A Buddhist monk and esteemed neuroscientist discuss their converging—and diverging—views on the mind and self, consciousness and the unconscious, free will and perception, and more.Buddhism shares with science the task of examining the mind empirically; it has pursued, for two millennia, direct investigation of the mind through penetrating introspection. Neuroscience, on the other hand, relies on third-person knowledge in the form of scientific observation. In this...

This volume is the result of a research project entitled “Evolutionary Continuity – Human Specifics – The Possibility of Objective Knowledge” that was carried out by representatives of six academic disciplines (evolutionary biology, evolutionary anthropology, brain research, cognitive neuroscience, cognitive psychology and philosophy) over a period of three and a half years. The starting point for the project was the newly emerging riddle of human uniqueness: though the uniqueness of human...

Designed as a conversation between the Dalai Lama and Western neuroscientists, this book takes readers on a journey through opposing fields of thought—showing that they may not be so opposing after allIs the mind an ephemeral side effect of the brain’s physical processes? Are there forms of consciousness so subtle that science has not yet identified them? How does consciousness happen? Organized by the Mind and Life Institute, this discussion addresses some of the ...

One of the great thinkers of the 20th century recalls his encounters with spiritual seekers around the world, exploring the nature of lived experience, self-inquiry, and how to live a fulfilled life.For fans of Eckhart Tolle and Paulo Coelho!These 60 chapters—with titles like “Solitude Means Freedom”, “All Seeking is from Emptiness and Fear”, and “Life is an Extraordinarily Beautiful Movement”—carry the essence of Krishnamurti’s teaching st...

An accessible translation of the ancient classic handbook on Buddhist meditation by Kamalashila—with commentary from everyone’s favorite Buddhist teacher, the Dalai LamaBased upon the middle section of the Bhavanakrama by Kamalashila—a translation of which is included—this is the most extensive commentary given by the Dalai Lama on this concise but important meditation handbook. It is a favorite text of the Dalai Lama, and he often takes the opportunity to...

The revered Buddhist teacher and author of When Things Fall Apart presents the lojong teachings—pithy slogans for daily contemplation—and the ways in which they can enrich our livesWelcome compassion and fearlessness as your guide, and you’ll live wisely and effectively in good times and bad. But that’s easier said than done. In The Compassion Book, Pema Chödrön introduces a powerful, transformative method to nurture these qualities using...

Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us to stop, relax, and recharge amid the hub-bub of daily life—offering mindfulness techniques and relaxing meditations for anytime, anywhere.Thich Nhat Hanh says that when we relax, we “become calm water, and we will reflect reality as it is. If we’re not calm, the image we reflect will be distorted. When the image is distorted by our minds, it’s not the reality, and it causes lots of suffering.” Relaxation is essential for acce...

**Forget everything you’ve heard about adult language learning—evidence from cognitive science and psychology prove we can learn foreign languages just as easily as children!An eye-opening study on how adult learners can master a foreign language by drawing on skills and knowledge honed over a lifetime.**Adults who want to learn a foreign language are often discouraged because they believe they cannot acquire a language as easily as children. Once they begin to lea...

We don’t have to look to the East for the secrets of awakening—the wisdom and peace we seek is available right here, in our ordinary daily livesIf you want to find inner peace and wisdom, you don’t need to move to an ashram or monastery. Your life, just as it is, is the perfect place to be. Here Jack Kornfield, one of America’s most respected Buddhist teachers, shares this and other key lessons gleaned from more than forty years of committed study and practice. Top...

Revered Zen teacher and best-selling author Thich Nhat Hanh explores the connection between psychology, neuroscience, and meditation to reveal how we can cultivate our own happiness.In his previous book Understanding Our Mind, Zen monk Thich Nhat Hanh explored Buddhist psychology and its applications in everyday life. Here, he continues that study by asking, “Is free will possible?” as he examines how the mind functions and how we can work with it to culti...

**"...Both a refuge and a roadmap, this book illuminates the boundless love and wisdom that lies within each of us, waiting to be uncovered and shared."–Tara Brach, author of Radical CompassionA handbook for spiritual freedom in an age of global crisis.**The world is in turmoil because of its trauma. Our unhealed psychological wounds block our innate expressions of wisdom and compassion, setting the stage for ongoing conflict, division, and stress. Our fate, both individual...

A definitive guide for navigating cognitive decline using mindfulness and meditation practices that includes practical advice and poignant stories from a Buddhist chaplain diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment.When Buddhist chaplain Sharon Lukert was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), she turned to spiritual practice and community to help her adjust to a new and ever-shifting reality. In Until My Memory Fails Me, she shares her hard-won wis...