Science and spirituality: Jeff Lieberman at TEDxCambridge 2011

Jeff Lieberman, an MIT-trained artist, scientist and engineer, makes a scientific argument for mystical experience. He asks us to challenge our perception of what we are, our relationship to the universe, and our relationship to one another. Our minds are "thought-generating machines." What we would happen if we could turn off the machine? If we could transcend our individual experience of the world?
This talk was transcribed by Brad Miele. Transcript here: bea.st/inevolution/?p=264
Learn more about TEDxCambridge at www.tedxcambridge.com.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@kayakrkayakr]

That's pretty cool to see the universe itself deliver a TED talk through the temporal configurations of Jeff Lieberman.

[@chaitanyagaur8485]

That's the coolest comment here...

[@kostailijev7489]

Wrong!

[@jssjw123]

Exactly the way as other enlightened have seen! Too bad not many people in the US have learned or understood it as it is actually so awesome to become energy master and idly achieve all kinds of tasks rather than fighting so hard for their limited success!

[@kaleidoscopicboo]

😁❤️✨

[@annalee_the_bananalee3226]

This really is it right here

[@bgnaruto11]

This dude painted a coherent picture of the scattered thoughts I've been trying to connect for so long. Well done.

[@tama-a-tumatauengahiku3647]

Theres a documentary about the Native Indians "Prophecy Rock" and how it explains that the balance was lost when technology and science disconnected from spirituality. Hence why our downfall is increasing at a exponential rate.

[@BrutalizeURf4ce]

Out of all the talks that reconcile science and religion this is probably the best, it is such a hard topic to speak about without falling into metaphors that do the actual underlying ideas and experiences justice.

[@zes3813]

no such thing as hard topx, say anyx nmw and any can be perfx, fools

[@teddysam9307]

Zes What are you talking about?

[@SKULLBABYLON]

This is easily amongst the most important Ted Talks to date.

[@peterc335]

I agree.

[@ZenMasterGee]

You said it! Jeff Lieberman has just made some of the most important points in existence in ad Ted talk!

[@zes3813]

wrong,idts

[@tanmoy313]

Absolutely. This talk needs 7 billion views.

[@ElonMuskParody]

but it just tell us to kill our self. i disagree

[@JDSabre]

This is the greatest TED talk of all-time.

[@cx777o]

This was such an eye opening speech and i really felt connected to what was said. Glad to see that science and spirituality meet each other, accepting that they are two sides of the same coin

[@NextGenAge]

*Best talk ever given.* A must watch to every human being!

[@melissabates89]

Found this video about 4 years ago and still go back to it a couple of times per year, and share it with others often. He so clearly explains the concept of humans as energy, the scientific link, and our interconnectedness, that I'm not sure anyone will ever be able to out-do this one. Absolutely agree with the person who said this is the single most important Ted talk video to date.

[@Zephyr.Lo-Renz]

this was, by far, the most powerful short scientific exposé i've witnessed to date. well put together for only being less then fifteen minutes in duration. A MUST WATCH!!

[@dilletante4ever]

Excellent talk! I agree 100% for I have had similar thoughts, based on my own experiences. Also all that you explained in a modern scientific manner has been understood by yogic sciences thousands of years ago. In fact Yoga starts with the sanskrit line "citta vritti nirodha" which means cessation of all thoughts and thus to meditation and enlightenment.

[@volks16valves]

well said

[@aumatomos7811]

Yes great talk indeed. You probably mean second sutra from yoga sutras of patanjali. whole yoga is summarized in that one sutra. 1. atha yoga anushashanam 2. yogas (yoga) citta (mind) vritti (alterations, conditioning) nirodhah (cessation) 3. tada drastu svarupe vasthanam. (dont remember or want check how those are written, but something like that :D)

[@JosheyGee92]

This bloke speaks the absolute truth and he's onto something, in fact he nailed it on the head.

[@noemi8676]

You are not a drop in the ocean You are the entire ocean in a drop Rumi

[@Megan-sr4du]

😍😍

[@noemi8676]

@@Megan-sr4du ❤️

[@samuelbarnes3597]

"And if it's true - if the true end of all human psychological suffering is actually possible - it is the most important thing science could be studying." Thank you for this, Jeff. We're on our way.

[@MrStuartwtaylor]

Actually, if you boil down what he said it is this: End the person's suffering by dissolving the person. As a person who has a relationship with a Personal God, who gave me the gift of personhood, I disagree.

