Consciously Human Metaverse is a cross-disciplinary research project utilising video games with respiratory biofeedback to explore the psychology and neuroscience of the “Buddha Brain”. Working with mindfulness practitioners, psychologists, neuroscientists and game developers, I incorporate mindfulness-based techniques and concepts into gaming mechanisms designed to challenge our reactive habits and mental focus, with the goal of enhancing cognitive performance and fostering a deeper awareness of our body, mind and beyond.
Buddhism and science both share a common challenge - understanding the mind empirically. Neuroscience offers a new pathway to discover our "Buddha Brain" by studying the biological underpinnings of mindfulness-based practices. Although this field of research is novel and more future research is still underway, I believe that mindfulness-based practices have been equipping the human brain with the ability to adapt to instability in our world for 2,500 years. Practices such as meditation and breathing exercises have been shown to demonstrate psychological and physiological benefits, such as stress reduction, enhanced focus and mental clarity, that contribute to our ability to maintain a balanced state of reward, pleasure-seeking and goal-directed behaviour. These benefits can be echoed by the Buddhist concepts of desire, attachment and craving.
We live in a world of constant disruptions and desires that challenge our ability to become conscious evolutionary humans. My ultimate goal is to inspire more people to live and thrive with more resilience and compassion by "awakening" their own Buddha Brain.
We live in a world of constant disruptions and desires that challenge our ability to become conscious evolutionary humans. My ultimate goal is to inspire more people to live and thrive with more resilience and compassion by "awakening" their own Buddha Brain.
Presenting "52 Stages of Bodhisattva", a game prototype within the metaverse inspired by a conversation with Buddhist monk Venerable Chang Zhan from Dharma Drum Mountain Cultural & Educational Foundation Hong Kong. (Photo by Will Chi Shing Cheng)
Talk: “Journey To The Buddha Brain: Investigation into the Depth of the
Mind Through Art and Science” at the Media, Culture & Creativity Seminar Series, Department of Sociology, The University of Hong Kong, 2024.
