Mind & Life

In a thought-provoking conversation, Roshi Joan Halifax, a Zen Buddhist teacher and pioneer in end-of-life care, delves into the exciting intersections of science and spirituality. She shares her experiences initiating dialogues between the Dalai Lama and scientists, highlighting compassion as an emergent, context-dependent process. Joan emphasizes the role of embodiment in health care, explores the triple benefits of compassion, and discusses training prosocial qualities. She also reflects on the importance of contemplative practices and indigenous wisdom in addressing climate change and preparing for death.

In this episode from the Mind & Life archive, Wendy spoke with the renowned Buddhist practitioner and author Matthieu Ricard. Matthieu was integral to the founding of contemplative science, serving as both a participant and co-investigator in many early studies, and has deep expertise in compassion, altruism, and well-being. This conversation covers many topics, including: his roots in both science and Buddhism, and his appreciation for rigorous inquiry; his role as a participant and collaborator in contemplative science; lessons from research on compassion vs. empathy; how the self shows up (or doesn't) in compassion; links between self-focus and vulnerability; hedonia, eudiamonia, and self; altruism and our current crises; reconciling three time scales of concern; sentience, life, and interdependence; caring for our whole interconnected system; the practice of awe; using photography to share basic human goodness; balancing fame and monastic life; and a poignant example of his own personal experience of care. Full show notes and resources  

Liz Monson, a Buddhist scholar and teacher at Natural Dharma Fellowship, shares her journey intertwining Buddhism with nature-based practices. She discusses how her childhood connection to nature shaped her path, challenging human-centrism in spirituality. Monson emphasizes the wisdom of trees and the elements, exploring their emotional significance. The conversation also touches on the synergy between psychedelics and meditation for awakening, and the importance of self-compassion in navigating suffering and embracing interconnection with the world.

Christy Wilson-Mendenhall, a cognitive and affective scientist at the Center for Healthy Minds, dives deep into the intricacies of emotions and their impact on well-being. She shares insights on how emotions are shaped by context and learning, and discusses the power of emotional granularity for self-awareness. The conversation intertwines cognitive science with Buddhist philosophy, addressing eco-anxiety and the importance of community in fostering resilience. Christy emphasizes the need for imaginative thinking and personal changes to inspire larger systemic shifts.

Karen O'Brien, a professor and thought leader on climate change, dives into the human and social dimensions of environmental response. She shares her journey from aspiring diplomat to climate advocate, emphasizing entanglement and interconnectedness. O'Brien discusses the critical role of ethics, the impact of contemplative practices on resilience, and the powerful influence of art in driving social change. With insights on eco-anxiety and indigenous wisdom, she inspires listeners to embrace their individual power for transformative action.

Tania Singer, a leading social neuroscientist and contemplative researcher, dives into the fascinating world of empathy and compassion. They explore the brain's response to emotional pain and the training of empathy through contemplative practices. Tania discusses the power of practicing with others, particularly in challenging times like the COVID lockdown, and shares insights on the importance of compassion as an antidote to empathy burnout. Her pioneering studies highlight how shifting focus from individual to systemic change can enhance societal connections and well-being.

In this episode, Wendy speaks with contemplative scientist Melissa Rosenkranz. Melissa's work examines the mind-body connection with a focus on how inflammation interacts with our brains and emotions, and how meditation might help. This conversation covers many topics, including: her interest in the mind-body connection; pros and cons of inflammation in the body; bidirectional links between inflammation in the body and our emotions; how inflammation can lead to hypersensitivity in the brain; inflammation and dementia; misperceptions around stress causing asthma; meditation's effect on inflammation and our immune response; meditation in asthma management (emotional and physical); studying whether mindfulness can protect against inflammatory damage to the brain; integrating meditation with medication; polarization in society and the power of building weak ties; increasing the safety signal to our bodies; seeing the fuller humanity of the people in our world; lovingkindness practice in action; links between inflammation in society and in our bodies; and a reminder that there's always a place to start when making change. Full show notes and resources

In this engaging discussion, Otto Scharmer, an action researcher and thought leader in systems change, emphasizes the importance of awareness and relationships for societal transformation. He dives into the concept of 'social farming' and the need for collective action in addressing crises. The conversation also explores the tension between ego and regeneration, the role of leadership in uncertainty, and the significance of deep listening. Scharmer highlights the transformative potential of acknowledging 'not knowing' and the importance of creating trustworthy spaces for collaboration.

Neil Theise, a pathologist, scientist, author, and Zen Buddhist, explores the profound interconnectedness of our bodies and the universe. He shares how his insights from medicine and Buddhism reveal the significance of the interstitium—a groundbreaking organ system—and its ties to traditional healing practices. Theise discusses the mystery behind his research, the relationship between complexity theory and interconnectedness, and the personal journey that led him to embrace both pathology and Zen. His meditation on the interstitium invites listeners to appreciate the intricate web of life.

In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychologist and cognitive scientist Molly Crockett. Molly is a leader in studying moral cognition, with an emphasis on ethics, knowledge, and power in the digital age. This conversation covers many topics, including: the limits of quantitative (scientific) ways of knowing; the importance of narrative in shaping ideas and behavior; moral outrage on social media; who benefits from a culture of outrage; the role of scientists in our narratives about human nature; how artificial intelligence influences what we consider as human; using artificial intelligence for compassion; a Dalai Lama chatbot vs. the real Dalai Lama; the importance of embodiment in human communication; studying transformative experiences at Burning Man; technology and "Paleolithic" emotions; epistemic injustice; and the critical importance of valuing multiple ways of knowing. Full show notes and resources