Scientist studies brain from the inside out.

In a truly inspirational video (although I’m not a fan of overly flowery language) neuroanatomist Jill Taylor describes an opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: One morning, she realized she was having a massive stroke. As it happened — as she felt her brain functions slip away one by one, speech, movement, understanding — she studied and remembered every moment. This is a powerful story about how our brains define us and connect us to the world and to one another.

Clearly there are meditators who can identify with the experiences she describes. Either way I have confidence that scientists will over time expand on the current theories of consciousness espoused by people like Dan Dennet to one that is closer a line to Buddhist theory of consciousness. I also think that we as Buddhists need to be open minded about the theory of consciousness.
Simply dismissing the western science view outright is not useful for the individual or Buddhism. We can learn from each other. There is no doubt that the brain plays some role in how we experience the world. I believe this video shows this. I also think it shows that subtle consciousness is not reliant on the brain.
Regardless it is a good watch!

Popularity: 11%

Dalai Lama in Australia 2009

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has agreed to address the Closing Ceremony of the Melbourne Parliament of the World’s Religions on the afternoon of December 9th, 2009.
http://www.parliamentofreligions2009.org

The following day, December 10th, will mark the 20th anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the Tibetan spiritual leader in 1989. The Dalai Lama is a member of the Parliament’s International Advisory Council, and has participated in several previous Parliaments.

We are very lucky here in Australia as His Holiness was here in 2007, and in coming in 2008 and 2009!I hope that we can arrange for HHDL to give dharma teachings while in Australia in 2009.

Popularity: 7%

Overnewton students learn meditation

Recently I was asked to lecture on Buddhist philosophy and meditation to a group of high school kids. The kids and staff were great. Very attentive and interested in learning about Buddhism and or meditation.

So a shout-out to the staff and kids at Overnewton College.

I applaud Overnewton College for their wonderful and progressive outlook to the education of their students. The event even made their local newspaper.

via http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/story/56016

MORE than 50 Overnewton College students got in touch with their spiritual side last month after a visit from a Buddhist monk.
Tibetan Buddhist Society monk Loden Jinpa led an animated discussion on Buddhism and meditation before involving the students in a practical meditation class.
The students, all part of the school’s new spiritual and values education program, were taught to manage negative thoughts and situations through meditation and deep breathing.
They were also shown methods to combat stress heading into their VCE years.
Spirituality and meditation teacher Amanda Clifford said it was important for the students to recognise and understand the ways of different religions and cultures.

“If you don’t know much about something you can fear it or not understand it and get different beliefs,” she said. To have an authentic Buddhist monk talk to them about it instead of me lecturing them is great. When Loden held the discussion there was lots of energy in the room and then we had the meditation practices and he said to them ‘do you notice any difference?’ and all of the kids were like ‘yeah, it’s so much calmer’.

Popularity: 9%