Conscious Life Expo 2026 (Feb. 20-23)

Los Angeles' massive annual spiritual bazaar pops up near LAX every February around Valentine's Day. The Conscious Life Expo presents cutting edge spiritual, scientific, health, and wellness information as well as life-changing experiences. Thousands of attendees flood into this annual event in Los Angeles, the City of [Lost] Angels. Join CLE's hundreds of speakers and exhibitors, vendors and gurus, whistleblowers and mystics, filling three floors of the LAX Hilton as everyone happily participates in the transformation of the world. (Tickets)

The Conscious Life Expo DISCOUNT TICKETS

KEYNOTE ADDRESSES: Ross Coulthart, Dr. Diane Hennacy, Dana Kippel, Koya Webb, Danny Goler, Rayan Raelsbek

SPECIAL EVENTS: Seances with Susan Slaughter, Astrology Symposium Forum, Disclosure Lunch, Plant Medicine Symposium, Live Play About Ascension, Hall of Healing

FEBRUARY 2026 SPEAKERS: Darryl Anka-Bashar, Elizabeth April, Linda Moulton Howe, Matias De Stefano, Robert Edward Grant, Sarah Breskman Cosme, Billy Carson, Althea Lucrezia Avanzo, Debbie Solaris, Ross Coulthart, Paul Hynek, Dr. Diane Hennacy, Jimmy Church, Stephen Bassett, Gail Thackray, Dr. Bryan Ardis, Riz Virk, Ismael Perez, Thomas Winterton, Adam Apollo, Megan SolarGlow, Daniel Sheehan, Caroline Cory, Tigo Bizzel, Sitara Fe, Dana Kippel, Koya Webb, Jason Martell, Danny Goler, Wendy Kennedy, Susan Slaughter, Rayan Raelsbek, Lisa Garr, Sondra Sneed, Sacha Stone, Dannion Brinkley, Oracle Maureen, Karyn Reece, The Nurse Medium Maureen St. Germain, Maverick Approach, Deep Prasad, Monique Guild, Dr. Clint G. Rogers, Blake Bauer, Maria Martinez, Melina Takvorian-Mishra, Jerry Sargeant, Fer Broca, Masati, Neil Gaur, Amy Robeson, Rissa Vibes, Deborah Stuart, Matt Young, Toni Ghazi, Michelle Dragon, Galaxy Starborn, Sarah Shook, Rebecca Dawson, Sid Goldberg, Yama Mitsu, Susanne Wilson, Master Clarice Chan, Emy Shanti, Marzcia Techau, A.L. Garris, Melissa Feick, Marilyn Gewacke, Drs. J.J. & Desiree Hurtak, Leigh Anne Harrison, Shima Moore, Opal Unicorn, Banafsheh Sayyad, Paget Kagy, Uri Lee, Dr. Sharnael Wolverton Sehon, Victoria Pippo, Paul Harris, Serena Wright Taylor, Cassandra Joan Butler, Guru Matthew John, Jerome Martin, Aurora Luna Star, Alan Steinfeld, Emily Harrison, Ken Lloyd, Bridgette, Eleonora, Delssy, Marisa Grieco, Blitz, Gold Porter, Marlu Harris, Carol Margaret Lowell, Dani Heise, Aurea Lara, Mary Buckingham, Anastasia Armanova, JJ Brighton, Eva Krom, Lori Spagna, Gary Kiss, Phil Wilson.

2026 POST-CONFERENCES: Bashar, Dr. Diane Hennacy, Ross Coulthart, Wendy Kennedy, Linda Moulton Howe, Sarah Breskman Cosme, Jerry Sargeant, Robert Edward Grant, Blake Bauer, Danny Sheehan, Billy Carson, Darryl Anka, Sylvie Sterling, Toni Ghazi, Anthony Kalask, Ken Lloyd, Master Clarice Chan, Tracee Dunblazier, Gail Thackray, The Nurse Medium, Brandy Weld, Koya Webb, Astrology Symposium, Entheogenic Medicine Symposium, Plant Medicine Symposium.

