Book Review: Zen-Brain Reflections

Zen-Brain Reflections is James H. Austin’s follow-up to his definitive Zen and the Brain. As always, Austin is learned and thorough. The book has great value. It is almost certainly the best survey of research in the field of neurotheology, or perhaps we should use Davidson’s term “contemplative neuroscience.” But ultimately it’s closer to a set of research notes than a book. It presents tantalizing ideas and intriuging possibilities, but few hypotheses or frameworks. We’re left with a lot of information, but little understanding.

According to the description:

Zen-Brain Reflections takes up where the earlier book left off. It addresses such questions as: 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? 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.”

6 Responses to “Book Review: Zen-Brain Reflections”

  1. Ettsem Says:

    Quote: It is almost certainly the best survey of research in the field of neurotheology, or perhaps we should use Davidson’s term “contemplative neuroscience.�

    I like that Davidson’s term omits reference to a deity. On the other hand, his term has two more syllables than “neurotheology”, so it’s a bit of a mouthful. His term also gives me the mental image of somebody sitting around pondering about neuroscience!

  2. Mike Says:

    I found the book disappointing.

  3. Julian Says:

    Thanks Mike. Care to say why?

  4. Peter Tarsio Says:

    The scientific view of the brain and its workings in verifying the case for Buddhism is legitimate, but that doesn’t account for what people experience in the way of transformatiion,transcendence or peak experience as coined by Maslow. For the last 2500 years buddhists have been practicing and meditating without the verification of scientific data or analysis. In ZEn they would say it is the finger pointing at the moon and not the moon itself. I give the author credit for attemping this awesome task of telling us what it is like to experience these states, however one must taverse the ground of being oneself and all the writing and books in the world will not even come close to what this experiece is which is totally an indivdidual experience in itself. The ineffable cannot be touched in this manner although science makes a great attempt in investigating what actually is felt by those who meditate,but the essence of what happens is lost in this kind of analysis although it is a noble attempt to solve a riddle that has no end.

    Peter Tarsio

  5. Brett Says:

    Peter, I don’t believe that the book is meant to invalidate or validate the experience and meaning of Buddhism; I think it is meant to corelate the subjective experience of meditation with events and paturns in the brain. Put another way, the experience and power of meditation does not legitimise or illegitimise the study of it… Science does not strive to “tell us what it is like” but rather, it strives to tell us what it objectivity is. Science does not do well in the subjective field (yet), hence this awsome task as you aptly put it. On the other hand though, you claim that science cannot touch the experience of meditiaton. But who are you to know what science will eventually do?

  6. Zann Says:

    Science is the MATERIAL. Meditation is the SPIRITUAL. NEVER, THE TWAIN SHALL MEET! YOU CAN’T EXPLAIN ONE WITH THE OTHER! THEY EXIST IN TWO VERY DIFFERENT AND VERY SEPARATE UNIVERSES!

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