S4E27 Exploring Koans and Spiritual Wisdom Across Cultures

S4E27 Exploring Koans and Spiritual Wisdom Across Cultures

Author: Peter Economou, Ph.D. and Nikki Rubin, Psy.D. February 25, 2025 Duration: 15:54
Can koans untangle the complexities of our minds and offer a path to mental clarity? Explore this fascinating possibility with our special guest, Nikki, who passionately shares her experiences with these intricate Zen riddles. By challenging the intellectual mind, koans invite us into a space of simplicity and stillness, a concept that resonates deeply with the practice of meditation. We also reflect on how younger generations are more receptive to integrating mindfulness into their daily liv...

In When East Meets West, psychologists Peter Economou and Nikki Rubin bridge the continental divide for a unique conversation. Peter, based on the East coast, and Nikki, on the West, bring their clinical expertise to explore the fascinating intersections where ancient Eastern wisdom and contemporary Western psychology converge. This podcast delves into topics across health, fitness, mental well-being, science, and spirituality, examining how timeless practices can inform modern behavioral science. Each discussion is grounded in their professional experience, offering nuanced perspectives rather than simple answers. Listeners will hear thoughtful dialogues that unpack complex ideas, from meditation and mindfulness to the psychology behind ritual and community, always aiming for practical, actionable insights. The tone is curious and accessible, making the synthesis of these two rich traditions relevant for daily life. By tuning in, you join a ongoing exploration of how we can live with greater awareness and resilience, informed by both the lab and the lineage. When East Meets West is an invitation to consider the full spectrum of human understanding, hosted by two guides dedicated to making these connections clear and useful.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

When East Meets West
Podcast Episodes
S4E3 Exploring the Thin Line Between Secrecy and Privacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:30
Can you really distinguish between secrecy and privacy? Discover the subtle yet profound differences as we dive into a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Pete Economou and Dr. Nikki Rubin. In this episode, we tackle…
S3E20 Ted Lasso [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:58
Over the recent years there has been a growing number of portrayals of mental health providers in media, further helping the de-stigmatization of mental health. Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin discuss the recent Apple TV series,…
S3E19 Private Practice and Finding a Therapist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:36
Dr. Rubin presented the issue in the U.S. with access to care across many different medical arenas, of course emphasizing mental healthcare. Finding the right mental health provider can be a challenge for so many people…
S3E18 Liberation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:52
Dr. Pete brought the topic of liberation, which of course Dr. Rubin was so easily able to define as a part of freedom. There is so much power in words and Dr. Pete and Dr. Rubin break down the role of relational frame th…
S3E17 Distress Tolerance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:29
Dr. Rubin brings her knowledge on this western behavioral practice of distress tolerance. The APA definition of Distress tolerance: the level of either (a) one’s unwillingness to experience emotional distress as part of…
S3E16 Delusions and Illusions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:35
Dr. Pete brings topics from his recent dharma talk on delusions and illusions, the Zen teaching of how nothing exists outside the mind. The world as we see it can all be viewed as one big illusion, which is a western pra…
S3E15 Distraction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:54
Distraction is the behavior where there is an interruption of attention. It takes the person away from the primary interest, and the world within which we live makes distraction much easier. Think about it- streaming, mo…