Modern Science and Buddhism
Buddhism existed over two millennia before the advent of psychology,never the less, though psychologyis modern and Buddhism ancient,theyshare a good bit of theory and practice:bothexamines the human predicament;both present analysis of the mind,; both attempt to comprehend the nature of reality; both endeavor to liberatehuman beings from suffering
Modern Psychology, like Buddhism, is raising questions about “self” and self- deception, and about the nature of reality. Buddhist believes that there is no self (or at least self as we understand it, CEO, in control) and Buddha presents a very strong argument against SELF, when he examines the five aggregates, (properties associated with self), He proves, there is neither permanence nor control of the properties we associate with self. Sigmund Freud also agreed that the “conscious mind is not as in charge as we think it is” and modern psychologist believe that Freud was not strong enough in his assertions.There have been many experiments in neuroscience that also lend support to this theory that the ability of the conscious self is overestimated. The three split brain experiments are such examples and weigh in heavily as scientific evidence toward this belief.
Buddhism can change the way the mind works(it’sentrenched and hard wired tendencies) through meditation. Buddhist believesthat during meditation we let go of the”SELF “andtherefore the ordinary may be witnessed but not pushed around by aggregates. There is scientific evidence that backs up the claim of meditative practices being beneficial; lowering levels of cortisol;brain scans showingaccelerationin gamma waves. There have also been brain experiments showing the default mode mechanisms (mind wandering) are quieted down by mediation. Also tests have validated thatcognitive refrain helps regulate negative affects and that observing behavioral impulses make us more mindful and practiced
It is indeed ironic that modern psychology and neuroscience,which are still in their infancy and still learning all the complexities of human beings and the many factors that effect human behavior,both seem to give credence to the Buddhistteaching, established so long ago, on the human experience and the potential for transformative healing.
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