Abstract
A philosopher and a cognitive neuroscientist conversed with Buddhist lama Tilmann Lhündrup Borghardt (TLB) about the unresolved phenomenological concerns and logical questions surrounding “pure” consciousness or minimal phenomenal experience (MPE), a quasi-contentless, non-dual state whose phenomenology of “emptiness” is often described in terms of the phenomenal quality of luminosity that experienced meditators have reported occurs in deep meditative states. Here, we present the excerpts of the conversation that relate to the question of how it is possible to first have and later retrieve such non-dual states of selflessness and timelessness that are unrelated to sensory input. According to TLB, a “pure” experience of consciousness contains the phenomenal quality of luminous clarity, which is experienced solely in the transitional phase from the non-dual state of absolute emptiness to the state of minimal emptiness, when the person gradually returns to duality. However, this quality of luminous clarity can also be experienced in non-minimal states as in the experiential mode of being awakened. TLB describes this transition as a kind of ephemeral afterglow in the form of a maximally abstract phenomenal quality, i.e., luminosity, which justifies the conclusion of having been in a state of “pure” consciousness.
Highlights
This paper explores “pure”, “contentless” consciousness, in particular its phenomenology of “emptiness”
A decade ago, Thomas Metzinger [1] raised the following rhetorical questions, but scholars working in the field of philosophical and empirical consciousness research have only recently begun to explore topics that were once academically neglected, such as “pure” consciousness: It has long been known that in deep meditation the experience of unity and holistic integration is salient
The reduced connectivity within the posterior default-mode network along with the decreased alpha power could be attributed to a loss of self-related mentation processes, which possibly form components of the neural correlate of consciousness per se
Summary
This paper explores “pure”, “contentless” consciousness, in particular its phenomenology of “emptiness”. Tilmann Lhündrup Borghardt (TLB) at the Ekayana Institute in Lenzkirch, Germany, a meditation center in the Black Forest, to discuss unresolved phenomenological concerns and logical questions related to “pure” consciousness. It has been repeatedly questioned whether such a contentless, and selfless, state can be experienced or reported by. In this context, corresponding descriptions and analyses will be phenomenological but will be carried out on a representational and neuroscientific level whenever necessary
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
