Adventures in Awareness

Matthew Immergut, an Associate Professor of Sociology and co-author of 'The Mind Illuminated,' shares insights on the intricate landscape of meditation. He discusses his transformative journey, including struggles with addiction and the contrast between medication and mindfulness. Dive into the complexities of mentor-student relationships and the essential balance of accountability in spiritual teachings. Immergut also explores the nuanced interplay of love, morality, and consciousness in meditation, highlighting the importance of authentic engagement and community support.

Dr. Shamil Chandaria, a Senior Research Fellow at Oxford, intertwines the worlds of neuroscience and spirituality through his extensive research on consciousness and meditation. He shares insights on how ancient practices, like breathing techniques, can modernize our understanding of emotional well-being. The discussion highlights meditation's role in reshaping our perception of reality and reducing suffering. Dr. Chandaria emphasizes the delicate balance between scientific advancement and spiritual wisdom, demonstrating how both can enhance personal transformation.

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/e92bdIn this episode, we discussed:Mark's background and awakeningThe phenomenology of the awakeningHaving no sense of selfGoing beyond non-dual awakeningMeeting the guru: Rob BurbeaEmptinessWhy you should care+ A guided lovingkindness meditation!To find out about joining future events check out: https://adventuresinawareness.comIf you would like to support future content, contributions are greatly appreciated at:⁠Patreon⁠⁠In the UK⁠One-off ⁠PayPal donations This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adventuresinawareness.substack.com

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 realityHow science must completely change to incorporate consciousnessHow quantum states make sense when viewed as descriptions of experienceHow consciousness and life are nothing like computersHow meditation, spirituality and science relateAccess 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:PatreonIn the UKOne-off PayPal donations This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adventuresinawareness.substack.com

An excerpt from a 5-week course with Bernardo Kastrup & Rupert Spira. We discussed: Self Enquiry as a direct way to know realityExperiential vs. philosophical approach to understanding reality & reducing sufferingWhy the universe dissociatesHow idealism increases empathyWhat psychedelics imply about deathLanguage 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:⁠Patreon⁠In the UK⁠One-off ⁠PayPal donations⁠ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adventuresinawareness.substack.com

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/adventuresinPodcast #5: Daniel Ingram - Experiencing No-Self Part 3Daniel 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 is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adventuresinawareness.substack.com

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/adventuresinPodcast #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 is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adventuresinawareness.substack.com

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 is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adventuresinawareness.substack.com