Welcome to the third issue of Volume 42 of the Journal of Comparative Physics and Philosophy. This edition continues our tradition of fostering dialogue between scientific and philosophical perspectives on fundamental questions about the nature of reality.

The centerpiece of this issue is a remarkable comparative study by Bianchi et al. that explores unexpected convergences between Stephen Hawking’s physics and Abhinavagupta’s philosophy. This work exemplifies the journal’s mission to identify deep structural similarities across seemingly disparate intellectual traditions.

We are particularly pleased to include three responses to last issue’s controversial article on quantum foundations, representing diverse viewpoints from physics, philosophy, and religious studies. The debate highlights both the challenges and opportunities of interdisciplinary work at this frontier.

As always, we welcome submissions that push the boundaries of conventional disciplinary frameworks while maintaining rigorous scholarly standards. The growing interest in consciousness studies within physics suggests fertile ground for future comparative work.

Finally, we announce with pleasure that JCFP has been accepted for indexing in the Emerging Sources Citation Index, a significant milestone in our journal’s development.

This article examines the parallels between interpretations of quantum mechanics and concepts in Eastern philosophical traditions, particularly Advaita Vedanta and Madhyamaka Buddhism. We identify three key areas of resonance: non-duality, dependent origination, and the role of the observer.

Our analysis suggests that Eastern metaphysical frameworks may provide valuable conceptual tools for addressing persistent puzzles in quantum foundations, particularly the measurement problem and the nature of quantum non-locality.

This paper explores the growing recognition of consciousness as a fundamental aspect of physical reality in contemporary physics. We analyze recent developments in quantum cognition, integrated information theory, and panpsychist interpretations of quantum mechanics.

Our conclusion suggests that a synthesis of rigorous physical theory with careful phenomenological analysis may point toward a new paradigm for understanding the relationship between mind and matter.

This review examines the 50th anniversary edition of Fritjof Capra’s classic work, assessing its enduring relevance in light of subsequent developments in both physics and comparative philosophy. While some of Capra’s specific scientific analogies have been superseded by new discoveries, his fundamental insight about structural parallels between modern physics and Eastern mysticism remains remarkably prescient.

The new edition includes valuable commentary from contemporary physicists and philosophers, making it an essential resource for anyone interested in the science-spirituality dialogue.

Report from the International Conference on Physics, Philosophy and Asian Traditions (ICPPA) held in Kyoto, Japan, June 2025. The conference brought together leading physicists, philosophers, and scholars of Asian traditions to explore new interdisciplinary approaches to fundamental questions about reality, consciousness, and the nature of space-time.

Highlights included plenary sessions on quantum gravity and Buddhist epistemology, consciousness in the quantum realm, and new mathematical approaches to non-dual metaphysics. The conference demonstrated the growing maturity and sophistication of comparative studies at the physics-philosophy interface.