The most-valuable idea I have got from this book so far is that #consciousness could be an #emergent #property of #matter in the same way magnetic fields, for example, are an emergent property. I tend to lean toward #Idealism, in terms of what I would \*like to believe\*, but as a #dhamma practitioner I also appreciate the teachings of #dependent #origination, which says that mind and matter (namarupa) arise in dependence on each other and other phenomena. 1/2

https://bookwyrm.social/book/198456/s/waking-dreaming-being

Waking, Dreaming, Being - BookWyrm

A renowned philosopher of the mind, also known for his groundbreaking work on Buddhism and cognitive science, Evan Thompson combines the latest neuroscience research on sleep, dreaming, and meditation with Indian and Western philosophy of mind, casting new light on the self and its relation to the brain. Thompson shows how the self is a changing process, not a static thing. When we are awake we identify with our body, but if we let our mind wander or daydream, we project a mentally imagined self into the remembered past or anticipated future. As we fall asleep, the impression of being a bounded self distinct from the world dissolves, but the self reappears in the dream state. If we have a lucid dream, we no longer identify only with the self within the dream. Our sense of self now includes our dreaming self, the "I" as dreamer. Finally, as we meditate-either in the waking state or in a lucid dream-we can observe whatever images or thoughts arise and how we tend to identify with them as "me." We can also experience sheer awareness itself, distinct from the changing contents that make up our image of the self. Contemplative traditions say that we can learn to let go of the self, so that when we die we can witness its dissolution with equanimity. Thompson weaves together neuroscience, philosophy, and personal narrative to depict these transformations, adding uncommon depth to life's profound questions. Contemplative experience comes to illuminate scientific findings, and scientific evidence enriches the vast knowledge acquired by contemplatives.

☸️ With Mahāli (A free, 2-page sutta translation from 2018)

Tags: #Vipassana #Feeling #Origination #BuddhaQuotes
https://buddhistuniversity.net/content/canon/sn22.60

SN 22.60 Mahāli Sutta: With Mahāli

But because consciousness is painful—soaked and steeped in pain and not steeped in pleasure—sentient beings do grow disillusioned with it. Being disillusioned, desire fades away. When desire fades away they are purified. This is a cause and reason for the purification of sentient beings.

The Open Buddhist University

☸️ With Upavāna (A free, 1-page sutta translation from 2000)

Tags: #Feeling #BuddhaQuotes #Origination
https://buddhistuniversity.net/content/canon/sn12.26

SN 12.26 Upavāṇa Sutta: With Upavāna

Rather than saying “who” creates our suffering, the Buddha says “what” suffering (and views about it) depend on.

The Open Buddhist University

☸️ Sources (A free, 3-page sutta translation from 2018)

Tags: #BuddhaQuotes #Dharma #Origination #Imagery
https://buddhistuniversity.net/content/canon/sn12.60

SN 12.60 Nidāna Sutta: Sources

Fed and fuelled by that, the great tree would stand for a long time.

The Open Buddhist University

☸️ One Thing (A free, 1-page sutta translation from 2000)

Tags: #Samadhi #Origination #BuddhaQuotes #Life
https://buddhistuniversity.net/content/canon/sn46.29

SN 46.29 Ekadhamma Sutta: One Thing

Bhikkhus, I do not see even one other thing that, when developed and cultivated, leads to the abandoning of the things that fetter so effectively as this

The Open Buddhist University

☸️ The Body (A free, 4-page sutta translation from 2000)

Tags: #Origination #Mindfulness #BuddhaQuotes #Hindrances
https://buddhistuniversity.net/content/canon/sn46.2

SN 46.2 Kāya Sutta: The Body

…the sign of the beautiful: frequently giving careless attention to it is the nutriment for the arising of unarisen sensual desire…

The Open Buddhist University
Perceiving

Perceiving is the process by which evanescent sensations are linked to environmental cause and made enduring and coherent through the assignment of meaning, utility, and value.

The Open Buddhist University

☸️ Present (A free, 1-page sutta translation from 2018)

Tags: #Origination #BuddhaQuotes #Charity
https://buddhistuniversity.net/content/canon/an3.41

AN 3.41 Sammukhībhāva Sutta: Present

The faithful make merit when three factors are present.

The Open Buddhist University