Dr. Edi Bilimoria was born in India and educated at the universities of London, Sussex, and Oxford. He presents an unusual blend of experience in the fields of science, arts, and philosophy. Professionally, Edi is an award-winning engineer and consultant to the petrochemical, oil and gas, transport, and construction industries. He has been Project Manager and Head of Design for major innovative projects such as the Channel Tunnel, London Underground systems, petrochemical plants and offshore installations. He also worked in safety and environmental engineering for several Royal Navy projects, including the Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier and the fleet of Offshore Patrol Vessels. A student of the perennial philosophy for over half a century, Edi has given courses and lectured extensively in the UK, and internationally. He has organized and chaired conferences with the object of encouraging discourse on the different, but overlapping, roles of science, religion, and practical philosophy. Edi has published extensively in the fields of science, engineering, and the esoteric philosophy. "Unfolding Consciousness" has received recognition with the 2022 Grand Prize Award from the Scientific and Medical Network. Edi's earlier work, "The Snake and the Rope" is also an award winner. Website: edibilimoria.com Summary and transcript of this interview Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Interview recorded October 12, 2024 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:02:50 The Intersection of Science, Spirituality, and Philosophy 00:06:22 The Evolution of Scientific Thought 00:10:10 Understanding the Levels of Science and Consciousness 00:14:20 The Limits of Intellect and Wisdom of Great Thinkers 00:18:45 Meditation, Psychedelics, and Brain Perception 00:23:13 The Brain as a Transmitter-Receiver 00:26:51 Misunderstanding Isaac Newton's Philosophy 00:30:49 Is the Sun Alive? Examining Unconventional Definitions of Life 00:34:13 The Incredible Complexity of Human Cells 00:37:39 Debunking the Infinite Monkey Theorem 00:41:40 Materialism and Its Role in Science 00:44:42 The Potential of Science and Spirituality Working Together 00:49:12 The Intersection of Science and Spirituality 00:53:04 The Science of the Human Eye: Discoveries and Design 00:56:44 The Debate on Intelligent Design and Evolution 01:00:09 The Interplay of Spirit and Matter in Evolution 01:04:36 Evolution as a Spiritual Journey 01:08:30 The Monad and the Journey to Divinity 01:12:12 The Absurdity of Freezing Bodies and Understanding Reincarnation 01:15:01 Exploring the Distinction Between Ethics and Morality 01:17:56 The Spiritual Essence of Matter 01:21:17 Understanding Karma: The Puzzle Piece of the Universe 01:24:08 Understanding Karma and Spiritual Evolution 01:27:56 Personal Spiritual Journey: Overcoming Life Challenges 01:31:14 Understanding Karma and Rising to Bodhisattva 01:34:42 Themes of the Book: Mystery Teachings 01:37:06 The Myth of Bacchus and Human Duality 01:40:45 Understanding the Supreme Consciousness and the Kabbalah 01:44:56 David Bohm and the Unity Elephant in Science 01:48:13 Building a Body of Wisdom Through Interlocking Insights
