Hi all,

This week I have two new articles for you:

Book Review: The Mind's Own Physician - A Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama on the Healing Power of Meditation
This book provides a fascinating overview of the current scientific findings on the benefits of meditation and mindfulness practice, including how they impact the brain and facilitate healing. In addition to reviewing the book, I have listed many of the latest scientific findings that are featured in the book.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art174743.asp

2012 - Year of the Water Dragon
In 2012, Chinese New Year begins on January 23rd and Tibetan New Year (Losar) on February 22nd. Both are celebrated as major Buddhist holidays, and in both calendar systems, 2012 is the Year of the Water Dragon. Learn what this means, along with what the dragon represents spiritually.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art174837.asp

As always, I would love to hear from you by email or in the forum, especially if you have suggestions for article ideas, or book or movie review requests:

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=351

In closing, here's a passage from the Dalai Lama in The Minds' Own Physician, on how Buddhism and science intersect:

"One of the unique things about Buddhism, particularly in the Sanskrit tradition, is that investigation and experiment play a very important part. Many troubles come out of ignorance, and the only antidote to ignorance is knowledge. Knowledge means a clear understanding of reality, which much through investigation and experiment. In ancient times, the Nalanda masters carried out these investigations mainly through logic and human thought, and perhaps in some cases through meditation. In modern times, there is another way to find out about reality: with help of equipment. I think both science and Buddhist investigation are actually trying to find reality."

In Peace,
Lisa Erickson, Buddhism Editor
http://buddhism.bellaonline.com
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