Shows
Living Mirrors with Dr. James CookeWystan Bryant-Scott on Awakening, Meditation, and Ending Suffering | Living Mirrors #132Wystan Bryant-Scott is a Buddhist meditation teacher who has spent roughly two and half years of his life practising in an intensive residential monastic setting. He has studied under teachers in multiple Buddhist traditions, including Theravada, Vajrayana, Zen, and Dzogchen, and is a certified teacher of previous podcast guest Shinzen Young’s Unified Mindfulness system. Wystan is also on the Board of Advisors of the Qualia Research Institute. I’ve been continually impressed by the depth and clarity of Wystan’s realisation so I’m glad to share my recent conversation with him with you today. 2024-10-0251 minLiving Mirrors with Dr. James CookeJames Cooke discusses The Dawn of Mind on the Natural Awakening podcast with Wystan Bryant-ScottMy appearance on the Natural Awakening podcast with Wystan Bryant-Scott.2024-08-1352 min
Natural AwakeningLeigh Brasington & Andrés Gómez Emilsson: (Non)dualities, Strange Attractors, and InsightWherein Leigh and Andrés discuss jhāna, potential correlates for consciousness, electromagnetic neural feedback mechanisms facilitating altered states, insight, the non-duality of duality and non-duality, and and much more. Enjoy!
You can find Leigh at: http://www.leighb.com/
Andrés blogs at: https://qualiacomputing.com/
His Twitter is: https://twitter.com/algekalipso
QRI's website: https://www.qualiaresearchinstitute.org/
You can find me on my website: https://www.wystantbs.com/
and on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WystanTBS
Thanks for watching and listening! May you be...2022-10-161h 34
Natural AwakeningRick Repetti: Philosophy of MeditationWherein Rick recounts the transformative meditative experiences which led him to eventually pursue philosophy academically, the distinctively philosophical concerns which meditation occasions and engages, reviews a small part of the Routledge Handbook he recently edited on the topic, and addresses potential objections regarding the validity of meditation as a philosophical subject or endeavor, and much more besides!
You can find Rick at his website here: https://www.rickrepetti.com/
and on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rickrepetti
and the Routledge Handbook on the Philosophy of Meditation can be found here: https://www.routledge.com...2022-10-111h 11
Natural AwakeningChris Letheby: Epistemology of Psychedelics, Naturalism, and SpiritualityChris discusses the contents of his excellent book, Philosophy of Psychedelics, wherein he defends a naturalistic account of the epistemic, therapeutic, and spiritual benefits of psychedelics, and mystical-type experiences of unselfing more generally.
You can find Chris at his website here: http://www.chrisletheby.com/ and on Twitter: https://twitter.com/chrisletheby
His book, the Philosophy of Meditation: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/philosophy-of-psychedelics-9780198843122?
and the Routledge Handbook on the Philosophy of Meditation, to which he contributed: https://www.routledge.com/Routledge-Handbook-on-the-Philosophy-of-Meditation/Repetti/p/book/9780367647469
I mentor meditation in Shinzen...2022-08-2256 min
Natural AwakeningJulianna Raye: Transcendence, Integration, and ConnectionWherein Julianna introduces Unified Mindfulness' approach to attentional skill development, transcendent states, traits, healthy integration, and the function of transcendence in fostering connection and care.
Enjoy!
You can find out more about Julianna here: https://unifiedmindfulness.com/team/julianna-raye/
and about Unified Mindfulness: https://unifiedmindfulness.com/
U.M.'s introductory manual: https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Unified-Mindfulness-Happiness-Anywhere-ebook/dp/B092HMTFZW
I mentor meditation in Shinzen Young's Unified Mindfulness system. If that or any of my ambling thoughts in long-form are of interest to you, you can check out my own...2022-06-161h 01
Natural AwakeningGraham Priest: Emptiness, Interdependence, and an Ethics of CareWherein Graham provides a very brief sketch of Buddhist metaphysics in classical India and its transit to China, explains the vertiginous psychedelic interpenetration of phenomena, and connects the radical metaphysics of Huayan to a practical ethics of universal care.
Enjoy!
