Contemplative Neuroscience and Integrative Medicine: Exactly what is mindfulness good for?

09/02/18 • 57 min

David Vago, PhD offers a neuroscience of mindfulness update providing clarity on what mindfulness is, is not, can and cannot do, and what is known about effective prescribing and dosing of meditation. He is research director of the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, director of the Contemplative Neuroscience and Integrative Medicine Laboratory at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and an associate professor in the department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and department of Psychiatry. Dave’s research focuses on the healing effects of meditative practices for a variety of mental health and physical pain disorders. Three years ago, Dave and I recorded in-depth dialogues on awakening, which are still available on my Youtube channel.

Dave's Vanderbilt research page

Osher Center website

Lisa and Dave's Awakening Dialogues

Mindfulness Research Collaborative website

Dave's TED talk

Disclaimer: The information in this episode or on groundlessground.com is intended for information and entertainment purposes only, and does not claim to be or constitute therapeutic advice or mental health treatment.

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Dave's Vanderbilt research page

Osher Center website

Lisa and Dave's Awakening Dialogues

Mindfulness Research Collaborative website

Dave's TED talk

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bestofggpodcast.substack.com

Previous Episode

Embodied Cognition and Embodied Mindfulness

Evan Thompson discusses Embodied Cognition, 4E Cognition, and the problems with studying the mechanisms of mindfulness from a brain-only perspective. Evan is a writer and professor of philosophy at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. He works on the nature of the mind, the self, and human experience by combining cognitive science, philosophy of mind, phenomenology, and cross-cultural philosophy, especially Asian philosophical traditions. Evan holds a thoughtful, critical view in these times of turbulence regarding mindfulness research and methods of delivery, "Mindfulness is not in the head. Being mindful is an embodied, social practice not a private mental state or special pattern of bring activity. Mindfulness is embodied understanding.”

The best place to find out more about Evan's work is his website. His books include, Waking, Dreaming, Being: Self and Consciousness in Neuroscience, Meditation, and Philosophy (Columbia University Press, 2015); Mind in Life: Biology, Phenomenology, and the Sciences of Mind (Harvard University Press, 2007); and Colour Vision: A Study in Cognitive Science and the Philosophy of Perception (Routledge Press, 1995). He is the co-author, with Francisco J. Varela and Eleanor Rosch, of The Embodied Mind: Cognitive Science and Human Experience (MIT Press, 1991, revised edition 2016). Evan is an Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bestofggpodcast.substack.com

Next Episode

Raising Responsible Adults: Ken Wilgus on effective parenting of teens

This episode is an educational and fun dialogue with Ken Wilgus, PhD, the author of Feeding The Mouth That Bites You, a practical guide for parents of adolescents targeted at helping them facilitate their teenager’s autonomy, responsibility, self-efficacy and independence. We touch on many tough subjects: behavior issues, academic performance, helicopter parenting, failure to launch, device culture, teen sexuality, faith and morality, substance and porn use.

Dr. Ken Wilgus is a sought-after speaker and regularly teaches on a wide range of topics relating to parenting, marriage, family and faith. He conducts training workshops for educators and has been a consultant with several area school districts as well as private schools. He is also co-founder of RingLeaders, a men’s ministry focused on strengthening the role of husbands in Christian marriage.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bestofggpodcast.substack.com