Makaranda
Active Member
I have read Sams book Waking Up. As far as I can recall (I read it a couple of months ago), he sees great value in the introspective practices (mindfulness in Buddhism, self-enquiry in Vedanta) of the two traditions, but refuses to commit to any metaphysical claims from either of the religions. He goes about as far as agreeing with both re: the false notion of the ego, and criticises materialistic approaches to science\philosophy in so far as they ignore the efficacy of introspective practices for understanding (and improving) the subjective dimension of life. He is also much more open-minded to the "hard" problem of consciousness, unlike his colleagues (Dawkins and Dennett, et al.)
Apparently he has a rather long relationship with both Buddhism and Vedanta. He even sat at the feet of the renowned Advaita guru, Papaji, for a length of time, and from his words he seems to have a firm grasp of even very subtle teachings. In one chapter he lambasts Dennett for deeply misunderstanding the methodology of the Headless Way (an Advaita teaching method developed by Douglas Harding), which demonstrates both Sams intuitive grasp of the more cryptic pointers, and the total lack of it in the likes of Dennett who utterly discount the utility of non-conceptual forms of introspection.
I think he is quite brave for writing the book, since by not placing himself firmly in either camp (materialists or the traditions) he opens himself to criticism from both. He even seems rather spiritually advanced, since in his own words he describes the results of his meditations and the experience corroborates with descriptions of samadhi and the like. In my view, however, his scepticism actually places him at a disadvantage, since his refusal to accept the implications of the insights derived from his experience robs him of even greater benefits to be had from them. Which is to say, his experiences, though profound, have not removed his avidyA. Nice guy though
Also, I think Chopra is a fraud.
-Edited
Apparently he has a rather long relationship with both Buddhism and Vedanta. He even sat at the feet of the renowned Advaita guru, Papaji, for a length of time, and from his words he seems to have a firm grasp of even very subtle teachings. In one chapter he lambasts Dennett for deeply misunderstanding the methodology of the Headless Way (an Advaita teaching method developed by Douglas Harding), which demonstrates both Sams intuitive grasp of the more cryptic pointers, and the total lack of it in the likes of Dennett who utterly discount the utility of non-conceptual forms of introspection.
I think he is quite brave for writing the book, since by not placing himself firmly in either camp (materialists or the traditions) he opens himself to criticism from both. He even seems rather spiritually advanced, since in his own words he describes the results of his meditations and the experience corroborates with descriptions of samadhi and the like. In my view, however, his scepticism actually places him at a disadvantage, since his refusal to accept the implications of the insights derived from his experience robs him of even greater benefits to be had from them. Which is to say, his experiences, though profound, have not removed his avidyA. Nice guy though
Also, I think Chopra is a fraud.
-Edited
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