The Heart and the Mind, with Dr. Marieta Pehlivanova

I am lucky enough to live in one of the most magical places on earth. The ancient hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains are home to the world famous Monroe Institute, Yogaville which hosts the only shrine in the world dedicated to all major religions, as well as The Department of Perceptual Studies at the University of Virginia, just to name a few. This specific department at UVA, affectionally nicknamed “DOPS,” is a scientific research group devoted to the rigorous evaluation of empirical evidence for extraordinary human experiences and capacities. I am also lucky enough to call Dr. Marieta Pehlivanova of DOPS a friend, and this episode is full of her professional and personal insight on the near-death experience. It isn’t often that you are able to capture this kind of perspective from someone on a topic like this. There has been a long-time division in our culture between the heart and the mind. Yet Marieta has studied numerous NDE cases at the most prestigious university in the state, and her prolific academic knowledge combined with her personal spiritual insight create a balance and unification of this rift that is nothing short of healing.

Marieta’s Bio & Links

Marieta Pehlivanova, Ph.D., is a Research Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia’s Division of Perceptual Studies. She earned her Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology with a focus in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research explores near-death experiences, children’s reports of past-life memories, after-death communications, and the personality and cognitive factors associated with psi beliefs and experiences. Before joining UVA, she worked as a biostatistician in health research. She has presented her work nationally on near-death experiences, survival research, and best practices for supporting people who report spiritually transformative experiences.

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My Story, Part I

My Story, Part II