Mind & Life

Thomas Hübl, teacher and facilitator bridging contemplative practice with systems science; Kazu Haga, educator and restorative justice practitioner focused on embodied activism; Laura Calderón de la Barca, psychotherapist studying collective and intergenerational trauma. They explore trauma as a nervous-system and collective phenomenon. They discuss embodiment, community rituals, scaling facilitator training, research gaps, and integrating healing into social change.

Shayontoni Ghosh, theatre-maker and facilitator who adapts the Work That Reconnects across cultures. Chris Johnstone, resilience specialist and co-author of Active Hope. Phoebe Tickell, scientist and founder of Moral Imaginations. Stephanie Kaza, Buddhist environmental scholar. They explore gratitude-to-action spirals, translating contemplative practices into institutions, cultural adaptation, research and scaling, and strengthening facilitator networks.

Jamie Bristow, a writer and policy advisor focused on transformation and sustainability, previews a mini-series on contemplative-based systems change. He outlines systems thinking, Theory U, inner development skills, healing social trauma, and bridging inner and outer work. Short, clear insights set up five conversations on practical approaches to shifting mindsets and structures.

Wendy Hasenkamp, neuroscientist and longtime Mind & Life science director, reflects on a career bridging neuroscience, meditation, and community building. She revisits dialogues between Buddhism and science, science education for monastics, the evolution of contemplative research, mind-body integration, interconnectedness with nature, and her new path into herbalism and holistic medicine.

In this engaging conversation, Jon Kabat-Zinn, a pioneering meditation teacher and creator of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), shares insights from over 50 years of practice. He discusses his profound early experiences with meditation at MIT and how his upbringing shaped his perspective. Jon explores the transformative potential of mindfulness in healing, emphasizing its scientific roots and broader social justice applications. He reflects on the balance of discipline and gentleness in practice, along with the importance of teaching artistry over rigid manuals.

In a thought-provoking conversation, Roshi Joan Halifax, a Zen Buddhist teacher and pioneer in end-of-life care, delves into the exciting intersections of science and spirituality. She shares her experiences initiating dialogues between the Dalai Lama and scientists, highlighting compassion as an emergent, context-dependent process. Joan emphasizes the role of embodiment in health care, explores the triple benefits of compassion, and discusses training prosocial qualities. She also reflects on the importance of contemplative practices and indigenous wisdom in addressing climate change and preparing for death.

In this episode from the Mind & Life archive, Wendy spoke with the renowned Buddhist practitioner and author Matthieu Ricard. Matthieu was integral to the founding of contemplative science, serving as both a participant and co-investigator in many early studies, and has deep expertise in compassion, altruism, and well-being. This conversation covers many topics, including: his roots in both science and Buddhism, and his appreciation for rigorous inquiry; his role as a participant and collaborator in contemplative science; lessons from research on compassion vs. empathy; how the self shows up (or doesn't) in compassion; links between self-focus and vulnerability; hedonia, eudiamonia, and self; altruism and our current crises; reconciling three time scales of concern; sentience, life, and interdependence; caring for our whole interconnected system; the practice of awe; using photography to share basic human goodness; balancing fame and monastic life; and a poignant example of his own personal experience of care. Full show notes and resources  

Liz Monson, a Buddhist scholar and teacher at Natural Dharma Fellowship, shares her journey intertwining Buddhism with nature-based practices. She discusses how her childhood connection to nature shaped her path, challenging human-centrism in spirituality. Monson emphasizes the wisdom of trees and the elements, exploring their emotional significance. The conversation also touches on the synergy between psychedelics and meditation for awakening, and the importance of self-compassion in navigating suffering and embracing interconnection with the world.

Christy Wilson-Mendenhall, a cognitive and affective scientist at the Center for Healthy Minds, dives deep into the intricacies of emotions and their impact on well-being. She shares insights on how emotions are shaped by context and learning, and discusses the power of emotional granularity for self-awareness. The conversation intertwines cognitive science with Buddhist philosophy, addressing eco-anxiety and the importance of community in fostering resilience. Christy emphasizes the need for imaginative thinking and personal changes to inspire larger systemic shifts.

Karen O'Brien, a professor and thought leader on climate change, dives into the human and social dimensions of environmental response. She shares her journey from aspiring diplomat to climate advocate, emphasizing entanglement and interconnectedness. O'Brien discusses the critical role of ethics, the impact of contemplative practices on resilience, and the powerful influence of art in driving social change. With insights on eco-anxiety and indigenous wisdom, she inspires listeners to embrace their individual power for transformative action.