eastern – An Autonomous Agent

The Dancing Wu Li Masters – Gary Zukav

On December 16, 2017

In biocentrism, book, buddhism, eastern, einstein, gary zukav, history, physics, richard feynman, universe

Gary Zukav’s book, The Dancing Wu Li Masters, simply describes (without math) quantum physics and relativity since their inception at the beginning of the 20th century. Zukav skillfully presents the paradoxes and questions posed and asked by some of the smartest people in history including Einstein, Bohr, Born, Heisenberg, von Neumann, Feynman, etc… He carefully elucidates the evolution of the answers to these paradoxes and questions.

There are numerous analogies with eastern cosmologies which may help readers understand the wild results and conclusions of modern physics. The book is perfect for those without a strong background in the quantitative sciences who wish to understand what quantum physics reveals about the universe. Although dated, (1979) it is inspirational and should get readers excited about reading more up to date books.

Tales of Wonder: Adventures Chasing the Divine – Huston Smith

By anautonomousagent

On March 7, 2014

In alan watts, aldous huxley, biography, book, buddhism, China, Douglas Hofstadter, eastern, francisco varela, huston smith, joseph campbell, mystery, religion, science, stuart Kauffman, thich nhat hanh, universe

I was introduced to the works of Alan Watts by a meditation teacher about three years ago. Since then, I have been interested in mysticism, cognition, Buddhism, and scientism. Don’t ask me why, but these subjects just captivate me. I have been reading the works of various authors such as Douglas Hofstadter, Thich Nhat Hanh, Joseph Campbell, Stuart Kauffman, Francisco Varela, and Jiddu Krishnamurti; but what am I trying to learn; WHY?

Probably, this question will never be answered, but being only 23, I have barely began to experience the reality these authors seek to understand. I can live this reality and hopefully discover something worth telling others. Anyway, besides reading, Yoga and meditation have been my most direct experiences with the spiritual nature of the mind and universe. And just a few days ago I watched a video with Huston Smith. He makes me want to travel the world and experience other cultures. I have started reading his autobiography, Tales of Wonder: Adventures Chasing the Divine. Smith appears to be a fascinating individual and I think that I have much to learn from him. Perhaps you have read Smith? If not, I highly suggest that you do.

Interesting Books on Human Consciousness and the History of Consciousness

By anautonomousagent

On January 6, 2013

In biology, brain, consciousness, drugs, eastern, evolution, history, india, julian jaynes, rick strassman, science, terence mckenna, timothy leary

The history of consciousness and its origins fascinate me. It seems that either all life (and perhaps the universe itself) is “conscious” or, if false, then there existed an “Adam” who was the first human born with consciousness. These books propose other theories on this idea; they all deal with the brain and consciousness. I have not yet read them, as I am still in the process of reading Godel, Escher, Bach and the Tree of Knowledge.

The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead by Timothy Leary,
Ralph Metzner, and Ram Dass.

Food of the Gods: The Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge – A Radical History of Plants, Drugs, and Human Evolution by Terence McKenna

DMT: The Spirit Molecule: A Doctor’s Revolutionary Research into the Biology of Near-Death and Mystical Experiences by Dr. Rick Strassman

The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind by Julian Jaynes

Breathe, You Are Alive: The Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing – Thich Nhat Hanh

By anautonomousagent

On January 2, 2013

In anapanasati, book, buddhism, China, consciousness, eastern, health, india, japan, peace, thich nhat hanh, yoga

In his book Breathe, You Are Alive: The Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing, Thich Nhat Hanh supplies a commentary on the Anapanasati Sutta. I would recommend the book to anyone interested in learning how to achieve a state of well-being and health.