Jikoji Zen Center

Our Science and Buddhism discussion on May 30th will be on "What is the nature of consciousness?" and will led by Jikoji sangha member Michael Schnee. This discussion is a continuation of Doug Jacobson's August 2019 S&B discussion of the Nature of Reality and Human Consciousness.

Questions that will be discussed include:

Are humans the only sentient beings?

How can the study of Buddhism contribute to the understanding of consciousness?

How does the concept of the five aggregates physical form, feelings, perceptions, mental formations and consciousness fit with current scientific thinking?

Some articles that will inform our discussion are:

Are we close to solving the puzzle of consciousness? - BBC Future

The Hardest Problem: decoding the puzzle of human consciousness by Susan Blackmore
Scientific American/Science & Non-Duality - September 2018

What is Consciousness? by Christof Koch
Scientific American, June 2018 - short, no-nonsense summary of his decades of research
in consciousness, particularly on which neurons do what with regard to our experience
of consciousness.

______________________________

About Michael Schnee. I am a scientist who studied the physiology of hearing for twenty years, most recently at Stanford University from which I retired last year. I was introduced to Zen Buddhism and Jikoji in May of 2018 by a student from my lab and I have been coming back ever since. My first meditation was one of those rare "a ha" moments in life where I realized this is what I have been looking for! I find the philosophy of Zen to mesh quite well with my science background. So I find it to be quite an honor to be leading a Science and Buddhism discussion!

___________________________________

As always, our “Last Sundays” Science & Buddhism discussions are quite open and informal with all invited to participate.

All are welcome. No prior experience with science, Buddhism, or meditation is necessary. Hope to see you there!