As an aspiring fully-enlightened being and (more accurately) a fairly recently emerged cave-dweller now getting accustomed to the light, I am well into my hunter-gatherer phase and beginning to feel the need for some tying together perhaps as a storyteller, or at least journal-er. Definately as a reflector. I will also occasionally attempt to tap into my creative aspects poetically and welcome all inspired words from any readers! Mostly, I think I'll share that which moves me to share.
Coming from a Buddhist perspective on training the mind through meditative practice with the ultimate aim to completely surrender the ego and experience liberation in every moment, I also share the Dalai Lama's interest in the science of mind. Studies in neuroscience which measure physiological signs of transitions of states of consciousness are something I am just beginning to explore. I would highly recommend anyone interested in this area to watch the Mind & Life Institute's Conference with the Dalai Lama and various scientists and scholars, including Richard Davidson of Wisconsin University. [See his paper: http://www.investigatinghealthyminds.org/pdfs/davidsonBuddhaIEEE.pdf regarding his study of meditation amongst Tibetan monks.]
Mind & Life Conference 2010: Contemplative Science: The Scientific Study of the Effect of the Contemplative Practice on Human Biology and Behaviour, co-sponsored by the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science Campus http://www.mindandlife.org/dialogues/past-conferences/ml22/
I feel that meditation should have a prominant place in the west and that its practice could become a catalyst to redirect the world from our current path of destruction. Michael Baime of Penn State's Program for Mindfulness has developed programs using meditation as a stress reduction tool with cancer patients and with projects to bring mindfulness to the public school system. He advocates 'teaching the teachers' as a way to integrate this into the school system, which seems to be a good approach as the teachers (with the support of the administration) could teach the method each year to their students. I hope readers will pass on this information to schools in their area and help to initiate and implement training programs. To see a video of him discussing the program see: http://themindfulrevolution.com/education/tmr-interview-dr-michael-baime/.
As far as the particle wave physics aspect (ahem) I have absolutely no background in physics or any special logical/mathematic abilities, so whatever knowledge I glean in this sphere will be utterly simplistic and any insights very gut-level. I welcome feedback from those whose physics center in the brain is more finely tuned and charged! There's a lot of chatter about the correlations between Buddhist thought and certain theories in physics which evoke great potentials & excitement! Multiverses / mulitdimensions- nothing new to certain areas of buddhist thought ... form is matter and then it is a wave and, it is both? ... also, not so new.
I know that I like what I've heard from physicist Lisa Randall, who studies particle physics and cosmology while teaching theoretical physics at Harvard (see her talk on particle physics with Charlie Rose on PBS-which is on his website and on youtube). I really like the fact that she has also written several popular science books and the libretto of an opera! I also appreciate David Bohm's (world-famous physicist) openess to and exploration of the link between physics and eastern philosophy (having seen his talk with Krishnamurti). see "The Future of Humanity" on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Knu4ujA1rfU.
Here's a synopsis of their book "The Ending of Time":
- "This very important work offers penetrating dialogues between the great spiritual leader and the renowned physicist that shed light on the fundamental nature of existence. Krishnamurti and David Bohm probe such questions as 'why has humanity made thought so important in every aspect of life? How does one cleanse the mind of the 'accumulation of time' and break the 'pattern of ego-centered activity'? The Ending of Time concludes by referring to the wrong turn humanity has taken, but does not see this as something from which there is no escape. There is an insistence that mankind can change fundamentally; but this requires going from one's narrow and particular interests toward the general, and ultimately moving still deeper into that purity of compassion, love and intelligence that originates beyond thought, time, or even emptiness."
Other than the science, I want to explore meditation et al. from my own personal experience and in creative ways, so I am aiming to balance this blog with art, poetry, music and words of wisdom quotes from those who are truly wise. I will also shamelessly promote certain teachers of meditation techniques as well as a biased leaning towards promolgating Vajrayana - Dzogchen views, as that is where I currently stand in 'my practice'. Open to learning about others with similar and different views. More on this later (and if you actually read all this - I like you a lot and please keep checking back. Your comments will be very welcome).
~ nmw
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