The Joe Rogan Experience #1723 - Amishi Jha
Oct 21, 2021
Dr. Amishi Jha, a professor of psychology and mindfulness expert, dives into the intricacies of attention systems, likening them to flashlights and floodlights. She discusses the transformative power of mindfulness in boosting cognitive performance, especially under stress, and its application in military training. Jha clarifies misconceptions about meditation and investigates the impact of nootropics on mental clarity. She also explores how digital distractions affect attention and emphasizes the importance of kindness and self-compassion in personal growth.
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Distractibility Is Inherent
- The human brain is built for distractibility, aiding survival by enabling focus and scanning.
- Even in quiet environments, internal distractions arise, highlighting that distractibility is inherent to brain function, not a flaw.
Meditation's True Goal
- If you're alive and conscious, expect your attention to drift about half the time.
- Meditation isn't about clearing your mind, which is impossible, but about noticing and redirecting your attention.
Amishi's Attention Crisis
- Amishi Jha experienced an attention crisis after her child's birth, struggling to stay present even when reading to him.
- This personal crisis, coupled with a lack of research on attention training, sparked her research into mindfulness.
