The Contemplative Science Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Speaking in Tongues: w/Josh Brahinsky May 03, 2023

Show notes

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.

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This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners integrate the practical lessons of contemplative life. If you enjoyed the episode and you’re interested in finding out more, check out ⁠⁠‘Training For Humanity’ ⁠⁠- M3CS’s exclusive short courses, including Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance, as well as Maintaining a Mindful Life.

Use CODE CONTEMPLATIVE10 for 10% off.

Your Brain and God: The Principles of Neurotheology w/ Andrew Newberg Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

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!

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UnBroken: How To Deal With Grief Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

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.

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Kevin Berryman: The Lessons Of A Buddhist Monk Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

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.

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Meditation: An Active State? Mar 07, 2023

Show notes

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.

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This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners integrate the practical lessons of contemplative life. If you enjoyed the episode and you’re interested in finding out more, check out ⁠‘Training For Humanity’ ⁠- M3CS’s exclusive short courses, including Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance, as well as Maintaining a Mindful Life.

Use CODE CONTEMPLATIVE10 for 10% off.

Psychedelics, Trauma and Men's Therapy Feb 28, 2023

Show notes

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. ------

This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners integrate the practical lessons of contemplative life. If you enjoyed the episode and you’re interested in finding out more, check out ⁠‘Training For Humanity’ ⁠- M3CS’s exclusive short courses, including Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance, as well as Maintaining a Mindful Life.

Use CODE CONTEMPLATIVE10 for 10% off.

Pain Reconceptualized: w/ Alex Jinich Feb 21, 2023

Show notes

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.’

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Our Guided Meditation: Dr Mark Miller x Lama John Makransky Feb 08, 2023

Show notes

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/

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Why I'm Not a Buddhist Jan 31, 2023

Show notes

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.

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This podcast has a single purpose: to help its listeners integrate the practical lessons of contemplative life. If you enjoyed the episode and you’re interested in finding out more, check out ‘Training For Humanity’ - M3CS’s exclusive short courses, including Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance, as well as Maintaining a Mindful Life.

Use code CONTEMPLATIVE10 for 10% off.

Cognitive Biases and Emotional Reactions: with Dr Norman Farb Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

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. ------

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