Podcast appearances and mentions of richie davidson

For episode 263 of the Metta Hour, we are continuing our Anxiety Series with a re-release of a conversation with Dr. Richie J. Davidson, PhD, that originally aired in 2023.In this series, Sharon is speaking with Mental Health experts, providers, and different researchers for tools to work with anxiety in increasingly challenging times. This is the fourth episode in the series. Richie Davidson is the William James and Vilas Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Founder and Director of the Center for Healthy Minds. He is best known for his groundbreaking work studying emotion and the brain. A friend and confidante of the Dalai Lama, he is a highly sought-after expert and speaker, leading conversations on well-being on international stages such as the World Economic Forum, where he serves on the Global Council on Mental Health.Join Richie's upcoming course The Science of Flourishing: Well-Being Skills for Daily Life. Save 20% off the course using the coupon code METTA20.In this episode, Sharon and Richie discuss:• How Richie came to this path• Meeting Daniel Goleman and Ram Dass• How Danny Goleman brought Sharon to her first retreat• The term “Mental Health”• Innate Goodness• Believing in Growth Mindset• A vision of possibility for ourselves• The role of systemic oppression in mental well-being• Intergenerational Resilience• Richie's four pillars of well-being• Personal mental hygiene• “The road to Lhasa goes up and down” - Mingyur Rinpoche• The value of community and teachers in mental health • Richie driving Mingyur Rinpoche• Contemplative Neuroscience• The Science of Flourishing Course• Richie's new book project• The conversation closes with a guided meditation led by Richie.To learn more about Riche's work or his different books, you can visit his website and check out the Center for Healthy Minds.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What it is, how beginners can get a taste, the dangers of striving, and whether tech can make it easier. Dr. Matthew D. Sacchet, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Meditation Research Program at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital (Mass General). Since 2012, he has authored more than 120 publications, presented more than 150 times at international, national, regional and local conferences and speaker series, and been cited more than 8,000 times. In this episode we talk about:What Matthew's learning about advanced states of meditation, and what they do to the brainWhat relevance advanced meditation might have for the rest of usHow we might get a taste of these states ourselvesWhether technology might ultimately help some of us advance more quicklyThe psychological risks of practicing deep end meditationRelated Episodes:Dr. Richie Davidson, Daniel Goleman – Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain and BodyNirvana | Joseph GoldsteinA Meditator in the Arena | Sam HarrisWilloughby Britton, Jared Lindahl -- Does Meditation Have a Dark Side Sign up for Dan's newsletter hereFollow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTokTen Percent Happier online bookstoreSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelOur favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular Episodes Full Shownotes: https://meditatehappier.com/podcast/tph/matthew-sacchet Additional Resources:Meditation Research Program at HarvardMatthew Sacchet on X (Twitter)Matthew Sacchet's LinkedIn See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

November is Gratitude Month at the Optimism Institute and this episode wraps up our celebration while kicking off Thanksgiving weekend.  Blue Sky host and founder of The Optimism Institute Bill Burke shares his thoughts on the tight link between gratitude and optimism and has selected excerpts from past episodes to drive this point home.  Blue Sky alums explain the health benefits of gratitude, the many reasons to be grateful to be alive today, and why, despite our many challenges, the United States and its founding ideals are worth believing in and being thankful for.      Chapters:  00:00 Welcome to Blue Sky Podcast Host Bill Burke introduces the Blue Sky Podcast, setting the stage for a special episode focused on gratitude. He emphasizes the importance of optimism and appreciation, especially during the Thanksgiving season.  01:20 The Meaning of Grace Bill explores the origins of the word ‘grace' and its connection to gratitude, linking it to the Latin word ‘gratia.'   02:14 Cicero on Gratitude Quoting Cicero, Bill discusses the significance of gratitude as a foundational virtue that fosters optimism.  03:20 The Benefits of Gratitude Bill highlights the health benefits of optimism and gratitude, referencing Dr. Richie Davidson's insights on neuroplasticity. He introduces a practice of appreciation before meals to deepen our sense of gratitude.  06:03 Embracing “Pronoia” Bill shares Kevin Kelly's concept of “pronoia,” the belief that the universe is conspiring to help us succeed.   08:20 Life is Good: Gratitude in Adversity Bert Jacobs from Life is Good reflects on how letters from customers facing hardships revealed a common thread of gratitude.   11:00 Gratitude for America Bill pivots to discuss gratitude for the United States, featuring Anh Vu Sawyer's thoughts on the freedom and resources America provides, enabling her to help others.  15:19 Loving America: A Personal Perspective Ted Johnson shares his deep love for America, emphasizing its promise of democracy and equality.   17:10 Countering Negativity in Media Bill discusses the challenge of negativity in the news and introduces guests like Angus Hervey and David Bornstein, who promote good news and solutions journalism.   18:24 The Power of Gratitude Chris Anderson emphasizes the importance of daily gratitude practices and how they can transform our outlook on life. He encourages listeners to appreciate the simple joys and connections we often take for granted.  20:30 Gratitude as Contagious David Gardner discusses the contagious nature of gratitude and optimism, highlighting how expressing appreciation can uplift others.   22:30 Appreciation in the Workplace David Novak shares his philosophy on the importance of appreciation in leadership and workplace culture.   25:38 Healthcare Innovations and Gratitude Bill reflects on the advancements in healthcare and the gratitude felt by patients and practitioners alike. He shares stories of resilience from guests who have faced significant health challenges.  28:00 Finding Gratitude in Hardship Christina Menkemeller shares her journey of finding gratitude amidst illness, emphasizing the importance of recognizing ‘Godwinks.' Her practice of daily gratitude helps her combat negativity.  30:16 The Impact of Mentorship Bill highlights being grateful for mentors, with stories from Melissa Connolly and Jonathan Conyers. They express gratitude for the guidance they received, which now fuels their own efforts to help others.  33:01 The Pan Mass Challenge: A Legacy of Gratitude Billy Starr discusses the Pan Mass Challenge and the gratitude expressed by participants. He contrasts the supportive atmosphere of the event with other athletic competitions, highlighting the power of thankfulness. 

