Among his early influences, Rupert Sheldrake cites The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962) by Thomas Kuhn. He has said this book led him to view contemporary scientific understanding of life as simply a paradigm, which he called "the mechanistic theory of life."
Reading Kuhn's work, Sheldrake says, focused his mind on how scientific paradigms can change [16]. Sheldrake says that although there are similarities between morphic resonance and Hinduism's akashic records[31], he first conceived of the idea while at Cambridge U, before his travels to India, where he later developed it.
He attributes the origin of his idea to two influences, his studies of the holistic tradition in biology, and French philosopher Henri Bergson's 1896 book Matter and Memory. He says he took Bergson's concept of memories not being materially embedded in the brain and generalized it to morphic resonance, where memories are not only immaterial but also under the influence of the collective memories of similar organisms.
While his colleagues at Cambridge were not receptive to the idea, Sheldrake found the opposite to be true in India.
He recounts his Indian colleagues saying, "There's nothing new in this; it was all known millennia ago to the ancient rishis [seers]." Sheldrake thus characterizes morphic resonance as a convergence between Western and Eastern thought yet found by himself first in Western philosophy [15, 151].
Sheldrake has also noted similarities between morphic resonance and Carl Jung's collective unconscious, with regard to collective memories being shared across individuals and the coalescing of particular behaviors through repetition, which Jung called archetypes [15].
But whereas Jung assumed that archetypal forms were transmitted through physical inheritance, Sheldrake attributes collective memories to morphic resonance and rejects any explanation of them involving what he terms "mechanistic biology."
Lewis Wolpert, one of Sheldrake's critics, has described morphic resonance as an updated Drieschian vitalism [28, 152]. More
Jhana: meditative "absorption" ("meditation") chiefly refers to the first four meditative absorptions of form
I want to enter that bliss, but how?
Namely, these are the form absorptions of the fine-material sphere (rūpa-jjhāna or rūpāvacara-jjhāna, see avacara). These profound absorptions are reached through full (ecstatic) stillness, samādhi, concentration (appanā).
At this time there is a complete (albeit temporary) suspension of fivefold sense-activity and of the Five Hindrances (pancha-nīvarana). However, this state of consciousness is one of full alertness and lucidity and, it is said, singlepointedness (ekagata) of mind/attention.
Gandhara: meditating Buddha
This degree of concentration becomes a fully absorbed state. It is generally developed by the practice (cultivation) of one of the 40 subjects of tranquility meditation (samatha-kammatthāna, see bhāvanā).
There are four higher (more refined) states of absorption called the Four Formless Attainments of the immaterial Spheres (arūpāyatana). These are called the four absorptions of the immaterial sphere (arūpa-jjhāna or arūpāvacara-jjhāna).
The usual text, often met with in the Pali canon sutras, runs as follows:... More: jhāna
Ask a Buddhist teacher. Most will say, "There's no way to do it, so just do it." And that's pretty good advice as far as it goes, but it will only get a few there, the "naturals."
For a long time in this round, most of us are not the naturals, not inclined to even try. But when we finally "try," that is not a good sign of getting there. A person letting go, not aspiring, not striving, not anticipating, or doing nothing more than beginner's mind will is more likely to experience "beginner's luck."
That seems to be the Taoist approach advocated by Zen. How many Zen practitioners, however, ever get into a Zen state, a jhana, dhyana, seon, or absorción?
Not many. No one speaks of it, perhaps because of the threat/injunction that, "Anyone who knows doesn't speak; anyone who speaks doesn't know."
That may be true insofar as successful practitioners are not inclined to be worried about what anyone else does or does not do. But as a thinker, I am keen to figure out a practical way of teaching those cannot to be able to. There are a few ways that make sense or have some sort of logic.
First, we know that someone in an absorption has characteristics and is missing others. Things are present, and things are absent. How now if one were to include (cultivate) what is present for them and exclude (abandon) what is absent?
What is present? The Five Factors of Absorption (jhana-anga). What is absent? The Five Hindrances. Does it therefore not stand to reason that by such cultivation, one may very well fall into it? Drop away the obstacles, erect the parallels (those things present along with the wished-for state of heart-mind), and viola there it is!
Second, it is certain that what the Buddha taught was a pyramidal path with virtue (sila) as the base, stillness (samadhi) as the midlevel, and a capstone of wisdom (panna, prajna). So anyone who reaches the second level of "concentration" or singlepointedness of mind, or quietude, stillness, absorption does so on a base or foundation of Precepts and wholesome karma of skillful thoughts, words, and deeds or calm, noble silence, and restraint.