[@jbandi22]

"LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF" is the Ultimate Solution for Human Suffering.

[@PanglossDr]

Your neighbour is just another bit of yourself

[@tanmoy313]

Wish I had some hot neighbors

[@wrongthinker4475]

Only if everyone thought that way.

[@MKGPerformance]

not if you hate yourself

[@amritraj6697]

Desire is the main cause of suffering

[@RobLundgren]

Well said! The truth is not out there, it´s within. Peace

[@jennesis777]

This sounds great and all, but actually, the truth is found in Jesus Christ of Nazareth, not within yourself.

[@buddhaneosiddhananda8499]

@@jennesis777 "Know ye not, that you are the temple of God, and the spirit of God dwelleth in you...?" Jesus Christ

[@buddhaneosiddhananda8499]

lol... the truth is "out there" in more ways than one.... like it's far fetched/hard to believe, because it can't be believed, only known.... Have a nice day...😁😁

[@Channelling-light]

thank you for this! losing the illusion of separation will bring more unity and happiness to everyone xxx

[@veezye]

I absolutely loved this talk, thank you Jeff Liberman :)

[@dianadileemaheratdileeinc.8870]

Right on! Jeff drives home the vital point of life... how everything including ourselves are energy~.... Attention = Consciousness = Soul = Energy of our true selves. Thank you. Keep up the positive work! Wonderful to see & experience the awakening in us all. Namaste ~

[@dianadileemaheratdileeinc.8870]

A must see ~ highly recommended!

[@v3le]

Michio Kaku: The Universe Is a Symphony of Vibrating Strings

[@RiittaVeijalainen]

"What would the world look like then, if every single one of us felt complete, felt whole, and felt interconnected? When you let go of individual survival, all of your priorities change because you actually see the entire world as your body. You see the suffering of others as your own suffering and you want to help. What is the actual power of a human being to really benefit the world, when they are able to put the priorities of the whole system in front of themselves, even if that means they have to die in the process? How many of us can do that right now? What if seven billion of us did that? Maybe the one thing that keeps us from actually solving all of the other problems in the world is this persistent, flawed thought that we are separate from the world. Maybe it’s time we change our minds.” - Jeff Lieberman

[@alexwatson4934]

The tesseract would close up

[@TikkSynth]

This man just put into words everything I've been trying to express. This is beautiful.

[@stk7778]

hi

[@K4113B4113]

No. Thank you! I have heard all of this before but we could all use a reminder. The way that he explains it just makes it real for me. Very good talk :)

[@IAmRevDerek]

I really loved this talk and thought it was a great reminder of things I've always intuitively felt. What really touched me was the part about our idea of separateness being our source of suffering. I'm using this in my daily life and sharing on my Channel what I'm discovering.

[@worldonfire1539]

Wonderful! I can't believe i am only finding this 10 years after it was delivered! This was exactly what i needed to hear today, and i am so very grateful for it! Thank you!☮️

[@hanifamenen1082]

Beautiful talk! Great awareness! Thank-you for sharing this with the world - I will be sharing it with my clients!

[@jesusismysalvation]

This is an absolutely phenomenal presentation. I love it!

[@allthatjazzshow3299]

Literally to the 1% who's reading this, God bless you, may all your dreams come true, may you be successful in all spheres of life, stay safe and have a wonderful day :)

[@TravisLee33]

You as well, peace and blessings manifest, energy, freqency, its 🔑.

[@glenn-younger]

Well done! Well done. I'm over here celebrating that these kinds of thoughts are being introduced into the TEDx world.

[@BellisSophia]

This is the best talk I have heard all year, and I listen to a lot of different spiritual teachers on KZbin. I shared it with several people on my friend’s list on Facebook!

[@perliva]

This is what TED once was.

[@DavidErikFinn]

THIS video pulls together the foggy concepts that I have had before, yet lacked the ability to give _reason_ for the concepts. I do not think that "it is way out there" as the speaker states. I have thought for the last 20 years that we are all one, but we simply lack the ability to realize it because we cannot think collectively. And by "realize it" I mean both 1) the ability to think combined with understanding and 2) to make it real. I like the perspective provided in this video.

[@MarcoFesyuk]

What's up

[@videomeditacion]

Thank you for this wonderful talk!

[@ananya1786]

I posted all of this as my Instagram story and me and my friends want to thank you for this, this is everything I believed, and experienced and here you have organized it

[@djunjohn]

For me, this is spot on. Not everyone will agree yet the essence is there to be experienced - proof, if you will. Thank you Jeff for speaking in such a clear.

