Google Tech Talk (more below)

November 8, 2010


Zen and the Brain


Presented by Dr James Austin

ABSTRACT



What has been learned about the brain that helps understand how selfless insightwisdom can develop on the longterm meditative path? Recent brainimaging research clarifies the relationships between two key issues: 1) How we use both topdown and bottomup modes of attentive processing; and 2) How we constructed an egocentric Self so strong that it so often generates suffering.

Speaker Info: James H. Austin



James H. Austin is Emeritus Professor of Neurology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Austin is the author of his well known book Zen and the Brain, which aims to establish links between the neurological workings of the human brain and meditation. Austin has written two sequels to it: ZenBrain Reflections (February, 2006), and Selfless Insight (2009). He was student of the late Rinzai roshi Kobori Nanrei Sohaku.