Without form, without figure, without resemblance am I;
Vitality of all senses, in everything I am;
Neither attached, nor released am I;
I am Consciousness, I am Bliss, I am Shiva, I am Shiva.
—Adi Shankara, Nirvana Shatakam, Hymns 3–6
Timothy Owen Desmond, aka Tod, is a philosopher and author. He majored in Philosophy and Political Science at Boston College University. Dedicated to a life of study, his unconventional path led to a Ph.D. in Philosophy and Religion from CIIS. Desmond explores the intersections of holographic string theory and Jungian psychology, detailed in his 2018 book, Psyche and Singularity. In 2023, he launched an online course, "Immortality and the Unreality of Death," integrating insights from Joseph Campbell and Ernest Becker.
Tod’s Course: Immortality and the Unreality of Death: A Hero’s Journey Through Philosophy, Psychology, and Physics
Takeaways:
- The intersection of Jungian psychology, physics, and string theory offers a comprehensive understanding of the nature of reality.
- Near-death experiences and mystical experiences provide insights into the ultimate nature of existence.
- Plato's cave allegory and archetypes reveal the shadowy nature of the material world and the existence of higher forms.
- String theory and the holographic principle suggest that the universe is an inside-out black hole, and information is recorded on a two-dimensional surface.
- The concept of psyche as a singularity implies that each individual is a point of infinite density and contains the entire universe within.
- Exploring these ideas can lead to a deeper understanding of reality and the nature of consciousness. Understanding the eternal nature of the soul can help address the fear of death.
- Belief in God and performing heroically for God is important for the development of the human psyche.
- The journey towards singularity involves a ladder of understanding that leads to a belief in the ultimate idea of the good.
- Future explorations in physics, philosophy, and artificial intelligence can further deepen our understanding of the psyche and singularity.
Topics:
- 0:00 – Introduction
- 5:50 – Jung’s Near-Death Experience
- 16:08 – Nondual Experiences: Dissolving Separateness
- 20:20 – Jungian Archetypes
- 23:46 – Platonic Philosophies
- 28:04 – Why there are seashells in the mountains?
- 33:30 – String Theory & Black Holes
- 43:16 – Infinity, Emptiness & Form
- 50:38 – Exploring the “why” of all of this?
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