Western science and Buddhism offer meticulous understandings of the human mind. However, Western dimensions of this scientific body of work have principally investigated the mind mainly upon pathologies.

According to Thupten Jinpa, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s main interpreter says, “There has been little focus on the more constructive and positive qualities of the human mind, and very little research into how people can be trained to cultivate those.”

Until recently, research scientists and scholars have become less skeptical about examining and thinking that compassion and altruism are not just worthy for society to develop, but are vital areas of study.

In fact, the practices of ethics and compassion are universal, and exist without “the foundation of a specific religion.” Therefore, for these practices to be embraced by a larger group, “they must not be linked to a specific faith.”

Love and attachment are wired into the biochemistry of our brain. Furthermore, neuropsychology has demonstrated how love can go wrong, and how to become resilient in returning to a state of compassion. When we examine romantic love for example, we can see that it exists in all human cultures. This suggests that compassion/empathy is wired in our biochemical nature. Neuroscientists have found that the primary chemical in our neurochemistry related to love is the neuromodulator known as Oxycotin. Interestingly, this hormone is present predominantly in women even though present in men.

It creates feelings of caring and sharing. Oxycotin is suggested to encourage eye-to-eye contact, increases trust, softens amygdala arousal (our fight or flight responses to threatening experiences), and promotes “approach/type behaviors,” such as pursuing a trusting friend when upset about a disturbing experience. Oxycotin also promotes bonding, particularly in mothers.

There are distinct neural networks that manage infatuation and long term attachment. In long term relationships, couples who continue to experience a sense of deep love for each other, dopamine keeps dripping into the pleasure centers “of each partner’s brain.”

Furthermore, physical and social pain due to the loss of love and attachment are “based upon overlapping neural systems, quite literally, rejection hurts.”

In his new book Buddha’s Brain, Rich Hanson discusses how mindfulness activates the midline regions of our brain and supports increase in the coordination between the prefrontal cortex and the limbic system, key neural substrates of secure attachment, (Siegel, 2007 and Hanson 2009).

The PFC is for conscious focus of attention, creating representations of concepts, for example of time, sense of self and moral judgments. Limbic brain helps us to create several different forms of memory, such as facts, specific experiential events and of emotions that give dimension of color and texture to our experiences.

Our amygdala is important in regard to our fear response. These important areas of the brain neuroscience have become fascinated with how our experiences shape our ability to develop compassion for self and others. These areas and other parts of the brain start forming early in our development.

As children we seek refuge with our parents and other family members. As we become adults our networks of refuge expand into seeking solace from church or temple, quiet walks on the beach, park, a long bath, the company of our mate, good friends and maybe a good teacher. These refuge networks offer us a fundamental sense of connectivity with a sense of “alrightness

of all things.”

There is a growing body of reliable research that supports us learning how to nurture our sense of secure attachment and empathy for self and others. We now understand that our major caregivers, notably our parents, have had the greatest influence upon our expectations, attitudes, emotions and ways we manage our boundaries in relationships.

Some researchers, influenced by His Holiness, The Dalai Lama have conducted important work to clarify the neurobiology of attachment, (Daniel Siegel, Allan Schore, Mary Main, Hesse, and Kaplan).

They have discovered that the recurring experiences of a child with his parents leads to four modes of attachment: secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-anxious, and disorganized.

The problematic areas of attachment appear to be related to characteristic patterns of neural activity, i.e. a lack of integration between the prefrontal cortex and the limbic system (Hanson, 2009, and Siegel 2001). It is important to understand that healthy attachment is an imperative template for the establishment of healthy adult relationships.

In the next two articles, I will explore further the Science of Compassion along with some methods that you can work with to improve your brain, heart and networks of refuge in your life. Until then you might wish to integrate the following contemplations of compassion with the breath:

May you be safe from inner and outer harm

May your body be strong and vital

May you truly be at peace

May you and everyone you love prosper

May you be safe, healthy, happy, and at ease

Or:

May I get that job that I want

May my spouse, daughter and mother be happy and well

May I be at peace with my son and or my daughter

For more information, contact Barba at 360-929-5850.