Our guest on this episode is Professor Emeritus Piet Hut. Piet is renowned in the field of astrophysics, and recently retired as head of Interdisciplinary Studies at the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) in Princeton, New Jersey—which was once home to great scientists like Albert Einstein. But as you’ll find out, Piet’s interests reach far beyond the big bang and computer models of the universe.Before he was a professional scientist, Piet recounts tinkering with motorcycles and conducting somewhat dangerous chemical experiments at his childhood farm. But by his late teens, he was also studying yogic texts and making weeklong retreats in Trappist monasteries.At the heart of many contemplative traditions, Piet recognized echoes of the scientific method: the process of formulating hypotheses and testing them with replicable experiments. While physicists used this method for making discoveries about matter, contemplatives employed it for making discoveries about the mind.In this conversation, Piet shares his lifelong interest in studying the nature of consciousness—drawing from not only current scientific approaches but also global contemplative theory and practice. Recently, Piet began his most explicit exploration of consciousness yet through his creation of what he calls “FEST” (Fully Empirical Science and Technology): a new research program that aims to “bridge the gap between matter and mind.” In this episode, we discuss this intriguing project at length, how accessible the “objective world” really is, and the fine line between “dogma” and “science.” Please enjoy!Show NotesPiet Hut’s original FEST Log, which Nick references throughout the show.Piet’s new site, festprogram.org, is a treasure trove of resources and thought on the relationship between mind and matter. It houses articles Piet has produced exploring mind and matter, as well as videos from presentations, interviews, and panels that he has given over the years.You can find Piet’s bio and additional writings on the Institute for Advanced Studies website.Sign up for newsletters from the Center for Contemplative ResearchSubscribe to Fathom the Mind on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!Fathom the Mind is produced by the Center for Contemplative Research, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Crestone, Colorado. Visit our site to explore our work and access our library with over 70 hours of guided meditations and resources on contemplative practice.As a nonprofit, we rely on the support of generous listeners like you to keep these conversations going. You can find ways to give here.#science #consciousness
On Fathom the Mind, we explore what cutting-edge science and rigorous contemplative inquiry can tell us about the nature of consciousness. In this exploration, we hope to empower you to live a life of both intellectual integrity and contemplative depth.Despite the depth to which modern scientists have investigated matter and the physical world, their questions about the nature of consciousness remain unsolved. Scientists still don’t know how physical matter relates to conscious experience, and given the intense debate among the scientific community, there seems to be little hope for consensus on the matter anytime soon.And yet, consciousness and subjective experience are central to every human life. Without them, scientists could not even begin their pursuit of empirical inquiry. Despite how they might sound, these questions about consciousness are relevant for all of us—not just trained researchers.As everyday people, our understanding of consciousness has real implications for what we believe our minds are capable of—not to mention what we think it means to be human. On Fathom the Mind, we interview experts in the fields of both modern science and contemplative inquiry in order to explore the nature of consciousness. Interweaving expert knowledge and the personal experiences of guests, we facilitate well-rounded conversations about the nature of consciousness, all while upholding the rigor that scientific inquiry demands. Through this exploration, we hope to demystify and advance the conversation around consciousness in the modern world. We’ll also discuss mind-training tools that not only support our ability to think clearly and scientifically but also help us cultivate a deep sense of well-being.About the Center for Contemplative ResearchFathom the Mind. Heal the World.®The Center for Contemplative Research (CCR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit religious organization founded in 2020 by scholars B. Alan Wallace, PhD and Eva Natanya, PhD.VisionThe founding vision of the CCR posits that the problems of human civilization stem from mental afflictions, and that to address the crises humanity faces and bring about a new era of human flourishing, we must address their root causes in the mind.The CCR sees a future guided by collaborative, cross-cultural, and interdisciplinary inquiry, where scientists and contemplatives work together in mutual respect to fathom the nature and potentials of the mind and seek to discover and implement the sustainable causes of personal and social well-being.MissionThe mission of the CCR is to develop, apply, and proliferate methods of contemplative science—through expert training, collaborative research, and accessible education—to further the exploration of the nature and potentials of consciousness, deepen empirical understanding of genuine well-being, and offer accessible tools for flourishing to the world.Support our work at: https://centerforcontemplativeresearch.org/donate/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=show_description
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