Arianna Huffington: Science Validates the Virtues of Mindfulness

Centuries-old mindfulness breathing and meditation practices have become an increasingly popular fad, but do they really have the power to transform lives? In this interview with psychologist/author Maria Konnikova as part of Big Think's partnership with 92Y's Seven Days of Genius series, Arianna Huffington explains that mindfulness practices helped her overcome a mid-career crisis and refocus her priorities entirely. Together, Huffington and Konnikova review some of the recent scientific findings that support ancient beliefs about the power of mindfulness and meditation.
Big Think (), the online video network where the world’s leading thinkers examine the most essential ideas of our age, today launches an exclusive video series of today’s brightest minds exploring the theory of genius. Exclusive videos will be posted daily throughout 92nd Street Y’s second annual 7 Days of Genius Festival: Venture into the Extraordinary, running March 1 to March 8 ().
Follow the conversation via #7DaysOfGenius.
Exclusive interviews with thought leaders, filmed at YouTube Space New York studios (), include:
- Arianna Huffington, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Huffington Post and Maria Konnikova, Writer and Journalist, discussing the science of mindfulness.
- Bill Nye, Science Educator, Comedian, Writer and Actor, and Jake Roper, Broadcast Journalist, exploring how to nurture future geniuses.
- Heather Berlin, Neuroscientist, and Carl Zimmer, Science Writer and Blogger, examining neuroscience and genius; and
- Joy Hirsch, professor of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, Yale School of Medicine, and Carl Zimmer discussing creativity and the brain.
Video interviews will be posted exclusively at
“Genius is defined as exceptional intellectual or creative power and to hear great minds such as Arianna Huffington and Bill Nye explore what genius means to them will be fascinating,” said Peter Hopkins, Co-Founder and President, Big Think. “We are excited to partner with 92Y on 7 Days of Genius and share innovative and influential ideas with our audience.”
“92Y is proud to host conversations with some of the best minds of our generation, and through festivals like 7 Days of Genius and partnerships like this one with Big Think, we are increasingly able to share those discussions and spark new ones, engaging an ever growing community in the world of ideas,” said Henry Timms, executive director, 92Y.
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