Ten Zen Questions [Hardcover]

"A remarkable first-person exploration of the nature of conscious human experience that uses traditional Buddhist meditation practices to address some of the most perplexing questions now confronting science. This highly original book will appeal to anyone who has ever asked the question: 'What on earth is going on here?'" --Stephen Batchelor - author of 'Buddhism without Beliefs'

"Combines the intelligence of the philosopher and the mindfulness of a Buddhist practitioner, with the rigour of a scientist. A thought-provoking book and essential for anyone wanting to answer the eternal questions, Who am I? and What is it all about?" --Peter Fenwick - Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry and Consultant Neuropsychiatrist at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford

"Susan Blackmore, a pioneer in the emerging field of consciousness studies, shows how to explore consciousness from within. Drawing on years of meditation practice, she shows that it is questions - not answers - that lead to knowledge. A stimulating, humorous, and engaging read." --Jack Petranker - Buddhist teacher, scholar in consciousness studies, and founder of the Center for Creative Inquiry

Who are you? When are you? What were you conscious of a moment ago? This groundbreaking book sees acclaimed psychologist Susan Blackmore combining the latest scientific theories about mind, self, and consciousness, with a lifetime's practice of Zen. Alongside her research on consciousness and memes, Susan Blackmore has been practising Zen for over twenty-five years; not as a Buddhist, but as a scientist who longs to understand the mind. Many neuroscientists and philosophers believe that we need first-person approaches as well as third-person scientific research in order to fully comprehend consciousness. In Ten Zen Questions, she brings the two together for the first time. Seeking to understand whether personal experience can help penetrate the scientific mystery of consciousness, she uses traditional techniques of calming the mind and looking directly into experience as she delves into ten great questions, including How does thought arise?, Am I conscious now?, and the Zen koan There is no time. What is memory? Featuring the ten questions, a critical response from her Zen master, and lively illustrations, Ten Zen Questions offers a revolutionary way to try to understand who we are. This is not the kind of book that provides final - or easy - answers, but instead offers an inspiring exploration of how intellectual enquiry and meditation can tackle the questions behind some of today's greatest scientific mysteries.

Susan Blackmore is a psychologist and writer whose research on consciousness, memes, and anomalous experiences has been published in over sixty academic papers, as well as book chapters, reviews, and popular articles. She has a regular blog in the Guardian, and often appears on radio and television. Her book The Meme Machine (1999) has been translated into 12 other languages and more recent books include a textbook, Consciousness: An Introduction (2003), and Conversations on Consciousness (2005).