re: evolution and conciousness

[Guest guest]

Hi Todd:

First, Thanks for the link to the Gould article. It stimulated a

very animated discussion between myself (L.Ac., Biology B.S.) and my

boyfriend (PhD candidate, Ecology). I have long been interested in

the application of what I call MacroEcological (pertaining to the

world) theories and mechanisms and how they might apply in the study

of MicroEcology (pertaining to the individual--particularly human)as

described by . does truly seem to

have some of the keys to the big picture of the little picture.

 

Although I agree in general with the reasoning in your post with

respect to conciousness and evolution, you seem to leave out some

very important scientific information concerning the provability of

the effects of meditation on health and hence, the importance of its

inclusion or exclusion in the practice of our or any medicine.

Two books come to mind. First is Balance Your Brain Balance Your

Life by Dr. Jay Lombard and Dr. Christian Renna. It's a simple,

layman's manual of the research concerning the role of and dietary

manipulation of neurotransmitters, hormones and their associated

glands in the mediating of mood and many of the degenerative

diseases. The other book Destructive Emotions: Conversations with

the Dalai Lama by Daniel Goleman is a recount of the Mind and Life

Institute's round table meeting with the Dalai Lama, Buddhist

scholars, western psychologists, neuroscientists and philosophers.

In this book, the Dalai Lama helps the scientists to ask the right

questions in their research, helping them all to advance their work.

Meditation was one of the subjects of intense interest and fMRI

technology was used subsequently to biologically test some of the

age-old claims of meditators. In fact, it was found that meditation

does seem to have a positive effect on areas such as the

hypothalamus (located deep to yin tang and Du20) in the brain which

rules the production of neurotransmitters. As discussed in Lombard

and Renna's book, neurotransmitters have been proven to be a strong

factor in the mediating of mood and disease (mental, emotional and

physical suffering or " pain " as you said). Is this not what we

endeavor to help our patients with?

Therefore, I have come to believe that among the most effective ways

we can help our patients is to expose them to such relatively

simple " mind exercises " as The Inner Smile (Mantak Chia) and Tonglin

meditation as described by many Buddhist meditators. The practice of

these exercises can increase one's adaptive response to the

environment—emotionally and hence physically—giving the person more

equilibrium and equanimity. This protects us from making knee jerk

reactions both in our conduct and our metabolism. This allows us to

have more of mental, emotional and genetic intelligence available to

us in inner and outer decision making. As Gould intimates, it's how

we are able to respond to major catastrophies in our environments

that really dictates the outcome for the species (or

individual). " MicroEcologically " speaking, how we process and

internally relate to " major catastrophies " (i.e. death of loved

one, divorce, job loss, low self esteem, or contraction of disease

states) can have either devastating or adaptive results. Many of us

may have seen evidence of this in loved ones and patients and

ourselves. Some people stumble on " right thinking " by accident or

are blessed with a congenitally balanced temperment and are able to

help themselves. I think meditation and especially specific

meditations may do more to protect and evolve ourselves than we give

credit. It's our responsibility as healers to expose our patients to

these options just as we would suggest dietary or hygiene

modifications. Our thoughts precede our emotions which dictate our

neurotransmitters, mood and internal chemistry at every level. I

consider the teaching and practice of meditation as practice of

evidenced based medicine at its best—not opposed to it. Mental and

emotional hygiene if you will. As my principle teacher Jamie Wu told

us in the first days of our education, " Shen is primary " in disease

development, treatment and diagnosis. Without the cooperation of the

shen of our patients, our grosser methods of practice become less

effective and treatment becomes hindered.

As for reference to " imagination and group schizophrenia, " I assume

you are referring to mystical experiences and the " unusual

abilities " purported by advanced meditators. The masters have always

considered these " parlor games " and of no importance to one's

practice. As a matter of fact, seekers who went in search of these

types of experiences without the primary intent of reducing

suffering were considered by the masters as being on the wrong track

completely. These experiences and abilities are simply a byproduct

of the intense practice and abilities of some practitioners and have

little to no bearing on the real " goals " of meditation on the level

of reducing suffering in this life.

Thanks, Shanna