Why Buddhism Is True: Summary Review
This is a summary review of Why Buddhism Is True containing key details about Why Buddhism Is True.
What is Why Buddhism Is True About?
"Why Buddhism is True" by Robert Wright is a book that explores the philosophical and scientific foundations of Buddhism and its relevance to contemporary life.
In Why Buddhism Is True, the author advocates a secular, Westernized form of Buddhism focusing on the practice of mindfulness meditation and stripped of supernatural beliefs such as reincarnation. He further argues that more widespread practice of meditation could lead to a more reflective and empathetic population and reduce political tribalism. In line with his background, Wright draws heavily on evolutionary biology and evolutionary psychology to defend Buddhism's diagnosis of the causes of human suffering. He argues the modern psychological idea of the modularity of mind resonates with the Buddhist teaching of no-self (anatman).
Summary Points & Takeaways from Why Buddhism Is True
Some key summary points and takeaways from the book include:
* The Mind-Body Connection: Wright argues that Buddhism offers a deep understanding of the mind-body connection and the role of consciousness in shaping our reality.
* The Illusion of Self: Buddhism teaches that the self is an illusion and that our sense of self is constructed by our thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
* The Causes of Suffering: Buddhism posits that our suffering is rooted in our craving and attachment to things that are impermanent, leading to a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
* The Path to Enlightenment: Wright argues that Buddhism offers a practical path to enlightenment through mindfulness, compassion, and the cultivation of wisdom.
* The Benefits of Meditation: Wright explores the scientific evidence for the benefits of meditation, including reducing stress, increasing happiness, and promoting physical and mental health.
* Overall, the book is a comprehensive examination of Buddhism and its relevance to modern life, offering a compelling case for why its teachings and practices are more important today than ever before.
Who is the author of Why Buddhism Is True?
Robert Wright is an American journalist and author who writes about science, history, politics, and religion. He has written five books: Three Scientists and Their Gods: Looking for Meaning in an Age of Information, The Moral Animal, Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny, The Evolution of God, and Why Buddhism is True.
Why Buddhism Is True Summary Notes
Summary Note: How Evolution Hardwired Our Brains and Buddhism Offers a Way Out.
The human brain is a complex and powerful organ that drives our every thought, action, and decision. However, sometimes it can lead us astray, causing us to indulge in behaviors that are harmful to our physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. This is because our brains are hardwired by evolution to respond strongly to things that once helped our ancestors survive, such as food, sex, popularity, and competition. Our brain's pleasure center releases dopamine every time we experience something pleasurable, but too often, our anticipation of pleasure outweighs the reward itself. This can lead to destructive and compulsive behavior, such as overeating, addiction, and obsession with social status.
Buddhism, on the other hand, offers a way out of this cycle of delusion and suffering. By practicing mindfulness and meditation, Buddhists seek to become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and sensations. They learn to observe them without judgment, accept them as they are, and let them go. This helps to break the cycle of craving and aversion that keeps us trapped in our delusions and suffering.
One of the core teachings of Buddhism is the Four Noble Truths, which state that life is full of suffering, suffering arises from craving and attachment, suffering can be overcome by letting go of craving and attachment, and the path to the end of suffering is the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path consists of right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. By following this path, Buddhists seek to cultivate wisdom, ethics, and mental discipline, which enable them to live a more fulfilling and peaceful life.
Summary Note: Understanding the Essence of Self through Buddhism
In Buddhism, the concept of the Self is deeply rooted in the understanding of consciousness. While our bodies and minds may seem like integral parts of the Self, they are not truly under our control, which makes them illusory in nature. The Buddha suggests that we should focus on the qualities that we can control, which are solely related to consciousness. This means that we should avoid obsessing over our physical appearance and intellectual achievements, which are merely ego-laden attributes that hinder our path to enlightenment. By embracing the concept of the Self as consciousness, we can attain a state of freedom from attachments and live a more fulfilling life. Though this may require a shift in our perspective, it is backed by scientific evidence and offers a pathway to true happiness.
Summary Note: The Subjective Nature of Reality: How Science Supports Buddhist Views
Buddhism teaches that reality is subjective and that our senses can be unreliable. This idea is backed up by recent scientific developments, particularly in the field of quantum theory. The split-brain experiment is a famous example of this, where participants with damage to or separation of their brain hemispheres were asked to engage only one side and then explain their actions. The results showed that the hemisphere not engaged would fabricate a story to fill in the blanks, even if it had no way of knowing what was happening. Another experiment, the pantyhose experiment, demonstrated the power of the mind to create its own reality, with participants picking identical pantyhose but attributing different qualities to them. These studies show that our brains have a strong capacity for self-delusion and creating their own reality.
Buddhism and science both suggest that we should be cautious in accepting our perceptions as reality. Our emotions and biases can influence how we interpret sensory information, and we must be mindful of this. By understanding the subjective nature of reality, we can cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness and detachment from the illusory aspects of our lives. This can lead to a greater sense of inner peace and acceptance of the present moment.
