms. Using a mixed-methods approach, we employed AI-assisted content...
International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England)
2025
Marjorie Woollacott, Marina Weiler
3 citations
In this review, we examine studies suggesting that conscious or mental awareness is constrained by our neural filters. These filters include sensory receptors, the ascending reticular activating system and the thalamus, the default mode network, and left hemisphere language centers. These filters limit our perception of the world to a narrow range of energy frequencies, make sense of space and...
Explore (New York, N.Y.)
2025
Jeb Barton, Marjorie Woollacott
This Reflection piece offers eight insights that have been gleaned from enlightened masters related to the nature of consciousness, awareness and experience. These insights are elucidated in ways that can help in the evaluation of the usefulness of our values and beliefs, and how these dictate the way we respond to our life experiences. In this way the essay points to the importance of...
Explore (New York, N.Y.)
2024
Jeffrey Long, Marjorie Woollacott
17 citations
The purpose of this study was to deepen our understanding of the phenomenon of long-term transformational effects of near-death experiences (NDEs). Participants included 834 individuals who had experienced NDEs. We compared their responses with those of 42 individuals who had faced life-threatening situations (LTEs) without experiencing NDEs, aiming to discern whether transformations could be...
Explore (New York, N.Y.)
2024
Marjorie Woollacott, Justin Riddle, Niffe Hermansson et al.
5 citations
Psychedelic-assisted therapy studies suggest that the induction of "mystical experiences" combined with psycho-therapy is a possible intervention for psychiatric illness. Advanced meditation may induce powerful experiences comparable to psychedelics. We investigated effects of an intensive meditation practice called Fire Kasina. Six individuals completed a retreat, and participated in an...
Explore (New York, N.Y.)
2024
Marjorie Woollacott
3 citations
Increasing numbers of research studies have offered evidence regarding awareness of verified events during near-death experiences (NDEs) occurring during cardiac arrest and severely impaired brain function. The prevalence of patients reporting core NDEs under these conditions is reported as 10-12 %. One question that is often asked is why this percentage is low. Though it may be hypothesized...
Explore (New York, N.Y.)
2023
Marjorie Woollacott, Anne Shumway-Cook
18 citations
The purpose of this study was to document both quantitatively and qualitatively the characteristics of spiritual awakenings and their transformational effects in scientists and academics who reported having experienced this phenomenon; it also aimed to explore barriers these individuals perceived to sharing their experiences with others within society. METHODS: An interview questionnaire was...
Explore (New York, N.Y.)
2023
Marjorie Woollacott, Anne Shumway-Cook, John Renesch
Scientists have spent considerable time and effort studying and mapping the geography of the brain, with the expectation that this understanding will lead to insights related to the nature of the mind. This article discusses evidence that, while the mind utilizes sensory information processed by the brain, awareness is not limited to these structures. Research studies give evidence supporting...
Explore (New York, N.Y.)
2023
Marjorie Woollacott, Anne Shumway-Cook, Natasha Tassell-Matamua
Research suggests that worldviews define our relationship to the environment, including our responsibility to the environment and our planet. This paper examines two specific worldviews and their potential environmental impact: the materialist worldview, considered to be the dominant worldview of Western society, and the so-called post-materialist worldview. We believe that changing the...
Journal of Anomalous Experience and Cognition
October 28, 2021
Marjorie Woollacott
n/a
Explore (New York, N.Y.)
2021
Marjorie Woollacott, Yvonne Kason, Russell D Park
33 citations
There is a paucity of research examining the phenomenology and energetic effects of spiritually transformative experiences with an energetic component, often referred to as kundalini awakenings (KAs). This limits our ability to understand and support individuals who have these often unexpected and powerful experiences. This study aimed to explore not only the nature of these experiences but...
Explore
March 19, 2020
Marjorie Woollacott, Bettina Peyton
21 citations
Research exploring the nature of near-death experiences (NDEs) is extensive. There are a variety of hypothesized mechanisms proposed to explain the origin of the experiences, including hallucinations due to physiological changes in a dying brain. However, there is growing evidence that these theories cannot explain a number of the characteristics of NDEs. In this article we present a detailed...
Journal of Near-Death Studies
2020
Marjorie Woollacott, Anne Shumway-Cook
Abstract: Despite their different etiologies, three types of spiritually transformative experiences (STEs)--near-death experiences, psilocybin experiences, and meditative experiences of cosmic consciousness--appear to have attributes that are common to a broad range of mystical experiences, including an experience of expanded awareness. In addition, all three appear to be associated with...