Hirnforschung und Meditation

Wolf Singer is one of the world's leading brain researchers. Matthieu Ricard was a molecular biologist, then became a Buddhist monk and bestselling author. In this book, both engage in a dialogue about the relationship between brain research and consciousness training. They discuss which mental states should be cultivated through meditative practices, the neural processes underlying these states, and whether regular meditation leads to measurable changes in brain functions. Their book makes an important contribution to stimulating the exchange between the natural sciences and contemplative sciences, as Buddhism is treated here as a science of the mind rather than a religion. A central topic in their discussion is the methods by which the mind and human values can be trained, such as attention, altruism, emotional balance, and happiness. Additionally, Singer and Ricard talk about the long-term effects of such training. The brain's ability to adapt to changing circumstances is usually examined in the context of external changes, but in meditation, the impulses come from within and aim to systematically alter one's mental dispositions. Consequently, the question arises whether fundamental questions about human nature can even be connected with neuroscientific findings.