2026 LECTURES: Tracee Dunblazier, Mike Ricksecker, Debra Guisti, Michelle Freed, Drs. J.J. & Desiree Hurtak, Debbi Dachinger, Jos Daniel, David Palmer, Dr. Sharnael Wolverton Sehon, Ashlee DiSalvo, Opal Unicorn, John Klug, Neil Gaur, Paget Kagy, Sandra Biskind, Dr. Christopher McLaine, Gina Vance, Suzanne Ross, Naoko Tamada, Renee Baribeau, Donna Pombriant, Maria Martinez, Dr. Q Moyad, Brian Besco, Galaxy Starborn, Guru Matthew John, Keith Seland, Jane Masteller, Kathleen Ball, Adrienne Bawa, Paul Harris, Dick Larson, Anya Starlight, Jacob Hoy, Jose Zambrano, Oracle Maureen, Helen Plehn, Unicole Unicron, Melissa Winterton, Jim Ohneck, Stan Kurtz, Terry Brussel-Rogers, Sylvie Sterling, Joanna Espinosa, Stacey Shell, Pamela Nicolas, Ken Lloyd, Marzcia Techau, Margarit Mane' Yetaryn, Masati, Deborah Stuart, A.L. Garris, Rehmannia Dean Thomas, Aurea Lara, Gaia Mariana, Melissa Feick, Yama Mitsu, Bruce White Feather, Carmen Froment, Denea Hugunin, Brent Bruning, Matt Young, Douglas Taylor, Nguyet "Moon" Nguyen, Andy Hnilo, Uri Lee, Douglas Sutton, Mayra Rath, Amy Starseed, Katarina Reyes, Maria Eleonora Magdalena, Samuel Kiwasz, Papa-Yoni Das, Shahin Jedian, Barbie Godoy, Khorsian Blanc-Ridings, Maureen St. Germain, Tom Kerber, Mark Kohl, Kathleen Lee, Marlu Harris, Carol Margaret Lowell, Dr. Darrell Wolfe, Dr. Har Hari Khalsa, Carolin Hauser & Tim Nelsen, Dr. Luke Cua, Linda Canary, Michelle Watkins, Sanjay Soni, Larry Oberau, Chris Bradley, Matt Alexander, Melissa St. Hilaire, Ewa Zender, Sy Wind, Raffaele Gianfrancesco, Antoinette Rootsdawtah, Kathleen Gildred, Krissy Colasonno, Rebecca Vindenoff, Naya Cosmic, Tanjila Islam, Monique Franceschini, Medizen Mama, Wendy Reitz, Gary Kiss, Kommany Angelstar, Phil Wilson, Melina Takvorian-Mishra, Jason Schmidt, Mona Loring, Roy Abadi, Jerry Sargeant, Janelle Corpuz, Anistara Ma Ka, Apu Adman & Zanny Morales, Marta Maria Marraccini, Shamananda Lee, Brahmachari Luciano, Tecpati Mictlantecuhtli, Abi Ferrin & Txana Tuwe, Irene Schulz, Jason Stiles, Tamika Aaron, Seadar Green, Jenna Lee, Chris Shelton, Tammy Lynn Calderon, Victoria Shaw, Leslie Zerman, Amy Sikarskie, You?

• consciouslifeexpo.com

Plants are conscious, emit sounds, TALK

The Secret Life of Plants

Talk to plants? While we may not be able to hear them, plants could very well be talking back. [Perhaps they are not great listeners, after all, but they are conscious enough to "speak"]. They talk all the time and especially if they are having a bad day. (Did we forget to water them again?) For the first time in the world, Tel Aviv University (TAU) researchers recorded and analyzed sounds distinctly emitted by plants. The click-like sounds, resembling the snap of popcorn, are emitted at a volume similar to human speech but at higher frequencies, beyond the hearing range of the human ear.

Professors Yosi Yovel and Lilach Hadany (TAU)

Researchers: "We found that plants usually emit sounds when they are under stress, and that each plant and each type of stress is associated with a specific identifiable sound. [That is a distinctive mark of speech rather than just sound making.] While imperceptible to the human ear, the sounds emitted by plants can probably be heard by various animals, such as bats, mice, and insects." More

• Science already knew plants "communicate" with chemical signals and scents (VOAs) through roots, leaves, stems:

(Anton Petrov) Mind blowing: plants 'talking' to each other in real time

Listen to sound plants make when 'stressed'

Indian scientist Bose proved it

(The Independent) April 3, 2023: Plants emit [high pitched] sounds when they are "stressed," a group of scientific researchers has discovered.

