
Living Mirrors with Dr. James Cooke
Join neuroscientist Dr. James Cooke as he explores consciousness, science and spirituality with scientists, philosophers, spiritual practitioners and key figures in the psychedelic renaissance.
Latest episodes

Jun 18, 2025 • 1h 2min
The Gradual and Direct Paths of Awakening with Stephen Snyder | Living Mirrors #147
Join Stephen Snyder, a seasoned Dharma teacher in Zen and Theravadan traditions, as he delves into his 50-year meditation journey. The discussion unwraps the gradual and direct paths to awakening, exploring personal identity reshaping through meditation. Snyder emphasizes the balance between effort and effortlessness, sharing insights on techniques like jhana practice and Anapanasati. He also addresses the significance of authenticity in spiritual pursuits and highlights the transformative nature of cessation in meditation, offering a fresh perspective on awakening.

Jun 2, 2025 • 6min
AMA: How does the concept of Self in Internal Family Systems (IFS) relate to awakening?
Ask questions for the next AMA via patreon or the youtube channel membership community.

May 22, 2025 • 1h 30min
James Cooke live at Totnes Consciousness Cafe: Nondual Naturalism & the Unity of Life & Consciousness
This talk was filmed live at the Totnes Consciousness Cafe in April 2025.

May 5, 2025 • 59min
Ecodharma with David Loy | Living Mirrors #146
David Loy is a Zen teacher, author, and scholar whose work bridges Buddhism, social justice, and ecology. He is a founding member of the Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center, near Boulder, Colorado, and sits on the advisory boards of Buddhist Global Relief, the Clear View Project, Zen Peacemakers, and the Ernest Becker Foundation. He's the author of many books, including Ecodharma: Buddhist Teachings for the Ecological Crisis, and ecodharma is the topic that we explore today. https://www.davidloy.org/

Apr 23, 2025 • 55min
Daniel Ingram & James Cooke discuss No Self and the Role of Interpretations in the Mind | Living Mirrors #145
In this engaging conversation, Daniel Ingram, a physician and renowned author of 'Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha,' dives deep into the nature of self and interpretation. He and Dr. James Cooke explore the illusion of individuality, the transformative journey through suffering, and the fluidity of perception versus reality. The discussion reveals how our interpretations shape experiences and emphasizes the significance of confronting difficult emotions on the path to authenticity. Together, they navigate the complexities of spiritual growth and human imperfections.

Apr 2, 2025 • 7min
AMA: Abiding vs. Non-Abiding Awakening
Ask questions for the next AMA via patreon or the youtube channel membership community:

Mar 19, 2025 • 57min
When the self comes to an end, with Viivi Jokela | Living Mirrors #144
Viivi Jokela is an awakening facilitator. She had a spontaneous awakening in 2022 which she subsequently integrated to reach abiding no-self realization. I find her descriptions of what she calls “the natural state”, and the process by which it can be realized, to be incredibly accurate, and so it’s a real pleasure to bring you my conversation with her today. We speak mainly about what it’s like to go through no-self realization, as well as other aspects of awakening. https://www.sensingradiance.com/

Mar 3, 2025 • 57min
Trauma, Tyranny, & the Role of Bystanders in Permitting Injustice - Judith Herman | Living Mirrors #143
Judith Herman is a psychiatrist, researcher, teacher, author and a leading expert on the healing of traumatic stress. She is Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and is the author of many books on PSTD, most recently Truth and Repair: How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice. A lifelong activist, she brings deep insight and understanding to the societal context in which trauma occurs, from the personal to the political, and these are the themes we discuss today.

Feb 19, 2025 • 57min
Zen & Awakening with Henry Shukman | Living Mirrors #142
In this enlightening discussion, Henry Shukman, a poet and Zen master from the Mountain Cloud Zen Center, shares his insights on Zen philosophy and awakening. He delves into the power of koans in fostering selflessness and how embracing the ordinary can lead to profound peace. Shukman beautifully intertwines Zen with creative expression, reflecting on its impact on Western culture. He also explores the nature of consciousness and the concept of interconnectedness, encouraging a joyful engagement with life that transcends material complexities.

Feb 3, 2025 • 1h 1min
Karl Friston on Consciousness & The Dawn of Mind | Living Mirrors #141
Karl Friston, a renowned theoretical neurobiologist from University College London, delves into the core of consciousness and its profound interconnections with life and the environment. He discusses the intriguing concept of teleodynamics and how consciousness intertwines with physics and Buddhist philosophy. Friston also explores the dynamics of surprise and personal agency, emphasizing the role of anticipation in behavior. The talk further investigates counterfactual thinking and the layered structures of generative models in the brain, expanding our understanding of selfhood and decision-making.