Mind & Life

Nicholas Van Dam - Nuancing the Narrative

Listen Later

In this episode, Wendy speaks with meditation researcher and clinical psychologist, Nicholas Van Dam. Nicholas is the Director of the Contemplative Studies Centre at the University of Melbourne—the first such center in Australia. His work explores how meditation and mindfulness can support well-being, and help with conditions like anxiety and depression. This conversation covers many topics, including:

  • how an existential crisis led him to meditation practice;
  • bringing loving critique to contemplative science;
  • the complicated realities of mindfulness, how we measure it, and its impact on the brain;
  • looking at effects beyond just the individual who is meditating;
  • insights from a year of daily practice;
  • balancing personal interest vs. research objectivity;
  • the freedom that comes from letting go;
  • how skills learned on the cushion transfer to daily life;
  • deconstructing the self;
  • mindfulness and meditation for anxiety and depression;
  • getting out of your head and into your body;
  • connecting with Indigenous and other non-Buddhist contemplative traditions;
  • and advancing evidence-based research on meditation.

    • Full show notes and resources

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    Mind & LifeBy Mind & Life Institute
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7

    4.7

    276 ratings

    More shows like Mind & Life

    View all
    The One You Feed by Eric Zimmer

    The One You Feed

    2,556 Listeners

    Tara Brach by Tara Brach

    Tara Brach

    10,555 Listeners

    Tricycle Talks by Tricycle: The Buddhist Review

    Tricycle Talks

    376 Listeners

    Untangle by Untangle

    Untangle

    819 Listeners

    Good Life Project by Jonathan Fields / Acast

    Good Life Project

    3,371 Listeners

    Sounds True: Insights at the Edge by Tami Simon

    Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

    1,846 Listeners

    Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield by Be Here Now Network

    Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield

    1,496 Listeners

    Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg by Be Here Now Network

    Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg

    696 Listeners

    Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein by Be Here Now Network

    Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein

    955 Listeners

    On Being with Krista Tippett by On Being Studios

    On Being with Krista Tippett

    10,154 Listeners

    10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

    10% Happier with Dan Harris

    12,745 Listeners

    Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Forrest Hanson

    Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

    2,511 Listeners

    Living Myth by Michael Meade

    Living Myth

    1,023 Listeners

    Emergence Magazine Podcast by Emergence Magazine

    Emergence Magazine Podcast

    505 Listeners

    The Way Out Is In by Plum Village

    The Way Out Is In

    1,352 Listeners