The Contemplative Science Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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.

How can we effectively integrate mindfulness into education? Monash University's very own Professor Craig Hassed is an author and internationally renowned mindfulness expert.  In part responsible for launching a pioneering programme that sees five thousand medical students a year enrolled in mindfulness classes, we talk through the effects this has on their personal and professional lives - reducing stress, clarifying decision making and lifting unconscious biases. This episode is packed full of value for educators, students and those interested in mindfulness. ------ 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.

Hosts Jamie Slevin and Dr Mark Miller reflect on the lessons of the podcast so far. Mixing in their own experiences with the key themes of the Contemplative Science Podcast, Mark and Jamie share their thoughts on what we've covered so far.  One message is particularly resonant. Practice gently. After all, we are “complex ecosystems of mental, emotional, perceptual and behavioural dynamics!” Sharing anecdotes, analogies and reflections on different teaching styles, our dive into the personal experience sheds light on the meditation ecosystem as a whole. ------ 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.

Did you know that living beings defy the 2nd law of thermodynamics? Joining us for a fascinating discussion is Dr Ines Hipolito, a self-described ‘complexity wanderer’. Recently co-founding the European Institute for Global Well-being, her research develops and applies frameworks on the nature of cognition. We dive into the free energy principle, the relationship of digitisation and wellbeing, and why ‘cognition is everything that we do’! ------ 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.

Change is a hugely challenging part of the human experience. Today, we're joined by author, Buddhist teacher and former nun Kaira Jewel Lingo. Sharing philosophies and learnings to help us deal with change, Kaira walks us through the role equanimity and impermanence in dealing with change.  Here, Kaira lifts the lid on her experience of community: bridging memories of monastic life to the deeper sense of global community. With so much of the world facing uncertainty, we break down how to reconcile with change and implement Buddhist values to foster respect, generosity and fulfilment. ------ 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.

What is the ideal dose of mindfulness? Like with any medicine, dose is a complex topic.  Sharing her research is Dr Sarah Strohmaier, psychology lecturer and mindfulness researcher at Canterbury Christ Church University. Does bigger dose equal bigger benefit? How do we measure such subjective outcomes? Sarah has led a number of experiments tracking the effects of practicing mindfulness for different ‘dosages’ of time. Together, we pick apart the research, uncovering practical tips for how to integrate mindfulness sustainably. ------ 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.

What do we mean when we talk about guidance? We welcome scholar and researcher Dr Michael Lifshitz to break down his work in the field. Michael is interested in practices that aim to transform our subjective experience, whether meditation, hypnosis, placebo, prayer, psychedelics… the list goes on. Integrating personal anecdotes and reflections, we cover hypnosis, the ancient Tibetan practice of tulpamancy and, ultimately, what it means to be well. ------ 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.