In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychologist and contemplative researcher Simon Goldberg. Simon uses tools drawn from psychotherapy research to better understand the therapeutic processes and outcomes of mindfulness and meditation-based interventions. This conversation covers many topics, including:


coming to practice through one's own suffering;

what we know from science about whether and how meditation "works;"

the nuts and bolts of meditation research, and the importance of control groups;

the file drawer effect and publishing negative findings;

common factors in healing interventions;

working with the self in psychotherapy vs. Buddhism;

the critical role of acceptance;

some challenges when measuring effects of meditation;

individualizing contemplative practice to suit the person;

delivering and studying meditation interventions through apps;

and the possibilities of AI to help support meditation practice.

Full show notes and resources