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The Contemplative Science Podcast

Mark Miller

What can cutting-edge science tell us about spiritual development? And how are ancient contemplative practices helping us to investigate the nature of well-being? On The Contemplative Science Podcast, host Dr. Mark Miller speaks with the real experts, from Monks to Neuroscientists, to get clear on how contemplative practices work and how they might help us improve our lives. Our diverse range of guests will cover everything from mindfulness and wisdom, to sex, death and enlightenment.

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  • 20 episodes
  • monthly
  • Avg 43 min
  • English

Episodes 20

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  • August 28 · 42 min

    Into the Dark: Science and Practice of Dark Retreat w/ Ian Gardner

    What happens to the mind when light—and many of our ordinary sensory anchors—disappear? In this episode, I speak with Acraya founder Ian Gardner about the ancient and contemporary practice of dark retreat. We explore what extended darkness can do to perception and consciousness, the experiences that can emerge as external stimulation falls away, and the importance of preparation, screening, support, and integration. We also discuss the emerging science of dark retreat and Ian’s attempt to bring this unusual contemplative practice into a modern, carefully supported setting. If you’d like to explore dark retreat practice more deeply, Andrew Holecek has an excellent Sounds True course, Into the Luminous Dark, that offers a rich and practical introduction to the tradition. You can learn more here through my affiliate link: https://go.soundstrue.com/into-luminous-dark/affiliate#a_aid=x9ygrsbyzdoql&a_bid=dcedda22

  • July 21 · 46 min

    Authentic Intelligence: The Brahma Vihāras and the Future of Secular Dharma w/ Dave Smith

    What role do loving-kindness, compassion, appreciative joy, and equanimity play in the development of insight?In this episode, Mark speaks with Dharma teacher Dave Smith about the Brahma Vihāras, secular Buddhism, and the place of ethics in contemporary Insight Meditation. They also discuss Dave’s course Actual Intelligence, which explores the human capacities needed to navigate an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

  • June 10 · 46 min

    Ecodharma, Dzogchen, and the Politics of Transformation w/ Adam Lobel

    In this episode, I’m joined by Adam Lobel, PhD, a meditation teacher, scholar-practitioner, and professor of ecopsychology and Buddhist psychology. Adam’s work brings together contemporary philosophy, Dzogchen Tibetan Buddhism, ecopsychology, and transformational politics, asking how contemplative practice can respond to a society undergoing profound ecological, cultural, and spiritual change. We discuss ecodharma, cultural therapeutics, the role of Buddhist practice in ecological and social justice movements, and what it might mean to meet our metamorphosing world with clarity, compassion, and courageous action.

  • April 27 · 45 min

    Minds, Models, and Invisible Beings w/ Zach Buck

    Why do people across cultures report encounters with spirits, deities, ancestors, demons, angels, or other seemingly independent beings? And how might the science of predictive processing and active inference help us understand these experiences without simply dismissing them as “mere hallucinations”? In this episode, I speak with Zach Buck about spiritual entities, psychedelic experiences, and the predictive mind. We explore why the brain may sometimes model invisible agents as real presences, especially in altered states of consciousness, ritual contexts, contemplative practice, and emotionally charged moments. Rather than reducing these experiences to pathology or treating them uncritically as literal encounters, Zach offers a middle path: an active inference account that asks how perception, culture, expectation, embodiment, and uncertainty work together to shape experiences of spiritual agency.

  • March 2 · 48 min

    Establishing Right View: Meditation, Meaning, and Staying on Track w/ Nicholas Buscall

    In this conversation, Humanistic Integrative Psychotherapeutic Counsellor Nicholas Buscall and I explore why establishing a “good view”—a clear, grounded orientation to what meditation is (and isn’t)—can make practice safer, steadier, and more transformative. We talk about how meditation training can drift into confusion or unhelpful striving, and how a therapist’s perspective and regular check-ins can help you track your development, notice red flags early, and keep practice aligned with well-being, values, and real-world functioning.

