Research shows that our mind wanders 47% of the time. That’s an incredible half of our lives we are missing because we’re not present.

Dr Shauna Shapiro is a professor at Santa Clara University, a clinical psychologist, and an internationally recognised expert in mindfulness, studying it for over 20 years.

When you sit down and meditate, do you get frustrated, angry even? Dr Shapiro says that often we’re not practising mindfulness but are really practising judgement and frustration. And what we practise grows stronger. So really, we are becoming more frustrated through our ‘mindfulness practice.

Her solution is mindfulness with kindness. Perfection isn’t possible, but transformation is. Our repeated experiences shape our brain and sculpt our synaptic experiences. Mindfulness isn’t just about paying attention; it’s about how we pay attention.  And we’re not just practising when we’re on the mat; we’re practising and growing something in every moment.

In this pioneering talk, Dr Shauna Shapiro draws on modern neuroscience and ancient wisdom to demonstrate how mindfulness can help us make positive changes in our brains and our lives.

If you would like to know more, check out UPLIFT’s free film Building Compassion. The film shares cutting-edge research into the neurology and cultural practices of compassion.  Featuring interviews with experts, including Dr James Doty, Saamdu Chetri, Dr David Vago, Scarlett Lewis and many more, Building Compassion explores how compassion is key to understanding what it is to be truly human and creating a loving world.