IONS Interview: Amit Goswami
Even today, the tendency is to look at consciousness dualistically — consciousness separate from matter. This position is not compatible with science; so scientists have emphasized material monism/everything is matter philosophy. We show that this is not compatible with quantum physics. We then develop a fully paradox-free idea of monistic idealism — everything is consciousness. We discuss how a science based on this nondual philosophy succeeds as an inclusive science that can deal with all natural phenomena.
4 Comments on “Consciousness and Non-Duality”
(Ponderings from my personal notes after listening to this interview. I do not have the language available to me like Amit Goswami does.)
Public (external)/Private (internal) is scientific dualism, but perhaps is also a foundational political dualism, i.e. public = conservative/private = liberal?
The nature of the mind is to look for monism (one), therefore in a polarized (dualistic) situation (conservative/liberal) the mind can only (is limited to) find one (monism) in either a conservative or liberal viewpoint, and therefore can only see its own position as being “right.” (Science finds non-dual reality by saying all is only matter. Spirituality has found non-duality by saying all is only spirit). Both is “either/or,” “black/white” thinking. This isn’t working anymore. The new paradigm is starting to find one (monism) in consciousness (which is essentially non-physical), and is able to blend non-physical with physical to integrate mind with matter, and allows “both/and” type of thinking.
Can the two, internal/external, interact? In David Bolm’s holographic universe of Implicate (unmanifest)/Explicate (manifest) they do – naturally. (In a hologram there exists 1) the image data (implicate) and 2) the 3D image (explicate). Therefore he is another pioneer of non-dual thinking in my opinion.
I loved your documentary. It was very inspirational and thought-provoking. I hope you’re doing well.
“Within You Without You” lyrics by George Harrison
We were talking about the space between us all And the people who hide themselves behind a wall of illusion Never glimpse the truth, then it’s far too late, when they pass away We were talking about the love we all could share When we find it, to try our best to hold it there with our love With our love, we could save the world, if they only knew
Try to realise it’s all within yourself No one else can make you change And to see you’re really only very small And life flows on within you and without you
We were talking about the love that’s gone so cold And the people who gain the world and lose their soul They don’t know, they can’t see, are you one of them?
When you’ve seen beyond yourself then you may find Peace of mind is waiting there And the time will come when you see we’re all one
Remarkable dialogue, easily understood and clearly stated directives to the great change that is sorely needed for humanity and is Coming!!! Thank You!