What does it take to live a flourishing life? How can ancient Buddhist wisdom and modern neuroscience reveal the keys to lasting well-being?
In this episode of the Chung Huong Institute Podcast, we welcome Dr. Cortland Dahl, contemplative scientist, Buddhist scholar, translator, and co-author of Born to Flourish with neuroscientist Dr. Richard Davidson.
Together, we explore four essential skills for human flourishing: Awareness, Connection, Insight, and Purpose. Drawing on contemplative traditions, modern psychology, and neuroscience, Dr. Dahl explains how these capacities exist, and how we can cultivate them to transform our relationship with ourselves, others, and the world.
00:00 – Opening Highlights
00:24 – Meet Dr. Cortland Dahl
01:53 – Bridging Buddhism, Meditation, and Science
04:17 – Discovering Meditation and the Motivation to Serve
06:23 – Why People Turn to Meditation
08:41 – Personal Meditation Practice and Retreats
10:49 – Born to Flourish: Four Essential Skills
13:30 – Awareness: Recognizing What We Already Have
15:25 – What Is Mindfulness?
18:46 – Connection: Relationships, Kindness, and Compassion
21:07 – Insight: Understanding How the Mind Works
24:11 – Meditation Insights and Breakthrough Experiences
25:30 – Turning Insights into Lasting Transformation
28:35 – Beginner’s Mind, Purpose, and Personal Values
33:08 – From Religious Skepticism to Buddhist Devotion
36:46 – Leadership and Being of Service
38:48 – A Life-Changing Experience with Mingyur Rinpoche
45:13 – Becoming a Student of Mingyur Rinpoche
46:44 – Secular Mindfulness and Traditional Buddhist Practice
51:04 – The Future of Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science
Who is Dr. Cortland Dahl?Cortland is an author, scientist, translator, and meditation teacher whose work has been featured in the New York Times, Vogue, Sports Illustrated, and many other publications.Cort began meditating in the early 1990s and spent time on retreat in monasteries and retreat centers throughout Asia, including eight years living in Tibetan refugee settlements in Kathmandu, Nepal. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in Mind, Brain and Contemplative Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was mentored by renowned neuroscientist Dr. Richard Davidson. He also holds a master's degree in Buddhist Studies from Naropa University.Currently, Cort serves as an Instructor for the Tergar community and Executive Director of Tergar International. He is also a Scientist and Chief Contemplative Officer at UW-Madison's Center for Healthy Minds and the center's affiliated non-profit, Humin.As a scientist, Cort is actively involved in research on the effects of meditation on the body, mind, and brain. He is also the co-creator and guide of the award-winning Healthy Minds Program app, which has been downloaded more than a million times and has been the subject of groundbreaking research on meditation.As an author and translator, Cort wrote A Meditator's Guide to Buddhism and Born to Flourish, co-authored with Dr. Richard Davidson. He has also published twelve books of translations of classical texts on Buddhist philosophy and meditation.Cort lives with his wife Kasumi in Madison, Wisconsin.
