The Brain and Zen

Summary

This chapter briefly touches on some plausible psychophysiological considerations involved in several large topics. Topics highlighted include the attentive aspects of meditation; meditative retreats and the momentary “quickenings” that can occur during them; the superficial states of absorption; the deeper states of awakening (kensho-satori) and of “Pure Being”; and the rare later advanced stage of ongoing enlightened traits. If we wish to understand how the Zen training process arrives at its transforming potentials, we need to clarify which brain functions are “let go of” during these various steps. The psychophysiology of triggering mechanisms and the dissociations during transitional intervals are useful points at which to begin.

With all your science can you tell how it is, and whence it is that light come into your soul? Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)