Posts Tagged ‘science’
Episode 85 :: Matt Lowry and Brian Gregory :: Physics and Martial Arts
Matt Lowry the Skeptical Teacher, and Brian Gregory of Virtual Drinking Skeptically join us to talk about the myths and facts of the physics of martial arts.
I remember a television show called “That’s Incredible”, and indeed it was. One particular episode had a self-proclaimed martial arts master, James Hydrick who could — supposedly — move pencils and turn phone book pages with his extra-normal powers. This was debunked with a few flakes of packing material on another show, showing how this charlatan was simply using his breath to cause objects to move.
Read MoreEpisode 84 :: Katherine MacLean :: Psilocybin and Openness
Katherine MacLean Katherine MacLean speaks with us about a new study on the effects of the psychoactive drug psilocybin on the personality trait of Openness. Hi, everyone. This week as with last week, we’re enjoying the benefits of the kindness of others in sharing their work in a very timely fashion. I was very happy…
Read MoreEpisode 77 :: Matt Lowry and Dana Nourie :: Fun With Physics and Walking Through Walls
Dana Nourie and Matt Lowry join us to speak about physics, the natural world, and quantum misperceptions.
Lately, there seems to be an unfortunate mixing of Siddhattha Gotama’s teaching and practice around the existential experience of dissatisfaction, and science. Certainly we do see wonderful scientific studies about what’s going on in the brain during meditation, for example, but that’s a far cry from levitation and walking through walls. Buddhism is not about physics, despite our seeing false patterns of synchronicity between the two.
Read MoreEpisode 75 :: Eugenie Scott :: National Center for Science Education
Dr. Eugenie Scott Dr. Eugenie Scott from the National Center for Science Education speaks with us about keeping faith traditions separate from science in our classrooms. Hi, everyone. There’s a topic I don’t get to talk about very much on this podcast, something I’m quite passionate about because it is paramount in the distinction between…
Read MorePutting Buddhist Practice Under a Microscope
Disclaimer: This method is how I approach my practice, and is not necessarily the views of other Secular Buddhist. That said, these methods fit well within the context of the secular Buddhist practices. Occasionally I am accused of being a reductionist. So I admit here and now, I do indeed take a reductionist approach to…
Read MoreEpisode 73 :: Dr. Cathy Kerr :: Modulating Somatosensory Attention
Dr. Cathy Kerr Dr. Cathy Kerr joins us to speak about her recent study on the effects of mindfulness meditation training on anticipatory alpha modulation in primary somatosensory cortex. Hi, everyone. Today, with this episode as with many others, I learned something. Only this time, it was very unexpected, and helped me assess my own…
Read MoreEpisode 71 :: Carol Tavris :: Delusions and Cognitive Dissonance
Carol Tavris Carol Tavris speaks with us about how cognitive dissonance can lead to unhealthy conceptual attachments. Fairly frequently I get email from listeners, asking for recommendations on books that have been particularly helpful with practice. Often, there is an interest in books that are more secular in nature, and I’m happy to ask a…
Read MoreEpisode 69 :: Dr. Roland Griffiths :: Psilocybin and Meditation
Dr. Roland Griffiths Dr. Roland Griffiths speaks with us about his work studying psilocybin’s intersection with meditation. Many of our Buddhist centers here in the United States got their start and found practitioners in the psychedelic 60’s. Literally. The culture of the time had an exploration of pharmacologicals, especially those which could produce altered perceptions…
Read MoreEpisode 65 :: Dr. Richard Davidson :: Center for Investigating Healthy Minds
Dr. Richard Davidson Dr. Richard Davidson speaks with us about the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds, and the use of science in validating the effects of meditation. The study of the mind is nothing new. It certainly predates the time of the Buddha. And as the forms of Buddhism have grown, and developed new ways…
Read MoreEpisode 60 :: Fadel Zeidan & John McHaffie :: Modulation of Pain by Mindfulness Meditation
Dr. Fadel Zeidan Dr. Fadel Zeidan and Dr. John McHaffie join us to speak about their neurological study, Brain Mechanisms Supporting the Modulation of Pain by Mindfulness Meditation. Hi, everyone. One of the things we secular types are often faced with is that we want to see evidence. We may be a bit skeptical of…
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