[@GoldJacketLuke]

This is great.

[@lMAVERICKl747]

Thanks for the link, it was amazing!

[@lucyscheiffer1687]

I like Jeff because he is a truth seeker, a smart one too. He knows, as I do, that the only way to find true fulfillment is to actively *seek the truth*. Start here: Go to, *TruthContestºCom* and read their top entry, The Present.

[@drsudhirrvats9914]

GoldJacketLuke

[@MissChime]

You are so wise and beautiful. Thank you for sharing your speech! Words can't explain how much peace it brought to me this morning. Bless us all

[@hugo-2379]

This is very amazing talk, thank you, I hope I won't forget was I just heard.

[@ajaychakravarty9118]

Well said..........thats what the eastern spirituality speaks about......

[@ditmarmuller5231]

ajay chakravarty If you look close, its exactly what christianity was (is) about

[@arkoganguly9255]

It is the core teaching of every religion.

[@ramreddysama9100]

I agree. But not as clearly as Jeff said in his TED talk. It is amazing Jeff can put science of inner/Outer reality so clearly. It is one of the Best talks ever. This talk fulfils the original intent of Chris when he invented the TED idea. This talk is one the best TED talk I ever listened to. Thanks Jeff! Keep up the good work and please present another follow-up TED talk on this Content. We love you for sharing this to the whole world so clearly. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[@ramreddysama9100]

It is very interesting to note that Jeff has presented the complex topic so clearly in a very balanced way, all religions are claiming that it is similar to their religion. This shows that Jeff has done wonderful and balanced job inconveying the core message of all religions of the world - East and West.

[@oliviaallen8975]

YES! This is exactly right! Anyone compelled and stimulated by this needs to check the Ageless Wisdom Teachings! They are exactly this and more!

[@randee51]

Thank you Jeff. Your discussion of this topic is the clearest I have heard to date.

[@franziskagoller8454]

Thank you so much for this video and for reminding me. I heard you and i love it.

[@VintijMindVibez]

Wow. I'm so impressed at how he actually explained this shit. Great job Jeff Lieberman...

[@patrickscannell6370]

Only thing he forgot: not just humans plan for the future. Many animals do. It's why elephants remove trees on the lands they visit, so when they come back there is more easily digestible grass

[@stepsforthesoul]

Wow what an incredible presentation! This all resonates with me so much. Thank you Jeff. We are ONE

[@gerdafosterunlimited]

Where are you nowJeff Lieberman? Such a profound exposition...

[@lesterspunishmentpage3779]

We're all spirit beings having a human experience.

[@sourcedrop7624]

Lester's punishment page what if we are just consciousness having a human experience? a spirit is a being with a personality. so a spirit having a human experience would be a spirit being with a personality having an experience through a human that has its own personality. that's lots of personalities and seeming hijacks going on. when we meditate we don't discover another personality, we discover pure awareness - without thought and desire and emotion. all that secondary stuff is part of the human mind. God is not a person. it is consciousness itself.

[@ElonMuskParody]

all is just in brain, what you though it spirit, consciousness or someting else all process think in your brain. when you die its all gone unless you got brain dead then literaliy u became zombie.

[@aduts1177]

Whats proof?

[@2.0keke29]

@@ElonMuskParody energy can’t be created nor destroyed , do as you please wit that information

[@alexiscla25]

"Maybe I'm consciousness that is shaped into a human being." Consciousness is also shaped into other beings, into non-human animals. Therefore, it is immoral to exploit, kill, and eat them simply because they are of another species, of another shape. Especially when it is unnecessary, unhealthy, and unsustainable.

[@stanfrog1]

+Alexis Castaneda Spot on there Alexis.

[@alexiscla25]

Sooo because plants feel pain that justifies inflicting pain and suffering on animals? With that logic, you should have no problem eating a cat or a dog because, well, because plants feel pain... Besides, when we eat plants, such as lettuce and apples, the stalk and tree continue to grow and produce more leaves and fruits. Perennial plants, as well, continue to live after we have eaten parts of them. This is not the case for animals, for if we eat parts of a cow or pig or dog (flank, chop, thigh), the animal does not continue to grow and produce new body parts to live...the animal dies. However, there are plants that we do indeed “kill,” such as the cucumber. Yet, we can certainly agree that harvesting, cutting, and eating a cucumber is not the same as breeding, slaughtering, and eating an animal. Cucumbers do not have a central nervous system and thus no pain receptors. They do not kick and scream while being cut open as animals do. Slitting the warm throat or shooting a steel bolt through the thick skull of a conscious, sentient, breathing animal causing it to kick and scream, bleed to death, and die, and then hacking up its body into bit sized pieces differs dramatically from pulling a cold, unconscious, insentient, not breathing carrot out of the ground and chopping it into bit sized pieces.

