There is growing scientific interest in advanced meditation, and particularly the Theravada Buddhist advanced concentrative absorption meditation known as jhana (ACAM-J). ACAM-J includes a series of eight consecutive meditative states, which are radically altered states of consciousness. The neuroscience of ACAM-J, specifically brain reorganization, remains underspecified in part due to the...
Vipassana, an ancient meditation technique taught by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), has been practiced for over 2,500 years as a path to wisdom and liberation. In the context of modern life, which is filled with stress and distractions, the application of Vipassana as a tool for enhancing mental and physical well-being has gained increasing attention1. This study explores Vipassana’s profound...
Shambhala is a mystical kingdom in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, a centre of spiritual and philosophical discourse. It focuses on Pema's quest in Nepal. It examines the symbolic and thematic features present in the film Shambhala, directed by Min Bahadur Bham. The film, which delves deeply into the protagonist's private and spiritual journey, projects the search for meaning and identity. A...
This paper introduces function alignment, a novel theory of mind and intelligence that is both intuitively compelling and structurally grounded. It explicitly models how meaning, interpretation, and analogy emerge from interactions among layered representations, forming a coherent framework capable not only of modeling minds but also of serving as a blueprint for building them. One of the key...
Self-transcendence has been extensively studied and discussed among scholars, both theoretically and empirically. However, further academic inquiry into self-transcendent experiences (STEs), particularly their nature, religious implications, and spiritual benefits, is still needed. This paper undertakes a qualitative exploration of the topic, phenomenologically analyzing the author’s...
This study delves into how the Bhagavad Gita serves as a guiding framework for sustainable leadership and organizational sustainability through self-transcendence. It emphasizes key concepts in the Gita that involves rising above ego-driven desires and personal ambitions to embrace a higher purpose. The study highlights how the core teachings of the Gita, including nishkama karma (selfless...
Is it possible to articulate a conception of consciousness that is compatible with the exotic characteristics of contemporary, disembodied AI systems, and that can stand up to philosophical scrutiny? How would subjective time and selfhood show up for an entity that conformed to such a conception? Trying to answer these questions, even metaphorically, stretches the language of consciousness to...
While the beneficial impacts of meditation are increasingly acknowledged, its underlying neural mechanisms remain poorly understood. We examined the electrophysiological brain signals of expert Buddhist monks during two established meditation methods known as Samatha and Vipassana, which employ focused attention and open monitoring technique. By combining source-space magnetoencephalography...
In today's fast-paced world, mindfulness practice offers a peaceful way to enhance awareness and find clarity in the mind. This practice, rooted in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, aims to achieve spiritual enlightenment. In the late 20th century, mindfulness was adapted into secular, evidence-based therapeutic interventions in the West, leading to its widespread inclusion in healthcare,...
This study examines how the Japanese writer Furui Yoshikichi engages with Western mystical experiences, particularly through his reading of Martin Buber’s Ecstatic Confessions and his broader engagement with Meister Eckhart and medieval German mysticism. Furui’s literary inquiry revolves around the inherent tension between the ineffability of mystical experiences and their articulation through...