In this talk, Maitreyabandhu discusses one of the big questions that has emerged from our explorations on the Nature of Mind project - what is often called the 'hard problem of consciousness'. Does consciousness produce the brain, or is it the other way around? And what are the implications of each of these views for the way that we live our lives? https://natureofmind.net/

Join us in exploring these questions on Buddhism & The Big Questions Retreat https://adhisthana.org/retreat-calend...

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Exploring how to develop a focused mind, Amalavajra interviews Amishi Jha -- a professor of psychology at the University of Miami. Drawing on cognitive neuroscience, Jha's research on attention, working memory, and mindfulness has explored the neural bases of executive functioning and mental training.

In the second interview with Iain McGilchrist, we continue to explore the idea that the mind can only be understood in the broadest possible context -- from our physical and spiritual existence, the wider human culture, and how these shape each other. Listen to Iain in conversation with Maitreyabandhu.

Iain McGilchrist is a psychiatrist, writer, and literary scholar. McGilchrist came to prominence after the publication of his book The Master and His Emissary, subtitled The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World.

In the first interview with Iain McGilchrist, we explore the idea that the mind can only be understood in the broadest possible context -- from our embodied existence, the wider human culture, and how these shape and mould each other. Listen to Iain in conversation with Jnanavaca.

Iain McGilchrist is a psychiatrist, writer, and literary scholar. McGilchrist came to prominence after the publication of his book The Master and His Emissary, subtitled The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World.

After her son at age 5 shared memories of being a soldier in a previous life, Carol Bowman became fascinated with the topic of children's memories of past lives. This sparked a career researching the mystery of death and past life memories. In this conversation with Vajratara, Carol shares new perspectives on how our personality may be shaped by past lives, how consciousness may continuee after death, and the healing potential of processing memories and trauma from past lives.

Carol Bowman, M.S. is an internationally known author, lecturer, counselor, past life regression therapist, and pioneer in reincarnation studies.

As the founder of compassion-focused therapy (CFT), Paul Gilbert brings a fresh perspective on compassion as a source of courage and wisdom to address suffering. In this conversation with Maitreyabandhu, they explore how humans are designed to thrive on kindness, and what this means in today's world.

Paul Gilbert is a British clinical psychologist and author of several books on the topic. He is currently a Professor at the University of Derby. In 2011 Gilbert was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his continued contribution to mental healthcare.

"Reality is essential mental" begins Bernardo Kastrup in this rich interview about analytical idealism. Talking to Viryadeva, they discuss perception, metaphysical materialism, and different modes of subjectivity -- explaining these concepts along the way.

Bernardo Kastrup has a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, specialising in artificial intelligence and reconfigurable computing. He has worked as a scientist in some of the world’s foremost research laboratories, including the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the Philips Research Laboratories. Bernardo latest books are: More Than Allegory, Brief Peeks Beyond, and Why Materialism Is Baloney.

As a nurse for over 20 years, Penny Sartori kept seeing her patients have similar experiences as they were approaching death. Fascinated by these encounters, she became interested in what happens when we die. In this conversation with Maitreyabandhu, Penny shares insights from her research into near-death experiences, with profound implications for the way we view life, death, and consciousness.