Adi Da and Adidam: Video: Where is Heaven?

Where is Heaven? (video)

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A video of the talk, "Where is Heaven?", by devotee, professor, and Zen Abbot Michael LaTorra - one of 14 talks by speakers of different religious faiths at the Religion and Transhumanism Conference in Oakland, California, on May 10, 2014. This conference was co-sponsored by the Brighter Brains Institute and the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, and videoed by the Mormon Transhumanist Association.

Transhumanism is a movement whose goal is to fundamentally transform the human condition by developing and making widely available technologies to greatly enhance human intellectual, physical, and psychological capacities and overcome present liabilities, including brief lifespan and limits on intelligence (e.g., through integration with artificial intelligence aids or networks).

What transhumanism and religion share is the question: what is the greatest potential (or destiny) for human beings, and how can it be realized (technologically, spiritually, etc.)?

"Heaven" is a popular subject these days - The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Heaven is for Real, and Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife are all huge, recent bestsellers. Because "heaven" is used in many familiar religions to signify the ultimate human destiny, Mike uses it as his jumping off point for this talk (which introduces the Buddhist view and the Adidam view). He distinguishes different kinds of "heavens", introducing Adi Da's "seven stages of life" framework, the Cosmic Mandala (as a "map" that helps answer the talk's title question), and other esoteric concepts helpful in understanding our ultimate potential. He draws on stories about visiting other realms, from devotees Anne Rogers and Connie Mantas and from Adi Da Himself.

[For a related exploration of these themes of human potential, technology, and spirituality, read our article, We Are Consciousness Itself.]

Poster: Mormon Transhumanist Association
Event Speaker: Mike LaTorra
Length: 41:02
Date Added: July 4, 2014
Event Date: May 10, 2014

Language: English
Views: 7798
Views This Month: 153
Views This Week: 57

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2 Comments

Linda L. July 5, 2014 5:33AM

Wow! Marvelous presentation.

Beverley G. - Sydney, Australia July 5, 2014 5:26AM

Well I found that a very worthwhile talk Michael! I am always looking for the great answer - so pointless as it has been given to us by the Great One!

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