I find this an excellent book by the late ex-neuroscientist and meditation adept, that illustrates how the mind works and distils the core of Buddhist meditation into easy to follow steps - the medtiation practice, as always, is the challenge to progress.
I have some The Mind Illuminated guided meditation audio files created by a meditation teacher if anyone is interested.
Has anyone used the book?
Well put. i guess you’re right. I know that Shinzen Young is trying to do some of that kind of research. But in general the only thing I’ve heard of are studies in the direction of mindfulness. And afaik there’s a bunch of studies showing positive benefits to that. And in a way most meditation techniques, while not focusing on mindfulness, do require it to work. At least in one way or another. But you’re right. For me at least I know it is a good thing and that’s enough for me.