A Conscious Universe? - Dr Rupert Sheldrake

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The sciences are pointing toward a new sense of a living world. The cosmos is like a developing organism, and so is our planet, Gaia. The laws of Nature may be more like habits. Partly as a result of the ‘hard problem’ of finding space for human consciousness in the materialist worldview, there is a renewed interest in panpsychist philosophies, according to which some form of mind, experience or consciousness is associated with all self-organizing systems, including atoms, molecules and plants. Maybe the sun is conscious, and so are other stars, and entire galaxies. If so, what about the mind of the universe as a whole? Rupert Sheldrake will explore some of the implications of this idea.
Rupert Sheldrake is a biologist and author of more than 85 scientific papers, and was named among the top 100 Global Thought Leaders for 2013. He studied natural sciences at Cambridge University, where he was a Scholar of Clare College, took a double first class honours degree and was awarded the University Botany Prize in 1963. Dr Sheldrake then studied philosophy and the history of science at Harvard before returning to Cambridge, where he took a Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1967.
He is the author of 13 books, and in 2012 he published ‘The Science Delusion’. This book examines the ten dogmas of modern science, and shows how they can be turned into questions that open up new vistas of scientific possibility. It received the Book of the Year Award from the British Scientific and Medical Network. His most recent book: ‘Ways To Go Beyond, And Why They Work’ was published in 2019, and looks at seven spiritual practices that are personally transformative and have scientifically measurable effects. You can keep up to date with Rupert’s work on his website: www.sheldrake.org.
Links:
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- Rupert’s website: sheldrake.org/
- Rupert’s books: amzn.to/2Gbvijy

[Hank Chinaski]

find it very encouraging that about 400K people are willing to listen to a Rupert Sheldrake lecture on consciousness. Perhaps there is still some hope for humans......

[Mark Pogo]

Only if we stop our habits and consciously choose our path

[maureen mannion]

Thanks for noting that. It's very encouraging.

[PETER MIHA CERAR]

Well dear doctors of doctor world. We have known this for.... peace Like it matters!

[Frank Mangiapane]

Maybe so.

[Truth]

I feel like you missed the whole message if you lack faith in anything. Whatever’s meant to be will be

[GES SWA]

An amazing direct transmission! No notes, compelling, comprehensive and convincing. Bravo Prof for your brilliance in the way you simplify a multidimensional complexity.

[Wabh]

Well done the feeling is mutual....

[Jason White]

My father was a believer in hard science. He was basically a rocket engineer. He had no time for spirituality and thought it hogwash. He was quite surprised when his mother and brother would come and visit him while his body failed due to cancer. They both passed away years earlier. He described to me some of his experiences, and he had all the classic hits, too. He experienced time phenomenon, he would swear he was somewhere else for days when he never left his bed. There was a distinct "guide" that was with him. Dad didn't like him. He manifested as a security guard and wouldn't let my dad leave, even pulled a gun on him once. He had visitations from deceased family members. He was calm. Very calm for understanding his situation. He didn't want to die but there was no panic in him at all. He knew he was going to die. In 45 years it was the only time he ever called just to talk. He knew.... Anyhow if a man like my father can have the classic near death experience, that tells me there is something else going on. As well, i had a desperate urge to get a haircut. I probably get one every 3 to 6 months. I drove across town to the only barber I could find, I was just determined. My dad called me less than a minute after I left the barber. It was a video call. He never did that before and ad I said it was probably only the third time he called in 45 years.There are things in the Universe we don't understand and just don't perceive in our daily lives, but they are there. There is something that connects us, I know. It made me get a haircut.

[Hellybelle5]

That's so lovely 😊 We have to practice listening, and following the promptings 😊

[Tina S]

Thank you for writing this

[Caroline Loop]

This comment deserves a thousand likes

[frusia123]

Hi Jason, I'm sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing this story.

[going home]

Why does he call himself a doctor? This has absolutely nothing to do with science.

[sandra lewis]

Dr Sheldrake is amazing, to conduct a lecture and to explain things so simply, without prompts, without slides is incredible.

[Parr Snipps]

I love how before the 17th century the prevailing world view was all life had consciousness, including animals & plants, planets, etc. Very unfortunate the subsequent mechanized view reducing animals to machines with no souls. Thank goodness people like yourself Dr. Sheldrake are resurrecting the subject for a greater understanding.

[Joe Maristela]

I agree with you that it is unfortunate that the mechanized view of animals and plants became the prevailing worldview in the centuries after the 17th century. This view reduced animals to machines with no souls, and it led to a great deal of suffering for animals. I am hopeful that the work of Dr. Sheldrake and others will help to resurrect the subject of consciousness in animals and plants. I believe that it is important to understand that all living things are interconnected, and that we should treat all living things with respect and compassion.

[Grace Dollesin]

The awesome thing I did for myself was to turn my backyard into a mini forest. I never felt this good and somewhat spiritual and closer to the universe. I kid you not! I even see bright shooting lights on my wall in the middle of the night. The room was dark . Anyways, my mini forest consists of five 30 footer Japanese Maple Trees, one 30 footer Magnolia Tree, 12 Pine Trees about fifty feet tall, Alberta Spruce, Lilacs Trees, Smokey Bush Trees, Walnut Tree, Japanese Apple Tree, climbing trumpet flower and birds and annual flowers. I love my backyard. When I feel sad I walk barefoot in the backyard and hug my trees. I feel good after. I have the happy feeling. Thank you everybody who’s here in the comment section. Life might be difficult for all of us but there is always bright light at the end of the tunnel .❤❤❤

[Brazil]

JESUS IS LORD The purpose of life is to worship, praise and serve God! TRUE Christianity is Relationship with God. NOT MANMADE RELIGION. Christianity is from Jesus Christ. Jesus created mankind. Religion is mans word. God is INFINITELY (in the literal sense) BETTER THAN ALL THINGS!! 1. believe fully and sincerely in Jesus Christ, the Savior of all humans from sin. 2. Truly Repent of every sin, for example say "Jesus, please forgive me for all sins." 3. Become baptized (recommended, not needed but it helps), and BE SPIRITUALLY REBORN (aka Born Again).

