Varela 2026: The Blind Spot – Part B (Part 4B)

Varela 2026: The Blind Spot – Part B (Part 4B)

August 30, 2026 · 33 min

About this episode

Astrophysicist Adam Frank discusses a new physics of life through the lens of Buddhist concepts in the second half of the Varela Contemplative Science Retreat.

In Part 4B (the 2nd half of Part 4) of the Varela Contemplative Science Retreat, astrophysicist Adam Frank, PhD., turns to what comes after: a “new physics of life” built on autonomous agency and the Buddhist concept of śūnyatā — not emptiness as void, but the total absence of independent, self-existing things. As he puts it: “You don’t really have a boundary… this set of processes organizes… Source

People in this episode

Host: Joan Halifax

Guest: Adam Frank

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Upaya Zen Center, Buddhism

Books & works: Varela Contemplative Science Retreat

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