[@lEli7e]

From another point of view maybe it doesnt matter to kill or to be killed, just your body dies, but not the energy. Just maybe

[@alexiscla25]

Maybe, but there is still pain and suffering that the body experiences and if you don't want to experience that pain and suffering then others don't either.

[@multitimmytiger2]

I think what is important is that we strive to be the best we can be and that we treat nature with respect. That does not necessarilly mean being vegan though.

[@lilylongmire]

this is so important, peace and love to everyone

[@flipguy102]

I can't get enough of this video, I love it.

[@amanagrawal9362]

He is on the way to self realisation and enlightenment..

[@sarveshravi123]

very very Interesting! This is the scientific essence of Indian scriptures.

[@handcraftedmiracles1685]

Brilliant. Good speaker and succinctly puts in place what many have come to understand through various means. Finding quiet nothingness leads to the paradox of becoming and experiencing literally everything. I really appreciate this.

[@caribaez5711]

Listening to TED talks like this are so nice.

[@Leah-ny3tl]

In order to feel the “oneness” or “connection” a person has to give up control and fear.

[@sngscratcher]

"I love you too much to treat you as a person." Mooji

[@prabhakararaog4055]

One of the good talks I had come across. THANKS

[@constantinoprea9825]

Amazing talk. He actually gave me some good ideas to think about. I like how he uses the word energy, how he pictures it so we can make sense of who we are. This is what I call COOL TALK, in other words, a talk that actually gives you something, something to hold on and use it right away. Well done.

[@kyojinmaru2556]

I hear alot of Alan Watts in this speech :)

[@handcraftedmiracles1685]

Alan Watts is Leiberman,...but then so are you ;)

[@romainpioggini6521]

@@handcraftedmiracles1685 No please think twice, alan watts is a particular cloud of being, and kyojin maru is another one, being grounded in your experience is not a bad thing, you don't read 2books at the same time do you?

[@DeluxeTubing]

This guy is spiritually enlightened. He must be indigo.

[@Rasnyjah1]

notice that you are "spiritually" ednowed with certain faculties as well, the realization comes from within.,

[@DeluxeTubing]

FREEFORM RasTimotheos I know because then i wouldnt have seen this video.

[@Rasnyjah1]

universal mind

[@sanchalshrirame7168]

No, he's not. And you're in contradiction with that statement

[@aprilhunter]

I cannot love this enough. Spot on. I'm so glad somebody figured it out and is spreading the knowledge. Science and spirituality can be the same thing. The body is just the car. The soul is the driver....and the driver lives on.

[@thehooplah2763]

That sounds like an amazing experience. Will definitely try out. Thank you.

[@WgWilliams]