[William Oarlock86]

@Brazil Where does it say 'Relationship' in your text of graven imagery?

[Indu Chopra]

Plastic toys cant give permanent joy they are just objects. Even a pet dog, cat gives more joy

[William Oarlock86]

@Indu Chopra A pet dog costs more money though...But you'd be a higher caste Hindu that can afford it.

[Valentino Džaja]

Dear Dr.Sheldrake, You are one of the Heroes of humanity, thank You for your work!

[Alexander Video]

Да, совершенно согласен!

[William Oarlock86]

A burbling, bourgeois Christian new-ager is no 'hero'.

[Indu Chopra]

A work already done centuries ago. They are only rediscovering it. Consciousness is core of spirituality in hinduism. When you raise your consciousness, you see the beauty,and life in everything. The sun also. My mother is a woman to you,a female. But to me she is all my emotions,joy, love, feelings. This can't be shown. Its unscientific. Because science rejects emotions

[William Oarlock86]

@Indu Chopra Too much emotion is destroying us.

[Mack]

@William Oarlock86 😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤪🥳🤯😵‍💫🥴

[Nathan Anderson]

This is one of the channels that gave me the courage to start my KZbin channel 6 months ago about self development. Now I have 429 subs and > 100 hours of watch time. I know it’s not comparable with others but I’m still proud I started because I’ve been learning so many lessons that I could haven’t learned without getting started in the 1st place.

[D Livingston]

What a lovely lecture, so rich and full of rational and spiritual/experiential info, and delivered in a non-judgmental and sometimes humorous manner.

[Nickolas Gaspar]

Rational and spiritual in the same sentence???

[Djimi Wrey Bigsby]

@Nickolas Gaspar it is the ultimate convergence; And it's about time.

[Nickolas Gaspar]

@Djimi Wrey Bigsby lol it isn't...its an oxymoron.

[𝖑𝖊 𝖛𝖗𝖆𝖎🇵🇸]

@Nickolas Gaspar how old are you?

[WoW Discoveries]

@Nickolas Gaspar it's rational to be spiritual and its spiritual to be rational.

[zenmeister451]

This is the third time I've listened to this talk; one might imagine that I'd have learned by now, eh? However, each listen reveals new nuances of understanding for me. Excellent talk - brilliant mind!

[Michael G]

There is an elephant in the room, it’s name is God realization.

[-]

I agree! Listened to the lecture twice now and plan to listen at least 2-3 times more so as to glean all from it than I am able to do.s

[John Kendal]

Know the Temple of Solomon, and you will know the Cosmos in all of its aspects;. and forget the current notion of the Third Temple. It will provide nothing at all

[Melissa Moore]

Brilliant mind...

[God's Incarnate]

great context -69th like ;)

[Mise Wixe]

To be genius like this is one thing, but to actually tell the story uninterrupted without being all over the place or ppl losing the thread of interest, is a craft most geniuses do not have. It might look and sound great in their head or in the equations but to put it verbally in an easy and digestible format for consensus to consume and understand is a big + :)

[kulile kunene]

Excellent lecture! The most elegant illustration of quantum theory I've heard!

[RUth Pulver]

what an amazing lecture, thank you! enlightening, connecting, alive with personal experience!

[Peter Bryce]

On the cusp of a transition to a new consciousness, on the threshold of a dream. Thanks so much Rupert for sharing the journey of consciousness through the ages.

[AJAY SINGH]

He has taken it from vedant darshan of hindu dharm. Try to study vedant darshan and you will get deeper knowledge. 🙏🙏🙏

[B GM]

@AJAY SINGH Second that’

[AJAY SINGH]

@B GM what you mean

[BuddhaLove77 #NewCultureofPeace]

What i find fantastic is that this approach mirrors the Buddha’s insight practice. However Buddhism goes much much further in its analysis and insight as evidenced by the insights surrounding Dependent Origination. Love is all there Is! 🙏😇

[Wanda Phelps]

Your explanation of life reflects what I've always felt but been scoffed at as rediculous though I seefeel it all around me and have since early childhood. How refreshing to feel the resonance, thank you.

[michael hawkins]

And for me too Wanda. I have always had an inner voice so to speak,that knows what he is able to articulate so much better than I can. It's incredibly liberating to hear.

[Devon Seamoor]

An excellent lecture, thank you, Rupert Sheldrake. I'm following your lectures again, and again. They land in new mindsoil, so to speak. Through the years, over 3 or 4 decades, your way of thinking moves closer to what's in the process of re-membering in our human consciousness now, as I observe this. You're not only a very intelligent scientist and clear speaker, but also a man with humour, and joy for life. A very British gentleman, God bless you!

[Malcolm Clarke]

A fascinating man to listen to, very engaging and doesn't 'talk down' to people. Interesting lecture.

[Justin Hammock]

In a world where mental illness is becoming a norm, meaning can become the panacea to that illness. Taking the viewpoint of a conscious universe brings a potential for meaning in the struggle of living. As a person who has taken psychedelics, I can say wholeheartedly, that they helped me discover the opportunity to become a better human. You, where you are right now, are part of the whole and the whole loves, and that is why this cosmos exists.

[Soo-Jin Chung]

2

[quiet and sounds]

We live in a cause-effect universe. The more aware we are, the more desirable the effects. Thank you.

[danielle morley]

excellent I need a breather every 20 mins to digest and integrate all these thoughts and information , I let it sink in for 10 mins and then continue to listen, being a very creative person having some creativity and more fun from Dr Rupert would be easier to absorb all this, thank you for all your work, focus and dedication, yes I have had many experiences of different aspects of consciousness within myself, plants, animals, water all things .....and love the comments people have written below ..amazing too...

[MortalClown]

You might enjoy the work of Jill Purce, as well; she is also Sheldrake's wife.