A team at Tel Aviv University in Israel recorded and analyzed click-like sounds resembling the popping of popcorn. They found that the sounds plants emitted are at a volume similar to human speech, but humans cannot hear them due to the high frequency.

• Sounds emitted by plants under stress are airborne and informative: Cell
• Science & Astronomy | Israel decoded plant communication signals — hearing trees scream during drought | Facebook
• Plants emit sounds – especially when stressed | Tel Aviv University
• Indian botanist Cambridge at JC Bose on the Secret Life of Plants (SRF)
• VIDEO: Plants are CONSCIOUS, scientist J.C. Bose proved
• Who was visionary Indian scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose?
• Paramhansa Yogananda revealed Bose's plant research in his bestselling classic Autobiography of a Yogi (Chapter 8)

Stone, metal, mineral, crystal are all conscious.

"Each plant and each type of stress is associated with a specific identifiable sound.

"While imperceptible to the [ordinary] human ear, the sounds emitted by plants can probably be heard by various [naturally more sensitive] animals, such as bats, mice, and insects," the researchers said.

Jump straight to Chapter 8 to hear about JC Bose's plant research

Prof. Yosi Yovel and Prof. Lilach Hidany on their scientific findings

Meditation? How conscious are plants?

Sujata helped Siddhartha become the Buddha because she thought he was a tree spirit.

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Journeys with Plant Spirits

Meditation journeys with specific plant and tree spirits? Yes, Mugwort, Rosemary, Dandelion, Yew, Elder, and Wormwood do it. How can we [humans] achieve a calm mind, cleanse our energy fields, and connect with our hearts in preparation for meditating with plants?

Journeys with Plant Spirits includes a progressive series of introductory meditations, adapted from ancient wisdom traditions, to lay the foundation for working with plant spirits.

Emma Farrell explains how to take a connection and relationship with Nature to a deeper level to access plant spirit healing through meditation with plants.

Dryad (tree spirit) lives in tree

Exploring the nature of plant consciousness and how plants perceive, she details how to achieve a calm mind, cleanse an energy field, and connect with heart in preparation for meditating with plants and trees [dryads], showing how the plants can support us not only in the cleansing process but also in teaching us how to sense what is in our energy field.

Offering a progressive series of preparatory meditations adapted from shamanic and indigenous wisdom traditions, the author reveals how to lay the foundation for communicating, working, and developing relationships with plant and tree spirits -- for spiritual connection, personal development, and inner peace.

She then presents meditation journeys with specific plant spirits, focusing on the frequencies within the plant’s bioresonance that can assist us.

Siddhartha awakened with the help of a Tree.

For example, meditation with Mugwort works with the plant spirit’s qualities of alignment and self-awareness to assist with grounding and developing inner vision, whereas Dandelion helps break old habits by working with the plant’s qualities of release, reconnection, and fearlessness.

Each plant is an expression of the spiritual force of Mother Nature and carries a unique blend of her medicine and wisdom. This book details step-by-step how to effectively work with plant spirits for emotional and spiritual healing, enabling us to awaken spirit to become truly multidimensional and whole. More

• The Secret Life of Plants: A Fascinating Account of the Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Relations Between Plants and Man – Revolutionary Science on Botanical Consciousness (by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird)

ABOUT: The Independent: making change happen. The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking news brand, providing global news, commentary, and analysis for the independently-minded. Connect with The Independent (published in Britain): Check out full video catalog: theindependent. Videos, daily editorials, and more: theindy.com. Watch more videos at the Independent TV: independent.co.uk/tv/edit... Subscribe to Independent.

• Yosi Yovel, Lilach Hidany, U of Israel (english.tau.ac.il/plants_emit_sounds); The Independent (UK); Anton Petrov; Emma Farrell; Dhr. Seven, Kalyani, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation) (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Kundalini Syndrome: Third Eye or Schizo?

The Third Eye, Schizophrenia, and Kundalini Syndrome: I wasn’t ready for that level of manifestation

The third eye is the sixth chakra

(Eye Opening) In this video, I share my personal experience of a spiritual emergency, a spiritual crisis, kundalini syndrome, or psychic trauma (however one wishes to label it) that happened not too long after I had a life-changing experience of my third eye suddenly opening.

