Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Michael Pollan journeys into consciousness

Michael Pollan’s journey to understand consciousness with Zen and science

Author, explorer Michael Pollan

Science journalist [Buddhist meditator, and American Zen practitioner under Roshi Joan Halifax* at Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico] Michael Pollan has written extensively about the therapeutic benefits of mind-altering psychedelics (lit., "mind-making" substances, which may also be entheogens, hallucinogens, and psychoactive drugs).

His new book, A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness, asks the central question: What is consciousness?

Joan Halifax ( with now toxic Dalai
Lama cropped out except for arm)
*Joan Halifax collaborated on LSD research projects with her ex-husband Stanislav Grof in the 1970s, in addition to other collaborative efforts with Joseph Campbell and Alan Lomax. She is founder of the Ojai Foundation in California, which she led from 1979 to 1989. As a socially engaged Buddhist, Halifax has done extensive work (palliative care) with the dying through her Project on Being with Dying, which she founded. She is on the board of directors of the Mind and Life Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the relationship of science and Buddhism.

“Consciousness has kind of become the secular substitute for the soul [Ancient Greek psyche as in psychology and psyche-delic],” Pollan tells interviewer Terry Gross.

Pollan also talks about current studies on consciousness and whether other animals, plants, bacteria, algae, and programmed hardware/software combinations known as "artificial intelligence" have or can eventually have consciousness. More + AUDIO

Science: Plants are conscious, emit sounds, and talk
Michael Pollan co-founded the BCSP (UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics)

Michael Pollan discusses how time-lapse photography reveals the hidden life of plants

NEW BOOK: A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness

A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness

Buddhist author Michael Pollan has a Number 1 best seller in Consciousness & Thought Philosophy. From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Change Your Mind, a panoptic exploration of consciousness—what it is, who/what has it, and why—and a meditation on the essence of our humanity.

When it comes to the phenomenon that is consciousness, there is one point on which scientists, philosophers, and artists all agree: It feels [not thinks] like something to be us. Yet the fact that we have subjective experience (sentience) of the world remains one of nature’s greatest mysteries.

How is it that ~~our~~ mental operations are accompanied by [perceptions,] feelings, thoughts, and a sense of "self"?

American Joan Halifax

What would a scientific investigation of our inner life look like, when we have as little distance and perspective on it as fish do of water in the sea?

In A World Appears, Michael Pollan traces the unmapped continent that is consciousness, bringing radically different perspectives—scientific, philosophical, literary, spiritual and psychedelic—to see what each can teach us about this central fact of life.

When neuroscientists began studying consciousness in the early 1990s, they sought to explain how and why three pounds of spongy [tofu like] gray matter could generate a subjective point of view—assuming that the brain is the source of our perceived reality.

Pollan takes readers to the cutting edge of the field, where neuroscientists are entertaining more radical (and less materialist) theories of consciousness.

Plants are conscious, sentient

He introduces us to “plant neurobiologists” searching for the first flicker of consciousness in plants, scientists striving to engineer feelings into AI, and psychologists and novelists seeking to capture the felt experience of this slippery stream of consciousness.

In Pollan’s dazzling exploration of consciousness, he discovers a world far deeper and stranger than this everyday reality.

Eye-opening and mind-expanding, A World Appears takes us into the laboratories of our own brains and minds, hearts and feelings, ultimately showing us how we might make better use of the gift of awareness to more meaningfully connect with the world and what we assume to be our deepest selves. More: A World Appears

See all formats and editions for savings. Book comes out Feb. 24, 2026. Pre-order price guarantee. Named a "most anticipated book of 2026" by The New York Times, TIME, and Oprah Daily.

Guest Michael Pollan, Terry Gross, Tonya Mosley, Adam Staniszewski, NPR.org, Feb. 19, 2026; Dhr. Seven, Pat Macpherson, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Molester, cannibal Prince Andrew arrested

That's not my body. I don't sweat. Hi, Ghislaine!

Was Prince Andrew Mountbatten Windsor [a British royal eighth in line to be king, former husband of equally guilty party Sarah Ferguson] just arrested for human sex trafficking and child porn, among other crimes? Let's take a look at the viral claim and find out what the facts really are.

