[Buddha-l] neuroscience: neural plasticity

[jkirk]

Thanks Michael for writing this. I'm going to try to get it on ILL.
Joanna 

-----Original Message-----
From: buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com
[mailto:buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com] On Behalf Of Michael Paris
Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 11:04 AM
To: Buddhist discussion forum
Subject: Re: [Buddha-l] neuroscience: neural plasticity

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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