What happens in the brain in the midst of meditation? Modern science is revealing a whole new world of inner understanding. In this episode, Loch and psychologist and researcher, Dr. David Vago, discuss the neuroscience of awakening. From both ancient and modern points of view they explore the relationship between brain networks and awareness, particularly interconnected nondual states. They discuss the system-wide effects of mindfulness on mental health and well-being, and dig into some interesting dialogue about the illusion of self-identity, and various flow states. After the discussion, stay tuned for a mindful glimpse meditation where you can experience awareness energy yourself.Guided Glimpse Meditation: Effortless FocusIn this 8 minute guided meditation, you are invited to discover the view from the field of awareness energy. When we are looking from this interconnected field of awake consciousness we can focus effortlessly, and feel the unity of everything.Dr. David Vago:As a Research Associate Professor of Psychology at Vanderbilt University, Dr. David Vago directs the Contemplative Neuroscience & Mind-Body Research Laboratory. He also maintains an appointment as a research associate in the department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Vago has over 15 years experience studying the basic neurobiological mechanisms supporting Mind-Body practices and the effects on mental health and well-being. A number of his ongoing research initiatives include Mapping the Meditative Mind, in which Dr. Vago has partnered with contemporary meditation teachers and scholars to investigate psychosocial and neurobiological mechanisms supporting states of meditation across the spectrum of formal meditative expertise.David's Site:https://davidvago.bwh.harvard.edu/International Society for Contemplative Research (ISCR) - https://www.contemplativeneurosciences.com/Related:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3480633/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29169033/For more info about Loch, visit: https://lochkelly.org/ For additional information about this podcast, visit:  https://podcast.effortlessmindfulness.com/ For the Loch Kelly App, visit: https://effortlessmindfulness.com and to donate, visit:  https://lochkelly.org/donate.

 This episode features a short "glimpse” or micro-meditation that helps us shift out of our chattering mind and into our already awake consciousness. This mindful glimpse brings us back to our senses and then continues to introduce us to the most important discovery for freedom: awake awareness. By experiencing awake awareness around us and the aliveness within us as interconnected, we discover we are no longer self-centered. Rather, we are interdependent with the Infinite, clear and loving consciousness that is always available within us and as us. From this new view and supportive ground we can be with everything that arises and experience a deep sense of embodiment, wisdom, flow and compassionate activity. For more info about Loch, visit: https://lochkelly.org/ For additional information about this podcast, visit:  https://podcast.effortlessmindfulness.com/ For the Loch Kelly App, visit: https://effortlessmindfulness.com and to donate, visit:  https://lochkelly.org/donate.

"Time is the greatest concept of all, hiding the dynamic, open nature of experience under the garments of the concepts past, present, and future," wrote Princeton astrophysics professor Piet Hut. Where do quantum physics and the great wisdom traditions meet? Here in the Now. The "Now" in Tibetan Buddhism is translated as "The timeless awareness that includes the three relative times of past, present and future." But the Now is not the present moment. We can not live in the present moment as moments are here and gone like the tick-tock of a clock, here-gone-here-gone. However, we can learn to shift into the eternal Now, which is always here as a ground that is both infinite and intimate.Being here and now provides a doorway to an awake, open-hearted awareness that can be accessed experientially at any time. It is a field of compassion and well-being from which you can respond rather than react and experience flow states.In this conversation, author, psychotherapist, and meditation teacher Loch Kelly and Princeton Professor and Astrophysicist Piet Hut explore everything from quantum mechanics, the theory of relativity, nonduality, the nature of reality, and consciousness.At the end of the discussion, Loch provides a glimpse meditation to help you experientially shift your awareness into the timeless, boundless Now. "Time is the greatest concept of all, hiding the dynamic, open nature of experience under the garments of the concepts past, present, and future," wrote Princeton astrophysics professor Piet Hut. Where do quantum physics and the great wisdom traditions meet? Here in the Now. The "Now" in Tibetan Buddhism is translated as "The timeless awareness that includes the three relative times of past, present and future." But the Now is not the present moment. We can not live in the present moment as moments are here and gone like the tick-tock of a clock, here-gone-here-gone. However, we can learn to shift into the eternal Now, which is always here as a ground that is both infinite and intimate.Being here and now provides a doorway to an awake, open-hearted awareness that can be accessed experientially at any time. It is a field of compassion and well-being from which you can respond rather than react and experience flow states.In this conversation, author, psychotherapist, and meditation teacher Loch Kelly and Princeton Professor and Astrophysicist Piet Hut explore everything from quantum mechanics, the theory of relativity, nonduality, the nature of reality, and consciousness.At the end of the discussion, Loch provides a glimpse meditation to help you experientially shift your awareness into the timeless, boundless Now. For more info about Loch, visit: https://lochkelly.org/ For additional information about this podcast, visit:  https://podcast.effortlessmindfulness.com/ For the Loch Kelly App, visit: https://effortlessmindfulness.com and to donate, visit:  https://lochkelly.org/donate.

