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The Contemplative Science Podcast

Latest episodes

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Nov 1, 2022 • 36min

Mental Health and Buddhism: with Dr Elli Weisbaum

Will Buddhism improve your mental health? Dr Elli Weisbaum is a Toronto based mindfulness practitioner and teacher who attended her first retreat with scholar, Zen Master and Nobel Peace prize nominee Thich Nhat Hanh at the age of ten. Today, she takes us through the potential benefits (and limitations) of pursuing Buddhism for the sake of our mental health, the suprising misconceptions around around Buddhism and shares her story of spending time at the famous Plum Village.  ------ This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners integrate the practical lessons of contemplative life. If you enjoyed the episode and you’re interested in finding out more, check out ⁠⁠‘Training For Humanity’ ⁠⁠- M3CS’s exclusive short courses, including Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance, as well as Maintaining a Mindful Life. Use CODE CONTEMPLATIVE10 for 10% off.
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Oct 18, 2022 • 29min

The Dark Side of Meditation

Meditation does not always yield positive results. Joining today to talk us through the ‘Dark Side of Meditation’ is Christine Kupfer. Medical anthropologist and expert in Rabindranath Tagore's philosophy, Christine breaks down how meditation practice is often perceived as a cure-all for productivity, happiness, spiritual fulfilment. In reality, people can suffer from experiences of non-shared reality: spiritual crisis. We explore its many facets, incorporating Buddhist, Christian, Jewish and clinical perceptions to illuminate the significance of improving the literature on these experiences. ------ This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners integrate the practical lessons of contemplative life. If you enjoyed the episode and you’re interested in finding out more, check out ⁠⁠‘Training For Humanity’ ⁠⁠- M3CS’s exclusive short courses, including Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance, as well as Maintaining a Mindful Life. Use CODE CONTEMPLATIVE10 for 10% off.
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Oct 11, 2022 • 33min

Psychedelics and Spiritual Traditions

What exactly is the role of Psychedelics in the development of the world's spiritual traditions? Joining today is researcher and co-founder of Eudelics, Dr Richard Chambers. Richard illuminates a history of psychedelic traditions, its suppression over many years by religious groups and governments, and its potential for exploring higher consciousness in safe and mindful settings. Touching on neuroplasticity, his particular interest in psychedelics for leadership development, and the cross-over of Hindusim and Buddhism, our discussion leaves no stone unturned! ------ This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners integrate the practical lessons of contemplative life. If you enjoyed the episode and you’re interested in finding out more, check out ⁠⁠‘Training For Humanity’ ⁠⁠- M3CS’s exclusive short courses, including Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance, as well as Maintaining a Mindful Life. Use CODE CONTEMPLATIVE10 for 10% off.
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Oct 4, 2022 • 34min

Flow States and Meta-Awareness: w/ Dr Dave Vago

How can we define meta-awareness? Today’s episode is a deep dive into all things connected to non-dual awareness, led by cognitive expert Dr David Vago. We explore flow states, brain-body environment dynamics, concentration practice, meditation, depression, compassion… Packed with cognitive research, varying perspectives of ‘self’ and references to the work of Benjamin Libet and previous guest Evan Thompson, David presents a fascinating insight into how to define the secondary interpretation of our experience. ------ This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners integrate the practical lessons of contemplative life. If you enjoyed the episode and you’re interested in finding out more, check out ⁠⁠‘Training For Humanity’ ⁠⁠- M3CS’s exclusive short courses, including Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance, as well as Maintaining a Mindful Life. Use CODE CONTEMPLATIVE10 for 10% off.
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Sep 27, 2022 • 31min

You are Not Your Brain

You are not your brain.  Today we are joined by Dr Jeffrey Schwartz - one of the world’s leading experts in neuroplasticity and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  Jeffrey’s publications include You Are Not Your Brain and Brain Lock. Referencing Socrates, George Gurdjieff and Søren Kierkegaard, Jeffery here walks us through the state of play of modern neuroscience and the inner workings of OCD. Listen in for a unique perspective into the nature of the human mind. ------ This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners integrate the practical lessons of contemplative life. If you enjoyed the episode and you’re interested in finding out more, check out ⁠⁠‘Training For Humanity’ ⁠⁠- M3CS’s exclusive short courses, including Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance, as well as Maintaining a Mindful Life. Use CODE CONTEMPLATIVE10 for 10% off.
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Sep 20, 2022 • 33min

