FMBR Editorial: April, 2006
Mind-Being Research
A letter to a Princeton classmate, with his reply
William C. Gough
This is an attempt to explain to a Princeton classmate what we mean by "Mind-Being Research."
Dear Bill,
Most of your classmates, including the undersigned, don't understand mind-being research. But most of us applaud the energy and enthusiasm you bring to your work. Keep it up, and be tolerant of the less gifted majority of '52. Have a terrific 75th birthday.
Best wishes,
Dan Duffield, Secretary, Princeton Class of 1952.
My reply:
Dear Dan,
I appreciate the Birthday card you sent on behalf of my classmates. Your note has stimulated me to attempt to explain the meaning of the exploration that we have called "mind-being research."
The name was proposed in 1979 by the co-founder of the Foundation, Virginia Gruye Cates, an interior designer and psychic. Being an engineer who worked in physical science research most of my life, I was as confused with the term initially as you are now. However, Virginia convinced me that we needed to go beyond the mind-body concepts currently prevalent and suggested that we recognize that something exists beyond our physical body and our mind. The dictionary defines being as "something that actually exists" -- it is real. In philosophy it means one's "essence." In effect it is what we are as "human beings." Thus, FMBR has defined Being as our body-mind-spirit composite. We are an integrated system in which our minds interact with and affect both the physical body and the spiritual aspects of our Being. This theme appeared to be a worthy cutting edge direction for a scientific research quest.
Gradually I began to understand the deeper meaning and significance of mind-being. The Foundation for Mind-Being Research was established to serve as a forum to bring together and synthesize all kinds of content that have been taken apart over time, but which belong together in harmony. We believed that the time had arrived to step back and look at what the sciences, the world religions, and the metaphysical have separated, and put them back together as a unity. My personal focus over the last twenty-five years was to seek to understand the philosophy of science and the implications of quantum theory, relativity, biophysics and the emerging physics models and apply them to this goal.
The Foundation continues to seek clues or guides to this synthesis process. This has been accomplished by exploring four sources: First through our knowledge of modern science; Second through a recognition of the mysteries and underlying assumptions of modern science; Third through an appreciation of the wisdom of ancient science and religion; and Forth through personal experiences of individuals, including myself, who have expanded the boundaries of their perception -- experiences that constitute "white crows." William James said: "If you wish to upset the law that all crows are black .. it is enough if you prove one single crow to be white."
Our everyday experiences tell us that the world is flat. A perception that is more than adequate most of the time. However, when we sail or fly around our spherical earth or look at it from a space shuttle, that perception has to change. The flat world perception is an analogy to a Newtonian (classical physics) approach to reality. It works for most day-to-day activities. I realized that most persons including engineers, scientists, psychologists and doctors still hold to a Newtonian world-view. However, the three dimensional sphere analogy corresponds to a "mind-being" approach -- a composite "body-mind-spirit" reality. This approach is consistent with the data supporting theories like relativity and quantum theory, and the perennial wisdom of the great spiritual traditions. As we use our minds to explore our Being, we realize that we are not confined to our physical body and we are led to a new vision on what the future for human beings and civilization could be.
Best wishes,
Bill
Dan Duffield's reply:
Bill,
Many thanks for your lucid explanation of mind-being research. As you know, it is now posted on the (Princeton) Class web site for the rest of your semi-literate classmates. I respect you for taking the time to answer my query, in doing such a good job of framing your explanation, and for inviting questions by E-mail. You deserve to enjoy a grand 76th birthday.
Best wishes,
Dan Duffield, Secretary
The Class of 1952
William C. Gough, FMBR Chairman of the Board
To send comments by email regarding this editorial to Bill Gough click here .