Thupten Jinpa - Cultivating Compassion

In this inaugural episode, Wendy speaks with Buddhist scholar, author, and longtime translator for the Dalai Lama, Thupten Jinpa. Their conversation covers many topics, including: how he met and started working with the Dalai Lama, and insights from 35 years of translating for him; the relationship of language and mind; how to deal with self-consciousness; the dialogue between Buddhism and science; first- and third-person ways of investigating the mind that are central to the science of meditation; sources of valid evidence and knowledge; the mind as more than the brain; the relevance of compassion for well-being and a program he developed to cultivate it; the value of mental training in the time of COVID, and other topics. Full show notes and resources

Om Podcasten

What is a mind? What are the mental patterns that shape our experience—how are those patterns created, maintained, and changed? How can contemplative practices like meditation help us work with our minds? And what are the potential benefits these practices for individuals and society? This inquiry can happen through many lenses. Conversations on this show integrate contemplative approaches with perspectives from psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, anthropology, religion, social science, art, activism, and lived experience. On Mind & Life, we investigate these complex questions with leading researchers, thinkers, and on-the-ground practitioners, moving us toward a deeper understanding of ourselves and our world. Hosted by Mind & Life Institute Science Director, Wendy Hasenkamp.