The Mindful College Student

Suffering isn’t new - but mindfulness can help. Joining to uncover the reasons and remedies for rising stress levels in young people, is Dr Eric Loucks. Professor, researcher and pioneer in the study of mindfulness and health, Eric recently authored The Mindful College Student - based on work that sees him teach and study the impact of introducing mindfulness to year groups who are still in cognitive development! Our discussion today picks apart the challenges of his research, the importance of the prefrontal cortex and why ‘meditation isn’t always for everyone’. ------ This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners integrate the practical lessons of contemplative life. If you enjoyed the episode and you’re interested in finding out more, check out ⁠⁠‘Training For Humanity’ ⁠⁠- M3CS’s exclusive short courses, including Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance, as well as Maintaining a Mindful Life. Use CODE CONTEMPLATIVE10 for 10% off.
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Aug 30, 2022 • 31min

Understanding Anxiety

What are the mechanics of anxiety? How can we understand and alleviate it? Here to share her insights on this enduring issue is Lynn Koerbel. Author, bodywork therapist and Assistant Professor at Brown University, Lynn has dedicated herself to combating mental health issues through movement and mindfulness. Join us as we uncover the methods of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Kashmir Shavaism and a myriad of anecdotes, research findings and practical takeaways. ------ This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners integrate the practical lessons of contemplative life. If you enjoyed the episode and you’re interested in finding out more, check out ⁠⁠‘Training For Humanity’ ⁠⁠- M3CS’s exclusive short courses, including Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance, as well as Maintaining a Mindful Life. Use CODE CONTEMPLATIVE10 for 10% off.
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Aug 23, 2022 • 32min

Compassion, Wisdom and Training

Is compassion something you can train? Absolutely, according to today’s guest Dr Paul Condon. Co-writer of the Sustainable Compassion Training (SCT) model along with John Makransky, it provides a system of compassion and wisdom practices to enrich compassion in our daily lives. In our discussion, Paul outlines a definition for compassion and the concept of field of care practice - emphasising that this is about community, not just the individual! ------ This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners integrate the practical lessons of contemplative life. If you enjoyed the episode and you’re interested in finding out more, check out ⁠⁠‘Training For Humanity’ ⁠⁠- M3CS’s exclusive short courses, including Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance, as well as Maintaining a Mindful Life. Use CODE CONTEMPLATIVE10 for 10% off.
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Aug 10, 2022 • 31min

The Self Made Simple with Dr Monima Chadha

The ‘self’ in the Buddhist tradition is a complex and rich topic. Walking us smoothly through potentially choppy water is Monash University's Dr Monima Chadha, an Associate Professor in Philosophy. Monima’s research focuses on the cross-cultural philosophy of mind - and she's particularly interested in how the self overlaps with how we typically think of of self control and perception. Discussing human feelings of desire, freedom and the Buddhist model of sharing our knowledge and gifts with the world - our conversation today mines deep into our understanding of ‘self’ in daily life. ------ This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners integrate the practical lessons of contemplative life. If you enjoyed the episode and you’re interested in finding out more, check out ⁠⁠‘Training For Humanity’ ⁠⁠- M3CS’s exclusive short courses, including Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance, as well as Maintaining a Mindful Life. Use CODE CONTEMPLATIVE10 for 10% off.
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Aug 2, 2022 • 30min

The Equanimity Factor

How can equanimity improve the human experience? Joining today is author, lecturer and equanimity enthusiast Dr Joey Weber. Joey’s book Why Mindfulness Is Not Enough… paints a fascinating picture in which equanimity is a bridge that moves mindfulness to compassion. A deeply engaging expert in his field, we discuss why mindfulness needs purpose and how you can become more equanimous - for the good of our interconnected human experience. Dr Joey Weber: Website - www.equanamee.com EBCA course tickets - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/equanimity-based-compassionate-action-ebca-tickets-355406639827 Socials - Instagram and twitter @drjoeyweber Insight timer guided meditations - https://insighttimer.com/joeyweber ------ This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners integrate the practical lessons of contemplative life. If you enjoyed the episode and you’re interested in finding out more, check out ⁠⁠‘Training For Humanity’ ⁠⁠- M3CS’s exclusive short courses, including Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance, as well as Maintaining a Mindful Life. Use CODE CONTEMPLATIVE10 for 10% off.

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