The greatest joy of being a Joyful Being is the connections we’re building to one another. It's gratifying to find other people who share similar interests, passions and open minds, and we’ve all been more than a little surprised to learn that there are so many of us in the same geographical area.

It stands to reason that if there are so many of us here, there must be quite a few others "out there". One way of finding them is through the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS)" says Dr. Ric Chambers, Joyful Being member.

In fact, Joyful Being is one of three community groups in Georgia listed in the IONS directory. Similar communities exist throughout all 50 United States and in 47 countries on six continents.

"IONS describes itself as 'A global wisdom society in which consciousness, spirituality and love are at the center of life',"" Ric continues. ""How can you not get excited by that?"

While IONS is a global organization, it encourages the development of community groups to grow wisdom on the local level. One of the ways it does this is by distributing information on how to create conversations that matter and use cafes as centers of learning.

There are several basic concepts that both IONS and Joyful Being share. First and foremost, he emphasizes, while IONS is trying to shift consciousness, it doesn't promote any particular religion or group. Like Joyful Being, it encompasses and encourages all of them.

"We want Joyful Being to become a learning catalyst, much like IONS, where we develop a curriculum for wisdom and make that available to people right here," Ric says. ""Another very important aspect that both groups embrace is the inspiration of public dialogue.
" Dialogue, rather than argument, is a tried-and-true method for learning, dating back to the time of Plato and Socrates, if not earlier. Through one-on-one or small group interaction, information and perceptions are shared so growth and understanding are mutual and profound. Perhaps the Socratic method of discussion is the preferred choice for IONS because it blends the investigative attitude of science with a healthy respect for personal experience and knowledge. This makes sense when you consider that the organization grew out of one scientist's mystical experience.

Astronaut Edgar Mitchell had an overwhelming moment where he sensed the unity of everything in creation, a virtual dissolution of the separation between spirit, mind and matter. Rather than turning his back on such an ""unscientific"" experience, Mitchell used his training to explore it with an open mind. He founded IONS for the purpose of learning to access deeper reality, beyond the purely rational framework that can limit human knowledge.

It's interesting to note that everyone who works within the wisdom realm, people like Deepak Chopra, are in touch with IONS and usually partner with the group on some level. Organizations that partner with IONS include California Pacific Medical Center, The Esalen Institute, The Fetzer Institute, The Hartley Film Foundation, Monroe Institute, New Dimensions Radio, Nine Gates Mystery School, University of Arizona’s Center for Consciousness Studies, World Business Academy and Willis Harman House.

We can continue expanding our joyful universe by connecting with other like-minded people by joining IONS as individuals. And, for members of Joyful Being, there is a break on IONS’ membership fee. IONS’ usual annual fee is $45, for both new members and those renewing. If you’re a member of Joyful Being, however, you can join IONS as a new member for only $35 or renew for only $40, since Joyful Being is one of its community groups. To get the reduced membership fee, please contact Ric at 770-304-9500.

There are many worthwhile benefits to becoming a member of IONS, including a subscription to IONS Review. The magazine is issued four times a year with the focus of exploring the frontiers of consciousness. There are sections like Webwatch, which lists websites of interest, Upfront with its book reviews and insightful quotes and Viewpoint, where members share their ideas and experiences.

The magazine is always interesting and thought-provoking. In the latest issue, members wrote in to share dreams they’d had about the 9/11 tragedy before it happened. Also, the subject of forgiveness was explored from four different perspectives; a consultant, a scientist, a Taoist and Archbishop Tutu each contributed to the discussion. IConnect, the monthly online newsletter, and an interactive website are wonderful options for computerized wisdom-seekers. The website features lively discussions in the Noetic Café.

IONS also offers conferences and retreats. Members receive special discounts to participate in IONS' biennial international conferences, as well as in many regional conferences. The retreats offer an opportunity to work with pioneers in transformative learning, through workshops and educational activities, at a beautiful 200-acre campus in Petaluma, CA.

"You find out that, far from being alone in the cosmos, it's a pretty small world," says Ric. "And it’s a world that Noetic Science is looking at closely, using scientific tools, without the scientific prejudices." The Institute of Noetic Sciences is definitely a connection worth making.

For more detailed information about IONS , access their website at www.noetic.org.

Kathy Vogeltanz, a member of Joyful Being, lives and works in the Coweta/Fayette area. She is the editor for several publications, including the Community Health Focus and the Guide to Coweta and Fayette counties. She has been an associate producer for a local independent film, as well as a comedy writer for an award-winning cable access television show. Art forms, including poetry, photography and needlework, are her preferred methods of meditative creativity.