For modern science, the transitional states of consciousness lie at the forefront of research in many fields. For a Buddhist practitioner these same states present crucial opportunities to explore and transform consciousness itself. This book is the account of a historic dialogue between leading Western scientists and the Dalai Lama of Tibet. Revolving around three key moments of consciousness—sleep, dreams, and death—the conversations recorded here are both engrossing and highly readable. Whether the topic is lucid dreaming, near-death experiences, or the very structure of consciousness itself, the reader is continually surprised and delighted.

Narrated by Francisco Varela, an internationally recognized neuroscientist, the book begins with insightful remarks on the notion of personal identity by noted philosopher Charles Taylor, author of the acclaimed Sources of Self. This sets the stage for Dr. Jerome Engel, Dr. Joyce MacDougal, and others to engage in extraordinary exchanges with the Dalai Lama on topics ranging from the neurology of sleep to the yoga of dreams.

Remarkable convergences between the Western scientific tradition and the Buddhist contemplative sciences are revealed. Dr. Jayne Gackenbach's discussion of lucid dreaming, for example, prompts a detailed and fascinating response from the Dalai Lama on the manipulation of dreams by Buddhist meditators. The conversations also reveal provocative divergences of opinion, as when the Dalai Lama expresses skepticism about "Near-Death Experiences" as presented by Joan Halifax. The conversations are engrossing and highly readable. Any reader interested in psychology, neuroscience, Buddhism, or the alternative worlds of dreams will surely enjoy Sleeping, Dreaming, and Dying.

Download two pages of illustrations from the first edition:

Sleeping, Dreaming and Dying Illustrations

Praise & Reviews "Delves into research and pertinent Buddhist thought; turns out to be at the cutting edge of science."—San Francisco Chronicle "Highly recommended for anyone interested in exploring the breadth and depth of these subjects...this book belongs on the shelf of every good bookstore and library."—The Great Adventure "Intelligent, insightful...Anyone interested in Buddhism, psychology, neuroscience, or the alternative worlds of dreams and the afterlife will surely enjoy the discoveries contained herein."—NAPRA ReView "There's a lot of juicy information in this book...It is very valuable for meditators interested in how science and Buddhism intersect."—Inquiring Mind "The book is a most stimulating and informative work. By successfully balancing the specialized technical perspectives of science and philosophy (both Euro-American and Tibetan) with the more practical concerns of everyday life, and death, Sleeping, Dreaming and Dying offers important insights for those genuinely interested in meaningful contacts between Buddhism, psychology, and neuroscience."—The Tibet Journal

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Author Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, was born in northeastern Tibet in 1935. He is widely recognized as both the spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan people. In 1950, Tibet was invaded by China, leading to His Holiness’s flight into India in 1959. Since then, His Holiness has resided in Dharamsala, India, the site of the Tibetan-government-in-exile. In recognition of his tireless work for the liberation of Tibet, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. Francisco Varela, Editor