• The seven main chakras along the spine are nexus points associated with different areas of life, the lower three being rooted to the earth in the body, the heart being the centered transitional point, and the upper three "spiritual" spinning energy wheels, which is the literal meaning of chakra. The lowest is survival (lum), the next is sexual (vum), the third is digestion and assimilation (rum); the fourth is the heart (yum), a green-hued area vibrating frequency; the fifth is the throat (hum) about expression and speaking our truth; the sixth is the most famous, the third eye (aum or om) between the brows; the seventh is silent at the crown of the head, full release.

I ended up hospitalized for a week, heavily medicated, and diagnosed with "schizophrenia" and "bipolar disorder" ["mania"]. I am neither of those.

Western medicine doesn't know how else to label what was happening to me. I was simply having a spiritual awakening and did not have any guidance, so I slipped into fear.

The intention of this video is to give some advice so that others do not have to go through what I did.

Quotes from and suggested readings:

• Kundalini Rising: Exploring the Energy of Awakening (affiliate link)
• Living with Kundalini: Autobiography of Gopi Krishna (affiliate link)
• Spiritual Emergency: When Personal Transformation Becomes a Crises (affiliate link).

Check out this life-changing third eye experience I had, with accompanying quotes from masters and spiritual texts:

• The Eye Opening: Enlightenment is Possible (affiliate link)
• Audiobook now available: audible.com/pd/B09WCJWD1S.

Suggested video

• A Third Eye Experience: How it Opened and Revealed the Love-Light in Everything • My Third Eye Opened: How it Happened and i...

#kundalini #spiritualawakening #spiritualquotes #newage #raiseyourvibration #enlightenment #eyeopening #thirdeye #ajnachakra

• Eye Opening, Nov. 1, 2023; Vanessa, Dhr. Seven, Crystal Q. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

US not going to church, cellphones say

Americans exaggerate how often they actually go to church

I'm the most religious of all. - Touch it. - No.

(ReligionForBreakfast) New research using smartphone location data reveals a massive gap between how often Americans say they attend religious services and how often they actually do.

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:43 Problems with self-reported surveys
• 2:20 How the smartphone study worked
• 5:12 The results

[Cellphones are spying on me, my location, activities, and every single thing we say in private like wearing a wire for The Man even when we think the phones are off?] Are surveys wrong? Are memories fuzzy?

Here's what the data really shows about religion in America.

Why Buddhism accepts other religions (while others do not)

(Buddha's Wisdom) Why Buddhism accepts OTHER religions (while others do not)

(Buddha's Wisdom) 🔍 BUDDHISM: THE WORLD'S MOST ACCEPTING RELIGION? In a world of religious conflict and division, one spiritual tradition does something revolutionary. It welcomes them all.

Discover how the historical Buddha's radical approach to religious and spiritual acceptance changed history forever and why this solution might be exactly what our divided world needs today.

This is the story of how the Buddha's Dharma or "Doctrine" built bridges while others built walls. DISCOVER:

• Why the Buddha shocked religious leaders with his revolutionary approach
• How ancient temples prove Buddhism's unique acceptance of other faiths
• The surprising reason other religions couldn't follow the Buddha's path
• How Buddhist ideas strengthened other religious traditions [particularly what came to be known as Hinduism, derived from the Vedic and Brahminical religions of proto-India]
• Why modern scientists are fascinated by Buddhism's inclusive approach
• Why companies the world over implement "mindfulness" (sati) training courses

🎬 TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00 The most accepting religion?
• 02:05 Pattern of history
• 04:26 The defense of faith
• 06:42 Buddha's revolutionary move
• 08:52 Mind-blowing success
• 11:57 The Buddhist secret
• 14:47 Challenge

👋 New to Buddha's Wisdom? Subscribe for fresh perspectives on ancient wisdom and modern living. Hit the notification bell to join growing community of truth-seekers. AI was used? Yes, it was. LINKS: Instagram: buddhaswizdom, Facebook: buddhaswizdom. Support: buymeacoffee.com/buddhaswisdom.

