“This book shows clearly and compellingly how Buddhism and other
spiritual traditions may help enrich our understanding of the mind and
its role in nature, without reducing it merely to a material function
or property of the brain.”—H. H. the Dalai Lama
“Any scientist
serious about his or her avocation will find this book a
thought-provoking and rewarding read. Wallace and Hodel make a very
reasonable point: since the mind is a primary instrument that allows
scientific theory and understanding to occur, should not a thorough and
rigorous study of all aspects of that instrument itself be undertaken
in order to better assess scientific theory and understanding? This
provocative and beautifully written book is absorbing and well worth
reading for anyone interested in delving into the nature of
things.”—Elizabeth Blackburn, Recipient of the Albert Lasker Award for
Medical Research
“In these few pages Wallace and Hodel cover the
whole spectrum of Buddhism and science—from the moving narrative of
Alan's life through the fallacies of scientific materialism, and on to
the heart of the ancient Buddhist science of consciousness and how it
speaks to the modern sciences of the mind. An invaluable introduction
to the story of science and Buddhist contemplative inquiry.”—Philip
Clayton, Ingraham Professor, Claremont School of Theology, and
co-editor of the Oxford Handbook of Religion and Science
“This is science writing at its absolute best—fascinating, brilliantly
written and argued, relevant and accessible to anybody, scientist and
lay person alike. Wallace and Hodel offer a unique counterweight to
scientism and provide a compass for nurturing an authentically
scientific investigation of the phenomenon of mind. There is so much
caring, clarity, and energy in this extraordinary book, I couldn't put
it down. If you want to situate meditation in the human repertoire and
realize how it contributes to understanding ourselves as a sentient
species in a complex universe, this book is an absolute must.”—Jon
Kabat-Zinn, PhD, Professor of Medicine emeritus, University of
Massachusetts Medical School, and author of Coming to Our Senses
