In this episode, we dive deep into a radical theory gaining traction in the world of quantum physics — the idea that the multiverse might not just exist… it might think. From entangled particles and holographic codes to theories of cosmic consciousness, discover why some physicists and philosophers are asking: Is the universe the brain of God?
We explore:
🔹 The latest quantum discoveries that blur the line between matter and mind
🔹 How neural networks and the cosmos might share a hidden blueprint
🔹 Why ancient spiritual insights may align with cutting-edge science
🔹 And whether your consciousness could be part of a much larger mind
Each week, the Essentia Foundation shares highlights from the most insightful moments of longer videos on this channel. In this video Prof. Jeffrey Kripal talks about the importance of metaphysical diversity in academia: instead of regarding other than Western ontologies as Foucauldian language games, we have to see them as valid claims on reality.
Watch the full interview: What If Science Took The Paranormal Seriously? | The Superhumanities | Prof. Jeffrey Kripal PhD
Essentia Foundation’s Hans Busstra interviews Prof. Jeffrey Kripal, PhD, who holds the J. Newton Rayzor Chair in Philosophy and Religious Thought at Rice University in Houston, on his new book: ‘The Superhumanities, Historical Precedents, Moral Objections, New Realities.’ What if the humanities would open their horizon to more metaphysical possibilities? Prof. Kripal has written a book about a future in which the humanities study the full human. In these superhumanities, the weird, the psi—in short, the impossible—is taken seriously metaphysically: anomalous phenomena are not only regarded as subjective truths, but also as objective claims about reality. In his book, Prof. Kripal clearly shows how the nineteenth century ontology of materialism reigns in almost all of the humanities, which limits our scientific understanding of who we are as humans: there is no transcendence, the individual is nothing but a social body in spacetime, shaped by society. As Prof. Kripal likes to quip: “if there is one dogma in the humanities, it is that the truth has to be depressing.” The humanities need to expand beyond this depressing view, not because it’s depressing, but because it’s simply a half truth. We are conditioned social animals and transcendent beings. We are human and superhuman, as he argues. Interestingly, the superhumanities can build on the same foundational thinkers as the humanities. When we read the full Friedrich Nietzsche, William James, or Jacques Derrida, for instance, we see that these thinkers very much acknowledged the super. It is only the postmodern reading of their texts in academia that filters out the ecstatic. When it comes to Nietzsche, Prof. Kripal convincingly argues that the ‘crazy’ Nietzsche was perhaps the real Nietzsche, at the pinnacle of his thought. But here’s the thing: did he think his way to the vision of the Übermensch—which later unjustly got contaminated by fascism—or did he somehow receive it as a vision? According to Prof. Kripal, Nietzsche’s vision should be taken much more literally than we now take it: he was talking about an actual superspecies, with superhuman capabilities. What if the humanities could scientifically investigate what happened when, for instance, Nikola Tesla had the visions that led to groundbreaking inventions? What happened when Einstein saw the principles of general relativity in a dream? Perhaps the key takeaway from Prof. Kripal’s book is that, if the humanities would only dare to turn into the superhumanities, they would again become relevant for the other disciplines in academia.
What if the sprawling cosmic web of galaxies, spanning billions of light years, shares striking similarities with the neural circuitry in our heads? In this video, we delve deep into recent research showing that the “cosmic filaments” binding galaxy clusters might parallel the intricate networks of neurons and synapses in our brains. Join us as we unpack how these two vastly different scales—microscopic neural tissue and a universe-sized lattice of galaxies—can exhibit comparable statistical patterns, structural motifs, and even “self-organizing” behaviors. We begin by exploring why the universe looks “networked,” discussing how gravitational interactions form cosmic filaments linking superclusters. We then compare this to neural connectivity, where billions of neurons form complex circuits of short- and long-range synapses. Along the way, we examine tools like high-resolution imaging, cosmological simulations, and graph theory—methods that let us treat both the human brain and the universe as interconnected networks. We’ll see how “nodes and bridges” are crucial in each system: neurons form local clusters bridged by long axons, just as galaxies clump into clusters connected by filaments. Next, we tackle the concept of self-organization: in the brain, synaptic plasticity continually reshapes circuits based on use, while in the cosmos, gravitational collapse sculpts voids and filaments from early quantum fluctuations. We also discuss information theory, where the brain balances order and entropy during perception and learning, while the cosmos develops “local pockets of order” (galaxy clusters) in a largely expanding universe. Finally, we address the hotly debated notion of “cosmic consciousness”—whether the universe “thinks” as a brain does or whether these parallels simply highlight universal design principles in nature, rather than any form of cosmic mind. If you’re curious about how cutting-edge simulations, entropy analyses, and network science bridge neuroscience and astrophysics, this video is for you. Get ready to see both the cosmos and your own brain in a whole new light! Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more deep dives into the science connecting our minds to the mysteries of the universe.
