TEDx Talks
How is the Self represented in the brain and how is it sculpted through our everyday moment-to-moment perceptions, emotions, and thoughts? Cognitive Neuroscientist, David Vago demonstrates that a systematic form of mental training involving meditation and mindful awareness has the potential to transform our self and our mental habits in a positive way. Learn more about how every moment is an opportunity to change our brain and strongly influence our health & longevity at both conscious and non-conscious levels.
A Cognitive Neuroscientist by training, David Vago has close to 20 years of experience with mindfulness practice and teaching, and over a decade conducting translational neuroimaging, cognitive, and clinical research on the basic mechanisms and therapeutic relevance of mindfulness and associated meditation/contemplative practices. Through his research, Dr. Vago focuses on one basic question – “What are the basic neurobiological and physiological components that constitute adaptive mind-brain-body interactions and their therapeutic relevance in psychiatric settings?” In addition to being an expert in the emerging field of contemplative neuroscience, David has studied the neural mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disease and chronic pain using fMRI and is translating these findings into biologically-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for alleviating suffering. He is the research director at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a research associate in the Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx
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Good talk. Took him a while to get to the point tho
I have trauma brain from childhood abuse and neglect. Mindfulness is changing my life. Thank you ???
I was diagnosed w a life threatening illness over a year ago. I didn't know how I could go on with my life. I began to meditate and practice mindfulness, and I'm not afraid anymore, and I can sleep!! It's helped me tremendously. Without this and my wonderful doctors I could not live a happy and healthy life.
What we think affects what we are but not entirely, what when think influences on the produce of what we are, sometimes we might think something that produces to take undesirable effects while hoping for the contrary and vice-versa,
Also the spirit influences the production of what we are,
We are what we think could be a deceiving sintence
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Sir can I use earplugs during mindfullness breathing meditation
thanks
I've actually done some of these types of exercises/surveys. I think the conclusion that those who have been learning mindfulness and who don't shy away from reading words about pain – means they aren't afraid of pain – is wrong. I would conclude, having done them and now attempting to learn mindfulness, is that those who have learned mindfulness are simply better at being calm and paying attention to the task at hand, but that it has nothing to do with being afraid of pain or not. Those types of exercises are extremely – and with a capital E – irritating and headache-making, and they generally go on for way too long. I think the researchers wanted to conclude that the results meant that mindfulness = no fear of pain. But, the results really just concluded that mindfulness = ability to deal with extremely irritating eye exercises more calmly.
Never has a TED talk put me to sleep faster……
Meditation is so awesomely that even when there's need to be anxious. I don't
felt like the presenter just wanted to use this platform to list all his achievements in life
Thank you for this talk Dr. Dave. Thank you for sharing so much. If I may ask you, can mindfulness be helpful for involuntary tremors I keep having in my hands since childhood?
(I do have anxiety problems and I don't know if what I have are Essential tremors or not. However, my tremors do emerge during a time I am relaxed too. But they always come during times I use them, like handing over something, counting money notes or holding phone. They always shake).
How can one practice and utilize mindfulness for such a case?
Any advice from you would be highly valuable.
I wish you the best in life & thank you again.
This makes sense to me after taking time to think about it on a deeper level. I am a believer in transforming my mind in dealing with my pain, anxiety, and depression. Meditation is so rewarding for me.
I've just sent this presentation link to my twenty years old son. He has been practicing meditation for the last two years and is interested in neuroscience and psychology but is studying economics. I've told him to forget about this "zen path" thing because it doesn't translate into a career but he should pursue it as a "hobby". Thanks for giving this talk; he will be inspired!
What a waste of time, a lot of talk but no demo
Do not believe in what you have heard; do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations; do not believe in anything because it is rumoured and spoken by many; do not believe merely because a written statement of some old sage is produced; do not believe in conjectures; do not believe in that as truth to which you have become attached from habit; do not believe merely the authority of your teachers and elders. After observation and analysis, when it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and gain of one and all, then accept it and live up to it. – Lord Buddha
Dear doc, I see that you are referencing Buddhism in referencing Meditation's origin. That sir is false. Since you have read "Dharamapada", you would be aware of who Buddha's original teachers were?
Be still and know that i am god. — the bible.
AMAZING,,,,,,ABOUT TIME…IT'S CALLED WAKING UP…..
I will try mindfulness training right away. Should work better than that ritallin they want me to take! Also better for my health.
Such a self-absorbed man, teaching meditation. hah!
Bello Dave! Great talk, I myself am benefitting from mindfulness. But I always worry about downsides, is it true it can bring psychotic lapses?
