From a young age, Marjorie Woollacott was deeply curious about life’s biggest questions. At five years old, she had a deep conversation with her sister about the existence of God, questioning if one should dedicate their life to a higher purpose if it exists. In high school, her early curiosity grew when an inspiring literature teacher introduced her to Plato's classics and William James's ideas on mystical experience. Inspired by her explorations of a larger reality, Marjorie entered college to deepen her understanding of the human experience, particularly the soul's nature and location. Her lifelong journey has been shaped by a fascination with the intersection of science, spirituality, and consciousness.
Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Deadly Departed. Today, host Jock Brocas interviews Dr. Marjorie Woollacott, a neuroscientist and president of the Academy for the Advancement of Postmaterialist Sciences, who is also the author of Infinite Awareness. In this candid and compelling conversation, Jock and Marjorie dive into the fascinating crossroads of neuroscience, spirituality, and consciousness.
Marjorie discusses her transformation from a strong materialist and skeptic to a passionate advocate for post-materialist science, meditation, and the nature of awareness. She reveals how a mystical meditation experience changed the trajectory of her life and research, leading her to question the very foundation of materialist science.
They examine deep questions about the brain, the origin of consciousness, the benefits of meditation, and the remarkable skills seen in non-speaking autistic children.
If you’ve ever wondered how a scientist reconciles spiritual experiences with hard science—or sought insight into topics like near-death experiences, reincarnation, and terminal lucidity—this episode will challenge assumptions and spark your curiosity. Stay tuned as Jock and Marjorie explore the edges of science and spirituality, and don’t forget to check out Marjorie’s book, Infinite Awareness, for a deeper dive into her research and extraordinary insights.
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- University of Oregon
- ians
- aaps
- Paranormal Daily News
- Johns Hopkins University
- NYU
- Monroe Institute
- Academy for the Advancement of Post Material Sciences
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