Jules, I have so much resonance with your post. I’m also a fan of SMN, and very much respect the quest - even if from a pragmatist perspective it might come up empty. They have offered great seminars on quantum physics and the work of David Bohm, which challenges assumptions of modern physics with replicable experiments…I’m sure you know all that.

I agree SMN casts a wide net, sometimes into murky New Age waters as well. But the great white whale is out there - a meaningful theory of consciousness. Might as well look everywhere for it.

You have hit the nail with the head though…materialism can’t take into account the very phenomenon that came up with the theory of materialism (and all other theories besides). I agree that most New Age metaphysics simply starts with consciousness, and proceeds to discredit materialism. No argument, just cant. (Not to be confused with Kant).