What do psychedelic visions and biblical prophecy have in common? In this 400th episode of Connecting with Coincidence, psychiatrist Bernard Beitman sits down with Rick Strassman, author of DMT: The Spirit Molecule, to explore how altered states of consciousness might connect with ancient spiritual traditions.Order Dr. Beitman's newest book "Life-Changing Synchronicities: A Doctor's Coincidences and Serendipities" at Simon & Schuster, Barnes and Noble, Inner Traditions, Amazon, Books-a-Million, Bookshop.org (May 2025).Both trained psychiatrists with Jewish backgrounds, Beitman and Strassman reflect on shared experiences—from early psychedelic encounters to a lifelong interest in the edges of consciousness. Strassman discusses his return to the Hebrew Bible after decades of Zen practice, offering a new lens on DMT experiences as potentially prophetic rather than purely mystical or hallucinatory.The two explore entity encounters, the psychosphere, and how meaning can emerge through synchronicities and personal interpretation. Whether or not you believe in otherworldly beings, this conversation offers thoughtful reflections on science, spirituality, and the unknown.Rick Strassman, MD performed the first new U.S. clinical research with psychedelic substances in decades. He is the author of DMT: The Spirit Molecule, DMT and the Soul of Prophecy, The Psychedelic Handbook, and My Altered States. His work bridges psychiatry, neuroscience, and spiritual inquiry.🌐 rickstrassman.comBernard D. Beitman, MD is the founder of The Coincidence Project and author of Connecting with Coincidence and Meaningful Coincidences. A Yale- and Stanford-trained psychiatrist, Dr. Beitman explores synchronicity and meaningful coincidence as a form of knowledge and healing.

You have free will. You have no choice. What sounds like a paradox is actually a gateway to deeper understanding in this conversation between Dr. Bernard Beitman and physicist Samir Varma. Together, they explore how a deterministic universe still allows for genuine unpredictability—creating a space where consciousness and free will can thrive.Pre-order Dr. Beitman's newest book "Life-Changing Synchronicities: A Doctor's Coincidences and Serendipities" at Simon & Schuster, Barnes and Noble, Inner Traditions, Amazon, Books-a-Million, Bookshop.org (May 2025).Samir Varma is a physicist, entrepreneur, and author with a PhD in Particle Physics from the University of Texas and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University. His career spans finance, technology, and scientific research, with multiple patents in fields ranging from advertising to medicine. Varma manages two investment funds utilizing proprietary algorithms and has spent years exploring the intersection of physics, computation, and consciousness. In his book "The Science of Free Will," he presents a groundbreaking framework showing how deterministic physics creates unpredictability and practical free will. His work bridges fundamental science with everyday human experience through an accessible, thought-provoking lens. www.samirvarma.com https://vsasset.com/publications/ The two dive into the role of attention, the nature of meaningful coincidences, and how AI mirrors our own limitations and potential. Coincidences only become significant when you bring your perspective to them. No one else is going to tell you what it means. You are the final decider. Are you ready to carry that responsibility?Learn more about Samir at samirvarma.com and explore his work at https://www.vsasset.com/publications.

What happens when we step outside the boundaries of the physical world?Psychiatrist Bernard Beitman and neuroscientist Marina Weiler dive deep into the mysteries of out-of-body experiences (OBEs), near-death experiences (NDEs), astral encounters, and the possibility of life beyond the body.Pre-order Dr. Beitman's newest book "Life-Changing Synchronicities: A Doctor's Coincidences and Serendipities" at Simon & Schuster, Barnes and Noble, Inner Traditions, Amazon, Books-a-Million, Bookshop.org (May 2025).Marina shares her personal brushes with the paranormal—including poltergeist-like events and vivid dreams of the departed—even though she has never had an OBE herself. Bernard recounts his own surreal journey to the "coincidence control office" during an out-of-body episode. Together, they explore how these extraordinary events can transform our perspectives, reduce fear of death, and inspire profound life changes.Can we meet others—or even non-human entities—while traveling the astral plane? Is consciousness truly separate from the brain? Join this fascinating conversation as science and the mystical collide, and discover how synchronicity, intention, and expanded awareness can reshape our understanding of reality.Marina Weiler is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the Division of Perceptual Studies (DOPS), University of Virginia. A trained neuroscientist with expertise in neuroimaging, brain stimulation, and consciousness studies, she investigates experiences that transcend traditional physical explanation. Her research has earned recognition from CAPES (Brazil), the Brazilian Academy of Neurology, the NIH, the Templeton World Charity Foundation, and the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Research.🌐 Learn more at DOPS - University of Virginia | https://med.virginia.edu/perceptual-studies/

Bernard D. Beitman, MD, is a pioneer in the study of meaningful coincidences and synchronicity. He served as Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology at the University of Missouri-Columbia and is the founder of The Coincidence Project. Dr. Beitman is the author of Connecting with Coincidence and Meaningful Coincidences, and his work has reached more than one million people worldwide through his blog, books, and podcast.📘 Learn more at www.coincider.com