Meditation practices date back thousands of years and are a part of nearly every major religion. But it’s only in the past couple of decades that researchers have begun to use the tools of modern science to explore what is happening in the brain when people meditate and how meditation might benefit our mind and body. Richard Davidson, PhD, director of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin and a pioneer in the scientific study of meditation, discusses what scientists have learned and how these ancient practices can help us to flourish. We’d love to know what you think of Speaking of Psychology, what you would change about it, and what you’d like to hear more of. Please take our listener survey, visit www.apa.org/podcastsurvey. Links Richard Davidson, PhD Music Meditation_Impromptu_01.mp3 by jominvg via Freesound.org Freesound.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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