The Science of Enlightenment

Teachings and Meditations for Awakening Through Self-Investigation

By: Shinzen Young

Narrated by: Shinzen Young

What is enlightenment? Is it a myth or is it real? On The Science of Enlightenment, you will learn that the liberated state is as real as the sensations you are having right now. For it is through the investigation of your own thoughts and feelings that you can awaken to clear insight and a happiness independent of conditions: the state of enlightenment.

Through his expertise in both science and spirituality, meditation teacher Shinzen Young demystifies the principles of awakening hidden within the world's great spiritual traditions and shows you how to use them in your own life.

Here, in an unequaled 14-CD course covering traditional teachings, scientific insights, and practical instructions, you will test for yourself the discoveries of the great wisdom traditions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Jewish mysticism, Sufism, Hinduism, shamanism, and many others.

Why is single-pointed concentration so highly regarded on every contemplative path? How do you move beyond emotional/intellectual blocks and into a state of highest presence? Where do psychic powers and other mystical phenomena fit in the architecture of enlightenment? How do you know if your meditation practice is working?

On The Science of Enlightenment, Shinzen Young elucidates these questions with precision and intelligence, demonstrating why he is regarded as one of the Western world's most articulate and understandable teachers of classical mystical experience.

The search for awakening is not limited to a chosen few. It is a field open for you to investigate—once you possess the inner technologies to do so. Now you can begin that investigation with The Science of Enlightenment. Includes six complete guided meditation sessions.

Learn More About:

Six common traps on the path to awakening - and how to avoid them
• Ancient mystical teachings in clear, modern language
• Fascinating research about meditation and your brain-wave states, perceptual acuity, oxygen levels, and aging
• How meditation enhances your learning, athletic performance, relationships, and emotional life
• Why your body is the greatest mystical teacher
• How to digest harmful mental blockages through inner work
• Samadhi—your inner microscope for self-understanding
• Inner healing techniques you won't learn in psychotherapy
• What to do if you lack discipline
• An expansive survey of awakening practices from their tribal roots to the Information Age
Course objectives:

Discuss the benefits of having a regular meditation practice
• Recognize the similarities between the world’s oldest and largest spiritual traditions in terms of practices of concentration and ideas of enlightenment
• Utilize meditation practices that focus on relaxation, the body, thinking, the sense of self, expanding and contracting, and the sensory field
• Describe the meaning of enlightenment and the Buddhist practices used to reach enlightenment
• Summarize the Buddhist perspective on the self, "the no-self," and how this is brought into meditation practice
• Apply Western scientific knowledge to Eastern spiritual practices in order to understand the benefits of both
• Identify the differences between reaching the source of consciousness/enlightenment, and the realm of power/new age phenomena

best meditation book I've read

shinzens voice is a little... American, but otherwise fantastic. contains excellent guided meditation, and is the most intelligent, rational introduction to the topic and discipline I know of.

Shinzen offers a phenomenal perspective

listen to this in its entirety. Chapter 7, global relaxation, has been a great exercise for me that I continue to engage regularly, and each time I feel it more deeply than before. This book especially gets interesting in later chapters when discussing "complete experiences".

Indispensable: Do Not Pass This Book Up!

I liked the precise description of what enlightenment is and what the various experiences are like along the spiritual path to it. I love the scientific correlation explained as it opens up spirituality and it's goal, enlightenment, to those who have preconceived ideas and/or prejudices about it. This book is by far the most inspired, well crafted, and essential one I have read concerning meditation, enlightenment, and spirituality in recent times. The author's voice was a bit awkward at first, until I realized I had only been listening to polished voice actors reading audible books Listening to the autor literally talk to you as if he were teaching a live course and conveying an empowered message added to the efficacy of this phenomenal work. This single book is responsible for my now (3 years later) very serious meditation practice. Do not pass this one up.

Yankee Dog Begin Search For Enlightenment Here!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Science of Enlightenment to be better than the print version?

Seriously, if you are from a western culture you will benefit greatly from Shinzen's talks. He speaks directly and does not waste your time with psudo-mystical B.S. Many of your question about meditation will be answered and you will be provided with practical tools and actionable advice. I've listened to this book twice now. It is very dense and you will want to take notes or bookmark sections to revisit many times. Also Shinzen has a good sense of humor and is very warm and genuine which helps a great deal.

What about Shinzen Young’s performance did you like?

Straight talk... thank you Shinzen!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but it is far too long

Any additional comments?

Easily worth three credits but only costs one!
;-)

Best I've Heard Yet

It was a bit long at times and some of it was hard to follow. I've been researching (listening to audios) many different approaches to meditation. Shinzen does a great job of intellectually explaining the different forms of meditation and spirituality. Change does come from within but not if we're couch potatoes. we have to match our inner worlds with outer world actions to create the realities we desire. I've been working hard on mine and am not there yet. Still waiting on my breakthrough. C'mon 2019!