[electroflux]

Tell me about it! Taking lots of notes here using Jim Kwiks' system which I've found to be the most effective at absorbing and processing information. I've had many similar experiences with other forms of consciousness, most recently through spirituality and breathwork which brought me here. I think because of the dualistic dogma of western science we have been completely disconnected from all this and now through technology and the internet we're finding our way back to our true nature...

[Plama]

The idea of the concious sun is interesting. I love to meditate under direct sun (not when it's 40° C) with my mind reaching the sun and thanking it for the life it provides, didn't knew about the Indian practice till this presentation, it just felt kind of natural.

[Brad Fregger]

I loved your presentation. I found it very affirming. I have said much the same for decades. However, I speak readers digest language and much of my beliefs have come from personal reflection. What I’m trying to say is that it was wonderful to hear what I believe spoken at your level.

[Wayne McDaniel]

Love his video. The ideas and theories of Rupert Sheldrake fascinate me, especially his idea of Morphic Resonance.

[Cheri]

I admire your work so much and others that are in these fields of work.❤

[Mark Calder]

Oh my, this is so liberating! I never quite understood how it has become taboo to say something like the Sun could be a god or that trees have consciousness. I spent so much of life under the spell of scientific materialism that I'd managed to doubt all else. The consequence of the materialistic view is that it promotes the primacy of humans. How selfish! Thank you for making me feel ok with the spiritual world again.

[Santhosh Gopinath]

If humankind is the custodian of the universe, we are a very bad custodian, because we didn’t report to work for 13 billion years. Human is an insignificant pop up in the universe and will pop out in a flash in the broad framework .

[Martin]

Very well said, I feel the same way

[3-D Walthrough]

@Santhosh Gopinath Human consciousness as category of consciousness, need not be limited to planet earth. I personally find that the Vedic concept of life existing on every planet, housed in the form of the predominant elements of that planet - like we find on earth - as very plausible. If humankind are custodians, it would imply respect for the idea that we did not create the universe, but should appreciate it's creation and facilities offered, and respect it as the property of the creator.

[Santhosh Gopinath]

@3-D Walthrough Agree with the implication of course

[C Van]

@Santhosh Gopinath Nonsense. We are no different than the rest of Nature. We are Nature being Nature. The universe knows no such thing as "good" or "bad". It just IS.

[-]

This was WONDERFUL and the first discussion I ever listened to in more than half a century on this earth that made me as though I could embrace "religion." Thank you! I shall be searching for your books, Prof. Sheldrake.

[-]

@Orlando I have already purchased 2 of Prof. Sheldrake's books and find his theories both enormously interesting and plausible. If Prof. Sheldrake is a "prat," then I would be thrilled to be a "prat," too. Prof. Sheldrake's name is going down in history. I doubt yours will.

[Whimsical Lady]

I’ve just today discovered this brilliant Dr. and I am so excited listening to his work, brilliant!

[Dhruva Lance]

Beautiful talk, thank you. Consciousness is the ultimate ground of existence, it is the cause of everything. And It’s not personal. You can’t use your consciousness or observe or reduce consciousness because consciousness is the very source of observation. So consciousness will never by an object. Always will be the source of observation itself. Also consciousness is not static, is completely dynamic. His dynamic aspect is reality.

[Tr7b]

For a brilliant breakdown of the different types of consciousness see on utube Ramana Maharshi Be as You Are Chapter 12 Experience and Samadhi...Sahaja samadhi-the unified field of awareness or Born Again.When the ego is destroyed along with its karmas. Or when the barrier between the unconscious and superconscious mind becomes transparent.

[The2realistic]

Or...consciousness is the existence of being (the potentiality of being, whereas a body is the actuality of being).

[the inspector]

Thank you Dr Sheldrake for sharing your deep philo-scientific views 🎉

[Kyle Walker]

Thank you. I’ve learnt more in this video than my entire time I’ve spent in school

[Don The Boy Vishroy]

That's because School "dogmas" are not for your personal growth. Every day is more clear, isn't it?

[Decentralized Life]

Thank you dr Sheldrake for reaching beyond science to explore the subject of consciousness that is so misunderstood these days.

[Cassandra k]

Thanks this is a really nice accessible consciousness lecture, very engaging thanks for sharing . Also really great lecturing style Dr Sheldrake- watching helps me to improve my teaching skills.

[Sam Teawater]

A truly wonderful talk, thank you!

[Mar Generoso]

Our great grandparents would have simply and bashfully smiled if they heard this talk. Our universe is all about consciousness and the 90% unseen! Our human minds are so powerful that collective human thoughts do produce very visible results … what’s seen in our society today, ie upheavals, restlessness, political chaos … are results of many similarly collective psyches. Ever hear the saying, “society gets the politicians they deserve?” … “Watch your thoughts, they become words … words actions …” Everything one does is recorded in the universe! “Everything we do in life echoes in eternity.” ( from the movie Gladiators). I talk to plants, the birds & the bees, and yes, even my car … because I truly can and because everything is truly connected. This is how great & wonderful God’s universe just is! 🙏

[Barry Gwilt]

Thank you Sir this is so amazing and make so much sense from the smallest particle to the largest groups of , For example as you say from the make up of atoms to life to the galaxy to the universe/ universes if this trend of nature follows 👍🏻

[chris lucy]

Much love and respect to this hero doctor 🙏

[Slevin Channel]

"Dictionaries are part of the Lizardman's Plans to make us all Understand Words!!" -Hbomberguy; best KZbinr.

