Amishi Jha - Attention, Mind Wandering, and Stress

In this episode, Wendy speaks with cognitive and contemplative neuroscientist Amishi Jha about using mindfulness to train attention, and its usefulness particularly in high-stress situations. They cover many topics, including:

• her own experience of high stress and how that brought her to contemplative practice;

• her research on how mindfulness can train attention and working memory;

• the relationship between attention and stress;

• bringing mindfulness to military populations;

• the pros and cons of a wandering mind;

• mindfulness during COVID;

• the state of contemplative science, and current issues around gender and racial diversity.

Full show notes and resources (podcast.mindandlife.org/amishi-jha)