Mind and Life: Discussions with the Dalai Lama on the Nature of Reality

Columbia Series in Science and Religion

by Pier Luigi Luisi, Zara Houshmand (Primary Contributor)

For over a decade, a small group of scientists and philosophers—members of the Mind and Life Institute—have met regularly to explore the intersection between science and the spirit. At one of these meetings, the themes discussed were both fundamental and can physics, chemistry, and biology explain the mystery of life? How do our philosophical assumptions influence science and the ethics we bring to biotechnology? And how does an ancient spiritual tradition throw new light on these questions?

Pier Luigi Luisi not only reproduces this dramatic, cross-cultural dialogue, in which world-class scientists, philosophers, and Buddhist scholars develop a holistic approach to the scientific exploration of reality, but also adds scientific background to their presentations, as well as supplementary discussions with prominent participants and attendees. Interviews with His Holiness the Karmapa, the Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard, and the actor and longtime human rights advocate Richard Gere take the proceedings into new directions, enriching the material with personal viewpoints and lively conversation about such topics as the origin of matter, the properties of cells, the nature of evolution, the ethics of genetic manipulation, and the question of consciousness and ethics.

A keen study of character, Luisi incorporates his own amusing observations into this fascinating dialogue, painting a very human portrait of some of our greatest—and most intimidating—thinkers. Deeply textured and cleverly crafted, Mind and Life is an excellent opportunity for any reader to join in the debate surrounding this cutting-edge field of inquiry.

Genres: Science, Buddhism, Spirituality, Religion

218 pages, Hardcover

First published September 29, 2008

Reviews

[Fabio Parisini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libro molto interessante, contribuisce a indicarmi un sentiero sui primi dubbi che mi sono sorti dalla pratica, in particolare i dubbi sulla natura della coscienza come proprietà emergente e il continuum mentale

[Victor Morais · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a wonderful book, which talks about dualism and the relationship between science and buddhism. It was a detailed study of cosmology, physics and geneology, threw a lot insight into the fundamentals of creation and evolution of beings. My favorite quote "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" made me to think a lot. The scientific approach was a bit heavy but definitely came to know a lot more. Good read.

[Frank Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

there are about 10 books from the mind and life institute, and they are all good

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this methodological approach.