the mit press zen-brain reflections feb 2006

James H.Austin, M.D. ZEN-BRAIN REFLECTIONS Z E N B R A I N R E F L E C T I O N S Austin Zen-Brain Reflections Reviewing Recent Developments in Meditation and States of Consciousness James H.Austin, M.D. 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, exam- ines the evolving psychological processes and brain changes associated with the path of long-range med- itative training.Austin draws not only on the latest neuroscience research and new neuroimaging studies but also on Zen literature and his personal experi- ence 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 imag- ing 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, fron- totemporal interactions, and paralimbic extensions of the limbic system. He then explores different states of consciousness, both the early superficial absorp- tions and the later, major “peak experiences.”This discussion begins with the states called kensho and satori and includes a fresh analysis of their several dif- ferent expressions of “oneness.” He points beyond the still more advanced states toward that rare ongo- ing 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. James H.Austin is Clinical Professor of Neurology, University of Missouri Health Science Center, and Emeritus Professor of Neurology, University of Colorado Health Science Center. Neuroscience/Eastern philosophy “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 bio- logical 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 The MIT Press Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142 http://mitpress.mit.edu 0-262-01223-5 Zen-Brain Reflections The MIT Press Cambridge, Massachusetts London, England Zen-Brain Reflections Reviewing Recent Developments in Meditation and States of Consciousness James H. Austin, M.D. ( 2006 Massachusetts Institute of Technology All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechani- cal means (including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval) without permis- sion in writing from the publisher. MIT Press books may be purchased at special quantity discounts for business or sales promotional use. For information, please email special_sales@mitpress.mit.edu or write to Special Sales Department, The MIT Press, 55 Hayward Street, Cambridge, MA 02142. This book was set in Palatino and Frutiger on 3B2 by Asco Typesetters, Hong Kong. Printed and bound in the United States of America. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Austin, James H., 1925– Zen-Brain reflections : reviewing recent developments in meditation and states of consciousness / James H. Austin. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-262-01223-5 1. Meditation—Zen Buddhism—Physiological aspects. 2. Meditation—Zen Buddhism— Psychology. 3. Consciousness—Religious aspects—Zen Buddhism. 4. Zen Buddhism. I. Title. BQ9288.A967 2006 294.3 0 422—dc22 2005052046 10987654321 To my early teachers Nanrei Kobori-Roshi, Myokyo-ni, and Joshu Sasaki-Roshi, for inspiration; to my wife Judy for her support; and to all those whose contributions to Zen, and to the brain, are reviewed in this book. The test of a religion or philosophy is the number of things it can explain. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) Contents in Brief Contents in Detail xi Chapters Containing Testable Hypotheses xvi List of Figures xviii List of Tables xix Preface xx Acknowledgments xxii By Way of Introduction xxiii Part I Starting to Point toward Ze n 1 Part II Meditating 27 Part III Neurologizing 71 Part IV Exploring States of Consciousness 227 Part V Quickening 277 Part VI The Absorptions 313 Part VII Insightful Awakenings 327 Part VIII Openings into Being; and Beyon d to the Stage of Ongoing Enlightened Traits 389 Part IX Pointing at Moonlight: Allusions and Illusions 403 In Closing 457 Appendixes A Other Links between the Moon and Enlightenment in the Old Zen Literature 459 [...]... until around the third century c.e were these verses compiled within the southern, Theravada branch of Buddhism The passages suggest that his latter-day followers had also realized what was the root cause of human suffering: our self-centered personality structure The adapted verses below pass no test for historical accuracy as the words of the man widely regarded as ‘ The Light of Asia.’’ They simply... William James described some of these events, as have many others Most experiences at one end of the spectrum tend to be brief and superficial; they ‘‘quicken’’ mostly the sensibilities and the emotions Other events tap our much deeper levels of comprehension Most cultures would regard the more advanced of these deeper states as being at least semi-‘‘religious.’’ Zen emphasizes the more profound insightful... brain is the organ of our mind Indeed, before brains came to exist on this planet, there were no minds either I also begin with the humanist bias and imperative I’m immensely awed by the creative forces in the current universe I just xxiv By Way of Introduction can’t find much personal motivation in the notion that some kind of purposive, but incomprehensible, ‘‘Big Mind’’ is out there ‘‘in the ether.’’... Significance of the Late ‘‘Moonlight’’ Phase within the Whole Profile of Kensho Significance of the Illusions at the Close of the Moonlight Phase Some Cultural and Neural Origins of Moon Metaphors and Visual Symbols The Hernandez Connection: A Darkened Sky and Moonglow Other Ancient Fingers Pointing toward the Moon People Differ in Their Response to Illusions: Psychological Considerations People Differ in Their... time in their life When that person takes up the spiritual path in a more formal manner, there occurs a sense of engagement in an ongoing quest The quest is for practical steps that can help the person reestablish, by the deepest of insights, a sense of more direct relationships with the Ultimate Reality principle (however each person may choose to define this) For many centuries, people who commit themselves... Experience and the Brain? A Brief Outline of Zen History Western Perspectives on Mystical Experiences An Outline of the Path of Zen The Semantics of Self Developing Our Conscious Levels of Self Some ABCs of the I-Me-Mine Constructing Ourself, Inside and Outwardly Two Interpreters: One Articulate, the Other Silent Dissolving the Psychic Self and Its Veils of Interpretation Further Commentary on the Several... meditation I examine both the limitations inherent in their design and those of neuroimaging methods in general Part III updates information about the brain, including the amygdala and other parts of the ‘‘old’’ limbic system Here, I comment on recent research that clarifies its ‘‘paralimbic’’ extensions Do not get bogged down in these 31 chapters Lay readers are encouraged to skim them and move on to part... At the entry level are the simpler forms of meditation They adopt a passive attitude and help to generate a ‘‘relaxation response,’’ a term Herbert Benson introduced to summarize the early steps in a long process Several additional techniques help people further cultivate the art of concentrating while they meditate Some of these approaches evoke calibrated levels of added stress responses within the. .. their own results When we use the term psychophysiology in the context of Zen and the brain, its basic physiological mechanisms may be condensed in three deceptively simple words They involve excitation, inhibition, and disinhibition The words describe the way impulses from one neuronal module go on to increase or decrease the firing rates of other cell assemblies Few of the resulting configurations actually... performed the required task? When these four trained subjects each did feel especially poised and ready just before their task, what did their EEG show? Characteristic individual patterns of fast, synchronized gamma wave activity in the frontal region The recent Handbook of Psychophysiology highlights the ever-present explanatory gap between such psychological events and the associated physiological data These . Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142 http://mitpress .mit. edu 0-262-01223-5 Zen-Brain Reflections The MIT Press Cambridge, Massachusetts London, England Zen-Brain Reflections Reviewing Recent Developments. writing from the publisher. MIT Press books may be purchased at special quantity discounts for business or sales promotional use. For information, please email special_sales@mitpress .mit. edu or. 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. James