[Buddha-l] neuroscience: neural plasticity

[Joy Vriens]

Hi Michael,

>To really induce shame, one must use the right tool at the right time. 
>There are settings where an accusation of "lacking spirituality" can be 
>particularly unsettling. It's so vague that the mere mention could 
>easily be sufficient to hurt another's feelings or the disapprobation 
>of others. 

>From my point of view that would then somehow "prove" the lack of "spirituality". I can only apply judgements on "spirituality" to myself, if I had to apply them... Spirituality for lack of a better word concerns one's whole being and being in the world. The only one to know or to experience all the aspects of one's being is oneself. Knowing that, there is no point in accusing others of lack in spirituality or by feeling hurt when accused of lack of spirituality. That would be lacking spirituality :-)  
 
>My Catholic upbringing is a superior example of the right tools of 
>shame for the right sins.  

My catholic upbringing must have been pretty poor. But generally speaking I don't like measuring, because it is done with measures and who or what defines those will have to show me the reasons for his choices first.
 
>This reminds me: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's accused 
>his legislative opponets of being "girlymen." Oh me, oh my. How is one 
>to respond to that? Merely stating "I'm not a girlyman" means one has 
>entertained the thought that, perish forbid, one may be indeed. It gets 
>worse, of course. I'm worried about my manhood since I even mentioned 
>the subject. 

:-) When I heard that I had the same reaction as you do. Is that the level political debate has come to?
 
>> >So, why not study meditation to learn how it could help people in 
>> need?  
>>  
>> I have my doubts about the motivation behind this. Why not teach the 
>> same people that Jesus loves them. I am sure it would have a very 
>> positive effect on some. 
> 
>I'm not sure at all. Could be quite the opposite. Depends on what 
>group. Besides, isn't meditation "better" than just preaching? Or is 
>it? 

There is always a placebo effect (suggestion and autosuggestion) and one generally feels better, more in control, when one thinks one is dealing with a situation, doing something to improve it, although apart from that not much changes. As for "meditation", big open question. If you mean by meditation spiritual exercices, that go the core of our being, a sort of ascesis of our will or of our craving, conceit and views as a Buddhist might say, then of course I would say Yes.  

>> Buddhism is a gradual path. One of the most basic things the Buddha 
>thought was to simplify one's life, the right way of living, to create 
>conditions that are in favour of dare I say a more spiritual life.   

>Just about anything worth doing is gradual. "Rome wasn't built in a day 
>(and neither was Syracuse)" - The Three Stooges.  
 
>Thoreau preached - and practiced - simplicity as well. Sometimes I 
>wonder that there are a lot more enlightened people about than one 
>might think. Just not Buddhists. Anything but, in fact. 

Absolutely. I am looking everywhere for "enlightenment" without distinction. 
 
>> Simplicity is a main ingredient of spirituality. If one can find a 
>place in one's busy life to cram in simplicity and a bit of detachment, 
>then that would be fine I guess, wouldn't it? 

>Sounds like good meditation to me. 

Sorry, I will switch of the irony mood. I meant to say that the best thing to smplify our lifes to actually simplify our lifes. I don't think the consumerist attitude that some have towards spiritual practice (and many other things by the way) will do much for them. Cram in an hour of meditation in a too busy schedule, won't do that much, spiritually. I mean if you have to end work faster, drive the kids to a nanny, do the shopping first etc. and to rush home or to your dojo to allow yourself an hour of sitting, then I wonder if it really has some effect. You probably wont even have the time to wind down in that hour. I think it is more effective to insert space and simplicity in one's whole life, in everything that one does. 
 
>Question: from what I hear, Tibetan meditation systems involve a great 
>deal of complexity, not to mention struggle. Is that so? 

I don't know what you mean exactly, but is very complex indeed and the struggle that I experienced comes from contradictions that are inherent to its complexity and to its compatibility with the modern Wester world. And that compatibility higly depends on what the hierarchy decides it to be. Contradicitions are of course top material for spiritual exercices, but I don't think we need a complex religious system for that on top of the already complex world we are living in.

Joy