I bookmarked your video when it came out, but I knew I wanted to read it as an essay first.
Your videos, to me, belong in a museum. A dense collage of ideas and images, like something Jean-Luc Godard would make. It’s low-key miraculous that we can watch them on YouTube.
When it comes to dense ideas, I need to read slowly, taking notes. That was super helpful in this case, as my prior exposure to Vasubandhu has been confusing. I encountered him through the writing + talks of Jay Garfield and the book “Inside Vasubandhu's Yogacara: A Practitioner's Guide” by Ben Connelly — both excellent, but this piece contributes something new to my understanding.
Sorry for glazing you so much, but you’re kind of a triple threat — simultaneously a deeply skilled practitioner, writer, *and* filmmaker. It’s a treat to encounter you across so many media — video essays, essays, and now interviews. Each unveils a different facet.
Thank you for these kind words about me and my work, Rey! I’m glad that posting the scripts here is useful :) This piece was especially difficult for me, and the process of making it very long… It did give me a new understanding of “non-duality” however, and I hope I’ve communicated this understanding in an accessible way here. Thank you for reading!
Didn't expect this take on the subject; it's fascinating to consider these ancient philosophical systems were already tackling concepts that feel so cutting-edge even now, like the mind constructing our perceived realilty. Thank you for this brilliant dive into Yogācāra; it really makes you pause and think about the deeper implications of what we define as 'real' and 'out there', which is super relevant as we build increasingly sophisticated AI models.
It is fascinating indeed, and a reminder of how much we still have to learn from those who've come before us. Especially in the study of subjective/inner experience, since the tools for studying that (unlike the tools for studying objective/external experience) remain the same: our own awareness and body-minds. Thank you for reading!
I wish to thank you for sharing these insightful videos and commentary. I became an avid listener of your material when I was transitioning from being an Orthodox Christian priest to a Soto Zen Buddhist novice. Thank you as you have helped open up my mind a few things in a different way. Please keep up this wonderful work and visit me on the Backyard Buddhist Substack!
Thank you, my friend! My interest now takes me in almost the opposite direction; I am now curious to see what I can find in the Christian tradition concerning non-duality, contemplation, and mystical union. And I would love to see what common insights emerge when we compare this with Eastern wisdom.
Simeon, thank you so much for this.
I bookmarked your video when it came out, but I knew I wanted to read it as an essay first.
Your videos, to me, belong in a museum. A dense collage of ideas and images, like something Jean-Luc Godard would make. It’s low-key miraculous that we can watch them on YouTube.
When it comes to dense ideas, I need to read slowly, taking notes. That was super helpful in this case, as my prior exposure to Vasubandhu has been confusing. I encountered him through the writing + talks of Jay Garfield and the book “Inside Vasubandhu's Yogacara: A Practitioner's Guide” by Ben Connelly — both excellent, but this piece contributes something new to my understanding.
Sorry for glazing you so much, but you’re kind of a triple threat — simultaneously a deeply skilled practitioner, writer, *and* filmmaker. It’s a treat to encounter you across so many media — video essays, essays, and now interviews. Each unveils a different facet.
Keep up the good work.
Thank you for these kind words about me and my work, Rey! I’m glad that posting the scripts here is useful :) This piece was especially difficult for me, and the process of making it very long… It did give me a new understanding of “non-duality” however, and I hope I’ve communicated this understanding in an accessible way here. Thank you for reading!
Didn't expect this take on the subject; it's fascinating to consider these ancient philosophical systems were already tackling concepts that feel so cutting-edge even now, like the mind constructing our perceived realilty. Thank you for this brilliant dive into Yogācāra; it really makes you pause and think about the deeper implications of what we define as 'real' and 'out there', which is super relevant as we build increasingly sophisticated AI models.
It is fascinating indeed, and a reminder of how much we still have to learn from those who've come before us. Especially in the study of subjective/inner experience, since the tools for studying that (unlike the tools for studying objective/external experience) remain the same: our own awareness and body-minds. Thank you for reading!
I wish to thank you for sharing these insightful videos and commentary. I became an avid listener of your material when I was transitioning from being an Orthodox Christian priest to a Soto Zen Buddhist novice. Thank you as you have helped open up my mind a few things in a different way. Please keep up this wonderful work and visit me on the Backyard Buddhist Substack!
Thank you, my friend! My interest now takes me in almost the opposite direction; I am now curious to see what I can find in the Christian tradition concerning non-duality, contemplation, and mystical union. And I would love to see what common insights emerge when we compare this with Eastern wisdom.
Look into the Eastern Orthodox theology. Of particular interest would be St. Maximos the Confessor and St. Gregory the Great
Thank you for these pointers, I will look into those!