MIND: Neural Buddhism or Western duff

Nice try David Brooks, but honestly I still don't think you nailed it. Brooks' op-ed "The Neural Buddhists" published in the May 13 New York Times, went deep into smug aging-boomer turf: science mysticism are not mutually exclusive. News flash! He cited (too briefly) that research trends are veering away from academic materialism, and into the emerging study of consciousness and emotions. This new direction for the Academy is exciting indeed, but where I got stuck in the op-ed is Brooks's use of the concept of Buddhism. His pre-packaged Whole Foods "I'm aethesist but spritual!" approach missed the point. He laid out several tenets that are critical to this new research direction:

1. The self is a dynamic concept.
2. Behind religious dogma, people have a common moral compass world wide.
3. We are physically rigged to be able to experience elevated states of being.
4. God is best conceived as the nature of being in that elevated state.

He calls this neural Buddhism. I get his point and I see the overlay with some Buddhist teachings, however where Brooks veers off course is that he tries to conflate theocratic systems and morality with a Buddhist system. It's a common Western trap, in my opinion. We are so trained to believe that there is or is not a God (believer or aetheist?), that question of God and where/how/what has to be the logical conclusion to an argument about consciousness. I beg to differ: there is no question about God. If you believe or don't believe is outside of the question of consciousness. There is no theocracy in Buddhism. If you believe in God, then it exists, if you don't believe, then it doesn't exist. God is a powerful idea but I don't think drills down into consciousness; if one is truly having a "direct experience" with God, a Buddhist would argue you would not even know you are having it because it would absolve the duality of self. That true enlightenment - the pinnacle of the elevated state of being (or feeling God in Brooks' words) - can ever been witnessed as an "other." When it is the other and you can speak about it as such, then you are not truly part of it.

What I am quite interested in learning more about is the elasticity of the brain and I hope that the academy continues to pursue that without getting caught in the God trap. (CN)

MIND/BODY: Wellness Guide

The New York Times launched an online Wellness Guide this week, which at first glance looked pretty interesting: the splash page has interactive old-timey graphics, and the package is organized around the body eclectic: from head to toe. As a former newspaper woman myself, I am well aware that packages like these are popular with advertisers and the bane of editors. To wit, the articles in the package reflect the this-is-as-thrilling-as-a-dentist-visit excitement of the editor. Some service pieces on bunions and other foot maladies, some regurgitated advice about simple-is-better for anti-aging skin care and some info on discreet hearing aids. All in all, the package is aimed at aging boomers and is really not a wellness package, as it is an "you are getting old and you're freaking" package. The navigation was confusing as well - a series of links on the splash page takes us readers off-site to other health web sites. The product is B-List Times. They can do better. They have to do better.

MIND: Your personal Lido Deck

Leisure time, according to this interesting interview with Alison Link in the New York Times today, is an especially critical concept for those"at-risk". I am intrigued with emerging research, particularly with addiction studies and rehabilitation, about how leisure time is critical tool for keeping us healthy.

Leisure time is hard. But it's important. Down time keeps us human. We're not career bots, but we're made of flesh and blood and neurons that sometimes need a break. And not a vacation break, but a daily one. A time to stop, reset, gather, exhale, regroup, relax, recover, breathe, loosen and go beneath the surface. From my personal experience, it boils down to this: meditation practice is bedrock for keeping it real. Without it, the noise starts . The distracting internal critics in my head start to clamor for attention. Meditation practice turns down that volume and allows me to 'hear' the truth in a situation without my emotions coloring every twist and turn, There is on-the-cushion Zen meditation, and then there is meditation practice as it informs everyday life. Walking down the sidewalk, being mindful to feel the breeze on my face. Washing the dishes, and having the awareness I am making my apartment a more relaxing and nicer environment. Dancing to the radio, and just dancing to the radio. (CN)