Today's +1 features wisdom from Sam Walker, Richard Davidson and Matthieu Ricard.   Heroic: https://heroic.us ← "Heroic is the best self-development platform in the world." — John Mackey, co-founder & former CEO of Whole Foods Market   Want access to more wisdom in time? Get access to over 1,500 +1's (just like this!) and 650+ Philosopher's Notes (distilling life-changing big ideas from the best self-development books ever written) and a LOT more with our Heroic Premium membership. Learn more and get 30 days free at https://heroic.us

Find posture, check in with your body, and take several deep, calming breaths.Be intentional about your motivation and find a place in us to understand that practices to cultivate our own wellbeing can also help others.This is a radical act of generosityBring into your mind a situation that has been challenging in some way in the recent past - whether work, family, etc.. not too difficult, but something challenging.  Identify what it is.Reflect on your own beliefs and expectations about that situation. What beliefs and expectations are we bringing to that situation?Envision how things might be different if we came to the situation with a different set of beliefs and expectations.Would it be different with the different beliefs and expectations?End practice by dedicating whatever insight we may have gleaned to the benefit of others. Listen to the Full Episode - S1: E3 Cultivating a Healthy Mind: The Neuroscience of Awareness, Connection, Insight, & Purpose with Dr. Richie Davidson.  Here Dr. Davidson guides you in a practice to gain insight into your life.    About the Thrive CenterLearn more at thethrivecenter.org.Follow us on Instagram @thrivecenterFollow us on X @thrivecenterFollow us on LinkedIn @thethrivecenter About Dr. Pam KingDr. Pam King is Executive Director the Thrive Center and is Peter L. Benson Professor of Applied Developmental Science at Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy. Follow her @drpamking. About With & ForHost: Pam KingSenior Director and Producer: Jill WestbrookOperations Manager: Lauren KimSocial Media Graphic Designer: Wren JuergensenConsulting Producer: Evan RosaSpecial thanks to the team at Fuller Studio and the Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy.

Note for this encore presentation: At the time that we celebrated our one year/50th episode in March of 2024, this episode was our most listened to.  We bring it back now as part of The Optimism Institute's recognition of National Mental Health Month and hope Blue Sky fans will enjoy and benefit from this wise, kind, and experienced professor.    Like most neuroscientists, until a little more than thirty years ago, Dr. Richard “Richie'' researched and studied things that go wrong with the brain.  But then, in 1992 he visited the Dalai Lama, who challenged him instead to work on understanding what happens to our brains when we practice kindness and compassion.  This conversation changed the trajectory of Richie's life and career and he will share much of what he's worked on and learned in the thirty-plus years since.  Among the topics covered in this conversation are the toxicity of distraction, neuroplasticity and our ability to reshape our brains, the value of gratitude and appreciation, and how simply being more aware of our surroundings can change our mindsets for the better.    Chapters:  01:01 Dr. Richard (“Richie”) Davidson: A Pioneer in Neuroscience An overview of Doctor Richard Davidson's background and contributions to the field of neuroscience.  02:11 Establishing the Center For Healthy Minds Doctor Davidson discusses the establishment and mission of the Center For Healthy Minds  04:00 Influence of the Dalai Lama The pivotal moment when the Dalai Lama inspired Richie Davidson to focus on compassion in neuroscience.  08:00 Neuroplasticity: Shaping the Brain Exploration of neuroplasticity and how intentional mental exercises can reshape the brain.  11:25 Appreciation and Gratitude Discussion of appreciation and gratitude in daily life, highlighting the impact of small acts of kindness on well-being.  15:30 Mental Exercises for Well-Being Dr. Davidson shares simple mental exercises that can be integrated into daily routines to promote well-being and mindfulness.  19:04 Impact of Distraction on Well-Being Insights into how distraction affects mental well-being, emphasizing the importance of being present and attentive in daily activities.  21:10 Noticing the Positives Explore the importance of training ourselves to focus on the positives around us.  21:52 Challenges to Mental Well-Being Delve into the four challenges to mental flourishing outlined by Richie Davidson: distractibility, loneliness, negative self-talk and depression, and loss of meaning and purpose.   23:53 Loneliness and Technology Explore the significant impact of loneliness on mental well-being, likened to the health risks of smoking.   26:15 Technology and Human Connection Reflect on the isolation that technology can bring despite its intended purpose of connecting people.   35:01 Well-Being and Social Change Understand the interconnectedness of personal well-being and effective social change.   38:19 Mindfulness and Awareness Differentiate between mindfulness and awareness in promoting well-being.   46:33 Practical Steps for Well-Being Discover practical steps, like the 30-day appreciation challenge, to enhance well-being and cultivate positive habits.   50:57 Optimism and Flourishing Reflect on the evolution of personal growth and well-being, highlighting the importance of patience and gradual change.  

We reflect on our motivation for doing the practice.We attempt to frame the practice from the idea that practicing is altruistic - helping ourselves and others.Bring into your mind and heart someone you know and love.Consider their difficulties.  As we breathe in, we practice removing their difficulties, and as we breathe out, we extend our love and our wishes for that person to be happy and free of suffering.Dedicate the practice - any insight or benefit to the wellbeing and welfare of others.Reflect on how a simple practice like this in our lives can be cultivated for the benefit of others. Listen to the full episode. S1: E3 Cultivating a Healthy Mind: The Neuroscience of Awareness, Connection, Insight, & Purpose with Dr. Richie Davidson. Here Dr. Davidson guides you through an awareness practice.    About the Thrive CenterLearn more at thethrivecenter.org.Follow us on Instagram @thrivecenterFollow us on X @thrivecenterFollow us on LinkedIn @thethrivecenter About Dr. Pam KingDr. Pam King is Executive Director the Thrive Center and is Peter L. Benson Professor of Applied Developmental Science at Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy. Follow her @drpamking. About With & ForHost: Pam KingSenior Director and Producer: Jill WestbrookOperations Manager: Lauren KimSocial Media Graphic Designer: Wren JuergensenConsulting Producer: Evan RosaSpecial thanks to the team at Fuller Studio and the Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy.

