In the fourth episode of the Philosophy of Meditation series, John Vervaeke, Rick Repetti, and guest Thomas Metzinger delve into the intricate world of meditation and mindfulness. The conversation weaves through the paradoxes of Zen Buddhism, exploring the 'Neither One Nor Many' concept and the profound realms of deep water awareness in meditation. They tackle the current crisis in American spirituality and discuss the impactful 'Awakening for the Meaning Crisis' series. The episode also sheds light on the Minimal Phenomenal Experience project and the vital role of intellectual honesty in meditation practices. Throughout the episode, they delve into complex themes such as self-deception, mortality denial, and the influence of psychedelic practices on meditation, offering a comprehensive view of the intertwining of meditation, spirituality, and intellectual discourse. Thomas Metzinger, recently retired Professor of Theoretical Philosophy at Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, remains celebrated for his contributions to philosophy and cognitive science. As an Adjunct Fellow at the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Study, he authored significant works like "Being No One" and "The Ego Tunnel." His extensive research over 47 years in meditation intertwines analytic philosophy of mind, applied ethics, and cognitive science. Glossary of Terms Minimal Phenomenal Experience (MPE): The simplest form of conscious experience. Non-Egoic Awareness: A state of consciousness where the self or ego is not the central aspect of experience. John Vervaeke: Website: https://johnvervaeke.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke X: https://twitter.com/vervaeke_john Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VervaekeJohn/ Rick Repetti: Website: https://www.rickrepetti.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickrepetti/ X: https://twitter.com/rickrepetti Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/philosophicalpractitioner/ Thomas Metzinger: Website: https://www.philosophie-e.fb05.uni-mainz.de/institutes/theoretical-philosophy/thmetzinger/ Join our new Patreon https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke The Vervaeke Foundation - https://vervaekefoundation.org/ Awaken to Meaning - https://awakentomeaning.com/ John Vervaeke YouTube Awakening from the Meaning Crisis https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLND1JCRq8Vuh3f0P5qjrSdb5eC1ZfZwWJ Books, Articles, and Publications Routledge Handbook on the Philosophy of Meditation - Rick Repetti https://www.amazon.com/Routledge-Handbook-Philosophy-Meditation-Repetti/dp/036764746X Being No One: The Self-Model Theory of Subjectivity - Thomas Metzinger https://www.amazon.com/Being-No-One-Self-Model-Subjectivity/dp/0262633086 The Ego Tunnel: The Science of the Mind and the Myth of the Self - Thomas Metzinger https://www.amazon.com/Ego-Tunnel-Science-Mind-Myth/dp/0465020690/ The Elephant and the Blind: The Experience of Pure Consciousness: Philosophy, Science, and 500+ Experiential Reports - Thomas Metzinger https://www.amazon.com/Elephant-Blind-Experience-Consciousness-Experiential/dp/0262547104/ The Problem of Pure Consciousness: Mysticism and Philosophy - Robert K. C. Forman https://www.amazon.com/Problem-Pure-Consciousness-Mysticism-Philosophy/dp/0195109767 Predictive processing and relevance realization: exploring convergent solutions to the frame problem. Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences. Andersen, B. P., Miller, M., & Vervaeke, J. (2022) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11097-022-09850-6 Trying Not to Try: Ancient China, Modern Science, and the Power of Spontaneity - Edward Slingerland https://www.amazon.com/Trying-Not-Try-Ancient-Spontaneity/dp/077043763X/ M-Autonomy. Journal of Consciousness Studies Metzinger, Thomas (2015). https://www.blogs.uni-mainz.de/fb05philosophie/files/2013/04/Metzinger_M-Autonomy_JCS_2015.pdf Are you sleepwalking now? What we know about mind wandering. Aeon. Metzinger, T. (2013). https://aeon.co/essays/are-you-sleepwalking-now-what-we-know-about-mind-wandering The Robot's Rebellion: Finding Meaning in the Age of Darwin - Keith E. Stanovich https://www.amazon.com/Robots-Rebellion-Finding-Meaning-Darwin/dp/0226771253 Quotes "In meditation, awareness can become non egoically aware of itself." - Thomas Metzinger