Marilyn Schlitz, Ph.D., of the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) talked about alternative and conventional medicine, as well as extended human abilities like distant healing.

Schlitz thinks "there are some really fundamental challenges that face standard [conventional] medicine today," including an increasing reliance on technology and focus on manipulating "the external." Missing from the Western scientific and medical framework, she believes, are a "level of consciousness and interiority" found in other cultures around the world, where the mind-body relationship is integral to healing.

According to Schlitz, laboratory research is now showing that distant healing works and can be measured, but not always. Belief may play an important part in the process, she notes. Schlitz also cited a statistical study of populations that found populations with spiritual and religious practices were healthier than populations without such beliefs.

Want to learn more about the role consciousness plays in healing the body? Head over to IONS' Hall of Healing to participate in three free online games that test the roles of intention, attention, and intuition in intentional healing.

Mount St. Helens Update

In the first half-hour Dr. R.B. Trombley, Ph.D., of the Southwest Volcano Research Center presented an update on Mount St. Helens. According to Trombley, the growing lava dome of Mount St. Helens has reached a height of 900 feet and could grow over a thousand feet taller. Using his ERUPTION Pro 10.5 forecasting software, Trombley predicted a 37% chance of eruption for Mount St. Helens in 2005. The volcano's current activity could continue for several months, he concluded.