Buddhism, Emptiness & Idealism: A panel with Bernardo Kastrup, Dr. Karl Brunnhölzl, Michael R. Sheehy, Andrew Holecek

There are schools of Non-Duality that claim that awareness is fundamental - but some Buddhists claim even awareness is empty of inherent existence. They claim that advanced meditation and rigorous logic can show this to be inevitably true...

This debate has raged for centuries, and has profound implications to how we understand these ancient philosophies and spiritual practices. 

Joining this discussion are:

Michael R. Sheehy: a PhD in Buddhist Studies who specializes in the Kālacakra and Dzogchen meditation traditions is research associate professor and director of research at the Contemplative Sciences Center at the University of Virginia.
Dr. Karl Brunnhölzl: an international teacher and translator of Buddhism, focusing on Yogācāra, buddha nature, Vajrayāna, Mahāmudrā, 
Andrew Holecek: a frequent subject in scientific studies on meditation and lucid dreaming, after completing a 3 year retreat. He is Resident Contemplative Scholar at the Institute for Advanced Consciousness Studies, and a research consultant for the Cognitive Neuroscience Program at Northwestern University
Bernardo Kastrup has been leading the modern renaissance of ‘metaphysical idealism’ that reality is essentially mental, and has a Ph.D. in philosophy (ontology, philosophy of mind) and another Ph.D. in computer engineering. 

This is a stand alone event, but for people following this channel, it follows the recent debate between Jay Garfield and Bernardo Kastrup, and conversations with Buddhists students of Rob Burbea who argue for the emptiness of consciousness, such as Yahel Avigur and Mark Ovland, as well as Ruben Laukkonen, all of whom have presented a full understanding of emptiness as step beyond idealism, which can be made when consciousness is understood and seen to be constructed, empty of inherent independent existence as most forms of idealism claim. 

This discussion will look at the ways in which Buddhist traditions have bridged this debate and how it this is relevant to our modern understanding of reality and spiritual practice. 

This event is part of the membership programme With Reality in Mind and is free to it's members. You can find out more and join here:  https://www.withrealityinmind.com/

Dr. Karl Brunnhölzl

Dr. Karl Brunnhölzl, born in Munich, Germany, worked as a physician for 20 years and has been a Buddhist since 1983. He trained in Buddhist philosophy, meditation, and Tibetan language at Kamalashila Institut and later studied for 11 years at the Marpa Institute for Translators in Nepal under Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche. He also studied Tibetology, Buddhology, and Sanskrit at Hamburg University.

Since 1989, Karl has worked as a translator, interpreter, and Buddhist teacher across Europe, Asia, and North America. He became a senior teacher in the Nalandabodhi sangha in 2005 and has been a core teacher and translator for Nitartha Institute. From 2004 onward, he became a full-time author and translator, contributing to projects for the Tsadra and Causa Foundations. His translation of Asaṅga’s Mahāyānasaṃgraha earned him the Khyentse Foundation Prize in 2019.

Karl has published over twenty books in English and German and focuses on Yogācāra, buddha nature, Vajrayāna, Mahāmudrā, and the teachings of the Kagyü lineage, especially those of the Karmapas and key masters. He now lives in Munich.

Andrew Holecek

Andrew Holecek is an interdisciplinary scholar-practitioner in Tibetan Buddhism and other nondual wisdom traditions. He is the Resident Contemplative Scholar at the Institute for Advanced Consciousness Studies, and a research consultant for the Cognitive Neuroscience Program at Northwestern University. His work involves studies on dream yoga and the practice of dark retreat. Dr. Holecek is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the author of nine books, and a concert pianist. He has completed the Tibetan Buddhist three-year retreat and is a frequent subject in scientific studies on meditation and lucid dreaming. His work integrates ancient wisdom traditions with contemporary perspectives, aiming to help individuals navigate spiritual challenges and end-of-life experiences. He is currently writing two books on dark retreat. Holecek holds degrees in classical music, biology, and a doctorate in dental surgery.

Michael R. Sheehy

Michael R. Sheehy is research associate professor and director of research at the Contemplative Sciences Center at the University of Virginia. He is founding principal of the CIRCL, Contemplative Innovation + Research Co-Lab and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Contemplative Studies. He has a PhD in Buddhist Studies, was a visiting scholar at Harvard Divinity School, and is an honorary lifetime Mind & Life Research Fellow. Michael studied extensively in Tibet, including three years training in a Buddhist monastery and twelve years conducting fieldwork across the plateau. Michael’s research gives attention to historical contemplative practices in dialogue with contemporary discourses in the humanities, cultural psychology, and cognitive sciences. The CIRCL collaboratory that he directs investigates how contemplative practices work in bodies and minds, cultures and ecologies, ourselves and our worlds; including studies on meditation in nature, virtual reality, lucid dreaming, and sound and light immersion. He is the author of more than two dozen articles and co-editor of The Other Emptiness: Rethinking the Zhentong Buddhist Discourse in Tibet. His work has been featured in Psyche magazine, Journal of the History of Ideas Blog, and National Geographic. 

About Bernardo Kastrup

Photo by Pedro Henrique Casarin

Bernardo Kastrup's work has been leading the modern renaissance of the philosophical position, ‘metaphysical idealism’ that reality is essentially mental, an appearance in ‘mind.’  Bernardo has a Ph.D. in philosophy (ontology, philosophy of mind) and another Ph.D. in computer engineering (reconfigurable computing, artificial intelligence). As a scientist, Bernardo has worked for the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the Philips Research Laboratories (where the 'Casimir Effect' of Quantum Field Theory was discovered). Formulated in detail in many academic papers and books, his ideas have been featured on Scientific American, the Institute of Art and Ideas, the Blog of the American Philosophical Association and Big Think, among others. Bernardo's most recent book is The Idea of the World: A multi-disciplinary argument for the mental nature of reality. For more information, freely downloadable papers, videos, etc., please visit www.bernardokastrup.com.

Hosted by Amir

Amir collaborates with Bernardo Kastrup on With Reality in Mind, and runs Adventures in Awareness to foster connections between meditators, scientists and philosophers. The aim is generate new insights into life, consciousness and reality that can benefit ordinary people. Through discussion, events and courses he hosts explorations in what it means to be a ‘modern mystic’ - balancing the challenges and gifts of modern life whilst alive to timeless mystery.

He worked for 20 years as a choreographer, performer and dancer on everything from MARVEL movies to Royal Opera House productions, specialising in contemporary dance, contact improvisation and Argentine tango. 

He remains interested into how insight can transform how we move, relate and live. 

ENQUIRIES: amir@adventuresinawareness.com
 

REFUNDS: Please note that we do not arrange refunds or exchanges. We welcome swapping or reselling your tickets with people you know.