About Learn Vedanta Substack
Welcome! I'm Cristiano, class of '84. For nearly two years, Learn Vedanta Substack has served as my public writing practice and a platform for a deep, wide-ranging, and radically interdisciplinary exploration. We journey into the fascinating intersections of philosophy, spirituality, science, culture, and the arts, seeking connections that illuminate our understanding of reality, consciousness, and the human experience.
My path combines years in creative communication (writing, filmmaking, podcasting, photography) with a passionate, ongoing study of Vedanta philosophy. My current work as a Freelance Writer and AI Data Trainer also continually informs my perspective, especially regarding language, information, and our evolving relationship with technology. You can explore my professional background further on LinkedIn.
While Vedanta often provides a foundational lens, our journey here deliberately crosses boundaries. Over the past couple of years, we've woven together threads from an incredibly diverse tapestry of knowledge and inquiry, including:
World Philosophies & Wisdom Traditions: Engaging deeply with Vedanta (Shankara, Upanishads, Gita), but also placing it in dialogue with Zen/Chan Buddhism (Mu, Koans), Taoism, Kashmir Shaivism, Gnosticism, Islamic Mysticism (Tawakkul), Jewish Kabbalah (via Cantor), and comparing insights with Western philosophers from the ancient Greeks (Orphism, Paradoxes) to modern figures like Leopardi, Schopenhauer, Huxley, Bergson, Watts, and Aurobindo. We explore metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and the philosophy of mind across cultures.
Science & the Nature of Reality: Examining resonances between spiritual insights and quantum physics (Schrödinger's Cat, Non-Locality, Heisenberg), cosmology (Fractals, Black Holes, Higher Dimensions), neuroscience (Perception, Brain Chemistry, Consciousness Studies), biology (Microscopy, Epigenetics, Cellular Life, Ethology), mathematics (Infinity, Chaos Theory, Category Theory), and the fundamental nature of matter and illusion.
Arts, Literature & Culture: Finding philosophical echoes in literature (Borges, Cortázar, Ortese, Dante, Beckett, Zamyatin, Urdu masters like Tarar, Thai fiction like Yoon), including original short stories I share here. We explore music (from Neapolitan Baroque and Kirtan to Jazz, Funk, Lo-Fi, Hip-Hop), visual arts (Caravaggio, De Chirico, Magritte, Hopper, photography, AI art), film analysis (Being John Malkovich, The Truman Show), history (Ashoka's edicts, Jesuits in China), and cultural nuances (Neapolitan proverbs, Gen Z trends, Indigenous traditions).
Technology & Society: Critically engaging with Artificial Intelligence (its ethics, creativity, philosophical impact, potential futures), the Metaverse, the effects of social media, and the ways technology shapes our perception and interaction.
The Human Experience: Reflecting on psychology (anxiety, consciousness, perception, cognitive biases), personal growth, spirituality in daily life, and finding meaning in both the profound and the seemingly mundane – even through the lens of a microscope.
This exploration manifests as essays, critical analyses, dialogues, personal reflections, creative non-fiction, and original fiction. The goal is always to uncover nuanced perspectives and forge unexpected connections.
Joining the Exploration:
This Substack offers value for all readers:
Free Subscribers: Receive regular posts covering this wide interdisciplinary spectrum. Your readership is the vital core of this community.
Paid Subscribers (Optional Support): For those who wish to support this ongoing exploration more deeply, an optional paid subscription provides occasional access to extras like in-depth posts with curated resources, invitations for exclusive chats, and the chance to suggest topics or contribute. It's a way to help sustain and deepen the journey.
Crucially, the diverse core content – both non-fiction and fiction – remains accessible to all subscribers.
Who reads Learn Vedanta Substack? Click here to learn more about my readers.
I believe that true understanding blossoms at the intersection of diverse fields. If this multifaceted approach resonates with you, I warmly invite you to subscribe and join the conversation.
Discover more of my writing on Medium.com and explore my published books here
For potential writing collaborations, feel free to connect at cosmicdancerpodcast@gmail.com.
Thank you for considering this unique intellectual and creative space. Let's continue to learn and grow together.
With gratitude,
Cristiano Luchini
Learn Vedanta Substack 🌌
