Book · 2017
Why Buddhism Is True
by Robert Wright
A science journalist argues meditation works because evolution wired your brain to lie to you about what actually makes you happy.
What does Reddit think of Why Buddhism Is True?
This one barely leaves r/Meditation, and r/Meditation clearly rates it. One reader (↑17) calls it a favorite of all, ahead of Jon Kabat-Zinn, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Sam Harris's Walking Up in the same list. Another (↑22) puts it alongside Sapiens and The Four Agreements as the best book they've read, full stop. What separates the praise here from generic enthusiasm is specificity: the ↑21 comment explains the book's default mode network argument directly, and the ↑19 comment cites its case that evolutionary biology makes lasting happiness structurally unreachable. That's readers who retained the argument, not just the title. Outside r/Meditation, it barely registers, one mention apiece in r/AcademicPsychology, r/AskPsychology, and r/suggestmeabook, so this isn't a book with reach beyond its niche. Inside that niche, though, nobody displayed here pushes back on it.
Community feedback & reader fit
Themes
- · The default mode network used to explain what meditation actually does neurologically
- · An evolutionary-psychology case for why happiness feels perpetually out of reach
- · A recurring pick on r/Meditation reading lists alongside Kabat-Zinn and Thich Nhat Hanh
- · Almost no footprint outside meditation-focused subreddits
Common praise
- + The ↑17 comment calls it a favorite of all, ranked ahead of Jon Kabat-Zinn, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Sam Harris's Walking Up in the same list.
- + The ↑22 comment names it alongside Sapiens and The Four Agreements as the best book the commenter has read.
- + The ↑21 and ↑19 comments both retain and explain specific arguments from the book, the default mode network and the evolutionary case against lasting happiness, rather than praising it in the abstract.
Common criticism
- − Outside r/Meditation, it shows up once each in r/AcademicPsychology, r/AskPsychology, and r/suggestmeabook, so its reach doesn't extend past a fairly specific audience.
Who it's for
Pick this up if you already meditate and want the neuroscience and evolutionary-biology case for why, not just the how; the ↑21 and ↑19 comments both engage with that argument directly rather than reciting the title. It sits comfortably next to Kabat-Zinn and Thich Nhat Hanh on an r/Meditation reading list (↑17), so treat it as a companion to that shelf, not a replacement for it. If you're outside the meditation-and-psychology crowd, know that the data here barely reaches you either, a single mention each in r/AcademicPsychology, r/AskPsychology, and r/suggestmeabook.
Mentions over time
Top subreddits
- r/Meditation 23
- r/attachment_theory 5
Which Reddit comments matter for Why Buddhism Is True?
The most relevant excerpts across the subreddits where this book is mentioned — opinionated, argued takes first, then top-upvoted mentions. Click through to read the full thread.
“Thanks for sharing! Firstly, please do persevere, metidation helps many many people with many many challenges, so I believe it can help anyone, as long as they persevere. Secondly, I have no idea of you situation or if you have access to professional help, but please do seek help from a medical pro…
“Probably the best book i’ve ever read. Also loved The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright, and Sapiens by Noah Yuval Harrari
“For more on this, I recommend Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright. He spends a lot of time on this concept and discusses how our evolutionary biology makes the pursuit of happiness a constant, yet unfulfillable pursuit.
“Anything by Jon Kabat Zinn, Thich Nhat Hanh. All of Judson Brewer’s books. Walking Up by Sam Harris. And my favorite of all: Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright
“There are many resources out there and unfortunately it does take years of study to separate the wheat from the chaff. I would recommend a secular/neuroscientific book called 'Why Buddhism is True' by Robert Wright for starters. Alternatively you can google vipassana and find where that leads you, b…
“Why Buddhism is True by Walter Wright. It takes a very science oriented look at meditation and the Dharma. Its as much about neuroscience as spirituality. And learning about the mechanics behind meditation, helped me get way better at it.
“Ego death is an important concept in Buddhism. A good place to start is "Why Buddhism is True" by Robert Wright, because he writes about this from the perspective of a psychologist.
“Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright. Summary: In Why Buddhism is True, Wright leads readers on a journey through psychology, philosophy, and a great many silent retreats to show how and why meditation can serve as the foundation for a spiritual life in a secular age. At once excitingly ambitious…
“I can recommend a few books: Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright (The title is a bit misleading; it's mostly about meditation from an evolutionary psychology perspective) and Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn (This book in particular is chock-full of peer-reviewed scientific literature and…
“In that case read Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright. It's an evolutionary biologists navigation of Buddhism and meditation. I'm reading that currently after someone on Meditation suggested it to me.
“Would recommend the books "Why Buddhism is True" by Robert Wright and "10% Happier" by Dan Harris... I've found these two books do a good job of discussing meditation without the mumbo jumbo. The first takes an evolutionary psychology approach and the second tells a story of an ambitious news ancho…
“Why Buddhism Is True by Robery Wright. Right up your dad's alley, I'd bet.
“As a beginner, I really liked Robert Wright’s “Why Buddhism is True”.
“I suspect you will be dealing with a lot of stressed-out patients. I recommend: 1. Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers 2. Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment [](
“I am not a religious person…all organized region is a scam. However, I have found that Buddhist philosophy is a great way to get your head back on straight. Start with Why Buddhism is True
Convinced? Pick up Why Buddhism Is True
What else does r/attachment_theory read?
Other books mentioned in the same sub, ranked. Shared-sub overlap with this title breaks ties.
Why Buddhism Is True — frequently asked
Is Why Buddhism Is True worth reading if I already meditate?+
Yes, based on how specifically r/Meditation engages with it. The ↑21 comment explains the book's default mode network argument directly, and the ↑19 comment cites its evolutionary case for why happiness feels perpetually unreachable. That's retained argument, not just a title drop.
Does Why Buddhism Is True require believing in Buddhism?+
Nothing in the displayed comments frames it that way; the discussion centers on evolutionary biology and neuroscience, the default mode network specifically (↑21), rather than religious belief. It reads in these threads as a science book that uses Buddhist practice as its case study.
What does r/Meditation actually say about Why Buddhism Is True?+
The most direct answer: one commenter calls it a favorite of all, ranking it above Jon Kabat-Zinn, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Sam Harris's Walking Up in the same breath (↑17). Another puts it alongside Sapiens as the best book they've read (↑22). Nothing displayed here disputes either claim.
Is Why Buddhism Is True as widely discussed as other meditation books on Reddit?+
Not outside its lane. It shows up once apiece in r/AcademicPsychology, r/AskPsychology, and r/suggestmeabook, and the bulk of the conversation stays inside r/Meditation. Within that subreddit specifically, the top comments treat it as essential; beyond it, the data doesn't say much either way.