“Humans are born to be kind. They're born to love. It is part of our nature. … we're actually nurturing a capacity that is part of the nature of who we are as human beings to begin with.” — Dr. Richie DavidsonDr. Richie Davidson's research has revolutionized the way we understand the brain and how plastic and malleable or changeable the brain is. Just like we train our physical bodies and go to the gym, he and his team at the Center for Healthy Minds have shown that we need to train our brains and work them out as well. As a result, he is changing the way we understand well being—to think of it as a skill—something we do and practice as active agents of our own well being.His research can give us a whole new appreciation of Christian contemplative practices or disciplines. Although we can't control all that happens around us or to us, we do have some control on how we respond, merging helpful insight with concrete practices that make a difference for our minds, so that we can become more regulated, peaceful, receptive, open, and even more trusting. Not just so that our personal well being increases, but so that we become more engaged in thriving humans that contribute to a flourishing world.In this bountiful conversation with Richie Davidson, we discuss:Two kinds of learning—declarative and procedural—that need to be integrated in order to cultivate mental and spiritual healthThe four pillars of a healthy mind: awareness, connection, insight, and purposeHow to cultivate a mindset for healthy relational connectionHow to understand the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves and how this impacts our well-being and spiritual healthThe over-emphasis (even approaching hype) on mindfulness that seems to be present in our cultureWhat a healthy approach to meditation might be in our spiritual livesThe science and spirituality of love and compassionAbout Richie DavidsonDr. Richie Davidson is a pioneer in contemplative neuroscience, and does cutting edge research on the neuro-correlates of emotion and meditation. He's also the founder of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin Madison, where he's the William James Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry.Show NotesCheck out the Healthy Minds App (free!)Learn more about the Center for Healthy MindsScience intersecting with spiritual experience“I've always considered spiritual experience to be part of the human repertoire. I think that humans are born to touch into those qualities that we come to label spiritual because it is within our capacity to have experiences that in many ways we can say go beyond ourselves, connect us to something larger.”Richie's experience with the Dalai LamaThe neuroscience of kindness and compassionThe development of the Center for Healthy Minds: “to cultivate wellbeing and relieve suffering through a scientific understanding of the mind.”Learning to approach thriving and well being as a skillTwo kinds of learning: declarative and proceduralBrain plasticity and well beingWell being requires practice!Declarative learning, e.g., learning the value of kindness or honesty. This won't make you kinder or more honest, though.Procedural learning— a skills-based roadmap, complementary to declarative learning.Mental hygieneThe four pillars of wellbeing: awareness, connection, insight, and purposeInsight: changing the narrative and changing the relationship to the narrativeSelf-esteemFinding your true north in lifeNurturing our capacity for compassion and kindness“Humans are born to be kind. They're born to love. It is part of our nature. … we're actually nurturing a capacity that is part of the nature of who we are as human beings to begin with.”The power of appreciationCultivating a sentiment that others would be relieved of their sufferingLovingkindness meditation that moves from a person who's easy to love to others, including those who might be very hard to love“An elixer for the soul” … to “regain our humanity”MEDITATIVE PRACTICE for connection: Richie Davidson leads listeners through a meditative exercise to send love and wish for that person's healing and relief of suffering.Comparing to Christian intercessory prayerExploring the pillars of awareness and insightThe default network or default modeResearch on depression and cognitive behavioral therapy“What does that mean: ‘I am sad.'”“The narrative we carry around acts as a filter.”Developing a healthy relationship with the narrative we have about ourselves“A lot of people I think don't even recognize that they have a narrative. … And that the narrative is actually powerfully guiding their behavior and experience in the world.”Mary Helen Immordino Yang on meaning making and the default network.The default network is almost always about ourselves.The connectivity in our brains can change.MEDITATIVE PRACTICE for awareness and insight: Richie Davidson leads through an exercise to imagine a different approach to a challenging personal situation. “Can you imagine a different set of beliefs or expectations?“Let's see if we can envision how things might be different.”Understanding purposeCultivating rituals that connect us to purposeWhat are the pitfalls that lurk near the practice of mindfulness or meditative practices for cultivating the skill of well being.Blaming the victim.“The best form of meditation is the form of meditation that you actually do.”A gap in the scientific study of love and compassion.Vivek Murthy: “an epic struggle between the forces of love and the forces of fear.”What is thriving to you?“From my perspective, I would say thriving is nurturing all of the innate capacities that we've been given. And here, the four pillars of wellbeing in our framework are critical, awareness, connection, insight, and purpose. And I think when we are expressing these qualities to their maximum, we are thriving by definition. And I would say perhaps the most important manifestation of that is our capacity to both receive and to express love.”Pam's takeaways“We have a robust and glorious agency to cultivate our personal well being.”“Transformation comes from the integration of declarative and procedural learning.”“We have the power to shift our relational experiences to more loving places that align with our deepest values.”“Discerning and articulating your purpose will keep you grounded and directed in your journey towards spiritual health.”“Perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18) About the Thrive CenterLearn more at thethrivecenter.org.Follow us on Instagram @thrivecenterFollow us on X @thrivecenterFollow us on LinkedIn @thethrivecenterAbout Dr. Pam KingDr. Pam King is Executive Director the Thrive Center and is Peter L. Benson Professor of Applied Developmental Science at Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy. Follow her @drpamking.About With & ForHost: Pam KingSenior Director and Producer: Jill WestbrookOperations Manager: Lauren KimSocial Media Graphic Designer: Wren JuergensenConsulting Producer: Evan RosaSpecial thanks to the team at Fuller Studio and the Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy.