  • January 12 · 40 min

    Where Science Meets Silence w/Brother Phap Linh

    n this episode of The Contemplative Science Podcast, I’m delighted to welcome back Brother Phap Linh, a Buddhist monk ordained at Plum Village in 2008. Before monastic life, Brother Phap Linh studied at Cambridge and worked as a composer, chef, and math tutor—bringing a rare blend of creativity, analytical rigor, and lived practice into his contemplative path. Inspired by the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, Brother Phap Linh entered monastic life as a response to global suffering, grounding his work in mindfulness, ethical living, and community practice. Today, he finds deep joy in guiding others—both monastic and lay—toward greater presence, compassion, and collective well-being. Our conversation explores the evolving relationship between Buddhism, spirituality, and science: how mindfulness is studied, where scientific models illuminate practice, and where lived experience resists easy measurement. Together, we reflect on what contemplative traditions can genuinely offer modern science—and what science can responsibly contribute to the deep work of inner transformation. A thoughtful, grounded dialogue at the meeting point of practice, theory, and lived wisdom.

  • Nov 24, 2025 · 45 min

    Purposeful Behaviour Through a Buddhist Lens w Nadav Amir

    In this episode, we explore the role of goal-setting and purposeful behaviour in Buddhist contemplative practice. While many traditions emphasize letting go, Buddhist training is also deeply structured by intentionality, effort, and purposeful cultivation. Nadav Amir brings a computational neuroscience perspective to these questions, examining how minds generate goals, how agency emerges, and how these processes relate to frameworks from early Buddhist epistemology and ethics. Together, we discuss paradoxes of striving, the tension between effort and non-attachment, and what modern neuroscience can tell us about intention on the contemplative path.

  • Nov 3, 2025 · 50 min

    How Compassion Works w/ Paul Condon

    In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Paul Condon to explore his new book How Compassion Works and the science behind cultivating compassion that lasts. We discuss what compassion really is, how it can be measured and taught, and why sustaining compassion matters for individuals and communities alike. Paul shares insights from his research on compassion training, its impact on mental health and social connection, and how these practices can be taught in a rigorous, evidence-based way without losing their heart.

  • Jul 28, 2025 · 43 min

    Being Deeply Well: Dharma, Discomfort, and the Healing Path w/ Melina Bondy & Arti Mehta

    What does it really mean to be deeply well—not just symptom-free or spiritually polished, but truly grounded, embodied, and alive? In this episode, Dharma teachers Melina Bondy and Arti Mehta explore this question through the lenses of contemplative practice, psychotherapy, somatics, art, and community care. Together we reflect on how meditation and the Dharma shape our understanding of wellness—not as an escape from life’s struggles, but as a courageous turning toward them. We discuss how to stay with discomfort without bypassing, the role of the body in healing, and the tensions between spiritual ideals and lived experience. We also ask: Can wellness itself become a form of resistance? What does it mean to be well together? And how can we honour both safety and challenge in our communities? This is a rich and honest conversation about the nonlinear path to being deeply well—and what it takes to share that path with others.

  • Jun 5, 2025 · 39 min

    How Compassion Works w/ Lama John Makransky

    In this episode, Lama John Makransky joins us to explore the inner architecture of compassion. Drawing from his new book How Compassion Works, we discuss how Buddhist meditative practices, attachment theory, and cognitive science can come together to help us cultivate deep well-being, unconditional love, and wise responsiveness in the face of suffering. Lama John reflects on the importance of accessing “innate qualities of goodness” through inner refuge practices, the role of secure relationality in healing, and how these insights can transform not only individual experience but social engagement. Whether you’re a clinician, a meditator, or someone interested in the meeting place of science and spirituality, this conversation offers a powerful vision of compassion as a force for inner and outer liberation.

  • May 19, 2025 · 33 min

    Is Meditation Philosophy? w/ Rick Repetti

    In this episode, we speak with Rick Repetti—philosopher, meditation teacher, and editor of The Routledge Handbook of the Philosophy of Meditation. We explore whether meditation can be considered a form of philosophy, how it might deepen our understanding of the mind, self, and agency, and whether a distinctly Western philosophy of meditation is emerging. Drawing on both scholarly insight and personal practice, Rick offers a compelling vision of meditation not just as a spiritual tool, but as a philosophical method in its own right.

  • Apr 28, 2025 · 49 min

    Science and Practice of Dark Retreats w/ Andrew Holecek

    What happens when you spend days—or even weeks—in complete darkness? In this episode, Andrew Holecek — an expert in Tibetan Buddhism, lucid dreaming, and meditation — guides us through the profound practice of dark retreats. We explore how extended time in darkness can shift perception, support mental health, and catalyze deep spiritual awakening. Blending ancient traditions with emerging science, this conversation sheds light on the hidden power of darkness and what it can teach us about waking life.