Learn about the differences between standard mindfulness and effortless mindfulness, including the stages of awakening and the shift in identity. Explore the concepts of shifting and unhooking in mindfulness practice, and recognize the boundless field of awareness within ourselves. Discover the method of connecting with a spacious awareness by shifting attention to the space between objects.

Loch and Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John, a leading voice in mindfulness and addiction recovery, dive deep into a discussion about relieving "perpetual dissatisfaction" through Buddhist teachings and the expansive ground of awake consciousness. Dr. Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John, M.A (hon.doc) has been practicing mindfulness for over 30 years and is one of the leading African-descent voices in the field of mindfulness and addiction. They is the award-winning author of 10 books, and the co-author and co-founder of Eight Step Recovery: Using The Buddha’s Teaching to Overcome Addiction. Valerie — also known as Vimalasara — was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Community and is a senior teacher in this tradition. They is the co-creator of Mindfulness Based Addiction Recovery (MBAR) and is a certified professional Mindfulness Teacher, Recovery Coach, Life Coach, and a Compassionate Inquiry Facilitator and Practitioner. She trains professionals working in the field of addiction all over the world. To view a recording of this episode and other guided meditations visit: https://www.youtube.com/@LochKelly For Valerie's website: https://www.valeriemason-john.com/ To reach the Buddhist Recovery Network: https://www.buddhistrecovery.org/ For more info about Loch, visit: https://lochkelly.org/ For additional information about this podcast, visit: https://podcast.effortlessmindfulness.com/ For the Loch Kelly App, visit: https://effortlessmindfulness.com and to donate, visit: https://lochkelly.org/donate.

Enjoy this experiential introduction to Effortless Mindfulness to help you immediately shift from your anxious headspace into your timeless, wordless, embodied heart space. Loch offers the foundational principles of EM and micro-meditations which invite you to learn how to look within to shift out of the ego identity and live from your already installed awake loving consciousness. To view a recording of this retreat and other guided meditations visit: https://www.youtube.com/@LochKelly.For more info about Loch, visit: https://lochkelly.org/ For additional information about this podcast, visit: https://podcast.effortlessmindfulness.com/ For the Loch Kelly App, visit: https://effortlessmindfulness.com and to donate, visit: https://lochkelly.org/donate.

Loch and Tibetan Buddhist teacher Anam Thubten share a deep dialogue about the ways they each bring a modern approach to ancient teaching to support the awakening of all beings. They explore their appreciation for the simplicity and elegance of the nondual Dzogchen ”Great Completion” teachings, which reveal the already awake consciousness and embodied natural compassion. After the talk, Loch offers a guided micro-meditation to “unhook” awareness from the small mind to drop into the heart mind. Anam Thubten grew up in Tibet and, at an early age, began to practice the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He is the founder and spiritual advisor of Dharmata Foundation, located in Richmond, California, which serves as a container for spiritual community following the pathless path through the essential teachings of Buddha and the lineage of great Buddhist masters – uniting individuals who have a genuine desire to discover inner freedom and peace through realizing the true nature of all things. Anam Thubten is also the author of various books, which include: Choosing Compassion, No Self No Problem, Into the Haunted Ground, and The Citadel of Awareness. Through the essential wisdom of Buddhism and his personal experience on the spiritual path, Anam Thubten brings alive timeless teachings. He invites everyone to participate in his events and retreats in the U.S. and abroad. https://www.dharmata.org/events-calendar/  Anam's website can be found at https://www.dharmata.org/. He can also be found via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/anamthubten  or via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@dharmatafoundation-anamthu4494. For more info about Loch, visit: https://lochkelly.org/ For additional information about this podcast, visit: https://podcast.effortlessmindfulness.com/ For the Loch Kelly App, visit: https://effortlessmindfulness.com and to donate, visit: https://lochkelly.org/donate

