David Chalmers on Consciousness

David Chalmers Ph.D.  is a leading thinker in contemporary philosophy of mind and in related areas of philosophy and cognitive science. Dr. Chalmers is a philosopher at the Australian National University, a Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Centre for Consciousness, and Visiting Professor of Philosophy at New York University.

David Chalmers 

“I am especially interested in consciousness, but am also interested in all sorts of other issues in the philosophy of mind and language, metaphysics and epistemology, 

and the foundations of cognitive science.”

David Chalmers on Consciousness, from Closer to Truth

Links on consciousness:

NPR:

“What is Consciousness? A Hypothesis.”; Cosmos and Culture 13.7, by Stuart Kauffman. 

"The Hard Problem: Consciousness" ; Cosmos and Culture 13.7, by Stuart Kauffman.

Who Am I?

The "mind" and "self" were formerly the domain of philosophers and priests. But in this hour of Radiolab, neurologists lead the charge on profound questions like "How does the brain make me?"

We stare into the mirror with Dr. Julian Keenan, reflect on the illusion of selfhood with British neurologist Paul Broks, and contemplate the evolution of consciousness with Dr. V. S. Ramachandran. Also: the story of woman who one day woke up as a completely different person.

Guests:

 Paul Broks, Dr. Julian Keenan, Hannah Palin, Dr. V.S. Ramachandran and Dr. Robert Sapolsky

Is Spiritual Group Practice Important?

Is a Spiritual Group Practice Important?

We have an undeniable need to gather together for spiritual purposes. The purpose is to let the spirit expand. On the level of conscious states this is a subtle experience where Souls can align.

Group Dynamics *

·        Spiritual power increases as people gather together.

·        When they gather for spiritual growth, they become co-creators.

·        Bonding occurs at the emotional level.

·        At the subtle level of consciousness, souls align.

  

The ideal group, call it Sangha or Satsang, simply requires a leader or moderator.  No teacher or Sage is required. There can be time for group meditation, group discussions, talking, sharing and comments on topics of interest. No need for dogma, prayer, ritual, priests, or official scripture. No sermons, no proselytizing.

Sanghas can be an important place for you to share your spiritual experiences. The only core belief needed is “space consciousness, cosmic consciousness, or God consciousness” is attainable. Find others who share your aim to reach the One Reality. Find souls you can align with and start sharing your spiritual growth today in Sangha.

Why is a spiritual group important in your spiritual development?

·        It is important to have an internal and external spiritual practice

·        To experience the subtle energy of the group

·        Groups make it easy to keep your spiritual momentum going.

·        To find truth through inquiry

·        Channels (flow) open up in groups that allow exploration and collective acknowledgement.

One of the three treasures of Buddhism is Sangha. Do you believe the next Buddha is forming now as a world meta-sangha? If so, join a group now and be a part of co-creation.

Keep your spiritual momentum going by participating more often the Green Way, without leaving your home! Join Less Than Nothing-a Sangha on Skype! Less Than Nothing, an international Skype Sangha, meets weekly on Tuesday, at 3pm PST, or 7pm PST.

Meetup Less Than Nothing-a Sangha 

* Deepak Chopra, “The third Jesus”

Sat Chit Ananda

Being, Consciousness and Bliss

A circle stands alternately for 

God, nature, the universe, infinity.  

Pascal’s image for the universe: 

“an infinite sphere, the center 
of which is everywhere,

 the circumference nowhere.”

The nature of God is a circle 
of which the center is everywhere and the 
circumference is nowhere. 

Empedocles (490–430 BC)

Each of us is the Center of Creation

Historical doctrine of One Reality

• Monotheism- the one reality is God
• Hindu, Brahman
• China the Tao

 The mystical view of One Reality

• Everyone is at the center of existence
• A circle, the center of which is everywhere, the circumference nowhere

Let the Center be your home-- the Center is

•  The space
•   The center of experience
•   The focus of attention, consciousness
•   The experience of the Witness

Aldous Huxley, The Present Moment

Wilber-Combs States and Stages of Consciousness Chart

The Illusion of Time (DVD) NEW RELEASE - Eckhart Teachings

The Illusion of Time (DVD) NEW RELEASE - Eckhart Teachings

New Release Available Now! 

Eckhart Tolle invites us to explore the typical day-to-day state of consciousness for most people, a state of being where we hope that the future will be better, or fear that it will be worse, than what is happening at this moment.


Eckhart leads us to the astonishing realization that the future ultimately only exists as a thought in your head. He also elaborates on the sense of incompleteness we instill in ourselves by identifying with our thoughts, which always concern the past & future, creating unease with the present moment.


In this talk, Eckhart describes how "the more time dominates your life, the more identified you are with thought", including:


- The way in which the concept of “time” is used by the mind to explain change
- The conceptual identity we rely on to construct our sense of self
- How this identity creates distance between ‘self’ and ‘other’
- How the human urge to create conflict provides a substitute for a true feeling of aliveness.

GRATEFULNESS.ORG - A Network for Grateful Living

A Network for Grateful Living provides education and support for the practice of grateful living as a global ethic, based on the teachings of Brother David Steindl-Rast and colleagues.

Gratefulness – the full response to a given moment and all it contains – is a spiritual practice that inspires personal transformation, cross-cultural understanding, interfaith dialogue, intergenerational respect, nonviolent conflict resolution, and ecological sustainability.

GRATEFULNESS.ORG - A Network for Grateful Living

Brother David Steindl-Rast

Brother David Steindl-Rast - Homepage

Watch Brother David Steindl-Rast on Gratitude on PBS. See more from RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY.

In many different traditions lighting candles is a sacred action. It expresses more than words can express. It has to do with gratefulness. From time immemorial, people have lit candles in sacred places. Why should cyberspace not be sacred?

You may want to begin or end your day by the sacred ritual of lighting a candle on this website. Or you may want to light a birthday candle for a friend. One single guideline is all you need: Slow down and do it with full attention. From here on, you will be guided step by step.

To light a candle………………….Begin »

Gratefulness Labyrinth Pilgrimage

Start Labyrinth here