In this episode, Wendy speaks with contemplative researcher Norm Farb. Norm was one of the first people to study how meditation impacts our brains, and his broader work incorporates emotions, body sensations, and present-moment awareness. Their conversation covers many topics, including: his initial research on meditation, neural networks, and modes of self; predictive models of mind; reinforcing vs. updating our model of the world (and implications for political polarization); the default mode network and its role in cognition; how meditation can help shift our habitual patterns; what happens in our minds when we learn to meditate; the concept of mental foraging; interoception and how sensing the body might reduce conceptual processing; depression & interoception, and getting stuck avoiding difficult feelings; the self as the current model of the world; a deeper look at the idea of no-self; the ethics of updating our self model responsibly; localization vs. distribution in the brain; and the state of research on meditation and the brain. Full resources and show notes  

Join renowned neuroscientist Dr. Norm Farb and clinical psychologist Dr. Zindel Segal, both professors at the University of Toronto, as they dive into breaking free from negative patterns. They explore the concept of 'sense foraging' to enhance awareness and motivation. Discover the impact of neuroplasticity on emotional processing and the importance of engaging with sensory experiences. The conversation emphasizes balancing cognitive thought with sensory perception to foster personal growth and deeper emotional insights.