Zen-Brain Reflections [Hardcover]

James H. Austin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 17, 2006

This sequel to the widely read Zen and the Brain continues James Austin's explorations into the key interrelationships between Zen Buddhism and brain research. In Zen-Brain Reflections, Austin, a clinical neurologist, researcher, and Zen practitioner, examines the evolving psychological processes and brain changes associated with the path of long-range meditative training. Austin draws not only on the latest neuroscience research and new neuroimaging studies but also on Zen literature and his personal experience with alternate states of consciousness.Zen-Brain Reflections takes up where the earlier book left off. It addresses such questions as: how do placebos and acupuncture change the brain? 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? In many chapters testable hypotheses suggest ways to correlate normal brain functions and meditative training with the phenomena of extraordinary states of consciousness.After briefly introducing the topic of Zen and describing recent research into meditation, 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." This discussion begins with the states called kensho and satori and includes a fresh analysis of their several different expressions of "oneness." He points beyond the still more advanced states toward that rare ongoing stage of enlightenment that is manifest as "sage wisdom."Finally, with reference to a delayed "moonlight" phase of kensho, Austin envisions novel links between migraines and metaphors, moonlight and mysticism. The Zen perspective on the self and consciousness is an ancient one. Readers will discover how relevant Zen is to the neurosciences, and how each field can illuminate the other.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A monumental melding of wisdom from Zen and other contemplative traditions with modern neuroscience. This extraordinary synthesis will serve as an important resource for many years to come. A must-read for any serious student of the emerging discipline of contemplative neuroscience."--Richard J. Davidson, William James and Vilas Research Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin--MadisonPlease note: I thought I had circulated this some time ago, but heard from a few people that they never saw it. Apologies for the omission. It did arrive a few days too late to make the book jacket.

"While the Decade of the Brain has ended cognitive neuroscience continues to flourish. The understanding of how parallel distributed modular networks mediate behavior is gained both by studying patients with brain injury-related disorders and by imaging the normal brain during cognitive activity. This remarkable volume organizes and synthesizes data from both of these paradigms for a variety of cognitive domains and helps the readerto better understand brain-behavior relationships."--Kenneth M. Heilman, James E. Rooks Jr. Distinguished Professor of Neurology, University of Florida College of MedicinePlease note: The first sentence may be omitted for space reasons.

"Following his monumental masterpiece Zen and the Brain, James Austin here presents further reflections on the koan 'How do neural mechanisms create enlightened consciousness?' This superb sequel not only reviews the most recent relevant neuroscience research but also stands alone as a readable survey of mind-brain relationships underlying the spectrum of mental states. Austin's unique expertise as a neurologist and Zen practitioner, as well as an articulate writer, makes him the perfect guide to elucidate the profound interrelationships between consciousness, the brain, and the world." Eberhard E. Fetz , Professor of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Washington

"In Zen and the Brain, James Austin quoted Einstein's dictum that 'Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.' Neurophysiological studies help us understand the biological bases of behavior, but attempting to understand experience is a heroic pursuit. In this sequel, Zen-Brain Reflections, Austin continues his quest of allowing us to better grasp how Zen practices influence and alter brain functions. His quest is not complete, but in this new book he reviews and synthesizes the substantial progress that has been made in understanding the biological basis of Zen experience, providing the reader with further enlightenment." Kenneth M. Heilman , James E. Rooks Jr. Distinguished Professor of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine

"In *Zen and the Brain*, James Austin quoted Einstein's dictum that 'Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.' Neurophysiological studies help us understand the biological bases of behavior, but attempting to understand experience is a heroic pursuit. In this sequel, *Zen-Brain Reflections*, Austin continues his quest of allowing us to better grasp how Zen practices influence and alter brain functions. His quest is not complete, but in this new book he reviews and synthesizes the substantial progress that has been made in understanding the biological basis of Zen experience, providing the reader with further enlightenment."--Kenneth M. Heilman, James E. Rooks Jr. Distinguished Professor of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine

"Following his monumental masterpiece *Zen and the Brain*, James Austin here presents further reflections on the koan 'How do neural mechanisms create enlightened consciousness?' This superb sequel not only reviews the most recent relevant neuroscience research but also stands alone as a readable survey of mind-brain relationships underlying the spectrum of mental states. Austin's unique expertise as a neurologist and Zen practitioner, as well as an articulate writer, makes him the perfect guide to elucidate the profound interrelationships between consciousness, the brain, and the world."--Eberhard E. Fetz, Professor of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Washington

About the Author

Eric de Bruyn is an art historian who has taught at Bard College,SUNY Purchase, Indiana University, and the Hochschule für Künstein Braunschweig. His most recent publications appeared in DanGraham: Works 1965--2000 (Richter Verlag, 2001) and Kunst Kino,Jahresring 48.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 616 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press; 1 edition (February 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262012235
• ISBN-13: 978-0262012232
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #229,694 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, November 19, 2010

By 

Shane Levine "shanismaximus" (Seattle) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zen-Brain Reflections (Paperback)

I had high hopes when I got this book, but as I read through it I became increasingly disappointed. It has a few merits, but many more flaws. They include:

1) It is terribly organized. A quick glance at the table of contents reveals that the text is composed of 102 chapters. Simple division reveals that the average chapter length is about four and a half pages. That alone is odd. But consider the subjects of some of the chapters that are side by side: for some reason the author thought it was appropriate to put a 3 page chapter about the physiology of breathing (chapter 20, "Breathing In; Breathing Out") right before a 3.5 page chapter about the enigmatic Zen riddles known as Koans (chapter 21, "A Quest for 'No' Answers"). The quotes leading into each chapter demonstrate how sudden and unpleasant of a jolt this is. Chapter 21 opens with the quote "Thoracic respiration gradually shifts to the abdominal and turns into a predominance of the abdominal respiration with the progress of the meditation" (58). (Why is that even significant enough to merit a special, partitioned quote?) And then, 3 pages later, we have the opening quote, "Koan study is essentially a skillful means to really make us question what this life is, until we fully resolve the question" (61). This is a nice quote, but hard to take in right after reading about opioid pathways and abdominal muscles. I understand that this book attempts to fuse two subjects that are difficult to reconcile--namely technical neuroscience with a highly abstract, religious idea system--but crunching together breathing mechanics and zen koans in the span of 7 pages, without either section referring to the other, is not the way to do it. Austin would benefit from reading "On the Origin of Stories" by Brian Boyd, which is a masterful synthesis of evolutionary theory, brain science, and fiction. It shows that disparate subjects can be combined in a user friendly fashion.

2) Zen Brain Reflections is not particularly thoughtful, philosophical, or insightful. Take chapter 65, a 2.5 chapter about mirror neurons and empathy (directly preceded by a pointless, 2 page chapter about spiritual teachers who commit sexual transgressions). In said chapter, which is emblematic of much of the book, Austin says "The few examples cited in this chapter and elsewhere barely introduce the range of topics that might arise with relation to the 'empathies' and 'theories of mind.' Worth noting in any book about Zen, however..." (269). Hold on! Such core human characteristics as empathy and theory of mind are not worth examining? ANY book about the brain and human experience should take at least a few pages to summarize these concepts, as they are FUNDAMENTAL to how we experience the world. A book about Zen and the brain, no less, should fully flesh out these concepts because they strongly relate to aspects of Zen. For example, consider that Zen is about mindfulness. Next consider the fact that we humans are ultra social creatures who constantly use our theory of mind to think about social dynamics--about what others think of us, what they think that we think, what they will think if we do x, y, or z, and so on. Anyone who has tried mindfulness will be surprised by the constant swarm of frantic thoughts regarding other people's minds that dominates consciousness. The "monkey mind" that Zen seeks to tame is fueled largely by our theory of mind imperative, and thus we would do well to understand theory of mind, such that we can appropriately deal with it in pursuit of Zen ideals. Is this too philosophical of me? I don't think so. Austin, in contrast, focuses almost exlusively on the interface between neural structures and Zen. Theory of mind is too complex to be neurally pinpointed, and so Austin essentially ignores it. There are other concepts as well that Austin disappointingly shuns in favor of neurotransmitters and other technical details, which gives the book a lackluster feel indeed.

If you are able to read page upon page of extremely dense, technical jargon about neuroscience, then this book is for you. If not, you will probably be better off reading about Zen and the brain separately, so you can connect the dots for yourself.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A small lesson from Zen Brain reflections, April 21, 2010

By 

Eduardo Bellani "The B man" (Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zen-Brain Reflections (Hardcover)

There are plenty of lessons to be taken from this book. Lessons about zen, learning, education, brain science, and what it means to be aware of yourself.

It is, however, not very readable, in the sense that it is very abstract and terse sometimes. But it does pass the torpor test[1]. That means that it is a hard quest, but one with a great reward.

A small fragment from the book summarizes its quality:

One of these Kyoto-trained Zen teachers taught me a basic lesson about myself. A simple, dramatic demonstration showed me how strong was my own I-Me-Mine. It happened during an informal private interview before our retreat began.

We had conversed for a while. Then, he took a short, dark, wooden stick from his lap and placed it down on the low table in front of us. It caught my eye immediately. No ordinary wood was this, but a wonderfully aged, irregularly shaped stick, obviously an antique object. This work of art, about a foot long and perhaps an inch and a half in diameter, exemplified wabi-sabi. Its mellow patina conveyed associations with long use and advanced age. No word was spoken, yet the roshi's nod obviously invited me to pick it up.

I did. Turning it over and around in both hands, I then held it horizontally with my right hand at one end, slowly admiring it as I had the other antique objects during that earlier ceremony in Kyoto.

Surprise! In one swift act, the Roshi reached across and suddenly grabbed the free end, eyes twinkling as he did so. And almost as fast, without thinking, as my grasp reflex tightened, I found myself locked into a semi-mock tussle with the rightful owner of this antique treasure!

It was an impromptu tug of war, neither of us moving that stick very far in either direction. The strength of his pull just sufficed to neutralize mine. So there we were, like two boys at play, tugging on his beautiful stick!

Soon enough, it dawned on me: How could I possibly dispute his owner- ship!? Yielding, and relinquishing my grasp, I found we were both smiling when our brief mock play session ended.

A simple unexpected demonstration: Yes, I had longed to go on admiring his beautiful stick. He had (playfully) thwarted Me from doing so. I had behaved like it was Mine, and had grasped the stick reflexly. The greedy grasp of the I-Me- Mine was nakedly on display.

Words were unnecessary. I had been educated. I had done more than observe the full extent of my own instinctual tendency to grasp things. I had felt the strength of my attachment in my muscles, joints, and sinews.

[1] Basically, after exposure to the work, do people care less about the subject than they did before? Taken from Weinberg on Writing: The Fieldstone Method.

6 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great content, January 15, 2007

By 

Tim Watkins (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zen-Brain Reflections (Hardcover)

Very interesting content but not well written - difficult to read. Often wondered exactly what point he was trying to make. Worth getting if you're interested in the subject matter though as it's a unique review in this area (to my knowledge).