Bernardo Kastrup | Jay Garfield: Tibetan Buddhism & Non Duality
- Wed 4th Dec 2024, 2pm – 4pm EST (UTC -05:00)
- Online
- https://dandelion.events/e/f3myp
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Jay Garfield is a world specialist in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, leading classes everywhere from Harvard Divinity School all the way to the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies in India. He was one of six scholars who participated in a conference with the 14th Dalai Lama on "Mapping the Mind: A Dialogue between Modern Science and Buddhist Science.
Bernardo Kastrup is undoubtedly the world's most articulate, rigorous and well-known defender of metaphysical idealism - the notion that all reality is consciousness, as well as having two PhDs and having worked in some of the world's most esteemed scientific institutions.
In a conversation moderated by Amir Giles, Bernardo and Jay will delve into the similarities and differences between Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and Analytic Idealism.
- What is reality? How can we know?
- Is consciousness primary or empty of inherent existence ?
This is an exciting opportunity to hear two great minds compare two incredible traditions, and what this might mean for how we approach life, death and beyond.
“Phenomenal talk. Bernardo is truly a great philosopher... inspiring and life-changing. So thank you to Bernardo,.. and to everybody else in attendance, who consistently asked profound questions!” ★★★★★ - Andre
“The breadth of Bernardo's insight and understanding into the nature of reality and all kinds of related subjects is utterly breathtaking. Thank you Bernardo and Amir for a wonderful, inspiring, transformative four weeks.” ★★★★★ - Karen
Dates and Times
Link to the live call will be sent via email when registering, and a link to a recording a few days after the event to everyone registered.
Wed 4th Dec, 7pm UK time
If money is a barrier to attendance, please get in touch, stating if you require a discount or free ticket: amir@adventuresinawareness.com
No one is turned away for lack of funds.
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.
About Jay Garfield

Garfield received an A.B. from Oberlin College in 1975, and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1986, where he worked with Wilfrid Sellars and Annette Baier. At the Central University of Tibetan Studies in India, he studied Nagarjuna with Geshe Yeshe Thabkhas.
He taught from 1980 to 1995 at Hampshire College, from 1996 to 1998 at the University of Tasmania, and since 1999 at Smith College.
He is editor-in-chief of the journal Sophia, and is on the editorial boards of Philosophical Psychology, Journal of Indian Philosophy and Religion, Australasian Philosophical Review, Philosophy East and West, American Institute of Buddhist Studies/Columbia Center for Buddhist Studies/Tibet House, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, and the Journal of Buddhist Philosophy.
Garfield was the inaugural Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple Professor of Humanities and Head of Studies, Philosophy, at Yale-NUS from 2013-2016. He said, "This Professorship has given me the opportunity of a lifetime – working with motivated, creative and talented students and colleagues and working in a community committed to building something entirely new, an Asian liberal arts college with a truly global curriculum."[2] During his professorship at Yale-NUS, Garfield was one of six scholars who participated in a conference with the 14th Dalai Lama on "Mapping the Mind: A Dialogue between Modern Science and Buddhist Science."[3]
FEEDBACK FROM PREVIOUS EVENTS
★★★★★ “Bernardo is a true pioneer and a brilliant thinker (and experiencer). One of my favorite aspects of Bernardo's personality is his humility and his unpretentiousness. Very enjoyable and enriching. Should follow up in 3 mos min.” - Tomas
★★★★★ “Listening to Bernardo makes my whole Being fizz with excitement. Excellent content, thank you so much for hosting this. And Amir is the ideal facilitator - curious, playful, respectful, attentive, and organised.” - Liam
★★★★★ “This was a fascinating 4 weeks on the nature of consciousness. Highly recommended.” Frank I
★★★★★ “It was a wonderful experience. I have learnt a lot through out this course, Bernardo is such a very articulate philosopher and Amir is such a very good coordinator. I am so grateful for having had this experience.” - Nour
★★★★★ "Great course! Very insightful and original. Impressive how Bernardo is able take a holistic/multidisciplinary perspective and is able to translate difficult philosophical and scientific concepts into everyday language. A course definitely worthwhile repeating!" - Frank
REFUNDS: Please note that we do not arrange refunds or exchanges. We welcome swapping or reselling your tickets with people you know.
