Episodes
Friday Feb 26, 2021
John Dunne - At the Crossroads of Buddhism and Science
Friday Feb 26, 2021
Friday Feb 26, 2021
In this episode, Wendy speaks with Buddhist scholar John Dunne. John has interfaced with contemplative scientists for over two decades to help advance rigorous research on meditation by incorporating a nuanced Buddhist perspective. They touch on many topics, including:
- his path to integrating Buddhism and science, and the early days of contemplative research;
- defining "meditation" for research purposes;
- focused attention vs. open monitoring meditation;
- a deep dive into meta-awareness;
- subject/object duality and whether anything really exists;
- the different ways we experience the sense of self;
- hallucinogens, ego dissolution, and non-dual practices;
- decentering and dereification;
- and where he thinks the field should go next.
Friday Feb 12, 2021
Eric Garland - Working with Addiction & Pain
Friday Feb 12, 2021
Friday Feb 12, 2021
In this episode, Wendy speaks with clinical researcher and psychotherapist Eric Garland. Eric has spent his career developing effective ways to use mindfulness and other contemplative approaches for problems like addiction and chronic pain. Their conversation covers many topics, including:
- how early mystical experiences led him to a contemplative path;
- the power of meditation to heal and restore well-being;
- self-transcendence and non-dual states of consciousness;
- the features of his intervention, Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE), and its application for addiction and chronic pain;
- how reappraisal can help in difficult situations;
- the role of savoring and reconnecting with natural rewards;
- deconstructing pain;
- a large clinical trial showing how effective MORE is, and how it might work;
- and the biggest lesson he's learned from his work so far.
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