Re: [Zen] Zen-Brain Reflections
Bill, In your experience, not mine - and I respect your experience. --ED --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, billsm...@... wrote: Ed, Mayka hit the nail on the head with her post below. Bill! ED: Times have changed. Before people were converted into monoteists religions by brain washing and now are converted into scientific brain washing. Oh well. Good to know what is next nonsense approaching to Europe. Mayka
Re: [Zen] Zen-Brain Reflections
Mayka, Another modern-day scientific brain-washing belief in that women with higher testosterone levels tend to be more confident in and sure of themselves. (Really smart career women go to their physicians for a shot of testosterone before a job interview.) --ED --- In Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com, Maria Lopez flordel...@... wrote: ED: Times have changed. Before people were converted into monoteists religions by brain washing and now are converted into scientific brain washing. Oh well. Good to know what is next nonsense approaching to Europe. Mayka
Re: [Zen] Zen-Brain Reflections
Have you read this book ED? I am about 1/2 way through the first one and it seems to have more emphasis and what happens during an enlightenment experience than what are the long term physiological changes from meditation. Does the second book go into the changes more? (and what about the tendons that surely deserves at least a chapter in a 150 chapter book!) Thanks, Chris Austin-Lane Sent from a cell phone On Oct 20, 2010, at 1:24, Maria Lopez flordel...@btinternet.com wrote: ED: Times have changed. Before people were converted into monoteists religions by brain washing and now are converted into scientific brain washing. Oh well. Good to know what is next nonsense approaching to Europe. Mayka --- On Wed, 20/10/10, ED seacrofter...@yahoo.com wrote: From: ED seacrofter...@yahoo.com Subject: [Zen] Zen-Brain Reflections To: Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, 20 October, 2010, 8:10 Zen-Brain Reflections James H. Austin Table of Contents and Sample Chapters This sequel to the widely read Zen and the Brain continues James Austin's explorations into the key interrelationships between Zen Buddhism and brain research. In Zen-Brain Reflections, Austin, a clinical neurologist, researcher, and Zen practitioner, examines the evolving psychological processes and brain changes associated with the path of long-range meditative training. Austin draws not only on the latest neuroscience research and new neuroimaging studies but also on Zen literature and his personal experience with alternate states of consciousness. Zen-Brain Reflections takes up where the earlier book left off. It addresses such questions as: how do placebos and acupuncture change the brain? Can neuroimaging studies localize the sites where our notions of self arise? How can the latest brain imaging methods monitor meditators more effectively? How do long years of meditative training plus brief enlightened states produce pivotal transformations in the physiology of the brain? In many chapters testable hypotheses suggest ways to correlate normal brain functions and meditative training with the phenomena of extraordinary states of consciousness. After briefly introducing the topic of Zen and describing recent research into meditation, Austin reviews the latest studies on the amygdala, frontotemporal interactions, and paralimbic extensions of the limbic system. He then explores different states of consciousness, both the early superficial absorptions and the later, major peak experiences. This discussion begins with the states called kensho and satori and includes a fresh analysis of their several different expressions of oneness. He points beyond the still more advanced states toward that rare ongoing stage of enlightenment that is manifest as sage wisdom. Finally, with reference to a delayed moonlight phase of kensho, Austin envisions novel links between migraines and metaphors, moonlight and mysticism. The Zen perspective on the self and consciousness is an ancient one. Readers will discover how relevant Zen is to the neurosciences, and how each field can illuminate the other. About the Author James H. Austin, clinical neurologist, researcher, and Zen practitioner, is Professor Emeritus of Neurology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and Clinical Professor of Neurology at the University of Missouri (Columbia) School of Medicine. He is the author of Zen and the Brain, Chase, Chance, and Creativity, and Zen-Brain Reflections, all published by the MIT Press. Endorsements A monumental melding of wisdom from Zen and other contemplative traditions with modern neuroscience. This extraordinary synthesis will serve as an important resource for many years to come. A must-read for any serious student of the emerging discipline of contemplative neuroscience. —Richard J. Davidson, William James and Vilas Research Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison In Zen and the Brain, James Austin quoted Einstein's dictum that 'Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.' Neurophysiological studies help us understand the biological bases of behavior, but attempting to understand experience is a heroic pursuit. In this sequel, Zen-Brain Reflections, Austin continues his quest of allowing us to better grasp how Zen practices influence and alter brain functions. His quest is not complete, but in this new book he reviews and synthesizes the substantial progress that has been made in understanding the biological basis of Zen experience, providing the reader with further enlightenment. —Kenneth M. Heilman, James E. Rooks Jr. Distinguished Professor of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine Following his monumental masterpiece Zen and the Brain, James Austin here presents further reflections on the koan 'How do neural
