Robert Wright on Why Buddhism is True

Please Support The Show with a DonationRobert Wright is an author and a scholar. His most recent book, Why Buddhism is True, is an analytical look comparing the ancient concepts of Buddhism and the more recent findings of modern science. The title of his book may be a bit provocative, but we challenge you to hear him out before assuming what he writes about in his book on the topic. We think you'll find this interview thought provoking and interesting as well as instructive and helpful. Whatever your reaction to the episode, we'd love to hear about it. $30 off your first week of Hello Fresh www.hellofresh.com Enter Promo Code Feed30 UltraMax 3 Ultra Pure Omega 3s www.tryomax.com/wolf box of Omax 3 UltraPure for freeIn This Interview, Robert Wright and I Discuss...The Wolf ParableHis book, Why Buddhism is TrueEvolutionary PsychologyThat according to Evolutionary Psychology we're wired to do what's best to propagate our genes into the next generationAnd how sometimes doing that might not be what's best for ourselves or the worldThat we're wired for a recurring dissatisfaction or discontented so we'd keep doing the things that would move us toward our goal of passing our genes on to the next generationCraving and AversionNot following craving and aversion as guides are central to BuddhismAccording to Buddhism if we don't run from unpleasant feelings like sadness, anxiety etc, they will actually become less painful over timeThat the Buddha intuited a lot of things that we now know to be true according to modern science and evolutionary psychologyHow our thoughts can sometimes subtlely influence us - ex Cognitive BiasCognitive Bias being driven by emotion rather than being rational & Buddhism teaches thatThe Buddhist conception of the mind/brain and modern psychology's conception of the mind/brain are very alignedIn the cognitive battle for attention, the thought that "wins" is the one that has the most feeling attached to itHow meditation can help give you clarity on thoughts and feelings and the difference between the twoCBT & questioning your thoughts and feelings in BuddhismMindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral TherapyAllowing and observing rather than acting on our strong feelingsThe anguish we add to physical pain by the anticipation of it or the lamenting of itEssences that we impute into thingsThe idea of not self and what it meansThe benefit of parceling out the things that we identify - like anxious feelings - as not being ourselvesThinking you're not cut out for meditationPlease Support The Show with a DonationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.