ED, Bill, Mayka et al, If I can just jump in here. There is scientific data to suggest that the brain has a kind of plasticity and so can be neurologically changed according to how it is used. I think this is should hold a huge interest for those of us interested in zen/meditation. Learning to pay attention to the moment and letting go of negative thoughts can be seen as a 'skill' just like learning a language or playing the piano. If one incorporates sitting into their daily lives it'd be possible to change the physiology of the brain to better respond to internal/external stimuli with happier results. Zen, as an art of living, could then jettison all the religious mumbo-jumbo that it's wrapped up in now. Mike
