Mario Beauregard is an associate researcher at the University of Montreal in the departments of psychology and radiology, as well as at the Neuroscience Research Center. In this manifesto, he calls for a new model for the study of the mind. The old way of materialist science has no relevance to the manifold ways in which consciousness works in the world.
With great energy and finesse, Beauregard examines the placebo effect (the power of belief to cure or to kill), brain control through neurofeedback, meditation, hypnosis, psi, near-death experiences, and the rich tradition of mystical experiences. Instead of seeing the human body as a powerless, biochemical machine, this new paradigm emphasizes our self-healing capacities, even in cases of cancer and Parkinson's disease. Our thoughts, beliefs, and emotions have a large influence upon our brains and other parts of the body. Beauregard concludes with this thought:
"Last but not least, the new paradigm fosters positive values such as compassion, respect, and peace. By emphasizing a deep connection between ourselves and nature at large, it also promotes environmental awareness and the preservation of our biosphere.
"When mind and consciousness are recognized as one, we are again connected to ourselves, to each other, to our planet, and to the universe."
