Yes! to savoring. Wonderful. I have known folks who from childhood had an unusual ability to do so. And others I've met as adults who somehow had it, perhaps learned too, but I suspect theirs too was strongly dispositional. Such people can be a delight.
Although the issue of What is savored is crucial. To cultivate the habit and supporting insights to savor what is wholesome and virtuous can justify the many hours of study, sangha association, and cushion time that so many contemplatives swear by.
So we have both the joy of savoring and the insight-given (dharma-informed) nuance of non-afflictive savoring that avoids the extremes of grasping. A sort of 'Yes' to savoring as a value, but also a bit of wise counsel of 'But try to savor this way, and see if it's a trade up from your habitual method'.
Interesting to have remember that expertise in many domains is characterized by a sort of neuronal parsimony, such that they use less brain tissue to do a better job at sustaining skills or states of mind. There's a "just so-ness" about that—sustaining flight with a light touch on the joystick.
This is very evident in many art forms, such as in surfing, where the most beautiful-to-watch, flowing surfers have an enviable ease in the lines they take across and thru a wave, and the more critical the situation the more ease they drop into.
Mindsurfing with you all is a great joy, and I savor each notification of a Dharma Lab episode landing in the In Box. French Fries for the soul...
What an episode - Beautiful, Awesome, and truly a benefit to others! Even if it takes another 300 years to learn what we wish to know about the brain, what a precious, and irreplecable "beginning" time we are in for this science, and how fortunate we are who hear each of you respectfully, kindly, and so clearly share what you have discovered. Thank you, Cort, for the word, "gageong" , the "turning towards". Thank you. Richie, for the understanding around the bananas. I hold a memory of an Easter egg hunt with special children for which I now have more understanding. I feel so fortunate to be present during your conversations (and have the notes!). Thank you again.
The key is the first feel good moment (novelty), then we are hooked, we want the first feel good moment again but something gets saturated (dopamine receptors?) and then it is mindless seeking the initial effect. What is happening in the mind? This is why, I think, people believe they need a "dopamine detox" because we think if we detox from dopamine, like the addict detoxifies from the drug, the we will be able to feel the pleasure of the first use again. It is like we are burning our brains out from all the stimulation we get. "Compulsive behavior, inherently unfulfilling"--exactly! Distinction between wanting and liking is good for the practitioner. Lean into "the liking"-- savor the positive moments to get unstuck from the loop of wanting. Dopamine is inherently associated with wanting behavior. "Savor the healing quality of the breath"--beautiful Cort! The visceral pleasant energy of the experience of your own breath, loving kindness, connectedness-the frequency-tune in! The skill is to stay tuned into this frequency. <WOW>
Richie and Cort another stellar presentation of such simple things that are so powerful in our lives, making experience better, practice deeper and life sweeter. Savoring!.....who would have thought!!! Thank you!
Thank you so much for this podcast. Thank you for your perseverance in your willingness to educate others. Gratitude +++.
This podcast raised several questions for me:
Richie, you said that regarding the reward system, it was more endogenous opiates and cannabinoids that were involved. What about ocytocin? Is ocytocin related to the reward system also and does it interact with dopamine? When we are savoring something, is it related to the reward system?
Thank you for your question, Edith! Richie responded to this in our most recent "Ask Me Anything" on May 28. If you missed it, a recording will be posted soon. We are very thankful for your support.
You guys are studs. Keep up the good work 🙏🏼
Yes! to savoring. Wonderful. I have known folks who from childhood had an unusual ability to do so. And others I've met as adults who somehow had it, perhaps learned too, but I suspect theirs too was strongly dispositional. Such people can be a delight.
Although the issue of What is savored is crucial. To cultivate the habit and supporting insights to savor what is wholesome and virtuous can justify the many hours of study, sangha association, and cushion time that so many contemplatives swear by.
So we have both the joy of savoring and the insight-given (dharma-informed) nuance of non-afflictive savoring that avoids the extremes of grasping. A sort of 'Yes' to savoring as a value, but also a bit of wise counsel of 'But try to savor this way, and see if it's a trade up from your habitual method'.
Interesting to have remember that expertise in many domains is characterized by a sort of neuronal parsimony, such that they use less brain tissue to do a better job at sustaining skills or states of mind. There's a "just so-ness" about that—sustaining flight with a light touch on the joystick.
This is very evident in many art forms, such as in surfing, where the most beautiful-to-watch, flowing surfers have an enviable ease in the lines they take across and thru a wave, and the more critical the situation the more ease they drop into.
Mindsurfing with you all is a great joy, and I savor each notification of a Dharma Lab episode landing in the In Box. French Fries for the soul...
What an episode - Beautiful, Awesome, and truly a benefit to others! Even if it takes another 300 years to learn what we wish to know about the brain, what a precious, and irreplecable "beginning" time we are in for this science, and how fortunate we are who hear each of you respectfully, kindly, and so clearly share what you have discovered. Thank you, Cort, for the word, "gageong" , the "turning towards". Thank you. Richie, for the understanding around the bananas. I hold a memory of an Easter egg hunt with special children for which I now have more understanding. I feel so fortunate to be present during your conversations (and have the notes!). Thank you again.
I'm watching at about 40:00 and Cort just went exactly where I was thinking - savoring, moments of awe that are always available. Thank you.
I want to make a TOD financial contribution to Center for Healthy Minds. Who would I contact to make that happen?
Very generous of you. I will connect you, Gwen.
Thank you. It's in the works! But don't go buy a new lab coat yet! I want to live a few more years leaning towards realization! Love you guys!
We hope so too. Reach out any time.
The key is the first feel good moment (novelty), then we are hooked, we want the first feel good moment again but something gets saturated (dopamine receptors?) and then it is mindless seeking the initial effect. What is happening in the mind? This is why, I think, people believe they need a "dopamine detox" because we think if we detox from dopamine, like the addict detoxifies from the drug, the we will be able to feel the pleasure of the first use again. It is like we are burning our brains out from all the stimulation we get. "Compulsive behavior, inherently unfulfilling"--exactly! Distinction between wanting and liking is good for the practitioner. Lean into "the liking"-- savor the positive moments to get unstuck from the loop of wanting. Dopamine is inherently associated with wanting behavior. "Savor the healing quality of the breath"--beautiful Cort! The visceral pleasant energy of the experience of your own breath, loving kindness, connectedness-the frequency-tune in! The skill is to stay tuned into this frequency. <WOW>
I am so happy you guys are doing this. I have been a fan of Dr. Richie Davidson since the beginning of the Mind and Life Institute in the mid 1990's.
Richie and Cort another stellar presentation of such simple things that are so powerful in our lives, making experience better, practice deeper and life sweeter. Savoring!.....who would have thought!!! Thank you!
Thank you so much for this podcast. Thank you for your perseverance in your willingness to educate others. Gratitude +++.
This podcast raised several questions for me:
Richie, you said that regarding the reward system, it was more endogenous opiates and cannabinoids that were involved. What about ocytocin? Is ocytocin related to the reward system also and does it interact with dopamine? When we are savoring something, is it related to the reward system?
Thank you for your question, Edith! Richie responded to this in our most recent "Ask Me Anything" on May 28. If you missed it, a recording will be posted soon. We are very thankful for your support.