Mind Beyond Brain: Buddhism, Science, and the Paranormal

The book Mind Beyond Brain explores how evidence for anomalous phenomena can influence the Buddhism-science conversation, challenging dominant explanatory paradigms and raising the prospect of revolutionary developments in the scientific investigation of mind.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 16 March 2021
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The nature of our consciousness and its relationship to the broader world is one of the most profound and complex questions we face as human beings. For centuries, philosophers, scientists, and religious thinkers have grappled with this issue, seeking to understand the intricacies of the human mind and its connection to the rest of reality. In recent years, the field of neuroscience has emerged as a powerful tool for exploring these questions, offering new insights into the workings of the brain and the mechanisms of consciousness.

At the same time, Buddhism has a rich tradition of philosophical and spiritual inquiry into the nature of mind and reality, offering a unique perspective on these topics. In Mind Beyond Brain, neuroscientist David E. Presti, along with a team of distinguished researchers, explores how evidence for anomalous phenomena, such as near-death experiences, apparent memories of past lives, apparitions, and experiences associated with death, can influence the Buddhism-science conversation.

Presti delves into the extensive but often overlooked history of scientific investigation into these phenomena, demonstrating their relevance to questions about consciousness and reality. He highlights the work of scientists such as Sir Charles Bell, who conducted experiments on the perception of light in the 19th century and discovered the phenomenon of "super-sensory perception." This work, along with other studies, suggests that there may be more to our perception and experience than what is readily apparent to the senses.

The new perspectives opened up by taking evidence of such often off-limits topics seriously offer significant challenges to dominant explanatory paradigms and raise the prospect of revolutionary developments in the scientific investigation of mind. Presti argues that by integrating insights from neuroscience and Buddhism, we can gain a deeper understanding of the nature of consciousness and the relationship between the mind and the body. He suggests that we may be able to develop new therapies and interventions that can help individuals overcome mental and physical suffering, and promote greater well-being and harmony in the world.

Mind Beyond Brain represents the next level in the science and Buddhism dialogue. By bringing together experts from both fields, this book offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of the complex relationship between mind and reality. It provides a valuable resource for researchers, scholars, and practitioners interested in exploring the frontiers of consciousness and the potential for spiritual and scientific enlightenment.

In conclusion, the nature of our consciousness and its relationship to the broader world is a subject that has captivated the minds of thinkers for centuries. Through the lens of neuroscience and Buddhism, Mind Beyond Brain offers a fresh and innovative perspective on these topics, challenging our assumptions and opening up new possibilities for understanding and transformation. As we continue to explore the depths of the human mind and the nature of reality, this book will undoubtedly play a vital role in shaping our understanding of the world and our place in it.

Weight: 306g
Dimension: 139 x 216 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231189576