In 'The Tao of Physics', Fritjof Capra delves into the striking similarities between the worldviews of modern physics and those of Eastern mystical traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism. The book discusses how both modern physics and Eastern mysticism describe the world as an interconnected, dynamic system, and how concepts like the unity of all things, the cyclical nature of change, and the illusory nature of separate entities are common to both. Capra argues that these parallels offer a deeper understanding of the nature of reality and the human place within it. The book has been widely read and has influenced discussions on the integration of science and spirituality.
The Bhagavad Gita is a central text in Hinduism, embedded within the epic Mahabharata. It recounts a dialogue between the warrior-prince Arjuna and his charioteer, Krishna, who is an avatar of the god Vishnu. The text explores themes of dharma (duty), karma (action), and the path to spiritual enlightenment. Krishna advises Arjuna on the importance of performing his duties without attachment to the outcomes, emphasizing the concept of nishkama karma (nonattached action). The Gita synthesizes various strands of Indian religious thought, including Vedic concepts, samkhya yoga, and bhakti (devotion), providing a coherent vision of Hindu philosophy and spiritual practice[2][4][5].
The Tao Te Ching is a classic Chinese text that presents a way of life aimed at restoring harmony and tranquility. It emphasizes concepts like 'wu wei' (non-action) and living in harmony with the Tao, critiquing excessive ambition and artificial social norms. The text has been highly influential in Chinese philosophy and religion, with interpretations spanning centuries.
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Dr Shamil Chandaria is a senior research fellow at the centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, University of Oxford. He is also a research fellow at the Institute of Philosophy, London University, where he focuses on philosophical issues in neuroscience and well-being; a research fellow at Imperial College in the neuroscience of psychedelics; and a bye-fellow at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge University.
He has multi-disciplinary research interests spanning computational neuroscience, machine learning & artificial intelligence, and the philosophy and science of human well-being. He is currently working on computational theories of consciousness and meditation. Shamil has been a meditator for 38 years and has contemplative training in early Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta and Kashmir Shivaism.
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0:00 Teaser
1:00 Introduction
2:30 Transcendental meditation
5:40 Science as the language of our time
7:20 the universe has multiple perspectives
11:35 coming to spirituality through suffering
15:40 the goals of the many kinds of meditation: abiding, deconstruction, reconstruction
22:40 everything that arises is a mental construction
31:40 adrenaline can be excitement or stress
42:40 what science can add to ancient wisdom
50:40 why to cherry pick from traditions
51:44 science is on a level playing field with tradition
1:01:40 the science of perception supports meditation
1:04:40 the science of perception has reversed
1:16:40 meditation techniques keep getting better, and science is helping
1:39:40 our experience is a dependent co-arising
1:47:40 Overview of Shamil’s course
1:59:40 Waking up to the game then reconstructing it
Adventures in Awareness 