[Major Skepticism]

My family lived within walking distance of the Pacific Coast in Central America in the 1950’s. One evening, we went to the swimming area where the shark net concentrated the crowd. I wandered off beyond the net to an area that had no footprints. I was four, maybe five. I looked back to make sure my family was still in sight, and I looked down and saw my footprints. Just mine, no others, and a thought came into my head - Does the sand know I’m here? Maybe it just knows that *someone* has been walking across.” In 1974 my future wife an I were driving across the New Mexico desert. There were small, pretty cacti everywhere. She wanted one, but I had no idea how I would dig one up. I thought maybe I could use a tire tool, a flat rock, or a stick. We finally saw a small one about a hundred feet from the road, just on the other side of a barbed wire fence. There on the ground, almost touching the cactus, was a very old shovel. It didn’t look “store bought,” more like it came from a blacksmith shop a long time ago, and most of the wooden handle was rotted off. But it worked. I thought about taking it with me but it didn’t seem right. There’s a wide, four-lane highway there now, so maybe somebody else found it when the road crews came through. In 1984 my girlfriend (I got divorced) and I were in Bloomington Indiana, sitting behind a 1973 Ford LTD, on a motorcycle. That car probably weighed over 5,000 pounds. All along the road there were signs that said “NO PASSING ON THE SHOULDER.” I’m 70 years old - I’ve never gotten a traffic ticket. I’m almost obsessive-compulsive about following the rules… But, a few seconds after stopping behind that big Ford, a kind of wordless thought screamed in my mind *MOVE* so, I passed on the shoulder. As we were passing, the Ford lurched forward into the car directly in front, pushing that car into the next one, and we heard the sound of metal being bent, crunched, and twisted. Somebody in what looked like a Toyota had slammed into the Ford, apparently without even hitting the brakes. Yeah, breaking the Law saved two lives. There have been a few incidents of uncommon thoughts and very against-the-odds events in my life, not enough to think I’m psychic or anything, just enough to make me wonder if something’s going on. But none of them compare to the strangest thing I ever SAW, with my brother standing next to me, who saw the same thing. Nobody believes me when I speak of it, except the most rabid UFO hounds. And it was really no more than a pinpoint of light in the sky, which, at first we thought was a satellite, doing impossible shit - as in, against the laws of physics.

[C Fisher]

I had a feeling like that once of knowing what was coming even though I couldn’t know, can’t be bothered to type it out right now, but provoked similar questions for me, that also led me to this lecture

[DA T]

Rupert, your ideas of a Conscious Universe are fanciful to most people, but I hope you are right. It ties in with my belief in an Electric Universe. I am working towards repairing my soul from earlier damage, prior to passing on to the next plain of existence. I wish you well in your endeavours, the Universe needs more souls like you.

[Nigar Akthar]

We always get connected with this consciousness everytime we read the Quran, derive our answer and get our prayers answered. Especially when doors open where there aren't any.

[andyrauf]

A great mind and lecture! Im glad he gives credence to ascribing Universal Omnescience to the Self, the true source of all consciousness.

[The Arkk]

I can listen to you sir all day. You're a great thinker and even though I don't agree with some of your ideas, You deserve your due credits. Thank you for forcing us to think deeper about issues of life and consciousness. Science needs to agree that it doesn't understand all about life.

[Brett Rinker]

I am mentally and emotionally improved on every incidence that I hear Mr. Sheldrake speak.

[just dev]

Sorry?

[Nickolas Gaspar]

@just dev lol..... identical reaction .

[Mark Lombardi]

I like to define consciousness as that which protects its internal environment from its external environment. This would then include the earth, sun and galaxy as conscious entities as each has an electromagnetic shield that protects its internal environment from the harmful radiation of the consciousness it is within. This also includes the conscious organs, tissue, cells and atoms that reside within our conscious bodies.

[Justanotherprimate]

Sheldrake is so refreshing to hear. What an awesome guy!

[keith martin]

If not one falls to the ground without God's awareness of it. Then Matt 10:28 Had the true identity of God and life entwined . Just in the way our friends suppose

[keith martin]

Two sparrows

[Alex Guzmán]

I enjoyed every minute of this lecture! Thank you.

[TheFernando9999]

By far the best lecture of my lifetime

[Raja_B]

Excellent presentation! I recommend exploring the ancient Indian systems of thought, the Hindu Sankhya philosophy as well as Jain beliefs and cosmology. In both traditions, life itself, ranging from microscopic life forms to everything else alive, is a magnificent blend of Consciousness (called Purusha) and Earth/Energy (called Prakriti, pronounced Pruk-ri-thi). Each of the two components really cannot function without the other. Makes sense, no? :) These traditions are about a couple of thousand years old; Jainism is likely over 2500 years old. Both indicate that there are INFINITE such life forms, and neither of them talk about a creator being. In that sense they are both ATHEISTIC! But the Yoga philosophy/tradition, adds a creator-manager being called Ishvara (Eesh-vara, Isha for short, Issa in Arabic). Is it coincidence that the ancient Greek name for Jesus was Iesous...so similar to Isha! NOT a coincidence! Gnostic Christianity was/is just amazing: a blend of Paganism/Hinduism as understood by Jewish mystics. So pathetically sad that the Church completely corrupted their concepts and understanding.

[electroflux]

Thank you for the recommendations! :)

[RustyBolts]

By far the best, well though out talk across this set of subjects. Dr. Sheldrake is I think one of the greatest thinkers of our time.

[OSHUN TAROT]

Stephen Crowley what’s wrong with you. ?

[Tony Clifton]

yup; he'll get the Nobel prize one day when his work on morphic resonance is validated

[Daniel Jordan]

Just to say thank you for the theory. I believe the new findings regarding the electron diffusion within the atom during the atomic pulse , the electron diffuses within only half the atom , not fully random orbital. This I believe shows the galaxy is feeling for the external factors as well as gauging its internal growth factors. As this grows to us the higher conscience is feeling to and through us so some are truly favoured by the light. Thanks again , Daniel

[Carlos Reyes]

I had a few years ago an experience with ayahuasca, the drink of the gods for the Indians of South america.during the experience I had a strong vision when I felt that everything is full of consciousness, the animals,the trees,the flowers,everything. Psicodelics are doors to understant the fabric of reality.science and mysticism are really one.

[Hacker M F Psofa]

Just keep it to yourself, and spare me and few others of any Freakin adds....

[luc1d]

@Hacker M F Psofa replying to the wrong comment?

[C Panzica]

The doors of Perception” William Blake by way of Aldous Huxley (or is it vice versa!?)

