Richard Davidson discusses his groundbreaking work in neuroscience. He divides his talk into what he calls “the four components of well-being:” awareness, connection, insight, and purpose. His work explores connections between meditation and its effects on the brain, especially as it relates to these four components. One example of this kind of research is the amygdala, which is commonly associated with salience, and now, we are learning, with compassion and altruism. Newer research has established that long-term meditators have longer amygdalas.

For Series description, please visit Part 1.
To access the entire series, please click on the link below:
Upaya Podcast Series: VARELA SYMPOSIUM 2019: The Science of Connection, Complexity, and Emptiness

Richard Davidson: VARELA SYMPOSIUM: The Science of Connection, Complexity, and Emptiness (Part 2 of 8)

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This is a continuation of final session which concludes the four part series Four Flavors of Love. Frank Ostaseski reminds us the brahmaviharas are considered powerful and beautiful aspects of the human mind and heart that can be cultivated and shared. Frank reviews each “flavor of love,” highlighting the features of each: Metta, Karuna, Mudita, Upekkha. The session also discusses the near enemies of each of these heavenly abodes.

Four Flavors of Love: Upekkha Part 2 (6 of 6)

This session concludes the four part series Four Flavors of Love. Frank Ostaseski reminds us the brahmaviharas are considered powerful and beautiful aspects of the human mind and heart that can be cultivated and shared. Frank reviews each “flavor of love,” highlighting the features of each: Metta, Karuna, Mudita, Upekkha. The session also discusses the near enemies of each of these heavenly abodes.

Four Flavors of Love: Upekkha Part 1 (5 of 6)

In this session of the Four Flavors of Love participants focus on Mudita, the third Brahma vihara, which translates to appreciative joy or sympathetic joy. Mudita involves finding joy in the basic goodness of all beings and recognizing the fundamental well-being of ourselves and others. Frank addresses potential concerns, such as whether focusing on joy might lead to ignoring the plight of those who are struggling. Frank argues that Mudita doesn’t release us from our responsibility for compassionate action and that it is based on rejoicing in good qualities and good choices.

Four Flavors of Love: Mudita (4 of 6)

This is a continuation of the second session of this series where Frank Ostaseski emphasizes the interconnectedness of the four brahmaviharas and how they support each other. This talk focus on Karuna (Compassion) and includes guided practice of compassion using phrases to evoke the quality of compassion and extend it to various beings.

Four Flavors of Love: Karuna Part 2 (3 of 6)

In the second session of this series Frank Ostaseski emphasizes the interconnectedness of the four brahmaviharas and how they support each other. This talk focus on Karuna (Compassion) and includes guided practice of compassion using phrases to evoke the quality of compassion and extend it to various beings.

Richard Davidson: VARELA SYMPOSIUM: The Science of Connection, Complexity, and Emptiness (Part 2 of 8)

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