#Buddhism #spirituality #religion #interfaith #BuddhistWisdom #meditation #philosophy #peace #unity #religiousharmony #mindfulliving #spiritualgrowth #Enlightenment #Wisdom #Faith #AcceptanceAndInclusion #ReligiousUnderstanding #BuddhistPhilosophy #SpiritualJourney #InnerPeace

Join Patreon community: religionforbreakfast. Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images and Reuters. SPONSOR: Compare news coverage. Spot media bias. Avoid algorithms. Try Ground News today and get 40% off subscription by going to ground.news/religionforbreakfast.

• Religion for Breakfast, March 27, 2025; Buddha's Wisdom, Jan. 8, 2025; Amber Larson, Pat Macpherson, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Dr. B. Long: life after death proof, NDEs

Best evidence for life after death: World's largest NDE study revealed | Jeffrey Long

(Danny Jones) June 17, 2024: Danny Jones Podcast. Watch all episodes uncensored and ad-free on Patreon: dannyjones.

Dr. Jeffrey Long is a medical doctor specializing in the practice of radiation oncology, using radiation to treat cancer. Long has conducted the world's largest study of Near-Death experiences (NDEs) which includes over 4,000 experiencers.

OUTLINE

• 00:00 - Scientific evidence of near-death experiences (NDEs)
• 08:56 - The problem with researching NDEs
• 20:46 - Near death experience vs. fear death experience
• 23:19 - Are NDEs religious?
• 34:54 - Scientific evidence of reincarnation
• 42:10 - How NDEs change people
• 47:11 - NDEs give people superpowers
• 52:58 - DMT vs. NDEs
• 01:05:19 - Consciousness during cardiac arrest
• 01:11:09 - Blind people regaining vision during NDE
• 01:21:00 - Remembering NDEs
• 01:25:07 - Death bed visions
• 01:31:14 - Shared higher consciousness
• 01:35:23 - Hellish NDEs

FOLLOW DANNY JONES:/ dannyjones / jonesdanny. LISTEN ON Spotify - open.spotify.com/show/4VTLG0H... Apple - itunes.apple.com/podcast/id14...

SPONSORS: cutsclothing.com - Refine style with ‪@cutsclothing‬ and get 20% off with code DANNY. shopmando.com - Control Body Odor ANYWHERE and get $5 off of Starter Pack. That’s over 40% off with promo code DANNY whiterabbitenergy.com/?ref=DJP - Use code DJP for 20% off EPISODE LINKS x.com/4nderf, nderf.org.

• Dr. Bryan Long, Danny Jones (Danny Jones Podcast); Pat Macpherson, Dhr. Seven, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

The Conference for Human Evolution (1/24)

2025 CONFERENCE

TCCHE is now an annual conference

Imagine 3 days of talks providing the tools to develop consciousness with worldclass speakers like Gregg Braden, Bruce H. Lipton, Marianne Williamson, Anita Moorjani, Rev. Michael Beckwith, Dr. JJ and Dr. Desiree Hurtak.

• Previous 2024 Conscious Evolution event

The Lost Science of Prayer and Prophecy

Imagine no more. This January, from the 24th to 26th at Wyndham San Diego Bayside, California, join in on a journey from science to spirituality.

Combining science, the humanities, spirituality, and mysticism will unlock the power of consciousness.

TCCHE (The Conference for Consciousness and Human Evolution) creates programs that bring together the latest breakthroughs in science, bestselling authors, and spiritual teachers.

The Wisdom Codes: Rewire Brains and Heal Hearts

Hi, I'm Gregg with two gs.

Each year, TCCHE creates a special program looking into the mysteries of human consciousness. It invites leading scientists, bestselling authors, philosophers, and people who have had "mystical" experiences to talk at the unique three-day event.

In the 1930s, when he was alive, Albert Einstein was a pretty interesting person; however, there are new "Einsteins" on the planet now: scientists, humanitarians, and visionaries shaping the thoughts that will lead individuals and societies into tomorrow.

Find your tribe

Join us and a group of likeminded people as we travel through the latest scientific discoveries, then move into the humanities, human potential, and metaphysics.

Finally, at the end on the third day, there will be talks about the future of humans, the mystical experience, and human connection beyond the five senses available to explore. Meet the speakers:... More: TCCHE San Diego 2025 - TCCHE

Science or spirituality: frequencies?

The first ever scientist to explain how to shift into higher frequencies?

