Early Life & Entry into Parapsychology

Marilyn J. Schlitz was born in 1957 in Detroit, Michigan. She developed an early interest in questions of consciousness, healing, and the boundaries of human potential. She earned her BA in Sociology and Anthropology from Wayne State University and went on to complete a PhD in Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin, where she focused on cross-cultural healing practices and the anthropology of consciousness (sources: Psi Encyclopedia, IONS).

Career Milestones & Contributions

Early Laboratory Research

Schlitz began her experimental career working on remote viewing and psychokinesis studies in collaboration with prominent parapsychologists and consciousness researchers. She participated in and co-designed experiments exploring mind-matter interaction and distant intentionality (sources: Psi Encyclopedia, IONS).

Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS)

She joined the Institute of Noetic Sciences in the 1990s, serving as Director of Research and later as President and CEO. At IONS, Schlitz directed studies on extended human capacities, the role of intention in healing, and the intersection of science and spirituality (sources: IONS, Psi Encyclopedia).

Academic and Cross-Institutional Roles

In addition to her work at IONS, Schlitz has held research positions at the Mind Science Foundation, Stanford University, and Saybrook University. She has served on editorial boards, advisory panels, and has been active in professional societies such as the Parapsychological Association (sources: Psi Encyclopedia, Saybrook University).

Experimental and Scholarly Contributions

• Remote Viewing and PK Studies: Collaborated on controlled experiments examining anomalous information transfer and the influence of consciousness on physical systems.
• Distant Healing Research: Conducted studies on the effects of distant prayer or intentionality on human physiology and well-being, often using double-blind protocols.
• Cultural Healing Practices: Documented and analyzed shamanic and indigenous healing traditions, integrating anthropological fieldwork with experimental approaches.
• Science-Spirituality Dialogue: Published and presented extensively on bridging empirical research with contemplative and spiritual practices.
• Media and Outreach: Produced films, podcasts, and public programs to disseminate findings on consciousness and human potential to broader audiences.

Impact & Legacy

• Interdisciplinary Bridge-Builder: Unified perspectives from anthropology, psychology, medicine, and spirituality in the study of consciousness.
• Leadership in Consciousness Research: Guided IONS through a period of expansion in research and public engagement.
• Advocate for Scientific and Experiential Integration: Championed the view that subjective experience and objective science can inform each other.
• Educational Mentor: Trained students and practitioners in both academic and applied settings, fostering the next generation of consciousness researchers.

Summary Timeline

Bottom Line

Marilyn J. Schlitz is a prominent figure in the study of consciousness, known for her interdisciplinary research on psi phenomena, healing, and human potential. Her career blends rigorous experimental science with cross-cultural understanding and public outreach, aiming to expand our knowledge of the mind’s capabilities.