Over the past several months The Scientist has provided a forum for a debate purportedly on the compatibility of science and religion, although in fact the discussion has been limited to the dualistic, theistic religions of the West, which are dependent on belief in a respective holy Scripture. It would be improper to venture any conclusion on the general question with such a restriction. Consideration must also be given to the religions of the East. With their focus on nature and mind, their eschewal of dogmatic texts, and the necessity for experimental meditation, Hinduism, Taoism, and especially Buddhism challenge Western science mainly in scope and methods of study and in philosophical interpretation of particular experiences.
I have found that my personal science/religion dilemma could be solved through an eclectic mixture of Zen and Tibetan Buddhist practices. These practices develop around autoexperimental psychological and noetic science; Buddhism demands personal validation through ...