In this episode, Wendy speaks with neuroscientist Robin Nusslock. Robin has long been interested in the mind through both scientific and Buddhist lenses, and he trained with Richie Davidson. His work focuses on the brain's role in our emotional life, how stress impacts many of our bodily systems, as well as social determinants of health. This conversation covers many topics, including: his long interest in mind & Buddhism; basic pathways of how stress gets into the body; how the brain learns threat and safety; effects of early life trauma on brain and behavior; our brain's reward systems and relevance to Buddhist ideas; craving and addiction; pathways toward change, neuroplasticity and pause; social and environmental determinants of health; epigenetics and intergenerational trauma; biology is not destiny; how we can intervene and promote flourishing; family-level interventions; reducing exposure to adversity; economic interventions (e.g., universal basic income); teaching science and research to Tibetan monastics; studying lucid dreaming with monks; and fruits of the exchange between Buddhism and science. Full show notes and resources

For episode 228 of the Metta Hour, we are continuing our Mental Health Series. In this series, Sharon sits down with different teachers, experts, and health advocates to explore and destigmatize mental health by applying the tools of Buddhist wisdom and spiritual practice.For this sixth episode of the series, Sharon speaks with Dr. Richie J. Davidson, PhD. Richie is the William James and Vilas Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Founder and Director of the Center for Healthy Minds. He is best known for his groundbreaking work studying emotion and the brain. A friend and confidante of the Dalai Lama, he is a highly sought after expert and speaker, leading conversations on well-being on international stages such as the World Economic Forum, where he serves on the Global Council on Mental Health.In this episode, Sharon and Richie discuss:How Richie came to this pathMeeting Daniel Goleman and Ram DassHow Danny Goleman brought Sharon to her first retreatThe term “Mental Health”Innate GoodnessBelieving in Growth MindsetA vision of possibility for ourselvesThe role of systemic oppression in mental well-beingIntergenerational ResilienceRichie's four pillars of well-beingPersonal mental hygiene“The road to Lhasa goes up and down” – Mingyur RinpocheThe value of community and teachers in mental health Richie driving Mingyur RinpocheContemplative NeuroscienceThe Science of Flourishing CourseRichie's new book projectThe conversation closes with a guided meditation led by Richie. To learn more about Riche's work or his different books, you can visit his website and check out the Center for Healthy Minds.Join Richie's upcoming course The Science of Flourishing: Well-Being Skills for Daily Life. Save 20% off the course using coupon code METTA20.Mental Health ResourcesNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline call 988 or (800) 273-8255Psychology Today Find a Mindfulness-Trained TherapistActive Peace Yoga with Reggie HubbardThe Psychology Podcast with Scott Barry KaufmanMark Epstein Psychiatrist & Author with a Buddhist LensNalanda Institute Contemplative Psychotherapy ProgramExpress Yourself Black Man Healing Community for Black MenBlack Boys Om Black Boys & Men Healing & Wellness EducationCloud Sangha Community For Meditation & WellnessThe Trevor Project Support for LGBTQ Mental HealthTherapy for Black Girls Mental Wellness for Black Women and GirlsThe Friendship Bench Creating Safe Spaces & CommunityHope for Bereaved Grief Support GroupsOption B Grief, Trauma and Loss SupportSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this talk, Michael shares a video of Richie Davidson presenting his research on addiction, adolescence and delaying gratification to the Dalai Lama. These talks are part of a series on the psychology of yoga and Buddhism and were recorded in front of a small group in Toronto in 2015. Michael used a large whiteboard to draw diagrams and define terms. The lectures are based on Chapters 8, 9, and 19 in his book The Inner Tradition of Yoga. The Awake in the World podcast is brought to you by the generosity of our amazing Patreon supporters, making it possible for us to keep Michael's archive of teachings available to the public. To become a patron, visit: patreon.com/michaelstone.

With & For is launching in January 2024! Subscribe now in your favorite podcast app. In this preview clip, With & For guest Dr. Richie Davidson—a pioneer in contemplative neuroscience—shares how his research on the neuroscience of emotion and meditation has led him to identify four pillars of well-being and human flourishing.Show NotesDon't forget to subscribe to With & For, which is launching in January 2024.Pam King introduces Dr. Richie Davidson, the William James Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry and founder of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin Madison.Pillar 1: AwarenessPillar 2: ConnectionPillar 3: InsightPillar 4: PurposeAbout Richie DavidsonDr. Richie Davidson is a pioneer in contemplative neuroscience, and does cutting edge research on the neuro-correlates of emotion and meditation. He's also the founder of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin Madison, where he's the William James Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry.About Dr. Pam KingDr. Pam King is Executive Director the Thrive Center and is Peter L. Benson Professor of Applied Developmental Science at Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy. Follow her @drpamking.About With & ForHost: Pam KingSenior Director and Producer: Jill WestbrookOperations Manager: Lauren KimSocial Media Graphic Designer: Wren JuergensenConsulting Producer: Evan RosaSpecial thanks to the team at Fuller Studio and the Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy. About the Thrive CenterLearn more at thethrivecenter.org.Follow us on Instagram @thrivecenterFollow us on X @thrivecenterFollow us on LinkedIn @thethrivecenterAbout Dr. Pam KingDr. Pam King is Executive Director the Thrive Center and is Peter L. Benson Professor of Applied Developmental Science at Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy. Follow her @drpamking.About With & ForHost: Pam KingSenior Director and Producer: Jill WestbrookOperations Manager: Lauren KimSocial Media Graphic Designer: Wren JuergensenConsulting Producer: Evan RosaSpecial thanks to the team at Fuller Studio and the Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy.

