NeuroScientist has a stroke, experiences "nirvana"

[ghost01]

http://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_tay ... sight.html

[AdmiralJim]

Wow.

[Huifeng]

http://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight.html

Just because neuroscientist calls it "nirvana" doesn't make it nirvana.
Interesting experience, nonetheless, but let's not get too excited, huh?

~~ Huifeng

[mikenz66]

It's very interesting but unfortunately she didn't really have the background to properly classify the experience. She did, however, remain conscious during the experience, so the book she wrote about it was very detailed.

We had a thread on this over here:
http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=9560


Mike

[odysseus]

If modern scientists use the term Nirvana for something beyond their comprehension, it is another credit to Buddha. Hope the neuroscientists become God and get us a quick Nirvana-fix soon *lol*.

[jeeprs]

This is not a new story, Jill Bolte Taylor has appeared on Oprah and written a book about her experience. And I think what she has to say is important and worthwhile, especially coming from a neuroscientist, who are often thought to be hardcore materialists.

[Simon E.]

"Are often thought " is important.
I know a number of neuroscientists and you find the same spectrum of ideology as with any sample group.
There seems to be a degree of fear and aversion among Buddhists to any group that asks questions about "the mind." Which is in any case an entity whose existence and function evades definition...
Ironically there is a real correlation between modern psychology and the Buddhist view of the Skandhas . But this correlation is best seen by those prepared to move beyond a concept of a discrete entity called the mind.

[jeeprs]

I don't distrust science or scientists, but dislike materialism and reductionism. The idea that we can figure out human nature by understanding 'how the brain works' is a fantasy of omniscience in my view.

[Simon E.]

No. Thats YOUR fantasy re THEIR fantasy.

I know no one who thinks that human nature ( define ? ) can be explained by understanding how the brain works in isolation from a whole host of other factors.
One day eventually Buddhism might enter the 19th century.