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Living Mirrors with Dr. James Cooke

Neil Theise on connecting science and spirituality through complexity science | Living Mirrors #115

Jun 30, 2023
Nei Theise, Professor of pathology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, discusses connecting science and spirituality through complexity theory. They explore consciousness, Zen Buddhism, boundaries and interconnectedness, and the need to bridge the gap between scientific and spiritual understandings of consciousness. They also reflect on personal journeys, mysticism, resilience, and facing uncertainties.
01:04:40

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Complexity theory reveals the interconnectedness and complementarity of existence, emphasizing that contradictory perspectives can coexist.
  • Living organisms, including humans, exist in the zone of complexity, allowing for creativity, adaptation, and interaction.

Deep dives

The Boundaries of Reality and the Unity of Complexity

The podcast episode explores the interconnected nature of reality and the complexity theory through various examples. The speaker discusses how complexity theory reveals the complementarities and interdependencies in different scales of existence. From the cellular level to the atomic level, everything is interconnected and boundaries become fluid. The concept of complementarity is highlighted, emphasizing that contradictory perspectives can both be true simultaneously. The podcast also touches upon the relationship between science, spirituality, and consciousness. The importance of direct experiential practice and contemplation is emphasized, as it allows for a deeper understanding of the non-dual nature of reality. The speaker also reflects on the limitations of language and concepts in describing the boundless nature of consciousness.

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