Discuss The Buddha Pill: Can Meditation Change You?

Living Room
#1

I have just completed an interesting read, The Buddha Pill: Can Meditation Change You? By Dr. Miguel Farias & Catherine Wikholm.

I think the book does a great job of reviewing the history of mindfulness and mediation in the west, and also provides an interesting review of the academic research that has been done on mindfulness, yoga & meditation.

I was definitely captivated by the book and believe it is a worthwhile read, particularly for those who wish to teach mindfulness/meditation. But I found as I read that I had a lot of questions about the issues being raised and was wishing for a community to discuss the book.

So I am wondering if anyone has read this book and is interested in conversing about it. Or if you have thoughts on the book you’d be willing to share.

I came away primarily thinking about the limitations of scientific research, particularly as it relates to human psychology. I imagine it’s possible that we haven’t quite yet figured out what to measure when we’re asking about the impact of meditation on human growth and development, and with the sense that even if we knew precisely what to measure, that anything we measure in isolation will lead to an incomplete understanding of the phenomenon.

I have a Kindle copy of the book, which I believe I can share with other Kindle users (though I’ve never done so before).

Elana

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#2

Many thanks. Just got my Kindle copy and reading voraciously. And my wife will also read it.

#3

Hi. Would be interested in discussing - Will also read!

#4

I apologize for barging into this conversation. I have not read this book, but in terms of limitations of scientific research to understand meditation/mindfulness, the following article may interest you. The article points out the need for two levels of analyses - it can be accessed from the following link:
http://sgo.sagepub.com/content/5/2/2158244015583860 (The pdf available from this link might be easier to read.)

#5

Hi - are you still interested in discussing? If so - what format should we take?

#6

Definitely interested. Not sure about the format. We could post questions/critiques here or we could perhaps have a google chat?

Anyone else in?

#7

Hi! - I would be happy to chat here (I am not too familiar with google chats - sorry!).
Posting questions/critiques would work for me.

#8

Hi Elana - Please feel free to have a google chat with the others if you wish : )
(Even though I may not be able to join.)
Best wishes, N

#9

Thanks for sharing this article.

#10

You’re welcome Nichole. By the way, an easy-to-read (non-academic) version of the article can be accessed from this link: www.medium.com/@nandinikaru/9b100e3b948

Best wishes

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