Why Buddhism Is True : The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment

Pretty revealing book with a underwhelming title.

Bertrand Russell was concerned with three passions: longing for love, search for knowledge and unbearable pity for the endless suffering of mankind. That is something ,particularly in the last one. A great philosopher, a learned man expressing his helplessness ! An academic who wrote a number of treatises on Mathematics, Philosophy and wrote on many other subjects !! Actually he was honest and humane . Many other philosophers were not so forthcoming. Many of them were too busy working out abstract ideas( which then ended up producing unworkable theories like Marxism ). Then the question comes : why this “endless suffering” without hope, why is it so difficult to address ? Well, could there be some fundamental contradictions between these “ passions”-three or whatever ? After all, these are fundamentals issues , faced by everybody at one time or another. In this hopeless situation let us turn to a historical figure. It was sometimes back ,actually 2500 years ago ; 500 years before Christ. One minor prince from India named Siddhartha Gautama was haunted by the miseries of life . He was not interested in abstract theories like Metaphysics, Epistemology etc (like most philosophers ). He was concerned with “mundane” problems like ageing, diseases and death which nobody could escape including himself !!. He wanted a solution , if there was one. He left behind his baby, his wife , family, everything and went into a jungle to meditate. He came out after years of meditation with a solution. He has become the Buddha, the “awakened one “ . It is not a religion. He said human salvation does not depend on god, it depends on himself ,his karma !!! He said anybody can become a Buddha !!! Think of some religions !!! A former prince, he became a Bhuku , begging for food in the morning and eating only once a day if some people were kind enough to give him some food , wondering from place to place ,not settling down anywhere, wearing rags etc. !!! To ordinary mortals like me, the cure seems more terrifying than the disease itself!! But He-at least- gave us a SOLUTION or so it appears. However philosophers “forgot” to examine his system for a long time . Brahmins in India did not like him because he attacked the Brahminical caste system , Muslim invaders were more brutal (non-violence of Buddhism made the slaughter easy ); Monasteries , great Universities were razed to the ground. Buddhism virtually vanished from India. But time does change , particularly when thousands of years have elapsed. Arthur Schopenhauer was influenced by Indian religious texts and later claimed that Buddhism was the "best of all possible religions. Husserl says :” That Buddhism - insofar as it speaks to us from pure original sources - is a religio-ethical discipline for spiritual purification and fulfillment of the highest stature - conceived of and dedicated to an inner result of a vigorous and unparalleled, elevated frame of mind, will soon become clear to every reader who devotes themselves to the work. Buddhism is comparable only with the highest form of the philosophy and religious spirit of our European culture. It is now our task to utilize this (to us) completely new Indian spiritual discipline which has been revitalized and strengthened by the contrast.” After he became Buddha , Siddhartha came to meet his father . His father was furious :” Are you not ashamed to beg in a place where you once were a Prince ?” It need not be that Buddhism is the ONLY solution but it is worth examining. If you want to know more about Buddha and his ways , try this book. It is wonderful.

I haven't finished the book yet....1 quarter left. I first listened to it as an audio on cd's....loved it and am now reading the book as the audio was a bit too fast paced....found myself going back to listen to the last part as I was distracted so often by my own thoughts. Reading allows me to pause and reflect or acknowledge some confusion and clear it up. The book belongs to the local library and so I have purchased a copy for myself so I can underline and make comments in the margins. My background in Buddhism and meditation is in the Vipassana tradition. Attended retreats from one day long to two weeks long. Retreats with Goenka, Shinzen Young, John Travis....multiple times as wall as a few others whose name escapes me. Have studied extensively in the field reading first Ken Wilber, No Boundry....followed by several books by Krishnamurti, Ram Dass, Stephen Levine, Ramana Maharshi, Joseph Goldstein, Eckhart Tolle, Adyashanti, and many, many others....just to let you where I'm coming from. I really like Wrights style....easy and friendly and honest with a great wit. His non-expert, struggling to understand is helpful when he talks with the Pros at retreats. Very reinforcing and supporting with my background. I like the continual emphasis and reminders about mindfulness. It is simply a very good fit for me. I like the depth he goes into of his understanding or lack of. Seems like a great intro to the system as well, and is very encouraging to people to try a meditation retreat and see what's there for them. I have recommended the book to others and sent a copy to my daughter and am looking forward to discussing it with her.

In "Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment," the intersection of neuroscience, meditation, and Buddhism provides a transformative exploration of the self, society, and the nature of reality. This book isn't just a philosophical exposition; it's a scientific exploration into the underpinnings of human cognition, emotion, and perception. Drawing from the latest research in neuroscience, the author offers empirical validation for the profound insights provided by Buddhist philosophy and meditation. The impact of the book is significantly heightened by its ability to facilitate a deeper connection with oneself. During instances when I've felt adrift from my emotions or disconnected from my mental state, the teachings of this book, steeped in both ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience, have guided me back to equilibrium. This scientific perspective doesn't diminish the personal and emotional impact of the book, rather, it augments it. The fusion of scientific rigor with philosophical wisdom makes the teachings more tangible, relatable, and applicable to day-to-day life. The book's power extends into its audio format, which I've found equally enriching. Both reading and listening to it have allowed me to absorb the scientific and philosophical insights at a deeper level, reinforcing my understanding and application of its teachings. In sum, "Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment" represents a fascinating confluence of neuroscience, philosophy, and spirituality. It successfully bridges the gap between empirical science and introspective wisdom, offering a transformative tool for understanding our minds and our lives. If you're seeking not just a book, but a scientifically grounded journey into self-discovery and enlightenment, I highly recommend this. It transcends the boundary between science and philosophy, offering a fresh perspective on our inner workings and our understanding of reality.

Must read pour ceux qui veulent faire le lien entre bouddhisme et science.