Great presentation. Mark Epstein, author Thoughts without a thinker’ is both and psychoanalyst and a practicing Buddhist and might argue that ‘transcendence’ is simply that, the recognition that there is no thinker behind the thoughts, only consciousnesses. This is not the model of transcendence in some Buddhist traditions of a long journey towards an eventual Nirvana. Similarly Sam Harris (who Julie might see as part of the problematic positive psychology movement) is a Dzogchen non-dual proponent who continually emphasises that there is only consciousness and its contents and that this reality, which is right under our noses, can be pointed towards with the right practices. This doesn’t cure our lack or suffering but it can ease the burden of it. There also seems to be lots of historical anecdotal evidence of long term meditators ‘experiencing’ a dropping away of the normal sense of an embodied self, as there can be when taking LSD, that may last seconds or even weeks, following a return to normal suffering but with a new insight. This might also be called a type of transcendence, that for a tiny minority might be achievable. Looking forward to your book.
I have watched a couple of your videos and find the content interesting. I myself have 20+ years of clinical experience as a psychologist working with people that have severe trauma: survivors of war, torture, sexual violence, etc. This video piqued my interest as I have also been practising Buddhism (mainly Vajrayana) for around 20 years. Is there any way to get in contact with Jason Ross? I would like to discuss some points with him.
Wonderful, thanks for sharing!
I spent fourteen years standing in the corner of a room holding up ornaments, but even being my best shelf wasn't enough to make me happy.
Wow, this hit close to home !
Great presentation. Mark Epstein, author Thoughts without a thinker’ is both and psychoanalyst and a practicing Buddhist and might argue that ‘transcendence’ is simply that, the recognition that there is no thinker behind the thoughts, only consciousnesses. This is not the model of transcendence in some Buddhist traditions of a long journey towards an eventual Nirvana. Similarly Sam Harris (who Julie might see as part of the problematic positive psychology movement) is a Dzogchen non-dual proponent who continually emphasises that there is only consciousness and its contents and that this reality, which is right under our noses, can be pointed towards with the right practices. This doesn’t cure our lack or suffering but it can ease the burden of it. There also seems to be lots of historical anecdotal evidence of long term meditators ‘experiencing’ a dropping away of the normal sense of an embodied self, as there can be when taking LSD, that may last seconds or even weeks, following a return to normal suffering but with a new insight. This might also be called a type of transcendence, that for a tiny minority might be achievable. Looking forward to your book.
I have watched a couple of your videos and find the content interesting. I myself have 20+ years of clinical experience as a psychologist working with people that have severe trauma: survivors of war, torture, sexual violence, etc. This video piqued my interest as I have also been practising Buddhism (mainly Vajrayana) for around 20 years. Is there any way to get in contact with Jason Ross? I would like to discuss some points with him.
You can google him
His facebook page