
The Neuroscience of Awakening with Dr. David Vago
05/31/23 • 77 min
1 Listener
What happens in the brain in the midst of meditation? Modern science is revealing a whole new world of inner understanding. In this episode, Loch and psychologist and researcher, Dr. David Vago, discuss the neuroscience of awakening. From both ancient and modern points of view they explore the relationship between brain networks and awareness, particularly interconnected nondual states. They discuss the system-wide effects of mindfulness on mental health and well-being, and dig into some interesting dialogue about the illusion of self-identity, and various flow states. After the discussion, stay tuned for a mindful glimpse meditation where you can experience awareness energy yourself.
Guided Glimpse Meditation: Effortless Focus
In this 8 minute guided meditation, you are invited to discover the view from the field of awareness energy. When we are looking from this interconnected field of awake consciousness we can focus effortlessly, and feel the unity of everything.
Dr. David Vago:
As a Research Associate Professor of Psychology at Vanderbilt University, Dr. David Vago directs the Contemplative Neuroscience & Mind-Body Research Laboratory. He also maintains an appointment as a research associate in the department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Vago has over 15 years experience studying the basic neurobiological mechanisms supporting Mind-Body practices and the effects on mental health and well-being. A number of his ongoing research initiatives include Mapping the Meditative Mind, in which Dr. Vago has partnered with contemporary meditation teachers and scholars to investigate psychosocial and neurobiological mechanisms supporting states of meditation across the spectrum of formal meditative expertise.
David's Site:
https://davidvago.bwh.harvard.edu/
International Society for Contemplative Research (ISCR) - https://www.contemplativeneurosciences.com/
Related:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3480633/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29169033/
For more info about Loch, visit: https://lochkelly.org/
For additional information about this podcast, visit: https://podcast.effortlessmindfulness.com/
For the Loch Kelly App, visit: https://effortlessmindfulness.com and to donate, visit:
https://lochkelly.org/donate.
You can now explore all of Loch Kelly's practices and teachings on the new Mindful Glimpses app, found at https://lochkelly.org/mindful-glimpses. This innovative meditation and wellness app offers daily micro-meditations, step-by-step programs, and simple-yet-advanced tools for awakening.Loch Kelly Bio
Loch is the creator of the Mindful Glimpses app, and an award-winning author, psychotherapist, and non-dual meditation teacher. He is also known for his unique practical methods that support awakening as the next natural stage of human development. Backed by modern neuroscience and psychology, Loch introduces Effortless Mindfulness, which combines an ancient form of nondual meditation and IFS psychology that allows immediate access to our embodied awake nature which arises as our calm, clear, and compassionate healing capacity.
Connect with Loch:
Mobile App: https://lochkelly.org/mindful-glimpsesWebsite: https://lochkelly.org/Donate: https://lochkelly.org/donatePodcast: https://lochkelly.org/podcast
What happens in the brain in the midst of meditation? Modern science is revealing a whole new world of inner understanding. In this episode, Loch and psychologist and researcher, Dr. David Vago, discuss the neuroscience of awakening. From both ancient and modern points of view they explore the relationship between brain networks and awareness, particularly interconnected nondual states. They discuss the system-wide effects of mindfulness on mental health and well-being, and dig into some interesting dialogue about the illusion of self-identity, and various flow states. After the discussion, stay tuned for a mindful glimpse meditation where you can experience awareness energy yourself.
Guided Glimpse Meditation: Effortless Focus
In this 8 minute guided meditation, you are invited to discover the view from the field of awareness energy. When we are looking from this interconnected field of awake consciousness we can focus effortlessly, and feel the unity of everything.
Dr. David Vago:
As a Research Associate Professor of Psychology at Vanderbilt University, Dr. David Vago directs the Contemplative Neuroscience & Mind-Body Research Laboratory. He also maintains an appointment as a research associate in the department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Vago has over 15 years experience studying the basic neurobiological mechanisms supporting Mind-Body practices and the effects on mental health and well-being. A number of his ongoing research initiatives include Mapping the Meditative Mind, in which Dr. Vago has partnered with contemporary meditation teachers and scholars to investigate psychosocial and neurobiological mechanisms supporting states of meditation across the spectrum of formal meditative expertise.
David's Site:
https://davidvago.bwh.harvard.edu/
International Society for Contemplative Research (ISCR) - https://www.contemplativeneurosciences.com/
Related:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3480633/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29169033/
For more info about Loch, visit: https://lochkelly.org/
For additional information about this podcast, visit: https://podcast.effortlessmindfulness.com/
For the Loch Kelly App, visit: https://effortlessmindfulness.com and to donate, visit:
https://lochkelly.org/donate.