  • Apr 9, 2025 · 35 min

    Neurons, Networks, and the Nature of Freedom w/ Adam Safron

    In this episode, I am joined by Adam Safron, an independent researcher with a wild range of interests—from consciousness and free will to psychedelics, artificial life, and AI alignment. With affiliations at the Institute for Advanced Consciousness Studies and Michael Levin’s lab at Tufts University, Adam brings a rare interdisciplinary lens to questions about mind, matter, and meaning. We explore how agency arises, what it means to align intelligent systems (both artificial and biological), and how compassion might be the ultimate protocol for thriving.

  • Mar 19, 2025 · 40 min

    Breaking Free from Mental Ruts: The Science of Sense Foraging w/ Norman Farb

    In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Norman Farb to discuss his new book, Better in Every Sense, co-authored with Dr. Zindel Segal, which explores how we become emotionally stuck and how to break free. Drawing from cutting-edge neuroscience, Dr. Farb introduces Sense Foraging, a practice that helps us escape the rigid mental habits that dull our experience of life. Instead of forcing change through willpower, the book reveals how engaging deeply with sensation can enhance resilience, creativity, and well-being. Join us as we unpack the science behind breaking free from stagnation and rediscovering a vibrant connection with the world.

  • Mar 3, 2025 · 32 min

    The Museum of Meditative Practices w/ Mridula Sathyanarayanan

    In this episode, we’re joined by Mridula Sathyanarayanan, a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, majoring in neuroscience, philosophy, and Buddhist Psychology & Mental Health (BPMH). A Laidlaw Scholar, Mridula has been exploring the intersection of contemplative science and public engagement through her innovative project, *The Museum of Meditative Practices*. Her work invites us to rethink how meditation is experienced, studied, and shared, creating an interactive and educational space where diverse meditative traditions come to life. We discuss the inspiration behind her project, the challenges of translating contemplative experiences into public exhibits, and what this means for the future of contemplative science. Tune in for a conversation on the creative ways meditation can be made accessible and immersive—and why this matters for both science and practice.

  • Feb 17, 2025 · 45 min

    Dissolving Boundaries - A Computational View of Body-Scan Meditation w Valeria Becattini

    In this episode, we sit down with Valeria Becattini, a cognitive scientist and philosopher, to explore the paradoxical effects of body-scan meditation on our sense of self. Drawing from her research, Valeria explains how this Theravada Buddhist practice challenges our typical understanding of attention and sensory awareness. Using the predictive processing framework, she reveals how focused attention can lead to the dissolution of bodily boundaries, a phenomenon known as bhaṅga. Together, we delve into the implications of her findings for well-being and discuss how this meditative technique could inform therapeutic approaches for addiction, emotional dysregulation, and self-regulation. Join us for a thought-provoking journey into the intersection of philosophy, neuroscience, and contemplative practices.

  • Dec 15, 2024 · 35 min

    Rewiring Hope: Computational Models, Psilocybin, and the Science of Optimism w/ Beth Fisher

    How does the brain cultivate optimism, and can psychedelics help people trapped in cycles of depression? In this episode, we’re joined by Beth Fisher, PhD student at M3CS and co-host of Minds Matter. We explore her groundbreaking research using computational models to study how psilocybin influences belief updating and decision-making. Her recent study reveals how psilocybin increases optimistic engagement in rats by reducing loss aversion and modifying memory dynamics. Together, we discuss what this means for treating depression, understanding optimism bias, and unlocking new therapeutic possibilities through psychedelics and cognitive modeling.

  • Nov 13, 2024 · 44 min

    Mindfulness in Action: Bridging Healthcare, Education, and Wellbeing w/Elli Weisbaum

    In this episode, we sit down with Elli Weisbaum, an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto in the Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health program. Elli shares insights from her extensive experience facilitating mindfulness workshops and retreats across education, healthcare, and business sectors. We discuss her work on applying mindfulness to enhance physician well-being. Elli’s unique background, combining academic research with traditional mindfulness training under Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, offers a fresh perspective on mindfulness in contemporary settings.

  • Oct 23, 2024 · 46 min

    The Dawn of Consciousness w/ James Cooke

    In this episode, we are joined by Dr. James Cooke, neuroscientist and author of *The Dawn of Mind: How Matter Became Conscious and Alive*. With over a decade of experience studying the brain's role in consciousness, Dr. Cooke shares groundbreaking insights into the nature of the mind, the illusion of the self, and the fundamental relationship between mind and matter. We explore whether consciousness is universal, the philosophical implications of non-separation, and other mysteries of consciousness occurring at the cutting-edge of science.

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