Third, there is the powerful suggestion of Leigh Brasington that these absorbed states of ecstatic composure, concentration, focus, or coherent mindful awareness can be brought about by a method. The method is simple to understand, a little less simple to implement. Attend a retreat, smile, stay calm, slow down, be comfortable, send metta to all in all directions until the heart/mind is restful and at ease then begin to meditate. When meditating, it will be the case that some part of the body is or begins to feel blissful (piti, one of the Factors of Absorption), pleasant, pleasurable. When it does, turn attention to that and just that. Seemingly on the maxim that "where attention goes, energy flows," that bliss (joy, happiness, sukha) will expand and overtake the entire body, bringing one into absorption. Leigh Brasington teaches, or taught, on Cloud Mountain and should be consulted for the details of this method. My coauthor, Virginia Tech Prof. Lori Marsh, attended a Brasington retreat and attained it.
Now this opens up a question that is difficult if not impossible to settle. What is "jhana"? What qualifies as "absorption"? If Prof. Marsh says she attained such a state, can anyone say any different? Because it is a direct and personal experience, can she even know? Does Brasington certify that retreatants are reaching it?
Fortunately, this question can be answered to some extent, but not completely because so much will depend on self-report. The most important thing is that a meditator not be self-deluded. One can know for oneself, and one's teacher can know, but as to whether or not anyone can say, who can say? One might have to possess psychic (abhinna, siddhi) powers to know what another is thinking or experiencing. Fortunately again, we are not concerned with what others are or are not attaining, only with what we are reaching.
How can I know if I was in an absorption during my meditation? And if I can know, how can I know which absorption (Jhana 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8) I was in? There is an answer. In the teaching method of the renowned Buddhist Meditation Master Pa Auk Sayadaw, one will not know it when one is in it, but one can be sure which jhana one was just in. How? By reflecting and counting the Jhana Factors, that is, the Factors of Absorption present during the meditation, one can know which it was. As one moves up towards higher and more refined absorbed states, factors fall away.
The Five Factors are actually six when ekagata (one-pointedness) is counted. See teachers Sayalay Susila, Beth Upton, Sayalay Dipankara, Ven. Dhammadipa (now lay teacher Thomas), Shaila Catherine, Ven. Revata, and others for detailed confirmation of personal experience. The lay Buddhist teachers Tina Rasmussen and Stephen Snyder or check out their handy guide to the jhanas first published as Jhanas Advice. The later name became From First Sit to First Jhana:
(Sadhguru Darshan) "Nobody expected this question from Indian Tibetan Buddhist monk (lama)"? As scandal-ridden "Sadhguru"JaggiVasudev pontificates and goes on an on with his humble brag about how "enlightened" he must be now that he, having been an agnostic atheist not interested in spirituality, he experienced "ecstasy" one day. This made him feel like a holy man (sadhu), and he wants to make the whole world blissful or at least get rich trying.
South Afrikaner Elon Musk, reputedly the richest man in the world (founder of PayPal, head of Tesla, SpaceX, Twitter, Boring, Neuralink Corporation, and DOGE, future king of Mars), has fired himself to save the government money -- and Tesla share's plummeting value. He is getting back to work, except he's always working. How? Drugs -- Adderall (speed), acid (LSD), Special K (ketamine), Molly (MDMA, Ecstasy), magic mushrooms (psilocybin), weed (THC), and whatever else he carries around in a special box for emergency use. Every day is an emergency when one is jumping around, kissing up to Trump, slashing jobs, and trying to salvage his reputation on the world stage to keep working for the government.
(Jimmy Kimmel Live) May 29, 2025: Elon Musk’s time as a Special Government Employee for DOGE (Dept. of Gov't Efficiency) has come to end, the court of Int'l Trade ruled unanimously that Trump did not have the authority to implement the "big, beautiful tariffs" he slapped on everyone, Trump blew up at a reporter for asking about his new nickname “TACO” that’s been making the rounds on Wall Street, which stands for “Trump Always Chickening Out.”
He is now reportedly one step closer to settling the ridiculous lawsuit he filed against 60 minutes, he now says he plans to give Russia's Vlad Putin “two weeks” to prove they are serious about a peace deal with Ukraine [otherwise he's going to let them go Israel on Zelensky's butt], America’s Mayor Rudy Giuliani wore a crazy outfit, FBI Director Kash "Cross Eyed" Patel sat for an interview with Fox News (swearing pedophile Jeff Epstein was not murdered), RFK Jr. made an announcement about COVID vaccines, and Cousin Micki teaches us where babies come from.
(TYT) Trump cronies Kash Patel and Dan Bongino lie to cover up Epstein files
(VICE) Not satisfied with the traditional festival mission of getting off our nut, there is a new wave or brand of event which claims to transform mind, body, and soul (the living breath or spirit).
