self-transcendence

1. Why do we spend our lives trying to become what our culture ascribes as “good” only to burn ourselves out, wake up, and realize: I thought it would all be more beautiful than this? 2. Why Glennon says that stillness has been her greatest teacher–and how she was able to find it in her most rock bottom moments.  3. How listening for and committing to the next right thing then leads us to the next thing–and why we should rush towards whatever looks and feels like freedom. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does it mean to "transcend the self?" Today Dr. Hanson, Forrest, and Dr. David Yaden explore self-transcendent, or “peak,” experiences, which the famous psychologist Abraham Maslow defined as “moments of highest happiness and fulfillment.” As a note, David is referred to as a "PhD student" during the episode. Since it was recorded, he's gone on to earn his doctorate! About our Guest: David is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Johns Hopkins Medicine who studies the varieties of spiritual and self-transcendent experiences from the perspectives of psychology and cognitive neuroscience.  Read David's paper on The Varieties of Self-Transcendent Experience here.  New Sponsor: Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month!  Key Topics: 3:00: The two key characteristics of self-transcendent experiences. 4:30: “Everyday” versions of peak experiences.  8:00: Self-transcendence and psychopathology. 11:00: David’s account of self-transcendence.  13:50: The lasting impact of peak experiences.  17:00: Is there a “place” where self-transcendence occurs in the brain?  20:45: Making use of peak experiences. 28:00: Should we seek peak experiences out?  36:00: Relaxing the sense of self.  41:30: A message to your younger self. 43:30: Recap Support the Podcast: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. From Dr. Hanson: Hardwire lasting change into your mind and heart in just a few minutes a day  with Dr. Rick Hanson's new program: Just One Minute. Use the code BEINGWELL at checkout for 10% off the purchase price! The Foundations of Well-Being brings together the lessons of a lifetime of practice into one year-long online program. Podcast listeners can use the code BEINGWELL25 at checkout for an additional 25% off! Please don't hesitate to apply for a scholarship if you're in need.  Connect with the show: Follow us on Instagram Follow Rick on Facebook Follow Forrest on Facebook Subscribe on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today it’s great to have David Yaden on the podcast. Dr. Yaden is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Johns Hopkins Medicine. His research focus is on the psychology, neuroscience, and pharmacology of transformative and self-transcendent experiences. He is currently focusing on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. His scientific and scholarly work has been covered by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, and NPR.

In this episode we discuss:

• The applicability of self-transcendent experiences to the current moment
• The definition of self-transcendent experiences
• Andrew Newberg’s pioneering work on the neuroscience of self-transcendent experiences
• Abraham Maslow’s role in the history of the scientific investigation of self-transcendent experiences
• The “everyperson’s spiritual experience”
• The two main components of awe
• The main characteristics of awe
• Awe vs. flow
• The role of technology in triggering self-transcendent experiences
• The triggers of self-transcendent experiences
• The limitations of interventions to induce self-transcendent experiences
• How we can seek out little moments of awe, gratitude, and mindfulness
• How psilocybin can induce very intense self-transcendent experiences
• The potential for psychedelic therapy sessions
• The neuroscience underlying the therapeutic benefit of psychedelics
• How psychedelic experiences can impact our connection with close others
• David’s personal self-transendent experience
• Davis’ interest in studying intense interventions
• David’s study of the philosophy of psychology

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