You can find Graham and his work at: https://grahampriest.net/
I mentor meditation in Shinzen Young's Unified Mindfulness system. If that or any of my ambling thoughts in long-form are of interest to you, you can check out my own website: https://www.wystantbs.com/ and Twitter: https://twitter.com/WystanTBS
2022-06-131h 09
Natural AwakeningStephen Snyder & Andrés Gómez Emilsson: Jhāna, Brahmavihārās, and The AbsoluteApologies for the occasional audio hiccups. :|
Though, on the upside, it is quite amusing that it blipped just as Stephen began discussing cessation ;).
Wherein I host Stephen and Andrés for a wide-ranging discussion and sharing of perspectives covering jhāna, Brahmavihārās, comparisons with psychedelic states, and the journey to and from the Absolute.
Enjoy!
You can find Stephen, his books, and upcoming retreats at: https://awakeningdharma.org/
and his Twitter: https://twitter.com/BuddhasHeart3
Andrés blogs at: https://qualiacomputing.com/
His Twitt...2022-06-071h 29
Natural AwakeningLeigh Brasington & Andrés Gómez Emilsson: Jhāna, Neuroscience, and Phenomenological TopologyWherein Leigh and Andrés discuss the phenomenological topology of jhāna, neuroscientific correlates, reflections on the usefulness of psychedelics, experiences without experiencers, and much more besides!
You can find Leigh at: http://www.leighb.com/
Andrés blogs at: https://qualiacomputing.com/
His Twitter is: https://twitter.com/algekalipso
QRI's website: https://www.qualiaresearchinstitute.org/
I mentor meditation in Shinzen Young's Unified Mindfulness system. If that or any of my ambling thoughts in long-form are of interest to you, you can check out my own website: https://www.wys...2022-06-031h 28
Natural AwakeningTucker Peck: Awakening, Psychology, and RelationshipWherein Tucker and I discuss the ambiguous, underspecified term 'awakening', psychological health and ethical behavior in light of meditative insight, effects on romantic and platonic relationships, and the benefits of psychotherapy.
Tucker can be found at his website here: https://meditatewithtucker.com
and on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tucker_peck
The Open Dharma foundation for retreat scholarships: https://opendharmafoundation.org/
I mentor meditation in Shinzen Young's Unified Mindfulness system. If that or any of my ambling thoughts in long-form are of interest to you, please see my own website: https://www...2022-05-1049 min
Natural AwakeningRon Serrano: The Dharmachanics; Experimental Community and Spiritual FriendshipWherein Ron shares personal and community history and we discuss pragmatic, meta-systemic community and spiritual friendship along the path. :)
Check out the Dharmachanics at their website: http://www.dharmachanics.com/
and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Dharmachanics
SN 45.2: Half the Spiritual Life:
So I have heard.
At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, where they have a town named Townsville. Then Venerable Ānanda went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:
“Sir, goo...2022-05-0232 min
Natural AwakeningNatural Awakening: Ron Serrano: The Dharmachanics; Experimental Community & Spiritual FriendshipWherein Ron shares personal and community history and we discuss pragmatic, meta-systemic community and spiritual friendship along the path. :)Check out the Dharmachanics at their website: http://www.dharmachanics.com/and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DharmachanicsSN 45.2: Half the Spiritual Life:So I have heard.At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, where they have a town named Townsville. Then Venerable Ānanda went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said t...2022-05-0232 min
Natural AwakeningYogi Khenpo Drimed Dawa (Dean) - Part 2: History, Practice, and Function of NgöndroSee the first episode with Dean for more context: https://anchor.fm/wystan-t-bryant-scott/episodes/Natural-Awakening-Yogi-Khenpo-Drimed-Dawa-Dean-Vajrayana--Dzogchen-Seeing-Things-as-They-Are-e1g4t28
Wherein Dean provides a sketch of the history of tantric preliminary practices, a description of the actual activities, and explains their purpose and function within the structure of Tantric practice. Enjoy!
You can find Dean's organization, lineage, online courses, and much more at https://www.awaminstitute.org/.