[Carlos Reyes]

@SenpaiXD maybe,but felt great.

[luc1d]

@SenpaiXD explain the chemical reaction in people that have died for minutes to hours yet are having fully conscious experiences during that time

[JoelDS]

It is nice to see scientists beginning to combine observation of the world and larger universe, perhaps neuroscientists, and history, with mathematics (E=Mc2), to figure out that consciousness is the source of all being. That there is an inner knowledge and order. Matter is just concentrated energy vibrating at a specific frequency, our bodies biological suits to house our consciousness while in the body. I am 62 but I don't feel any different than say in my 20's. I have collected memories of life experiences, and my body slowly aging, but my identity itself has not aged at all, no changes. Anyone who has been to an open-casket funeral of a family member or friend knows the body is there in the casket, but the person is gone, their consciousness.

[greatescape]

I believe that consciousness is quite literally everywhere and everything. Although not found enough in the minds of many.

[Cristiano Castagno]

Many do not realise their self-Consciousness, it’s quite normal, in fact the opposite is already the sign of a more advanced evolution.

[NightRunner417]

I never really thought about it much but he's right... My beloved science did in fact try to crush soul and spirit right out of all things. It didn't even stop at us, the so called highest beings known in the universe. Even we were just clever machines. In a way my lifelong love of the sciences was my spiritual side's worst enemy, a weapon fashioned to destroy anything magical that tried to take root in my mind. Fortunately, my mom was a new age spiritualist nutcase and I quickly transcended everything she knew and taught me. Now I contain both realities in my heart and mind, and while rabidly exploring the sciences, I also rabidly explore the spiritual and metaphysical. To me, the spiritual and metaphysical are not enemies of the sciences; they're just REALLY hard to classify and quantify. To me, that makes these nagging, bizarre, yet absolutely undeniable things all the more interesting. To me, they're as fascinating and worthy of study as radio and electricity was to Tesla, as magnetism and capacitance were to Faraday, as nuclear processes were to Curie. All of these things were just magic to the world until brilliant minds picked apart how they worked. That's what the metaphysical is to me; just a really advanced mystery clumsily hidden behind the curtains of reality, begging to be picked apart and understood.

[Sue Condon]

I love his answers to any question, really glad I stumbled on this.

[Nickolas Gaspar]

It's called confirmation bias....

[James Collier]

@Nickolas Gaspar lol. Another dem meaningless empty bumper sticker phrase

[Michael Doyle]

Yes, yes I feel the same way.

[C.G. Maat]

What a kind and illuminating talk. Thank you- you are our new priest of the mysterrium .

[JOHNS WOOD GADGETS]

I have long suspected, independently as far as I know, that the conscious entity we call self is a consumer, not a producer of consciousness. Our minds give us access to the universe. Our level of consciousness is proportional to that access. I suspect this because although consciousness can be quantified through observation, it cannot be located. Oddly enough, to some, it is difficult to define. I suspect that is because most people look in the wrong place, and cannot conceive of a definition of that which is not in place. No matter how perfectly my keys fit in my pocket, and even if my pocket exists solely to hold my keys, my pocket is not the original source nor the definitive location of my keys.

[Seeuatnoon]

love how Dr. Sheldrake answered his questions.

[DaphneLichtner]

This man is a true revolutionary scientist

[Danny Hill]

Wherever you are, you are at the centre of the Universe. Inner to outer-space, we are part of the whole Universal brain.

[Hi-Reality Sensorium]

Rupert Sheldrake is brilliant as always, thank you for this talk🙂👍

[Raphael Moraczewski]

darkprince 1 no it's not silly, I used to think that, but I continued on down the rabbit hole, noticing they stole it from someone else, also that's not the way it's understood as stolen, true knowledge doesn't disappear with an epoch ending.,..

[Djelal Hassan]

Dr. Rupert Sheldrake is an enlightened enlightening person, peace and love.

[Helen Bostock]

I find your work fantastic

[BASED AF]

If anyone is interested I passed to the other side once. I saw the light and had the life review as most people have heard about and I was told I would not be allowed to return with the secret of the universe because I wouldn't want to stay alive. But I was allowed to return with the memory of my reaction to what was revealed to me. I remember being shocked at how simple it was. I remember saying.... Its right in front of our faces and we can't see it! Like when they say you can't see the Forrest through the trees. The only thing I can compare it to is like waking up from a dream.🤔 (Edit) UPDATE: so I've been studying physics and I've realized what it means when I said it's right n front of our faces and we can't see it. It's because there is much of the universe happening in the atomic and subatomic realm...in this life we see, we are existing in the refection of a mirror that is true reality.👈

[Olemundo Aguilar]

Bingo, it's a spoiler that does not spoil 😜

[FunGames]

Sounds like you were dreaming.

[BASED AF]

@FunGames row... row... row... your boat....🎶

[FunGames]

@BASED AF Or, the mind is playing tricks with you. It's a complex mechanism and not invulnerable to failure.

[Charles Pancamo]

Or it is us. All of it. Everything is one and it eminates from ONE consciousness that all things share perhaps?

[The2realistic]

This is one of the best lectures I've ever seen.

[maria santos]

Absolutely brilliant! Thank you.

[Andrew Sheehy]

Dr Sheldrake is such a brilliant and important man. I am certain that, in the end, science will realise that so much of what he has said has merit. The way the scientific establishment has treated him is manifestly unfair.

[Sol Voron]

Enjoyed this refreshing and more open perspective, thank you :)

[Jenny May]

Brilliant talk. Dr SHeldrake like so many misunderstood bright people before him (by the 'scientists), is way ahead of his time.

[Sue Girouard]

Rather he is just another new age snake oil salesman.

[Mark Sharman]

It should be noted that Rupert has been talking about 'self organisation' for decades; Michael Levin has perhaps found the actual measurable proof in his work in 'self regeneration', wherein: limbs (animal, ie us) have cellular level consciousness that directs self generation. That is huge. Rupert goes so deep here.

