Robert Waxman, Ph.D.

Robert Waxman, Ph.D., is a scholar, educator, and author whose career focuses on the intersections of comparative spirituality, ancient philosophy, and consciousness studies. Waxman serves as director of The Open Center in Sarasota, Florida, an organization offering interactive sessions on spiritual topics. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from American University, a Master of Arts from Skidmore College, and a doctorate from Saybrook University. His doctoral research examined the spiritual dimensions of near-death experiences, and his academic work has expanded into a broad body of published research and scholarship.

Waxman is an author, educator, and featured speaker on comparative spirituality, the near-death experience (NDE), and survival of consciousness after death. He is the author of "2012: The Meaning and The Message," "Kabbalah Simply Stated," "The Power of AWE," and "The Seven Principles of Esoteric Philosophy." He has also produced the CD "Song Universal." His published academic work covers topics such as "Five Philosophers on Free Will: Plato, Hobbes, Hume, Leibniz, and Hegel," "Survival of Consciousness Based on the Theory of Correspondences," and "Correspondences in Jewish Mysticism/Kabbalah and Hindu Mysticism/Vedanta-Advaita."

Waxman's research into near-death experiences explores how individuals may experience a transformation of their spirituality after a near-death event, including those who report spiritual experiences that are inconsistent with their previous beliefs. His research indicates that participants often alter their religious and spiritual beliefs after coping with cognitive dissonance, concluding that these incongruous elements can be spiritually transformative. Waxman also serves as events coordinator at IANDS of Sarasota, the International Association for Near-Death Studies, further establishing his role in the field of near-death research.

Waxman’s classes and presentations attract wide audiences interested in consciousness studies, ancient philosophy, and spiritual transformation. His featured speaking topics include perennial philosophy, the after-effects of near-death experiences, free will versus determinism, Plato on soul and spirit in the "Phaedo" and "Timaeus," the philosophy of the "Tao-Te-Ching," Carl Jung's "The Red Book," existentialism in the Book of Ecclesiastes, and ancient symbology. Waxman has been interviewed on national TV and radio and is a frequent guest speaker at education centers and various spiritual, religious, and philosophical organizations. His work bridges academic inquiry with accessible presentation, contributing to ongoing discussions in spirituality, philosophy, and consciousness research.