balance of the autonomic nervous system
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also rovnováha autonomního nervového systému CZ
Summary
The autonomic nervous system has two halves: one makes us active or aggressive, the other passive or satisfied. Sitting in balance in zazen, with no unequal tension in the muscles round the spine, lets the two halves find balance, and this physical balance gives rise to what we call a balanced body-and-mind. So Mike can say that Buddhism is just balance of the autonomic nervous system. Nishijima describes the two sub-systems, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic, as working in opposition: when they are in balance we feel peaceful, which is our natural state; a stronger sympathetic system makes people prone to idealism and a stronger parasympathetic system to materialism, and he quotes the psychiatrist Sally Goddard that the cerebellum maintains the body’s equilibrium by regulating the postural reflexes and muscle tone. He says that Gautama Buddha presented us with a very effective and calm method to make the autonomic nervous system balanced, and that is zazen.
Includes ↓ autonomic nervous system ↓ balance felt as plus/minus zero ↓ cerebellum and the body's equilibrium
Main theme
we can describe the state in zazen as being the state where our nervous system can be balanced
1Enlightenment as a Normal State July 2009 — Dibbavana
Buddhism is just balance of the autonomic nervous system
2Zen Without Spirituality September 2015 — Banský Studenec
the state that Buddhism calls action can be identified with the state when our ANS is balanced
Gautama Buddha has presented us with a very effective and calm method to make the ANS balanced, and that is Zazen.
4The Relation Between the Autonomic Nervous System and Buddhism
It is this physical state of balance in the autonomic nervous system that give rise to what we call a balanced body-and-mind.
Developed
when we practice Zazen we balance those two halves of our autonomic nervous system
6Bussho 5: Our Fundamental Nature Winter 2005 — Bussho
One half of the nervous system makes us aggressive or active. The other half of the nervous system makes us passive or satisfied.
7Buddhism Beyond Robes and Incense June 2006 — Padmafarma
the nerve signals to the body can flow naturally, and the two parts of our nervous system can find balance
8Zazen from Four Viewpoints June 2005 — Lotus Centre
to sit with no tension, no unequal tension in the muscles round our spine, has an effect on our nervous system
9Buddhism Through European Glasses August 2014 — Banský Studenec
when we sit in balance in zazen, we are balancing our autonomic nervous system
10Life Itself Is Intelligent July 2021 — Skalní fara
When there is a balance between the two systems, we feel peaceful. That is our natural state.
Mention
Sitting with the spine in a balanced posture has an effect on the autonomic nervous system.
12Uji 2: An Alternative to Linear Time Winter 2004 — Uji
Also in the narrower keywords
autonomic nervous system +1 text
sense perception also relies upon the state of our autonomic nervous system
Introduction to Master Dogen’s Thought May 1987 — Gudo Wafu Nishijima