Today is Edgar Mitchell Day

Well done Apollo 14 Astronaut Edgar Mitchell for being honored by Petaluma Mayor David Glass for his lifetime achievements by proclaiming today October 27, 2012 as "Edgar Mitchell Day."

I quote from the IONS site, of which Mitchell was the founder:

Dr. Mitchell is one of 12 individuals in the history of the world to walk on the surface of the moon, a Korean War Veteran and recipient of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, and founder of the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS). Inspired by his expedition to the Moon and back, Dr. Mitchell was moved to found IONS and devote his life to two essential areas he believes are intrinsically interconnected: human consciousness and the focus on the environmental balance of our fragile planet. We celebrate and honor the accomplishments of Edgar, and are proud to support his vision and legacy for a conscious, humanitarian, and sustainable world."

When Mitchell saw the cosmos and the earth for the first time from space he wrote: “My view of our planet was a glimpse of divinity… we went to the moon as technicians; we returned as humanitarians.” ** He was thus inspired to found the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS). Many astronauts, all highly trained scientists or technicians and dependent on the latest most complex technology for their missions, have, like Mitchell, found a spiritual awakening or deepened their particular religious faith when in awe and reverence they have seen the earth from a different perspective, from space.

My interest in IONS is the  leading-edge research it conducts and sponsors into the potentials and powers of consciousness, including perceptions, beliefs, attention, intention, and intuition. The Institute explores phenomena that do not necessarily fit conventional scientific models, while maintaining a commitment to scientific rigor. For example it conducts its own studies on distance healing and the relationship between consciousness and healing, matters dear to my own heart and discussed by me in detail elsewhere.

All started by Mitchell - a man well worth honoring for his services to mankind.

**from The Way of the Explorer: An Apollo Astronaut’s Journey Through the Material and Mystical Worlds, New Page Books; Revised edition (February 15, 2008).