The Shahmai Network was founded in 2004 as
a focus for a new understanding of spiritual, psychical and
transformative experiences. In recent years the need for an approach to
spirituality that includes the personal exploration of consciousness,
an appreciation of the scientific method, as well as an active role in
humanitarian and peaceful activism, has been apparent to many involved
in our work. There has in the past existed two poles, on the one hand a
disdain for the personal experiences of individuals especially when
reporting psychical or 'psi' phenomena and on the other a lack of
engagement with science and reason. The Shahmai approach seeks to go
beyond the stigma of previous outlooks and explore spirituality and
consciousness in the light of new understandings.
Psi Phenomena
Psychical
or psi experiences form the basis of many peoples desire to
explore consciousness, or their becoming interested in alternative
spiritual approaches. As the Shahmai Network founder, Graham Nicholls,
came to his ideas in this way it was important that this area of human
experience be paramount in the networks philosophy. Graham Nicholls has
explored his personal experiences as well as scientific studies in the
area of parapsychology and come to the conclusion that these kinds of
experiences are supported by laboratory evidence in thousands of
studies and underlined by the direct experience of millions of people
across the globe. The Shahmai Approach
By drawing upon personal experience, as well as our growing
understanding in the sciences, we seek to present an
approach that engages directly with the underlying transformative
nature of noetic experiences. Spirituality is most powerful when it
arises from a combination of first-hand experience, evidence and
critical thinking . This is a key element to our approach. We also
believe that as empathy and understanding grows so does compassion and
a desire to engage with the wider world. We see spirituality as a
philosophy that, like ethics and morality, can arise from logic and
reason.
Social and Humanitarian Outlook
When
the Shahmai Network began one of the first areas it became involved
with was activism against some of the world's worst situations, namely:
poverty, war and violence and the abuse of human and animal rights. To
read about our involvement in these areas please see our full article
here.
Events
Graham Nicholls the founder of the Shahmai Network also gives lectures,
one-on-one consultations and runs workshops and retreats for those
wishing to learn more about psychical and spiritual approaches. If you
would like more information contact us
and we will be happy to help.
Articles
Graham Nicholls currently has two articles out, one in Kindred Spirit, outlining his Out-of-Body Experiences and the other an interview on alternative
spirituality in War Magazine.
