I've always been very fact-oriented, my views based on scientific findings, the material world. Buddhism fits into view this better than any other religion or philosophy, but there are concepts I have struggled with: mind separate from brain function; rebirth; meditation. But I'm not alone, and some excellent scientists/authors have also grappled with these issues, and written some wonderful books that explain how scientific and Buddhist views can improve one another, how many of the concepts are similar, how some of the concepts differ, and the problems in the materialistic viewpoint.

Two Views of Mind: Abhidharma and Brain Science by Christopher deCharms, Christopher De Charms, Gareth Sparham, Sherab Gyatso, Tsepak Rigzin

This is an excellent book that explains the current neurobiological scientific viewpoint on mind, and how this branch of science can benefit from the Buddhist view, which holds that mind is separate from the physical brain, but operates through the brain. DeCharms analyzes matters such as perception, cognition, awareness, and thoughts from two different perspectives, a comparison set not with the purpose of outlying similarities and differences but rather to establish what can be learned from each other. The aim is not to provide decisive and definitive answers, but rather to open new ways of thinking about the mind. It's a fascinating, detailed book that explains both views very well.

The Self-Aware Universe: How Consciousness Creates the Material World by Maggie Goswami, Richard E. Reed, Amit Goswami

I have a difficult time with consciousness being separate from brain, with karma driving consciousness, with karma creating the universe. The Self-Aware Universe: How consciousness creates the material world is fascinating, and written by a professor of physics at the University of Oregon, Amit Goswami, Ph.D.

Science has always had great appeal to me because it could explain so much. This professor explains the paradoxes in physics and how a new emerging physics is using older ideas and explanations to look at the universe in a new way, from the perspective of mind/consciousness. He explains how this view leaves no paradoxes and explains everything quite well. This theory is called monistic idealism. Once of the first sources into this view mentioned is Buddhism. Fascinating stuff. Maybe reality isn't the material world many of us have been taught to believe.

Awakening the Buddha Within: Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World by by Lama Surya Das

This a great book that explains Buddhist teachings. The message of Buddhism tells us that each of us has the wisdom, awareness, love, and power of the Buddha mind within; yet most of us are too often like sleeping Buddhas. In Awakening the Buddha Within, Surya Das shows how we can awaken to who we really are in order to lead a more compassionate, enlightened, and balanced life. It illuminates the guidelines and key principles embodied in the noble Eightfold Path and the traditional Three Enlightenment Trainings common to all schools of Buddhism.

Other books worth reading and having on your bookshelf that you can find on Amazon.com or in your local bookstores:

• Reflections on a Mountain Lake: Teachings on Practical Buddhism
• Sleeping, Dreaming, and Dying: An Exploration of Consciousness With the Dalai Lama
• A Complete Idiot's Guide to Living Zen
• A Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Buddhism
• Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness : Walking the Buddha's Path
• Mindfulness in Plain English
• The Zen of Creativity : Cultivating Your Artistic Life
• Open Heart, Clear Mind
• Zen and the Brain: Toward an Understanding of Meditation and Consciousness
• At Home In The Muddy Water: The Zen Of Living With Everyday Chaos
• Buddha's Nature: A Practical Guide To Discovering Your Place In The Cosmos
• Awakening to the Sacred: Creating a Spiritual Life from Scratch