Amanda Feilding, Lady Neidpath
Amanda Feilding, Lady Neidpath, has had a life long interest in consciousness and its altered states, and is dedicated to furthering the understanding of this still elusive subject. In the early 1960s she studied mysticism and comparative religions at Oxford with Professor R.C. Zaehner, and has since been engaged in the independent study of psychology and neurophysiology.
Amanda originally set up the Foundation to Further Consciousness in the 1990s. In 2000, it was superseded by the Beckley Foundation, which focused more on the science of drug use and the related policy dilemmas, as part of a broader investigation of consciousness and its changing states. The work of the Beckley Foundation reflects Amanda’s own position of being interdisciplinary, respecting no borders between science, religion, philosophy, history and politics.
Psychoactive substances have been used since the beginning of human
culture as a means of altering consciousness. The use and misuse of
such substances has been increasing exponentially in nearly all modern
societies, demanding more research into:
In recent years, Amanda has taken part in different conferences where
she has given the following talks:
- Mind States II – Berkeley, California (May 2001), Blood & Consciousness: The Search for Expanded Consciousness from Paleolithic to Modern Man
- Exploring Consciousness Conference – Bath (June 2004), How Altered States of Consciousness Shape Society
- Trialogue III – Beckley Park, Oxford (December 2004), Consciousness & Psychedelics
- International Symposium on Albert Hofmann’s 100th Birthday – Basel (January 2006), LSD, Precious Key of Neuroscience