RE: [Zen] Zen-Brain Reflections
Ed, Mayka ‘hit the nail on the head’ with her post below. Eat your heart out! …Bill! From: Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:zen_fo...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Maria Lopez Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2010 3:24 PM To: Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Zen] Zen-Brain Reflections ED: Times have changed. Before people were converted into monoteists religions by brain washing and now are converted into scientific brain washing. Oh well. Good to know what is next nonsense approaching to Europe. Mayka --- On Wed, 20/10/10, ED seacrofter...@yahoo.com wrote: From: ED seacrofter...@yahoo.com Subject: [Zen] Zen-Brain Reflections To: Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, 20 October, 2010, 8:10 Zen-Brain Reflections James H. Austin Error! Filename not specified.Table of Contents and Sample Chapters This sequel to the widely read Zen and the Brain continues James Austin's explorations into the key interrelationships between Zen Buddhism and brain research. In Zen-Brain Reflections, Austin, a clinical neurologist, researcher, and Zen practitioner, examines the evolving psychological processes and brain changes associated with the path of long-range meditative training. Austin draws not only on the latest neuroscience research and new neuroimaging studies but also on Zen literature and his personal experience with alternate states of consciousness. Zen-Brain Reflections takes up where the earlier book left off. It addresses such questions as: how do placebos and acupuncture change the brain? Can neuroimaging studies localize the sites where our notions of self arise? How can the latest brain imaging methods monitor meditators more effectively? How do long years of meditative training plus brief enlightened states produce pivotal transformations in the physiology of the brain? In many chapters testable hypotheses suggest ways to correlate normal brain functions and meditative training with the phenomena of extraordinary states of consciousness. After briefly introducing the topic of Zen and describing recent research into meditation, Austin reviews the latest studies on the amygdala, frontotemporal interactions, and paralimbic extensions of the limbic system. He then explores different states of consciousness, both the early superficial absorptions and the later, major peak experiences. This discussion begins with the states called kensho and satori and includes a fresh analysis of their several different expressions of oneness. He points beyond the still more advanced states toward that rare ongoing stage of enlightenment that is manifest as sage wisdom. Finally, with reference to a delayed moonlight phase of kensho, Austin envisions novel links between migraines and metaphors, moonlight and mysticism. The Zen perspective on the self and consciousness is an ancient one. Readers will discover how relevant Zen is to the neurosciences, and how each field can illuminate the other. About the Author James H. Austin, clinical neurologist, researcher, and Zen practitioner, is Professor Emeritus of Neurology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and Clinical Professor of Neurology at the University of Missouri (Columbia) School of Medicine. He is the author of Zen and the Brain, Chase, Chance, and Creativity, and Zen-Brain Reflections, all published by the MIT Press. Endorsements A monumental melding of wisdom from Zen and other contemplative traditions with modern neuroscience. This extraordinary synthesis will serve as an important resource for many years to come. A must-read for any serious student of the emerging discipline of contemplative neuroscience. —Richard J. Davidson, William James and Vilas Research Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison In Zen and the Brain, James Austin quoted Einstein's dictum that 'Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.' Neurophysiological studies help us understand the biological bases of behavior, but attempting to understand experience is a heroic pursuit. In this sequel, Zen-Brain Reflections, Austin continues his quest of allowing us to better grasp how Zen practices influence and alter brain functions. His quest is not complete, but in this new book he reviews and synthesizes the substantial progress that has been made in understanding the biological basis of Zen experience, providing the reader with further enlightenment. —Kenneth M. Heilman, James E. Rooks Jr. Distinguished Professor of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine Following his monumental masterpiece Zen and the Brain, James Austin here presents further reflections on the koan 'How do neural mechanisms create enlightened consciousness?' This superb sequel not only reviews the most recent relevant neuroscience research but also stands alone as a readable survey of mind-brain relationships underlying
