logo

 •  Spirit and Science Blog  •  Integral Science Home  • 

Thomas J. McFarlane

M.A., California Institute of Integral Studies (philosophy and religion), 2000.
M.S., University of Washington (mathematics), 1994.
B.S., Stanford University (physics), 1988.

 •  Contact  •  Publications  •  Talks  •  Teaching  •  Bio  • 

Contact Thomas

To send a message to Thomas, please complete the following form and click SUBMIT.

Full Name
Email Address (if you want a reply)
Message:

Please enter the number of eggs in a dozen:

Published Works

McFarlane, Thomas J. (2008),
"A Peculiarly Beautiful Path to Yoga" The Newsletter of the Franklin Merrell-Wolff Fellowship, Summer 2008 (part I), Fall 2008 (part II). [related video, 55 min., streamed]
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2007),
"Open to the Infinite". Invited essay contribution to The Vision Project, 2007.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2003),
"The Heart of Franklin Merrell-Wolff's Philosophy". The Newsletter of the Franklin Merrell-Wolff Fellowship, Fall 2003 (part I) and Winter 2004 (part II).
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2003),
"Cultivating Your Dream Life", Center Voice: The Newsletter of the Center for Sacred Sciences, Summer-Fall 2003.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2001),
Einstein and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings. (Berkeley: Ulysses Press).
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2001),
"Questioning the Scientific Worldview", Center Voice: The Newsletter of the Center for Sacred Sciences, Summer-Fall 2001.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2001),
A Critical Look at Ken Wilber's Four Quadrant Model. Sangha: The Newsletter of the Franklin Merrell-Wolff Fellowship, January-February 2001. Also republished at Integral World, August 2009.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2000),
"Quantum Physics", in Contemporary American Religion. Roof, Wade Clark, ed. (New York: Macmillan Library Reference USA).
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2000),
"Quantum Healing", in Contemporary American Religion. Roof, Wade Clark, ed. (New York: Macmillan Library Reference USA).
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1999),
"The Illusion of Materialism: How Quantum Physics Contradicts the Belief in an Objective World Existing Independent of Observation", Center Voice: The Newsletter of the Center for Sacred Sciences, Summer-Fall 1999.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1996),
"Integral Science: Toward a Comprehensive Science of Inner and Outer Experience", Journal of the Western Regional Chapter of the Alternative Natural Philosophy Association, 6 (2), pp. 4-15.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1997),
"Integral Science: An Overview", Proceedings of the 13th Annual Meeting of the Alternative Natural Philosophy Association, Western Chapter, Stanford University, February 16, 1997.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1998),
"Mathematics: The Bridge to an Integral Science of Experience", Consciousness Research Abstracts: Toward a Science of Consciousness III, Tucson, Arizona, 27 April 1998, p. 63 [84]
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1992),
"Symmetry in Science and Religion", Center Voice: The Newsletter of the Center for Sacred Sciences, Eugene, Oregon, Fall 1992.