The root problem in Empirical Science is the positing that consciousness/mind is mere by-product functioning of brain. Mathematics, reason and logic would be results of this mere by-product functioning of brain called “Mind”. If morality, self awareness, emotions and choice (freewill) are also mere results of Mind (the brain by-product) it would then seem to be just picking and choosing to trust logic over self-awareness or mathematics over morality and in the end become some form of “begging the question”. The only real questions are, "is consciousness trustworthy to know reality and if so, is it also a necessary part of reality itself?" We have in fact only consciousness to rationalize consciousness. All rational inferences, testing models against experienced reality, conceptualizing models, logic and probability theories; arise from consciousness/mind and all of these listed don't and can't exist without consciousness. “Consciousness” or the “Mind” accounts for all reasoning with nothing left outside of this self-awareness that is able to encounter or reason reality otherwise. Consciousness is the substrate of any possible claim to knowledge and thus the starting and ending point to posit a reality or any truth. Why would one limit themselves to posit empiricism (science's founding principle) as true, which is also a product/idea of “Mind” but a world-view that denies one's self, the objective reasoner, as no more than mere biochemical illusory as the result of it's assertions. Empiricism states that knowledge must be restricted to those objects which can be perceived by our senses. At the same time empiricism requires non-empirical foundational presuppositions and these presuppositions are not material themselves, they are metaphysical. Empiricism must assume mathematics, logic and human reason trustworthy; and that the Universe is rational and in line with a rational human consciousness/mind because these are not physical objects which can be perceived by any of our five senses. Mathematics, logic and reason originate and reside in the metaphysical consciousness, the mind. These metaphysical conceptual constructs can not be tested/falsified outside of themselves empirically thus are asserted as objective. Empiricism alone is self-refuting layer upon layer. The theory that all knowledge is limited to what can be empirically known is itself, incapable of being known or demonstrated empirically. When adding the fact that empiricism can not answer for any trustworthy substrate for knowledge that is solely metaphysical (one's self, the objective reasoner); and the fact that the only substrate for claimed knowledge is “one's self, the objective reasoner”, shows empiricism as fallacious at it's core claim of being the only methodology for knowledge. Mind/consciousness is “one's self, the objective reasoner” and only possible source for any claim of knowledge to and of reality. Science may be able to explain what humans are but science can never inform us of who we are; one's self, the objective reasoner to and of reality. C.S. Lewis describes the moral issue from within conscious beings reasoning like this; "My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust? If the whole show was bad and senseless from A to Z, so to speak, why did I, who was supposed to be part of the show, find myself in such violent reaction against it? A man feels wet when he falls into water, because man is not a water animal: a fish would not feel wet. Of course, I could have given up my idea of justice by saying that it was nothing but a private idea of my own. But if I did that, then my argument against God collapsed too--for the argument depended on saying that the world was really unjust, not simply that it did not happen to please my private fancies. Thus in the very act of trying to prove that God did not exist--in other words, that the whole of reality was senseless--I found I was forced to assume that one part of reality--namely my idea of justice--was full of sense. Consequently atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning: just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know it was dark. Dark would be without meaning." ~C.S. Lewis Are human observations objective and rational? Is the Universe rational? Because we can not escape our consciousness to test or falsify these question, they are assumed to be objective and rational. Every claim to knowledge originates and is filtered by consciousness and no knowledge exists outside of consciousness to prove otherwise. Calling one conscious experience "objective" over any other is fallacious; including logic over emotions or mathematics over morality. Logic and mathematics can not be falsified/tested outside of their own claims as being objective. Emotions, morality, freewill and self awareness are also emergent phenomena of consciousness. Why posit logic, reason and mathematics as trustworthy and objective and the first group not? The second group can not be validated or falsified outside of their own assertions; so what are you appealing to in order to claim the first list as mere biochemical illusory but value the second list as trustworthy and objective? I don't deny the practical use of science just as I don't deny the practical use of objective moral truth in the justice system and laws. I simply appeal to morals being objective as one would claim mathematics to be objective as in 2+2=4. One first has to assume consciousness is rational and that the universe and experience holds these same rational limitations. Is truth in morality of less value than logic, or less true? Is the life of a psychopath with a 140 IQ but without any empathy of more value than the life a kind man with just a 60 IQ? Freewill to choose ill-moral behavior or even prefer ill-moral behavior may seem to not be objective but once the ill-behaved is treated "badly" they will always contests this as cruel or wrong. Anyone as the victim of ill-moral actions will always desire to escape said ill-moral actions placed on them. This seems to lead to moral objectiveness. Many people may claim to be pro-abortion but if given the “choice” that they themselves stand in as the aborted, only the suicidal would volunteer. No one that values “Choice” would want to be aborted themselves other than the suicidal. The question then would be, not if abortion is moral but is suicide moral. This leaves no doubt about the question that abortion is ill-moral; meaning that the normal person that is pro-abortion would not want to be aborted themselves unless suicidal. Suicide is already against the law, so why is suicide against the law but abortion not? I don't deny logic or mathematics as objective, I just understand the assumptions one must make to assert they are "objective" and apply the same to all results of un-testable consciousness. The error is with someone asserting objectiveness in some results of consciousness and subjectiveness in others without outside "proof".

[@MEJ0RVIDA]

thx for the some what existentialist comment.... I think the thinking part (and its choices) only appear when there are problems/challenges, andso it's a matter of ethical egoism. in my view, all humans try to do what they think is best for them, even if they get stuck in a destructive believe-system. so indeed logics or random experiences mixed with feelings can give great answers. how do I see this for myself? I try to limit the thinking, and try to feel what's right for me. nothing objective about it, pure (direct) experience. one only wants truth because of our primal fears engineered in our genes. we want to be safe and especially in control of our own state of being. all the rights and wrongs are most likely a matter of perspectivism, and yet it's very obvious that when u use anything that comes out of fear (direct fear, hate, sadness, etc) the result will be pain. when avoiding those things eventually, only good energy will come to u. when living with good energy, u'll make right choices for urself, outside the "objectivist-box". I think objectivism is the biggest mistake of our western culture (especially modern science and technology).