(Video Advice) July 23, 2024: Discover the potential of higher frequencies with Robert Edward Grant, who might be the first scientist to explain this groundbreaking concept. In this enlightening video, distinguished polymath and innovator Grant unveils the scientific methods to elevate our personal frequency and thereby transform our reality.

(Video Advice) MichaelTellinger.com

• Website: robertedwardgrant.com
• Connect with Robert: YouTube: @robert_edward_grant
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertedwar...
• Facebook: robertedwardgrant
• Books: https://robertedwardgrant.com/store/#...
• Courses: robertedwardgrant.com/courses

Deep Dive: Monroe's Gateway Process

Deep Dive: The Gateway Process

(Nightshade) A deep dive into the declassified document about the “Gateway Process,” a training program devised to – among other things – achieve altered states of consciousness, out-of-body-experiences, and remote viewing.

TIMELINE

• 0:00 Gateway sample
• 00:30 I. Introduction – 1.1 Intro, Disclaimer
• 02:18 1.2 Basic Premise
• 03:40 1.3 Other techniques
• 07:12 II. Gateway Premise
• 08:09 2.1 Lamp vs. Laser
• 09:24 2.2 Frequency-Following-Response
• 11:28 2.3 Resonance II
• 13:37 2.4 Energy Entrainment
• 13:57 III. Consciousness and Energy
• 16:01 3.1 Science of Holograms
• 17:52 3.2 The Consciousness Matrix
• 21:18 IV. The “Fun Part” – 4.1 Time and Space
• 26:24 4.2 Intervening Dimensions
• 30:41 V. The Bigger Picture – 5.1 From Big Bang to Torus
• 33:50 5.2 Quality of Consciousness
• 35:45 VI. The actual Gateway Methods – 6.1 The Tapes
• 37:56 6.2 Advanced Techniques
• 38:41 Problem Solving
• 40:43 Color Breathing
• 41:24 Energy Bar Tool
• 42:14 Remote Viewing
• 42:32 Time Travel
• 43:42 Out-of-Body Movement
• 45:43 6.3 The Role of REM sleep
• 47:12 VII. The Mystery of Missing Page 25
• 50:34 VIII. Further Notes
• 52:39 Outro

Vice articles

• vice.com/en/article/7k9qa...
• vice.com/en/article/v7e4g...

Fractal background footage (by Trippy Everything):

• [4K] Psychedelic Fractal Therapy - Ge...
• Age of Wonder (Experimental Short Film)
• Channel: / @trippyeverythingvisuals

Music: “A playlist to make you feel like you’re floating beyond the atmosphere” by nobody • a playlist to make you feel like you'... Channel: / @nobodyplaylists

Including the following songs (chronological):

• Cosmos 'slowed + reverb' - Hazy スカイ 'slowed + reverb' - Scapes Mist - Ellia dunn Emphasis. - Kqejo Silence - Les Celestial dreams - Chilled piano panda Growing pains - Venus thief Held breeze - Mount shrine Former comfort - Les Dawn perspective - Andrew lahiff You will never find me - Tre flip Freeze i - Chihei hatakeyama Moon ending - Chilled piano panda Ghost with a tail - Tre flip
• Let Nightshade know if this kind of long-form content is enjoyable. They're more time and labor intensive, but Nightshade enjoys going down a fascinating rabbit hole and sharing interests.
• Nightshade, May 8, 2023; Pat Macpherson, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Terrence Howard, Joe Rogan, and rebuttal

Explaining √2 comments, other theories

Joe Rogan #2152 - Terrence Howard

(PowerfulJRE) May 18, 2024: Terrence Howard is an actor of stage and screen lauded for his work in "Crash," "Iron Man," "Empire," and "Shirley," as well as a musician and researcher in the fields of logic and engineering. terryslynchpins.com

Top chemist responds to these statements

Terrence Howard explains his √2 comments and other theories

(JRE Clips) May 18, 2024: JRE #2152 w/Terrence Howard YouTube: • Joe Rogan Experience #2152 - Terrence...Joe Rogan Experience #2152 - Terrence... JRE on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4rOoJ6E...

• Sheldon S., Seth Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Mindfulness: Is West ruining Buddhism?

Is the West ruining Buddhism?

(Corey Campbell) Buddhism is increasingly popular in the West, but are we burying its moral foundations in favor of a more individualistic and mass-marketed version of spirituality?

