As part of the work that she’s leading on the ReSource Project—a large-scale multi-methodological secular mental training program—Tania Singer is studying novel forms of intersubjective mental training practices that are performed with a partner. These contemplative dyad practices are aimed at boosting social closeness and perceived interconnectedness.
In this video, Singer, who is the Director at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, Germany, shares some the differential effects of individual mindfulness-based practices as compared to contemplative dyad practices on outcomes such as attention, compassion, Theory of Mind, altruism, as well as social stress and autonomic body regulation.
Editor’s Note: The 2017 Mind & Life Summer Research Institute took place from June 5 – 11 at the Garrison Institute in New York. This year’s program, focused on the theme of “Intersubjectivity and Social Connectivity,” brought together scientists, clinical researchers, contemplative practitioners, scholars, and teachers from a variety of disciplines to explore scientific, humanistic, and first-person contemplative perspectives on interrelational human dynamics, including how we relate to ourselves and others, and to community and strangers.
In an effort to share some of the insights from this year’s Summer Research Institute, the Mind & Life Institute and the Garrison Institute teamed up to produce an online series based on some of the presentations.
