Secular Spirituality, The Science of Consciousness and the Illusion of Self
| Thomas Metzinger, Tenzin Namdak, Scott Snibbe | |
| 23 November 2024 | |
| 4:00 pm | |
| Online |
Join Geshe Tenzin Namdak, Thomas Metzinger and Scott Snibbe for a profound dialogue on Secular Spirituality, The Science of Consciousness, and the Illusion of Self. This online event, in partnership with Jamyang Buddhist Centre and several other partners (below), will explore the intersections between Buddhist philosophy and secular spirituality, focusing on key themes like consciousness, selfhood, and the potential for spiritual growth without religious belief.
Drawing on Metzinger’s philosophical work on the science of consciousness and Geshe Namdak’s deep understanding of Buddhist mind science, they will engage with the challenging concept of “no-self” and discuss how modern science and ancient wisdom can together reshape our understanding of spirituality in the 21st century.
This event offers a unique opportunity to reflect on whether spiritual practices can thrive outside traditional religious contexts and how both secular and contemplative traditions provide insights into consciousness and personal transformation. Perfect for those interested in philosophy, Buddhism, and the evolving nature of spirituality in today’s world.
About the Topics
Secular spirituality offers a path to personal transformation without relying on religious belief, encouraging inner growth through practices like mindfulness and contemplation. The science of consciousness explores how subjective experience arises from the brain, bridging the gap between philosophy and neuroscience. Meanwhile, the illusion of self, a central theme in both Buddhist philosophy and modern cognitive science, challenges our deeply held notion of a fixed identity. Together, these ideas invite us to re-examine who we are and how we relate to the world, offering profound insights into both spiritual and scientific inquiries.
About the Speakers
Geshe Tenzin Namdak
Initially an environmental researcher with a degree in hydrology from Van Hall Larenstein University, Geshe Namdak began studying Buddhism in 1993 and was ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He completed the 20-year Geshe program at Sera Jey Monastic University in 2017, followed by a year of Vajrayana studies at Gyume Tantric College in 2019, the first Westerner to do so. With a strong interest in science, he has organised various dialogues on contemporary science and ancient contemplative wisdom of the mind. Currently, he is the resident teacher at Jamyang Buddhist Centre, London, and teaches worldwide. His latest book, “Freedom Through Correct Knowing“, explores the path to liberation through understanding reality as it truly is.
Thomas Metzinger is a distinguished philosopher and cognitive scientist, renowned for his work in consciousness studies. Formerly a Professor of Theoretical Philosophy at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Metzinger has led prominent academic and research organisations, including the German Cognitive Science Society and the Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness. His widely acclaimed books, such as The Elephant and the Blind and The Ego Tunnel, explore the nature of self and mind. Metzinger is also a member of the European Commission’s Expert Group on AI ethics and the president of the Barbara Wengeler Foundation.
You can learn more about Thomas and access lots of his work for free on his website: thomasmetzinger.com, where you will find an open-access version of his book The Elephant and the Blind, which we recommend reading in preparation for the talk!
Scott Snibbe is the Executive Director of A Skeptic’s Path to Enlightenment, a nonprofit organization, author of How to Train a Happy Mind and podcast host, dedicated to teaching secular forms of analytical meditation. Snibbe is a longtime student of Tibetan Buddhism whose teachers include Geshe Ngawang Dakpa, Choden Rinpoche, Ven. Rene Feusi, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Gyumed Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Jampa, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Inspired by his teachers, he leads meditations that infuse the pure lineage of the great Buddhist masters with science, humour, and the realities of the modern world.
Partners
This event is organised in partnership with Jamyang London Buddhist Centre, Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom (FDCW), Nagarjuna Madrid, Instituto Lama Tsongkhapa (ILTK) and Mind Science Academy (MSA).
Registration
This event is open to all on donation, and registration is required. Please sign up on our Eventbrite page, by clicking the sign-up button below, to secure your spot and receive the English livestream link. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with leading thinkers on the cutting edge of spirituality, consciousness, and the self.
Translation
We are offering the event in English, with live translation into Spanish and Italian through our partners, Nagarjuna Madrid (Spanish) and Instituto Lama Tsongkhapa (Italian).
To access the live Spanish or Italian translations, you will need to register directly with our partners, Nagarjuna Madrid for Spanish and Instituto Lama Tsongkhapa for Italian. The sign-up links for to register in different languages will be provided soon.
Recordings
We will record the session in English, Spanish, and Italian, and share the recordings with attendees after the event. To receive the translated recordings, please ensure you register with our translation partners once the links are available.
