Sleeping, Dreaming, and Dying: An Exploration of Consciousness
by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
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This is an absorbing account of a dialogue between leading Western scientists and the foremost representative of Buddhism today, the Dalai Lama of Tibet. For modern science, the transitional states of consciousness lie at the forefront of research in many fields. For a Buddhist practitioner these same states present crucial opportunities to explore and transform consciousness itself. This book is the account of a historic dialogue between leading Western scientists and the Dalai Lama of show more Tibet. Revolving around three key moments of consciousness--sleep, dreams, and death--the conversations recorded here are both engrossing and highly readable. Whether the topic is lucid dreaming, near-death experiences, or the very structure of consciousness itself, the reader is continually surprised and delighted. Narrated by Francisco Varela, an internationally recognized neuroscientist, the book begins with insightful remarks on the notion of personal identity by noted philosopher Charles Taylor, author of the acclaimed Sources of Self. This sets the stage for Dr. Jerome Engel, Dr. Joyce MacDougal, and others to engage in extraordinary exchanges with the Dalai Lama on topics ranging from the neurology of sleep to the yoga of dreams. Remarkable convergences between the Western scientific tradition and the Buddhist contemplative sciences are revealed. Dr. Jayne Gackenbach's discussion of lucid dreaming, for example, prompts a detailed and fascinating response from the Dalai Lama on the manipulation of dreams by Buddhist meditators. The conversations also reveal provocative divergences of opinion, as when the Dalai Lama expresses skepticism about "Near-Death Experiences" as presented by Joan Halifax. The conversations are engrossing and highly readable. Any reader interested in psychology, neuroscience, Buddhism, or the alternative worlds of dreams will surely enjoy Sleeping, Dreaming, and Dying. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
East meets West as The Dalai Mama discuss consciousness with top Western PhDs in neuroscience, philosophy, psychoanalysis, psychology, and cultural ecology at the fourth Mind and Life Conference at Dharamsala, India. Rather being conclusive, the conversations led to further areas of needed research.
A thought provoking introduction to the neuroscience of three nonwaking states of awareness from both an Eastern and a Western viewpoint. With expert commentary and explanation by eminent scientist and contemplative thinkers, the presentation/discussion format ensures that unclear points are well explained so that anyone unfamiliar with the intricacies of either school will not be left behind.
Great for anyone starting to explore either domain, but a bit of a broad, shallow overview for those who are already familiar with the subject matter.
Great for anyone starting to explore either domain, but a bit of a broad, shallow overview for those who are already familiar with the subject matter.
This book is the account of an historic dialogue between leading Western scientists and the Dalai Lama of Tibet revolving around sleep, dreams, and death -- the three key moments of consciousness that internationally acclaimed neuroscientist Franciso Varela calls the ego's shadow zones. Exploration of how science and Buddhism intersect. - from book cover
PSIHOLOGIJA, TIBETSKI BUDIZAM
Interview with Author http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9ag7tilawc
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Author Information
1,137+ Works 42,586 Members
The exiled 14th Dalai Lama was born on July 6, 1935 to a peasant family living in a former Tibetan village. He was recognized as the reincarnation of the previous spiritual leader of his nation at the age of two and enthroned on February 22, 1940. In 1959 he and 100,000 followers fled the country following a failed revolt against the Communist show more Chinese forces that had occupied Tibet for almost a decade. Since that time, the Dalai Lama has met with numerous world leaders and U. N. officials in a tireless effort to free his country and preserve the traditional Tibetan way of life. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 and has been awarded honorary citizenships by many international cities and countries, as well as multiple honorary degrees and human rights awards. In 2007 the Dalai Lama received the United States Congressional Gold Medal. He has written many books and lectures around the world. His book, My Spiritual Journey, made the iBooks bestseller list in 2016. He is the author of the best seller, The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, with the Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, General Nonfiction, Philosophy
- DDC/MDS
- 294.3422 — Religion Other religions Buddhism/Hinduism Buddhism Buddhism - practice Practice and tantra Psychological aspects
- LCC
- BQ4570 .P75 .B77 — Philosophy, Psychology and Religion Buddhism Buddhism Doctrinal and systematic Buddhism Special topics and relations to special subjects
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 314
- Popularity
- 101,446
- Reviews
- 5
- Rating
- (3.89)
- Languages
- 5 — Dutch, English, French, German, Italian
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 8
- ASINs
- 2