[@Bamsefar87]

This guy completely underestimate other mammals emotional capabilities. Hu-mans, and their brains, are fascinating, but lets not get ahead of ourselves.

[@thesixthfamily]

completely agree

[@linneahammer3197]

I do agree. I believe that there is something ~good~ that's separate from just energy. I don't think energy or existence is neutral. Animals, who can not "prepare for the future" as he says, still have an instinct to care for others.

[@mp2jimmay]

I also agree. I see the animal kingdom as much more enlightened than humans. Humans are not balanced with their surroundings anymore.

[@dianarosero333]

I agree it was one of the only things I didn’t enjoy hearing and strongly disagreed with. But he had a great talk.

[@monadamus9]

This is the culmination of great love spoken about many times in ancient days. 2012 is merely the opening of great doors to infinty and beyond. This whole presentation is flawless you can really feel him pour his heart out towards the end. I loved every second of this thank you for posting. Breath Deep, Seek Peace

[@marekdrzewiecki3780]

Very inspiring, great lecture. Thank you!

[@ToroidalVortexLove]

Alan Watts used the wave / ocean analogy decades ago but I guess we're all recycling old philosophies.

[@Krommandant]

ToroidalVortexLove René Descartes (1637) "I think therefore I am" is also recycled

[@BogdanRunceanu]

I wouldn't call it recycling old philosophies, but rather finally getting the point :)

[@ToroidalVortexLove]

he should at least give credit where it's due instead of trying to sound like he came up with them.

[@BogdanRunceanu]

yeah, you're probably right, but the main thing is to get the message through. mr. Watts would have been more happy hearing that his metaphor reached more people then hearing his name called on a stage, I'm sure

[@ToroidalVortexLove]

Yeah, maybe Mr Watts would have been more happy, but I value honesty and integrity. And I value Mr Watts.

[@grubbymanz3928]

meditation is just one way to develop a particular set of neuro-circuitry. It is a hell of a skill to command your directed attention, but I wouldn't say it's necessarily "beneath" or deeper than other states, of being swept away, unaware, by romanticism, of adrenaline coursing, even of catastrophizing and worrying. These are all amazing things trillions of neurons reacting in concert can do. It is all really amazing. Though the ability to command one's attention through meditation, shrink the amygdala and feed emotions back through the prefrontal cortex etc, is a very useful skill to someone who feels they are getting swept away in anxiety, depression, anger etc, no doubt. But someone who is content with just being and experiencing that versus a total mindless hedonist isn't really objectively better or having a deeper experience.

[@grubbymanz3928]

***** I agree with you, but my point is I don't judge other states of being as being objectively better or worse, I certainly prefer awareness and presence, but if someone enjoys being distracted, experiential experimentation, hedonism or whatever, and are happy, I don't think they need something else. Someone who is clinically depressed, or has out of control emotions, or addictions, or OCD etc and it's ruining their lives I would recommend a ton of meditation to get them in a better place.

[@proletarion3373]

You might want to look into the Orch OR Theory or the Nexus Theory of Consciousness, it solves the hard problem very simply

[@grubbymanz3928]

Sajeepan Ariharan cool thanks. I will look into these. I was just thinking the other day about the first action potential that starts a train of thought, apropos of nothing, and was wondering if quantum states could have something to do with it. On first glance that nexus theory paper seems like complete garbage, just looking for a desired religious outcome and making science up to rationalize it (bad science), but I'll look into that further as well.

[@maymac2012]

So powerful! Thanks. (Let this humble person say. I had first hand experience of what the speaker says. For several years I suffered so much from a broken bond. I was in a state of trauma and emotional pain so overwhelming that I felt it had broken me. My existence became my suffering. Then I found religion (spirituality). Through deep praying (meditation) giving up my sense of self, replacing the small "I am" with the big "I AM." My suffering gradually disappeared. It is a gift from above. An enlightenment. It requires effort but it is worthy of any effort. After that, I hope everybody finds religion (spirituality) in their own way.)

[@fitwithlucile]

Most important talk ever. Thank you.

