The “hard problem of matter” asks: what is matter in itself, beyond equations and interactions? Physics describes how particles and fields behave, but not their intrinsic nature. Similarly, the “hard problem of consciousness” asks: why does brain activity produce subjective experience? Both expose a gap between scientific description and lived reality. Across traditions—Vedanta, Buddhism, Western panpsychism, Daoism, and modern physics—the puzzle is the same: are matter and mind two distinct substances, or two faces of the same reality? Exploring these perspectives reveals how ancient wisdom and modern science converge on this profound mystery of existence.
Going to Stop Reading the Mayor of Casterbridge
I am going to stop reading the Mayor of Casterbridge (and indeed all literature, and maybe reading anything whatsoever any…
Sense of Doership
“Maya is nothing but the sense of doership.”
The Greatest Sin
Jesus bore the crossFor mankind’s sinsBut, I, and maybe you,We bear the crossFor our own sinsSins of this lifeAnd of…
“It is just an emotion”
“It is just an emotion”Said she, talking about loveNo, not my girlfriend, you sillyI don’t have a girlfriendNo, you are…
I Await Thy Nudge
My friend, dear, dear friendYou who do some tinkeringWith people’s behavioursPlaying with their psychologySo that you can set societies freeLand…
Who Say I Say All Those Things They Say I Say
“Maybe, just maybe, the total and eternal effacement of the ego is love.” “‘I love you’ is always a false statement because…
What Ain’t Love
Sex is pleasure, not loveHolding hands is cute, but not loveHugging and embracing, love?Kissing is so sweet, but is it…
Aww, Shucks!
One friend tells me with concern“If only you let go of words and concepts,And actually ‘lived’ life”. Another friend sends…
“All barriers down, absolute freedom” — To my friend Sanghamitra Mandal aka Sana
Yes, I do agree“To understand the scheme of thingsYou need not be religiousIt comes to you when you are chosen.”…
Know Thyself 