Abhinavagupta, A.I., and the Matter of Wonder with Loriliai Biernacki

Loriliai Biernacki is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her research interests include Hinduism, gender, New Materialism, and the interface between religion and science. Her first book, Renowned Goddess of Desire: Women, Sex and Speech in Tantra (2007) won the Kayden Award in 2008. She is co-editor of God’s Body: Panentheism across the World’s Religious Traditions (2013). Her most recent book is The Matter of Wonder: Abhinavagupta’s Panentheism and the New Materialism (2023). In this episode, Loriliai and Jacob spoke about:Artificial intelligence and whether or not AI can become conscious.How Abhinavagupta’s work responds to the mind-body problem.What the modern understanding is of matter and how Abhinavagupta’s matter is one that includes subjectivity, “I-ness”.How looking at Abhinavagupta’s work as “religious” misunderstands the philosophical significance of his ideas.How the deities referenced throughout the Tantrik tradition are a way of understanding the different “voices” or “personalities” of consciousness manifest in our seemingly singular embodiment. The continental and analytic philosophy tradition, and why the continental tradition is a better home for Abhinavagupta.Links mentioned in the episode:CYBER MONDAY! https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/cyber-monday-2024Jacob’s Substack, “Into the Void”: jacobkyle.comSādhana School: enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/sadhana-school-listWisdom School (Free Trial): enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/wisdom-school

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Chitheads is a smorgasbord of contemplative education. Each episode is like a mini masterclass, exploring the diverse landscapes of spiritual practice, philosophy, and the transformative power of embodied knowledge. Each episode is crafted with the curious and open heart in mind, aiming to illuminate the path of self-inquiry and empowerment for yoga teachers, scholar-practitioners, meditators and other spiritual seekers and contemplative folks from around the world. From the profound teachings of Yoga and Buddhism to the sometimes complex theories of contemplative psychology and the vibrant tapestry of indigenous wisdom, our guests share insights that awaken, challenge, and inspire. With every episode, we dive into discussions that matter, exploring questions that guide us closer to our true selves and to a deeper understanding of the world around us. Our mission is to create a space where wisdom (and not fame, power, or money) is the center of gravity and what we are most concerned about cultivating in this lifetime.  Join us on Chitheads as we explore the liminal spaces of consciousness, embrace the complexities of the human experience without dogma or self-righteousness, and discover the beauty again and again of the interconnectedness of all things. Subscribe to Chitheads on YouTube and your favorite podcast platform, and please consider leaving us a positive review on one iTunes, or your favorite podcast player. Come dive into these in-depth conversations that illuminate our path of contemplative discovery. If you’ve felt like you’re the only one full of chit – full of consciousness or awareness ˀ– welcome home. This community of listeners, seekers, and scholar-practitioners is for you.