Showing results by author "David Lane" in All Categories

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.

Presents a critical analysis of Michael Behe's mind centered theory of evolution. Focuses on his latest book, Darwin Devolves. Also includes a critique of Behe's admonition for Catholics to follow the Church versus science and reason when there is a controversy that goes against Christian teachings.

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).

This audiobook contains a series of essays on virtual reality and its future implications; how VR can usher in new tools for progressive meditational experiences; why science is a practical endeavor and should not be conflated with unnecessary metaphysics; why Darwinian evolution can best explain the Albert Camus dilemma; and finally, it touches upon the importance of Faqir Chand on understanding religious experiences.

Yoga, shorn of its theological overlays and spiritual ultimacies, is similar in many ways to the art of bodysurfing. At first glance, this may seem like a gross exaggeration, but on closer inspection, it is clear that a bodysurfer adept at riding waves actually employs yoga’s fourfold technique of body postures, hand positions, breath control, and mastery of concentration.

This book provides an introduction into the fascinating life and work of one of the great Indian mystics of the 19th century, who was a contemporary of Sri Ramakrishna. It is surprising that Rai Salig Ram, who is such a pivotal figure in the history of Radhasoami, is not better known among satsangis in the Beas related branches of the movement. In contrast, in the Agra connected satsangs - Soami Bagh, Dayal Bagh, and Peepal Mandi - Huzur Maharaj (as Salig Ram is honorifically called) is deeply revered since he is regarded as the chief successor and Gurumukh of Shiv Dayal Singh.

In reading the fantastic tale of Prince Agib's adventures in the justly famous Arabian Nights, I was struck with how deeply insightful it was about the human condition. Although the story is so incredible that even one's imagination is stretched by its incredulity, the message it conveys is so universal and so human that one cannot help but be awed by its moral implications. Blaise Pascal brilliantly captures Prince Agib's and our own dilemma when he writes, “All men's miseries derive from not being able to sit in a quiet room alone.”

In the Fall of 1991 students enrolled in Introduction to Philosophy classes at Mount San Antonio College conducted interviews with some of the most prominent philosophers in California. Ten questions were asked of each philosopher, including queries about the existence of God, life after death, and the interface between human and artificial intelligence. The interviews ranged from personal one on one conversations, to telephone interviews, to mailed written responses.