#86: The Science of Spontaneity - Edward Slingerland, PhD

#86: The Science of Spontaneity - Edward Slingerland, PhD

Author: FitMind: Neuroscience, Meditation & Mental Fitness Training January 18, 2022 Duration: 45:32

Edward Slingerland, PhD, is a Professor of Philosophy and Associate Member in the Asian Studies and Psychology Departments at the University of British Columbia. He's an expert on the cognitive science of ancient philosophies.

On this episode, we discuss the science of ancient concepts like Wu Wei ("effortless action"), hot vs cold cognition, ways to alter consciousness, the paradox of trying not to try, and much more.

FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind
Website: www.fitmind.com

SHOW NOTES

0:00 | Intro to Edward Slingerland, PhD

1:39 | Wu Wei & Flow State

9:34 | Hot vs. Cold Cognition

13:45 | How to Get into State of Wu Wei

17:35 | When to Not Use Wu Wei

19:30 | Paradox of Trying Not to Try

26:40 | Wu Wei in Daily Life

30:10 | Microdosing Psychedelics

32:28 | Alcohol and Ways to Alter Consciousness

38:06 | How Much Effort is Needed to Become Effortless?

40:00 | Rapid Fire Questions


What if the most impactful training you could do wasn't for your body, but for your mind? The FitMind Podcast: Mental Fitness, Neuroscience & Psychology explores that very idea, moving beyond simple self-help to examine the tangible science behind cognitive well-being. Host Liam McClintock, founder of FitMind, sits down with an eclectic mix of world-class experts-neuroscientists mapping the brain's pathways, psychologists unpacking behavioral patterns, Buddhist monks with millennia of contemplative wisdom, and elite athletes who apply mental discipline at the highest levels. Their conversations delve into practical applications of mindfulness meditation, the principles of Stoicism, emerging brain technologies, and the pursuit of sustainable productivity and happiness. This isn't just theoretical discussion; it's a deep dive into actionable strategies, grounded in research, aimed at strengthening your mental resilience. Each episode serves as a session for your cognitive toolkit, reflecting the core belief that understanding and training the mind is our most vital frontier. Tune in to this podcast for a thoughtful, evidence-based guide to building a healthier, more focused, and resilient inner life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The FitMind Podcast: Mental Fitness, Neuroscience & Psychology
Podcast Episodes
#24: Upgrading Your Mental Software with Meditation - Dr. Home Nguyen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:18
Dr. Home is the Founder and CEO of MindKind Institute and has over 20 years of experience in personal leadership, mind-body practices and executive coaching. He is a consultant at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligen…
#21: Virtual Realities & the Mind - Jayne Gackenbach, PhD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:16
Dr. Gackenbach is a dream researcher whose focus is lucid dreaming and other altered states of consciousness. She holds a Ph.D in Experimental Psychology and her most recent research focuses on video game players and the…
#20: Headless Way Meditation - Richard Lang [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:03
Richard Lang is the primary teacher of a popular meditation technique known as Headless Way. He was a close friend of Douglas Harding, the philosopher who first invented this method, and is also coordinator of UK charity…
#18: Meditation & Non-Dogmatic Spirituality - Tami Simon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:55
At the age of 21, Tami Simon founded Sounds True, a large multimedia publishing house with a mission to disseminate spiritual wisdom. She is also a renowned meditation instructor and wrote Being True: What Matters Most i…
#17: Evolution of the Self - Mark Leary, PhD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:46
Dr. Mark Leary is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University who has made significant contributions to his field. We discuss when and why self-awareness evolved in humans and how this causes problems t…
#16: Lucid Dreaming - Robert Waggoner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:16
Robert Waggoner is an expert on the science and practice of lucid dreaming. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.com

«1...678910