Norm Farb - Meditation and the Brain

Norm Farb - Meditation and the Brain

Author: Mind & Life Institute October 7, 2022 Duration: 1:04:57
In this episode, Wendy speaks with contemplative researcher Norm Farb. Norm was one of the first people to study how meditation impacts our brains, and his broader work incorporates emotions, body sensations, and present-moment awareness. Their conversation covers many topics, including: his initial research on meditation, neural networks, and modes of self; predictive models of mind; reinforcing vs. updating our model of the world (and implications for political polarization); the default mode network and its role in cognition; how meditation can help shift our habitual patterns; what happens in our minds when we learn to meditate; the concept of mental foraging; interoception and how sensing the body might reduce conceptual processing; depression & interoception, and getting stuck avoiding difficult feelings; the self as the current model of the world; a deeper look at the idea of no-self; the ethics of updating our self model responsibly; localization vs. distribution in the brain; and the state of research on meditation and the brain. Full resources and show notes  

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
Podcast Episodes
Doris Chang - Critical Consciousness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:32
In this episode, Wendy speaks with clinical psychologist Doris Chang about her work on race, ethnicity, culture, and other dimensions of social identity as they shape psychological experience and mental health treatment.…
Richie Davidson - The Science of Meditation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:00
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…
Tanya Luhrmann - How Social Worlds Shape Our Minds [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:43
In this episode, Wendy speaks with anthropologist Tanya Luhrmann about how practices embedded in social realities change our minds and our experiences. They discuss: her research on unusual spiritual experiences (voices,…
Amishi Jha - Attention, Mind Wandering, and Stress [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:19
In this episode, Wendy speaks with cognitive and contemplative neuroscientist Amishi Jha about using mindfulness to train attention, and its usefulness particularly in high-stress situations. They cover many topics, incl…
john powell - Othering and Belonging [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:53
In this episode, Wendy speaks with law professor and civil rights expert john a. powell about his work at the intersection of social justice and spirituality. This conversation was recorded during the 2019 Summer Researc…
Willa Blythe Baker - Meditating with the Body [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:34
In this episode, Wendy speaks with meditation teacher and Buddhist scholar Willa Blythe Baker about her work, and how the body is relevant in meditation. They cover many topics, including: the roots of her interest in Bu…
Anil Seth - How Our Minds Predict Our Reality [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:46
In this episode, Wendy speaks with cognitive scientist Anil Seth about his work on consciousness and the mind. They discuss: the idea of the brain as a prediction machine; how perception is a kind of "controlled" halluci…
Thupten Jinpa - Cultivating Compassion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:58
In this inaugural episode, Wendy speaks with Buddhist scholar, author, and longtime translator for the Dalai Lama, Thupten Jinpa. Their conversation covers many topics, including: how he met and started working with the…
Mind & Life Trailer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:17
We're looking forward bringing you conversations with leading experts about mind, meditation, and more. Hear what we're about, and subscribe today so you don't miss an episode. Read more about the show in this interview…