Strange Bedfellows: Meditations on the Indispensable Virtues of Confusion, Mindfulness and Humor in the Neuroscientific and Cognitive Study of Esoteric and Contemplative Traditions1
Religions September 6, 2016 Jeffrey C. Ruff 3 citations
Scholars of esoteric traditions are increasingly collaborating with cognitive science, neuroscience, and anthropology to study contemplative practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and ritual. This paper responds to recent interdisciplinary work, aiming to develop a new vocabulary for studying Hindu Tantra and related traditions, as urged by Glen Hayes. The author draws on scientific approaches rarely cited in this field and reflects on what the emerging research demands conceptually and logically. Key concepts examined include confusion, mindfulness, humor, and dispassionate vulnerability, which help clarify the direction and meaning of these interdisciplinary projects.