The Cosmic Influence

In August 2002, shortly after his 35th birthday, something rather remarkable happened, the first of two events that he now describes as “peak experiences.” These were extensive and astonishing shifts in awareness that happened instantaneously. The result for Howie was an immediate release from all disharmony and fear in life. He perceived a connection and oneness emanating from everything in the world. Each object in existence was revealed for its complete purpose and perfection. The experience of peace and tranquility pervaded every part of him.

Damanhur is a collective dream transformed into reality thanks to the creative power of positive thought. It is a laboratory for the future, a seed that has been growing for over thirty years, little by little, constantly transforming and renewing itself so as to bring to life the reality its citizens together dreamed of and built. From the founders, a mere dozen people, to the thousand living today in or near the communities, the history of the Federation is witness to a project that has come to life, has grown and today is reaching out with a planet-wide commitment, as a new people bringing innovation and values, interweaving sociality, spirituality and respect for the environment, the recovery of ancient traditions and advanced technological research, with its roots deep in the territory, service and voluntary work conjoined with attention for everything happening in the world.

Thomas Brophy has a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado, was a staff research scientist at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, Boulder, with NASA interplanetary spacecraft projects, and was a National Science Foundation exchange scientist with the University of Tokyo and Japan Space Program. A member of one of the Voyager II spacecraft instrument teams, he developed theoretical understandings for data from the outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune), especially planetary rings and planetary dynamics. He was also involved in defining science goals for future space mission instrumentation. He devised a novel method of testing fundamental theories of planet formation by searching for extrasolar debris, that was reported on by Nature magazine. Those interests in general fundamental theory, and experience teaching at the University level, led to broader studies involving the non-calculable and immeasurable aspects of the universe, and Integral philosophy.

Sam Geppi is a Vedic Astrologer and has recently developed the “Universal Astrology” System, which approaches astrology from a holistic perspective. Sam has close to 25 years of Vedic Study and experience, and he is a Certified Vedic Astrologer and Teacher through the American College of Vedic Astrology, as well as author of “The Ascendant – 108 Planets of Vedic Astrology”. He has also has contributed to various Astrology publications - including writing the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Vedic Astrology Forecasts for astrocenter.com (MSN Worldwide, Yahoo Worldwide, and Others).

Steve Taylor is an author and teacher, whose main interests are anthropology, psychology and spirituality. Steve's articles and essays have been published in many magazines and academic journals, and his work has been featured widely in the media in the UK, including on BBC World TV and in The Guardian. He teaches courses on personal development (mainly on time perception and the psychology of happiness) at the University of Manchester CCE, and also teaches students with specific learning difficulties at Salford College.

Edward F. Malkowski has a lifelong interest in history, particularly ancient history with a special interest in philosophy and the development of religious beliefs from ancient to modern times. With the opinion that the ancient biblical stories in Genesis were based on historical fact, during the late 1990's he began investigating such a possibility which led to his first book Sons of God - Daughters of Men. This led to a deep interest in the origin of civilization, the curiously large monuments of Egypt's Old Kingdom, particularly the Sphinx, and the influence Egyptian philosophy and culture exerted in the ancient world. Two more books were the result: Before The Pharaohs and The Spiritual Technology of Ancient Egypt. Malkowski, whose professional background is finance and business administration, is also a software developer with interests in business strategy and philosophy as it relates to the advancement of technology.

Walter and Geoff interview Dr. Manjir Samanta-Laughton about her book, Punk Science. After qualifying as a medical GP, a holistic therapist and working in the Bristol Cancer Help Centre, Dr. Samanta-Laughton, MD began a quest to highlight the links between science and spiritual ideas. This has culminated in the emergence of a new scientific vision that she communicates to the public in popular lectures, workshops and numerous articles. She has participated in various television documentaries including for the BBC, C4 and Sky and been interviewed by radio such as Passion for the Planet, MySpiritRadio and the BBC Asian Network as well as newspapers The Guardian, the Sunday Express and others.

Walter and Geoff interview Kala Ambrose a noted metaphysical teacher, intuitive, speaker, author and talk show host. Kala has lectured on esoteric teachings, ancient myths, developing intuition and psychic ability, beauty and peace through traditional feng shui, the meaning of abundance and prosperity in the universe, crystals and gemstones, sacred symbols, dream interpretations, celebrating the seasons, soulspeak, and wise woman wisdom (the divine feminine).

Walter and Geoff interview Annamaria Hemingway and discuss her book Practicing Conscious Living and Dying: Stories of the Eternal Continuum of Consciousness, an uplifting collection of spiritually illuminating texts and powerfully thought-provoking real life stories, showing death as an integral part of life.

Walter and Geoff interview Dr. William Sullivan. Archaeoastronomer, historian, and student of myth, William Sullivan is the author of "The Secret of the Incas: Myth Astronomy and the War Against Time," which was featured in a two hour documentary on Channel 4, England. Having recently completed a five year stint as senior content consultant for a proposed museum of world mythology, he is currently working on a project to clarify the relationship between Algonquian mythology and the enigmatic Native American stone constructions scattered throughout the woodlands of New England.