The Brain of a Mental Olympian
Episode Overview
Dr. Elena Antonova is a neuroscientist and senior lecturer in psychology at Brunel University London.
Her research focuses on the effects of long-term mindfulness meditation practice in the hope of promoting mental wellbeing in the general population.
On this episode, we dive into the different approaches to meditation and the 4 levels of meditation practice development.
We also discuss what goes on in the brains of elite meditators and what it takes for the average person to reap the benefits from a meditation practice.
Hope you enjoy!
P.S. — If you’re serious about starting or deepening your meditation practice, check out the FitMind meditation app.
Elena Antonova, PhD Bio
Dr. Antonova has a PhD in Cognitive Psychology from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London.
She has been actively involved with the Mind & Life Institute for over a decade. In 2017, Dr. Antonova was elected a Mind & Life Research Fellow for her contribution to contemplative science— the highest honor in her field.
About the Guest
Show Notes
0:00 | Introduction to Elena Antonova, PhD
4:28 | Categorizing Meditation Practices
7:15 | Why Breath Focus is Fundamental
10:19 | Constructivist vs. Innateist Approach to Meditation
12:08 | 4 Levels of Meditation Practice Development
17:12 | Mental Fitness Defined
20:19 | Brains of Mental Olympians
24:10 | Default Mode Network Differences
32:00 | Field of Awareness Described
35:45 | Habituation of the Attention System
46:45 | Eye Movement Paradigm Study
54:00 | Balancing Brain’s Predictive Nature with the Present Moment
57:10 | Measurable Changes with Just 10 Minutes a Day
59:14 | Rapid Fire Questions
