Robert Wright

Philosophically explains how the human mind evolved to channel anxiety, depression, anger, and greed and how a healthy practice of Buddhist meditation can promote clarity and alleviate suffering.

The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment

Why Buddhism is True

Jamie Thingelstad

John Manoogian III

A foundational & magisterial text; I would recommend this to all those who seek the benefits of meditation but who perhaps struggle with the metaphysical aspects, those curious about the mind and its myriad design quirks and cognitive distortions, and those open to finding parallels between science and philosophy (*ahem* Hofstadter *ahem* Gödel Escher Bach). Enjoyable, integrative, smile-inducing, not preachy, commendable in its goals and execution. Five stars.

From one of America's most brilliant writers, a New York Times bestselling journey through psychology, philosophy, and lots of meditation to show how Buddhism holds the key to moral clarity and enduring happiness. At the heart of Buddhism is a simple claim: The reason we suffer--and the reason we make other people suffer--is that we don't see the world clearly. At the heart of Buddhist meditative practice is a radical promise: We can learn to see the world, including ourselves, more clearly and so gain a deep and morally valid happiness. In this "sublime" (The New Yorker), pathbreaking book, Robert Wright shows how taking this promise seriously can change your life--how it can loosen the grip of anxiety, regret, and hatred, and how it can deepen your appreciation of beauty and of other people. He also shows why this transformation works, drawing on the latest in neuroscience and psychology, and armed with an acute understanding of human evolution. This book is the culmination of a personal journey that began with Wright's landmark book on evolutionary psychology, The Moral Animal, and deepened as he immersed himself in meditative practice and conversed with some of the world's most skilled meditators. The result is a story that is "provocative, informative and...deeply rewarding" (The New York Times Book Review), and as entertaining as it is illuminating. Written with the wit, clarity, and grace for which Wright is famous, Why Buddhism Is True lays the foundation for a spiritual life in a secular age and shows how, in a time of technological distraction and social division, we can save ourselves from ourselves, both as individuals and as a species.

Why Buddhism Is True

Heiki Riesenkampf

Picked up the book from a recommendation by the author of "A guide to good life". The book is heavy on why human bodies and minds are unsuitable for today's environments and how Buddhist practices could help overcome our internal desires. Not so much about Buddhism. Had wrong expectations picking up the book.

From one of America’s most brilliant writers, a New York Times bestselling journey through psychology, philosophy, and lots of meditation to show how Buddhism holds the key to moral clarity and enduring happiness. At the heart of Buddhism is a simple claim: The reason we suffer—and the reason we make other people suffer—is that we don’t see the world clearly. At the heart of Buddhist meditative practice is a radical promise: We can learn to see the world, including ourselves, more clearly and so gain a deep and morally valid happiness. In this “sublime” (The New Yorker), pathbreaking book, Robert Wright shows how taking this promise seriously can change your life—how it can loosen the grip of anxiety, regret, and hatred, and how it can deepen your appreciation of beauty and of other people. He also shows why this transformation works, drawing on the latest in neuroscience and psychology, and armed with an acute understanding of human evolution. This book is the culmination of a personal journey that began with Wright’s landmark book on evolutionary psychology, The Moral Animal, and deepened as he immersed himself in meditative practice and conversed with some of the world’s most skilled meditators. The result is a story that is “provocative, informative and...deeply rewarding” (The New York Times Book Review), and as entertaining as it is illuminating. Written with the wit, clarity, and grace for which Wright is famous, Why Buddhism Is True lays the foundation for a spiritual life in a secular age and shows how, in a time of technological distraction and social division, we can save ourselves from ourselves, both as individuals and as a species.

Steph Lodico

A really solid introduction to popular Buddhist practices and why they hold so much importance. It was kind of funny, too, which is always a plus for me, especially in nonfiction reading. The personal experiences from which Wright drew were also helpful to read. 

I was skeptical about reading something from a Western perspective, but I actually appreciated it for two reasons: one, I was finding more traditional Buddhist resources to be very confusing for my wee Western mind at this stage in my understanding of the religion/practice so it still proved informative to me, and two, Wright is very upfront with his inability to speak from a non-Western, religious lens. The book reads fairly conversational, which added to the feeling that he was really speaking from his perspectives and not attempting to do something he was not qualified to do. It definitely gave me some foundational understanding that will enable me to continue pursuing knowledge and experience about Buddhist traditions.

This book wasn’t an easy read. It gets very philosophical, and even though I took notes there were many passages I had to read several times to make sense of them. In the end, I believe it does connect very well some aspects of secular Buddhism with western meditation. I bet this is one of those books where some concepts don’t struck in you until some time after, and even if that doesn’t happen I enjoyed the learnings that I take with me.

Raúl Barroso Moreno

Mounir Bashour

Not as good as his other books mainly because he is still new to awakening.

Stewart Scott

Excellently written, with the significant backing of evidence and reasoning for the assertions the author makes in the book. The author goes to great lengths to discount any bias he may have and provide an objective argument for the benefits of the more naturalistic parts of Buddhism. Highly recommend.

Omar Fernandez

Informative, thoroughly researched, and great explanation of how humans are wired, and why mindfulness meditation & Buddhist concepts can help. 

Not 100% secular, as it goes into discussing Buddhist beliefs, but the author takes the stance of a skeptic researcher who will only grant value to a belief if it's reasonably backed by science and/or of strong value to humans. 

This book surprised me as to how well-researched it was and, more surprisingly, how entertaining it was for such a potentially dry topic. I'd definitely read it again.

The book is good at saying that mindfulness is good, and both Buddhist practices and modern science have ways to demonstrate or conceptualize all the benefits of it. 

You should meditate. So should I. 

Does that shows that Buddhism is true? 

No. 

Does it matter?

After mindfully pondering that question, I decided that it doesn't make any difference to my life and I was tired of reading this book. 

I liked the book, but found myself tired and didn't read the last ~10% of the book or so.

Lucas Coelho

It’s not about what the title say it is, but at the same time that’s the conclusion one arrives. Great practical book about “secular” Buddhism and evolutionary theory. Recommend to anyone wanting to start to get into Mindfulness Meditation.

I appreciated how Wright connected ancient Buddhist concepts to modern psychology. His deconstruction of complex topics like essence and nothingness are well done and allow Western readers to connect to them easier. I would highly recommend this book if you are curious about meditation and the overall approach to mindfulness.

https://www.thingelstad.com/2018/02/25/book-why-buddhism.html

Why Buddhism is True The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment

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