John Dunne - At the Crossroads of Buddhism and Science
Feb 26, 2021
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Buddhist scholar John Dunne discusses integrating Buddhism and science, defining meditation for research, focused attention vs. open monitoring meditation, meta-awareness, subject/object duality, different ways of experiencing the self, hallucinogens, ego dissolution, decentering and dereification, and the future of the field.
Contemplative practices encompass diversity and should not be seen as one singular entity.
Non-dual contemplative practices challenge fixed narratives and alter the sense of self.
Cultivating meta-awareness through meditation improves emotional regulation and self-awareness.
Deep dives
Contemplative practices emphasize the plurality of traditions
Contemplative practices encompass a wide range of traditions and should not be seen as a singular entity. Just as there are different sports, like soccer and tennis, there are various types of meditation and contemplative practices. The term contemplative is used to highlight the diversity and multiplicity of these practices, emphasizing that they are not all the same.
Buddhist scholar John Dunn's path to integrating Buddhism and science
John Dunn, a Buddhist scholar and practitioner, has played a crucial role in bridging the gap between Buddhism and science. With a background in Buddhist philosophy and meditation, as well as an interest in science, John has been involved in contemplative science since its early days. He has collaborated with scientists to design studies and explore the interface between Buddhist practices and cognitive science and psychology.
Meta-awareness and non-dual contemplative practices
Non-dual contemplative practices aim to go beyond the subject-object duality and dissolve the sense of self. These practices involve developing meta-awareness, the ability to notice and monitor the quality of one's attention and mental processes. The focus attention meditation, or FA, involves sustained attention on a particular object, while open monitoring meditation, or OM, transitions from focused attention to a broader awareness, eventually leading to a non-dual state. These practices have therapeutic potential, helping individuals challenge fixed narratives about themselves and experience a shift in their sense of self.
The Importance of Meta-Awareness in Meditation Practices
Meta-awareness, also known as implicit meta-awareness, is a constant and sustained form of awareness that presents information about our bodily position, emotional state, and the quality of our awareness. It is always happening, even though we may not consciously attend to it. In open monitoring style of meditation, the object of attention is dropped, allowing the background sustained implicit awareness to come to the forefront. This awareness provides information about the state of our awareness and can help us make judgments about distractions. By cultivating and strengthening this meta-awareness signal through meditation practices, we improve our ability to regulate emotions and notice our own affective states.
Non-Dual Meditation and Experiencing Reality Without Subject-Object Structure
Non-dual meditation practices aim to go beyond the subject-object structure of consciousness and cognitive processes. In these practices, the fundamental cognitive defect, which involves our conceptualization of personal identity and the belief in an objective world outside of ourselves, is recognized as the source of suffering. By experiencing consciousness without this fundamental defect, practitioners aim to see reality as it is, free from fixed identities and objective structures. While the metaphysical aspects of non-dual practices may not be necessary for therapeutic benefits, understanding the De-reification technique, decentering, and mechanisms underlying different meditation styles can contribute to the field. Further research is needed to explore individual differences, develop better measures for meta-awareness, and study the detailed practices of meditation communities.
In this episode, Wendy speaks with Buddhist scholar John Dunne. John has interfaced with contemplative scientists for over two decades to help advance rigorous research on meditation by incorporating a nuanced Buddhist perspective. They touch on many topics, including:
his path to integrating Buddhism and science, and the early days of contemplative research;
defining "meditation" for research purposes;
focused attention vs. open monitoring meditation;
a deep dive into meta-awareness;
subject/object duality and whether anything really exists;
the different ways we experience the sense of self;
hallucinogens, ego dissolution, and non-dual practices;