Incest: Father and Virginia Thomas Giuffre
Dad 'n daughter worked for Trump at MaL

CLAIM: Prince Andrew was just arrested this morning for his active participation and attempted cover up with Jewish Israeli (Mossad) spies Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell (and associate Donald Trump) for human trafficking and child porn.

The Vancouver Times (and the world's media) are posting stories, claiming that Prince Andrew was just arrested for numerous crimes, including human trafficking and child pornography.

YES, Prince Andrew has been arrested by police and charged for numerous crimes, including human trafficking and possession of child porn.

What? But I love Jeffrey Epstein!

He also faces similar charges in the United States, as was announced today [not that complicit AG Pam Bondi will bring charges unless she is on the verge of being arrested for her cover up and continued lies to Congress/House of Representatives].

I may have molested Ghislaine.

This arrest comes after years of calls from critics to have Prince Andrew arrested for crimes he committed alongside Madame Ghislaine Maxwell and Pimp Jeffrey Epstein, spies working on behalf of Israeli intel.

Prince Andrew has announced that he plans on co-operating (which means he certainly plans on continuing to lie). Experts have speculated that the prince may offer a list of Epstein’s clients in exchange for immunity.

[But such a list is already available, derived from the victims and from the most recent release of Epstein Files, which amount to only 2% of the total files that exist and are in FBI possession as part of the cover up by the Trump administration, FBI Director and professional bootlicker Kash Patel, Pam Bondi, Karoline Leavitt, and other enablers, such as Trump's chief of staff.]

Dad groomed me for Epstein

Prince Andrew more than likely knows more about the inner workings of the Epstein-Maxwell human (child sex) trafficking ring and has every reason to [continue to lie, hoping the Powers That Be will notice and get him off as they have for so many years] co-operate with authorities.

According to sources, Prince Andrew will spend the rest of his life in prison if he’s convicted.

The mainstream media and big tech [plus the Billionaire Boys Club known as the PayPal Mafia or more generally as Tech Bros] want to hide the truth.

Let's beat them at their own game by sharing this article. Source

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Catholic Buddhist Lent: Ash Wednesday

Glam Buddhist David Bowie "Ashes to Ashes" (official video)

Holy [Hindu style) ashes on Ash Wednesday

Happy Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent for most Christians. Wisdom Quarterly's Mexican Buddhist Crystal Q. is torn between celebrating abstinence, the Five Eight or Ten Precepts, Ten Commandments, and reverting to simplicity. Since ancient Indian times, ashes from the pyre have been used by wandering ascetics as a way of getting clean. (Ashes are absorbent, and when collected from a funerary pyre, they are a strong reminder of this body's mortality). Buddhist David Bowie perhaps quoted the Anglican prayer book best when he sang, "Ashes to ashes, funk to funky, we know Major Tom's a junkie" (David Bowie's "Ashes to Ashes").

The tilma of Juan Diego: Our Lady of Guadalupe

Madonna and Child? Kwan Yin

Why would a Mexican be Buddhist? One strong reason in the past was the arrival of Buddhist missionaries from Afghanistan and China before the arrival of Christianity. See American researcher Edward P. Vining and his published findings in An Inglorious Columbus: Or Evidence that Hwui Shan and a Party of Buddhist Monks from Afghanistan Discovered America in the Fifth Century, A.D.) Of course, in modern times Mexican Americans would love Buddhism for its many qualities and perhaps recognizing in the Buddhist Goddess of Compassion Guan Yin a great deal of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

So it's time for a field trip to church (Catholic mass) to see these smearing of cremation ashes across foreheads in Los Angeles. Ananda is eager to see what this is all about. CC took us to the giant Buddhist temple east of Los Angeles in the very Asian San Gabriel Valley, where we enjoyed the Aztec dancers dancing for the Chinese Mahayana Humanist Buddhist crowd. So this explosion/clash of Mexican and European church tradition ought to be a Roman spectacular.

WHAT HAPPENED?

