IONS Austin

Institute of Noetic Sciences

IONS was founded in 1973 by Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell “to broaden the knowledge of the nature and potentials of mind and consciousness, and to apply that knowledge to the enhancement of human well-being and the quality of life on the planet.” The word “noetic” derives from the Greek word noetikos, meaning “inner/intuitive knowing.” Based in Petaluma, California, IONS is an international research, educational, and retreat center with over 20,000 members and 200 community groups worldwide. Its quest is the integration of science and spirituality, a vision which reminds us of our connectedness to the inner self, each other, the Earth, and All That Is.

Austin Community Group

Founded in 1993, the Austin Community Group offers local members and friends of IONS the opportunity to meet, explore topics of mutual interest, and support one another in our respective quests for wisdom and service. IONS Community Groups are self-organizing, self-directing, and legally independent of the Institute.

Management

The Austin Community Group is managed by a volunteer Coordinating Council, members of which are elected at an annual membership meeting and serve for a term of one year. For more information about the group or serving on the Council, send email to ionsaustin@gmail.com.

Meetings

We meet at 6:30 P.M. on the fourth Tuesday of each month except for August and December in Room 17 of the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover Avenue, followed by optional conversation at Eddie Bernal’s Blue Star Cafeteria, 4800 Burnet Road. (NB: Blue Star offers discounted appetizers and pizzas during their 3-7 happy hour, which includes non-alcoholic beverages.)

Membership

Although group meetings are free and open to the public, we encourage regular visitors to support our work through local membership. Annual dues are $12 for individuals and $18 for couples, pro-rated the first year and renewable each January thereafter. To join the Austin Community Group, please fill out, print, and mail a completed membership form with your check to the address provided. Benefits of local membership include discounted admission to group-sponsored events and an invitation to our popular holiday party.

We encourage Community Group members to join IONS as well. It’s easy to do so online at www.ions.org/membership/join.cfm or by phone at 1-877-769-4667. To join Shift in Action, IONS’ new multimedia site designed to engage members more fully via online educational programs and community networking, click here.

The NousGroup

Members and friends of the Austin Community Group are invited to join our online NousGroup for updated information and to interact on the Web. For details or tech support, send email to nousgroup@gmail.com.