New Thinking Allowed Audio Podcast

How Matter Became Conscious and Alive with James Cooke

6 snips
Dec 30, 2024
In this engaging discussion, neuroscientist James Cooke shares his journey from a teenage awakening to a career synthesizing science and spirituality. He explores how consciousness is not just a brain product but deeply intertwined with life itself. Cooke advocates for non-dual naturalism, challenging conventional paradigms about existence. The podcast also delves into the complexities of true consciousness versus artificial intelligence, along with the philosophical debates surrounding naturalism and phenomenology. His insights bridge scientific inquiry with spiritual insight.
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ANECDOTE

Spiritual Awakening

  • James Cooke had a spiritual awakening as a teenager while questioning his Catholic faith.
  • This non-conceptual experience revealed the unitive nature of reality, but he continued to experience the duality of absolute being and suffering self.
INSIGHT

Science and Spirituality

  • James Cooke pursued neuroscience and explored Buddhism after his awakening.
  • He sees Buddhist philosophy as a clear articulation of non-duality but avoids attachment to any specific system.
INSIGHT

Emptiness and Interdependence

  • Cooke's metaphysics, similar to Taoism, emphasizes emptiness and interdependence.
  • Consciousness arises from the reflexive interaction of life with the world.
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