Siddhartha's Brain - by James Kingsland (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A groundbreaking exploration of the "science of enlightenment," told through the lens of the journey of Siddhartha (better known as Buddha), by Guardian science editor James Kingsland.

In a lush grove on the banks of the Neranjara in northern India--400 years before the birth of Christ, when the foundations of western science and philosophy were being laid by the great minds of Ancient Greece--a prince turned ascetic wanderer sat beneath a fig tree. His name was Siddhartha Gautama, and he was discovering the astonishing capabilities of the human brain and the secrets of mental wellness and spiritual "enlightenment," the foundation of Buddhism.

Framed by the historical journey and teachings of the Buddha, Siddhartha's Brain shows how meditative and Buddhist practice anticipated the findings of modern neuroscience. Moving from the evolutionary history of the brain to the disorders and neuroses associated with our technology-driven world, James Kingsland explains why the ancient practice of mindfulness has been so beneficial and so important for human beings across time. Far from a New Age fad, the principles of meditation have deep scientific support and have been proven to be effective in combating many contemporary psychiatric disorders. Siddhartha posited that "Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think." As we are increasingly driven to distraction by competing demands, our ability to focus and control our thoughts has never been more challenged--or more vital.

Siddhartha's Brain offers a cutting-edge, big-picture assessment of meditation and mindfulness: how it works, what it does to our brains, and why meditative practice has never been more important.

From the Back Cover

By the longtime Guardian science journalist, a groundbreaking exploration of the science of enlightenment and mental wellness, illuminated by twin perspectives: the ancient spiritual wisdom of Siddhartha Gautama and the revelations of today's scientists, who are confirming the Buddha's profound insights into the human mind

In the fifth century BCE, in northern India, Siddhartha, the wandering sage who became the Buddha, developed a program, rooted in meditation and mindfulness, for mastering the mind and achieving lasting peace and contentment. Twenty-five centuries later, humans have transformed everything about our world--except our brains, which remain the same powerful yet flawed instruments possessed by our ancestors. What if the solution we seek to the psychological problems of life in the digital age--distraction, anxiety, addiction, loss of deep meaning--had already been worked out by the Buddha in ancient India? Veteran Guardian science journalist and practicing Buddhist James Kingsland reveals how scientists are now unlocking the remarkable secrets of Siddhartha's brain.

Moving effortlessly between science and scripture, Kingsland charts Siddhartha's spiritual journey and explains how new research by leading neuroscientists and clinical psychologists--many of whom are interviewed in these pages--suggests that mindfulness practice reconfigures our brains to make us sharper, smarter, healthier, and happier, and that it can help treat stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, hypertension, and substance abuse. There have even been hints that meditation can enhance immune function, slow cellular aging, and keep dementia at bay. Featuring six guided meditations, Siddhartha's Brain is a practical and inspiring odyssey of mind and spirit.

Review Quotes

"Fascinating. ... Whether you're a skeptic or a true believer, exploring Siddhartha's brain offers compelling insights and invites further questions about the potential of the human mind." -- Chicago Tribune

"Impressive. ... Even readers well steeped in the sutras will likely come away having learned something new." -- Tricycle: The Buddhist Review

"Reveals not only how mindfulness meditation can rewire the human brain and help us achieve a sense of spiritual fulfillment but also how we can easily integrate the practice into our daily lives." -- Scientific American

"[A] fascinating exploration of the neuroscience behind meditation. ... Kingsland skillfully dives in and out of various subjects -- the neurological relaxation response to meditation, the difference between pain and suffering, emotional regulation -- and effectively paints a neurological picture of the mind without devaluing Buddhism's spiritual image of cognition." -- Publishers Weekly

"It's a pleasure to read Siddhartha's Brain. ... A smart, accessible balance of philosophical teachings and brain science and how meditation can relate to everything from addiction to Alzheimer's disease." -- Lisa Ko, author of The Leavers

"Brain science and Buddhist lore combine in this compelling treatise on the benefits of meditation and mindfulness." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Kingsland expertly weaves the story and teachings of the Buddha with clinical and scientific research to engage in a highly readable examination of the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. ... A satisfying read." -- Library Journal (starred review)

"Fascinating. ... Masterfully connects core teachings of the Buddha to modern mental health concerns and emerging neuroscience findings." -- Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work