New Dimensions

Are we living in a material universe or a simulated one? Are we living in a massive, multiplayer, online, role-playing game where our deeds and quests are being kept track of in the “cloud” like an angel recording our lives? If so, who is running the game? And what is the connection between computer science, video game physics, and the great spiritual traditions? Rizwan Virk (known as Riz) is a successful entrepreneur, a video game pioneer, a venture capitalist, and founder of the start-up accelerator Play Labs @ MIT. His interest and expertise ranges from video games, the metaverse, simulation theory, meditation, consciousness, and the intersection of science, science fiction, religion, and philosophy. He’s a graduate of MIT and Stanford and is currently a faculty associate at Arizona State University. He is the author of Zen Entrepreneurship: Walking the Path of the Career Warrior (BayView Labs 2013), Startup Myths and Models: What You Won't Learn in Business School (Columbia Business School Publishing 2020), Treasure Hunt: Follow Your Inner Clues to Find True Success (Watkins Publishing 2017), The Simulation Hypothesis: An MIT Computer Scientist Shows Why AI, Quantum Physics and Eastern Mystics Agree We Are in a Video Game. (Bayview books 2019), Wisdom of a Yogi: Lessons for Modern Seekers from Autobiography of a Yogi (Bayview Books 2023), The Zen Entrepreneur & the Dream: An MIT Grad’s Quest for Success & Enlightenment in Silicon Valley (2023)Interview Date: 7/14/2023   Tags: Rizwan Virk, Riz Virk, video games, Hindu Vedas, Atari, ChatGPT, reincarnation, dialup computer modems, augmented reality, Nick Bostrom, The Matrix film, Elon Musk, multiple universes, parallel universes, John Wheeler, 20th century physics, consciousness, entanglement, nonlocality, Star Trek Holodecks and replicas, Claude Shannon, Galileo, Schrödinger’s cat, quantum physics, probability wave, optimization, conditional rendering, chaos theory, complexity theory, Stephen Wolfram, quenched disorder, Paramahansa Yogananda, Science, Philosophy, Technology, Spirituality

Jones gives practical advice as to how we can engage in deep inner work through focused journaling. She shares exercises that can act as powerful tools in reframing the pieces of our past and our life stories so that suffering becomes meaningful and can boost our healing, empowerment, growth, and transformation. Catherine Ann Jones is an award winning playwright, screenwriter and a Fulbright Scholar to India, studying shamanism. She holds a graduate degree and teaches depth psychology and archetypal mythology. As a screenwriter, Jones has contributed to such television series as “Touched by an Angel,” and wrote the teleplay “The Christmas Wife.” She teaches writing workshops. She is the author of: Heal Your Self With Writing (Divine Arts 2013) and The Way of Story: The Craft & Soul of Writing (Michael Weise Productions 2007).Interview Date: 2/28/2014   Tags: Catherine Ann Jones, memory, traumatic events, body dialogues, inner voice, intuitive voice, authentic self, allies, shamanism, Pre-Hindu Dravidian people in India, artist, synchronicity, personal metaphors, archetypes, deep listening, active listening, Writing, Personal Transformation, Self Help, Shamanism, Mythology, Arts & Creativity 

The feminine mystical experience that resides in both men and women can guide us through these turbulent times. Starr says, “The primary practice is about learning to be present with things as they are and there are spiritual technologies available to us across the spiritual traditions that help us to cultivate that depth of heartful presence in everything we do.” She is the author and editor of many books including Dark Night of the Soul: St. John of the Cross (Riverhead 2003), The Interior Castle: St. Teresa of Ávila (Riverhead 2004), Devotion, Prayers & Living Wisdom (Sounds True - six-volume Christian mystics series 2008), God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity & Islam (Monkfish 2012) and Wild Mercy: Living the Fierce and Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics (Sounds True 2018)Tags: Mirabai Starr, feminine wisdom, interspiritual, women saints, nondualism, Bhakti path, Miranda Macpherson, Teresa of Avila, Neem Karoli Baba, grief, sangha, Dharma, Buddha, Three jewels of spiritual expression, triple gem of spiritual practice, Shabbat, women’s march of 2017, namaste, Tikkun Olam, bereavement, Spirituality, Philosophy, Religion, Buddhism, Women’s Studies

We all have access to a streaming presence of infinite intelligence, which is a wise internal source of love and wisdom. Kieves shares her journey from a successful law career to becoming a teacher and author, highlighting the transformative power of following our inner voice of genius and vitality. Tama Kieves graduated with honors from Harvard Law School, then chose to leave a prestigious law firm to become a teacher and workshop leader. Her books include: This Time I Dance! Creating the Work You Love (Penguin Publishing 2006) and Learning to Trust Yourself; Breaking Through the Blocks that Hold You Back (St. Martin’s Press 2025)Interview Date: 3/21/2025      Tags: Tama Kieves, inner voice, self-criticism, beliefs, higher power, sleep, Personal Transformation, Psychology

