This week, I am joined by Ph.D. Chris Niebauer, author of the groundbreaking new book, No Self, No Problem: How Neuropsychology is Catching Up to Buddhism. Chris shares with me the story of how he became interested in neuroscience, psychology, and Eastern philosophy after being devastated by the loss of his father. During his studies and research in grad school, he found parallels between the latest discoveries about the brain and the philosophies of Buddhism, specifically the practices that allow us to develop an awareness and manage basic mental challenges like fear and anxiety to alleviate suffering.
He wrote his book to share his findings with the world and help others who are struggling with anxiety. Chris and I talk about the interplay between consciousness and neural science, embracing emotions, and why Chris feels it’s best to have one foot in the doing world but not attach yourself to the outcomes in it.
In this episode, you will learn about:
- The different functions of the left brain and the right brain, and why many of us don’t realize how significantly each of these plays a role in how we make our decisions and choices in life.
- How Neuropsychology is catching up to Buddhism, and what Chris feels we have to know about the connection between them.
- Why the connection between both neuroscience and Eastern philosophy is more than just a coincidence.
Take a listen and let us know what you think with a comment below! If you like what you hear, make sure to subscribe and share with a friend.
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Timestamps
[1:22] Chris discusses how his father’s death threw him into a neurosis, which led him down the path towards an interest in neuroscience, Eastern philosophy, and the connection and complementary nature between the two.
[3:43] Chris gives a brief overview of how the left brain and right brain are different, and why it’s important to understand them both as it comes to discovering more about our nature, self, and inner growth.
[6:40] Our “left brain” story can get in the way of living in the moment and fully experiencing the present. The left brain helps us with planning, strategy, puzzle-solving, etc. The right brain is concerned with the immediate experience of what is happening right now.
[11:11] There is a mode of awareness that connects beyond our mind, our awareness, and our ego.
[14:19] When we get out of the way and become the means instead of always trying to find the means to an end, we can live life more mindfully and go where the stream of life takes us.
[15:05] You can accomplish mindfulness in a deep way in just a few minutes. It doesn’t have to be a situation where you are mindful non-stop, every waking moment of your day.
[20:30] Chris explains how the language is our map, but not our territory. Consciousness isn’t going to be describable with words and language.
[25:39] Chris feels that neuroscience has fallen short both in finding the self in the brain and finding consciousness in the brain. Learning the self is like learning to drive a car. You go along the road and pick up lessons as you go — it’s a process that continues while you drive to the destination.
[36:21] Sometimes the universe is hitting us over the head to surrender, let go, and go with the flow! The more we can surrender and slow down, the more the right brain can come in and guide us with intuition far wiser than the thinking mind.
[42:45] The more you become in rhythm with nature, the more it flows through you and tells you what to do. This is for our health, diet, lifestyle, work choices, relationships, etc!
[49:57] Crazy excess just leaves us wanting more and we can cultivate joy inside ourselves without feeling like we need something from the external world to make us whole.
[56:49] Chris realized that the more he fought against the feelings of neurosis he was having, the more he suffered. Instead of shutting off or pushing down bad moods, the more we feel them and just observe them without attachment, the quicker they flow through us.
[1:03:37] We have three options to move through life — take everything dreadfully seriously, meditate and yoga ourselves into escaping out of fully being present, and Chris’s choice, having one foot in both worlds.
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No Self, No Problem: How Neuropsychology Is Catching Up to Buddhism
