Challenging the mainstream model of reality: Bernardo Kastrup

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Mar 28, 2022

Guest Bernardo Kastrup, with his background in computer science and philosophy, challenges the mainstream model of reality. He and philosopher Rupert Spira discuss the nature of perception, consciousness, and the illusory self. They propose building a model of reality based on consciousness, recognizing its sacred and universal nature. They explore the similarities between the structure of the brain and the universe, and discuss the implications of understanding our essential being. They provide examples supporting the concept of non-duality and analytical idealism, and highlight the potential positive impact of embracing the perennial understanding of reality.

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INSIGHT

Perception Is A Survival Dashboard

Perception is a survival-oriented dashboard, not a transparent window to reality.
We mistake the dashboard for the world because we are born inside the cockpit and never see the territory.

INSIGHT

The Dream Metaphor For Unity

Non-dualism posits a universal consciousness in which individual minds are localised expressions.
The dream metaphor shows subject and object are one when the dreamer 'wakes up' to underlying unity.

ANECDOTE

Whirlpool Analogy For Individual Minds

Bernardo likens individual brains to whirlpools in a river to explain localisation of consciousness.
The brain isn't generating consciousness but is the appearance of a localised pattern in the stream of consciousness.

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Do we really live in a fundamentally physical universe? Are we fundamentally physical beings?

Most of us feel there is a world of stuff out there – trees, cars, buildings, clouds. People believe we are born into this world in the form of a body, which has a brain and a mind in it. BUT what if I was to suggest that this isn’t actually an accurate picture of what’s really going on? If that is the case, then what really IS the nature of reality? And something to bear in mind, science can tell us how reality behaves, it can't tell us what it is.

Joining me for this episode is Bernardo Katsrup – who has two PhDs, one in computer science and another in philosophy. He was employed first at CERN, the European council for nuclear research, where he began working in artificial intelligence (AI) in connection with the Large Hadron Collider. Then he moved on to artificial consciousness (AC), wondering if he could build an artificially conscious entity, which piqued his interest in philosophy. Bernardo's books include Why Materialism Is Baloney.

Alongside Bernardo is philosopher Rupert Spira, a teacher of non-duality and what’s known as 'the direct path'. Rupert and Bernardo come at the nature of reality from two different perspectives but – they arrive at the same conclusion. Rupert's books include Being Aware of Being Aware.

The current widely accepted model of reality is called materialism or physicalism. But, most people accept materialism without really understanding what it means. In this episode, my guests explain materialism, point out its inconsistencies and incoherence, and provide a template of reality that does work. I would suggest this episode is one to listen to when you have time to concentrate on it.

Rupert's website: https://rupertspira.com/welcome

Bernardo's website: https://www.bernardokastrup.com/

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