Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment
- Author: Robert Wright
- Narrator: Fred Sanders
- Length: 10:31:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 08/08/2017
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Genre: Non-Fiction, Self Development, Health & Wellness, Psychology, Philosophy
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
As I settled into my favorite armchair with a cup of jasmine tea – the same one I used during my Kyoto sabbatical when first encountering Zen philosophy – Fred Sanders’ measured voice began unraveling Robert Wright’s profound exploration of Buddhist thought. This audiobook experience feels like attending the perfect university seminar where neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, and ancient wisdom converse effortlessly.
What fascinates me most is how Wright bridges my two academic passions: the analytical rigor of cognitive science and the transformative power of narrative. Through a cultural lens, he demonstrates how Buddhist meditation practices offer not just spiritual benefits but empirically verifiable psychological tools. The chapter on ‘The Self Illusion’ particularly resonated with me, recalling my graduate school debates about postmodern identity theories – except Wright grounds his analysis in tangible fMRI studies rather than abstract discourse.
The narration by Fred Sanders deserves special praise. His delivery strikes that rare balance between professorial authority and approachable warmth, much like the best lecturers I’ve encountered in Ivy League halls. Sanders handles Pali terms and scientific jargon with equal fluency, his baritone voice maintaining a meditative cadence that perfectly complements the content. I found myself unconsciously syncing my breathing to his rhythm during particularly profound passages, creating an almost participatory listening experience.
This reminds me of when I first taught Murakami’s works in Tokyo, watching students grapple with Eastern concepts through Western literary frameworks. Wright performs a similar intercultural mediation, explaining Buddhist ideas through Darwinian psychology without reducing either tradition’s complexity. His analysis of how natural selection shaped our ‘delusional’ perception mirrors my own research on how narrative constructs shape reality.
Some particularly compelling sections:
– The evolutionary explanation of why suffering is our default state
– How mindfulness meditation ‘rewires’ emotional responses (supported by neuroscience studies)
– The concept of ‘not-self’ as both philosophical truth and therapeutic tool
While deeply insightful, the audiobook occasionally suffers from Wright’s academic thoroughness – some evolutionary psychology explanations feel overly detailed for general listeners. However, Sanders’ narration helps maintain engagement through these denser passages.
Compared to similar works like Haidt’s ‘The Happiness Hypothesis’ or Manson’s ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck,’ Wright offers a more rigorous, research-backed approach while maintaining accessibility. The audio format particularly enhances the experiential aspects, allowing listeners to absorb concepts while potentially practicing the meditation techniques described.
For those considering this audiobook, I’d recommend:
1. Listening in focused sessions rather than background play
2. Keeping a notebook handy for personal reflections
3. Pairing with actual meditation practice to fully appreciate the teachings
The production quality is excellent, with clear audio and well-paced narration. At just over 10 hours, it’s substantial but never feels tedious – a testament to both Wright’s writing and Sanders’ performance.
In scholarly appreciation and shared journey toward clarity,
Prof. Emily Chen
