The Contemplative Science Podcast

In this episode, we speak with Rick Repetti—philosopher, meditation teacher, and editor of The Routledge Handbook of the Philosophy of Meditation. We explore whether meditation can be considered a form of philosophy, how it might deepen our understanding of the mind, self, and agency, and whether a distinctly Western philosophy of meditation is emerging. Drawing on both scholarly insight and personal practice, Rick offers a compelling vision of meditation not just as a spiritual tool, but as a philosophical method in its own right.

What happens when you spend days—or even weeks—in complete darkness? In this episode, Andrew Holecek — an expert in Tibetan Buddhism, lucid dreaming, and meditation — guides us through the profound practice of dark retreats. We explore how extended time in darkness can shift perception, support mental health, and catalyze deep spiritual awakening. Blending ancient traditions with emerging science, this conversation sheds light on the hidden power of darkness and what it can teach us about waking life.

In this episode, I am joined by Adam Safron, an independent researcher with a wild range of interests—from consciousness and free will to psychedelics, artificial life, and AI alignment. With affiliations at the Institute for Advanced Consciousness Studies and Michael Levin's lab at Tufts University, Adam brings a rare interdisciplinary lens to questions about mind, matter, and meaning. We explore how agency arises, what it means to align intelligent systems (both artificial and biological), and how compassion might be the ultimate protocol for thriving.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Norman Farb to discuss his new book, Better in Every Sense, co-authored with Dr. Zindel Segal, which explores how we become emotionally stuck and how to break free. Drawing from cutting-edge neuroscience, Dr. Farb introduces Sense Foraging, a practice that helps us escape the rigid mental habits that dull our experience of life. Instead of forcing change through willpower, the book reveals how engaging deeply with sensation can enhance resilience, creativity, and well-being. Join us as we unpack the science behind breaking free from stagnation and rediscovering a vibrant connection with the world.

In this episode, we're joined by Mridula Sathyanarayanan, a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, majoring in neuroscience, philosophy, and Buddhist Psychology & Mental Health (BPMH). A Laidlaw Scholar, Mridula has been exploring the intersection of contemplative science and public engagement through her innovative project, *The Museum of Meditative Practices*. Her work invites us to rethink how meditation is experienced, studied, and shared, creating an interactive and educational space where diverse meditative traditions come to life. We discuss the inspiration behind her project, the challenges of translating contemplative experiences into public exhibits, and what this means for the future of contemplative science. Tune in for a conversation on the creative ways meditation can be made accessible and immersive—and why this matters for both science and practice.

In this episode, we sit down with Valeria Becattini, a cognitive scientist and philosopher, to explore the paradoxical effects of body-scan meditation on our sense of self. Drawing from her research, Valeria explains how this Theravada Buddhist practice challenges our typical understanding of attention and sensory awareness. Using the predictive processing framework, she reveals how focused attention can lead to the dissolution of bodily boundaries, a phenomenon known as bhaṅga. Together, we delve into the implications of her findings for well-being and discuss how this meditative technique could inform therapeutic approaches for addiction, emotional dysregulation, and self-regulation. Join us for a thought-provoking journey into the intersection of philosophy, neuroscience, and contemplative practices.

How does the brain cultivate optimism, and can psychedelics help people trapped in cycles of depression? In this episode, we're joined by Beth Fisher, PhD student at M3CS and co-host of Minds Matter. We explore her groundbreaking research using computational models to study how psilocybin influences belief updating and decision-making. Her recent study reveals how psilocybin increases optimistic engagement in rats by reducing loss aversion and modifying memory dynamics. Together, we discuss what this means for treating depression, understanding optimism bias, and unlocking new therapeutic possibilities through psychedelics and cognitive modeling.

In this episode, we sit down with Elli Weisbaum, an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto in the Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health program. Elli shares insights from her extensive experience facilitating mindfulness workshops and retreats across education, healthcare, and business sectors. We discuss her work on applying mindfulness to enhance physician well-being. Elli's unique background, combining academic research with traditional mindfulness training under Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, offers a fresh perspective on mindfulness in contemporary settings.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. James Cooke, neuroscientist and author of *The Dawn of Mind: How Matter Became Conscious and Alive*. With over a decade of experience studying the brain's role in consciousness, Dr. Cooke shares groundbreaking insights into the nature of the mind, the illusion of the self, and the fundamental relationship between mind and matter. We explore whether consciousness is universal, the philosophical implications of non-separation, and other mysteries of consciousness occurring at the cutting-edge of science.

