[Buddha-l] neuroscience: neural plasticity

[Michael Paris]

The following is a brief review of Sharing Begley's _Change Your Mind,
Train Your Brain_, subtitled "How a new science reveals our
extraordinary potential to transform ourselves," Foreword by the Dalai
Lama, Daniel Goleman the Preface.

The book is an overview of reports given by a group of neuroscientists
to the Dalai Lama in Dharmasala, October 2004. The topic was
neuroplasticity.

This is the tenth volume in a series - "Mind and Life" - of dialogues;
see http://www.mindandlife.org for more.

The opening chapter examines the question "Can We Change?" The
relationship between Buddhism and science is briefly explored, followed
by some background to the current Dalai Lama's interest in science, and
the involvement of the Mind and Life Institute with the two. 

Chapter Two presents an overview of neuroplasticity. The information
presented was covered in considerably more detail in Schwartz and
Begley's _The Mind and The Brain_.

The third chapter continues the presentation of brain background, so to
speak, with the topic of neurogenesis, with a touch of comparison
between the scientific findings and Buddhist concept of self.

Chapter the fourth moves to neuroplasticity and young brains, including
some interesting studies with the blind and hearing impaired. 

Chapter Five is well-summarized by the subtitle: "Sensory Experience
Reshapes Adult Brains." Rewiring of adult brains does take place.
Clinical proof is offered, including musicians - primarily piano,
string, and flute players - that have lost the ability to move separate
fingers. But (again with greater coverage in Schwartz) the condition is
treatable; involuntary re-wiring can be voluntarily re-wired. 

The question of willfully changing mental states is covered in some
detail in Chapter Six. There's an overview of Schwartz's work with OCD
patients, and Zindel Segal's blending of cognitive therapy and
mindfulness in treating depression. The ability of the mind to change
itself is contrasted the materialist stance of Descartes and modern 
science. 

On the downhill slope, Chapter Seven discusses the effects of nurturing
on the behavior of the young, be they rats or humans. In other words,
our upbringing, not genes, has the greatest influence on our mature
selves. 

Moving to a close, chapter Eight focuses on the work of social
psychologist Philip Shaver in some detail. Shaver searches for means
"to enhance compassion and altruism in the real world." In support of
Shaver, sociology's Attachment Theory is surveyed in some detail.

Chapter Nine, "Transforming the Emotional Mind," finishes the book. The
chapter opens with the difficulties of using Tibetan monks and yogis in
studies of the effect of mental training on the brain. These problems
were, after some years, overcome. Richard Davidson 

was seeking to learn "whether states such as compassion, enthusiasm,
joy, and other positive emotions are trainable." This of course relates
directly to neuroplasticity.

The last chapter is an overall summary, ending on a hopeful note.
Publications cited are included in the Notes section.

The book would make a nice present for someone not familiar with
neuroplasticity but interested in the issues and studies discussed. 



       
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