Well-being can be an abstract term. We've all heard that things like eating well, exercising and meditating are good for us, but we might be unsure why, or if they even work.  For mindfulness and meditation researcher Dr. Richie Davidson, well-being is a measurable skill. And like any skill, it can be cultivated with practice. Well-being, he says, improves when we train in four specific areas: awareness, connection, insight and purpose. In this episode, Davidson introduces us to these pillars of well-being that, when nurtured, result in a life of greater comfort, health and happiness. To learn more about the science behind this transformation, listen to his previous episode, #051: The Modern Science of Mindfulness. Dr. Richard J. Davidson is a research professor of psychology and psychiatry and the Founder and Director of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His non-profit, Healthy Minds Innovations, uses the discoveries and insights gleaned from research to create tools to help people around the world build skills of well-being.  This talk is a brief excerpt from Dr. Richie Davidson's guest teacher presentation to those enrolled in the Mindfulness Exercises Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training Program. This unique, online, self-paced certification program balances pre-recorded webinars with live mentorship. Students in the program learn directly from Sean Fargo, his team, and some of the world's most respected mindfulness and meditation experts.  Train to share mindfulness with confidence, compassion and skill within a supportive online community. Learn more at mindfulnessexercises.com/certify or, schedule a 15-minute call with Sean to see if this program is right for you at https://calendly.com/sean-108/application Related Episodes: The Modern Science of Mindfulness, with Dr. Richie Davidson  Neuro-Learning and Amplifying Our Meditation Practice with Dr. Rick Hanson Mindful Self-Discipline, with Giovanni Dienstmann and Sean Fargo

In our first episode on His Holiness' Four Principal Commitments, we'll discuss his commitment to human values with Dr. Richie Davidson, a neuro-scientist known for his groundbreaking work in the study of emotion and the brain.

After a life-changing experience in India, Dr. Richie Davidson tried to convince his Harvard professors to let him study the science of meditation. No one took him seriously. Half a century later, Richie has measured the undeniable impact of meditation on our brains. And here's the good news for people who know the benefits of meditation but struggle to actually do it: you don't need to carve out separate time for a practice. Richie walks Maya through how to integrate meditation into daily activities. For more on Richie's work, check out his book “Altered Traits" and learn more at the Center for Healthy Minds and Healthy Minds Innovations. And if you enjoyed this episode, we recommend this one from the archives: “Maya's Slight Change in Perspective.” For a behind-the-scenes look at the show, follow @DrMayaShankar on Instagram. See omny.fm/listener for privacy information.

What if you could improve your health and wellbeing, not only for yourself but for generations to come, just by practicing mindfulness?  The modern science of mindfulness took a turn with the discovery of neuroplasticity - the simple fact that our brains can change. Now, we're learning more about the mind-body connection and how meditation influences not only our brain, but our physiology and the expression of our genes.  In this episode, Dr. Richie Davidson, a pioneer in mindfulness and meditation research, highlights the breakthroughs of modern science which have helped us to better understand both meditation and ourselves. This talk is a brief excerpt from Dr. Richie Davidson's guest teacher presentation to those enrolled in the Mindfulness Exercises Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training Program. This unique, online, self-paced certification program balances pre-recorded webinars with live mentorship. Students in the program learn directly from Sean Fargo, his team, and some of the world's most respected mindfulness and meditation experts. Train to share mindfulness with confidence, compassion and skill within a supportive online community. Learn more at mindfulnessexercises.com/certify or, schedule a 15-minute call with Sean to see if this program is right for you at https://calendly.com/sean-108/application

Can I first just tell you how much I appreciate you? Really, I do. Knowing you and the hundreds of other people following my content and engaging in mindfulness and compassion is nothing short of inspiring. Thank you! I guess it's no mistake that today's single-segment episode is all about connection. I've covered this in various ways in the past, but it's important to understand that connection to others isn't just some kind of feel-good concept. It's not woo-woo or hippie-dippie, either. I mean, maybe it's these things. But it's also an understanding of Human neurobiology gained through decades of hard-nosed neuroscience research. (I once heard Richie Davidson use that phrase and I repeat it every chance I get!) It turns out, connection to other humans is part of our biological drive as mammals. Connection to others is, in no uncertain terms, a biological imperative. (S. Porges, Handbook to the Polyvagal Theory) In today's episode, I talk about how this vital connection to others is only possible when we are regulated. That is, we can only connect to others when we are in the Social Engagement mode of our autonomic nervous system. One way to return to this self-regulation is through the practice of compassion and self-compassion. I hope you enjoy today's episode! There's a link below to join my free workshop on Compassion and Self Compassion. The Winter Workshop Series! This Saturday's topic is Compassion and Self Compassion. And I am so excited!!! Don't worry if you've missed some or all of the previous sessions. Each one of these stands on its own and you'll be right up to speed. No worries! Here's the link to register for this free event: artburnscoaching.ac-page.com/art-burns-coaching-winter-workshop-series Also, if you feel like you could use some more clarity about these topics or anything else I cover here; if you would like to explore the idea of getting coached in this work, please click this link to schedule your free session: https://calendly.com/artburns/45-min-coaching-session

