[Buddha-l] Query about Francisco Varela

[Tony Trigilio]

Thanks for posting the other Varela titles.  I would agree with Richard 
that _The Embodied Mind_ is worth the effort if you're not familiar with 
the discpline-specific language.  The connections for Buddhist 
practitioners are invaluable. 

> The result could be seen as the 
> beginnings of a replacement of a lot of seriously outdated abhidharma. It is, 
> when one thinks about it, a bit silly for modern Buddhist practitioners to be 
> studying texts based on a fourth century knowledge of geography, physiology 
> and psychology.  Varela and Rosch bring us up to speed in psychology and 
> physiology.
>   
And, yes, best of all, it's a _contemporary_ discussion of Buddhist 
theory and practice -- no need for readers to do major cultural, social, 
or scientific "translation" to make the book compatible with the 21st 
century.

Best,
Tony