Who am I? | Dr. James Cooke

We live in a world filled with suffering, where attempts to help have been split into largely separate scientific and spiritual communities. As a spiritually engaged neuroscientist I hope to communicate how these seemingly separate world views can be reconciled. I produce weekly videos on topics at the intersection of neuroscience and wellbeing, including consciousness, meditation and psychedelic science.

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How do psychedelics like LSD, ayahuasca, DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, mescaline & psilocybin / magic mushrooms produce spiritual experiences and insight by affecting the brain and altering consciousness?

Apologies for the background sounds and variable light levels in the first 2 minutes.

Science & Spiritual Awakening:
Certain spiritual insights into the nature of reality fit perfectly with our scientific understanding of the world. Understanding the nature of perception is the key to appreciating this. As a neuroscientist and expert on perception, I hope to lay out a scientific picture of reality in which spiritual experience can be appreciated and understood in all its profundity. I cover the possibility of spiritual awakening, enlightenment and self-transcendence through meditation, mindfulness, yoga and psychedelics as well as related topics such as mental health and wellbeing.
#psychedelics #consciousness #spirituality

Dr. James Cooke:
Neuroscientist, writer & speaker, focusing on perception, meditation, psychedelics, mental health and wellbeing.
PhD in Neuroscience, Oxford University
MSc in Neuroscience, Oxford University
MA in Experimental Psychology, Oxford University

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[briena]

I am very excited that I have found you. Finally a neuroscientist who dares to seek further and does publicly. 🙏

[Tdtsnowflake]

I was there Doctor!in that void dwelt there for an eternity however here is this reality, a fraction of a second passed!
Seemed like pure awareness!there was no self, no identity, no ego, no thought, memory, nothingness !not even sound...yet it was the most peaceful experience in my life...it was a WHITE MIST.
And then just like that a small thought of MYSELF came to being, this thought seemed to spawn me back into this reality!
WAS THIS NIRVANA ?any thoughts would be highly appreciated!

[divain]

I just wanna say bless you. You're a beautiful beautiful soul.

[secretplans]

Awesome! I’m excited for this channel! 😊

[iloveujesusxo]

Ahh just found you from a random comment! 😂 Really looking forward to seeing more of your videos, content and all that you do share!! :)

[jacey]

This is very exciting....a scientific perspective on spiritual experience will be fascinating....I'm particularly interested in the perceptual experiences induced by mental illness and how these often have a religious slant....Jung's archetypes wait for your insights.

[archangel_michael]

Thank you Dr. Cooke.
It’s refreshing to see that someone from the scientific community has taken an interest in this avenue of research.
I have experienced the “supernatural” first hand through astral projection, remote viewing (As a child, I spent some time with the folks at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA looking for things.), clairvoyance, and channeling. I KNOW it’s closer to reality than that which we experience daily.
I’m looking forward to watching your videos, and am open to sharing my experiences with you if you’re interested.

[NoreenDyer]

Thank you! Blessings! I'm glad you are here! (I will watch more, later on!) I appreciate!🙏💙🕊

[GPAaryaa]

Always felt that what you are saying is true. Shed some more light on feeling of being a doer and free will

[NChambernator]

Just found you from that TED talk comment. Subscribed.

[entropy]

Hi. I heard a fascinating podcast from Paul Smit, on which you were a guest and decided to visit your youtube channel. Happy to subscribe. I am extremely interested to know your insights on neuroscience, nonduality and Advaita Vedanta. 👍🙂🙏

[pravanjugath]

I am a new subscriber. Going to be watching your all your videos in chronological order, and absorb and comprehend as much as possible. Thank you for your efforts.

[marc]

You creating this channel is a positive contribution to the world. Whilst you enjoy doing it, please continue to create videos. Thanks.

[niennasaralonde]

Glad I found you... Looking forward to your videos 🌞

[amankataria]

I think you’re about to be my favourite speaker of truth amongst the likes of Jordan Peterson. I look forward to all your future videos !

[flyingrhinofilms]

Very interested in this. Subscribed and looking forward to more of your insights...

[rebeccastellato]

Really excellent videos, thank you for sharing your knowledge and putting yourself out there :)

[pebbles]

Hi James I've had two separate experiences, where I have observed objects, dematerialise from the base up and partially disappear enabling me to see through or past them to the things behind, I've never done any psychedelics but I was in a mild meditation or daydream state at both times, it was astonishing and delightful but also confusing? Any idea what was happening??