Ep128: Pioneering Science – Dr Jud Brewer, Shinzen Young, Chelsey Fasano, & Dr Sanguinetti
In this episode special guest Dr Jud Brewer – pioneering psychiatrist, neurosciencist, and New York Times best-selling author – joins the ongoing conversation featuring:
Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant
Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student
Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Professor at the University of New Mexico
In this episode Dr Brewer gives a fascinating summary of his ground-breaking work, and shares his wildest secret dream for the future of neuroscience and humanity at large.
Dr Sanguinetti and Shinzen reveal the latest science in their lab, and dialogue with Dr Brewer about pseudo-arhats and the power of conditioning.
The panel also map the 4 noble truths using the latest neuroscience theories, debate the pros and cons of including subjective experience in serious research, explore how to translate academic language into common parlance, and raise serious concerns about healthy integration of altered states.
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
Topics include:
00:00 – Intro
01:29 – Dr Jud Brewer summarises his pioneering work
18:41 – Jud’s vision for the future of the field
29:19 – Hope for the future
37:31 – Shinzen’s meta comment
40:08 – Jud’s wildest secret dream
44:58 – Dr Jay Sanguinetti tells the story of his work
49:51 – Jay’s collaboration with Shinzen Young
54:11 – Jay and Shinzen go deeper into the science
59:24 – Mapping the 4 Noble Truths with the neuroscience
01:06:19 – Pseudo-arhats and interruption of conditioning
01:08:13 – Getting unstuck and inducing equanimity
01:13:24 – Exciting developments at SEMA Lab
01:16:44 – Discussing different areas of the PCC
01:20:19 – Pros and cons of integrating first person subjective experience
01:24:54 – Next steps at SEMA Lab and integrating mindfulness training
01:26:19 – Jud reflects on the pragmatic public health implications
01:28:59 – Crucial considerations around integrating altered states
01:34:32 – Jud’s latest work on integration
01:36:48 – Shinzen on academic vs street language
01:44:41 – Chelsey’s reflections
Previous episodes in this series:
To find out more about Dr Brewer, visit:
To find out more about Shinzen, visit:
To find out more about Chelsey, visit:
To find our more about Dr Sanguinetti, visit:
For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James