The Astounding Nature of Experience: Conversations with Peter Brown 2010 - 2013

by Stanton Hunter

The Astounding Nature of Experience chronicles three years of conversations with radical philosopher Peter Brown regarding the dynamism of experience, and how to be with that in artful ways. With deep understanding of many of the world's contemplative and mystery traditions, Peter challenges the ways we take things for granted, which open fresh ways of perceiving already in place. His teachings undermine separateness, solidity, and the describable world, and introduce us to the buzzing vibrant quality within the felt energies of our immediate experience. If you sense that "normal" really isn't, the contemplations in the book are potent and surprising. These conversations via Skype, email, and in person were compiled and edited during the editor's sabbatical, under the topic of art and perception. Included in the book is the sabbatical preface that directly link the insights to art training and practice. PLEASE The best format for reading this book is paperback.

250 pages, Paperback

Published December 2, 2016

About the author

Raised in Minnesota.

Attended music school at Northwestern University for a year in classical trumpet.

Graduated from Eckerd College in FL, psychology of consciousness/theories of alternative education.

Moved to Los Angeles to pursue music.
MFA from the University of Southern California (ceramics/sculpture).
Ran the ceramics program at Scripps College for 5 years, visiting professor at Pitzer College and Art Center College of Design. Currently professor of art at Chaffey College.
Authored articles on art & perception.

45 years studying different spiritual traditions (Gurdjieff, Sufism, Tibetan Buddhism, Advaita, and others, in that order).
3 years of Skype sessions (and in person) with radical philosopher Peter Brown, which I compiled into a version of the present book during sabbatical, under the heading of art & perception. During this time I also designed lectures and workshops on art and perception, which I've begun presenting at different institutions.

The sabbatical edition has been reworked for a more general readership interested in awareness and waking up.

http://artaxis.org/stanton-hunter/