56 | New Scientist | 5 October 2019
The back pages The Q&A
In his work teaching meditation and
mindfulness, Gelong Thubten explores
the nature of reality and the intersection
between Buddhism and scienceAs a child, what did you want to do
when you grew up?
I think I wanted to travel the world. When
I was about 5, I ran away from home but only
made it to the end of the street, where my mother
found me clutching a globe and a box of tissues.Explain your work in one easy paragraph.
I am a Buddhist monk who teaches meditation
and mindfulness. I’m interested in the
application of Buddhist philosophy to the
problems of modern life. Meditation is training
for the mind, helping us become less controlled
by stressful thoughts and emotions. Mindfulness
brings the benefits of meditation into daily life.
I am also interested in the interface between
Buddhism and science, and I frequently
collaborate with neuroscientists and medics.How did you become a monk?
I had an extreme burnout 26 years ago due to
high levels of stress, and I went to a Buddhist
monastery to find answers. I loved it so much,
I decided to remain a monk.Did you have to overcome any particular
challenges to get where you are today?
I used to have bouts of depression and anxiety,
so my journey has involved quite a few rocky
patches. I do, however, feel that these struggles
have helped me to grow and discover valuable
knowledge that I can share with others.What’s the most exciting thing
you’ve worked on?
I wrote A Monk’s Guide to Happiness: Meditation
in the 21st century. The book explores the nature
of happiness, with techniques for training our
thoughts and finding inner peace in a busy world.
At first I was a bit daunted, but in the end,
I really enjoyed the creative process.Were you good at science at school?
No, I was terrible! I think I was yearning for
a more creative angle on science, which
I’ve now thankfully discovered.Which achievement are you most proud of?
I spent four years in a meditation retreat, which
was very tough but also incredibly rewarding.Has your field of study changed in the time
you have been working in it?
Public perception of meditation has dramatically
evolved over the past 20 years. When I began
teaching, many people had misconceptions:
they felt it could only be a religious practice, for
example. Now, research has shown the beneficial
effects of meditation. There is also more
emphasis on the development of compassion,
and recent research shows that adding this
element can create a habit of intention to be
of help to others. I feel that the future of our
planet depends upon people living with greater
compassion and a sense of social responsibility.What scientific development do you hope
to see in your lifetime?
I would like to see cures for cancer and solutions
to the climate crisis.If you could have a long conversation
with any scientist, living or dead, who
would it be?
The Buddha. I believe he was the greatest
scientist of all, as he explored and understood
the true nature of reality.What’s the best thing you’ve read or seen
in the past 12 months?
I was invited by the United Nations to speak at a
conference in Peru. I heard amazing talks by local
governments and sustainability experts who are
working together to protect the Amazon.How useful will your skills be after
the apocalypse?
Extremely. I know how to sit still and
not freak out.OK, one last thing: tell us something that
will blow our minds...
There is no mind to be blown. The Buddhist
understanding is that the mind is just
an illusion. ❚Gelong Thubten’s book A Monk’s Guide to Happiness:
Meditation in the 21st century is out now“I believe the
Buddha was
the greatest
scientist of all, as
he understood
the true nature
of reality”
ZOOMZOOM/GETTY IMAGES/ STEVE ULLATHORNEWho are we?
Hear Gelong Thubten
in conversation with
neuroscientist Ash Ranpura
at New Scientist Live on
11 October
newscientistlive.com