An entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, Adam Weissman was the co-founder and CTO of Applied Semantics, a software company that was acquired by Google in 2003. His interest in AI extends from his early career in computer games, to his role as an investor, and to his recent research into biologically-inspired approaches. He believes the development …
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neuroscience
Changing the Brain by Transforming the Mind: The Impact of Compassion Training on the Neural Systems of Emotion
Richard Davidson explores the scientific study of compassion and its potential applications for mental health, particularly depression. Inspired by the Dalai Lama, Davidson describes efforts to apply rigorous neuroscience methods—traditionally used to study fear and anxiety—to compassion. He begins by showing that individuals with depression exhibit reduced brain responses to positive social interactions, suggesting a …
Opening Remarks with the Dalai Lama
Mind & Life Institute president Adam Engle shares opening remarks followed by Emory University president James W. Wagner who announces that the Dalai Lama’s installation as an Emory Presidential Distinguished Professor. The Dalai Lama follows with remarks highlighting two core commitments: promoting human values, especially compassion, through secular ethics, and fostering religious harmony. He emphasizes …
Reconnecting with Nature in a Time of Climate Crisis: Advancing the Science of Earth Awareness
Underlying rising temperatures and climate emergencies lies a quieter rupture: our growing disconnection from the living systems that sustain us. Earth awareness practices—contemplative practices that cultivate a lived sense of interconnection with the natural world—offer promise for rekindling the reciprocal relationship between humans and the Earth. Yet without a stronger evidence base, their potential to …
Session – Mental Training: Impact on Neuronal, Cognitive and Emotional Plasticity
As part of the grand opening of the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds, the Dalai Lama, along with contemplatives and contemplative scholars, engaged in a dialogue with scientists envisioned in the style of a working lab meeting.
A New Chapter for the Mind & Life Podcast
Since its launch in April 2020, the Mind & Life podcast has been a space for deep inquiry—where rigorous science meets lived wisdom, and where fundamental questions about the mind, human experience, and our shared humanity can unfold across many lenses. Drawing from psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, anthropology, and first-person experience, the show has created a …
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Developing Objective Measurements of Climate Resilience and Emotional Adaptability in Youth
Climate change is both an environmental and psychological crisis, with college-aged youth (Gen Z/α) especially vulnerable to climate distress. While climate education can foster resilience and engagement, most studies rely on self-report, limiting objectivity. This proposal introduces an innovative approach by integrating cognitive and neurophysiological measures to evaluate climate resilience interventions. The study has two …
Jonathan Cerna
Dr. Jonathan Cerna received his B.S. in Dietetics from Iowa State University in 2018, followed by an M.S. in Nutritional Sciences (2021) and Ph.D. in Neuroscience (2025) from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He currently directs the Mind-body Integration & Neurophysiological Dynamics (MIND) Laboratory. His research takes a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the neurophysiological mechanisms …
Jay Van Bavel
Jay Van Bavel is a Professor of Psychology & Neural Science at New York University, an affiliate at the Stern School of Business in Management and Organizations, Professor at the Norwegian School of Economics, and Director of the Center for Conflict & Cooperation. He is also an Associate Editor of the Proceedings of the National …
Contemplative and Ecological Education
What if the solution to our most pressing environmental, educational, and emotional crises was hiding in plain sight—in the trees, the silence of a forest, or the stillness of our own breath? As a researcher and educator, I’ve spent years exploring how contemplative practices and nature, two ancient sources of wisdom, can come together to …