His YouTube channel is: https://www.youtube.com/user/DharmakirtiCollege
Finally, I wholeheartedly recommend his excellent and thorough book, 'Innate Happiness: A Direct Guidance Manual for Householder...2022-04-2952 min
Natural AwakeningNatural Awakening: Yogi Khenpo Drimed Dawa (Dean) - Part 2: History, Practice, and Function of NgöndroSee the first episode with Dean for more context: https://anchor.fm/wystan-t-bryant-scott/episodes/Natural-Awakening-Yogi-Khenpo-Drimed-Dawa-Dean-Vajrayana--Dzogchen-Seeing-Things-as-They-Are-e1g4t28Wherein Dean provides a sketch of the history of tantric preliminary practices, a description of the actual activities, and explains their purpose and function within the structure of Tantric practice. Enjoy!You can find Dean's organization, lineage, online courses, and much more at https://www.awaminstitute.org/.His YouTube channel is: https://www.youtube.com/user/DharmakirtiCollegeFinally, I wholeheartedly recommend his excellent and thorough book, 'Innate Happiness: A Direct...2022-04-2952 min
Natural AwakeningNatural Awakening: Daniel M. Ingram: Emergent Phenomenology; Research and RelevanceWherein Daniel presents a sweeping overview of the Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium's intentions, methods, and ultimate aims.A delight!To learn more about, connect with, and contribute to the EPRC please see its website here: https://theeprc.org/ and the white paper: https://theeprc.org/#studiesTo learn more about, connect with, and contribute to Emergence Benefactors please see its website here: https://ebenefactors.org/Daniel can be found at his website here: https://www.integrateddaniel.info/and on Twitter here: https://twitter.com...2022-04-251h 47
Natural AwakeningDaniel M. Ingram: Emergent Phenomenology; Research and RelevanceWherein Daniel presents a sweeping overview of the Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium's intentions, methods, and ultimate aims.
A delight!
To learn more about, connect with, and contribute to the EPRC please see its website here: https://theeprc.org/ and the white paper: https://theeprc.org/#studies
To learn more about, connect with, and contribute to Emergence Benefactors please see its website here: https://ebenefactors.org/
Daniel can be found at his website here: https://www.integrateddaniel.info/
and on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/danielmingram
I mentor...2022-04-251h 47
Natural AwakeningNatural Awakening: Andrés Gómez Emilsson & Roger Thisdell: Unbinding Pseudo-SpacetimeWherein Andrés, Roger, and I discuss indirect realism about perception, the construction of phenomenal time, qualia formalism, exotic phenomenal spacetime in psychedelic and meditative phenomenology, the effects of persistent subject-object nonduality on phenomenal spacetime and hedonic valence, and more! Enjoy!Form is like a glob of foam; feeling, a bubble; perception, a mirage; fabrications, a banana tree; consciousness, a magic trick... However you observe them, appropriately examine them, they’re empty, void to whoever sees them appropriately... No substance here is found. - Pheṇa Sutta (SN 22:95): https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN22_95.html2022-04-211h 26
Natural AwakeningAndrés Gómez Emilsson & Roger Thisdell: Unbinding Pseudo-SpacetimeWherein Andrés, Roger, and I discuss indirect realism about perception, the construction of phenomenal time, qualia formalism, exotic phenomenal spacetime in psychedelic and meditative phenomenology, the effects of persistent subject-object nonduality on phenomenal spacetime and hedonic valence, and more! Enjoy!
Form is like a glob of foam; feeling, a bubble; perception, a mirage; fabrications, a banana tree; consciousness, a magic trick... However you observe them, appropriately examine them, they’re empty, void to whoever sees them appropriately... No substance here is found. - Pheṇa Sutta (SN 22:95): https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN22_95.html
Andr...2022-04-211h 26
Natural AwakeningJay Garfield: Moral Phenomenology, Illusion, and Primordial Non-DualityWherein Jay and I discuss Buddhist ethics as moral phenomenology, the pernicious illusion of selfhood, illusionism as a theory of consciousness, primordial perceptual non-duality, and much more!
A joy!
