Concepts from Eastern Philosophy and Rogers' Science of Unitary Human Beings

Abstract

A brief outline of Buddhist thought is presented. Four concepts from early Indian philosophy which contributed to the development of the middle way consequence (Madhyamika Prasangika) school of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy are discussed. These are: action (karma), direct perception, emptiness, and dependent arising. An overview of Martha Rogers' science of unitary human beings is given, followed by a discussion of the concepts of energy field and integrality within her worldview. Buddhist concepts of action, direct valid perception, and emptiness are considered in relation to Rogers' notion of energy field; the concept of dependent arising is compared to Rogers' principle of integrality. It is proposed that Rogers' worldview includes areas of similarity with concepts used in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy.