Showing results by author "David Christopher" in All Categories

Human interest in the nature of consciousness dates far back to our ancestral past. However, it is only in the last century or so that researchers and philosophers have been able to tackle the problem in a more scientific way. This is primarily due to our increasing understanding of human physiology and how our brain functions. The following essays briefly explore the life and work of pioneers in the field of consciousness studies.

This is a critical look at the extensive plagiarism of Gary Olsen and his spiritual group, MasterPath. Gary Olsen was a one-time follower of Eckankar but broke off and formed his own teachings, largely based on Eckankar and Radha Soami. This small book provides extensive documentation on why and how Gary Olsen appropriated copyrighted materials for his numerous books and discourses. Also included are original letters by Gary Olsen explaining why he plagiarized and an official apology from him back in 1995.

The subject of these stories ranges from saints to single mothers, from Depression-era childhoods and poverty to times of great peace and prosperity. Together they serve to remind us of the miracle, faith, transformation, and mystery that live in the spirit of Christmas.

This small book contains three essays dealing with philosophy from William James, Bertrand Russell, and Frank Thilly - each 19th to 20th century thinkers. Provides a nice introductory glimpse into the progressive views of philosophical discourse. Selected and edited by Professor David Christopher Lane, PhD.

What is it like to work in the sky? The true story of what happens after years of career development in a demanding aviation industry, when a flight instructor gets a high-stakes interview with an airline for a dream job. Will it be an end to the exhausting work of teaching students how to takeoff, land, fly, and stay alive? Hear about how and what pilots learn and why.

In this book via three key essays, I attempt to turn the issue of mindless automatons on its head (with a bad pun included) by pointing out that “this [very issue] begs a much larger question: how do we really know that the zombie is merely a mindless automaton? The obvious answer is that we don't.” In other words, while it is certainly true that we can project consciousness on all sorts of objects that may lack it...

Consciousness is a virtual simulator par excellence and as such allows humans to have a rolodex of potential strategies when navigating in a world with ever-changing competitive concerns and environmental niches...The advent of virtual and augmented reality may serve as a useful pathway to better understand why consciousness evolved the way it did, primarily because the brain itself operates as a VR system, albeit a much more sophisticated one than Oculus Rift or HTC Vive.

Professor Lane, known for his critical studies of such cults and gurus as Eckankar, MSIA, and Sathya Sai Baba, goes on a quest in North India to find out if the ancient astrological treatise is authentic. However, in his search, he must overcome threats and personal attacks from several cult organizations.

This is the first of a three-part series centering on my personal remembrance of Charan Singh (1916-1990), who was the spiritual leader of Radha Soami Satsang Beas from 1951 to 1990. As such, it isn’t a biography, but rather partial glimpses of my own recollection of how I came to know of Charan, and why I eventually took initiation from him into the meditational practice of Surat Shabd Yoga. I didn’t write this as a devotional eulogy to my deceased spiritual teacher, but more selfishly as a way for me to write down key moments of my association with him...for over four decades.

A critical essay which points out that gurus, masters, and prophets must be held accountable for their actions. Argues that we far too often rely on what Ken Wilber insightfully calls "The Atman Project" where we use substitute icons in place of doing the hard work necessary in our own lives.

This audiobook explores why we should keep open and humble and realize the limits of our cranial capacities and the models of reality we generate.

I suffer from a most incurable disease. It is technically known as bibliomania, which simply translated means “book madness.” I love books too much. My family is convinced that I got it from my father, Warren, who also suffered from it but to a lesser degree.

Faqir Chand died on September 11, 1981. He was 95 years old. During his lifetime, this most remarkable of shabd yoga masters was relatively unknown, since he eschewed publicity and refused to grant initiation after 1942. However, he is unique among Radhasoami gurus for his exceptional honesty in explaining the illusory nature behind religious visions.

This book is one of Betrand Russell’s more famous essays on the importance of science in education and why it should be more emphasized in school and not disdained.

This is the first in a series of "mini" audiobooks on scientists who have provided us with great insights into how nature works. The first audiobook is on Charles Darwin's understanding of natural selection as excerpted from his classic tome On the Origin of Species. Includes a brief introduction by Professor David Christopher Lane, PhD.

This is the third in a series of books on Mystics of the World. Includes a meditative glimpse into the "unknowing" philosophy of Nicholas of Cusa, one of the great philosophical thinkers of all time.

Faqir Chand (1886-1981) was one of the most remarkable Shabd yoga masters to have ever lived. He was unique in his approach to spirituality since unlike other gurus in the Radhasoami tradition, Faqir was remarkably honest and forthcoming about his limitations. He would often say he could be wrong in his interpretations and asked other Sant Mat gurus to correct him if that was the case.

This is the first in a series of very short books focusing on mystics of the world. Charan Singh was one of the most well-known masters of shabd yoga in the 20th century. For nearly 40 years, Charan Singh served the needs of millions of spiritual seekers. This audiobook contains excerpts which come from a series of unpublished letters by Charan Singh, focus on overcoming the desires and attachments of the lower mind and attuning one’s attention to the inner sound current during daily meditation.

This little meditational audiobook focuses on Salig Ram's very pertinent advice on how to meditate.

This is the fifth very small book in The Mystics of the World series. Jagat Singh was a shabd yoga adept and a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry. Focuses on shabd yoga meditation and the importance of concentrated repetition (simran).