Adam and Dagne founded the International MindFitness Foundation with the intention of assisting as many as we can in understanding how to improve mind/body functioning moment to moment, day to day, life stage to life stage (adolescence, middle age, old age etc.) thereby enhancing quality of life and performance.
Through lifelong, trial and error learning experiences, Adam gained insights into mind / body principles which he applied within his own life and taught to thousands of others during his 38 year career as a biofeedback entrepreneur and teacher. He coined the term MindFitness in order to express the concept that the mind can be trained – made more fit – just as the body can. In fact, improving physical fitness is one of the timeless ways to improve the mind and vice versa. The learning and practices (applications) may be seen as a lifelong learning Process.
This kind of life long learning, by extension, must produce a change in worldview and lead to wiser, more compassionate societies. The work of The Foundation includes research, writing articles explaining the implications of that research, and developing learning strategies for bringing the benefits of that research to those who are interested. The principles of mind that underlie this work are not based on any particular belief system. We are interested in those aspects of mind which seem to work for all (or at least most) people who understand and apply them.
We see what we are doing as good science. We are concerned with understanding the role of belief and how to change beliefs which may be limiting to beliefs which are less limiting. And, when possible, to go beyond belief to direct insight into “what is”. Our goal is to contribute to the unfolding of core or intrinsic potentials within human beings – potentials which reflect and implement highest quality of intelligences possible (including emotional intelligence). Additional Bio.
Research is ongoing and has a practical and immediately applicable focus: Our intention is for research projects to yield learning strategies that can be used to enhance consciousness and general health – the two being interdependent (except under special circumstances). We suggest that the questions and insights derived from the work of many extraordinary minds in our time (including but not limited to J. Krishnamurti and David Bohm) raises the standard in psychology, education, philosophy and neuroscience, demanding far more holistic research strategies than are commonly used today. Wise application of the principles emerging from the questions and insights underlying the work of leading scientists, teachers and ‘artists of living’ have profound implications for uplifting and transforming individual lives, and by extension, our beautiful, beloved and troubled world.
Intended projects of The Foundation include production of audio, digital film/video, virtual reality and teleconferencing versions of MindFitness Training, research results and applications. We believe that a substantial demand already exists for inspirational documentary and docudrama films devoted to consciousness and life/performance enhancement. “What the Bleep Do We Know” is an example of the kind of feature length docudrama which is generating an international audience. Our intention is to seek grants and develop other support strategies that will make IMF research and applications accessible to as many as possible.
Corporate and entrepreneurial sponsorship and partnering is, of course, welcome. In fact, we believe some of our research will produce products and services which might best be handled through a traditional business structure. This kind of cooperation can further strengthen the Foundation’s economic base through royalties and sale of rights etc. This strategy has proven to be a powerful ‘win – win’ for many nonprofit and educational institutions.
Although we expect our research may contribute to theoretical neuroscience insights, our primary focus is on discovering practical techniques and strategies which can be used by ordinary people of all ages and backgrounds to enhance the quality of life and performance. Areas of interest that we are working on include but are not limited to the following:
1. An investigation into the relationship between technology assisted self-regulation strategies, advanced stress management techniques and healthy aging. The research is exploring changes in neurochemistry, hormones etc., as well as many other markers of healthy aging such as cardiovascular fitness and cognitive functions etc. We are particularly interested in the relationship of percent alpha brainwaves and healthy aging. Some people have a richer alpha mix than others as they age. Are they also the ones who experience better mental and physical health as they age? If so, can we enhance the aging process by restoring more ‘youthful’ alpha production using neurofeedback strategies?
So far, our research which seems to support the concept that moderately low cost learning programs (including neurofeedback) can enhance the quality of life for almost all age groups, including the late middle-aged (Baby Boomers) and seniors. We feel the same kinds of programs may also reduce medical costs and increase longevity.
2. The application of self- regulation (biofeedback) strategies in the treatment of addictive and compulsive disorders including overeating. We believe there is substantial evidence indicating biofeedback can be effective with most addictive disorders, and we intend to see if it can also be used to reduce overeating, which has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and other developed countries. We believe this work will also apply to the problems of decreased quality of life due to addictions, and inappropriate mixing of medications as aging progresses.
3. Additional ongoing and planned activities include:
a.Develop grant applications. We are looking for grant writing assistance.
b. Develop literature and programs for attracting donors and membership.
c. Ongoing development and management of the Foundation’s website.
d. Search for other Foundations that have similar agendas so that we can work cooperatively with them, share resources wherever possible etc.
e. Produce a quarterly newsletter which will begin as an email newsletter and grow to a mailed publication assuming that is best use of resources.
f. Develop a blog.