[Djelal Hassan]

Beautiful Dr. Rupert Sheldrake is such an honest, sincere, moral, kind and loving person peace and love.

[nightone]

I suppose you could say that in the universe there is one great energy that exists within all. And that energy is intelligence and consciousness. This energy becomes self conscious of itself when it's atomic complexity is that of a human being. I'm assuming that our energy will continuously evolve and take on more complex forms and become what cannot be understood with our current level of consciousness.

[Mike Payne]

spatium viator because our experience tells us we are not. Billions of people agree on this objective reality. You’re like Tucker Carlson “Hey I’m just asking questions.”

[Orlando]

*"I suppose you could say that in the universe there is one great energy that exists within all. And that energy is intelligence and consciousness"* I suppose anyone could say or think that or else, regardless those are only "suppositions" or deepities without any epistemic value at all..what one supposes and what actually IS are totally different things if there is no objective evidence in between.

[Orlando]

@Mike Payne *"Billions of people agree on this objective reality."* Hm, what "objective" reality ?

[leeds48]

@Orlando He's publishing in peer reviewed journals, right? Besides empiricism is ill-suited to answering many of the really big questions. Philosophy is sometimes the best we've got..

[Orlando]

@leeds48 *"empiricism is ill-suited to answering all of the big questions"* 😂 If philosophy is "sometimes" the best we've got.. what is then the best we've got most of (if not all) the time? That is empiricism, which is the experimental next level of philosophy, mate.

[Rasta Mike]

Completely and absolutely brilliant. I've been asked a few times in my life, usually by my teachers, how it was that I could be so spiritual/religious and also be so enamored and interested in math and the sciences. And my answer has always been the same. It was nothing that anyone had to tell me but something that I just simply knew, that science was the study of how God works and does things and the more I learned about nature, the world, and the universe, the more I was convinced of the existence of a devine creator. Thank you so much for the talk, Dr.

[Charlie Cottontail]

Yes Rasta Mike!!!!! ABSOLUTELY!!!

[lordpersius03]

English is not my first language! Generally, different ways to look at reality and explain it are like different languages in which the message is conveyed. For example: many religions and believes think that the human prospective is capable of influencing reality, on the other hand there is quantum physics that states the same thing (the observer is capable of defining the position and the entity of a wave/particle). Ultimately every language at its core says the same thing, it's just a different way of saying it.

[ShortAttentionSpanTheatre]

Sheldrake is a superb synthesizer of all things, unconscious and opposite.

[Orlando]

Pffft! Lol.

[you2tooyou2too]

Glad I found this. I've been playing with the notion of non-organic 'intelligence' for decades, along with inorganic life forms, on a hypothesis of mind as an emergent phenomenon in nature, & as a meta-homeostatic processes. The inscrutability of our own intelligence is evidence of the possible difficulty in recognizing such life forms hidden in the prevalence of homeostatic phenomena in physics, not just in biological nature.

[William Oarlock86]

Sounds like word salad without evidence, like Sheldrake's nonsense.

[neodos]

@William Oarlock86 Please enlighten us.

[William Oarlock86]

@neodos "I believe in an afterlife - in spite of total lack of evidence - so I spin a word salad to convince myself." Enlightening enough for you?

[William Oarlock86]

@neodos No 'moral high ground' just determinable fact.

[Janey Mitchell]

@William Oarlock86 Just because we haven’t figured out how to measure it yet, doesn’t prove it doesn’t exist.

[Cristiano Castagno]

There is a substantial difference between consciousness and self-consciousness. The first is the capacity to exist in time and creates literally existence, the second is the characteristic of the human experience to reflect existence onto the human senses as a perception and create our perceived reality.

[Bianca Turner]

Love listening to Rupert❤

[Stevie G]

Becoming a Christian because a hindu leader suggested it... Words can't describe how much I love that

[Richard Galea]

Fantastic lecture! So many issues fell into place for me.... Thank you, Dr.Sheldrake.

[Nickolas Gaspar]

and fell outside our common logic and verified epistemology.

[David Bradley Amason]

Rupert is Brilliant, and a delight to listen to !

[Sy Wiesenfeld]

I would also add to this that in my experience the power of prayer also has effects on the outcome of crisis ordeals such as undergoing surgery or rehabilitative therapies. I am certain that prayers and good wishes led to a very successful colon operation I had undergone. The surgeon told me afterwards that the operation had gone "textbook" with no glitches. I could feel the calming effect that those prayers had on me and the confidence they projected inside me that all will be OK.

[Steve B]

This is simply not true, payer has no effect on the outcome of anything. I added a link of a study.

[jrcsamad]

As a man who has devoted his whole life to the most clear headed science, to the study of matter, I can tell you as a result of my research about atoms this much: There is no matter as such. All matter originates and exists only by virtue of a force which brings the particle of an atom to vibration and holds this most minute solar system of the atom together. We must assume behind this force the existence of a conscious and intelligent mind. This mind is the matrix of all matter. ~ Max Planck

[Transcender]

Xfactor X The Vedic tradition unambiguously places consciousness as primary; as the source of all objective creation. Aside from the Upanishads, other vedic texts articulate exactly how the absolute, unmanifest subjective reality of pure consciousness, through it's Self-referral dynamics, creates what we experience in the manifest universe. The Human nervous system can locate and observe this purely subjective, ultimate basis for creation....not as a feat of the intellect, but through the ability to transcend the finest relative aspects of creation and experience pure subjectivity...Being.

[Sue Girouard]

Assuming and intelligent mind behind the universe is nothing but a fools game of self deception.

[mr shankerbill letmein]

@Sue Girouard Seems quite reasonable to me seeing that Creation has an apearance of design as many atheists admitt

[Jeremy Van Briesies]

wow!!!...I got this revelation when i was much younger but i was very sceptical and afraid to share it with anyone and it is this : That the entire universe is a cosmic brain...We are living in the body of the cosmic God ...To understand the human body and how it functions and operate , is the way to understand this huge universe in which we live

[Phi Lighten Tist]

"the problem is that by saying consciousness is an illusion doesn't explain it, because Illusion is itself a mode of consciousness" Absolutely wonderful Elucidation. this quote puts a crack in the Emerald City of Oz's Walls. Push this idea.....Push it as far as you can, Dig deep into it, and then look into "spiritual" matters. it's there. this can wake up the whole world.

