Adventures in Awareness

Bernardo Kastrup, a philosopher and computer engineer with dual PhDs, dives deep into metaphysical idealism, asserting that reality is fundamentally mental. He critiques materialism and emphasizes consciousness as essential to understanding existence. The conversation explores how our experiences shape perception, the interplay between consciousness and matter, and the nature of fear. Kastrup also discusses the illusion of free will, suggesting that individual identities are interconnected with a universal consciousness. His insights prompt profound reflections on existence itself.

Bernardo Kastrup, a philosopher with Ph.D.s in philosophy and computer engineering, delves into the world of metaphysical idealism. He challenges materialism, exploring how our consciousness shapes reality rather than mere physical properties. The discussion critiques the inadequacies of both materialism and panpsychism in defining consciousness. Kastrup emphasizes the value of qualitative experiences and argues that consciousness may be fundamental to reality, inviting listeners to rethink their foundational beliefs about existence.

Mark grew up in the UK as an atheist, but then spent a year as a monk in India after a powerful and unexpected spiritual awakening. He now teaches insight meditation inspired by the late Rob Burbea, with a focus on understanding the emptiness of all things and the ways in which changing our ways of looking can reduce suffering and enhance the beauty of life. He offers teachings freely, living frugally in a caravan in the UK, from donations from those who appreciate what he offers. He'll be teaching a freely-given 6-week course on Loving Kindness Meditation online in October: https://dandelion.events/e/e92bd In this episode, we discussed: Mark's background and awakening The phenomenology of the awakening Having no sense of self Going beyond non-dual awakening Meeting the guru: Rob Burbea Emptiness Why you should care + A guided lovingkindness meditation! To find out about joining future events check out: https://adventuresinawareness.com If you would like to support future content, contributions are greatly appreciated at: ⁠Patreon⁠ ⁠In the UK⁠ One-off ⁠PayPal donations

This was an excerpt from a 5-week discussion series with Bernardo Kastrup, Nov 2022, with guest Federico Faggin. Federico Faggin is an Italian-American physicist, engineer, inventor and entrepreneur. He is best known for designing the first commercial microprocessor, the Intel 4004. In 2010, he received the 2009 National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the highest honor the United States confers for achievements related to technological progress. In 2011, Faggin founded the Federico and Elvia Faggin Foundation to support the scientific study of consciousness at US universities and research institutes. Bernardo considers him ‘probably the most well-rounded Idealist alive today.’ He has a new book just released available here. We discussed: Federico's journey to his model of reality How science must completely change to incorporate consciousness How quantum states make sense when viewed as descriptions of experience How consciousness and life are nothing like computers How meditation, spirituality and science relate Access all 10 hours of recorded material here. To join the next edition please visit our Events page. If you would like to support future content, contributions are greatly appreciated at: Patreon In the UK One-off PayPal donations

An excerpt from a 5-week course with Bernardo Kastrup & Rupert Spira. We discussed: Self Enquiry as a direct way to know reality Experiential vs. philosophical approach to understanding reality & reducing suffering Why the universe dissociates How idealism increases empathy What psychedelics imply about death Language as a model & much more! To join the next course please visit our ⁠Events page⁠. If you would like to support future content, contributions are greatly appreciated at: ⁠Patreon ⁠In the UK⁠ One-off ⁠PayPal donations⁠

In both Buddhism and modern neuro-science, you may hear the notion that there is no “Self.” No central entity that is separate, makes decisions or is continuous through time. That however real the “Self” might seem, it is merely an illusion. It is one of the most misunderstood, ignored and confronting propositions to come out of philosophy or science, so I spoke with Dr Daniel Ingram who says he experiences an embedded perception of there being no "Self" on an ongoing basis, following several years of careful meditation. We chat about what it means, how it is noticed, what it feels like and why anyone should care! If this sound intriguing at all, have a listen... You'll thank your Self for it 🙂 This episode is supported by The Psychedelic Society, as part of a series of conversations on meditation, consciousness & enlightenment. For upcoming events check out https://psychedelicsociety.org.uk/events​ https://www.adventuresinawareness.com​ Listening is free, but your support is appreciated! If you would like to contribute to this initiative, donations are gratefully accepted. You can support via Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/adventuresinawareness ​or make one-off PayPal donations here:  https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/adventuresin Podcast #5: Daniel Ingram - Experiencing No-Self Part 3 Daniel is an emergency room physician, author of ‘Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha,’ founder of Dharma Overground and holds an M.D., M.S.P.H. in Epidemiology, and B.A. in English Literature all from UNC Chapel Hill.

