The Contemplative Science Podcast

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 cognit...

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 Sha...

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...

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. Dis...

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...

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 - re...

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!” Sh...

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...

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 deep...

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 differe...

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 tu...

Can we use psychedelics to help wellbeing? Taking us through this hotly contested topic, subject of both ‘warranted enthusiasm and caution’, is Adam Safron. Currently at The Centre for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Adam is also a dedicated meditation practitioner. In today’s discussion, we explore the roles of psychedelics in medical treatment, meditation, creativity and freewill. ------...

We need to fall in love with every part of ourselves. This is a key takeaway from today’s enlightening discussion with Janusz Welin, founder of the Deep Mindfulness Collective. Master meditator and leader of residential retreats all over the world, Janusz brings a wealth of knowledge and musings on meditative practice. From classical awakening to Internal Family Systems, we explore how to use mind...

More meditation does not always equal more progress! We are delighted today to have the opportunity to share research from our very own Dr Mark Miller. Mark is a veteran meditator who supports anecdotes from his personal practice with scientific evidence and phenomenological discussion. Sharing insights from a recent paper, we break down the ‘self’, dissociative disorders and windows of tolerance...

What are the five contemplative landmarks? And what do they say about our meditation practice? Today we probe into the research of philosopher and meditation researcher Terje Sparby. Terje is a master meditator, whose work brings together the worlds of neuroscience, spirituality and community. Join us to explore consciousness, Dhyāna, introspective methods and religion. ------ This podcast has a s...

How can you fundamentally change your relationship with the external world? Joining today to share the messages of the very latest cognitive research on yoga and meditation is Harvard Medical School's Sara Lazar. Sara’s research explores the brain at varying stages of life: tracking the effects of mindfulness on its composition and capability, and the applications this can have in patient care...

What do you know about trauma? Joining today to lift the lid on the weight of individual and collective trauma, is Michelle Cassandra Johnson. Activist, author, anti-racism consultant and yoga teacher - Michelle talks candidly on personal experiences, generational trauma and the whitewashing of yoga. Humans are all interconnected, not separate! Michelle shares practical tips for integrating mindfu...

How much do you know about Kemetic Yoga? If you're like most people, not much! Enter Kemetic Yoga legend Yirser Ra Hotep, master instructor of Yoga and the creator of the YogaSkills Method. Yirser joins to lift the lid on the origins and principles of yoga-like practices in Africa, and how he translates this research into real life applications. Recounting pioneering mindfulness training with...

References to romantic love is everywhere - in music, in films and in our lives. But what is actually happening when we fall in love? Diving into the heart of the matter is leading expert Dr Lucy Brown. Lucy's research is at the crossroads of love, neuroscience and meditation. Chatting to Mark and Jamie, Lucy reveals what happens in the brain during early love, committed relationships and hear...

Can mindfulness aid addiction, depression and pain? We welcome Antoine Lutz, a pioneering researcher of contemplative practices. Antoine is fascinated by the ways in which we perceive negative thoughts as tangible and real - but more importantly, what we can do to change them. Introducing the surprising and crucial concept of de-reification, and by sharing experiments with mindfulness amateurs and...

What is authentic happiness? And how can you find it? Enter Doug Veenhof. Doug describes happiness as a 'process of subtraction'.  Sharing his experiences as meditator and teacher at the Center for Contemplative Research, Doug talks religion, neuroscience and the fundamental difference between Eudaimonia and hedonic pleasure. Join us for a disarming and radical approach to achieving happin...

Why isn’t wellbeing part of the school curriculum? Asking the question and doing the research is Dr Dusana Dorjee, a cognitive neuroscientist whose research uncovers how mindfulness impacts wellbeing. Dissatisfaction and anxiety levels are rising - and young people are effected worse than any other demographic.  Supported by cutting-edge research, Dusana advocates here for practical steps you can...

How does modern psychiatry interact with the mystical, psychedelic or magical? With difficulty! Dr Daniel Ingram is attempting to change that. As a key member of the The Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium (The EPRC), Daniel is on a mission to ‘tool up’ modern medicine to deal with the results of the spiritual path. We dive into the nature of spiritual development, emergent phenomena and th...

In 2022, Buddhism is perceived as 'spirituality for the rational', fully compatible with cutting‑edge science. But this view is actually a mistake that does both Buddhism and science a disservice, says Dr Evan Thompson. Exploring what he calls 'Buddhist exceptionalism', Evan breaks down why Buddhism is treated differently to other spiritual practices, and dives deep into both Weste...

What are the main differences between western and indigenous contemplative science? Enter Dr Yuria Celidwen, a Native of Indigenous Nahua and Maya descent. As Yuria explains, indigenous contemplative practices focus on the community, rather than just the self. If I flourish, the planet flourishes. We explore cognitive imperialism, individualist attitudes and the fundamental importance of intention...