Customer Reviews

Buddha's Nature: A Practical Guide to Enlightenment Through Evolution

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I was skeptical about this book when I first saw it. Was it going to be another lame attempt to reconcile science with religion? My fears were unfounded. I have some training in evolutionary science and I think Wes Nisker does a bang-up job in comparing its discoveries with the revelations of the Buddha. My only criticism is that I don't think the "how-to" part of the works very well - too lite in my opinion. One more thing - this book's a good pick if you're having trouble with the notion of karma as it applies to reincarnation. Nisker offers an alternative view that works for me (right now, anyway). Give it a try!

In this fun, accessible book, Wes Nisker takes his cue from Buddhist scholar Robert Thurman, who says, 'Buddhism is an evolutionary sport'. Here Nisker ably and readably demonstrates the links between eastern meditation and western science. In his view, both are attempting to understand the nature of existence and he writes, 'Buddhist meditation itself could be understood as a form of scientific research... The Buddha was a great scientist of the self'.

The author aims to introduce his readers to the practice of meditation as a way of understanding our existence. To do this he guides us through a commentary on the Buddhist classic, the Mahasatipattana Sutta (Great Discourse on the Establishment of Mindfulness). The four foundations of mindfulness contained therein form the framework of the bulk of Nisker's book. Along the way he ofers a series of exercises to allow readers to experiment with meditation for themselves.

I found this a good introduction to insight meditation and would recommend it to anyone wanting to know about vipassana - though experienced meditators or experienced scientists should probably look elsewhere.

I have only two criticisms. First, I would like to read fewer sweeping statements along the lines of 'Western psychologists have been telling us for years that...'. Second, I would like to see more of what the Mahasatipattana Sutta actually says. However, these are small quibbles. In all this is a very interesting introduction to Buddhist meditation which shows most clearly its relevance to contemporary science.

The main reason I picked up this book was I've listened to KFOG for years and have always enjoyed the "Weekly (now occasional) Scoop" -- Mr. Nisker's penetrating news and commentary. I have really enjoyed learning about more Buddhism and meditation from this extremely well written book.

Mr. Nisker does an wonderful job of explaining meditation and spirituality in a way that speaks effectively to someone raised in the rationalist, Western mode of thought. It make you want to stop reading about meditating and do it.

Thanks for a great book! I think that if you enjoyed Concilience by E.O. Wilson, you'd enjoy this book.

I liked this book. It is written in a an everyday conversational style, and it gave me a lot of food for thought. It also provided exercises to help you get examine your spiritual relationship to your evolutionary ancestry.

Wes Nisker, a vipassana Buddhist teacher, carefully and playfully integrates Western science's contemporary understanding of evolution and biology, with an emphasis on the neurosciences, with the Buddha's Four Foundations of Mindfulness. The book is well-organized, well-written, often pithy, and a pleasure to read. I recommend it to anyone with an interest in both biology and Buddhist thought.

Mingling a western life with eastern philosophy can lead to a bouillabaisse of heartburn and disappointment. Not so here. Wes Nisker's book, Buddha's Nature brings the insightful depth of Buddhist teachings to the skeptical/rational western mind in an enjoyable and profound manner.

Experienced meditators will like this book for it's breezy western tone while staying on Buddhist point. Folks new to meditation will like this book because it's thought provoking without being pedantic. There are exercises in the book which, if practiced by a new meditator, will provide a great foundation for the time when you sit with a teacher.

I recommend this book to everyone interested in meditation and Buddhism. There is an old rule in meditation though: for every minute you read about meditation, spend ten minutes sitting in meditation.

What"The Tao of Physics" did to connect East and West in the realm of physics, "Buddha's Nature" does brilliantly in the realm of biology and the mind. This is the new Tao of evolution. Reviewed by Jack Kornfield, author of A Path With Heart.

This book is a milestone in contemporary Buddhism...Here Wes Nisker with stunning generosity and compassion, grounds the Buddha's teaching in discoveries made by the neural and evolutionary sciences. I dare you to find a book on science that is so personal, or a book on meditation that is so funny and forgiving. Reviewed by Joanna Macy, author of World As Lover, World as Self.