[@MikeIsNexciting]

I'm a big fan of seeing, reading and listening to things that can make me think critically or ask questions. Even if I disagree, or don't share the same views. Jeff brought up some great things in this talk and it was very interesting. I'm not writing to say he's wrong, in fact I think he may be very right, or in the right direction for his ideas. But the whole idea of pure science comes to mind, the idea that we're all just cells, energy etc. And if we pursue this "pure science" we do eliminate what we know as our humanity. It's a work of fiction but the idea that pure science has no place on earth has been touched on before in Alan Moore's comic The Watchmen: with Dr. Manhattan. We're irrational beings trying to strive to understand the rational and scientific equations that break down everything and reduce it all to numbers or energy, cells etc. I guess part of my comment is what came to mind while watching this and part trying to wrap my head around what Jeff said.

[@sianbligh7196]

the guy appearing at 6:06 gave me a heart attack nearly haha, thought I had seen a ghost.

[@NLspartan117]

Haha, that’s pretty creapy

[@aduts1177]

Who?john cena?

[@Serenitybluff]

Very intense and a strong message for the shift in awakening

[@PsychicphonereadingsNetonline]

Your explanation really changes what i am thinking...thanks for the video

[@StaciEnglish]

I see a whole lot more sense coming from some members of the Animal Kingdom than I do amongst some humans.

[@mridulapandey6489]

Correct me if I'm wrong, is this guy is one of the host of Time Warp series?

[@emmab7658]

Absolutely beautiful!!

[@arunreddy5895]

This is probably the most brilliant talk on spirituality. The skill of putting forth the essence of the spiritualism is par excellence.I had been studying spirituality from an early age. The simplest way to put forth to the modern man & if this doesn’t make sense to anyone, do not worry for you will be back unto this earth many a times to experience.The purpose of life is to realise this that you are actually divine being having a human experience. Thanks

[@emanuelfaisca1783]

Alan watts

[@mikecuevas8013]

it's called having a Soul.

[@jasojeet]

One of the deepest and thought provoking TED talks i have ever seen

[@XSilvenX]

Good to see others who are seeing through this.

[@lennoxfarrell486]

Exodus 3:14 - And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

[@johnlennon8714]

Very good talks, it explains very well how our own mind is the root cause of all mental suffering. It is kinda obvious when you think about it, because the mind is what creates all thoughts and emotions. An important point is also how science has to take consciousness (life) into the equation. *What is said in this talk is just part of a bigger picture*, that is revealed in a book I'd recommend to everyone: ~The Present~ at TruthContest◘com.

[@MsKariSmith]

Great talk, takes effort to understand, but well worth the effort!

[@costajunior1956]

One of the best Ted Talks ever. Very clear.

[@theneilriver]

God created this universe scientifically.

[@beniteztheconman]

This speech has encouraged me to become a prostitute. Thank you.

[@michaelboucher9659]

Are you fit? and how much? ;)

[@sunsett9]

amazing!!! the whole world should see this!

[@melporter3]

Well done, Jeff. I truly appreciate your path and your seeking of a deeper understanding of enlightenment. Meditation, meditation, meditation. Enlightenment is possible with the dedication to a sincere, daily practice of meditation. It heals the heart and cures the troubled mind.

[@gekkouga292]

Infinite love is the only truth everything else is illusion.

[@suzsiz]

Ayahuasca, man. Ayahuasca.

[@shineinouzen7412]

I want to experience it so bad

[@milasyt]

SHE GETS IT

[@TheIntune100]

+Alejandro Gutierrez Look up Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev, Isha Foundation, India on KZbin. They conduct an Inner Engineering Program. I would highly recommend that. U will get all answers to all your questions.

[@evanbellen]

+Sara N Only with drugs because this video dude forgets that our conscience is a group of cells that work together, a group of particles, neurons that communicate with each other, and all shit about feelings are chemistry... but this dude wants to mix with spirituality. Geez man, this shit makes the World dumber.

[@rafaelf.bocanegra5412]

The big Lie of Ayahuasca. It will lead you to a lower state of consciousness. No drugs or mashrooms can replace the potential of the human mind when you try to reach the awareness of God.

[@jeroenoerlemans3299]

This is what TED has to be like! Speak the truth! Time to wake up from the dream and raise human consciousness to stop separation. So good! Thanks Jeff Lieberman, keep it up!

[@VladimirDragiev]

Thank you Jeff! Thank you!!!

