Consciousness Studies

Ancient and Modern Perspectives

Units 5 & 6 are open to new participants — join us for the Summer term beginning May 23.

Participate Now Access CANVAS

"It will be a great contribution to human society if this authorized information from the Vedic literature is presented to the modern world on the basis of modern scientific understanding. The fact is already there. It simply has to be presented for modern understanding."
— Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Dr. Bigelow January 20th 1971

Avocational Program Notice: This program is not designed or intended to qualify its participants for employment in any field. It is offered solely for avocation, personal enrichment, and the enjoyment of its participants.

Deepen Your Understanding — Join Us for Summer

Whether you are continuing from the Spring term or joining for the first time, Units 5 & 6 offer a rich exploration of consciousness, life, and the cosmos. These avocational sessions are offered for personal enrichment and the joy of inquiry. You will engage with:

  • The Language of Science: Learn to articulate Bhāgavata philosophy using the vocabulary of modern physics, cosmology, and biology.
  • Logical Rigor: Master the philosophical arguments to dismantle materialism and the "blind evolution" narrative.
  • Cosmic Context: Move from a vague idea of the universe to a detailed understanding of Vedic Cosmology and its relation to modern theories.
  • Mastery of Discourse: Engage in high-level dialogue without hesitation, knowing you stand on a foundation of perfect logic and science.

Course At a Glance

Purpose: To enrich the understanding of thoughtful Bhakti practitioners through philosophical inquiry into consciousness, metaphysics, and cosmology — deepening personal insight and the ability to engage meaningfully in modern intellectual conversations.

Consciousness Studies: Ancient and Modern Perspectives is a rigorous scholar-led avocational study series offered across two terms. Together we will explore core topics in consciousness, metaphysics, cosmology, and ethics, and deepen our ability to express these ideas with clarity and integrity.

Format

  • Scholar-led sessions
  • Saturdays 10:00 AM EST
  • Live Zoom Sessions
  • Final assessment required for certificate of completion
  • Optional asynchronous study via Canvas

Schedule

  • Spring (16 wks): Jan 10 – May 16
  • Summer (8 wks): May 23 – July 11
  • Mid-semester Spring break March 1 to 23

Suggested Donation

$108 Full Program
$30 Per Unit

Participation is open to all. The donations support BIHS's educational mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Faculty & Curriculum Overview

Guided by scholars with deep expertise in metaphysics, cosmology, and consciousness studies.

Dr. Tiziano Valentinuzzi
Unit 1: Jan 10 – Jan 31

Vedic Cosmology

Dr. Tiziano Valentinuzzi

  • Crisis of meaning: How physicalism fails to satisfy human purpose
  • Consciousness-based universe: Ātmā-centered worldview vs. neuroscience and panpsychism
  • Simulation hypothesis:Is the Universe a Virtual Reality? Vedic metaphysics through quantum physics and information theory
  • Divine love scientifically: Bhakti as rational principle rather than sentiment
Dr. Shivanand Sharma
Unit 2: Feb 7 – Feb 28

Philosophy Foundations

Shivanand Sharma, PhD Candidate

  • Intro to Critical Thinking: Constucting and Critiquing arguments
  • Intro to Philosophy of Science: The nature and scope of Science
  • Intro to Philosophy of Religion: The relationship between faith and reason.
  • Intro to Philosophy of Consciousness: Theories of Consciousness and Personal Identity
Dr. Howard Resnick
Unit 3: March 28 - April 18

Foundations of Metaphysics

Dr. Howard Resnick

  • Week 1: Can There Be a True Spiritual Science?

  • Week 2: Transcending Philosophy's Dark Age

  • Week 3: Natural Law, Natural Rights, and Objective Morality

  • Week 4: The Fatal Contradiction of Physicalism

Dr. Doug Watson
Unit 4: April 25 - May 16

Physics and Cosmology

Dr. Doug Watson

  • Crisis in Physics: Modern physics’ conceptual limitations
  • Rethinking Space, Time, and Matter: Quantum mechanics challenging fixed assumptions
  • Quantum Gravity: Emerging understandings of reality as a universe of relationships
  • Science and Philosophy: Relational cosmology integrating consciousness
Akhandadhi Das
Unit 5

The Atma Paradigm

Akhandadhi Das

Week 5 — May 23 – June 13

Date Session Topic
23rd May Consciousness
Part One		 A Axioms of consciousness
B Why consciousness is the Hard Problem of Science
30th May Consciousness
Part Two		 A Three-aspect Holism: a model of conscious experience
B Free will, intention and agency
6th June Matter & Reality
Part One		 A What's out there?
B Qualitative modelling of external reality
13th June Matter & Reality
Part Two		 A Interaction of consciousness and matter
B Matter: Energy & Information manipulated by Time
Akhandadhi Das
Unit 6

The Atma Paradigm

Akhandadhi Das

Week 6 — June 20 – July 11

Date Session Topic
20th June Life
Part One		 A What is Life? Did it arise from inert chemistry?
B Critique of the evidence for trans-species evolution
27th June Life
Part Two		 A A Vedic perspective of nature, life & species
B Neither Myth nor Magic: How species appear on Earth
4th July Cosmos & Beyond
Part One		 A What's at time, t = 0. A universe of information.
B Metaphysics of a consciousness-based universe
11th July Cosmos & Beyond
Part Two		 A Maya VR and the free state of consciousness
B Nature of the source: inert or conscious?

Certification & Assessment

Certification & Assessment To support meaningful learning, each Unit concludes with a short reflective or contemplative practice. A Unit Certificate of Participation is awarded upon completion of each Unit. Participants who complete all Units receive the Final Certificate of Participation, recognizing engagement with the full six-month journey.

All certificates are issued as recognition of participation and completion. They do not constitute academic credit or postsecondary credentials.

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Learning Outcomes & Participation Options

The learning outcomes include:

  • Clearer understanding of metaphysics, cosmology, consciousness, and ethics
  • Improved reasoning, articulation, and communication skills
  • Increased confidence engaging in scientific, philosophical, or interfaith conversations
  • Deeper appreciation of the Bhagavata worldview and its contemporary relevance

Suggested Donation

BIHS Community Scholarship — awarded to support participation in BIHS educational programming. All participants receive identical access regardless of the donation level.

A) Full Program Participation Donation

Join anytime — full access to the entire Consciousness Studies program via Canvas, including recordings of all past sessions, live Saturday seminars, modules, reflections, and contemplative practices. Participants joining after the initial start date may engage with earlier Units asynchronously while participating in upcoming sessions in real time. Participants receive a Unit Certificate of Participation for each completed Unit and a Final Certificate of Participation upon completion of all Units. The completion window extends through December 6, 2026, allowing participants to progress at a pace aligned with their schedules and commitments. This option offers the most comprehensive experience — a coherent journey through metaphysical foundations, philosophical inquiry, and consciousness studies. Engage synchronously, asynchronously, or through a blended approach.

Participate in Full Program — $108

B) Flexible Participation Donations — Contribution-Based

Join anytime — full access to the entire program via Canvas, including recordings of all sessions, modules, reflections, and remaining live seminars. Choose a contribution that feels appropriate and meaningful to you. Opportunities to receive Unit and Program Certificates of Participation remain available, and participants may transition to full participation at any time if desired.