Consciousness Conversations

Russell Razzaque, Daizan Skinner & Mark Westmoquette
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A psychiatrist, a Zen teacher and an astrophysicist,  discuss consciousness, grappling with some of the big underlying issues about life, existence, existentialism and what everything's about.

Episodes

  1. 16/06/2025

    Good, Evil and Ethics

    In this episode Mark, Daizan and Russell discuss good and evil, ethics, values and morality. They explore the fluidity of moral decisions, the nuances of free will, and how mindfulness and Zen practices can aid in discerning wholesome (kusala) and unwholesome (akusala) actions. The conversation delves into how such practices can illuminate one's intentions and encourage compassionate, informed decision-making in daily life.'Consciousness Conversations' is a conversation between Daizan Skinner, a renowned Zen master and author, Dr. Russell Razzaque, an acclaimed psychiatrist and mindfulness advocate, and Dr. Mark Westmoquette, an astrophysicist turned yoga and Zen teacher.00:00 Introduction to Consciousness Conversations00:24 Meet the Hosts: Mark, Daizan, and Russell06:34 Exploring Ethics: Good, Evil, and Wholesomeness17:01 The Paradox of Free Will and Responsibility23:34 Intentions, Actions, and Mindfulness

    30 min

  2. 08/05/2025

    What is Time?

    Join us in this episode for an intriguing discussion about the nature of time, from scientific, philosophical, and Zen perspectives, that will challenge your very understanding of reality. During our conversation we explore the ways in which we perceive time, the idea of time being an entirely man-made construct, the basis of time in physics including Einstein's theory of relativity and quantum physics, the role and unreliability of memory, and how strong emotions change our perception of time.'Consciousness Conversations' is a conversation between Daizan Skinner, a renowned Zen master and author, Dr. Russell Razzaque, an acclaimed psychiatrist and mindfulness advocate, and Dr. Mark Westmoquette, an astrophysicist turned yoga and Zen teacher.03:50 Exploring the Concept of Time06:39 Scientific and Philosophical Perspectives on Time14:30 Personal Experiences and Meditation Insights23:44 Exploring the Concept of Infinity24:41 Memory28:39 Perception of Time and Reality31:27 Zen and the Nature of Time42:13 Human Intelligence vs. AI44:10 Final Thoughts and Reflections#daizanroshi #russellrazzaque #consciousness #spirituality #time #relativity #whatistime

    45 min

  3. 06/04/2025

    What is emptiness?

    'Consciousness Conversations' is a conversation between Daizan Skinner, a renowned Zen master and author, Dr. Russell Razzaque, an acclaimed psychiatrist and mindfulness advocate, and Dr. Mark Westmoquette, an astrophysicist turned yoga and Zen teacher. In this episode, Daizan, Russell and Mark delve into the concept of "emptiness". Key topics include the essence of emptiness in both Buddhist and scientific contexts, and the implications of such metaphysical concepts on mental health. They also share some intriguing personal experiences that have, over the years, shaped each of their individual understanding of emptiness. The episode promises an enriching dialogue that offers insights into impermanence, the interconnectedness of all things, how we perceive our inner and outer worlds. They conclude by inviting you, our listeners, to send in suggestions for future topics. Please submit a comment or get in touch directly. 02:19 Recent Projects and Achievements 06:11 Exploring the Concept of Emptiness 07:38 The Intersection of Science and Philosophy 20:01 Mental Health, Search for Meaning and the Importance of Understanding and Support 26:46 Personal Experiences and Meditation Insights: The Billiard Ball View of Life, The Verb vs. Noun Perspective and Emotions as Experiences, Not Identities 32:49 Awareness and the Ego 41:46 The Intersection of Science and Spirituality 43:24 Early Influences and Near-Death Experiences

    47 min

  4. 09/03/2025

    What's the Purpose of Pain?