Wheatley shares the importance of creating "islands of sanity" in disruptive times to restore and awaken the human spirit. She outlines five stages for solving complex problems: deep listening, understanding diverse perspectives, inviting missing voices, letting go of old patterns, and creating conscious communities. Margaret J Wheatley, Ph.D. is an internationally acclaimed writer, speaker, and teacher. She is cofounder and President Emerita of The Berkana Institute, a charitable foundation that works with people around the world to strengthen their communities using the wisdom and wealth already present in their people, traditions, and environment. Her many books include: Leadership and the New Science (Berrett-Kohler 1998) and Restoring Sanity: Practices to Awaken Generosity, Creativity & Kindness in Ourselves and Our Organizations (Berrett Kohler 2024)Interview Date: 3/14/2025    Tags: Margaret J Wheatley, Meg Wheatley, dwelling mind, complex systems, Personal Transformation, Psychology, Social Change/Politics

Here we delve into Bolen’s Japanese-American heritage and some of the mystical moments that have been guideposts in her life including a transformative moment as a Girl Scout in the mountains and sleeping under the stars. Bolen emphasizes the importance of love, joy, and curiosity in life, and the potential for spiritual support and collective consciousness. Jean Shinoda Bolen, M.D. is a psychiatrist, a Jungian analyst, and an internationally known speaker. She is a former board member of the Ms. Foundation, an advocate for a 5th UN World Conference on Women and a convener of the Millionth Circle Initiative, as well as a permanent representative to the UN for the NGO, Pathways to Peace. She is the author of many books, including Ring of Power: Symbols and Themes Love Vs. Power in Wagner's Ring Cycle and in Us: A Jungian-Feminist Perspective (Jung on the Hudson Book Series) (Nicolas-Hays, Inc 1999) and Ever Widening Circles and Mystical Moments (Chiron Publications 2025)Interview Date: 2/14/2025     Tags: Jean Shinoda Bolen, Girl Scouts, Milky Way, mystical moments, Japanese American, resilience, spirit guides, synchronicity, life assignment, love, delight, joyfulness, Personal Transformation, Psychology

Here, prize-winning author and teacher of writing Houston takes us through the life journey that led her to buy a piece of ranch land in the southwest corner of Colorado. She knew nothing about ranching but with the help of many people and animals her wandering life became tethered to the land. She also gives insight into the process of writing. Her books include Cowboys Are My Weakness (W.W. Norton 2011), Deep Creek: Finding Hope in High Country (W.W. Norton 2019), Contents May Have Shifted (W.W. Norton 2012)Tags: Pam Houston, Terry Tempest Williams, Irish Wolfhounds, Creed Colorado, donkeys, Fenton Johnson, wildfires, Milky Way, metaphor, Ecology/Nature/Environment, Animals, Writing 

For over a decade, Edwin Rutsch has hitchhiked, bicycled, traveled and worked his way around our precious planet. He interacted with a wide variety of cultures and peoples from all walks of life and learned to see and feel a common humanity shared by people around the world. During his explorations he came to see the importance of empathy in human connections.He is a computer expert, a filmmaker, and the founding director of The Center for Building a Culture of Empathy. This center serves as one of the leading organizations of the global empathy movement and focuses on bridging social and political divides by designing a free online empathy training course and holding face to face and virtual empathy cafés.Tags: Edwin Rutsch, Helen Riess, empathy, Carl Rogers, eye contact, active listening, empathic listening, curiosity, Empathy Cafes, Empathy Tent, Empathy Circles, empathy boot camp, peace, nonviolence, conflict, collaboration, Barbara Fredrickson, positive emotions, Social Change/Politics, Personal Transformation, Relationship/Partnership/Sexuality, Self Help

Microdosing involves taking small amounts of psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin mushrooms to enhance physical health and cognitive function. Here, we discuss protocols, legality, safety, and other collective knowledge. James Fadiman, Ph.D. is a former president of the Institute of Noetic Sciences and professor of psychology. Jordan Gruber was awarded a Juris Doctor degree, and has forged and sculpted authoritative volumes in forensic law. He is the author of The Bounce: The Complete SuperBound® Guidebook to 21st-Century Rebound Exercise (co-author Joy Daniels) (SuperBound 2020), James Fadiman and Jordan Gruber are the co-authors of Your Symphony of Selves: Discover and Understand More of Who We Are (Park Street Press 2020) and Microdosing for Health, Healing, and Enhanced Performance (St. Martin’s Essentials 2025)Interview Date: 2/21/2025   Tags: James Fadiman, Jordan Gruber, microdosing, LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, autism, depression, long-COVID, Paul Stamets, Health & Healing, Personal Transformation, Psychology

In these days of fake news, it is more difficult to know whom to trust and what to believe. We have entered, what Singh describes as, a post-–trust era. Here we shine a light on how we can be more mindful of the role we play, sometimes unwittingly, in condoning and promoting fakery and how we can become more alert to how vulnerable we are to falling prey to fakeness. Shiv Singh's books include: Social Media Marketing for Dummies (coauthor Stephanie Diamond) (For Dummies 2014), Savvy: Navigating Fake Companies, Fake Leaders and Fake News in the Post-Trust Era (coauthor Rohini Luthra, Ph.D.)(Ideapress Publishing 2019).Tags: Shiv Singh, post-truth era, post-trust era, fact, fiction, Morton Deutsch, media silos, fake news, negative bias, Deb Roy, twitter, negative news, digital advertising, Edwin Rutsch, judgements, prejudices, newsguardtech.com, snopes.com, politifact.com, dog-whistling extremist points of view, artificial intelligence, AI, driverless cars, Media, Social Change, technology, personal transformation