On Flourishing Despite Life's Challenges | Richard Davidson & Cortland Dahl

In their powerful new book, Born to Flourish,

Renowned neuroscientists and contemplative teachers 

Dr. Richard J. Davidson and Dr. Cortland Dahl offer a radical and hopeful idea:

All of us come into the world with an innate capacity for kindness, compassion, and human flourishing. 

Through a powerful blend of storytelling, pioneering research, and ancient Buddhist wisdom, 

they reveal how reconnecting with our true nature can transform not only ourselves but also our divided world.

In today’s conversation we’ll explore the landscape of human potential, 

and the possibility of flourishing in the face of life’s challenges.  

In many ways this exploration is rooted in one of the most important and hopeful scientific findings of our time. 

The fact that our brains are far more malleable than most of us assume, 

And that when we engage in practices which Richie and Cort have discovered take only minutes a day, 

we can profoundly reshape how we respond to stress, 

connect with others,

understand ourselves, 

and ultimately infuse our lives with greater meaning and purpose. 

Named one of the most influential people in the world by Time, 

Richie has been a pioneer in contemplative science, and the domain of human flourishing for decades.

Much of his work coming out of The Center for Healthy Minds. 

A center that he founded and where he serves as Director. 

It was at the Center where Richie and Cort first met - A chance encounter that in many ways felt more like it was destined to be. 

Since then they have collaborated closely together, and become good friends in the process. 

Today they’ll share more about this beautiful collaboration, and what’s come from it, including the four key skills of flourishing that they’ve identified through their research.

What is so refreshing about their work is that it is (in many ways) a departure from the popular paradigms of quick fixes, and self improvement projects.  

Instead they argue that flourishing is about rediscovering something we already have.

It’s about returning to our innate capacities for kindness, compassion, and basic goodness. 

And perhaps most importantly 

They remind us that these capacities can be strengthened by anyone — 

regardless of background, experience, or circumstance.

For more on Richie and Cort, their new book Born to Flourish, the award winning Healthy Minds App which Richie and Cort created together, as well as other offerings including their podcast, and substack, Dharmlab please visit humin.org, or check out centerhealthyminds.org

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Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:

• On Unwinding Anxiety and Finding Inner Peace | Dr. Jud Brewer
• Meditation, Awakening, and Original Love | Henry Shukman
• On the Transformative Power of Equanimity | Margaret Cullen

Thanks for listening!