Invited Talks

McFarlane, Thomas J. (2009),
"Pointing to Infinity" (Center for Sacred Sciences, Eugene, Oregon, 28 June 2009). [audio mp3, 59 min. 13.4 MB].
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2008),
"A Peculiarly Beautiful Path to Yoga" (Keynote presentation at the Annual Conference of the Franklin Merrell-Wolff Fellowship, Lone Pine, California, 7 June 2008) [video swf, 55 min., streamed]. [related article]
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2007),
"Quantum Koans: Experiments that Confound, Perplex, and Bewilder" (Thomas J. McFarlane, Sunday Talk, Center for Sacred Sciences, Eugene, Oregon, 29 April 2007) [video swf, 40 min., streamed].
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2007),
"Integral Science and Worldviews" (MetaMedia Cooperation 3, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, 3 March 2007).
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2004),
"Moving Mountains: The Relationship between Consciousness and Matter in the Light of Quantum Physics" (Eugene Institute of Noetic Sciences, Eugene, Oregon, 25 October 2004).
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2004),
"Beyond Theories" (Center for Sacred Sciences, Eugene, Oregon, 11 January 2004). [audio mp3, 46 min. 5.2 MB].
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2003),
"The Heart of Franklin Merrell-Wolff's philosophy" (Keynote speaker at the Annual Conference of the Franklin Merrell-Wolff Fellowship, Lone Pine, California on 31 May 2003). [related article]
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2003),
"Logos and the New Worldview" (Thomas J. McFarlane, Sunday Talk, Center for Sacred Sciences, Eugene, Oregon, 22 June 2003). [audio mp3, 68 min. 7.7 MB]
McFarlane, Thomas J. and Pierce, Damien (2002),
"The Great Debate in Quantum Physics" (Sunday Talk, Center for Sacred Sciences, Eugene, Oregon, 17 November 2002).
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2002),
"Science and Religion: The Challenge of Living a Religious Life in Harmony with Scientific Truth" (Sunday Sermon, Missoula Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Missoula Montana, 8 September 2002).
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2002),
"Mystics of Ancient Greece" (Sunday Talk, Center for Sacred Sciences, Eugene, Oregon, March 10, 2002). [audio mp3, 45 min. 5.1 MB]
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2002),
"Mathematics and the New Worldview" (Special talk given to the Center for Sacred Sciences community, Eugene, Oregon, January 11, 2002).
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2001),
"Parallels between Physics and Mysticism" (Sunday Talk, Center for Sacred Sciences, Eugene, Oregon, May 20, 2001).
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2000),
"Science and Synchronicity" (Sunday Talk, Center for Sacred Sciences, Eugene, Oregon, February 2000).
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1997),
"Integral Science: An Overview" (Talk given at the 13th Annual Meeting of the Alternative Natural Philosophy Association, Western Chapter, Stanford University, February 16, 1997). [lecture notes]
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1995),
"Understanding Quantum Mechanics" (Sunday Talk, Center for Sacred Sciences, Eugene, Oregon, March 12, 1995).
McFarlane, Thomas J. and Baruss, Imants (1994),
"The Role of Mathematics in Transforming the Heart" (Keynote address at the Franklin Merrell-Wolff Reunion and Gathering in Lone Pine, California, August, 1994).
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1992),
"The Mathematics of Distinction" (Graduate Student Seminar, Department of Mathematics, University of Washington, 15 January 1992).
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1991),
"Mathematics: The Bridge between Science and Mysticism" (Keynote talk at the Franklin Merrell-Wolff Reunion and Gathering in Lone Pine, California, August, 1991).
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1990),
"Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" (Sunday Talk, Center for Sacred Sciences, Eugene, Oregon, Feb. 18 and 25, 1990).

Teaching

Quantum Koans: A Seminar for the Study of the Paradoxes of Quantum Theory
Nine Week Seminar, Center for Sacred Sciences, Eugene, Oregon, Fall 2009.
Testing the Teachings: A Five-Day Meditation Retreat
Retreat leader (with Joel Morwood), Center for Sacred Sciences, Eugene, Oregon, April 22-27, 2005.
Beginner's Mind: A Five-Day Meditation Retreat
Retreat leader (with Joel Morwood), Center for Sacred Sciences, Eugene, Oregon, March 16-21, 2004.
Foundation Studies: An Introduction to Teachings and Practices of the Mystical Traditions
Instructor, Center for Sacred Sciences, Eugene, Oregon, 2001-2002.
Laws of Form Study Group
Instructor, Center for Sacred Sciences, Eugene, Oregon, Autumn 2000.
Business Calculus
Instructor, University of Washington department of mathematics, 1994.
Precalculus, Probability and Statistics
Teaching assistant, University of Washington department of mathematics, 1991-93.
General Physics Lab
Teaching assistant, Stanford University department of physics, 1988.

Additional works

Following are unpublished articles by Thomas exclusively available here and at the Center for Integral Science.