Register here
Access a recording of this event that started on Wed 4th Dec 2024 🍿
If money is a barrier to attendance, please get in touch. No one is turned away for lack of funds. |
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Anonymous on Bernardo Kastrup | Jay Garfield: Tibetan Buddhism & Non Duality | 4 months ago | |
Anonymous on Bernardo Kastrup | Jay Garfield: Tibetan Buddhism & Non Duality | 4 months ago | |
Glenn Williams on Bernardo Kastrup | Jay Garfield: Tibetan Buddhism & Non Duality | 4 months ago | |
Bernardo's response to this egotistical, left-brained combatant was admirable. It's unfortunate that we didn't get a helpful presentation of Tibetan Buddhism.
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Mr on Bernardo Kastrup | Jay Garfield: Tibetan Buddhism & Non Duality | 4 months ago | |
I found it to be quite exhilarating. To be honest it felt like Jay Garfield was somewhat bothered and more or less on the defensive from the get go. Bernardo did very well. His humility shone through. I guess this meta physics is very threatening to people invested in materialism as Jay Garfield clearly is.
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Anonymous on Bernardo Kastrup | Jay Garfield: Tibetan Buddhism & Non Duality | 4 months ago | |
Technical, philosophical and somewhat contentious discussion. I would have preferred a discussion more at the layman's level (which is my level), which also a non-academic can understand.
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John S. on Bernardo Kastrup | Jay Garfield: Tibetan Buddhism & Non Duality | 4 months ago | |
I thought it a pity that Jay Garfield went on the attack at the outset, and I found his belligerent and ad hominem remarks towards Bernardo unpleasant and unnecessary. He, or the moderator, could have tried to establish some common ground to begin from, but I understand that Amir was taken aback because discussions on this forum are usually friendly, constructive and calm. However, Jay gave Bernardo a good run for his money and I also learned some new perspectives about Prasangika Madyamika. I would like to suggest that Jay be invited to speak on his own about Prasangika Madyamaka which is his area of expertise. His Yogachara course at the Sravastri Abbey was outstanding and his attitude there was most affable and helpful, so maybe the debate format does not bring out the best in him. I would also like to know how Spira would deal with Jay's perspective, so that might also make for a good discussion.
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Mira on Bernardo Kastrup | Jay Garfield: Tibetan Buddhism & Non Duality | 4 months ago | |
Hello Amir, thank you very much for your enquiry! I love Bernardo and the conversations with him. Yesterday I had a bit of the impression that it was more of an expert battle and that it was about showing who was right, so to speak. Maybe that also came a little bit from Bernardo's entrance Statement, that he normally doesn't have big differences with non-duality teachers. Perhaps it led Jay to finally create differences. Overall, the conversation was too detached for me. For someone who is very interested in consciousness and philosophy but is simply not an expert, topics that might have been easier to follow were not really presented. I'm going to watch the rest of the programme today, but I don't think my opinion will change much. Sincerely, Mira
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Dan Demchenko on With Reality in Mind: Bernardo Kastrup 5-Week Q&A with guest Christof Koch | 4 months ago | |
Karen W. on With Reality in Mind: Bernardo Kastrup 5-Week Q&A with guest Christof Koch | 4 months ago | |
This course has become a real highlight of my life. The community is brilliant and asks fascinating questions. Bernardo is a natural born teacher who is open to all kinds of questions, wherever someone may be in their own understanding of idealism. Bernardo’s very nature seems to be infinite curiosity and his enthusiasm infuses everything. And many thanks to Amir who so skilfully holds together all the different threads of science, ethics and spirituality so there is cohesion and clarity. Literally mind blowing!
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Olas on With Reality in Mind: Bernardo Kastrup 5-Week Q&A with guest Christof Koch | 4 months ago | |
Fascinating conversation, very grateful to be able to participate. Since my iPad zoom does not allow saving the chat, would really appreciate access to it after the meeting. Thanks!
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