The Neuroplasticity of Perception

We’re raised to believe that our perceptions of the world around us has an objective quality, but both Buddhism and modern neuroscience agree that our perceptions can frequently be distorted, and these distortions can cause great suffering. This "naive realism” — the belief that the world exists in the way it appears to us — is so innate to many of us, yet our beliefs, past experiences and emotional states can dramatically alter how we perceive experiences. In this informative session, Ven Tenzin discusses the many ways that our minds can play tricks on us, particularly when it comes to the impact of experiences that we perceive as negative, and shares a simple practice that can help balance and enrich our minds by reinforcing the impact of positive experiences.

How to Change Your Mind

Our perceptions of “reality” are much more subjective than we often think. In this episode, we will talk about both Buddhist and modern scientific views of the mind, our ways of knowing, and how our mind makes sense of the world around us. We will also talk about how we can change our minds, and how modern ideas of neuroplasticity and traditional Buddhist contemplative practice converge.

Listen at KSQD.

The Power of Interconnection

The COVID pandemic has led many of us to feel the hidden epidemic of loneliness more acutely than ever, yet loneliness is not much discussed even though scientists now link it to a number of negative health outcomes. In this episode, Venerable Tenzin speaks with host Mathew Divaris about what Buddhism, with its strong focus on interconnectedness, can offer a world grappling with loneliness to help our individual and collective wellbeing.

Listen now at KSQD.org.