Further reading:

• Why Buddhism is True
• Why I am not a Buddhist
• Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion
• Corey Campbell, Dec. 2, 2022; Pat Macpherson, Dhr. Seven, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Science: inside the meditating brain (video)

Big Think, 9/13/18; Dhr. Seven and Amber Larson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

X-ray of Otzi's brain in skull, Iceman found in situ in Alps, frozen for five thousand years.

The 14th Dalai Lama with Rajneesh Kasturirangan, Geshe Thupten Jinpa, and American neuroscientist Dr. Richard Davidson at the Mind and Life Institute XXVI conference in 2013.

Superhumans: The remarkable brain waves of high-level meditators | Big Think

Meditation science: American Neuroscientist Richard J. Davidson (richardjdavidson.com)

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(Big Think) People [such as Buddhist monastics] who have meditated for thousands of hours exhibit a remarkable difference in their brainwaves.

Psychologist Dr. Daniel Goleman says we can actually see what happens in the heads of those who have achieved "enlightenment," and the results are unprecedented in science.

Author Daniel Goleman (danielgoleman.info)

ABOUT: Dr. Daniel Goleman (info) is an Amherst and Harvard-educated psychologist, lecturer, and science journalist. He has reported on the brain and behavioral sciences for The New York Times for many years. His 1995 book, Emotional Intelligence (Bantam Books) was on The New York Times bestseller list for a year and a half. Dr. Goleman is also the author of Ecological Intelligence: How Knowing the Hidden Impacts of What We Buy Can Change Everything. The book argues that new information technologies will create “radical transparency,” allowing us to know the environmental, health, and social consequences of what we buy. As shoppers use point-of-purchase ecological comparisons to guide their purchases, market share will shift to support steady, incremental upgrades in how products are made -- changing everything for the better. His latest book is Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body, which he co-authored with Dr. Richard Davidson, reveals the science of what meditation can really do for us, as well as exactly how to get the most out of it.

.

TRANSCRIPT

Edited for clarity by Wisdom Quarterly, 9/16/23

Dr. Richard Davidson, U of Wisconsin

DANIEL GOLEMAN: My co-author of the book Altered Traits is neuroscientist Richard Davidson, whose lab is at the University of Wisconsin.

It’s a very large lab with dedicated scanners. He has about 100 people working there, and he was able to do some remarkable research where he flew Olympic-level meditators, who live in Nepal or India [e.g., Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche] typically, some in France [e.g., Matthieu Ricard].

He flew them over to the lab and put them through a protocol in his brain scanners and did state-of-the-art tests. And the results were just astounding. We found, for example, or he found that their brain waves are really different.

Altered Traits (Dan Goleman, Dick Davidson)

Perhaps the most remarkable findings in the Olympic-level meditators has to do with what’s called a gamma [brain] wave.

All of us get gamma for a very short period when we solve a problem we’ve been grappling with, even if it’s something that’s vexed us for months. We get about a half-second of gamma; it’s the strongest wave on the EEG [electro encephalograph] spectrum.

We get it when we bite into an apple or imagine biting into an apple, and for a brief period, a split-second, inputs from taste, sound, smell, vision, all of that come together in that imagined bite into the apple. But that lasts very short period in an ordinary EEG.

What was stunning was that the Olympic-level meditators, these are people who have done up to 62,000 lifetime hours of meditation, their brainwave shows gamma very strong all the time as a lasting trait just no matter what they’re doing.

It’s not a state effect. It’s not during their meditation alone. But it’s just their everyday state of mind. We actually have no idea what that means experientially.

Science has never seen it before. We also find that in these Olympic-level meditators when we asked them, for example, to do a meditation on compassion, their level of gamma jumps 700 to 800 percent in a few seconds. This has also never been seen by science.

So we have to assume that the special state of consciousness that you see in the highest-level meditators is a lot like something described in the classical meditation literatures centuries ago, which is that there is a state of being which is not like our ordinary state.

Sometimes it’s called liberation, enlightenment, awake, whatever the word may be. We suspect there’s really no vocabulary that captures what that might be.

The people that we’ve talked to in this Olympic-level group say it’s very spacious, and you’re wide open, you’re prepared for whatever may come. We just don’t know.

But we do know it’s quite remarkable. More

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