VICE's Amelia Dimoldenberg is invited deep into the jungles of Costa Rica, to attend Envision Festival on a quest to rid herself of her chronic awkwardness and open her third eye through bitcoin conferences, Buddhist drum circles, and vaginal eggs.
Subscribe to VICE: Subscribe-to-VICE. Check out full video catalog: VICE-Videos. Videos, daily editorial, and more: vice.com. More videos from the VICE network: fb.com/vicevideo. Get the best of VICE daily: bit.ly/1SquZ6v. Facebook: fb.com/vice. Twitter: vice. Instagram: vice.
Download VICE on iOS: apple.co/28Vgmqz or on Android: 28S8Et0. WATCH NEXT: VICE sat down with experts studying super rats to hear how the rodents got so strong and what can be done to get them under control: vice.video/2kiAwyl.
Amelia Dimoldenberg, VICE, May 24, 2018; Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Dhr. Seven, Pat Macpherson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Do not ask for whom The Man burns, Allison. He burns for us. - Us? - The Burners of Mankind
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Sparkly things and fire at Burning Man 2024
(Commotion Camp) Sept. 2, 2024: Gorgeous weather was enjoyed this year at Burning Man 2024 for the 70,000+ Burners who made their way to the annual week-long, large-scale art event in the Nevada desert.
This year's Burning Man highlights include a surprise DJ set by Rufus Du Sol, a plane that shot flames and lasers, a magnificent art installation titled "Naga and the Captainess" [a naga in Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism being a sea serpent, reptilian, dragon], some new super creative art cars, and the always entertaining Burning Man fashion choices. They were spotted on the playa and throughout Black Rock City the whole time.
Songs: Alan Watts' voiceover, "Overthinker" by INZO, and "Magic Carpet Ride" (Moon and Sun Remix).
Sure, new Burners might make their escape into a long traffic jam all day long, creating a 14-lane traffic jam to the nearest paved road.
But experienced festivalgoers will remain to catch the symbolic burning of The Man. It's almost the whole point, which is really about community and creativity. This is just the capper.
Take your MOOP home and out of the desert.
There's a mania, a manic mode, that overtakes the crowd when the fire begins. Things explode, the desert glows, and everything spirals into a Bacchanalian feast. There's only this, and it's better to hit the road in the morning, after cleaning up and removing the MOOP ("matter out of place," aka trash). "Leave no trace" is a principle of this alternative festival.
Every year, tens of thousands of counterculture “Burners” make the journey to Nevada’s Black Rock Desert for the weeklong Burning Man festival.
But for those who haven't made the trip themselves or haven't heard of the event until now, here’s a quick rundown for what to know about Burning Man.
For Burners at heart who can’t be on the playa right now, BM is pleased to offer this livestream straight from Burning Man Central until the big fiery closer: LIVE WEBCAST
"The Man" stands alone in the Black Rock Desert. After watching over Black Rock City during the Burning Man event, pyrotechnicians ignite and burn The Man (Trevor Hughes/USA TODAY 2023).
How to watch: 2024 Burning Man livestream
Hey, maybe this year we should burn "Traylor" (Taylor Swift and Travis Kelcey) in effigy?
I totally want to go. shake it off, get naked, dance to a sick beat, but it's Travis, he's too scared.
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What if Swift attended?
Burning Man began Aug. 24, 2024, but no one has to go there to get a glimpse of the playa ("beach"). A live webcast is broadcasting the annual festival 24 hours a day through the finale on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024.
For most of the time, the camera is pointed at the wooden effigy at the center of Burning Man. The link can be found on Burning Man's website at burningman.org/live-webcast. More:
(Science Friday) Last month, the first psychedelic therapy treatment came before the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for a vote. It entailed using MDMA, also known as ecstasy, E, or molly, to treat PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
MDMA therapy has looked promising as a treatment for PTSD and other mental health conditions in some studies.
[It was thought by many in MAPS or the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) to be a slam dunk for the first approval before moving on to passing magic mushrooms, DMT, and other scientifically-validated entheogens.]
But the FDA scientific advisory panel that evaluated this treatment voted overwhelminglyagainst approving it.
[For one thing, how would Big Pharma make so much money on endless "treatments" if someone comes up with an actual "cure" for a serious ailment?]
Many of the arguments against approval had less to do with MDMA itself than with the methodology of the clinical trials done by Lykos Therapeutics, formerly the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS).
McNamee, who joined the trial for treatment of PTSD, is also a licensed psychotherapist and researcher of trauma and psychotherapy at McGill University in Montreal.
She joins Science Friday guest host Rachel Feltman alongside Dr. Eiko Fried, a methodologist and psychologist at Leiden University in the Netherlands, to discuss the decision.
If anyone is struggling with PTSD or other mental health conditions, call 988 for the suicide and crisis lifeline.
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