Making Sense with Sam Harris #380 — The Roots of Attention
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Aug 23, 2024 
Amishi Jha, a professor of psychology at the University of Miami and director of contemplative neuroscience, delves into the fascinating world of attention and the brain. They explore how attention is studied and the shortcomings of brain-training games. Jha highlights the intrinsic nature of mindfulness and its neurological benefits. The conversation covers the link between thought and emotion, smartphone distractions, and the importance of mind wandering. Throughout, they discuss evolving mindfulness practices that can reshape our brain networks for enhanced focus and awareness.
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Amishi Jha's Research Focus
- Amishi Jha is a cognitive neuroscientist studying the brain's attention system.
- Her work focuses on how attention functions, its vulnerabilities, and methods for strengthening it, especially for professions where attention is critical.
Personal Journey to Mindfulness
- Amishi Jha's personal struggle with attention led her to explore mindfulness.
- An encounter with Richie Davidson and a subsequent exploration of mindfulness practices sparked her research interest in the field.
Defining Attention
- Attention is the brain's solution to information overload, selecting a subset for processing.
- It involves selective focus (spotlight), alertness to the present moment (floodlight), and goal-directed selection (juggler).