    Join Russell Razzaque, Mark Westmoquette, and Daizan Skinner in this episode of Consciousness Conversations as they delve into the topic of pain and its purpose in our lives.They share personal anecdotes and explain how facing pain can lead to greater empathy, personal growth, and better therapeutic relationships. This episode is an enlightening journey into the role of pain in expanding our awareness and transforming our lives.00:00 Introduction to Consciousness Conversations00:13 Meet the Hosts: Diverse Backgrounds01:33 Current Projects and Personal Updates08:22 The Purpose of Pain: An Exploration19:31 The Intensity of Pain and Consciousness Expansion20:22 Personal Experiences with Pain and Mindfulness21:04 The Role of Pain in Modern Society23:37 Mindfulness Practice and Professional Development26:49 Research on Mindfulness and Patient Outcomes28:48 The Purpose of Pain and Consciousness35:48 Therapy and Facing Pain38:08 Open Dialogue and Psychiatry39:25 Concluding Thoughts on Pain and Growth#daizanroshi #russellrazzaque #consciousness #spirituality #existentialism #pain #purposeofpain

    41 min

  5. 16/02/2025

    What's the Point of it All?

    In this episode, Russell, Daizan and Mark dive into the crux of the matter and ask "what's the point of it all?". In exploring this question they explore themes of existentialism, the interplay between meaninglessness and deeper connections, and the impact of compassion in understanding our role in the universe. The conversation also delves into scientific and philosophical perspectives, including quantum physics and the fine-tuning of the universe, offering insights into how personal experiences and intentions can influence reality. Lastly, they touch on the darker side of human nature, the potential for mental health issues among those who explore it, and the concept of the universe experiencing itself through our human senses. 01:03 Exploring the Meaning of Life 04:17 The Universe and Its Mysteries 09:03 Compassion and Meaning 17:30 The Cycle of Life and Death 22:32 Quantum Mechanics and Reality 34:43 The Power of Positive Thinking #daizanroshi #russellrazzaque #consciousness #spirituality #existentialism #meaningoflife #compassion

    48 min

  6. 09/02/2025

    Embracing Uncertainty

    In this episode of Consciousness Conversations, Russell, Daizan and Mark discuss the concept of embracing uncertainty. They discuss how fear of the unknown manifests in human behaviour, the significance of not knowing in professional and personal contexts, and how mindfulness can help individuals tolerate uncertainty. The conversation also delves into the realms of quantum physics and the philosophical implications of time, reality, and consciousness. By juxtaposing scientific inquiry with Zen practices, they highlight the importance of staying present and the beauty of uncertainty. They talk about the importance of mindfulness and meditation practices in fostering a non-judgmental and open-minded approach to fear and uncertainty. The conversation touches on the challenges of being a parent and the tension between scientific paradigms and broader understanding in fields like human sciences. 01:03 Embracing the Unknown 02:58 The Illusion of Knowing 04:18 Science and the Unknown 07:41 Zen and Not Knowing 14:40 Parenting and Uncertainty 25:59 The Nature of Reality #daizanroshi #russellrazzaque #consciousness #spirituality #uncertainty #unknown

    40 min

  7. 03/02/2025

    #1 What's Beyond the Ego?

    In this first episode, Russell, Daizan and Mark explore the concept of the ego, its development, and what lies beyond it. The discussion delves into the interplay between science, mindfulness, and Zen teachings, and they draw analogies and parallels from psychosis, quantum mechanics, and child development to illustrate their points. The conversation continued with discussions on societal implications, comparing cultural ego to individual ego development, and suggest that societal crises might be a catalyst for evolution or demise. The conversation concludes with reflections on the uncertainty of life (which leads nicely into episode 2 of this podcast "embracing the unknown". 01:05 Exploring the Concept of Ego 05:17 Childhood Development and Sense of Self 08:55 Quantum Physics and Perception of Reality 18:48 Mental Health and the Self 46:19 Societal Ego and Future Perspectives #daizanroshi #russellrazzaque #consciousness #spirituality #ego

    50 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

A psychiatrist, a Zen teacher and an astrophysicist,  discuss consciousness, grappling with some of the big underlying issues about life, existence, existentialism and what everything's about.

Information

  • Creator
    Russell Razzaque, Daizan Skinner & Mark Westmoquette
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Russell Razzaque, Daizan Skinner & Mark Westmoquette
  • Show Website
    Consciousness Conversations