The Illusion of Knowledge September 7, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Meditation, Mindfulness, Spirit & Ego.trackback
After fourteen years as a Tibetan Monk, Alan Wallace returned to Western Civilization and the realm of Physics:
Dynamic lecturer, progressive scholar, and one of the most prolific writers and translators of Tibetan Buddhism in the West, B. Alan Wallace, Ph.D., continually seeks innovative ways to integrate Buddhist contemplative practices with Western science to advance the study of the mind.
Dr. Wallace, a scholar and practitioner of Buddhism since 1970, has taught Buddhist theory and meditation worldwide since 1976. Having devoted fourteen years to training as a Tibetan Buddhist monk, ordained by H. H. the Dalai Lama, he went on to earn an undergraduate degree in physics and the philosophy of science at Amherst College and a doctorate in religious studies at Stanford.
With his unique background, Alan brings deep experience and applied skills to the challenge of integrating traditional Indo-Tibetan Buddhism with the modern world.
In this video, he addresses mental and emotional balance:
“The greatest impediment to discovery is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.” ~ Daniel Boorstin
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Spirit Lights The Way 
Fascinating topic, this integration of East & West. Thank you for all the info and brilliant closing quote! Having trained full-time in martial art (many years ago), it posed quite a challenge. Also, to an ex-teacher of ours, who was a lawyer, turned Buddhist monk, ‘returned’ lawyer 🙂 Quite a guy, he’s published a book called ‘Stoep Zen’ (South Africanism). I have an inkling you’d love it, Nancy 🙂
Ooh, it sounds interesting. Thanks, Naomi.
As I digest this information, I may do follow up posts, summarizing the main points, but I wanted to include all the links now for anyone who wants to “read ahead.”
For those who are interested:
Stoepzen ~ the art of being at home wherever you are: http://www.stoepzen.co.za/
Nancy,
Great post and thank you for the link.
I listened to Alan Wallace this afternoon. What a fabulous speaker.
Through sustained observation at the natural world, Darwin saw the truth of evolution.
Through sustained observation of the night sky, the Hubble telescope (and the scientists peering through it) have discovered proof of 10,000 “non existent” galaxies in one dark space.
Through sustained observation within . . . we discover the breath inside the breath.