Researching Spiritually Transformative Experiences – Panel
Jeffrey Overall, PhD
Confusion and Integration Challenges in Kundalini Awakening. This study utilizes QCA to examine the experiences of 20 people who reported undergoing kundalini awakenings, as documented through open-source questionnaire data from a kundalini awakening support group. Findings reveal that confusion after a kundalini awakening is linked to the intensity of the dark night of the soul and difficulties integrating one’s former life with new spiritual insights. Notably, heightened intensity and integration challenges create greater potential for confusion, particularly when a spiritual practice is absent. Moreover, while supportive communities offer guidance, they may inadvertently contribute to integration challenges by shaping individuals’ unique experiences, emphasizing the importance of solitude for self-reflection. The main contribution highlights the roles of community, solitude, and spiritual practice in navigating post-awakening integration, suggesting that spiritual practice and balanced social interactions are key for effective adaptation.
Dr. Jeffrey Overall, PhD, is a professor of conscious economics and entrepreneurship. He studies the link between consciousness and: mental health, optimum performance, increased productivity, sustainability, business ethics, financial performance, wakefulness, and spirituality. He also studies the causes of entrepreneurial and organizational success and failure. He has nearly 50 publications with 25 of these in peer-reviewed academic journals. He is the author of Capitalist Buddha: Waking up to Conscious Economics. Dr. Overall has been an academic for over a decade. He was a tenured professor at Ontario Tech University in Canada. Before that, he held professorships at Nipissing University in Canada, Ryerson University in Canada, and Leibniz Universität Hannover in Germany. He taught at the St. Petersburg Polytechinical University in Russia and the University of Bradford School of Management in Britain. He has 25 years of experience working directly with entrepreneurs within start-ups.
John Stone, PhD, & Ronald Meyer
Dissolving the Boundaries Between Us: A New Approach to Mystical Experiences. Dr. John Stone and Ronald C. Meyer explore how ancient rituals, the Enlightenment Intensive, and the Lila Paradigm foster deep collective awareness. This talk presents a rapid method for accessing mystical states and embracing our shared boundless nature.
John V. Stone, PhD, had an intense awakening experience in 1994 while on a retreat which completely changed his view of himself and the world. That experience opened the door to many other experiences of altered states and encounters with the divine which continue to this day. Before that experience, he had a brief career in academia after attending Yale University and earning a PhD in Scandinavian Studies at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He then taught at UCLA and the University of Wisconsin for a few years before beginning part-time work as a computer programmer. In 1974, he began a study of the martial art of Aikido and with his wife founded and led Aikido of Madison from 1984 on. He holds a 6th degree black belt in Aikido and has retired from teaching. He is the co-author with Ronald C. Meyer of Aikido in America. Currently he is working on a book that includes the story of his awakening and spiritual journey.
Ronald Meyer is a long-time paranormal experiencer including out of body experiences, crypted sightings and non-dual awakenings. He owns a film production company Centre Communications and has produced and directed Hollywood feature films. Ron leads flow workshops, and is a 5th black belt in Aikido. Recently he produced the #1 streaming documentary series on Amazon Prime about serial killers. In addition, he is a peer-reviewed published scientist in the fields of behavioral cybernetics and paleontology. He also has a number of documentary features and series about the paranormal, streaming on multiple platforms. In September 2023, Center Communications premiered the feature film The Mysteries of Bradshaw Ranch: Aliens, Portals and the Paranormal at the conference in Vernal next to Skinwalker Ranch. During the filming of the movie, he encountered intelligent alien entities along with other paranormal phenomena.
Jianing Wang
Beyond Matter: Awakening Experiences and Parental Choices in Shadow Education. This proposed study highlights the significance of incorporating a post-materialistic view, specifically concerning the awakening experiences (AEs) of Mainland Chinese parents, into the field of shadow education (SE). It begins by discussing previous studies on SE in which the challenge of addressing people’s enduring obsession with SE investment, driven by intense competition and nurtured by neoliberal values, has been widely recognized. It then presents how the understudied AEs offer fresh insights into understanding humanity and reality, potentially transforming the competitive mindset rooted in a sense of separation. Following the tradition of hermeneutic phenomenology and employing multiple rounds of reflective essays and semi-structured interviews, this proposed study aims to explore the influence of AEs on Mainland Chinese parents and how these experiences shape their decisions regarding SE for their children.
WANG Jianing is a PhD student in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the Education University of Hong Kong. She earned her Master’s degree in Education from University College London (UCL), UK, and her BA in Translation and Interpretation from Dalian University in Mainland China. Her current research interests include shadow education and spiritual awakening. Outside of her academic life, Jianing enjoys mindful living, music (especially R&B), and photography. She loves singing, reading, taking walks, and traveling. Jianing is passionate about creating new life experiences and learning from them.
Kevin Lee, BSN, MSN, CRNA, APRN
Precipitation Mediumship: Art as Afterlife Communication. What if you COULD receive a “postcard from heaven?” Join us for an exploration of ancient, historical, and modern examples of Precipitation Mediumship phenomena—specifically those that manifest as artistic expressions. Discover sacred references to these phenomena in global religious traditions, including Christianity and Mormonism. Learn about notable U.S. mediums from the mid-1900s to the present, who continue to demonstrate the remarkable Gifts of Precipitation Mediumship.
Rev. Lee will showcase rare and profoundly beautiful examples of Precipitated Art, collected from his own séance experiences across the country. This lecture will highlight extraordinary artistic creations—entirely formed without human hands or tools, but solely through Spirit Personalities. These include “painted” portraits of loved ones and spiritual guides, handwritten messages or signatures from those in Spirit, meaningful works of art, inspirational quotes, and more.
Kevin Lee is an internationally acclaimed bestselling author, motivational speaker, and certified transformational trainer. Renowned for his deep insights into metaphysics and spirituality, he inspires audiences worldwide with teachings on healing, intuitive development, consciousness, and the afterlife. As a Metaphysical Minister and mystical researcher, Kevin simplifies profound spiritual concepts, making them accessible for everyday life.
His personal development programs guide individuals toward higher purpose, mindset mastery, and self-empowerment through gratitude and self-love. Featured on NBC, CBS, FOX, and Chicago News, Kevin’s latest #1 international bestseller, Your Divine Purpose – A Journey to Fulfillment and Legacy, has earned widespread acclaim for its life-changing insights.
With a mission to awaken souls to their highest potential, Kevin continues to impact lives through his dynamic presentations, blending wisdom, inspiration, and practical tools for transformation.