About IONS President James O'Dea

The Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) conducts and sponsors research into the potentials and powers of consciousness, including perceptions, beliefs, attention, intention, and intuition, and is committed to educating the general public about this research.  The Institute is dedicated to scientific rigor, open-minded approaches, diversity of perspectives and multiple ways of knowing.  It is not a spiritual sect and does not promote political causes. The activities of IONS include scientific studies, publications and educational media, and community building.

Spirit in Action:Wisdom in Community
IONS NW 2003

Quest for Global Healing
The Gift of Consciousness
IONS NW 2005

An Emerging Science of Peace & Transformation
IONS NW 2007

Conscious Universe
Science, Faith, and Activism
For a New Cosmology
IONS NW 2008

The 200-acre campus in Petaluma, California includes a Retreat & Learning Center which hosts workshops, retreats, and educational activities dedicated to nurturing personal transformation, health, and interconnectedness with the environment.

James O’Dea joined IONS in April 2003. Previously, he spent ten years as the director of the Washington DC office of Amnesty International, where he testified before Congress, met with two U.S. presidents and numerous foreign heads of state and government leaders, and represented Amnesty International to the State Department, the White House, and the World Conference on Human Rights.  Subsequently, he spent five years as executive director of Seva, a non-profit organization dedicated to international health & development issues in Latin America, Asia, and on American Indian reservations.  Seva is a Sanskrit word meaning service.

During the past five years, James created and currently co-leads a series of dialogues funded by the Fetzer Institute called "Compassionate and Social Healing."  The dialogues bring together leaders and activists in a variety of fields related to human rights, peace, and social reconciliation initiatives.

James lived and worked in Turkey and Lebanon, and witnessed civil conflict and massacres, which influenced him deeply.  He brings to IONS a sense of urgency about the issues the world currently faces, as well as an Irish sense of humor and love of language.

James is a member of Ervin Laszlo’s World Wisdom Council.  This council is a coalescing of Religious and Spiritual Leaders, Political Leaders, Non-Profit Organizations and Civil Society banding together to formulate a structure and support system that furthers the realization that we are one family of humankind.  The council offers a platform for humanity to recognize we are all spiritual beings with the possibility of living life in harmony and balance considering all.

1/31 Interview with IONS President James O'Dea with Beyond The Ordinary Radio

Echo Chamber Project Transcribe Interview December 29th, 2004 Interview with James O'Dea from Echo Chamber. Transcribed by Mark Baber and Ben Tupper. This a great interview on James' experience with human rights and Amnesty International and the bridge to consciousness/belief systems.

Spirit in Action: Wisdom In Community DVD Presentation (2004, 2 hours) with James O'Dea Availble for Purchase

Audio CD's also available of
IONS Northwest Jan 30, 2008 Event with
IONS President James O'Dea
& Interfaith Panel of Experts
Conscious Universe:
Science, Faith and Activism
For
A New Cosmology

Contact Susan Burns at sburns@ionsnw.org.

Below are some links to find out more about James O'Dea:

James O'Dea Quest for Global Healing Page on Shift in Action features many archived tele-seminars facilitated by James O'Dea.

Link To IONS 3/22/07_President's Update: World Wisdom Council Teleseminar

You Tube Preview of Hour Long Interview with James O'Dea
President of Noetic Sciences, James O'Dea gives a moving interview with Regina Meredith on the process for peace and transformation. For the full interview FREE, go to www.consciousmedianetwork.com

Joan Kenley Interviews James O'Dea and Van Jones on What Can Change

Check out the Science of Peace Media Project featuring James O'Dea.

Click on Spirit in Action, Community and Service for Former Interview with Laura Lee.

Link here to Photos from Seattle IONS 2003 Spirit in Action: Wisdom in Community with James O'Dea

Articles by and about James O'Dea can be found below:

Peace - A New Center of Human Becoming - Shift Issue #13, February 2007
Download PDF file

Choice and Consequence - Shift Issue # 4, September 2004

Social Healing: Herald of a Shift in Human Consciousness

IONS "Review" Issue Number 64
James Address to IONS members about his vision for IONS

The Spiritual Heart of Service "Review" Issue Number 54
Article by James O'Dea

Intentional Traveler 

Charity Focus