Siddhartha's brain : unlocking the ancient science of enlightenment

Title:

Author:

Summary:

Looks at the science behind the ancient practices of Buddhism through the story of the spiritual life and teachings of Siddhartha, the man who would become the Buddha, and how his discoveries anticipated the findings of modern neuroscience. --Publisher

Edition:

First edition.

Contents:

A fool's paradise -- Child's play -- Guided meditation: Only the breath -- The cloud of unknowing -- The second dart -- Guided meditation: Open-minded -- The man who disappeared -- Golden slippers -- Guided meditation: Three-step reboot -- Fire worshippers -- A drunk elephant -- Guided meditation: The warm glow -- The fall -- Wonderful and marvelous -- Guided meditation: Body scan -- Mind mirrors -- Guided meditation: Mindful toast -- The deathless realm.

Physical Description:

343 pages : illustrations ; 21 cm

Personal Subject:

Buddha

Gautama Buddha-Teachings.

Subject Term:

Meditation -- Buddhism.

Meditation -- Therapeutic use.

Buddhism and science.

Publisher:

William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers,

Publication Date:

2016

ISBN:

9780062403858

9780062403872

Publication Information:

New York : William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, [2016]

Call Number:

294.3 KINGSLA

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003362335	Adult Nonfiction	294.3 KINGSLA	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

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Summary

By the longtime Guardian science journalist, a groundbreaking exploration of the science of enlightenment and mental wellness, illuminated by twin perspectives, ancient and modern: the spiritual wisdom of Siddhartha Gautama and the revelations of today's scientists, who are confirming the Buddha's profound insights into the human mind

In the fifth century BCE, in northern India, Siddhartha, the wandering sage who became the Buddha, developed a program, rooted in meditation and mindfulness, for mastering the mind and achieving lasting peace and contentment. Twenty-five centuries later, humans have transformed everything about our world--except our brains, which remain the same powerful yet flawed instruments possessed by our ancestors. What if the solution we seek to the psychological problems of life in the digital age--distraction, anxiety, addiction, loss of deep meaning--had already been worked out by the Buddha in ancient India? Appealing to readers of Eastern wisdom and Jon Kabat-Zinn, as well as to fans of bestsellers by Oliver Sacks and Malcolm Gladwell, acclaimed science writer and practicing Buddhist James Kingsland reveals how scientists are now unlocking the remarkable secrets of Siddhartha's brain.

Moving effortlessly between science and scripture, Kingsland charts Siddhartha's spiritual journey and explains how new research by leading neuroscientists and clinical psychologists--many of whom are interviewed in these pages--suggests that mindfulness practice reconfigures our brains to make us sharper, smarter, healthier, and happier, and that it can help treat stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, hypertension, and substance abuse. There have even been hints that meditation can enhance immune function, slow cellular aging, and keep dementia at bay. Featuring six guided meditations, Siddhartha's Brain is a practical and inspiring odyssey of mind and spirit.

"Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think."--Siddhartha

Reviews (2)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Guardian science editor Kingsland presents a fascinating exploration of the studies of enlightenment-where the experience of meditative spiritual practice meets the rigors of scientific research. Kingsland suggests that the ubiquitous presence of psychiatric illnesses may be alternatively understood as an "extreme manifestation of ordinary human condition," and if this is the case, the practice of meditation should (in theory) alleviate afflictions caused by a mental apparatus gone haywire. To fix the errant mental system, Buddhism prescribes meditation: one pays attention to the breath, practices non-judgmental awareness, and calmly observes the landscape of thoughts. Kingsland skillfully dives in and out of various subjects-the neurological relaxation response to meditation, the difference between pain and suffering, emotional regulation-and effectively paints a neurological picture of the mind without devaluing Buddhism's spiritual image of cognition. Science shows that meditation reworks neurological networks to better regulate and manage the emotions; in short, being a good, contented human being is a skill that can be learned. Based on this idea, Kingsland offers guided practices at the end of every chapter, ranging from attention to the breath to metta (loving-kindness) meditations. Kingsland's book is a cursory but fascinating exploration of the neuroscience behind meditation, and he offers a wonderful starting point for further research and practice. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Library Journal Review

In this work, Kingsland (science editor, Guardian) expertly weaves the story and teachings of the Buddha with clinical and scientific research to engage in a highly readable examination of the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. The author applies Buddhism and science to illustrate how humans' complex "neural machinery" hardwires us for suffering. With chapters devoted to the discussion of depression, chronic pain, and addiction, he employs case studies to highlight the effectiveness of various mindfulness-based therapies, although he doesn't shy away from presenting the challenges to and limitations of those investigations. While intended for a lay audience, the work adeptly incorporates Buddhist and scientific terminology in such a way that concepts are easily understood through the context of the narrative. Several guided meditations are included to provide readers an opportunity to try the practices discussed. VERDICT Both skeptics and believers of the mental and physical benefits of mindfulness and meditation will find this to be a satisfying read. Those who are struggling with their own form of suffering might also appreciate the discussion of alternative therapies.-Amanda Folk, Univ. of Pittsburgh Lib., Greensburg © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.