Elaine Teo is an interculturalist who has integrated mindfulness into her coaching and training practice. Listen if you want to experience how she models a mindful moment deployed as part of a corporate training programme.0.00 Intro and Elaine's storyElaine's story and how she started with Mindfulness. About the over-concentration on the intellect. In addition to intellect: heart, body, spirit.How mindfulness equips Elaine to go into training/coaching.Books and resources (see links on the episode on the webste)Discovering mindfulness's effectiveness. Overcoming things which stand in the way of effective intercultural training.11.47 Business story and personal origins of intercultural thinkingFounding Living Potential International, LPI.Education at United World College, with Kurt Hahn.A visceral response arriving in Italy. Catching the intercultural bug. What is the intercultural bug?18.21 Different approaches to mindfulnessThe difference between mindfulness and meditation.Some recommendations for when to take a mindful moment in our everyday life.Compassion meditation, gratitude meditation. Radiating out loving kindness.Secular and religious contemplative practice.25.17 Resources for interculturalistsThay, Richie Davidson, Jon Kabat-Zinn and more29.13 Mindfulness and cultureWhat is the relationship between mindfulness and culture?Using mindfulness to deal with cross-cultural stress and other kinds of stress.“Let's have a mindful moment”. Introducing mindfulness in an explicit way in intercultural training.35.29 A mindful moment with ElaineSimulating an implicit mindfulness moment in a corporate setting.40.57 Introducing mindfulness in organisationsRecognising an opportunity to introduce mindfulnessDiscovering the appetite for mindfulness. Basing it on your usual diagnostics.The power of the pause. What mindful trainers do differently from other good trainers.Dealing with sceptics.43.15 Explicit mindfulnessNamed, explicit, mindfulness or meditation sessions in a corporate environmentAt least two scenarios for doing mindfulness sessions.49.19 Starting mindfulness with people and processesWhich intercultural process and which individual clients could be a good place to start?The ethics of mindfulness. It is powerful stuff. Handle with care!The short-lived nature of our thoughts and emotions. Refactory periods.1.01.35 Benefits and biasesThe professional benefits of mindfulness as an interculturalistRecognising and escaping biases. Releasing clients from the pressure to solve problems instantly.1.13.30 Elaine Teo's contribution to the Intercultural ToolboxBreath1.19.29 Contacts and eventsEmail contact and the Wine and Mind conceptUser-friendly contemplative practice. Controversial in certain circles.Culture CountComing up in conversation were: Singapore and Singapore Chinese, France, Italy, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vietnam, in order of mentions.https://interculturaltoolbox.

I know I've told this story many times, but I think it helps to know that there is a scientific basis for the work I talk about in my podcast and youtube channel. In the early nineties, the Dalai Lama invited several Tibetan monks to come to the States and undergo studies with modern scientific methods and equipment. At the time, His Holiness asked one of my favorite neuroscientists, Richie Davidson, to use these methods and equipment to study healthy and thriving brains, as opposed to the pathology this science is exclusively used to study. Richie agreed! And from that simple intention bloomed some of the most profound scientific studies of the human brain and body that has led the way for mindfulness to become part of the western culture. In today's episode, I talk about six of the most prominent of these studies and their findings. But in the end, I also talk about a down-side to all of this wonderful science. You see, with this scientific understanding, mindfulness caught the attention of corporations who have since hired people like me to come in and teach their staff this work. But there has been much criticism of this approach in that it has become a stripped-down, profit-driven form of this sacred practice. So strong has this criticism been, that someone wrote a book called McMindfulness a few years ago to illustrate the ‘dumbing-down' of mindfulness practices. The main criticism of McMindfulness is that it ignores the work of compassion. This resonates strongly with me, as compassion was the strongest aspect of this work for me personally and has had the deepest impact on me and my loved ones. For this reason, I teach a new form of mindfulness that emphasizes compassion. This new form of practice and living is called Heartfulness. I'll leave you with a quote by the Dalai Lama as spoken to an aspiring Buddhist student: “Don't practice Buddhism,” His Holiness said. “There are enough Buddhists in the world. But do practice compassion. The world needs more compassion.”

Our guest on this episode is Richard Davidson, PhD. He is a pioneer in studying the effects of mindfulness meditation on the human brain, and is joining us for a second time on Health Gig to talk about the mind, the pillars of well-being, and what he and his team are doing at the Center for Healthy Minds.  He is a neuroscientist, psychologist and research Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin Madison where he is also the founder and director of the Center for Healthy Minds. He is the co-author of The Emotional Life of Your Brain and Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body, and we are so happy Richie could join us for this special episode. 

Our guest on this episode is Richard Davidson, PhD. He is a pioneer in studying the effects of mindfulness meditation on the human brain, and is joining us for a second time on Health Gig to talk about the mind, the pillars of well-being, and what he and his team are doing at the Center for Healthy Minds. He is a neuroscientist, psychologist and research Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin Madison. He is the co-author of The Emotional Life of Your Brain and Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body, and we are so happy to have him join us on this episode. ______________________________________________________________________ More on Richie Davidson: Website: https://www.richardjdavidson.com Twitter: @healthyminds @UWMadison Facebook: @centerforhealthyminds Instagram: @healthy.minds

“Well being is a skill” This is how the world-renown neuroscientist, Richie Davidson, opened a wonderful talk I just watched for the umpteenth time (link in the comments). What he's saying here is that through practice, well being can be developed in the very same way any other skill can be. And the thing is, we are always practicing one way or another in our lives. If we are consistently looking at the negative aspects of our lives, we are practicing negativity. If we allow our mind to wander consistently, we are practicing mind wandering. The bottom line is that we are either building the skill of well being. Or we are building the skill of taking ourselves away from well being. So what are you practicing today? And is it moving you closer to or further from well being. Here is a link to the Richie Davidson Talk I reference in today's episode: https://youtu.be/HeBpsiFQiTI And here is a link to the wonderful Lovingkindness practice that helped me so deeply: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Kwuia7_wbSW4ILlOMQaIUGkihbZ0L1mj/view?usp=sharing Please reach out with any questions or assistance you may need!

This conversation is another extended interview from my film My Year Of Living Mindfully. This time it is with Professor Richard Davidson, the Director of the Centre for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin, Maddison.    Richie is a trailblazing scientist who's published hundreds of scientific papers on the neural bases of emotion. His dedication to human well-being and relieving suffering through a scientific understanding of the mind would have made him a worthy interviewee in his own right and in this interview you'll hear about a pretty big breakthrough in the acceptance of using mindfulness in mainstream medicine. But I admit that I had a very specific reason for wanting to chat with Richie.    He pioneered the neuro-scientific study of Olympic-level meditators – people with over 10,000 hours of meditation practice under their belt. At a time when meditation was considered Californian hippie ju ju, this was important because if there was something different about the brains of meditators, it meant there was a ‘there' there, to be studied and picked apart.    But what had caught my attention was that one of his early subjects was none other than the French cellular geneticist-turned Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard, who I had met a few months before. When I chatted with Matthieu he was at the end of a gruelling four-day speaking tour of Australia. Despite his jet lag and 16-hour workday, his clear blue eyes twinkled with alertness and interest. I struck by how this 71-year old monk, whose busy schedule was a mix of regular international speaking tours, writing deadlines, and overseeing 200 humanitarian projects, could possibly juggle everything and still seem so… well… happy.    In fact, Matthieu has earned a place in popular media as the ‘happiest man on earth' after neuroscientists published a series of seminal experiments involving his brain. When I met him in person, I didn't need to see the brain scans to know that there was a certain something about him.   I drove home from that interview thinking, "Was it possible for me, a stressed-out mother of two young kids, struggling with an autoimmune disease and insomnia to get even a fraction of that kind of ever-present joy by simply learning to train my mind?"   Fast forward a few months and there I was sitting across from Richie Davidson – one of the neuroscientists who had done those seminal brain scans on Matthieu. I finally had a chance to get an answer to my question.