St. Andrew's Church (Pasadena)

Pasadena, California, has many Catholics, and "church" (mass) was packed. The one we attended is beautiful inside, much more beautiful than the usual Holy Roman Empire version. It has a picture of God unlike any other Euro Catholic church building we've ever seen, a massive mural. And next to the God are beautiful devas ("angels"), drawn in gold and very colorful. The many pews were full, and there is a Spanish language service going on in the school building across the street. This church building is on the corner of Fair Oaks and the 134 Freeway, with a big belfry and clock (campanile). Inside, it's like a mausoleum of imported stone. And the attendees are a mix of Hispanics, Italians, Europeans, and a sprinkling of Blacks and Asians. Everyone is very nice and seem repentant as they line up for their pyre ashes, almost certainly incense stick remnants and coal. Wine and gluten crackers are served, if one doesn't mind mixing saliva with everyone else, but it's wiped with a white towel between sips, which is certainly sterilizing through prayer and God's power or the priest's magic. The officiant and his altar boy assistants said some nice words, encouraged people to be good and observe the ~~Ramadan~~ Lenten (Latin Quadragesima, "Fortieth") self-purification practices for the next month and ten days, and to do acts of abstinence, restraint, charity, and kindness, all beautiful sentiments for those who live up to the best of their religion. It is very much like the Buddhist Rains Retreat (Pali Vassa).

Meat eating during the Holy Season?

We agree: Let animals live by not eating them.

Historically, abstinence from meat was a requirement on the days of the Lenten season, including Sunday, the "Lord's Day") [20]. In Eastern Christianity -- including Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Catholics, Eastern Lutherans, and Oriental Orthodox -- Great Lent is observed continuously without interruption for 40 days starting on Clean Monday and ending on Lazarus Saturday before Holy Week [21, 6] and the big finale of the real New Year's Day, Easter, the first day of spring (time of renewal, when the "son" rises after being as dead as the winter, as explained by Astrotheology). More

(Neo Dharmism) Study Christianity, Hinduism, find one shocking difference

In India, cremation ashes are called phool ("flowers"). They are collected from the pyre in a rite-of-passage called asthi sanchayana then dispersed. This signifies redemption of the dead in waters (like those of the "holy" Ganges or Jordan River) considered to be sacred and a closure for the living (Hinduism, Note 28).

American Pope's first Lent

Kendrick Lamar's Lefty Gunplay, Grammy Award winning LA Latino

Dr. Dre made mad money signing Eminem, so Kendrick adopted Lefty Gunplay (F. Scott Holladay)

(The Circle of Syndicates) Why the Mexican Mafia is hunting this LA rapper

(Comedy Caliente) You're full Mexican?!? | Melissa Villasenor

Viking berserkers got high first?

(HP) Christianity erased the truth, but the evidence remains: Viking "berserkers" were said to fight in a trance of unstoppable fury. Some historians believe this rage may have been triggered by psychoactive plants like henbane or hallucinogenic mushrooms. Seeds found in a Viking grave in Denmark suggest these substances were known and possibly used. Christians systematically destroyed much of the old pagan knowledge. This video explores the evidence behind one of Viking history’s strangest questions. More

What Ash Wednesday means | Beginning of Lent explained #ashwednesday #lent
Eds., Wisdom Quarterly; History Profiles, Feb. 13, 2026

Oldest Peace Walking monk 70 years old

Joe Biden: real body-double (Epstein Files)

Swiss TV host slams Israeli bobsled team. FCC chair blasts Stephen Colbert over censorship lies

(Dark Archive) The Epstein Files and the 100 most powerful figures tied up in them

Jeffrey Epstein did not die of hanging

Epstein worse than child raping cannibal: blackmailed those who joined him for Israel

(Investigative Insights TV)

Trump/Israel war on IRAN: At war with Satan

(LiveNow from FOX) [Bibi controlled] Trump inches closer to major war with Iran, report shows

No, you're satan! - But the Bible says you're Satan. - B*tch, you call me that again and I'll...

(Kim Iversen) Col. Wilkerson: "I watched Mossad [Jewish CIA of Israel] take over the Pentagon"

I give up, Bibi. Talked me into it. Greenland next

(The Young Turks) U.S.-Israel (satan, the "adversary") likely to launch full-blown war on Iran, as it appears imminent on the eve of Ramadan to incense passions and drawn in other Muslim majority countries to expend and delete more military hardware and human lives.

