Buddhism as an approach to life
Buddhism is often thought of as a religion, but it doesn't really adhere to the strictures of religion. Religion is clearly about cultural adoption of beliefs, but Buddhism is often about not adopting beliefs. That's because, like science itself, Buddhism isn't about which things to believe, it's about honing your ability to disbelieve. Because of that distinction, Wright observes that Buddhism has a unique advantage; because it doesn't ask its participants to believe in anything, it is typically a practical religion with testable claims.
Science and religion
This book is a defense of Buddhism as an applicable, healthy, scientifically-supported approach to reality and daily life. That means that Wright must synthesize the scientific method with the claims of a religion. He says, when sorting through science and religion, get practical. If there are claims from the religion that would be scientifically testable, test those claims. In this case, he discovered that when it comes to states of higher consciousness, euphoria, and enlightenment as the consequence of meditation, he found that they are supported by his science research.
The trustworthiness of the scientific process
For Wright, the scientific process, although it is not technically a perfect philosophy, is a trustworthy reference for objectivity. Therefore, he feels that we are in no way obligated to adopt the clearly religious aspects of a philosophy. Why? Because he views science as the correct process for determining the most healthy successful approach to life. In this case, Buddhism's claims lead him to conclude that it is a true, except ideas like reincarnation which are not scientifically testable. In other words, he only uses science; he never makes use of religious conjecture or belief.
