Evolving Beyond Thought: Updating Your Brain's Software

by Gary Weber

The seemingly insoluble problems of our species at the current time is our inability to successfully cope with the complexities of our massively-complex, highly-integrated society using our outdated software programs created when we were hunter-gatherers. This book outlines the problem areas with our current software, how to address them, demonstrates tools to facilitate this change and then gives a demonstration of how the process unfolds in a dialogue with a successful practitioner of the process and its improved software. The first section of the book focuses on a systematic approach to working directly on the problems with the current operating system (OS) and its programs. The process begins by removing our current, outdated OS “I” (focused on the “I”) and evaluating the success of the removal. An updated OS “mini-me” (less focused on the “I”) is then installed from several trusted and reliable sources. Next, the most problematic programs are removed or significantly modified. The second section provides a powerful tool to support this process, seemingly exactly tailored to it, the Ribhu Gita. Sections devoted to “Am ‘I’ these thoughts?”, “What is this mind?”, “Am ‘I’ this body?”, “What problems arise from this belief (that ‘I’ am this body)?”, “What am ‘I’?” and then “What are the benefits of this knowledge of the Self?”. This text was a/the favorite of my main teacher, Ramana Maharshi, and aligns perfectly with his “direct path” of self-inquiry for nondual awakening. It is powerful to read and to chant. The third section demonstrates that this self-inquiry and letting-go-of-attachments process works in the “real” world with a “real” job. Through dialogue with someone going through the process over a significant length of time it shows how the process actually unfolds. The fourth section focuses on the most problematic, strongly-held, and tenacious of the programs in the current OS “I”, the issues of “free will”, control and predetermination. This is the stronghold of the egoic/I structure. Selected comments, questions and answers from blogposts on the issue address resistances, objections, and problems that arise.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Personal Development, Neuroscience

220 pages, Paperback

Published February 24, 2018

Reviews

[James Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although dense at times the ideas are quite powerful and it makes me wonder how many people this book/way of thinking could help. The connection between science and self and the evidence presented was also quite strong. This is, in my opinion, one of the great goals we must work towards since if everything is connected then so must science, spirit, and self. Alan Wallace is a leader in this realm, and i find his work and the work of Gary Weber to be very important to living a better life.

The materials supported are also nice which i have taken a look at. There is Weber's website and YouTube channel. Both contain a lot of interesting information.

Lastly, the conversations from the book with K i found also intriguing as they seemed similar to the beginning of my journey in detachment from the "I", only K seemed to be a bit further along than myself. The big question i have, is how many people can change to start thinking this way? What would the world be like if we all removed the ego?

[Travis English · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, I didn't go memorize the Sanskrit text and chant it.

But, the first few chapters of this is super interesting to read. Mr Webber claims (and I don't have any reason to think he's FOS) that his internal monologue shut off and that he is now free from thoughts.

In the field of meditation literature, I think he's the only person I've read to make that claim. For that alone, it's worth reading his experience and perspective. (Even if you're not planning to follow his prescriptions - which are to memorize a Sanskrit scripture and chant it.)

[Emanuel Ramirez · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of Sanskrit & somewhat good lessons but hard to stay motivated basically praised the Hindu Bible & himself the whole time.