Ep291: Neuroscience of Enlightenment - Ron Serrano
Ron Serrano is a long time meditation practitioner, contemplative neuroscience subject, and co-founder of the online meditation group Dharmachanics.
Available on Youtube, iTunes, SoundCloud & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
Ron gives a summary of the major studies in contemplative neuroscience in the last several years, in many of which he was a key subject. Ron explains several historical and ongoing studies including Dr Jud Brewer’s landmark Yale University study into the default mode network, hypotheses about the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and the sense of self, and the promise of brain scan technology and real-time neurofeedback devices to fast-track enlightenment.
Ron also draws from his experience leading the online meditation group Dharmachanics to offer insight into the typical trajectory towards transformative spiritual experiences, patterns of development in meditators, and how he responds when somebody claims they are enlightened.
00:00 - Intro
01:04 - Reflections on life and practice 2020
02:37 - Growth of the Dharmachanics online sangha
03:19 - Dharmachanics discussion group about Guru Viking Podcast
03:50 - Sangha is the toughest of the three jewels
04:51 - Patterns of development for meditators
05:59 - The typical trajectory towards awakening
08:48 - How to relate to special meditation experiences
12:34 - Testing enlightenment
13:37 - Ron’s history of participation in contemplative neuroscience
14:09 - Primary subject for Dr Jud Brewer’s landmark study at Yale University
16:26 - The PCC and the no-self
18:24 - Developing the brain scan technology and equipment
19:31 - The accelerating power of real-time meditation feedback
22:18 - How 2020 derailed contemplative neuroscience
23:38 - Ron on commercially available brainwave-feedback products
26:59 - How neuroscience studies really work
28:01 - Debate with Daniel Ingram
28:44 - Daniel’s contributions to contemplative neuroscience
29:41 - A gold standard phenomenology and technological Harvard study
32:43 - A comprehensive blueprint of the enlightened mind
34:54 - 2 major brain networks
26:56 - Secrecy and hidden players
39:15 - A treasure trove of data
40:32 - The holy grail of contemplative neuroscience
41:38 - Why Ron is pessimistic about finding neuro-correlates of awakening
43:14 - The blessing and curse of the Dalai Lama brand
46:08 - Politics and why neuroscientists need the Dalai Lama’s
47:47 - Will neuroscience render religious teachers obsolete?
49:38 - Will AI replace meditation teachers?
50:49 - What will happen to religion if neuroscience cracks the enlightenment code?
52:46 - A history of disruption
54:19 - Does astronomy offer a historical parallel to contemplative neuroscience?
56:00 - The costly problem of data analysis
58:28 - Can this technology be weaponised?
01:01:02 - Technology dependency
01:01:39 - Addictive meditation technology
01:04:53 - Ron reflects on Steve and the podcast
Watch previous episode with Ron Serrano:
To find out more about Ron Serrano, visit:
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James