David's guest this month is. is Max Vermans, Emeritus Professor (BSc PhD CPsychol FBPsS FAcSS) of Psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London, currently focusing on Consciousness Studies, His main book Understanding Consciousness was short listed for the BPS book prize in 2001 and 2002 and he has over 130 publications in this area (over 100 on-line at Research Gate and Academia.edu). Max has given over 120 keynote addresses or plenary papers at conferences,

In 1997 Max co-founded the Consciousness and Experiential Psychology Section of the BPS and has organised or helped to organise many conferences, workshops and symposia on consciousness, including international ones sponsored by the CIBA foundation (London), the Fetzer Institute (USA) and the Templeton Foundation (USA). From 2006 onwards he also founded Totnes Consciousness Café with visiting speakers at monthly meetings in Totnes, where he now lives. He is on the Editorial Advisory Board of a number of journals including the Journal of Consciousness Studies, The Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research and Practice (American Psychological Association), Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences, NeuroPsychoanalysis, and Journal of Parapsychology.

Imaginal Inspirations is hosted by David Lorimer, Programme Director of the Scientific and Medical Network and Chair of the Galileo Commission, an academic movement dedicated to expanding the evidence base of a science of consciousness. Imaginal cells are responsible for the metamorphosis of the caterpillar into a butterfly, which is the Greek symbol for the soul. These cells are dormant in the caterpillar but at a critical point of development they create the new form and structure which becomes the butterfly.

WATCH OUT FOR OUR NEW PODCAST SERIES, 'WISE SCIENTISTS' coming soon on this platform.

scientificandmedical.net

galileocommission.org

beyondthebrain.org

Works and links mentioned:

https://www.gold.ac.uk/psychology/staff/velmans/

https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/understanding-consciousness-book-max-velmans-9780415224925?sku

https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-outsider-colin-wilson/1278674?ean=9780753814321

https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-book-on-the-taboo-against-knowing-who-you-are-alan-watts/2435208?ean=9780285638532

https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/sceptical-essays-bertrand-russell/3298077?ean=9780415325080

Production: Martin Redfern

Artwork: Amber Haas

Music: Life is a River, by Magnus Moone