You can now explore all of Loch Kelly's practices and teachings on the new Mindful Glimpses app, found at https://lochkelly.org/mindful-glimpses. This innovative meditation and wellness app offers daily micro-meditations, step-by-step programs, and simple-yet-advanced tools for awakening.Loch Kelly Bio
Loch is the creator of the Mindful Glimpses app, and an award-winning author, psychotherapist, and non-dual meditation teacher. He is also known for his unique practical methods that support awakening as the next natural stage of human development. Backed by modern neuroscience and psychology, Loch introduces Effortless Mindfulness, which combines an ancient form of nondual meditation and IFS psychology that allows immediate access to our embodied awake nature which arises as our calm, clear, and compassionate healing capacity.
Connect with Loch:
Mobile App: https://lochkelly.org/mindful-glimpsesWebsite: https://lochkelly.org/Donate: https://lochkelly.org/donatePodcast: https://lochkelly.org/podcast
Previous Episode

A Mindful Glimpse for Awakening
This episode features a short "glimpse” or micro-meditation that helps us shift out of our chattering mind and into our already awake consciousness. This mindful glimpse brings us back to our senses and then continues to introduce us to the most important discovery for freedom: awake awareness. By experiencing awake awareness around us and the aliveness within us as interconnected, we discover we are no longer self-centered. Rather, we are interdependent with the Infinite, clear and loving consciousness that is always available within us and as us. From this new view and supportive ground we can be with everything that arises and experience a deep sense of embodiment, wisdom, flow and compassionate activity.
For more info about Loch, visit: https://lochkelly.org/
For additional information about this podcast, visit: https://podcast.effortlessmindfulness.com/
For the Loch Kelly App, visit: https://effortlessmindfulness.com and to donate, visit:
https://lochkelly.org/donate.
You can now explore all of Loch Kelly's practices and teachings on the new Mindful Glimpses app, found at https://lochkelly.org/mindful-glimpses. This innovative meditation and wellness app offers daily micro-meditations, step-by-step programs, and simple-yet-advanced tools for awakening.Loch Kelly Bio
Loch is the creator of the Mindful Glimpses app, and an award-winning author, psychotherapist, and non-dual meditation teacher. He is also known for his unique practical methods that support awakening as the next natural stage of human development. Backed by modern neuroscience and psychology, Loch introduces Effortless Mindfulness, which combines an ancient form of nondual meditation and IFS psychology that allows immediate access to our embodied awake nature which arises as our calm, clear, and compassionate healing capacity.
Connect with Loch:
Mobile App: https://lochkelly.org/mindful-glimpsesWebsite: https://lochkelly.org/Donate: https://lochkelly.org/donatePodcast: https://lochkelly.org/podcast
Next Episode

Experiencing Emotional Liberation
Join nondual mindfulness teacher Loch Kelly in this podcast episode as he explores the path of emotional liberation and guides you towards breaking free from the painful loop of emotions and thoughts. Discover how the root cause of suffering lies not in the emotions themselves, but in the contraction of the mind in a limited sense of identity. Here he delves into the concept of emotional liberation, emphasizing that it is not about suppressing or eliminating emotions, but rather allowing them to flow freely without the velcro of reactive self.
Loch leads us through an experiential glimpse of emotional liberation. Try this for yourself and learn to access the peace and well-being already available to you.
| Loch Kelly |
► Website: https://lochkelly.org/
► Loch Kelly Podcast: https://podcast.effortlessmindfulness.com/
► Loch Kelly App: https://lochkelly.org/em
► Donate - https://lochkelly.org/donate
About the podcast:
Effortless Mindfulness with Loch Kelly
Experience support for awakening as the next stage of human development through micro-meditations, conversations about mindfulness, nonduality, spirituality, neuroscience and contemporary psychology including Internal Family Systems (IFS). Loch Kelly, author, psychotherapist and meditation teacher, addresses mental health on a deeper level an
You can now explore all of Loch Kelly's practices and teachings on the new Mindful Glimpses app, found at https://lochkelly.org/mindful-glimpses. This innovative meditation and wellness app offers daily micro-meditations, step-by-step programs, and simple-yet-advanced tools for awakening.Loch Kelly Bio
Loch is the creator of the Mindful Glimpses app, and an award-winning author, psychotherapist, and non-dual meditation teacher. He is also known for his unique practical methods that support awakening as the next natural stage of human development. Backed by modern neuroscience and psychology, Loch introduces Effortless Mindfulness, which combines an ancient form of nondual meditation and IFS psychology that allows immediate access to our embodied awake nature which arises as our calm, clear, and compassionate healing capacity.
Connect with Loch:
Mobile App: https://lochkelly.org/mindful-glimpsesWebsite: https://lochkelly.org/Donate: https://lochkelly.org/donatePodcast: https://lochkelly.org/podcast
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