Scientific Saturdays

In a time period of human history where academic science has basically gained the position of the main go-to source for direction in life, Srila Prabhupada many a time made it clear that devotees have to boldly point out the flaws and limitations that scientism brings along. Biweekly and under the guidance of His Grace Akandadhi prabhu ACBSP different topics of modern science will be put under scrutiny. This will be done on the basis of a verse of the Srimad Bhagavatam. After a presentation by the speaker there will also be ample time to ask and discuss, in class and during prasadam later on. Besides getting practical, easy-to-grasp take-aways to use when dealing with scientific arguments, the goal is to inspire devotees to study Srimad Bhagavatam with increased enthusiasm and faith. In this way we can strengthen our conviction in the process Srila Prabhupada gave us and stay confident when being presented with academic arguments. Please come and join us online or in the temple for this exciting project!

Scientific Saturday Intro

29th April

The Sankhya model of psychology

Akhandadhi das

15th April

A new look at the Sankhya elements that manifest the world around us

Akhandadhi das

2nd April

What is Real? Realism/Idealism; Monism/Dualism and Acintya bhedabheda tattva

Akhandadhi das

4th March

S.B.6.1.31 - Evidence that consciousness and mind persist beyond death

Akhandadhi das

18th February

S.B.3.26.61 - The four Antahkarana cognitive functions: manas, buddhih, ahankara & citta. What they are and what they do for you

Akhandadhi das

4th February

S.B.7.15.41 - Three analogies of how the soul exists within the body

Akhandadhi das

3rd December

S.B.11.13.25 - The Interface of mind and matter

Akhandadhi das

Working with the Three-Function Model

How non-neural consciousness interacts with the brain & body

Evidence from physics of such interactions

The role of intention

Critique of manifestation/abundance promises

‍

12th November

S.B.7.13.43 - The Platform of the Mind

Govinda das

The Vedic perspective of psychology

Thinking, feeling, and willing

Mindfulness, the faculty of accepting and rejecting

‍

29th October

S.B.6.4.25 - Qualia - The Hard Problem of Consciousness

Akhandadhi das

Simple and unassailable arguments from sciencepresenting the non-physical aspects of mind & consciousness:

Why mental states are not simply brain activity

Distinguishing consciousness from mental activity

Three-Function Model of Conscious Experience

Are we dualists? Idealists?

Using this model to undermine physicalist arguments

15th October

S.B.2.2.35 - What do we mean by ‘consciousness’?

Akhandadhi das

The big questions - Consciousness, existence, and reality

Jiva Goswami’s axioms for philosophy & science

What they reveal about consciousness

The qualities and properties of consciousness

1st October

S.B.1.2.20 - The Science of Krsna Consciousness

H H Krishna Kshetra Swami & Akhandadhi das

Philosophy of Science, Subjective science, Yoga, Bhakti

Relationship between science, philosophy & theology

Limitations of the scientific method

Our interaction with academia

Pre-philosophical insights & direct realization in KC

More Talks to come - stay tuned!

Please find summary handouts of the previous talks here.

If you are interested in these topics and would like to gain in depth insight, please follow this link to find out more about the atma paradigm!

The Atma Paradigm

In this set of videos, Akhandadhi Das presents a framework for a science that includes consciousness as the very foundation of its theories.