Faculty . Cognitive Scientist
Dr. William Wright
What we ordinarily call 'mind' or 'my mind' is a system of cognitive processes that is usually very much focused on the perceptual world that we take to be 'me in the world', but in fact that 'self in the world' perspective, and the distinction between self and others, self and things, and the entire subject-object dualistic framework are an ongoing creation of that dynamic system of interacting processes. By evolutionary default we are generally unaware of that situation. But evolution has not prevented us from coming to truly know awareness itself. It just requires some training, some familiarization. "Mind, by its very nature, is luminous and infinitely open."
Mipham Gyatso
A few reflections from William
What first drew you to explore your inner life?
I have always been fascinated by how little of the workings of mind are available to untrained introspective consciousness, but are actually knowable through facing inward.
What are you currently curious about or investigating?
All aspects of human knowing.
What is one insight that has stayed with you over time?
We don’t need to be remain limited by evolution’s simple default survivalist solution … superficial dualistic knowing. There are more profound and insightful alternatives.
A simple practice you return to:
Remaining actively and intentionally appreciative.
What helps you find balance in daily life?
Not forgetting that I am a living organism, an embodiment of homo sapiens, and that there are more effective and special ways to understand what that means.
A place physical or internal that brings you a sense of peace:
Conscious awareness of mind’s perceptual processes.
A book, teaching, or idea that has influenced you deeply:
Revelations of Mind
A quote you appreciate:
“When we awaken from a nightmare, we are filled with relief to learn that it was only a dream. Yet, our waking reality, though more rational and familiar is not much different” … it’s all the workings of ordinary mind.:
Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche, Hidden Mind of Freedom the Lotus Master, p. 38
A few words for someone just beginning to explore their mind:
If you take the time to look carefully, you will be surprised at how much of mind’s hidden operation can be seen.
Something people might not expect about you:
I like to sit on the ground, savoring the touch of earth.
Bio
William Wright holds a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology and Computer Artificial Intelligence from the University of California at San Diego, and an M.S. in Artificial Intelligence from The University of Oregon. William has been a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism and student of Tarthang Tulku since 1969, and a lifelong explorer in the Philosophy of Mind. For the last 22 years he has lived quietly in his remote forest home near the Summit of the Santa Cruz Mountains in California. He has recently come back down to town and is now fully engaged in the urban world.
Explore the live online courses William teaches.