2022 Conference Schedule

The topics covered in this mini-conference are:

• Reincarnation & Embryogenesis
• The concept of Subtle-body
• Developing a theory of matter, mind and consciousness
• Prioritizing projects defined at the Mind-Brain Interface conference
• Outreach at top-tier universities
• Developing research collaborations between various universities

The virtual conference will be held on 27-28 August 2022, and will start at (0530 PDT = 0730 CDT = 0830 EDT = 1330 UK = 1800 IST = 2030 AWST) on both days.
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Day 1: Saturday (27th August) 8:30AM-1:30PM EDT:

1. Introduction Session (45 minutes round table) (Chair Tomas Chapa) [8:30AM-9:15AM EDT]
• Goal: Get to know everyone and their interests
2. New initiatives at IIT Mandi (20+10 minutes) [9:15AM-9:45AM EDT]
   • Prof. Laxmidhar Behera (Director, IIT Mandi)
3. Reincarnation and Embryogenesis (10+2 minute talks followed by 30 min discussion = 2 hours) (Chair Prem Kishor) [9:45AM-11:45AM EDT]
   • Dr. Kunal Mooley (Caltech) — Reincarnation overview
   • Prof. Nitika Parmar (CSUCI) — Relevant topics from Embryogenesis
   • Dr. Swati Kulkarni — Reincarnation and Embryogenesis in Ayurveda
   • Dr. Ashish Gupta (IITK) — A reincarnation-type case within ISKCON
   • Prem Kishor Das (ISS) — India case studies plan
   • Dr. Neha Satam (ISS, Inspire) — Hypnotic regression
   • Dr. Mayank Bhasin (IITKgp/U Melbourne) — Machine learning approaches on the DOPS reincarnation database
   • Jack Dodson (Temple U.) — Towards a theory for reincarnation
   • Discussion: Timeline and resources. Collaborations with Dr. Pasricha and Dr. Tucker. Planning a workshop at IIT Mandi in early 2023.

• --- 15 minute break ---

4. Outreach (10+2 minute talks followed by 30 minute discussion = 1.5 hours) (Chair Akhandadhi Das) [12:00PM-1:30PM EDT]
• Radheshyam Das (VOICE/NVCC Pune) — Bhaktivedanta Youth Sevaks for outreach at US universities
• Dr. Kunal Mooley (Caltech) — The need for mind & consciousness resources (books, handouts, presentations, projects)
• Akhandadhi Das (SPi/BIHS) — Atma Paradigm / Consciousness-based resources
• Prem Kishor Das (ISS) — ISS outreach model and IKS accreditation
• Dr. Mayank Bhasin (IITKgp/U Melbourne) — Engaging university students with virtual science-philosophy-based programs
• Discussion: Mind and Consciousness as common ground between modern science and Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy. Generating resources for outreach at top-tier universities. Requirement and timeline.
5. Day 1 Wrap up (10 minutes)
• Summary of important points (Kunal)

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Day 2: Sunday (28th August) 8:30AM-1:30PM EDT:

1. Theory and Subtle body (10+2 minute talks followed by 30 min discussion = 2.75 hours) (Chair Kunal) [8:30AM-11:15AM EDT]
   • Prof. Bhupal Dev (UWStl) — Building blocks of the Physical Universe
   • Akhandadhi Das (SPi/BIHS) — Theory emerging from the Atma Paradigm (15+5 min)
   • Dr. Jyotiranjan Beuria (IIT Mandi, ISS) — Semantic Space to address the Mind-Body conundrum
   • Dr. Venkatesh Chembrolu (Amazon Labs) — Concept Space
   • Jack Dodson (Temple U.) — A mathematical approach for the genesis of Sankhya elements
   • Dr. Douglas Watson (BIHS) — Akash and subtle information
   • Dr. Guruprasad Raghavan (Caltech) — Neural correlates of perception
   • Dr. Murli Gopal Das (UF) — Subtle body descriptions in the Eastern texts
   • Prof. Edwin Bryant (Rutgers) — Metaphysical logic of Yogic Siddhis
   • Dr. Stuart Hameroff (U. Arizona) — Quantum mind-brain connection (15+5 min)
   • Discussion: Plan of action to make progress on these projects. Timeline and resources. Collaborations necessary. Planning for a dedicated workshop in the near future.

• --- 15 minute break ---

2. Other top-rated projects (Overview talk by Kunal/Tomas 15 minutes + 15 minute discussion = 30 min) [11:30AM-12:00PM EDT]
   • Anesthesia & Vegetative State, Phantom Limb, Placebo Effect, Meditation & Wellbeing, Remote Viewing.
   • Discussion: Reality check on the projects that can be pursued. Prioritization. Required resources and timeline.
3. Funding, crowdsourcing and collaborations between universities (Chair Tomas Chapa) (1.5 hour discussion) [12:00PM-1:30PM EDT]
   • BIHS plans, ISS plans, IIT Mandi plans, Grant proposals (Templeton, NSF etc), Donations
   • Possible plan for workforce:
     • IIT Mandi academic program
     • Students connected with ISS (volunteer/salaried)
     • Crowdsourcing (volunteer/salaried)
     • Working group members (volunteers)
   • Closer collaboration between universities as well as ISS and BI-Neuro
   • Recruitment drives at universities worldwide
4. Day 2 Wrap up (10 minutes)
• Summary of important points and action items (Kunal)