Richard J. Davidson

Join Dr. Richard Davidson, a renowned neuroscientist and founder of the Center for Healthy Minds, as he explores the concept of 'wise selfishness' alongside insights from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. They delve into how to effectively handle anger and manage adversarial relationships. Davidson shares a rare encounter where the Dalai Lama expressed anger towards him, illustrating the balance between compassion and emotional intelligence. The conversation highlights the profound impact of mindfulness and altruism on personal happiness and mental well-being.

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Richard J. Davidson, a leading neuroscientist and collaborator with the Dalai Lama, dives into profound issues of social connection. They discuss how the Dalai Lama's surprising acts of compassion can help us combat loneliness and enhance our social fitness in today's fractured world. The episode also addresses the complexities of grief, the balance between sorrow and humor, and practical strategies to foster compassion in our daily lives. Plus, there's a light-hearted moment that illustrates the Dalai Lama's playful nature!

Richard Davidson, an eminent scientist and longtime confidant of the Dalai Lama, dives deep into the nuances of meditation. He shares insights on single-pointed versus analytical meditation, and the significance of subtle awareness in understanding consciousness. The discussion also highlights how mindfulness practices can be used throughout life and even in moments of death. Davidson breaks down complex terms to make the teachings accessible, emphasizing the transformative power of awareness and compassion in our everyday lives.

Sam Harris speaks with Daniel Goleman and Richard J. Davidson about the current scientific understanding of meditation practice. They speak about the original stigma associated with meditation, the history of introspection in eastern and western cultures, the recent collaboration between Buddhism and western science, the difference between altered states and altered traits, an alternate conception of mental health, “meta-awareness,” the relationship between mindfulness and “flow,” the difference between pain and suffering, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and other topics. If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe.

Sam Harris speaks with Daniel Goleman and Richard J. Davidson about the stigma and history of meditation, the collaboration between Buddhism and western science, the difference between altered states and traits, the relationship between mindfulness and flow, the connection between pain and suffering, and the significance of gamma oscillations in long-term meditation practitioners.