In this episode, Loch points us toward our natural awake consciousness with the inquiry, “What’s here now when there’s no problem to solve?” The premise of Effortless Mindfulness is that an awake consciousness is already here and available to all of us; it just needs to be revealed. Once revealed, we can discover our true nature and live from it with an open mind and an open heart. Try it for yourself with the guided mindful glimpse micro-mediation! For more info about Loch, visit: https://lochkelly.org/ For additional information about this podcast, visit: https://podcast.effortlessmindfulness.com/ For the Loch Kelly App, visit: https://effortlessmindfulness.com and to donate, visit: https://lochkelly.org/donate

In this episode, Loch Kelly shares the Effortless Mindfulness Awakening Training (EMAT) approach to shifting into the next stage of human development. EMAT offers a unique way to bring together direct path awakening consciousness with contemporary neuroscience and psychology. While most psychological practices organize around a thought-based small-self or “parts-based identity,” EMAT integrates nondual mindfulness to help shift out of the small-self identity and into the already installed awake consciousness. After the talk Loch offers a guided micro-meditation. For more info about Loch, visit: https://lochkelly.org/ For additional information about this podcast, visit: https://podcast.effortlessmindfulness.com/ For the Loch Kelly App, visit: https://effortlessmindfulness.com and to donate, visit: https://lochkelly.org/donate

Learn how to love and heal our wounded parts by accessing authentic Self and embodying awakening. Loch and Richard Schwartz, Ph.D., the founder of Internal Family Systems psychotherapy (IFS), discuss how our ego manager is not the enemy but a tired part of us that is happy to be a part of the team when our authentic Self is the new leader. After the dialogue, Loch offers a guided mindful glimpse micro-meditation to access Authentic Self.45:05 After the dialogue, Loch offers a guided mindful glimpse micro-meditation to access Authentic Self. These mindful glimpses serve as invaluable tools for experiencing ways to access the awake consciousness that is already here within all of us.You can now explore all of Loch Kelly's practices and teachings on the new Mindful Glimpses app, found at https://lochkelly.org/mindful-glimpses. This innovative meditation and wellness app offers daily micro-meditations, step-by-step programs, and simple-yet-advanced tools for awakening. Richard Schwartz, Ph.D., began his career as a systemic family therapist and an academic. Grounded in systems thinking, Dr. Schwartz developed Internal Family Systems (IFS) in response to clients’ descriptions of various parts within themselves. He focused on the relationships among these parts and noticed that there were systemic patterns to the way they were organized across clients. He also found that when the clients’ parts felt safe and were allowed to relax, the clients would experience spontaneously the qualities of confidence, openness and compassion that Dr. Schwartz came to call the Self. He found that when in Self, clients would know how to heal their parts. A featured speaker for national professional organizations, Dr. Schwartz has published many books and over fifty articles about IFS.Connect with Richard Schwartz:Website: https://ifs-institute.com/about-us/richard-c-schwartz-phdYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW3_oqt84pU4Hajx5dsKU-AInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/internalfamilysystems/?hl=e nLinks to Richard’s Books: https://ifs-institute.com/storeLoch Kelly is the creator of the Mindful Glimpses app, award winning author, psychotherapist, and nondual meditation teacher known for his unique practical methods that support awakening as the next natural stage of human development. Backed by modern neuroscience and psychology, Loch introduces Effortless Mindfulness, an ancient form of nondual meditation that allows immediate access to our embodied awake nature which arises as calm, clarity, and compassion. Connect with Loch:Mobile App: https://lochkelly.org/mindful-glimpsesWebsite: https://lochkelly.org/Podcast: https://lochkelly.org/podcastDonate: https://lochkelly.org/donateThe Effortless Mindfulness Podcast is brought to you by our 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity. Our mission is to make learning how to tap into your inner resources simple, teachable, and accessible to everyone.