Category Archives: neuroscience
DFD on “Thinking Clearly”
I was recently very honored to spend time discussing mindfulness, consciousness compassion and neuroscience with blogger of “Thinking Clearly” Martina Feyzrakhmanova MD of Dublin, Ireland. Check out the first part our conversation: Thinking Clearly
Prison Yoga Teachers
I have recently been honored to serve on the board of the Daya Foundation a small non-profit in Portland Oregon founded by visionary yoga teacher and tireless advocate for justice Sarahjoy Marsh. DAYA stands for Devoloping Accessible Yoga Alternatives. Daya … Continue reading
Mind and Body
There are more things under heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. W. Shakespeare in “Hamlet” Even in the modern world among scientists and scientifically oriented physicians, belief systems play a controlling role in our … Continue reading
Memory
Our memories are a main aspect of our identity. In the science fiction classic Blade Runner the replicant Rachel , and later Decker explore the limits of memory and the role that memory plays in our self identity. Just as … Continue reading
Compassion Fatigue
An amazing aspect of our brain’s pain system is not just that it senses existential pain as well as physical pain, but also that this same system feels pain when we are confronted with another’s distress. We feel this in … Continue reading
Emotion Felt in the Body
Emotion Felt in the Body.
Emotion Felt in the Body
Our conference, Transforming Health Care Through Compassion held on October 25th, was a big hit. We had about 80 participants, not too bad for a first time event with a less than effective marketing plan. Should I be surprised? Compassion … Continue reading
Compassion in Health Care
I am helping to organize a conference on October, 25th in Greenville, SC, USA on the role of compassion in healthcare. The meeting is jointly sponsored by the Greenville Health System, Clemson University and Furman University. We have a great … Continue reading
Book Alert!
Best selling author of Buddha’s Brain neuropsychologist Rick Hanson has just published a new book, Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm and Confidence. I haven’t finished it yet, but it is really great so far. You, I, … Continue reading
Relaxation Response and Changes in Gene Expression
The Relaxation Response was described by Harvard University physician Herbert Benson in a 1975 best-selling book of the same name. The Relaxation Response or RR is the physiological opposite of the stress response, and Benson argued is as fundamental to … Continue reading
