Center for the Study of Non-Symbolic Consciousness

What Center for the Study of Non-Symbolic Consciousness does

The Center for the Study of Non-Symbolic Consciousness (CSNSC), founded in 2006, is a private U.S.-based research organization dedicated to the scientific study of persistent non-symbolic experience, which it publicly terms Fundamental Wellbeing and academically labels PNSE/ONE. It operates a multi-phase longitudinal research program that has engaged more than 8,000 participants across 109 countries and 6 continents, using gold-standard psychological surveys, 6-12 hour in-depth interviews, and neuroscience tools including fMRI, EEG, EDA/GSR, HR/HRV, and breath analysis. From this research base, the Center has codified proprietary transition protocols (6-week and 12-14 week formats) that it reports achieve 65-90% success in transitioning participants to Fundamental Wellbeing, along with a taxonomy of experience types (Locations 1-9, Layers 1-4) and the 5 Secrets framework.

The Center monetizes primarily through its flagship online programs: the Finders Course (for transition to Fundamental Wellbeing) and the Explorers Course / Thriving in Fundamental Wellbeing (for deepening and integration), supplemented by book sales of 'The Finders' via Amazon and bookstores, free ebooks, and direct coaching, retreats, and offline classes under Phase 5. Approximately $5 million in cumulative resources has been deployed across the project since 2006; revenue, headcount, and ownership structure are not publicly disclosed. Its go-to-market is community-led, relying on word-of-mouth from research participants and course alumni, peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and earned media including references in books by Ken Wilber, Deepak Chopra, and Steven Kotler/Jamie Wheal.

Name

Center for the Study of Non-Symbolic Consciousness

Legal name

Center for the Study of Non-Symbolic Consciousness

Website

https://nonsymbolic.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Center for the Study of Non-Symbolic Consciousness is a private U.S. research organization founded in 2006 that scientifically studies persistent non-symbolic experience (Fundamental Wellbeing) and offers research-backed transition protocols and online courses to global individual participants across 109 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Consciousness Research and Wellbeing Education

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Meditation Apps, Digital Courses & Online Communities (HSADAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Meditation Retreats, Workshops & Immersive Programs (HSADAJAF), Health & Support Communities (BPAMABAL)

Keywords

• Consciousness research
• Wellbeing education programs
• Meditation neuroscience studies
• Nondual awareness training
• Spiritual research organization

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Research Programs and Courses: The organization operates public research programs including the Finders Course and Explorers Course (now called Thriving in Fundamental Wellbeing). These are structured multi-week online programs that serve as research vehicles while providing value to participants seeking to transition to or deepen in Fundamental Wellbeing.
2. Book Sales - The Finders: The Finders book is available for purchase on Amazon and in bookstores worldwide. Written by Jeffery Martin, it summarizes research findings and is described as a comprehensive book on their core research.
3. Free Educational Resources: Free ebook on transitioning to Fundamental Wellbeing, free video courses, and research publications. These serve as lead generation and educational outreach.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Center conducts large-scale scientific research on persistent non-symbolic experience, which it publicly calls "Fundamental Wellbeing," and sells structured multi-week online programs (such as the Finders Course and Explorers/Thriving in Fundamental Wellbeing Course) designed to transition participants into or deepen Fundamental Wellbeing, supported by the book "The Finders" and free educational resources.

