Zen and the Brain

Zen and the Brain: Toward an Understanding of Meditation and Consciousness is a 1998 book by neurologist and Zen practitioner James H. Austin, in which the author attempts to establish links between the neurological workings of the human brain and meditation. The eventual goal would be to establish mechanisms by which meditation induces changes in the activity of the brain, which in turn induces a state of mental clarity. For example, Austin presents evidence from EEG scans that deep relaxed breathing reduces brain activity.

Zen and the Brain: Toward an Understanding of Meditation and Consciousness
AuthorJames H. Austin
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
SubjectNeuroscience, Zen
PublisherMIT Press
Publication date
6 February 1998
Media typePrint (trade paperback)
Pages844
ISBN978-0-262-01164-8
OCLC37187487
294.3/422
LC ClassBQ9288.A96
Followed byChase, Chance, and Creativity: The Lucky Art of Novelty 

The publishers described their book as a "Comprehensive text on the evidence from neuroscience that helps to clarify which brain mechanisms underlie the subjective states of Zen, and employs Zen to 'illuminate' how the brain works in various states of consciousness". Austin starts with a discussion of Zen Buddhism, its goals, and practices. Having laid this groundwork, he then turns to explore the neurological basis of consciousness.

Austin wrote a follow-up, Zen-Brain Reflections.

See also

References

  • James H. Austin, Zen and the Brain: Toward an Understanding of Meditation and Consciousness. Reprint edition July 2, 1999. MIT Press. ISBN 0-262-51109-6
  • James H. Austin, Zen-Brain Reflections. First edition February 14, 2006. MIT Press. ISBN 0-262-01223-5
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