"Consciousness at the human level is essentially in the nature of self-luminosity. It shines by its own intrinsic light; as it reveals objects it also reveals itself as the knowing function" - Haridas Chaudhuri, The Evolution of Integral Consciousness (1977)
Since its origins in the mid-20th century, CIIS has been committed to the exploration of the nature and potentials of human consciousness. This commitment is embraced and embodied by its many programs, ranging form Asian philosophy to integral psychology and counseling, and on through women’s spirituality, ecology, creative arts, and many more.
The goals of this center are to elevate CIIS into international prominence in the field of consciousness studies, and to support and facilitate consciousness studies both inside and beyond the institute. Also, to act as a clearinghouse for faculty members and students both within and outside of CIIS who are interested in the field of consciousness studies.
Director
Allan Combs, Ph.D.
Professor of Consciousness Studies
ccs@ciis.edu
Consciousness Studies Focus - Transformative Studies Ph.D.
The Consciousness Studies Focus is a new track within the well-established and successful Transformative Studies online Ph.D. program at CIIS.
Courses in this program provide the student with a foundation in transdisciplinary scholarship and complexity thinking imparted by some of the world's leading scholars in these fields. In this way students learn to integrate an "ecology of consciousness" approach, originally suggested by visionaries such as psychologist Frank Barron and systems thinker Gregory Bateson, with contemporary understandings of consciousness, ecology, and complexity.
Other Academic Programs Of Special Interest To Consciousness Studies
- Integral and Transpersonal Psychology
- Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousenss
- East-West Psychology
- Integrative Health Studies
- Transformative Studies
- Writing and Consciousness
Faculty Of Special Interest
Fernando Castrillon
Community Mental Health
Carolyn Cooke
Writing and Consciousness
Brant Cortright
Integral Counseling Psychology
Frank Echenhofer
Clinical Psychology
Glenn Hartelius
Integral and Transpersonal Psychology
Steven Goodman
Asian Philosophies and Cultures
Don Hanlon Johnson
Somatic Psychology
Constance Jones
Transformative Studies
Mara Lynn Keller
Women’s Spirituality
Sean Kelly
Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness
Robert McDermott
Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness
Jacob Sherman
Ecology, Spirituality, and Religion
Brian Swimme
Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness
Adjunct Faculty Of Special Interest
Ralph Metzner
Classic research on psychedelics and states of consciousness
Richard Tarnas
Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness
Stanislav Grof
Classic research on LSD, transpersonal psychologist
Media Inquiries
For media inquiries about the Center for Consciousness Studies, please contact Andrew J. Martin, Senior Media Relations manager at amartin1@ciis.edu or (415) 575-6169.