[@thedrakes7000]

This is not sound doctrine

[@mrpregnant]

Let us embark on the vaguely inexplicable subjectivity of spirituality, and to conspicuously assume we can engage in discourse over the objectivity of spirituality is folly, because each individual blabber their mutually exclusive delusion of grandeur. Now let's exclude religiosity from the equation and embrace spirituality as an independent secular factor, "sounds like a contradiction," but many treat religiosity and spirituality in stark contrast. Spirituality seems to dwell on the non-materialistic attributes of existence, a connection to the intangible being or the nature or essence of a man. A divine sacred embodiment or liturgy connection with the intangible, a meaning to life, one that transcends beyond worldly interest, an intrinsic joy, unity, acceptance, significance or personal rapport with the universe. Or an external divine intervention that predicates the narratives of life. A complete vaguely inexplicable mumbo-jumbo gibberish that's contingent on the subjectivity of ones delusion.

[@Dkc3]

that's, like, just your opinion, bro

[@Dkc3]

that's, like, just your opinion, bro

[@ianburns6218]

You rejection is totally irrational.

[@angeljiminian5305]

Would it not be more useful if you disagree to share your reasons politely, instead of attempt to marginalize him or attack him? If you think he is wrong explain your details, it may be of no value to him but it may be useful to others who will read your comments in the future.

[@ianburns6218]

I would have thought it obvious, that spirituality is self-evidently subjective. To criticize it for being so is therefore irrational. The extent to which language can convey a common sense of mutual understanding on the mystery of existence will always be limited in this way and will always exhibit this trait, being drawn from the existential subjective perspective. To say that it's 'A complete vaguely inexplicable mumbo-jumbo gibberish that's contingent on the subjectivity of ones delusion.' is to criticise someone for attempting to express some insight into the ineffable beauty of their own experience. To call it delusion is arrogant in the extreme.

[@rezamohamadakhavan_abdolla8627]

Thank you. Excellent lecture.

[@andtezzacc5044]

Assistindo do Brasil!! Mano, isso é genial. Eu tive uma crise de ansiedade e desespero e depois paz kkk eu não sei o que pensar, mas, de alguma forma, eu me sinto mais livre

[@kaimamoonfury1335]

I disagree with other creatures not being able to predict the future, squirrels gather nuts, foxes stash food for later, etc...

[@kaimamoonfury1335]

***** Lol wut

[@easyeagle2]

+Kaima Moonfury Yes, but its mostly instinct. But also all creatures have some grey matter and can observe others and pick up patterns of behavior. Especially when trying to survive your first winter.

[@WolfEyesatNight]

+Kaima Moonfury predicting the future with knowledge which is the past, we use in the present to project to the future, the bible says truth is not still, so no, we cannot predict the future.

[@kaimamoonfury1335]

The bible also says that Jesus is the absolute truth, so y'know, contradictions abound. Regardless of how you do it, if you think there will be a specific outcome in a time not yet come to pass, you have predicted the future, wrong or not. However, we can and have used past events to accurately do so. That accuracy just isn't 100% Also, I am well aware of what the bible says, and it isn't something by en large i'd recommend following, its a deceptive book formed from deceptive practices and it encourages the abuse and mistreatment of my fellow man.

[@lEli7e]

They dont think about their future, they just act instinctively. They dont overthink like we do, that's what he was trying to say

[@ibrahimcavas1521]

this is what psychedelics like lsd and mushrooms are trying to teach us

[@castorbtlanger]

+Ibrahim Cavas Think I agree.However, most of us have to go to work tomorrow, take care of pets ,children ,parents ,etc. Its what we do, and why it hurts so much. My dad once said when I complained about a stomach ache that pain lets us know we are alive. I sure did not like his answer, but I think he was right.We can theorize "until the cows come in", but in the end, Death sucks.

[@theteacher2000]

I be yes but its a shortcut and thus cannot be the final way. the long way, self-realization is. taking drugs just draws ur consciousness down, not up

[@Walkabout]

I enjoyed this sincere and articulate presentation of one person's spiritual understanding of the world and delivery of a message of hope to relieve suffering through mystical experience. TEDx seems to be as good a platform as I can think of to deliver this message, carrying the potential for personal realization, to critical- and open-minded people who might benefit from shifting their perspectives of the world and themselves just a little bit.

[@MarioStankovic]

How can anyone just dislike this thoughts? Thank you for this awesome vid. Love Karaviro