CNMB Lab, Nashville, TN
dvago@bwh.harvard.edu

Blog

Brigham and Women's Hospital

What makes a good teacher? A PBS webinar discussion talks Mindfulness

You are invited to participate in a webinar panel discussion on PBS Teachers. The discussion has four parts- David Grubin discussing the making of the film the Buddha, which will air on April 7th, Mirabai Bush from the Center for Contemplative Mind discussing Mindfulness in Education, Peter Brown discussing how he teaches the life of…
Read more

Emotional Awareness – A conversation with Paul Ekman and His Holiness The Dalai Lama

Paul Ekman, a leading scientist on Emotion speaks with HHDL on overcoming the obstacles and specifically on Forgiveness and Anger. An excerpt from their conversation can be found HERE. Some of what was discussed involves questions like, Can we forgive people, but still hold people responsible for their actions? or How can anger be non-afflictive,…
Read more

A few links for Meditation practice

There are many types of meditation practice from many types of contemplative traditions. Some are rooted in the Buddhist contemplative tradition (Theravada or Mahayana) and others from traditions like Kabbalah in Judaism, and centering prayer originating in Christianity. There are many other contemplative practices, but it is those that stem from Buddhism that have been…
Read more

The Effects of meditation and contemplative practice on Pain

Fadel Zeidan and David Vago were recently guests on NPR affiliate in Charlotte, NC – WFAE 90.7 discussing the effects of meditation and contemplative practice on pain. Listen HERE. Charlotte Blogs about it HERE.

An interview with Jack Kornfield

Here is a link to an interview with Jack Kornfield on the topic of “mindfulness and psychotherapy”. On suffering, Jack states, “The suffering that is experienced by people is described in the Buddhist tradition as the first noble truth of the Buddha. The Buddha says that life entails a certain measure of suffering and no…
Read more

Meditation ‘eases heart disease’

There was a piece in the BBC News today about research conducted at the Maharishi University in Iowa. Trancendental Meditation eases heart disease. Using a longitudinal design, researchers showed the meditation group had a 47% reduction in deaths, heart attacks and strokes. Click HERE for the link. here is a link to the maharishi talking…
Read more

The Floating Feather Meditation Technique

The Floating Feather Meditation Technique – from the Dallas Yoga Examiner Sit up straight, whether you’re on the floor or in a chair. Relax your face and shoulders. Take a long, deep breath and fill your belly and chest with air. As you exhale, make a soft “ffffffffff” sound, extending the outbreath as long as…
Read more

You can recognize a thriving plant. What is a model for a thriving human?

How do we cultivate a thriving human? Is is happiness? Material or Spiritual gain? Health? Can we all thrive as humans while death and disease remain throughout the world? As researchers, we know that the brain can be trained to dwell in a constructive range: contentment instead of craving, calm rather than agitation, compassion in…
Read more

Training in Spiritual Care – NYC Zen Center for Contemplative Care and OM Yoga

The Co-Founders of the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care, along with the Founder and Director of Teacher Development of OM yoga, are collaborating to bring you a year of rich training in contemplative care for those facing suffering, old age, sickness and death. This innovative new program is designed for yoga teachers who…
Read more

Tibetan Monks and Nuns Turn Their Minds Toward Science

The NY Times just published a story concerning the urging of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to involve Tibetan monks with Western Science. In a time where “mindfulness” is trendy everywhere, it is important to study the rigors of Buddhist science/epistomology of the mind and the benefits of long-term contemplative practitioners check it out HERE