Mingyur Rinpoche’s Brain: The Effects of Long-Term Meditation

A Tibetan yogi seen from the back meditating in the mountains illustrates the effects of long-term meditation

What does long-term meditation do to your brain? Can it really change who you are as a person? Yogi Mingyur Rinpoche’s brain scans reveal fascinating insights into the effects of long-term meditation. Scientists have found evidence of increased brain activity, improved brain health, and enhanced emotional regulation in meditation masters. Keep reading to discover how a dedicated meditation practice can lead to profound changes in your mental and emotional states.

How Charismatic Are You? Find Yourself on the Charisma Spectrum

A man resting his chin in his hand and looking upward is thinking about the question, "How charismatic are you?"

How charismatic are you? Can you tell when someone else is charismatic? Charisma is a fascinating blend of warmth and competence. It’s a quality that can be measured and improved. In her book Cues, Vanessa Van Edwards explores this concept in depth, offering insights into how we judge others and project our own charisma. Read on to understand Van Edwards’s charisma spectrum and discover where you might fall on it.

How Internet Reading Moves Us From the Depths to the Shallows

A bearded man engaged in internet reading on a laptop at a desk with a mobile phone and a cup of coffee

Is the internet changing the way we read? How does online reading affect our ability to concentrate? Internet reading has transformed our habits and cognitive processes. Nicholas Carr explores this shift in his book The Shallows. He examines how deep reading, once encouraged by printed books, is being replaced by skimming and shallow engagement online. Read more to get Carr’s insights and discover how our digital habits are reshaping our minds and media consumption.

Meditation Research: Foundations, Mistakes, & Myths

A man in a white button-up shirt sitting at a desk thoughtfully looking at meditation research data on a computer screen

What are some of the issues with meditation research? Should we believe all the hype? Meditation research is a rapidly growing field, but it faces unique challenges. Scientists are working to understand how different forms of meditation affect the brain and behavior. They’re also trying to develop better ways to measure these effects. Let’s explore the foundations of meditation research, common misconceptions, and why it’s important to approach claims about meditation with a critical eye.

The Internet and Memory: How the Web Erodes Our Retention

A man trying to remember something with question marks over his head illustrates the link between the internet and memory

Is the internet affecting your ability to remember information? How does online reading impact your memory retention? Nicholas Carr explores the relationship between the internet and memory in his book The Shallows, explaining how the rapid pace of online content consumption can overload our mental processes. He argues that skimming text online reduces our engagement and ability to retain information. Read more to get the details of how the internet impacts our memory.

The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains (Overview)

A woman with brown hair and eyes and a concerned look holding an open book

Is the internet reshaping our brains? How might our digital habits affect our ability to concentrate and retain information? Nicholas Carr’s book The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains explores the impact of Internet use on our cognitive functions. He argues that our online activities are altering our neural pathways, potentially diminishing our capacity for deep reading and sustained focus. Keep reading to explore Carr’s insights and their implications for our daily lives.

How Meditation Changes the Brain: 5 Effects We Know About

A cartoon of a cute and happy brain with closed eyes illustrates how meditation changes the brain

Is meditation really as beneficial as people claim? What specific changes can it make to your brain and overall well-being? Meditation has gained popularity in recent years, with many touting its numerous benefits. In Altered Traits, Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson separate the signal from the noise to clarify what we do and don’t know about how meditation changes the brain—and, therefore, the meditator.  Keep reading to learn about the science-backed effects of meditation.

Traditional & Secular Mindfulness in the Modern West

A middle-aged man with white hair and a beard practicing secular mindfulness meditation on a rock by a river

Is mindfulness meditation just for monks and spiritual seekers? Can everyday people benefit from this ancient practice? In Altered Traits, Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson explain how mindfulness has evolved from its traditional roots to become a popular tool for self-improvement. Today, people approach meditation through various paths, ranging from deep spiritual practices to casual stress relief techniques. Keep reading to understand traditional and secular mindfulness approaches in the West.

Rest Is Resistance: Book Overview & Takeaways (Tricia Hersey)

A woman wearing glasses and blue jeans reading a book while lying in a hammock in the summertime with trees in the background

Is rest truly a form of resistance? Can taking a break actually lead to social change? Rest Is Resistance, a book by Tricia Hersey (the “Nap Bishop”), challenges our society’s obsession with productivity. The book offers both inspiration and practical advice for reclaiming our lives from exhaustion and burnout. Keep reading for an overview of the book and to discover how rest can be a radical act of self-care and societal transformation.

Principles for Dealing With the Changing World Order by Ray Dalio

A bearded man wearing glasses and a denim jacket reading a book in a cafe by a window with shelves of dishes behind him

How does history unfold in cycles? What can we learn from studying these patterns? Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order by Ray Dalio explores the cyclical nature of history and its impact on global powers. Dalio examines how empires rise and fall, economies expand and contract, and societies experience periods of harmony and discord. Keep reading for our overview of this book, and discover Dalio’s insights on navigating an uncertain future in a changing world.