#227 Miguel Farias: Mindfulness, Religion, And Scientific Faith
Dr. Miguel Farias is an Associate Professor at Coventry University, UK. His work explores the psychological impact of beliefs and spiritual practices, including meditation and pilgrimage. He is also interested in the biological roots of our beliefs and how we can change them. He’s the author of The Buddha Pill: Can Meditation Change You?.
In this episode, we focus on some of the main topics in Dr. Farias’ book, The Buddha Pill. We go through some of the main issues in the psychological research on the effects of yoga, meditation and mindfulness. We talk about studies done on inmates, and the relationship between meditation and violence, linking it to ritual and synchrony. Finally, we talk about the literature on the relationship between religious beliefs and stress and anxiety-reduction, and how people use all sorts of strategies to give meaning to their lives, including atheists and agnostics.
Time Links:
Issues with research on the psychological effects of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness
Confounding factors, like individual differences and expectations
The demonstrated positive psychological effects of mindfulness
Studies done on inmates, and their stress and aggressiveness
The relationship between meditation and violence
Ritual and synchrony
Religious beliefs and stress-reduction
Understanding Unbelief
Some people use science to give meaning to their lives
Follow Dr. Farias’ work!
Follow Dr. Farias’ work:
Faculty Page: http://bit.ly/30xA0zM
Website: http://bit.ly/2M7GHET
ResearchGate profile: http://bit.ly/2O2icv2
The Buddha Pill: Can Meditation Change You?: https://amzn.to/2O3hZb7
Relevant papers:
Atheists on the Santiago Way: Examining Motivations to Go On Pilgrimage: http://bit.ly/2Y8QLn9
Participation in a 10-week course of yoga improves behavioural control and decreases psychological distress in a prison population: http://bit.ly/2JLE3Sh
The Effects of Belief in God and Science on Acute Stress: http://bit.ly/2M51lFg
Scientific faith: Belief in science increases in the face of stress and existential anxiety: http://bit.ly/2YZQAYw
Understanding Unbelief: Atheists and agnostics around the world: http://bit.ly/2LrLtx4