Mingyur Rinpoche on Netflix

In the Netflix docuseries The Mind, Explained, experts explore the intricacies and mysteries of the human brain. The episode on “Mindfulness” (season 1, episode 4), narrated by Academy Award–winning actress Emma Stone, focuses on Mingyur Rinpoche, tracing his journey from childhood panic attacks to mindfulness mastery.

Mingyur Rinpoche on Netflix

As a child in Nepal, Rinpoche struggled with severe panic attacks. His journey to mindfulness began with simple breath-watching exercises taught by his father. This early training led him to become a mindfulness meditation prodigy.

Years later, Mingyur Rinpoche built Tergar Bodh Gaya Monastery in India, near the site of the Buddha’s enlightenment. After years of meditation and retreat in the Himalayas, scientists studied his brain and discovered remarkable results: his brain appeared younger and exhibited an extraordinary increase in empathy-related activity during compassion meditation.

Also featured in this documentary is mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn, who defines mindfulness as “paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.” Like physical exercise for the mind, mindfulness can enhance mental health over time, helping us observe our reactions to stress and emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them.

Today, mindfulness is widespread, found in schools, workplaces, and mindfulness apps, such as the Healthy Minds app, a New York Times pick for Best Meditation Apps of 2024, created by Tergar International co-founder and neuroscientist Cortland Dahl. Although scientific studies on mindfulness are numerous, not all are robust. Nonetheless, overall evidence suggests that mindfulness can improve pain tolerance and emotional resilience, helping us relate to our experiences more healthily.