In this episode, Wendy speaks with neuroscientist, psychologist, and director of the Center for Healthy Minds, Richard (Richie) Davidson. Richie is one of the founders of contemplative science, and shares his perspective on the past, present, and future of the field. Their conversation covers many topics, including:his early interest in the mind and experiences with meditation;the beginnings of meditation research, and a challenge from the Dalai Lama;what we know (and don't know) about how meditation changes the brain;how investigating the self can lead to resilience;current challenges to the field of contemplative science;the need for research on analytic meditation;negative findings and publication bias;promises and pitfalls of research on psychedelics;the value of training well-being, and other topics.Full show notes and resources

Here's a new meditation I just recorded, inspired by the wonderful Richie Davidson. I hope you enjoy it.

The other day I watched a recent video of Richie Davidson talking about neuroscience so today and tomorrow I'm going to tell you all about what he said.

Our guest today is Dr. Richard Davidson. He is a pioneer in studying the effects of mindfulness meditation on the human brain. He is a neuroscientist, psychologist and research Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin Madison where he is also the founder and director of the Center for Healthy Minds. He is the co-author of The Emotional Life of Your Brain and Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body In this interview Richie explains, “I first met the Dalai Lama in 1992. He challenged me. He said you've been using tools of modern neuroscience to study negative qualities of life stress adversity anxiety. Why can't you use those same tools to study positive qualities like kindness and compassion and flourishing?” He brought buddish monks from Tibet and Nepal into his lab and the rest is history. Richie has been studying how a healthy mind has a direct impact on improving physical health. He recommends starting a daily meditation practice, even it is just for 2 minutes a day. He likens this habit to the way we brush our teeth every day to obtain good physical health. He shares stories of the Dalai Lama, including his emotional latitude and his kindness and compassion for not just a small group of family and friends but for all people. This is why Richie believes that kindness and love is the next frontier. One of the reasons we have studied the body more than the brain in the past is because blood pressure has been easier to measure than well being. But this is changing. This fascinating interview includes some of the inspiring research being done today by Richie Davidson and Nobel Prize laureates in the field of happiness, emotions, brain development in gestation, and even what happens to meditators in the body after death.

Our guest today is Dr. Richard Davidson. He is a pioneer in studying the effects of mindfulness meditation on the human brain. He is a neuroscientist, psychologist and research Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin Madison where he is also the founder and director of the Center for Healthy Minds. He is the co-author of The Emotional Life of Your Brain and Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body In this interview Richie explains, “I first met the Dalai Lama in 1992. He challenged me. He said you've been using tools of modern neuroscience to study negative qualities of life stress adversity anxiety. Why can't you use those same tools to study positive qualities like kindness and compassion and flourishing?” He brought buddish monks from Tibet and Nepal into his lab and the rest is history. Richie has been studying how a healthy mind has a direct impact on improving physical health. He recommends starting a daily meditation practice, even it is just for 2 minutes a day. He likens this habit to the way we brush our teeth every day to obtain good physical health. He shares stories of the Dalai Lama, including his emotional latitude and his kindness and compassion for not just a small group of family and friends but for all people. This is why Richie believes that kindness and love is the next frontier. One of the reasons we have studied the body more than the brain in the past is because blood pressure has been easier to measure than well being. But this is changing. This fascinating interview includes some of the inspiring research being done today by Richie Davidson and Nobel Prize laureates in the field of happiness, emotions, brain development in gestation, and even what happens to meditators in the body after death.

