Bernardo Kastrup: Aligning with Nature’s Will, Eastern vs Western Spirituality, & Understanding Evil

Dr. Bernardo Kastrup is a philosopher, scientist, and author whose work challenges mainstream materialism. With a background in computer engineering and a Ph.D. in philosophy, he has become one of the world's leading advocates for metaphysical idealism—the view that consciousness, not matter, is the fundamental reality of the universe.

In this conversation, we explore some of the key ideas from Bernardo’s latest book, "The Daimon and the Soul of the West," including:

— The key differences between the Western and Eastern Mind

— The relationship between context and meaning in life, and how powerful it can be to recognise the ancestral lineage within you.

— The concept of the daimon—an impersonal force of nature that expresses itself through us

— How confronting death and our relationship with evil can lead to greater wisdom and authenticity

— Why the second half of life requires a completely different approach than the first.

And more.

You can learn more about Bernardo’s work at https://www.bernardokastrup.com.

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Bernardo Kastrup is the executive director of Essentia Foundation. His work has been leading the modern renaissance of metaphysical idealism, the notion that reality is essentially mental. He has a Ph.D. in philosophy (ontology, philosophy of mind) and another Ph.D. in computer engineering (reconfigurable computing, artificial intelligence). As a scientist, Bernardo has worked for the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the Philips Research Laboratories (where the ‘Casimir Effect’ of Quantum Field Theory was discovered). Formulated in detail in many academic papers and books, his ideas have been featured on Scientific American, the Institute of Art and Ideas, the Blog of the American Philosophical Association and Big Think, among others. Bernardo’s most recent book is Science Ideated: The fall of matter and the contours of the next mainstream scientific worldview.

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: Expanding Identity
02:02 - Past, Present & Future
05:43 - The Western Mindset
09:56 - East vs. West Spirituality
13:41 - Facing Death
17:42 - The Voice of the Daimon
24:02 - The Two Halves of Life
48:43 - Life’s Game Changes
50:10 - The Power of Surrender
50:57 - Lessons from Tinnitus
52:35 - Finding Gratitude in Suffering
55:07 - Life Beyond the Self
56:29 - Darkness & Nature’s Wisdom
59:34 - Socrates’ Question
01:01:07 - Answering the Daimon’s Call
01:05:42 - Making Peace with Anger
01:08:31 - Understanding Evil

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Interview Links:

— Dr Kastrup’s website: https://www.bernardokastrup.com

— Dr Kastrup’s book: https://amzn.to/46hinsO