The origins of the initiative
A meeting of minds.
The seeds of this bold initiative were sown when two men met.
One was…
ANNOUNCING AN AUDACIOUS NEW INITIATIVE
ANNOUNCING AN AUDACIOUS NEW INITIATIVE
ANNOUNCING AN AUDACIOUS NEW INITIATIVE
ANNOUNCING AN AUDACIOUS NEW INITIATIVE
The goal is to further reveal the true nature of consciousness in the deepest, most fundamental way possible. But, at the same time, by following the belief of Ecological Medicine—that our health is inseparable from that of the ecosystem and all other life on the planet—to solve pressing problems along the path of discovery.
Nothing is final: we are researching the infinite.
There is no question we are afraid to ask.
No avenue of research we won’t consider.
No possibilities we will dismiss.
That uniqueness, however, should not translate into human exceptionalism.
We share our planet with other sentient creatures for sure and we are not alone in believing there are other domains of consciousness waiting to be understood.
While it may seem obvious that we are physically connected with everything around us, we do not think, behave or function as one. This is why we have called our investigation of consciousness and the application of our learning, As1.
With current scientific knowledge and the work of transdisciplinary leaders in multiple fields as our starting point, we hope to shed new light on our conscious connections to each other, to non-human life and to our environment.
A fuller, deeper understanding of consciousness may help us to finally comprehend our place in the universe.
And help us to conflate Umwelt—the idea that we all experience things differently—with our need for connectedness.
The difference between existing and knowing we exist would seem to be at the heart of the human condition. It may explain life itself.
It is clear we live in a world where empathy is a diminishing capability. We believe a better understanding of consciousness can improve empathy, with our fellow humans, other life on our planet, indeed, with the planet herself.
It is known we are in a loneliness epidemic. Yet there have never been more of us sharing the earth.
SURELY A CROWDED LONELINESS IS NOT OUR HUMAN DESTINY.
Only through greater integration with all of existence can our species flourish, and continue on its path of knowledge and evolution.
What is it and why does it matter?
In the simplest terms, it is both a philosophy and a practice that believes the well-being of the human mind and body is incomplete unless it is placed in the context of societal and planetary well-being in their broadest interpretations.
If medicine has been the pursuit of individual health, Ecological Medicine is the pursuit of a healthy synergy with the entire ecosystem.
As1 Ecological Medicine takes a highly collaborative, transdisciplinary approach. Uniting proven fields of research and practice—from nature contact and Human-Animal Interaction to social prescribing and biophilic design—we are also mission-aligned with adjacent fields including OneHealth, Planetary Health, and many others.
I will not see how that story ends. But I remain convinced that the more people enjoy and understand the natural world, the greater our hope of saving both it and ourselves.
Until now, the study of consciousness has yielded only limited useable, practical benefits. Our goal is to change this. Radically.
We will achieve new levels of transdisciplinary collaboration resulting in genuinely new knowledge and the discovery of exciting new ways that knowledge can be employed.
Physicians, scientists, researchers, artists, indigenous practitioners, and more, all working as one to create greater, deeper insight into myriad aspects of life. And death. We seek to increase connection while reducing existential doubts and fears.
The work of As1 will demonstrate that revealing transformational insights, together with concrete, positive outcomes, is not only possible but vital to our shared future.
As1 will integrate diverse areas to inform and structure a cohesive vision. Our research will touch on the full range of human experience.
How can we elevate and illuminate the experience of consciousness to create more empathy, wonder and awe? How do we create more connectedness while embracing the natural diversity that is Umwelt?
Can a deeper understanding of and familiarity with consciousness lead to a more mindful and attuned approach to death and dying, reducing existential distress?
More than linked—an intrinsic part of it. As one with nature. Dependent on nature. In tune with nature. It’s paradoxical that as we have dominated the earth we have grown more detached from it. The combination of understanding consciousness and the new understanding offered by Ecological Medicine may return us to a reciprocal state we once had but have lost over time.
The ecosystem could survive perfectly well without us but the opposite is not true.
The seeds of this bold initiative were sown when two men met.
One was…
A long academic career as physician/scientist studying pregnancy and early development, raised in my mind the question about when self-identity occurs.
More recent passions include exploring arts and spirituality and their relationship to advancing science.
A series of fortuitous experiences led to a deepening appreciation of the wisdom and power of indigenous and Eastern practices to address the nature of the mind.
What are the big questions, I ask myself, and how do we bring together new interactions to foster success?
The other…
A serial entrepreneur and investor, I am now focused on non-profit and social impact initiatives, and philanthropy.
At the age of 20, with a rigid western-minded approach to training (professional athlete) and life, I was introduced to a new world, Eastern practices and philosophy; yoga, tai chi and meditation. These were my first exposure to ideas and philosophies around consciousness.
My second foray was via my work as a student of thanatology and hospice volunteer. An interest in non-human consciousness followed.
My first transdisciplinary convening was in 2001 in partnership with a scientist at UC Davis. I have since found great purpose in bringing together wildly diverse groups and rallying them around a shared mission, believing discomfort acts as the ultimate catalyst for progress.
Lou and Landon represent a microcosm of the transdisciplinary approach As1 is pursuing.
While they come from very different cultural backgrounds, generations, and educations, they are wonderfully aligned on key values and goals that serve as the underpinnings to As1.
Lou, as the CEO of BWF, provides a home to As1 and leads strategic discovery. He has a tireless commitment to improving our understanding of an ancient question that has never been more important: How do we better understand the fundamental nature of consciousness?
Landon champions process and operations, activates and drives the vision of projects, and is the vision holder for Ecological Medicine and practice lead. He drives the As1 strategy, with a deep commitment to shifting our species away from extractive and exceptionalist practices.
As1 is already attracting world-class talent in the transdisciplinary community.
Cognitive scientist, neurophysiologist and computational neuroscientist.
The Steering Committee