You can find Jay at: https://jaygarfield.org/
I wholeheartedly recommend the books mentioned:
Buddhist Ethics: A Philosophical Exploration: https://www.amazon.com/Buddhist-Ethics-Philosophical-Exploration-PHILOSOPHERS/dp/0190907649/
Engaging Buddhism: Why It Matters to Philosophy https://www.amazon.com/Engaging-Buddhism-Why-Matters-Philosophy-ebook/dp/B00QSDBVTC/
Losing Ourselves: Learning to Live without a Self, available for preorder (releases May 24): https://www.amazon.com/Losing-Ourselves-Learning-Live-without...2022-04-1654 min
Natural AwakeningNatural Awakening: Jay Garfield: Moral Phenomenology, Illusion, and Primordial Non-DualityWherein Jay and I discuss Buddhist ethics as moral phenomenology, the pernicious illusion of selfhood, illusionism as a theory of consciousness, primordial perceptual non-duality, and much more!A joy!You can find Jay at: https://jaygarfield.org/I wholeheartedly recommend the books mentioned:Buddhist Ethics: A Philosophical Exploration: https://www.amazon.com/Buddhist-Ethics-Philosophical-Exploration-PHILOSOPHERS/dp/0190907649/Engaging Buddhism: Why It Matters to Philosophy https://www.amazon.com/Engaging-Buddhism-Why-Matters-Philosophy-ebook/dp/B00QSDBVTC/Losing Ourselves: Learning to Live without a Self, available for preorder (releases...2022-04-1654 min
Natural AwakeningChelsey Fasano: Intimacy, Tantra; Hope in LoveWherein Chelsey shares what drew her to contemplative practice and academic study, and we discuss intimacy both spiritual and sensual, the lack of ultimate distinction between the two, the foggy genesis of Tantra, and conclude that all you need is love. :)
You can find Chelsey at: https://www.chelseyfasano.com/
and on twitter: https://twitter.com/fasano_lee
The podcast series we mentioned (highly recommended!) can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknxjhwG5wmXRVfrkeGczVPVI
Ikkyu:
...Rinzai’s disciples never got the Zen message, But I, the Bl...2022-04-031h 00
Natural AwakeningNatural Awakening: Chelsey Fasano: Intimacy, Tantra; Hope in LoveWherein Chelsey shares what drew her to contemplative practice and academic study, and we discuss intimacy both spiritual and sensual, the lack of ultimate distinction between the two, the foggy genesis of Tantra, and conclude that all you need is love. :)You can find Chelsey at: https://www.chelseyfasano.com/and on twitter: https://twitter.com/fasano_leeThe podcast series we mentioned (highly recommended!) can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknxjhwG5wmXRVfrkeGczVPVIIkkyu:...Rinzai’s disciples never got the Ze...2022-04-031h 00
Natural AwakeningNatural Awakening: Roger Thisdell: Emptiness of Identity, Space, and TimeWherein Roger and I briefly cover his bio, what brought him to practice, stream-entry and beyond, diving into phenomenological description of centerless, 'empty' consciousness, concluding with epistemological and metaphysical musings.His website, where you can find articles, videos, and more, is:https://meditative.dev/web/and associated twitter profile: https://twitter.com/meditative_devYou can find Roger on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069819468309Dogen:To study the buddha way is to study the self. To study...2022-03-261h 03
Natural AwakeningRoger Thisdell: Emptiness of Identity, Space, and TimeWherein Roger and I briefly cover his bio, what brought him to practice, stream-entry and beyond, diving into phenomenological description of centerless, 'empty' consciousness, concluding with epistemological and metaphysical musings.
His website, where you can find articles, videos, and more, is:
https://meditative.dev/web/
and associated twitter profile: https://twitter.com/meditative_dev
You can find Roger on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069819468309
Dogen:
To study the buddha way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the...2022-03-261h 03
Natural AwakeningNatural Awakening: Yogi Khenpo Drimed Dawa (Dean) - Part 1: Vajrayana, Dzogchen; Seeing Things as They AreWherein Khenpo Dean and I discuss briefly his biography, the deity yoga distinctive of Vajrayana, a cursory outline of Dzogchen practice, and the concomitant relief and skillful action arising through perceiving the constructed 'empty' play of perception, relating this briefly to science.You can find Dean's organization, lineage, online courses, and much more at https://www.awaminstitute.org/.His YouTube channel is: https://www.youtube.com/user/DharmakirtiCollegeI mentor meditation in Shinzen Young's Unified Mindfulness system. If that or any of my ambling thoughts in long-form are of interest...2022-03-2347 min
Natural AwakeningYogi Khenpo Drimed Dawa (Dean) - Part 1: Vajrayana, Dzogchen; Seeing Things as They AreWherein Khenpo Dean and I discuss briefly his biography, the deity yoga distinctive of Vajrayana, a cursory outline of Dzogchen practice, and the concomitant relief and skillful action arising through perceiving the constructed 'empty' play of perception, relating this briefly to science.