In this episode, we sit down with Stephan Tap, a clinical researcher specializing in the therapeutic use of psychedelics. Stephan shares insights from his work exploring the potential of psilocybin to alleviate psychological distress in palliative care patients. We dive into the neurobiological and neuropsychological mechanisms behind psilocybin's effects, discuss the unique challenges of end-of-life care, and explore the future of psychedelic therapies in clinical settings. Join us for a fascinating conversation on the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and psychedelics.

In this episode , we are joined by John Dunne, a leading thinker at the intersection of Buddhist philosophy and contemporary science. We explore topics ranging from the nuances of "Buddhist science" and its critiques to the challenges of integrating mindfulness into scientific research, and the new relationship emerging between psychedelics and contemplative practice. We examine the role of phenomenology in contemplative science, the complexities of gathering first-person data, and the media's portrayal of mindfulness, including the potential harms that are often sensationalized. This insightful conversation is essential listening for anyone interested in the evolving relationship between contemplation, mindfulness, and rigorous scientific inquiry.

In this episode of the Contemplative Science Podcast, host Mark Miller welcomes Brother Phap Linh, a Buddhist monk from Plum Village, to discuss the intersection of science, spirituality, and Buddhism. Brother Phap Linh shares his insights on the limitations of scientific materialism, emphasizing that science often overlooks the fundamental mystery of consciousness. He explores how the belief in a universe made of matter can diminish our sense of meaning and interconnectedness, leading to a worldview that is cold and detached.

In this episode, we sit down with cognitive scientist Daniel Meling to explore the fascinating intersection of psychedelics and meditation. Daniel shares insights from his research on DMT and non-dual states, discussing the potential of psychedelics for treating depression and the synergies between these substances and meditative practices. We also examine the current hype around psychedelics, the importance of understanding their risks and benefits, and whether they are truly necessary for achieving profound states of awareness.

In this episode, we welcome Sam Berrin Shonkoff, Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. Sam's expertise in Jewish religious thought provides a unique lens through which we explore contemporary spiritual practices. Our discussion ventures into the use of psychedelics within Judaism, examining their potential to enhance spiritual experiences and religious practices. We also explore the Zen concept of Child Mind or Beginner Mind, uncovering its parallels and applications within Jewish traditions. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that bridges ancient wisdom and modern spirituality.

In this episode, we welcome philosopher André van der Braak to explore the deeper spiritual and philosophical dimensions of ayahuasca, particularly the concept of ayahuasca as "liquid divinity." Drawing on the work of French philosopher Bruno Latour, André shifts the focus from individual ayahuasca experiences to communal rituals that foster relationships with more-than-human powers. The discussion expores how ayahuasca practices transcend personal healing and visions, promoting communal transformative practices that build solidarity with all sentient beings. André's insights provide a fresh perspective on how ayahuasca can inspire deeper connections with the divine and the world around us. Tune in for a profound journey into the sacred world of ayahuasca with André van der Braak.

In this episode, host Mark Miller and guests John Vervaeke and Shawn Coyne, delve into the transformative project "Mentoring the Machines." This innovative work bridges the gap between scientific inquiry and narrative storytelling to grapple with the existential challenges posed by artificial general intelligence (AGI). John Vervaeke, renowned for his insights into the meaning crisis in contemporary society, and Shawn Coyne, a seasoned narrative philosopher and editor, collaborate to articulate the complexities of AI's impact on human existence. They discuss their approach to transforming Vervaeke's seminal online video essays into a narrative format accessible to all audiences, transcending the boundaries of academia and professional domains. The conversation highlights the urgency of understanding AI's rapid evolution and its potential to reshape our world fundamentally. From deep fake videos to ethical dilemmas in AI governance, the discussion navigates through the ethical, philosophical, and practical dimensions of this transformative technology.  This episode sets the stage for a series that promises profound insights into how we can navigate and thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world, exploring not only the scientific and technical aspects but also the profound existential questions that arise from the convergence of technology and humanity. Join us as we contemplate the future and confront the deep impact of an artificially intelligent tomorrow. 

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Can ultrasound enhance meditation? Today's guest brings his fascinating line of research to reveal the concept, potential, ethics and mitigations for using ultrasound to stimulate the brain during meditation - we welcome Jay Sanguinetti, from the University of Arizona. Developed with the close collaboration of Shinzen Young, Jay's research dives into the phenomenological reports and brain imaging of everybody from complete beginners to master meditators like Young himself. Alongside a dissection of the logistics and results of his experiments, Jay shares his philosophy for implementing it safely - avoiding on-demand peak state generation and rather empowering patients to change in directions that are healthy for them. Strap in - this is a good one!