McFarlane, Thomas J. (2008),
"A Peculiarly Beautiful Path to Yoga". Article based on a keynote presentation at the 2008 Annual Conference of the Franklin Merrell-Wolff Fellowship, Lone Pine, California, 7 June 2008.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2007/2001),
"Distinction and the Foundations of Arithmetic". <http://www.integralscience.org/distinctionarithmetic.pdf>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2004),
"The Integral Sphere: A Mathematical Mandala of Reality". <http://www.integralscience.org/sphere.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2000),
"Mathematical Poetics of Enlightenment". <http://www.integralscience.org/mathpoetics.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2000),
"EEG Correlates of Stages of Meditative Quiescence: a Pilot Study". <http://www.integralscience.org/EEGmeditation.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2000),
"Genuine Mysticism". <http://www.integralscience.org/genuinemysticism.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2000),
"Love and Knowledge: Two Paths to the One". <http://www.integralscience.org/loveknowledge.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2000),
"Redemptive Love". <http://www.integralscience.org/redemptivelove.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2000),
"Process and Emptiness: A Comparison of Whitehead's Process Philosophy and Mahayana Buddhist Philosophy". <http://www.integralscience.org/whiteheadbuddhism.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (2000),
"Quantum Physics, Depth Psychology and Beyond". <http://www.integralscience.org/psyche-physis.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1999),
"Nicholas of Cusa and the Infinite". <http://www.integralscience.org/cusa.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1998),
"Poetry, Parable and Proof". <http://www.integralscience.org/poetry/poetry.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1998),
"Plato's Parmenides". <http://www.integralscience.org/platoparmenides.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1998),
"The Nature of Time". <http://www.integralscience.org/abouttime.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1998),
"Gnosis in the School of St. Thomas". <http://www.integralscience.org/gnosis.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1998),
"Principles of Cosmic Creativity". <http://www.integralscience.org/cosmic.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1997),
"Relativity: Inside and Out". <http://www.integralscience.org/relativity.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1997),
"Genesis: A Creation Story Inspired by Modern Physics". <http://www.integralscience.org/genesis/genesis.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1995),
Sacred Science: Essays on Mathematics, Physics and Spiritual Philosophy. <http://www.integralscience.org/sacredscience/SS_title.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1995),
"Quantum Mechanics and Reality". <http://www.integralscience.org/sacredscience/SS_quantum.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1995),
"Science: Physical and Spiritual". <http://www.integralscience.org/sacredscience/creation.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1995),
"Reflections on the Absolute". <http://www.integralscience.org/sacredscience/SS_absolute.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1994),
"The Spiritual Function of Mathematics". <http://www.integralscience.org/sacredscience/SS_spiritual.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1994),
"The Play of Distinction". <http://www.integralscience.org/sacredscience/SS_play.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1994),
"Unified Theories in Science and Religion". <http://www.integralscience.org/theories.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1993),
"On the Transcendent Unity of Religions". <http://www.integralscience.org/unity.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1993),
"Counting on Truth: A Parable on the Multiple Forms of Truth". <http://www.integralscience.org/parable.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1993),
"Geometry and God: How mathematical thought can illuminate metaphysics". <http://www.integralscience.org/geometry.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1991),
"Symmetry in Science and Religion". <http://www.integralscience.org/sacredscience/SS_symmetry.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1990),
"Kant and Mathematical Knowledge". <http://www.integralscience.org/sacredscience/SS_science.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1989),
"The Meaning of Sunyata in Nagarjuna's Philosophy". <http://www.integralscience.org/sacredscience/SS_sunyata.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1988),
"Consciousness and Quantum Mechanics". <http://www.integralscience.org/ConsciousQM.html>.
McFarlane, Thomas J. (1986),
"Creation: The Creative Forms Underlying Nature at All Levels". <http://www.integralscience.org/creation/creation.html>.

Biographical sketch

Thomas J. McFarlane (1964-) was raised in a La Grande, Oregon and graduated from La Grande High School at the top of his class in 1983. After graduation, he was awarded a presidential scholarship to attend the University of Oregon where he was accepted to the university's Honors College. After two years there, he transferred to Stanford University where he majored in physics and graduated with distinction in 1988. In 1991 Thomas entered the graduate program in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Washington, graduating in 1994 with a master of science degree specializing in knot theory and abstract algebra. From 1997-2000 he attended the graduate program in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness at the California Institute of Integral Studies, earning a master of arts degree in philosophy and religion. Thomas has written articles and given talks relating to physics, mathematics, and philosophy, many of which are available online at the Center for Integral Science website and on his blog. He is also the author of the book Einstein and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings, which was published in 2001. Currently, he serves as the publications director at the Center For Sacred Sciences. He has also served as an instructor for the Center's foundation studies class, and has lead introductory meditation retreats.