[Mark Johnson]

I love this explanation and even though I can't attest to actually have my own mystical experience I choose to believe I can and I will. I find life much more satisfying and enjoyable this way rather than the materialistic view which is a dead end.

[fred jimbob]

>satisfying and enjoyable Satisfying and enjoyable doesn't make it true. But if you don't care about what is true then fair enough I guess.

[Nickolas Gaspar]

Sure you can choose that...if believing as many true things about the world as possible is not your goal. That makes your belief irrational, not wrong since it's an unfalsifiable one. Now the materialistic view is literally a "dead end" since it doesn't make up excuses for the fact of our biological expiration date..... These type of explanations are part of a group of worldviews known as death denying ideologies design to ease people's existential anxiety. At least you admit your preference is based on the comfort offered by this idea.

[Nickolas Gaspar]

@fred jimbob I enjoy believing that I am the only millionaire in my small town.....but nobody else seems to be willing to enjoy that idea....

[fred jimbob]

@Nickolas Gaspar You sound like a fellow Dillahunty fan. I've gone off Dillahunty a little bit because he's gone a bit too woke. Wokism is itself a religion so Dillahunty seems to have reverted to his old religious tendencies. Also, this point about "believing as many true things as possible". Obviously it's good to "want" to know the truth. But that doesn't mean that it's always necessarily good to always know the truth. For instance, if knowing some truth would only lead to bad outcomes for everyone concerned then I'd rather not know. That's why our unconscious minds sometimes prevent us from remembering things. Some people can have no recollection of a car accident they were in because the unconscious knows that conscious recall of it would serve no purpose other than to cause unnecessary psychological harm. Ultimately it's the unconscious that decides what truths we do or do not consciously "know". There's no point knowing that your religion is false if knowing this means that your life is going to be ruined (assuming that this would actually be the case). That's why it's so hard to dissuade some people from their false beliefs - because doing so may not actually benefit them.

[Gordesm]

@Nickolas Gaspar help a brother out, I'm flat broke, got hurt at work and wasn't covered. Can you spare a few thousand dollars for food and bill payments ? A millionaire means you have multiple millions correct ?

[Frankie TheBull]

I often wondered why ancient civilizations all over the world seem to have all built the same shaped temples(pyramid) if they never had contact with each other as historians claim. I figured there's only two explanations (a) Our history is missing a lot of parts to it. (b) there's a hive mind consciousness that exists in humans or the universe that we are either unaware of or refuse to acknowledge its existence.

[Wendy Brown]

🕊thank you dear one... your message echoes what I’ve been feeling within. the truth of my/our power. I love you Elena.🕊

[EliteCoder]

What's crazy is that one small statement made my brain unfold itself in a way of thought as the lecturer is describing long before I saw this video...

[Dierdre Bolton]

Absolutely superb Rupert 👏

[Arturito Imp]

😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘

[ROBER HOW]

The body is my temple, my mask to interact in this realm. My heart with it's 40k braincells is the CPU in which accepts input from the brain and neuro interactions of environment. With that said I am electric in origin. From the universe, we are all the same energy, all is God, as each is god. As above so below. Excellent work you are doing.

[Zizi Roberts]

1:57 Yes. Many people don't share these experiences because people do think we're crazy. I thought I was crazy. I had a choice when it happened: Go to a psychiatrist or go to India. I went to India. Peace, happiness, to all beings everywhere.

[Viktorija]

Good choice! 👍

[Boris B]

What somewhat annoys me about Sheldrake, repeating it several times that _'' you can't talk about these experiences, cause they'll think you're crazy''._ It's a whiny kind of accusing _''the materialist''_ (also meant as a denigrating term hinting at _'closed mindedness'_ with a: _'' you just can't reason with folks like that''_ air of superiority about it. In fact: The exact opposite is true; and all sorts of studies and experiments are done to try and find out _scientifically_ what's going on when such experiences happen. (like putting highly trained zen-masters in MRI brain-scanners). No-one is denying that _'other states of consciousness'_ happen. What is generally dismissed as unscientific (which only means Sheldrake is jumping the gun with it, _not_ that it's or can't be true, but simply that the one (experiencing an other state of consciousness) _doesn't_ imply, show, or prove _''that their consciousness is part of something greater than themselves,''_ let alone that these experiences, or the fact that ancient beliefs talk about the sun and the planets as conscious entities prove anything. And he totally missing the plot when he says that those, supposedly narrow minded scientists who supposedly just call you crazy, when they (rightfully) say that experiencing those altered states of consciousness _doesn't_ prove a connection to another, greater kind of consciousness from outside of themselves, that it's those scientists turn to prove him wrong! When a (formally) well known, respected and renowned scientist, suddenly seems to have forgotten that it's always the one making the claim to present evidence for it; that it's impossible to prove a negative (just like you can't prove (a) god(s) doesn't exist, and thus that it's the job of the person _claiming_ its existence to provide evidence), it's no more than logical his former highly regarded reputation has significantly diminished over the years. And him, repeatedly cry-babying about that, blaming the critique on all kinds of character flaws in those expressing it, and hinting at it, being a forbidden topic (while, like I said, the research in that field is done in all sorts of ways and in many different places), is a bloody shame and just sad. Anyway; I've done all sorts of drugs in my youth; made all sorts of the wildest trips, without moving a foot. And I still meditate daily, in which I sometimes have an entire conversation with the pole star, and some of my friends love to here about it; amazed what the human mind can come up with. Not once did anyone called me crazy. I'm sure, though, they would start getting concerned if I started proclaiming I'm the pole star's chosen one to channel the ancient wisdom of its mind into mine to tell the rest of humanity _The Truth_ of life's origin, meaning and purpose and teach them all _The Only_ true path to love and happiness. If that happens I HOPE they'd try to get me to seek psychiatric help. All the best to you too

[Vivilon Rane]

@Boris B thank you for this! truly we need more humility in exploring consciousness and less dogmatic narratives that in my experience unfortunately can rather quickly turn into anti-science conspiracies

[James Alexander]

@Boris B Science tends to defend itself, often without any basis on facts. Science cannot explain everything, but it is quick to denounce people who have theories which are a danger to scientific ‘truths’. Just imagine if Dr Sheldrake’s theory is correct, I wonder how many scientists would have a nervous breakdown and call Dr Sheldrake a Charlatan. Even now, scientists theories about the universe are forever changing. Nothing concrete about their facts is there?