We need to start prepping our minds for death. Welcome to a train-your-brain special, diving into new research plans from our very own Dr Mark Miller. Mark outlines exactly why uncertainty and danger are incredibly beneficial for the predictive mind - training us to be better-equipped when we encounter sickness, injury and death itself. Because if you want to be really good at reducing uncertainty over a long time - surrounding yourself with short-term uncertainty is exactly the way to do it! Sharing anecdotes on horror movies, pandemics, public speaking and the common cold, Mark unveils the contemplative paths to embracing uncertainty and shares the preface for exciting, pioneering research on our inner complexities.

What happens when people start speaking in tongues? Joining Jamie for a dive into his research is Josh Brahinsky, researcher at UC Berkeley Social Interaction Laboratory. Josh is fascinated with the phenomenology and neuroscience of what goes on when people speak in tongues - revealing anecdotes from interviews that focus particularly on evangelicals. Detailing a short history of pentecostalism and comparing similarities of such experiences to psychedelic experiences, our discussion touches on God, awe, de-centring, imagination and the work of colleague and previous guest Dr Michael Lifshitz.

What are the principles of neurotheology? Who better to answer than Andrew Newberg, acclaimed neuroscientist, professor and author. In his books, Andrew has laid out pioneering research on the relationship of the brain and spirituality - revealing the inner complexities of how the brain operates when we are spiritual. Whether that's using brain imaging to study Franciscan nuns and Buddhist monks in prayer, or observing brain ‘resonance' when two individuals apply his co-penned Compassionate Communication framework - he is fascinated with the role of spirituality in our lives. Join us for an illuminating discussion - one that encourages an open mind for whatever the ‘truth' may be!

How do we deal with grief? And how can we better prepare ourselves? Enter Dr Rachel Taylor, neuropsychologist and founder of UnBroken. An expert on the cognitive mechanics of grief and loss, Rachel shares her thoughts on how we interface with these difficult experiences - and what we can all do to develop our perception of death. Touching on mirror neurons and the effects of our environment, the relationship of alcohol with the brain, and the potential upside of planning for death - our candid discussion reveals itself as a lesson for better educating our brains. 

Welcome to a deep dive into ‘self', karma and moral psychology. Our guide: Kevin Berryman, Buddhist monk and doctoral student at Monash University. Kevin outlines some topics explored in his research - that aims to get to the bottom of what makes us who we are and how time on the mat influences the way we interact with the world. Citing Ram Dass, Malcom Gladwell and Robert Sapolsky, our discussion reveals a message of encouragement - to balance internal exploration with a positive, meaningful contribution to the world.

Meditation is not a passive state. Here to explain why is neuroscientist Giuseppe Pagnoni, Associate Professor at University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Diving into the complex inner mechanics of our minds, he shares knowledge on the brain as a predictive machine - citing the free energy principle, active inference and Bayesian mechanics to shine a light on the specific process of meditation. He shares his thoughts on mind-wandering, ‘being in the present' and addiction states, to show why ‘inaction' on the mat is very far from an inactive process.

Trauma needs a rethink. Here to tell us why is Liam Farquhar, a London-based legal psychedelics guide and somatic experiencing expert. He shares insights on how the current psychedelic protocols only address trauma at a narrative level, and fail to treat the root of the issue. As such, his practice takes on a whole-body approach - creating a path to healing that uses discussion, breathwork and movement to ingrain a deep understanding of psychedelic processes in his clients. Covering MDMA, Ram Dass, accessing ‘self', men's therapy and more - today's episode is a guide to the possibilities of psychedelic-based treatment.

We can reconceptualise pain. Taking us through a fascinating walkthrough of the mechanics of pain is Alex Jinich, PhD student at UC San Diego. Alex's mission is to contribute to our understanding of how meditation and other novel therapeutic techniques help reduce pain and improve wellbeing. Sharing research results, theories and lessons in foundational cognition, we dive into meditation's links to spheres of suffering, neuroplasticity, chronic pain, placebo and more. ‘Pain is incredibly more complicated than it first appears.'

