MEET THE VISIONARIES

The Minds Behind the Movement

The New Paradigm Navigators are a new subgroup of the Scientific and Medical Network. The SMN believed it was important to offer a safe and dynamic environment for the next generation of spiritual scientists to showcase and discuss their research, projects and interests. As such they developed a cooperative enquiry to ask us, the next generation of postgrads and affiliates, how we felt and how we would want to engage with transforming our communities in these uncertain times. Our group was born from that co-operative enquiry.

Arabella Thaïs

Arabella is a trans-disciplinary philosopher doing a PhD in philosophy, cosmology and consciousness at CIIS in San Francisco and lives between California and England. She studied English Literature at Bristol and UCL, and believes that the cosmos itself is a poem unfolding.
Her areas of research lie at the intersection of poetics, quantum mechanics, aesthetics, metaphysics and higher dimensional mathematics. She is committed to the evolution of consciousness, and the establishing of a new, holistic worldview. An eternal optimist, she also understands how integral the next generation will be in architecting this new, abundant paradigm.

Bruce Robinson

Bruce is a software engineer, skill collector and student of life deeply interested in exploring the metaphysical nature of reality & evolving paradigms, like decentralization, to enrich the human experience. He is expressing himself through poetry, music, art, podcasts and writing, and is seeking to create interactive multimedia experiences to activate regenerative action. Deeply moved by the challenges facing humanity, he is determined to be the change he wants to see in the world and take part in optimistic solutions. He is also studying astrology, alchemy, synchronicity and all things divination to further understand consciousness & cosmos and to assist others on their journeys.

Laurel Waterman

Laurel is a doctoral student in Curriculum and Pedagogy, Well-being Emphasis, at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on transformative education about consciousness for well-being. She specializes in narrative inquiry research and is working to popularize participatory and post-materialist paradigms in the field of education and educational research. She holds an MA in Adult Education and Community Development from OISE, and has been teaching narrative non-fiction writing in the Professional Writing and Communication program at the University of Toronto, Mississauga since 2009.

Natalia Sánchez

Natalia is a Colombian cultural astronomer and chemical engineer. Mother of two children, a dancer, and nature passionate. After 13 years of working as an engineer, she had an anomalous experience that made her go back to a childhood dream which was to be an astronomer. So she decided to begin an MA in Cultural Astronomy, which studies how understanding the Universe impacts people’s lives both in ancient times and today. Natalia is a lecturer and author of research articles on cultural astronomy. Her master’s thesis “Do near-death experiences impact the cosmology of those who experience them and, if so, how?” A research project from Colombia” gained a distinction mark and was awarded by the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David. Her academic interests include the study of contemporary perceptions of the cosmos and skyscape archaeology in Colombia.

Rainbow Goddess

Rainbow is a single mother, a ceremonialist and a feminist scholar. Rainbow has almost completed the Alef Trust MSc in Consciousness, Spirituality and Transpersonal Psychology, with a focus on the value of spiritual community to motherhood. Her research interests are mapping the transpersonal dimensions of motherhood, social activism to increase awareness of female spirituality and decriminalizing the ceremonial use of psilocybin. She is a yoga and meditation teacher, a shamanic practitioner, an intuitive and transformational healer, and a massage therapist and musician. She holds a weekly shamanic mother and toddler group in her community in West Yorkshire which received funding from the SMN.

Remo Eerma

Remo is a fresh father of two, a passionate student of Transpersonal Psychology currently studying in MSc in Alef Trust Institute and a practicing psychotherapist. He is also a New Media enthusiast, producing video & podcasts, digging for pearls and distilling wisdom from our rich past and traditions. He’s deeply interested in meaning, mysticism and magic. Through his work he aspires to be an agent of re-enchantment helping people remember their true calling, origin and creative potential.

Vyushti Jouhari

Vyushti is a graduate student in Psychology and Spirituality at Columbia University, Teachers College. She enjoys researching the intersectionality of quantum physics, psychology and spirituality, and exploring implications on consciousness. She hopes to expand the field of psychology to incorporate post-materialist perspectives into mainstream practice and dialogue. To achieve this goal, she is currently developing a psycho-spiritual protocol for coaches and therapists.

Daniela Sarnacchiaro

Daniela is a recent graduate from the Spirituality Mind Body Institute at Teachers College, Columbia University. During her graduate studies, she delved into the exploration of Purpose in Life, Positive Psychology, and Archetypal Symbolism. Combined with her academics and her personal experiences of loss, gratitude, and introspection, she developed a unique model utilizing the Five Elements of Nature (Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Space). Her research aims to provide individuals with a practical guide to living a more purpose-filled existence. She is also a Somatic Coach and hosts nature-based retreats in Italy. 

Liam Bureau

Liam is an American undergraduate student at Colorado State University studying interdisciplinary liberal arts, Spanish, and global environmental sustainability. He enjoys playing music, being outdoors, and hands-on construction, engineering, and art projects. Recently, his interest in global environmental issues has led him to more spiritual and philosophical questions – and possible solutions – to the complex crises we face as a species.

Matthew Peters

Matthew is a cultural historian who is passionate about implementing a post-materialist paradigm into the study of ancient history. His areas of interest and research are the flowerings of culture and consciousness across the ancient world, including: Archaeology, Ancient Britain, Hellenic philosophy and cosmology, Mystery religions, the origins of Christianity, and Medieval Spirituality. History is not a dead space to be scrutinised under the neon light of the anatomists laboratory, it is a living space which is kept alive through empathetic participation.

Fernanda Baraybar

Fernanda is a transpersonal psychologist, marketing specialist, writer, and practicing Shaman. Working with the Quero communities of Peru, she’s helping keep her ancestors’ tradition alive by learning from their ancient practices. Currently, she’s working as a Marketing Consultant for Synergetic Press, her passion moves her to create for organizations focused on the expansion of consciousness. She is also pursuing an MSc in Spirituality, Consciousness, and Transpersonal Psychology at the Alef Trust with the aim of creating further research on parapsychological phenomena.