Uploaded January 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Dr. Gino Yu
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
The Phusikoi Project
Abstract: Throughout history to the present day, reports exist of individuals with intuitive capabilities, interesting abilities, and inner experiences whose abilities and experiences do not have a rational explanation within today’s mainstream scientific perspective. Over the past fifteen years, I have met with people who have demonstrable “realized” abilities as well as researchers to discuss challenges that they face in their work. In our discussions with people with “realized” abilities, many common biographical traits emerge. For many, their “realized” abilities emerged after some form of awakening experience, near-death experience, the use of psychoactive substances, or preserved from childhood.
Project Phusikoi will develop a database of people with unique abilities that modern science does not yet have explanations for and a global network of academics and independent researchers that investigate such phenomena. Our objective is to foster greater collaborations and develop new research methodologies that will lead to new understandings of the mind-body relationship to advance our collective understanding in this area.
The purpose of this project is not to challenge the beliefs of those who have not had a direct experience of non-ordinary states of consciousness. Rather, we would like to bring together and build a community of people who have had experiences, are grounded, and may have new insights to share. By organizing a database of individuals and with a greater sample population, we can develop a better understanding and more robust experiments. We can also develop methods for vetting individuals and develop communities for mentorship.
Bio: Dr. Gino Yu received his BS and PhD at the University of California at Berkeley in 1987 and 1993 respectively. After receiving his PhD, he taught at the University of Southern California and worked to establish multimedia initiatives including the Integrated Media Systems Center. From 1995 to 1997, he taught at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology where he helped to establish the Center for Enhanced Learning Technologies. In 1999, he established the Multimedia Innovation Centre at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), a leading edge think tank and research centre on digital entertainment. He is currently an Associate Professor and Director of Digital Entertainment and Game Development in the School of Design at PolyU where he founded M-Lab, a commercial digital entertainment entity that provides consulting, research, instruction and new ideas for the industry. His main area research interests involve the application of media technologies to cultivate creativity and promote enlightened consciousness. Dr. Yu also founded the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association, the Consciousness, Science, Technology Conference, and Society and Asia Consciousness Festival. He hosted many events including TEDxHongKong, Wikimania, Toward a Science of Consciousness, and Meaningful Media.
Presented at the 2022 Conference of the Society for Consciousness Studies.
The Society for Consciousness Studies is a professional scholarly organization that honors work of quality from all authentic scholarly traditions, including philosophical, psychological, sociological, and other scientific understandings of consciousness.
consc.org
Dr. Gino Yu
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
The Phusikoi Project
Abstract: Throughout history to the present day, reports exist of individuals with intuitive capabilities, interesting abilities, and inner experiences whose abilities and experiences do not have a rational explanation within today’s mainstream scientific perspective. Over the past fifteen years, I have met with people who have demonstrable “realized” abilities as well as researchers to discuss challenges that they face in their work. In our discussions with people with “realized” abilities, many common biographical traits emerge. For many, their “realized” abilities emerged after some form of awakening experience, near-death experience, the use of psychoactive substances, or preserved from childhood.
Project Phusikoi will develop a database of people with unique abilities that modern science does not yet have explanations for and a global network of academics and independent researchers that investigate such phenomena. Our objective is to foster greater collaborations and develop new research methodologies that will lead to new understandings of the mind-body relationship to advance our collective understanding in this area.
The purpose of this project is not to challenge the beliefs of those who have not had a direct experience of non-ordinary states of consciousness. Rather, we would like to bring together and build a community of people who have had experiences, are grounded, and may have new insights to share. By organizing a database of individuals and with a greater sample population, we can develop a better understanding and more robust experiments. We can also develop methods for vetting individuals and develop communities for mentorship.
Bio: Dr. Gino Yu received his BS and PhD at the University of California at Berkeley in 1987 and 1993 respectively. After receiving his PhD, he taught at the University of Southern California and worked to establish multimedia initiatives including the Integrated Media Systems Center. From 1995 to 1997, he taught at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology where he helped to establish the Center for Enhanced Learning Technologies. In 1999, he established the Multimedia Innovation Centre at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), a leading edge think tank and research centre on digital entertainment. He is currently an Associate Professor and Director of Digital Entertainment and Game Development in the School of Design at PolyU where he founded M-Lab, a commercial digital entertainment entity that provides consulting, research, instruction and new ideas for the industry. His main area research interests involve the application of media technologies to cultivate creativity and promote enlightened consciousness. Dr. Yu also founded the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association, the Consciousness, Science, Technology Conference, and Society and Asia Consciousness Festival. He hosted many events including TEDxHongKong, Wikimania, Toward a Science of Consciousness, and Meaningful Media.
Presented at the 2022 Conference of the Society for Consciousness Studies.
The Society for Consciousness Studies is a professional scholarly organization that honors work of quality from all authentic scholarly traditions, including philosophical, psychological, sociological, and other scientific understandings of consciousness.
consc.org