Summary Note: Buddhism's Teachings on Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation
The author discusses how Buddhist ideals can help us prevent our emotions from taking over. The author uses the example of jealousy, which can transform even reasonable people into someone who is capable of violent and vengeful behavior. This reinforces the Buddhist belief that we are not completely in control of ourselves. However, mindfulness practice can help us observe our feelings without acting on them. This doesn't mean repressing emotions, but rather recognizing them as temporary and working to understand where they come from. By doing so, we can avoid giving too much power to our emotions and act more rationally. The author suggests that science has much to say about these powerful emotions, which will be discussed in the next book summary.
Summary Note: How Buddhism and Science Explain Our Impulsive Behavior
One of the main ideas in the book is about controlling our impulses by reframing our thinking. Science has shown that certain decisions, such as impulse buying, are controlled by the same parts of the brain as our emotions. Buddhism recognized the power of emotions long ago and emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in controlling our impulsive behavior. Rather than solely relying on reason, which is weaker than our willingness to act on our passions, we can apply our reasoning in an emotional and meditative way. By visualizing the emotional benefits of cutting out ice cream from our diet, we are more likely to stick to our goals. Pairing reason with emotion is a more effective approach than using reason alone.
The imbalance between our ability to reason and our willingness to act on our passions is a common human experience. Our emotions often overpower our logic and lead us to make impulsive decisions that we later regret. But by reframing our thinking and combining reason with emotion, we can take control of our impulses and make better choices. The next book summary will delve deeper into the Buddhist perspective and how it can help us find peace in a chaotic world.
Summary Note: Buddhism's Perspective on Constructing a Positive Reality
One of the main themes in the book is the idea that we can construct a positive reality for ourselves through the power of perception. The author discusses the concept of "mind over matter" and how it relates to our ability to change the way we interpret our perceptions. He gives examples of how we can use this power of perception to make our lives more positive. For instance, we can change our perception of annoying sounds to something pleasant, or choose to enjoy our vacation instead of imagining negative what-if scenarios.
The author emphasizes the importance of accepting our current situations as they are, without judgment or resistance. This acceptance allows us to let go of negative thoughts and perceptions that cause unnecessary suffering. Instead, we can use our imagination and storytelling abilities to create positive experiences for ourselves. By focusing on the present and enjoying the moment, we can make sure that we don't miss out on the chance to create amazing memories.
Summary Note: The Power of Meditation to Change Consciousness and Perception
The main theme of this passage is how meditation can change our consciousness and perception, leading to a deeper appreciation of life. Experienced meditators have been found to have a different type of consciousness than the average person, characterized by calmer brain activity and a perception that takes into account the space between objects. Through meditation, it is possible to alter our consciousness so that we become less encumbered by self-conscious worries and are able to live entirely in the present moment, with a heightened appreciation of our experiences.
Gary Weber, a skilled meditator, describes his perception as an "empty fullness" where each object is connected to the same space that everyone else is living in. This perception allows him to see the world in a clearer and calmer light, without being distracted by self-conscious worries. Similarly, a wine expert who is focused on impressing others with their opinion might not enjoy the flavor of a wine, while a Buddhist mind taking a sip of the same wine will savor the experience without any expectations or worries.
This passage highlights the benefits of disciplined meditation practice, which can help us see things in a clearer and calmer light, and appreciate each moment of our lives. By altering our consciousness and perception, we can develop a deeper appreciation for the world around us, and live with a sense of peace and contentment.
Book details
- Print length: 336 pages
- Genre: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Buddhism
What are the chapters in Why Buddhism Is True?
Chapter 1. Taking the red pill
Chapter 2. Paradoxes of meditation
Chapter 3. When are feelings illusions?
Chapter 4. Bliss, ecstasy, and more important reasons to meditate
Chapter 5. The alleged nonexistence of your self
Chapter 6. Your CEO is MIA
Chapter 7. The mental modules that run your life
Chapter 8. How thoughts think themselves
Chapter 9. "Self" control
Chapter 10. Encounters with the formless
Chapter 11. The upside of emptiness
Chapter 12. A weedless world
Chapter 13. Like, wow, everything is one (at most)
Chapter 14. Nirvana in a nutshell
Chapter 15. Is enlightenment enlightening?
Chapter 16. Meditation and the unseen order
What is a good quote from Why Buddhism Is True?
Top Quote: “Ultimately, happiness comes down to choosing between the discomfort of becoming aware of your mental afflictions and the discomfort of being ruled by them.” (Meaning) - Why Buddhism Is True Quotes, Robert Wright
What do critics say?
Here's what one of the prominent reviewers had to say about the book: “This is exactly the book that so many of us are looking for. Writing with his characteristic wit, brilliance, and tenderhearted skepticism, Robert Wright tells us everything we need to know about the science, practice, and power of Buddhism.” — Susan Cain, bestselling author of Quiet
* The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways. If you're interested in furthering your personal growth, you may want to explore my list of favorite self-improvement books. These books, which have had a significant impact on my life, are carefully curated and come with summaries and key lessons.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
