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Cover of Zen-Brain Reflections by James H. Austin

Zen-Brain Reflections

  • 586 pages · about 10 hours
  • First published 2006

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1 About this book

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?

Good for readers who want: meditation, psychology, Buddhism, and a long read.

  • Meditation
  • Psychology
  • Zen Buddhism
  • Conscience
  • Buddhism
  • Meditation, buddhism
  • Consciousness
  • Aspect physiologique

2 About James H. Austin

Born 1925

James H. Austin is an American neurologist and author. He is the author of the book Zen and the Brain. It establishes links between the neurophysiology of the human brain and the practice of meditation, and won the Scientific and Medical Network Book Prize for 1998. He has written five sequels: Zen-Brain Reflections (2006), Selfless Insight (2009), Meditating Selflessly (2011), Zen-Brain Horizons (2014) and Living Zen Remindfully (2016).

Bio adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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