Curt Jaimungal is joined by Michael Levin and Karl Friston. This conversation incorporates insights from physics and information theory, particularly regarding self-organization and the significance of entropy and free energy.
Darius J. Wright explains how he started to have out of body experiences since childhood, and how he experiences the other side. He explains what the different dimensions are beyond our 3D reality, and how our memory has been erased to make us forget where we are and who we are as souls. His website: https://dariusjwright.com/my-mis…
Everything is energy. Are you highly intelligent but feel trapped, misunderstood, or disconnected from the world? You’re not alone. Society wasn’t built for deep thinkers—it was designed to reward mediocrity, suppress critical thought, and keep the most capable minds distracted, isolated, and financially dependent. In this video, we uncover the hidden war on intelligence, breaking down the three key ways society suppresses high-IQ individuals, why The Curse of the High IQ by Aaron Clarey explains this phenomenon, and most importantly—how to escape ‘The IQ Trap’ and leverage your intelligence for true success.
First and foremost this is a promotional clip pointing you in the direction of the original creators of the material. Secondly this is Educational in a way that could Save Lives. For original video see:Christof Koch and Giulio Tononi on Consciousness at the FQXi conference 2014 in Vieques • Christof Koch and Giulio Tononi …
In this wide-ranging interview with Natalia Vorontsova, Professor Marjorie Woollacott draws remarkable parallels between 9th-10th century Kashmiri Shaivism and modern idealism, pointing to the fundamental and irreducible nature of consciousness. Moreover, her study of near-death experiences empirically supports this very hypothesis of the existence of a fundamental consciousness without neurons and beyond our five senses. This is an open conversation about life, death, and who we really are as ‘points of consciousness.’
Scientist Gregg Braden is back on Know Thyself today for a deeper dive into the inherent beauty of humanity and the technology that threatens it. Pulling on the threads of our last conversations, Gregg opens up about the current state of the world: from transhumanism to artificial intelligence, giving a warning message about these innovations. He provides a reframe on what we’ve been told about human potential: revealing that we are far greater than we know and these technologies threaten that very greatness. Our discussion encompasses a range of critical topics, including the ongoing struggle between good and evil on Earth, the pivotal Year 2030, and the Future of Humanity. Furthermore, Gregg draws intriguing parallels to popular culture, exploring how films like “The Matrix” serve as allegories for deeper truths about our reality, prompting us to question the nature of existence itself.
Have you ever experienced psychic phenomena? How about an experience that could only be regarded as “magic”?It’s more than likely you have, considering a survey conducted where over 90% of participants, all being scientific academics, reported to have had at least one of these experiences in their life. Today’s podcast is with Dean Radin, Chief Scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences. Dean has an impressively prestigious background- with a Masters degree in electrical engineering and a PhD in psychology, he has spent decades engaged in research on the frontiers of consciousness, with over 100 peer-reviewed studies and author of numerous books. In our discussion, we discuss the gamut of magical experiences, including; telepathy, clairvoyance, levitation, manifestation, sigils, and more. We dive into the scientific studies that validate these kinds of experiences, discuss the history of suppression, and posit the potential of our future if we begin to harness these abilities
