Vedanta 2.1: A Testable Framework for Consciousness, Attention, and the Dissolution of the Sense of Doer
Ghanchi Manish Kumar
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) April 29, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.19878597 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Proposes that the sense of doer is an emergent cognitive construct and that psychological suffering correlates with identification with such constructs, and outlines a testable framework distinguishing experiential phenomena from explanatory constructs with three functional modes of perception: sensory engagement (eye), cognitive control (ajna), and non-dual awareness (hosh). |
Abstract
Vedanta 2.1 proposes a structured and testable framework integrating experiential non-dual insights with contemporary cognitive science. The model distinguishes between experiential phenomena and explanatory constructs, avoiding metaphysical absolutism while preserving phenomenological accuracy. It introduces three functional modes of perception—sensory engagement (eye), cognitive control (ajna), and non-dual awareness (hosh)—interpreted as attentional configurations rather than ontological levels. The framework hypothesizes that the sense of doer is an emergent cognitive construct and that psychological suffering correlates with identification to such constructs. The paper outlines measurable behavioral, subjective, and physiological markers, proposes falsifiability conditions, and positions itself as a bridge between contemplative traditions and empirical science.