In collaboration with The Psychedelic Society, Amir Giles is hosting a series of conversations on Psychedelics, Meditation & Enlightenment. For upcoming events find us here.
Listening is free, but your support is appreciated! If you would like to contribute this initiative, donations are gratefully accepted. You can support via Patreon or make one off PayPal donations here.
Podcast #2: Stephen Reid
Stephen Reid discusses his personal journey and mystical insights through the intersection between quantum field theory, complexity science, meditation and psychedelics. Stephen is a cultural change maker, co-operative technologist and founder of the Psychedelic Society. He completed a Masters in Complexity Science at the University of Bristol as well as a Masters in Physics specialising quantum field theory at the University Oxford University.
He was also the youngest ever board member of Greenpeace UK, and selected as the Green Party parliamentary candidate for Totnes. As well as quantum field theory and Complexity Science, Stephen has training in software development, meditation, plant medicine, and political activism.
Discussion points include:
0:40 Mystical Experiences and Quantum Field Theory at Oxford University
4:00 David Bohm - Physics may be infinite
7.30 Physics, metaphysics and mystical experience - the limits of understanding
9:30 Complexity sciences - self organisation & emergence as a bridge to psychedelics
8:30 Science as a platform and context for useful psychedelic experiences
14:00 From Bohm to Krishnamurti - from physics to meditation
15:30 Tao Te Ching as a resonance with complexity sciences
16:20 Zig Zag zen and vipassana
20:00 The value of skepticism around psychedelic trips
22:30 Meditation on Tao te Ching, Seeing that Frees, Reger Rey
24:30 The value of meditation as a support for psychedelic trips, a buffer against bad trips
26:50 The motivations to meditate and to take psychedelics: there is only enlightened action
Balancing insight & compassion
https://stephenreid.net