Product overview

The Center for the Study of Non-Symbolic Consciousness operates as a research organization offering educational programs and protocols focused on the scientific study of Fundamental Wellbeing (persistent non-symbolic experience/enlightenment). The core offerings include the Finders Course (a program to help participants transition to Fundamental Wellbeing with 65-90% success rates), the Explorers Course/Thriving in Fundamental Wellbeing (for deepening existing FW experiences), and the 45 Days to Awakening Challenge (a 6-week intensive protocol). The organization also offers direct brain stimulation research using tACS/tDCS, NIR, and TFUS technologies. Research publications include 'The Finders' book, a free eBook on reaching Fundamental Wellbeing, and peer-reviewed journal articles. The programs are based on over 15 years of global research spanning 109 countries with over 8,000 research participants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Finders Course A research-based online program designed to help participants transition to Fundamental Wellbeing (persistent non-symbolic experience) using multi-week protocols developed from over 15 years of global research; for individuals seeking enlightenment, nonduality, or persistent high wellbeing.
• Explorers Course (Thriving in Fundamental Wellbeing) An advanced research-based online class format to help Finders (those already experiencing Fundamental Wellbeing) optimally deepen their experience and integrate it into daily life.
• 45 Days to Awakening Challenge A 6-week intensive research-based protocol and online challenge that transitions a majority of participants to Fundamental Wellbeing while collecting data on the transition process.
• The Finders (Book) A comprehensive book by Jeffery Martin summarizing findings from the core research project, providing a pan-tradition and cross-cultural map of types of Fundamental Wellbeing based on interviews with people experiencing persistent non-symbolic experience; available on Amazon and in bookstores worldwide.
• Free eBook: How to safely, reliably, and rapidly reach fundamental wellbeing A free downloadable ebook containing research summary information on transition protocols, originally a section from The Finders book plus additional research findings; serves as a public educational resource and lead generation tool.
• Direct Coaching and Consulting (Phase 5) Phase 5 offering that includes direct coaching and consulting services delivered alongside online classes, offline classes, and retreats for participants seeking Fundamental Wellbeing transition or deepening.

Quantifiable outcome

• 65%-90% of research participants successfully transition to Fundamental Wellbeing using their protocols
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Isha Foundation: Sadhguru-led organization offering yoga, meditation, and inner engineering programs with global reach including online courses and retreats; comparable on the global meditation/wellness education offering, though rooted in a specific spiritual teacher lineage rather than independent scientific methodology.

Direct peers

• Waking Up: Subscription-based meditation and consciousness exploration app founded by Sam Harris, offering daily practice alongside a structured Foundations program and philosophical content — directly comparable to CSNSC's online course model targeting seekers of nondual awareness and higher states of wellbeing.
• Calm: Direct-to-consumer meditation and wellness app offering guided meditations, courses, and sleep content; comparable on digital wellness subscription business model, though targeting a broader mainstream audience rather than a research-oriented consciousness transition niche.
• Insight Timer: Global meditation community platform offering thousands of free and paid courses, live events, and teacher-led content; comparable as a multi-teacher meditation course platform, though without CSNSC's research-grade protocols or scientific publication program.
• Headspace: Leading consumer meditation and mindfulness app offering structured courses, sleep/meditation content, and an enterprise B2B channel — directly comparable on the digital course delivery model, although CSNSC's content is positioned around non-symbolic experience rather than mainstream mindfulness.
• 10% Happier: Meditation app and book targeting skeptics and secular audiences seeking evidence-based approaches to wellbeing; closely comparable to CSNSC's 'Seekers' segment who are often atheists, agnostics, or secular practitioners interested in non-symbolic experience from a scientific angle.

Broad incumbents

• Mind & Life Institute: Organization fostering dialogue between contemplative traditions and empirical science through research, convenings, and educational programs; comparable as a consciousness-research bridge between scientific and contemplative communities, though without CSNSC's proprietary transition protocols.
• Maharishi International University: University built around consciousness research and Transcendental Meditation practice, offering accredited degree programs and publishing peer-reviewed research; comparable as a consciousness-research educational institution, though structured as an accredited university rather than a private research center.
• Esalen Institute: Long-running retreat and workshop center focused on humanistic alternative education, consciousness exploration, and personal transformation; comparable through its retreat/workshop delivery model referenced in CSNSC's Phase 5 offline classes and retreats.
• Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS): Nonprofit research institute studying consciousness, human potential, and transformative experiences with peer-reviewed publications and educational programs; highly comparable as a consciousness research organization, though IONS focuses more broadly on noetic sciences rather than transition protocols.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Center for the Study of Non-Symbolic Consciousness