[Melissa Moore]

Namste!

[Richard Pate]

When I learned of the theory of panpsychism it occurred to me that maybe our universe (all universes?) exists within a living creature, just at a super sub atomic scale. And, since, we are then literally in a living being, everything in that being is "conscious," just like everything in our bodies is. Time to our "host" would be on a vastly different scale where our billions of years might simply be a moment to them. Any physicists out there? Is this notion completely outside the bounds of possibility??

[William Williamson]

Absolutely !! great lecture thanks !

[Marc Rover]

The Universe IS conscious, and it communicates with you via synchronicity. Synchronicity IN TANDEM with the "little voice" inside you. However, the universe, for whatever reason, prefers order & love. And, you'll find the universe awfully quiet if you perpetuate negativity, chaos, or hate. One thing it took me a LONG-TIME to understand is the following: Being kind, loving, and altruistic usually comes with a personal cost, so it almost NEVER seems worth it. Yet, this is the only way to truly "walk a higher path."

[Boris B]

Tell me: what comes at a higher personal cost: perpetuating negativity, chaos and hate, or being generally kind and compassionate (I don't see any good in altruism), all of which have nothing to do with being naive and okay to being taken advantage of, since opening yourself to be victimized contributes to turns others into culprits, which isn't a loving thing to do. And on the universe, preferring order is like saying that the earth is the way it is to provide a place to live for the plants and animals we find on it. In reality it's the other way around: Those for whom the environment can't maintain them, seize to exist, so what remains are those who can cope with the situation. Then: synchronicity isn't a form of communication. If 2 hailstones of the same size fall from the same cloud to the ground at the same speed next to each other, it isn't due to a preferred order, but because they're both bound by the same physics involved.

[Marc Rover]

@Boris B I respect, and moreover UNDERSTAND, your beliefs and observations my friend. For, I'm keenly aware your viewpoint is, by far, the more logical and rational intellectual approach. However, certain (synchronicity infused) events have REPEATEDLY transpired in my life, and many of them utterly DEFY probability. I know you won't/can't accept that statement. You SHOULDN'T accept it. These things happened to me, and even I can scarcely accept them. But, as an educated and intelligent person, I've studied/contemplated these events at length, without bias, and that's how I've arrived at my conclusions. I have NO DESIRE to believe these things, as a person with a mathematically driven mind. I'd MUCH prefer to believe as you do. I hope this finds you well.

[Tanya Dudzina]

@Boris B if I may, to me being kind, loving and altruistic should come from within with all sincerity and no fear of being used, or expectations of gratitude. If people turn into culprits after you helped them, it is their choice. Yet, you are always free to walk away in that case. Re. Synchonicities - these are personal things, events, connected by a meaning, that is understandable only by the observer.

[Emalapolaka]

The reading of those boxes and boxes of responses with my father quietly along with my Papa defined the bases of all my beliefs and the life I have lived so far… 🙏.. I do hope perhaps we cd get together one of these days it would be magical .. x

[RKPY]

It feels great to feel like I’m on the same page as someone, absolutely refreshing.

[T D]

alllll living beings in this universe need to watch this. thank you Dr. Rupert🙏🙏🙏

[Wandering homebody]

Why would most living beings at all be interested in this?

[Bina Sharma]

Yes, everyone has a soul and are conscious of things around them, but this truth was discovered long before the scientists did in the 17th century. Nevertheless, this is an excellent presentation. Thanks! 🙏

[john sinclair]

Very true, the Chinese Daoists new this thousands of years ago.

[Phillip Wilcher]

In the beginning there was a vibration, and this vibration had such energy to it, that through it all things were formed and would be found. Much akin to an idea or an opinion that occurs suddenly in the mind without thinking, yet corresponding to some distinct entity essential in feature to what it was, this vibration went by a name. Its name was Thought and Love was its only way of thinking. And such was Love's thinking within Thought, that it had all the strength and vitality that was needed to sustain to the fullest degree, every physical and mental activity required to make things whole, yet not entirely holy save but one much needed thing. Although Thought asked of Love to lend to it its voice, Love at first said nothing but waited, because that is what Love does; it waits. Thought could see that Love was thinking, and it seemed to Thought that perhaps Love knew not quite what to say. And as Time passed by as it invariably does, Thought began to wonder why if Love was everything of meaning, it had no meaning to answer. Looking again to Love as Love thought not to look elsewhere, there was still nothing there, just as there is nothing more serenely still than Love as Peace it lends us, a thought our thinking has yet to truly know. Therefore, and as was Thought’s wont, it began to think again: "If Love answers not then it has no needs, as would Reason have it be that neither does Love ask for anything." As Love remained silent, and more silent even still, Thought looked about the seemingly empty space within which it had found itself vibrating, and where for Love as is Love's promise the premise of Hope (and Hope's premise Love's promise in Life) nothing is ever held not true. At that moment, and for but the briefest period of time beyond Time itself more singular than was any period that went before, Thought became so fully aware of something as fact to understand it clearly and without condition; the most beautiful relationships we can have with each other, they are centred in Love, and with nothing in between that anything is split in two. Once realised, Thought began to accommodate all thinking to this as so should you, and fears no longer entered the mind of man, since it was never part of Love's overall plan.

[CALDER HOUSE]

One of my favorite thinkers ever!