Carol Richardson
This paper philosophically explores the nature of consciousness from a transpersonal perspective, by focusing on research into the human ability to detect the subtle energies of emotions in transpersonal fields of consciousness. Drawing on an online research survey of 111 respondents, the author discusses the results which demontrate conclusively that a majority of people have the ability to feel emotions "in the air," such as "excitement in the air" at a sporting event or musical concert, "tension in the air" as groups develop conflicts, as well as the emotions of anger, anxiety, and love emanating through the air, that is, through intersected transpersonal fields of consciousness with another person in close proximity. The results showed that 96.4% of 111 respondents reported having felt "excitement in the air" and "tension in the air." Similarly, 90% of respondents reported having felt anger or anxiety emanating from another person. Out of the 111 respondents, 92.8% reported having felt love emanating from someone else. The answer options included "yes," "no," and "maybe." The "maybe" answers ranged from 3 to 7, and all four questions included "maybe" answers, suggesting that these were not physical energies, or the "maybe" answers would have likely been nil. 43 Respondents provided descriptions of their experiences, providing rich material for discussing the actual mechanisms that explain this phenomenon of feeling emotions "in the air." For instance, one respondent argued for a phenomenon based on physical perceptions of facial expressions and body language, as would be the case in theories of crowd psychology. One respondent reported feeling a "wall of tension" as soon as he opened the door to the office where he worked one morning. Upon interviewing the respondent, the author found that he had not had an adequate opportunity to make physical observations of the facial expressions nor of the body language of those present inside the office entry. The respondent felt the tension in the room, and immediately went to his desk. This individual description of the phenomenon suggests that, while physical perceptions may occur, a transpersonal view of consciousness as a field phenomenon may offer a more valid and thorough explanation. Other respondents' descriptions of their experiences support a transpersonal view as well. In addition, nearly one-fourth of male respondents gave at least one "maybe" answer, while fewer than one-fifteenth of female respondents gave a "maybe" answer. Again, this argues for the reality of emotions in the air as being constituted of the subtle energies of emotions rather than of physical energies (chemical, electromagnetic, or otherwise), as men would have been equally likely to feel them. Under patriarchal influence on society, education, and culture, men have been especially conditioned to shut down their awareness of their own emotions. This gender variance suggests that emotions may indeed exist as a "felt state" of the subtle energies of consciousness. Finally, the author presents an integral monist theory of consciousness in which the subtle energies of consciousness form the bridge between both mind and brain, and between mind and matter.
Carol E. Richardson, PhD, MDiv, MPH received her PhD in Philosophy and Religion with a concentration in philosophy, cosmology, and consciousness from the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2025. She now teaches as an assistant professor, part-time, at National University in the bachelor's program in Integrative Psychology. Her research focuses on restoring an integral monist perspective in both the philosophy of science and in the philosophy of consciousness. She has presented at the 2026 Consciousness and the Brain Conference in Cuenca, Ecuador, the Dao Science Conference in Toronto in October 2025, and online for the Scientific and Medical Network in June 2026.
Her original studies led to a BS in psychology from Texas Christian University, where she graduated magna cum laude and with University Honors. She has a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Texas, Health Science Center at Houston. She also has a Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt University Divinity School where she won the "Newcombe Prize" for her senior project "best representing minister as theologian." She served churches for 15 years, and during that time, began pursuing a more universal, pluralistic, and integrative path towards understanding reality.
Dr. Richardson is currently developing a "holistic philosophy" of science, spirituality, and of human nature, which she highlights as a "sacramental phenomenology." Her work can be found on Substack as the newly developing "Akashic Awakening Academy." In addition to teaching, Dr. Richardson also currently sees clients as a holistic life coach and energy healer, both through her own website, and through an international remote healing platform, https://healer.luminara.care/carol-richardson. Rev. Dr. Richardson also hosts a new online spiritual gathering, called the Akashic Awakening Circle, which is dedicated to restoring harmony and balance of the sacred feminine and sacred masculine within and among human beings individually and communally, as well as in Nature.
In 2018, Dr. Richardson won a silver medal in the category "Religion: Eastern-Western" in the Independent Publisher Book Awards for her book Truth and Illusion: The Politics of Spirituality and How One Person's Lie Is Another One's Truth.
Her published articles include:
Richardson, C. (2024). An Integral Approach to Philosophy of Nature. Journal of Conscious Evolution, 20(20). https://digitalcommons.ciis.edu/cejournal/vol20/iss20/12
Richardson, C. (2025). Measuring Human Ability to Detect Emotional Energies in Transpersonal Fields of Consciousness. Journal of Conscious Evolution, 22(1). https://digitalcommons.ciis.edu/cejournal/vol22/iss1/3