Clearer Thinking with Spencer Greenberg Experiments for enlightenment and fundamental wellbeing (with Jeffery Martin)
Sep 27, 2023
Jeffery Martin, founding director of the Center for the Study of Non-Symbolic Consciousness and research professor at Stanford, shares insights into enlightenment and fundamental well-being. He delves into the differences between persistent non-symbolic experiences and traditional happiness. The importance of understanding emotional states and self-reflectivity in assessing well-being is discussed. Martin highlights the challenges of sustaining enlightenment and outlines a promising 45-day course designed to enhance personal well-being through tailored approaches.
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Origin Story
- Jeffery Martin's interest in enlightenment stemmed from a feeling of discontent despite achieving business success.
- He noticed others seemed happier, sparking a competitive drive to become the happiest person alive.
Skeptical Research
- Jeffery Martin's initial research involved a skeptical approach, aiming to disprove enlightenment claims.
- He sought guidance from senior academics on conducting research ethically and rigorously.
Academic Pushback
- Jeffery Martin faced pushback in academia for studying consciousness, even being rebuked by a Harvard professor.
- His co-authored article with a respected academic was rejected with a comment on academic politics.