Too bad Trump is not a man of God, as his Protestant Evangelical boosters in America, Christian Zionists, proclaim. Or else he would stand up to Bibi Netanyahu, who recently paid his sixth public visit to our beloved dictator to advocate for an attack on Iran by the U.S. instead of peace like good Jesus (Saint Issa, the Prophet Isa) would want and himself do if he were still in Palestine.

(CJ Werleman) China vows to 'wipe out' Israel if Iran attacked, destroyed

Israel was recording everything at Trump's best friend Jeffrey Epstein's

Hillary Clinton, Epstein, Savannah Guthrie

Savannah Guthrie is a famous reporter whose mother was kidnapped (possibly to silence her)

Warmonger, Kissinger protege, crypto-Jewish Hillary Clinton

Dual Israeli-US citizenship no more: traitors

Venom, "At War with SATAN"; The Young Turks, 2/18/26 (Ramadan); Sky News Australia; Scott Rouse; Pfc. Sandoval, Shauna Schwartz, Seth Auberon, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Muslim month of Ramadan begins (Islam)

Fasting with the eyes means abstaining from temptation(s).

Fasting and celibacy during month of Ramadan explained | Omar Suleiman + Lex Fridman

(A Messy Classroom) All About Ramadan | Islamic history, Muslim

holiday, fasting tradition, Eid al-Fitr educational video

Sid, Krish, Mo, Josh, Aquaman, Lao Tzu, Joe

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm, not eating during daylight hours), communal prayer (salah), reflection, and community [5] -- and no sinning in general so "fasting" with the eyes as well. It is also the month during which the Quran is believed to have been revealed to the Islamic Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam [6] and lasts 29 to 30 days, from the sighting of the crescent moon to the next [7, 8]. More

Why don't Muslims ever depict the Prophet? (Everybody Draw Mohammed Day); Buddhism began with the same rule, and Judaism continues to avoid direct mention of their tribal god or the making of graven images and idols. When Buddhism began, the Buddha (the "Awakened One") was referred to with symbols of a Bodhi tree, lotus flower, or an empty chair (aniconism), and the first human depictions were from his hometown (outside of India that had the same prohibition on anthropomorphic images), that being the Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara (modern Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sakastan, Scythia).

(Global News) Time for higher consciousness, mindfulness, purification

The beauty of Islam

(BTN) It's amazing to learn about popular Islam, revealing many common motives with Buddhism

Omar Suleiman explains to Lex Fridman; A Messy Classroom; Global News; Pat Macpherson, Dhr. Seven, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly Wiki edit

Ashkenazi Jews' inbred DNA from incest?

(Hidden DNA Origins) Scientists can't explain why Ashkenazi Jewish DNA is so messed up

Rothschild bankers are Ashkenazi Jews?

We'll rule the world.

The Rothschild family is a wealthy European Ashkenazi Jewish "noble" banking family originally from Frankfurt, Germany.

The family's documented history starts in 16th-century Frankfurt; its name is derived from the family house, Rothschild, built by Isaak Elchanan Bacharach in Frankfurt in 1567.

The family rose to prominence with Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744–1812), a court factor to the German Landgraves of Hesse-Kassel in the Free City of Frankfurt, Holy Roman Empire, who established his banking business in the 1760s [2].

Yeah, we rule. He's my mentor and role model.

Unlike most previous court factors, Rothschild managed to bequeath his wealth and established an international banking family through his five sons [3], who established businesses in Paris, Frankfurt, London, Vienna, and Naples (Italy).

The family was elevated to "noble" rank in the Holy Roman Empire and the United Kingdom. The only subsisting branches of the family are the French and British ones [4, 5].

Bill: Hillary and Monica are both Jewish.

During the 19th century, the Rothschild family possessed the largest private fortune in the world, as well as in modern world history [6, 7, 8].

The Rothschild family dominated international finance in Europe between the 1820s and the 1870s, when their hegemony over European finance was [allegedly] broken [or went underground] by joint stock banks [9]. More