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.

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.

Naill McKeever, host of Weekend University, interviews Dr. James Cooke, an insightful thinker on consciousness and non-dual naturalism. They discuss how our perceptions shape reality and the transformative power of contemplation. The conversation explores the interconnectedness of existence and the compassion it breeds, even for those who err. They dive into the tension between free will and determinism, advocating for a non-dual perspective that unites scientific and spiritual insights, all while promoting the Inner Space Institute’s innovative integration of these fields.

Erik Ireland is a mindfulness teacher who runs a youtube channel and podcast called listen to sleep, where he provides guided meditations and bedtime stories for mindfulness and awakening. He also works with people to help them find direction through the framework of the hero's journey at awakenyourmyth.com. Two years ago, he experienced an awakening and recorded a video called mountain awakening describing it. With his permission I’m going to include a section here before our conversation. erikireland.com awakenyourmyth.com https://www.youtube.com/ListenToSleep listentosleep.com

Zach Haigney, host of The Trip Report, interviews Dr. James Cooke, an expert on consciousness and psychedelics, about his new book. They dive into the intertwined realms of philosophy and science, revealing how consciousness connects all living beings through biopsychism. Dr. Cooke shares insights on mindfulness and the power of discomfort in meditation, plus the role of trauma release in healing. They also explore the intersection of meditation, psychedelics, and personal growth, highlighting the fascinating evolution of consciousness studies.

Ask questions for the next AMA via patreon or the channel membership community (click the "join" button above): Aubrey Plaza stroke clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13N4b2M06tE&ab_channel=TheHowardSternShow

Omid Safi is a professor at Duke university and is an expert in Sufism and Islamic mysticism. He has authored and edited many books, including Progressive Muslims: On Justice, Gender, and Pluralism, and Radical Love: Teachings from the Islamic Mystical Tradition. He also has a podcast called Sufi Heart, which is part of the Be Here Now network. In this conversation we discuss radical love and justice, with a focus on the mystical experience of God’s love. As wild as it may sound to modern secular ears, I think it makes sense to say that reality really is made of God’s love, or rather the love that is God. In my work I unpack this vision of reality using terms like the radical unbounded openness of the nonconceptual totality of reality, but it’s the same thing. Most importantly, it can be discovered directly through experience.

https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Dawn-of-Mind-Audiobook/B0DPXXBSYR https://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Mind-Matter-Became-Conscious/dp/B0DPXZ5XRY/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ym3ZTgeNIIijRW5WztNeh?si=19548ad7d78446f4

On the 14th of January 2025 I’ll be in conversation with Dan at LA’s flagship Barnes & Noble at The Grove at Farmers Market to promote my new book, The Dawn of Mind, tickets are still available, so come along if you’re nearby. https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780062180541-0 Dan Siegel is a renowned psychiatrist and internationally acclaimed author. He is the Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute, an educational center devoted to promoting insight, compassion, and empathy in individuals, families, institutions, and communities. He is also the founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA and is a  Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine. Dan is the author of five New York Times bestsellers and over fifteen other books which have been translated into over forty languages. Today, we speak about his most recent book Intraconnected.

Shamil Chandaria, a computational neuroscientist with esteemed fellowships at Oxford and Cambridge, joins Dr. Cooke to dive into the exploration of consciousness in his new book, The Dawn of Mind. They tackle the synergy between science and spirituality, challenging conventional views of self and knowledge. The discussion highlights transformative journeys, the intricacies of perception, and how our beliefs shape reality and well-being. They also reflect on their writing process and the impact of integrating philosophical insights with modern science.