Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
What if your sense of self isn’t as solid as it feels?
In this episode of The FitMind Podcast, Josh speaks with John Dunne—a leading voice at the intersection of Buddhist philosophy and neuroscience—about how the mind constructs reality, why thoughts feel real, and what meditation reveals when we begin to look more closely.
They explore how the brain builds predictive models of the world, how these models shape anxiety and depression, and why meditation isn’t about stopping thoughts, but changing our relationship to them. The conversation also dives into non-dual practices like Mahamudra and Dzogchen, where the goal isn’t to create a new state, but to recognize what’s already present.
Along the way, John shares insights from studying advanced meditators, including surprising findings from brain research and the limits of what science can currently explain.
In this episode:
- Why your thoughts feel real (and how to see through them)
- How the brain constructs a sense of self
- The link between predictive processing, anxiety, and depression
- What “de-reification” means and why it matters
- The difference between gradual and non-dual meditation practices
- What “effortless awareness” actually is
- Scientific insights from studying advanced meditators
- The mystery of consciousness and states like tukdam
A grounded, wide-ranging conversation for anyone interested in understanding the mind more clearly, working with difficult thoughts, or exploring the deeper potential of meditation.
#meditation #neuroscience #mindfulness #consciousness #nondual #dzogchen #mahamudra #psychology #mentalfitness #FitMind
____________________________________________________________
FitMind is a mental fitness nonprofit that aims to make science-based meditation accessible to all.
🌐 Explore FitMind: fitmind.org
📱 Train Your Mind: bit.ly/fitmindtraining
🎧 Listen to the Podcast: fitmind.org/podcast
📘 Preorder Fit Mind Book: fitmind.org/book
Show Notes
0:00 | From astronaut dreams to inner exploration
2:40 | Introducing John Dunne and his background
5:30 | Identity crisis and discovering meditation
9:30 | Early practice: Vipassana, metta, and analytical meditation
14:30 | Questioning reality and the nature of self
19:30 | Concepts, language, and why thoughts feel real
25:30 | How the mind constructs identity moment to moment
31:30 | Mahamudra and Dzogchen: gradual vs non-dual paths
38:30 | Effort vs effortlessness in meditation
45:00 | Anxiety, depression, and predictive processing
50:30 | De-reification: seeing thoughts as thoughts
56:30 | Watching the mind vs being lost in it
1:01:30 | Brain studies with advanced meditators
1:07:00 | Non-dual awareness and “always-on” presence
1:12:30 | What enlightenment is (and isn’t)
1:17:30 | Tukdam and the mystery of consciousness at death
1:22:30 | Science, meditation, and open questions
1:25:30 | Closing reflections
What if your sense of self isn’t as solid as it feels?
In this episode of The FitMind Podcast, Josh speaks with John Dunne—a leading voice at the intersection of Buddhist philosophy and neuroscience—about how the mind constructs reality, why thoughts feel real, and what meditation reveals when we begin to look more closely.
They explore how the brain builds predictive models of the world, how these models shape anxiety and depression, and why meditation isn’t about stopping thoughts, but changing our relationship to them. The conversation also dives into non-dual practices like Mahamudra and Dzogchen, where the goal isn’t to create a new state, but to recognize what’s already present.
Along the way, John shares insights from studying advanced meditators, including surprising findings from brain research and the limits of what science can currently explain.
In this episode:
- Why your thoughts feel real (and how to see through them)
- How the brain constructs a sense of self
- The link between predictive processing, anxiety, and depression
- What “de-reification” means and why it matters
- The difference between gradual and non-dual meditation practices
- What “effortless awareness” actually is
- Scientific insights from studying advanced meditators
- The mystery of consciousness and states like tukdam
A grounded, wide-ranging conversation for anyone interested in understanding the mind more clearly, working with difficult thoughts, or exploring the deeper potential of meditation.
#meditation #neuroscience #mindfulness #consciousness #nondual #dzogchen #mahamudra #psychology #mentalfitness #FitMind
____________________________________________________________
FitMind is a mental fitness nonprofit that aims to make science-based meditation accessible to all.
🌐 Explore FitMind: fitmind.org
📱 Train Your Mind: bit.ly/fitmindtraining
🎧 Listen to the Podcast: fitmind.org/podcast
📘 Preorder Fit Mind Book: fitmind.org/book
Show Notes
0:00 | From astronaut dreams to inner exploration
2:40 | Introducing John Dunne and his background
5:30 | Identity crisis and discovering meditation
9:30 | Early practice: Vipassana, metta, and analytical meditation
14:30 | Questioning reality and the nature of self
19:30 | Concepts, language, and why thoughts feel real
25:30 | How the mind constructs identity moment to moment
31:30 | Mahamudra and Dzogchen: gradual vs non-dual paths
38:30 | Effort vs effortlessness in meditation
45:00 | Anxiety, depression, and predictive processing
50:30 | De-reification: seeing thoughts as thoughts
56:30 | Watching the mind vs being lost in it
1:01:30 | Brain studies with advanced meditators
1:07:00 | Non-dual awareness and “always-on” presence
1:12:30 | What enlightenment is (and isn’t)
1:17:30 | Tukdam and the mystery of consciousness at death
1:22:30 | Science, meditation, and open questions
1:25:30 | Closing reflections
