Speaking of Psychology How meditation can help you live a flourishing life, with Richard Davidson, PhD
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Mar 3, 2021 
A pioneering meditation researcher explores the many forms of meditation, the Dalai Lama’s role in inspiring his work, and what brain studies reveal about practice. The conversation also visits meditation’s links to well-being, who can learn it, psychedelics, and the challenge of bringing these practices to more people.
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Meditation Is A Diverse Mind Technology
- Meditation is a broad technology with many distinct practices beyond the commonly known ones.
- All practices aim to familiarize us with the basic nature of our own minds and promote human flourishing.
The Dalai Lama Sparked A Research Pivot
- Davidson met the Dalai Lama in 1992 and was challenged to study compassion with neuroscience tools.
- That encounter pivoted his lab toward researching positive qualities like kindness and compassion.
Meditation Strengthens Self-Regulation And Brain Health
- Long-term meditators show slower brain aging and stronger self-regulation circuits.
- Meditation particularly strengthens attention control and emotion regulation capacities vital for modern life.