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[Subhash Kak]

Here is a new paper that presents an overview of 
some ideas of mind in ancient India that will of
interest to some on the Connectionists List.

http://www.ee.lsu.edu/kak/centers.pdf

"The Gods Within: On the Vedic understanding of mind 
and neuroscience"

by Subhash Kak


Abstract:

Mind is the last frontier of science. We observe
the physical universe through our mind, yet we have
no clear idea how mind functions, how memories are
stored and recalled and what is the origin of
our subjective feelings. Is this level of ignorance a
result of the reductionist nature of the tools that
have been used in the study of mind and consciousness?
If that is so, will an approach that has a different
philosophical basis help? It is for this reason we turn 
to an examination of Indic psychology--based on a
holistic view of reality--, where the central 
concern is self and awareness.  We provide evidence 
that the "gods" of Indic mythology are cognitive centers 
in the brain. Without forcing our own interpretation
on ancient material, we let the texts speak for 
themselves. Parallels are drawn using our recent
insights from neurscience.