Introduction to Focus Issue: Michael Mensky, Consciousness & Buddhism by Graham P. Smetham
In this focus issue, the author discusses and explores the remarkable quantum psycho-metaphysics developed and expounded by the Russian physicist Michael B. Mensky, and issues associated with this quantum-spiritual perspective. In particular, the issues of consciousness, Buddhist philosophy, the mind-like nature of the process of reality, and evolution towards enlightenment are central. See http://jcer.com/index.php/jcj/article/view/503
Life in Parallel Worlds & Buddhist Psycho-Metaphysics (Part I & II) by Graham P. Smetham
Michael B. Mensky’s quantum spiritual psycho-metaphysics is an overarching paradigm for a post-materialist science and philosophy, and his work in this area is of immense significance for the modern world. His quantum-spiritual psycho-metaphysics is entirely consistent with ‘mystical’ insights, in particular it is coherent with Buddhist psycho-metaphysics. Mensky’s quantum psycho-metaphysical paradigm succeeds dramatically by indicating that both Life and consciousness are fundamental internal aspects of quantum reality, Mensky’s ‘Alterverse’. Furthermore, according to Mensky’s quantum psycho-metaphysical model of the process of reality Life and consciousness are unfolded from the quantum realm through the operation of an inner teleological ‘pressure’ which Mensky calls the ‘Life-Principle’. This remarkable conceptual revolution, which shatters the materialist madness of many contemporary physicists and philosophers, is entirely consistent and coherent with the metaphysical insights of quantum theory and it corresponds closely with central Buddhist psycho-metaphysical doctrines such as karma and rebirth. Also, according to Mensky’s quantum spiritual worldview, the endpoint of the long chain of rebirths is enlightenment. For Part I, see http://jcer.com/index.php/jcj/article/view/504 ; for Part II, see http://jcer.com/index.php/jcj/article/view/505
Why Us: Trespassing on an Anthropic Lawn (Part I & II) by Graham P. Smetham
Mindful reflections upon a metaphysically misguided materialist advertising campaign: Trespassing on Einstein’s Lawn: A Father, a Daughter, the Meaning of Nothing, and the Beginning of Everything by Amanda Gefter. Gefter, New Scientist book reviews editor, presents a philosophically confused account of current quantum metaphysics because she adheres to an out of date materialist metaphysics and claims that, whilst observers in some way create reality, the process does not involve consciousness. Her claims are shown to invalid, the various quantum metaphysical perspectives she covers are shown to require consciousness as fundamental. For Part I, see http://jcer.com/index.php/jcj/article/view/506 ; for Part II, see http://jcer.com/index.php/jcj/article/view/507
Leonard Susskind: Stringing Together a Materialist Darwinian Cosmic Megaverse Landscape by Graham P. Smetham
Leonard Susskind, in his book The Cosmic Landscape: String Theory and the Illusion of Intelligent Design, attempts to use String Theory and a Multiverse-Megaverse Cosmic Landscape to undermine Anthropic perspectives and argues for a materialist cosmic Darwinism in which any notion of the importance of consciousness and Anthropic implications in the process of reality is rejected. In this article I hope to demonstrate that his argument is deficient. Consciousness is shown to be a primary requirement in the creation and evolution of the universe. See http://jcer.com/index.php/jcj/article/view/508
Engaging Buddhism with a False Imagination (Part I & II) by Graham P. Smetham
The metaphysical implications of the Yogācāra-Vijnanavada ‘consciousness-only’ school of Buddhist psycho-metaphysics has become an issue of some debate amongst some Western philosophers with an interest in Buddhist philosophy. The ‘canonical’ view amongst many significant scholars is that, as the name suggests, this perspective asserts that the ultimate nature of the process of reality is nondual primordial consciousness/awareness. On this ‘Idealist’ view the external apparently material world is considered to be a mind-created illusion. However, some contemporary Western philosophers are offering seemingly more materialist, or non-committal as to the existence of an external material world, versions. This article examines such claims and exposes their deficiencies. A quantum-Mind-Only Yogācāra-Vijnanavada perspective is explored. For Part I, see http://jcer.com/index.php/jcj/article/view/509 ; for Part II, see http://jcer.com/index.php/jcj/article/view/510