BROADCASTS.com

What does consciousness mean to you? It\u2019s something that\u2019s fundamental to who we are as humans. And yet it\u2019s a concept that many of us would struggle to define \u2013 scientists and philosophers included. But today\u2019s guest is someone who has spent many years and countless hours studying it, and is keen to share what he has learned.\n\xa0\nAnil Seth is Professor of Cognitive and Computational Science at the University of Sussex and Co-director of the Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science. He is a globally respected neuroscientist and author of the\xa0Sunday Times\xa0bestseller\xa0Being You: A New Science Of Consciousness. And he is someone who excels at making complex ideas simple as evidenced by the fact that his TED talk has been viewed over 12 million times to date.\n\xa0\nAfter 20 years researching the brain, Anil\u2019s ideas on perception, reality, and what it means to be you, will have you reconsidering everything you\u2019ve taken for granted about your experience of the world. And if that sounds scary, it really isn\u2019t. You don\u2019t need any prior knowledge of neuroscience, philosophy, or spirituality to enjoy this episode \u2013 but it will leave you feeling enlightened in all three areas.\n\xa0\nDuring this conversation we consider death, ritual and the cultural idea of reincarnation. We talk about Near Death Experiences and what we can potentially learn from them and we dive into what consciousness and the self really mean. Anil also sets out his theory that our brains don\u2019t read the world, they write them \u2013 all of life is a controlled hallucination.\n\xa0\nThe way we encounter reality, he asserts, is a construction. Our thoughts and perceptions are merely interpretations of external and biological cues. We\u2019re all hallucinating, all the time. It\u2019s just that when we agree on those hallucinations, we call it reality.\n\xa0\nAnil\u2019s work is fascinating and I\u2019m convinced it could pave the way for a humanity that\u2019s more connected, considerate, and humble. This is a conversation that I think will have you reflecting and thinking deeply about the world and your place within it. I hope you enjoy listening.\n\nSupport the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts\xa0https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to\xa0https://fblm.supercast.com.\n\nThanks to our sponsors:\nhttps://www.vivobarefoot.com/livemore\nhttps://www.athleticgreens.com/livemore\n\nShow notes\xa0https://drchatterjee.com/366\n\nDISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.