By Atma Tattva Das
Akhandadhi Das (Martin Fleming) opened the workshop with a summary of Vaishnava Vedanta and Sankhya metaphysics which could address the problematic gaps in current thinking about the interaction of the conscious agent, the mind and the brain.
The Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies (BIHS) made a significant achievement by participating in the University of Arizona’s Conference on Consciousness in Science, April 22 – 27, 2024. The event brought together researchers, philosophers, and scientists to explore the nature of consciousness and marked a significant moment for the devotee community. It reflects Srila Prabhupada’s vision of bridging Vedic wisdom and modern scientific inquiry.
Distinguished devotee scientists from BIHS were invited to lead a four-hour workshop on the opening day. The purpose was to introduce the unique perspectives found in the Srimad Bhagavatam and other Vedic scriptures to a diverse audience of researchers, philosophers, and scientists. Their participation indicates the growing acceptance of non-physicalist views on consciousness within the scientific community.
A member of the BIHS team in attendance was Drutakarma Dasa (Michael Cremo), a prolific author and researcher with BIHS who is known for his extensive body of work. Currently, he is leading a book club at BIHS, where they are discussing his book Human Devolution. He emphasizes the importance of this opportunity, stating, “We were not just attendees, but active participants in shaping the discourse around consciousness.” He further elaborated on the impact of their presence, saying, “We were there to demonstrate that our ideas are not only spiritually enriching but also intellectually rigorous and scientifically valuable.”
This sentiment was echoed by Akhandadhi Das (Martin Fleming), who is a former temple president of the Bhaktivedanta Manor. He currently leads the Science Philosophy Initiative, a parallel unit to the Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies, where he also serves on the board of directors. Additionally, he serves as the Content Director for the TOVP Science Museum. Akhandadhi is the presenter of the Atma Paradigm, a 30-hour series exploring the nature of the soul through science and Sankhya philosophy. “The Srimad Bhagavatam provides a precise description of the interactions between consciousness, mind, and matter,” he explained. “This is a great contribution to the interests of many researchers in this conference.”
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/bhaktivedanta-institute-for-higher-studies-joins-university-of-arizonas-conference-on-consciousness/
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