Science and Buddhism

Aging and Cognitive Reformation

This month's Science & Buddhism Discussion continues our 2019 theme of Wellness when the discussion will be on Aging and Cognitive Reformation, led by TokuHo Cliff Isberg, PhD. We will address the nexus of aging and cognition.

Aging is usually associated with cognitive decline, but see, for example, the book This Chair Rocks – A Manifesto Against Ageism, by Ashton Applewhite, for an entirely different and somewhat polemic view.

Cognitive Reformation, particularly compassion, uprightness, and intimacy, are ongoing topics that were also addressed in several recent SB Discussions, for example, March 2019's Self-Compassion, and November 2018's Altered Traits, and States, as well as  the December 2017 topic Zen and the Brain, and the November 2017 discussion of The Righteous Mind, by Johathan Haidt.

The Zen practice of reformation is characterized, for example, in Shunryu Suzuki’s Zen Mind, Beginner Mind, which will be the topic of ongoing, open dinner discussions at Jikoji, Thursdays at 6pm, beginning April 25. Suzuki’s classic has also been a foundation of Zen practice since the 1970s, when the Zen reformation began in America.

For quick summaries of the main issues, Google “aging and cognitive decline” and/or the book titles above, for which there are several online videos and pdfs.

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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!

Sunday Program: We also invite you to join us that Sunday morning for our 10 am Sunday Program, Dharma Talk, and social lunch, ahead of our 2 pm Science & Buddhism session.