Al Kaszniak - The Universe of Verbs

Al Kaszniak - The Universe of Verbs

Author: Mind & Life Institute April 8, 2022 Duration: 59:13
In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychologist, contemplative researcher, and Zen Buddhist teacher, Al Kaszniak. Al has been in the contemplative science space since the earliest days, and his work has shed light on how meditation impacts our thoughts, emotions, and sense of self. This conversation covers many topics, including: his parallel interests in Buddhism and neuropsychology; research on meditation, emotion, and attention; how our view of self impacts what seems relevant to us; cognitive effort and emotion regulation; how his own experience of self has shifted through practice; attention and early emotion/affective tone; shifting out of the conceptual mind; the relationship of attention and emotion; how decades of practice have changed his daily life; free will vs. free won't (meditation as inhibition); increasing access to contemplative ideas and practices; mind as process, interaction, and context—and what that means for science; and the value of interdisciplinary dialogue and the "in-between" spaces. Full show notes and resources  

At the heart of Mind & Life is a simple, profound question: what is a mind, really? This isn't just a philosophical puzzle but a practical exploration of the mental habits that define our days. The conversations hosted by the Mind & Life Institute gently dismantle the walls between disciplines, weaving together insights from neuroscience and psychology with the lived wisdom of contemplative traditions. You’ll hear dialogues that feel less like interviews and more like shared discoveries, where a philosopher and a meditation teacher might find common ground on how attention works, or where a scientist discusses the social impact of compassion training. Each episode is an invitation to look inward with curiosity, examining how practices like meditation aren't about escape but about engaging with our inner world more skillfully. This podcast operates from the conviction that understanding our own minds is foundational to addressing broader cultural and societal challenges. It’s for anyone who has ever wondered about the mechanics of their own thoughts and emotions and sought a deeper, evidence-informed conversation about transformation. Tune in for a thoughtful blend of rigorous inquiry and personal relevance, where ancient questions meet modern investigation.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 90

Mind & Life
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