Richie Davidson has spent a lifetime studying meditation. He’s studied it as a practitioner, sitting daily, going on retreats, and learning under masters. And he’s pioneered the study of it as a scientist, working with the Dalai Lama to bring master meditators into his lab at the University of Wisconsin and quantifying the way thousands of hours of meditation changed their brains. The word “meditation,” Davidson is quick to note, is akin to the word “sports”: It describes a huge range of pursuits. And what he’s found is that different types of meditation do very different things to your brain, just as different sports trigger different changes in your body. This is a conversation about what those brain changes are, and what they mean for the rest of us. We discuss the forms of meditation Westerners rarely hear about, the differences between meditative and psychedelic states, the Dalai Lama’s personality, why elite meditators end up warmhearted and joyous rather than cold and detached, whether there’s more value to meditating daily or going on occasional retreats, what happens when you sever meditation from the ethical frameworks it evolved in, and much more. Book recommendations: Freedom in Exile: The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama by Dalai Lama The Principles of Psychology by William James In Love With the World: A Monk's Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happinessby Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche 10% Happierby Dan Harris The Mind Illuminated: A Complete Meditation Guideby John Yates Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want less mindless, more mindful? Join the club. Today Brooke chats to Dr Elise Bialylew, founder of Mindful in May and author of a brand new book, The Happiness Plan, about all things mindfulness, meditation and the science behind it. Coming from a background in psychiatry, as well as being a parent of a 2 year-old, Elise offers a blend of deep understanding of the science behind why mindfulness works with a real-world approach to practicing it in your daily life. Her passion for the topic shines through this conversation and her work, which is such a delight to hear. Elise talks about how and why she started meditating, and how interaction with scientists like Richie Davidson (doing groundbreaking work on mindfulness and its impact on the brain) as well as her own personal experience at a silence meditation retreat really flicked the switch for her. As a doctor, she felt like mindfulness was the missing piece in the well-being and brain health puzzle, and it’s been her life’s work to educate people about the nature of the mind ever since. She and Brooke go on to talk about her own personal practice (and how that’s changed since becoming a mother), the connection between mindfulness and compassion, the developments in brain science, how much meditation is enough and more. If you’re feeling inspired and excited to try creating (or continuing with) your own meditation or mindfulness practice, be sure to check out Elise’s Mindful in May program. It’s a wonderful way to dip your toe in and start (and stick to) a healthy habit, with a real sense of community, accountability and support as well as inspiration and experimentation. Confusing science is made accessible, and daily emails, guided meditations and interviews with experts will provide you with all the tools you need to find a practice that suits you and your life, as well as an understanding of what’s going on and why it’s so valuable. To read more, head over to http://slowyourhome.com/233/ for all the links and resources mentioned, as well as the full blog post. ==== If you're enjoying the show and want to know how to best support it, leave a rating or a review in iTunes or head over to the Patreon page to help support the show financially and join in on our live monthly video calls. And thanks so much for listening! === Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/slow See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Triathlon Taren sat down with the founder of Saris Cycling group, Chris Fortune, while at Interbike 2017 to hear about the story of how Saris came to become one of the leading brands in cycling.  Chris Fortune's Saris Cycling Group may be better known for it's consumer-facing brands Powertap, Cyclops, and the Bones car rack. Topics discussed in this interview: Richie Davidson brain imaging Powertap Cycleops Bones rack

Dan Goleman and Richie Davidson, both titans in their respective fields and best-selling authors, have co-written a new book out now entitled, "Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain and Body." Goleman, a renowned psychologist and science journalist, and Davidson, a prominent neuroscientist and founder of the Center for Healthy Minds, talk about their cutting-edge research in this new book, comparing brain activity of "Olympic level" meditators (such as monks) to meditation beginners and how mindfulness can be restorative for brain health.

Dr. Richard Davidson is a world-renowned research professor, director of the Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior, and founder of the Center for Healthy Minds. His research focuses on the neurological basis of emotion and its effects on everyday behavior. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with Dr. Davidson about the exciting frontiers being explored by neurology, including how regular contemplative practice can change the structure of the brain. They also talk about curious discoveries in the field of epigenetics and other studies conducted by the Center for Healthy Minds. Finally, Dr. Davidson discusses what he's learned about cultivating well-being through his years spent investigating the brain. (59 minutes)

Tibetan Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard, who is originally from France, earned the moniker "world's happiest man" after brain scans taken during a neurological study on meditation (led by Dr. Richie Davidson) showed excessive activity in his brain as he meditated on compassion. A staunch vegetarian, Ricard talks about the importance of extending compassion to all beings, including animals, which he lays out in his new book, "A Plea for the Animals: The Moral, Philosophical, and Evolutionary Imperative to Treat All Beings with Compassion."

Dr. Richie Davidson, a neuroscientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and founder of the Center for Healthy Minds, has been meditating for over 40 years. But it was the Dalai Lama himself who convinced Davidson to dedicate his life to researching the effects of meditation on the brain. Early in his career, Davidson said he "became a closet meditator" and the Dalai Lama "played a major role in me coming out of the closet and encouraging serious scientific research in this area." Davidson's team flew in monks from Tibet and Nepal for the study and asked them to meditate while undergoing scans. When they first looked at the scans, Davidson said the results were shocking.

In the last 15 years researchers in the field of Positive Psychology have discovered amazing things about our minds. They debunked some long-held myths and are helping us better understand human behavior, including creativity. In this episode Dr. Tina Hallis talks about the connection between positivity and creativity, the important difference between positivity and positive thinking, and how you can increase positivity in your life. What You'll Learn What the research says on how positivity increases creativity How cortisol impacts our body Tina's favorite strategies for increasing positivity About Tina Hallis Tina Hallis, Ph.D., is a professional speaker and founder of The Positive Edge.   She spent more than 20 years as a scientist in the biotechnology field.  Then, in 2011, she discovered a new and exciting science called Positive Psychology, which focuses on how we can all live our best life.  Tina was so fascinated by this science, she decided to hang up her lab coat, and start her own company, The Positive Edge, so she could bring this life-changing information into organizations. Because she believes if there is one place we could use help staying positive, it's at work.   Tina is certified in Positive Psychology through the WholeBeing Institute, she is an Authorized Partner for Everything DiSC, and a Professional Member of the National Speaker's Association. Resources Mentioned in the Episode The Positive Edge - Tina Hallis' website The research by Richie Davidson on happiness The Weekly Challenge Pick out one tip that Tina shared and try it for one week. How did it go? Share your experiences below in the comments section.

Richie Davidson is one of the world's leading neuroscientists and was the first guy to check out monks' brains in a lab. He founded the affective + contemplative neuroscience fields and is, quite simply, a neuroscientist rock star. In this Note, we explore some of his best Big Ideas, understanding how our thoughts and behaviors affect the very structure of our brains and the emotions we feel. We'll also look at how to dial it all in.

Richie Davidson is one of the world's leading neuroscientists and was the first guy to check out monks' brains in a lab. He founded the affective + contemplative neuroscience fields and is, quite simply, a neuroscientist rock star. In this Note, we explore some of his best Big Ideas, understanding how our thoughts and behaviors affect the very structure of our brains and the emotions we feel. We'll also look at how to dial it all in.

Is happiness a skill? Modern neuroscientific research and the wisdom of ancient contemplative traditions converge in suggesting that happiness is the product of skills that can be enhanced through training and such training exemplifies how transforming the mind can change the brain. Speakers: Kent Berridge, Richie Davidson, Daniel Gilbert