In both Buddhism and modern neuro-science, you may hear the notion that there is no “Self.” No central entity that is separate, makes decisions or is continuous through time. That however real the “Self” might seem, it is merely an illusion. It is one of the most misunderstood, ignored and confronting propositions to come out of philosophy or science, so I spoke with Dr Daniel Ingram who says he experiences an embedded perception of there being no "Self" on an ongoing basis, following several years of careful meditation. We chat about what it means, how it is noticed, what it feels like and why anyone should care! If this sound intriguing at all, have a listen... You'll thank your Self for it 🙂 This episode is sponsored by The Psychedelic Society, as part of a series of conversations on meditation, consciousness & enlightenment. For upcoming events check out https://psychedelicsociety.org.uk/events​ https://www.adventuresinawareness.com​ Listening is free, but your support is appreciated! If you would like to contribute to this initiative, donations are gratefully accepted. You can support via Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/adventuresinawareness ​or make one-off PayPal donations here:  https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/adventuresin Podcast #5: Daniel Ingram - Experiencing No-Self Part 2   Daniel is an emergency room physician, author of ‘Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha,’ founder of Dharma Overground and holds an M.D., M.S.P.H. in Epidemiology, and B.A. in English Literature all from UNC Chapel Hill.

This episode is sponsored by The Psychedelic Society, as part of a series of conversations on meditation, consciousness & enlightenment. For upcoming events click here. Listening is free, but your support is appreciated! If you would like to contribute to this initiative, donations are gratefully accepted. You can support via Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/adventuresina...​ or make one-off PayPal donations here:  https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/adven...​ Podcast #5: Daniel Ingram - Experiencing No-Self Part 1   Daniel discusses his personal experience of realising the truth of there not being a 'Self'  Daniel is an emergency room physician, author of ‘Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha,’ founder of Dharma Overground and holds an M.D., M.S.P.H. in Epidemiology, and B.A. in English Literature all from UNC Chapel Hill.

This episode is sponsored by The Psychedelic Society, as we continue a series of conversations on meditation, consciousness & enlightenment. For upcoming events with Psychedelic Society check out https://psychedelicsociety.org.uk/events https://www.adventuresinawareness.com Listening is free, but your support is appreciated! If you would like to contribute this initiative, donations are gratefully accepted. You can support via Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/adventuresina... or make one off PayPal donations here:  https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/adven... Podcast #4: Richard Lang - Headless Way Community & Culture   Headless Way is not only a unique form of self enquiry, but a community that has successfully maintained an open, non-hierarchical and non-dogmatic culture which many spiritual communities could take inspiration from. Richard Lang discusses what makes this approach unique amongst the many ways humans have sought to discover answers to life's most fundamental questions.

In collaboration with The Psychedelic Society, Amir Giles is hosting a series of conversations on Psychedelics, Meditation & Enlightenment. For upcoming events find us at https://psychedelicsociety.org.uk/events https://www.adventuresinawareness.com Listening is free, but your support is appreciated! If you would like to contribute this initiative, donations are gratefully accepted. You can support via Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/adventuresinawareness or make one off PayPal donations here:  https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/adventuresin Podcast #3: Dr James Cooke    Oxford trained Neuro-scientist, James Cooke shares his early life awakening experiences, his healing and embodiment journey through psychedelics, and his recently published theory on how consciousness and life are two co-emergent properties of the universe and what that means for living an enlightened life.    00:52 - Necker Cube 3:00 - Religious crisis to awakening to the present moment 8:20 - Tibetan Dzogchen   10:00 - Unintegrated enlightenment, and choosing academia over the monastery 14:00 - Experimental psychology at Oxford and choosing science over philosophy 17:00 -  Science, nonduality and democratisation of psychedelics 19:00 - The collapse of all thought into the present moment 20:00 -  Psychedelic experiences as genuine mystical experience   22:00 - James Cook’s understanding of Enlightenment                      Consciousness as a co-emergent property with life - and to exist is to strive 29:00 -  Different from idealism   30:00 -  Enlightenment as being close to death, enlightenment not the goal 35.30 -  Balancing enlightenment with life 41:40 -  Many centres of experience 49:23 -  Nondual states including being and striving 56:55 - The value of science as a gateway and grounding to the mystical 1:07:40 - Views on metaphysical idealism   1:16:30 - Islands don’t exist 1:21:00 - Distinction with pan-psychism 1:23:00 - Organisms made out of many organisms  1:30:00 - All life is conscious   1:34:00 - Psychedelics, mysticism, embodiment and healing 1:40:00 - The power of redemptive love and psychedelics as party of healthy human culture 1:49:50 - The distraction of visuals in psychedelics, and the healing power of different substances