In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychologist and contemplative researcher Simon Goldberg. Simon uses tools drawn from psychotherapy research to better understand the therapeutic processes and outcomes of mindfulness and meditation-based interventions. This conversation covers many topics, including:
- coming to practice through one's own suffering;
- what we know from science about whether and how meditation "works;"
- the nuts and bolts of meditation research, and the importance of control groups;
- the file drawer effect and publishing negative findings;
- common factors in healing interventions;
- working with the self in psychotherapy vs. Buddhism;
- the critical role of acceptance;
- some challenges when measuring effects of meditation;
- individualizing contemplative practice to suit the person;
- delivering and studying meditation interventions through apps;
- and the possibilities of AI to help support meditation practice.
Full show notes and resources