Showing results by author "David Christopher Lane" in All Categories

This small book explores four main topics: Professor Hoffmann's user interface theory of consciousness, Professor Lane's virtual simulation hypothesis of consciousness, Brandon Gillet's quantum mind understanding of consciousness, and the future implications of virtual reality and augmented reality.

Human interest in the nature of consciousness dates far back to our ancestral past. However, it is only in the last century or so that researchers and philosophers have been able to tackle the problem in a more scientific way. This is primarily due to our increasing understanding of human physiology and how our brain functions. The following essays briefly explore the life and work of pioneers in the field of consciousness studies.

This is a critical look at the extensive plagiarism of Gary Olsen and his spiritual group, MasterPath. Gary Olsen was a one-time follower of Eckankar but broke off and formed his own teachings, largely based on Eckankar and Radha Soami. This small book provides extensive documentation on why and how Gary Olsen appropriated copyrighted materials for his numerous books and discourses. Also included are original letters by Gary Olsen explaining why he plagiarized and an official apology from him back in 1995.

This small book contains three essays dealing with philosophy from William James, Bertrand Russell, and Frank Thilly - each 19th to 20th century thinkers. Provides a nice introductory glimpse into the progressive views of philosophical discourse. Selected and edited by Professor David Christopher Lane, PhD.

This is a brief narration commemorating the life and work of Acharya Sushil Kumar (1926-1994), the great Jain monk who spread the teachings of "ahimsa" (non-violence) worldwide.

This small audiobook includes a remarkable 1990 interview with the famous professor of philosophy, Patricia Churchland, from the University of California, San Diego, who produced the groundbreaking book Neurophilosophy. Conducted by Meredith Doran and edited by David Christopher Lane. Also includes an essay by Professor Lane on the multi-level perspective on consciousness.

Jeffrey Kripal’s latest book, The Flip: Epiphanies of Mind and the Future of Knowledge, extends his anti-materialist critique. Kripal goes so far as to suggest that “matter may, in fact, be an expression of some kind of cosmic Mind [sic], which expresses itself as the material world through the abstract structures of mathematics and physics.” I find that the examples he cites to support his “trans-materialism” purview to be half-baked and lacking in the necessary attention to detail. This short book is a three-fold critique of Kripal's anti-materialist purview.

In this book via three key essays, I attempt to turn the issue of mindless automatons on its head (with a bad pun included) by pointing out that “this [very issue] begs a much larger question: how do we really know that the zombie is merely a mindless automaton? The obvious answer is that we don't.” In other words, while it is certainly true that we can project consciousness on all sorts of objects that may lack it...

Consciousness is a virtual simulator par excellence and as such allows humans to have a rolodex of potential strategies when navigating in a world with ever-changing competitive concerns and environmental niches...The advent of virtual and augmented reality may serve as a useful pathway to better understand why consciousness evolved the way it did, primarily because the brain itself operates as a VR system, albeit a much more sophisticated one than Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.

Professor Lane, known for his critical studies of such cults and gurus as Eckankar, MSIA, and Sathya Sai Baba, goes on a quest in North India to find out if the ancient astrological treatise is authentic. However, in his search, he must overcome threats and personal attacks from several cult organizations.

Presents a critical analysis of Michael Behe's mind centered theory of evolution. Focuses on his latest book, Darwin Devolves. Also includes a critique of Behe's admonition for Catholics to follow the Church versus science and reason when there is a controversy that goes against Christian teachings.

A critical essay which points out that gurus, masters, and prophets must be held accountable for their actions. Argues that we far too often rely on what Ken Wilber insightfully calls "The Atman Project" where we use substitute icons in place of doing the hard work necessary in our own lives.

This audiobook explores why we should keep open and humble and realize the limits of our cranial capacities and the models of reality we generate.

Faqir Chand died on September 11, 1981. He was 95 years old. During his lifetime, this most remarkable of shabd yoga masters was relatively unknown, since he eschewed publicity and refused to grant initiation after 1942. However, he is unique among Radhasoami gurus for his exceptional honesty in explaining the illusory nature behind religious visions.

This book is one of Betrand Russell’s more famous essays on the importance of science in education and why it should be more emphasized in school and not disdained.

I first learned of Errol Flynn’s life and work when by chance I happened upon his autobiography, My Wicked Wicked Ways, in audio format at the Huntington Beach Library some two decades ago. It was an exhilarating find as it is one of the funniest and most insightful books I have ever listened to in my life. In fact, it was so good that I got a copy of the book and read it cover to cover again, and I was even more mesmerized by Errol Flynn’s hilarious stories and pithy insights the second time around.

This is the first in a series of "mini" audiobooks on scientists who have provided us with great insights into how nature works. The first audiobook is on Charles Darwin's understanding of natural selection as excerpted from his classic tome On the Origin of Species. Includes a brief introduction by Professor David Christopher Lane, PhD.

This is the fifth very small book in The Mystics of the World series. Jagat Singh was a shabd yoga adept and a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry. Focuses on shabd yoga meditation and the importance of concentrated repetition (simran).

This is the third in a series of books on Mystics of the World. Includes a meditative glimpse into the "unknowing" philosophy of Nicholas of Cusa, one of the great philosophical thinkers of all time.

This little meditational audiobook focuses on Salig Ram's very pertinent advice on how to meditate.