A really special episode today. Dr Mark Miller guides us through a 20 minute practice extremely close to his heart. Developed by Lama John Makransky, the co-founder of Sustainable Compassion, this practice aims to open the heart and relax the body. Take this as an opportunity to stop and take a breath. John's links: Lama John Makransky - https://www.buddhistinquiry.org/teacher/john-makransky/ Sustainable Compassion - https://sustainablecompassion.org Awakening From Love - https://wisdomexperience.org/product/awakening-through-love/ His free course - https://www.buddhistinquiry.org/online-programs/compassion-and-awareness/

A re-release! Our conversation with Dr Evan Thompson has been attracting significant attention as we've crossed over into 2023, and we wanted to re-re-release it for new listeners. Enjoy one of our all-time favourite conversations. -- In 2023, 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 Western and Buddhist philosophy to explain how the goals of science and religion are fundamentally different. Covering enlightenment, the ethics of knowledge and non-conceptual experiences, Dr Thompson reframes Buddhism and its role in our spiritual and scientific lives.

Confidence is critical in emotional regulation. Here to uncover the world of cognitive biases, emotional reactions and wellbeing is Dr Norman Farb from the University of Toronto. He shares compelling theories and research on how we can develop our ability to change - encouraging engagement in sense-foraging practices that increase entropy in the brain. Covering habitual patterns of self-reference, acceptance, wisdom and contemplative training… today's episode is the guide to improving your emotional regulation capacities.

“Start from where you are.” This is underlined as one of the foundational lessons for starting meditation in a psychotherapy context, by today's guest Ian Singer. Psychotherapist and vastly experienced meditator, Ian has dedicated his career to working with thousands of clients and students across the world. In our conversation, he shares his philosophies on creating a compassionate space for therapy, some differences in therapeutic approaches and the ways in which his career has evolved his own spiritual practice. Join us to dig down into an increasingly important topic, on the journey to build bridges between our practice and everyday life.

How do you live an authentic and meaningful life? According to today's guest Dr Anna Yusim: by connecting to your soul, regardless of your spiritual or religious beliefs. Anna is an author, psychiatrist and spiritual teacher whose research focuses on the intersection of science and spirituality. As founder of Yale's Spirituality & Mental Health Centre, she talks passionately about the deeper issues of the human experience. Covering the interconnectedness of emotion, reason and intuition, misalignment of the soul and misconceptions about the relationship between science, psychiatry and spirituality - our discussion uncovers the practical edge for living a full and happy life.

Humans are incredibly complex. Spiritual practice is incredibly powerful. But do contemplative frameworks show how to be a human in full? Welcome to our inaugural review of the year. Hosts Jamie and Mark reflect on some key lessons learned from picking the brains of nearly 40 academics, scientists and spiritual teachers over the course of 2022. Join us as they share anecdotes from their own contemplative paths, emphasise the virtue of patient practice and offer a sneak peek into what you can expect to learn from guests going into 2023. Stay tuned!

The Dark Night of the Soul is a unique, scary and transformative experience On a quest to track the history and improve the resources on the Dark Night is Nathan Fisher, PhD student at University of California Santa Barbara. Nathan is an expert on the texts and phenomenology of these states in Abrahamic traditions and Buddhism, diving into the intricacies of how mystic traditions meet with modern day clinical practice. Today, he outlines how these experiences occur, the potential for empirical research and the crossover of the different religious discussions - getting to grips with the complexity of the matter!

Meditation is about getting to grips with the way we construct the world. Today we are delighted to welcome Dr Shamil Chandaria from the Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing at University of Oxford. An expert in his field, Shamil leads us on an investigative journey into predictive processing and its implications for perception and spiritual practice. Touching on Bayesian models, priors, dereification, Buddhist philosophies, Amor Fati and homeostatic control - our conversation today is packed with delicate and refined observations on the different ways we construct reality.

What links spirituality and psychic ability with diet? Here to explore the topic of his pioneering PhD is Michael Daw of Northampton University. Michael outlines a long history of the connectedness of dietary practice (veganism, vegetarianism and fasting) with spiritual tradition, from Shamanism to the Abrahamic religions. Talking us through different types of psychic ability and the prevalence of scientific research, our conversation uncovers details about Extra Sensory Perception and spirituality - referencing quantum physics, his own empirical research and more along the way.

Let's talk about Jhāna, some of the peak experiences on the spiritual journey. Here to lead us on a journey into these peak experiences is cognitive neuroscientist and wellbeing aficionado Jonas Mago. Jonas is currently pursuing doctoral studies at McGill University, diving into the various cognitive mechanisms that underlie human flourishing. He reflects on findings and anecdotes from his pioneering research: exploring Jhāna as a refined ability to ‘slip into a pocket' of deep concentration, with huge potential for positive habit-building and self improvement!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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'.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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'!

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.

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.