Self-Transformation Through Mindfulness | Dr. David Vago | TEDxNashville

In this practice

Key teachings

• The brain's activity-dependent plasticity allows for constant self-transformation
• Mindfulness and meditation can systematically change mental habits and self-identity
• Our lives are shaped by our minds, and we become what we think
• The 'self' is constructed moment-by-moment through perception and evaluation

Ideal for

• Individuals interested in the neuroscience of mindfulness and meditation
• Anyone seeking self-improvement and mental training insights
• Students of psychology, neuroscience, and contemplative studies
• Those looking to understand the scientific basis of self-transformation

Lesson

Instructions

How is the Self represented in the brain and how is it sculpted through our everyday moment-to-moment perceptions, emotions, and thoughts? Cognitive Neuroscientist, David Vago demonstrates that a systematic form of mental training involving meditation and mindful awareness has the potential to transform our self and our mental habits in a positive way. Learn more about how every moment is an opportunity to change our brain and strongly influence our health & longevity at both conscious and non-conscious levels.

A Cognitive Neuroscientist by training, David Vago has close to 20 years of experience with mindfulness practice and teaching, and over a decade conducting translational neuroimaging, cognitive, and clinical research on the basic mechanisms and therapeutic relevance of mindfulness and associated meditation/contemplative practices. Through his research, Dr. Vago focuses on one basic question – “What are the basic neurobiological and physiological components that constitute adaptive mind-brain-body interactions and their therapeutic relevance in psychiatric settings?” In addition to being an expert in the emerging field of contemplative neuroscience, David has studied the neural mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disease and chronic pain using fMRI and is translating these findings into biologically-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for alleviating suffering. He is the research director at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a research associate in the Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at

Steps

• Mindful awareness practice (conceptual)
• Meditation (conceptual understanding of its impact on the brain)
• Metacognition (awareness of attention and mental habits)

Benefits

• Positive transformation of self and mental habits
• Improved health and longevity
• Enhanced understanding of mind-brain-body interactions
• Insight into personal conditioning and triggers
• Alleviating suffering through contemplative practices