Name: Why Buddhism is True
Rating: 3.90625 (48 reviews)
ISBN: 9781439195451

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

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.

Greg Talbot

Finding his own middle way, Robert Wright writes about the merits of the fundamental truths of Buddhist thought, and how they hold up to evolutionary science. The fundamental concepts of no-self, dukka, emptiness, loving-compassion are among the virtues that Wright believes not only are supported by science, but have the potential to radically change our world. He owns up to the provocative title by stating that he is strictly referring to a naturalistic Buddhism. As a a guide, Wright’s approach is unique. He approaches his material from an experiential point of view, having spent days in retreat and meditation. He also approaches the work as a scholar. And even as a poet, he describes the agonizing self-growth and his walkthrough of the dharma path. At times he describes his own awakening, the subtle pangs of our emotional chemistry, and the subtle shifts in itself. It's fair to say Wright could be a stand in for a lot of seekers. A religious background, a successful role in the culture, and yet there is a dissatisfaction. And so the journey of the seeker continues. Articulating his experience, I was impressed by some of the questions that Wright approached that have bugged me in my own journey. How is it that the compassions increase while the selfish passions decrease from meditation? What is the goal of all this work, is it getting us any closer to the real nature of the world? Some explanations, for instance Wright’s discussion on emptiness and essence, were as clear cut as any I have ever heard for the idea. There is surprisingly little discussion of science form external studies. Wright may reference the meditation studies of monk meditators with Richard Davidson, but hardly goes into the studies. For all the chatter about a shift in human consciousness, there are surprisingly few discussions on how mindfulness practices have been introduced in school systems to success. My criticism from the other side is that Wright does not seem to share his own experiences that have influenced his Buddhist investigations. You will not find the enticing words of the Buddhist teachers that have helped nurture a western perspective to the Buddhist mythology. Not that this book has to “save souls” or radically change the minds of people, but I’m not sure Wright’s work will be all that influential in the way teachers like Baba Ram Dass, Robina Courtin, Pema Chodron, Sharon Shalzberg, Jack Kornfield have been. Moments stir, and it does strike me as a book very much of our time. If Wright’s hope is to have more responsible adults that are less chained to their brain chemistry, maybe his book will reach and connect with people. Maybe this approach to a mirror evolutionary biology and buddhist naturalism is another chapter in an ancient tale.

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.

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.

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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