10 days at Vipassana changed my life in ways that I never expected!
i like to suggest whole world study buddisim ,,,it will giude you to wisdom
Great work! I recently read Happines from Mathieu Richard he talk about the importance of meditation, introduce me to how mindfulness affects thoughts. I see that many country are moving to this and I really hope that Italy could move in this direction
What is the correct way to medidate? Can anyone guide me on this?
A person cannot LEARN how to think correctly by being taught mindfulness UNLESS that lesson includes the correct information about thinking and thought fundamentals.
I.e. What is a thought? What do thoughts look like? Where are they located? How do they function? etc…
The simple truth about what anyone KNOWS depends upon one thing: Whether or not a person has been taught, shown or educated CORRECTLY on the fundamentals of Thought. Knowing our own thoughts is to know ourselves. BUT the human brain cannot DO what it knows nothing about.
Unless WE teach our youth how to think correctly, how will any of them know?
Currently people every where are NOT taught, shown or educated on how to think correctly…and that is the intention., THINK about it.
Woohoo!! You tell them Doctor David!! <3
It is a tough area to do research on. You really did a great job. Thank you.I wish one day I can work in your lab btw I am studying cell and molecular biology. I have this silly question how our brain decides what is a wrong thought and what is a right thought. And which to keep in and which one to erase.
like I m confused right now should I do Ph.D. or a job. there is a lot of confusion in my mind and I get anxiety attacks thinking of future and get depressed easily. i am not able to decide what to do. so how should I figure out what is wrong and what is a right thought? can mindfullness help in this context?
हजारों सालों से विद्वान लोग कह रहें हैं शांत बनिये परंतु यह कोई नहीं बताता हम अशान्त क्यों हैं । लोग बतातें हैं कि धन /काम/सत्ता /शक्ति के पीछे मत भागिए, लेकिन कोई यह नहीं बताता कि हम भागते क्यों है ।
कहतें हैं कि मन को इधर उधर भागने मत दीजिये लेकिन कोई यह नहीं बताता कीमत इधर उधर भगता क्यों हैं ।
यदि क्यों का उत्तर मिल जाय तो हम आसानी से समस्याओं का निदान कर सकतें हैं ।
ऐसे गुरु को खोजिये जो क्यों का उत्तर दे सके
Hi David, thank you for your talk! It has re-enforced the importance of my meditation practice nicely 🙂 I'm really impressed with genuine care that you have shown through your replies in the comment section also. May I ask has science indicated an optimal/minimum length of time for gaining the full benefits of meditation? Many thanks!
No yu
I suffered from agoraphobia for many years and only left my home for emergencies and accompanied by partner. After meditating twice a day for four months it seemed quite normal to go out and post a letter on my own and now two years later I can move freely and have no problem going abroad on holiday. One top psychiatrist told me two years ago that he could do nothing for me as I had seen many professionals without any improvement and it was 'too late'.
Being still is the smartest thing I've ever done.
Thanks for your sharing, i think it's time for me to retreat and getting better and better.
Brilliant presentation! I've listened to this talk about 5-6 times over the last month while driving and today was the first time I had the chance to actually watch it. I started practicing yoga regularly and meditating at least 20 minutes a day a little over one year ago and the results so far have been life changing! I've faced some major setbacks and challenges over the last few years and because I would spend all my waking hours ruminating and dwelling on these past mistakes it created a lot of anxiety, stress and ultimately severe bouts of depression. But with my mindful practice I'm happy to say I've made an 180 degree turn and have lately been filled with more awareness, patience, compassion and contentment than I know what to do with! Because of neuroscientists like Dr. David Vago I believe the world is definitely on track to becoming a more happy and peaceful place.
not exactly sure what the purpose of this talk is: an opportunity for the doctor to talk about all his accomplishments and results of his studies OR to inform people on what exactly mindfulness is, how to become mindful, and steps people can take to be this "meta-aware' person he keeps talking about.
all i took away from this is an autobiography of someone's career and that bad emotions…are umm…bad for you?
you met the dalai lama. yeah, that's great for you, man. really awesome.
Guys just listen to the last 2 mins of Dr. David Vago talk. That's how you learn how to change.
Developing neurotechnologies to directly alter the brain structures that modulate the Self is the next logical step towards universalizing enlightenment.
impressive and great
i really find difficult to express myself in front of people and how i can eradicate such fear from my subconscious mind because i really find tough in real world because of it so sir you have any good suggestions please help me out and do reply
how meditation can help me to remember anything i study for longer period of time and i call recall it whenever I want
Quit harming animals to advance science
Dear Dave, what if you are 46 and have achieved nothing. No relationship. No meaningful work. Temporary residence in the West. A family that depends on you.
Worried. Stressed. Guilty. I am still a graduate student. Totally depressed. How does mindfulness work?
You made it. I did not.
Dave, has there been any work on Tai-Chi and the effects it has on the mind and body?