You can find Dean's organization, lineage, online courses, and much more at https://www.awaminstitute.org/.
His YouTube channel is: https://www.youtube.com/user/DharmakirtiCollege
I mentor meditation in Shinzen Young's Unified Mindfulness system. If that or any of my ambling thoughts in long-form are of interest to you, check...2022-03-2347 min
Natural AwakeningNatural Awakening: David L. Collins - Part 3: The Good, The True, and The BeautifulWherein Dave and I cross the conceptual categorical chasms between philosophy, religion, psychology, contemplative practice and experience(s) using my bio as scaffolding. Can the manifest and scientific image(s) converge in nondual fulfillment of the good, the true, and the beautiful? Listen to find out! Well, we tried, anyways ;).Check out Dave's writing (it's really good!): https://utexas.academia.edu/DavidCollinsHis twitter is https://twitter.com/bodhidave3I mentor meditation in Shinzen Young's Unified Mindfulness system. If that or any of my ambling thoughts in long-form are of...2022-03-1146 min
Natural AwakeningDavid L. Collins - Part 3: The Good, The True, and The BeautifulWherein Dave and I cross the conceptual categorical chasms between philosophy, religion, psychology, contemplative practice and experience(s) using my bio as scaffolding. Can the manifest and scientific image(s) converge in nondual fulfillment of the good, the true, and the beautiful? Listen to find out! Well, we tried, anyways ;).
Check out Dave's writing (it's really good!): https://utexas.academia.edu/DavidCollins
His twitter is https://twitter.com/bodhidave3
I mentor meditation in Shinzen Young's Unified Mindfulness system. If that or any of my ambling thoughts in long-form are of interest to you...2022-03-1146 min
Natural AwakeningDavid L. Collins - Part 2: Practice In CrisisInformed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Dave and I discuss intersections between contemplative practice, politics, social engagement, mental health, breaking down the distinction between sacred and mundane, and different strategies for taking care of ourselves and others in times of trouble.
May everyone abide in well-being, in freedom from hostility, in freedom from ill-will, in freedom from anxiety, and may they maintain well-being in themselves. May all beings be released from all suffering.
Dave's links:
https://utexas.academia.edu/DavidCollins
https://twitter.com/bodhidave3
Wystan:
https://www.w...2022-02-251h 01
Natural AwakeningNatural Awakening: David L. Collins - Part 2: Practice In CrisisInformed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Dave and I discuss intersections between contemplative practice, politics, social engagement, mental health, breaking down the distinction between sacred and mundane, and different strategies for taking care of ourselves and others in times of trouble.May everyone abide in well-being, in freedom from hostility, in freedom from ill-will, in freedom from anxiety, and may they maintain well-being in themselves. May all beings be released from all suffering.Dave's links:https://utexas.academia.edu/DavidCollins https://twitter.com/bodhidave3W...2022-02-251h 01
Natural AwakeningNatural Awakening: David L. Collins - Part 1: To Know Like Love Like What It Is To BeWherein Dave and I discuss his near-death experience early in life and subsequent draw to contemplative study and practice, similarities between the practices and outlooks of the anonymous author of The Cloud of Unknowing and Dogen, the apparent paradox of effort and effortlessness along the path, deep jhana, meditation in sleep, life as sacred display, and what it means 'to know like love like what it is to be'. In a future second part, hopefully we'll get around to how this fits a naturalistic understanding of our selves and the world.Check out Dave's writing (it's...2022-02-181h 00
Natural AwakeningDavid L. Collins - Part 1: To Know Like Love Like What It Is To BeWherein Dave and I discuss his near-death experience early in life and subsequent draw to contemplative study and practice, similarities between the practices and outlooks of the anonymous author of The Cloud of Unknowing and Dogen, the apparent paradox of effort and effortlessness along the path, deep jhana, meditation in sleep, life as sacred display, and what it means 'to know like love like what it is to be'. In a future second part, hopefully we'll get around to how this fits a naturalistic understanding of our selves and the world.
Check out Dave's writing (it's really...2022-02-181h 00