Free the Mind
An enlightening documentary about using mindfulness, breathing techniques, and yoga to reprogram the brain and ease the mind.
Free the Mind
What is consciousness, really? How does it manifest in the brain and body? And is it possible to physically change the brain solely through mental practices?
In 1992 Professor Richard J. Davidson, one of the world’s leading neuroscientists, met the Dalai Lama, who encouraged him to apply the same rigorous methods he used to study depression and anxiety to the study of compassion and kindness. Dr. Davidson, who was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2006, did just that, and the results of his studies at Wisconsin’s Center for Investigating Healthy Minds are portrayed in the fascinating new documentary, FREE THE MIND.
By studying the practices of Tibetan monks and other meditative techniques, Dr. Davidson found that it is actually possible to rewire the brain through meditation and mental training exercises, and he has dedicated himself to applying this discovery to improve the lives of people throughout the world.
Dr. Davidson recently has been working with young children dealing with ADHD and anxiety in school settings, as well as American war veterans struggling with PTSD, in an attempt to discover whether mind-focused techniques, such as meditation and yoga, can ease their pain, relax their nervous systems, improve their attention and help them become happier and more peaceful.
Can Professor Richard Davidson make a difference? Can he free these people from their troubled existences and help them lead ordinary lives? Free the Mind follows three test subjects – one school-aged boy and two veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – on a daring journey into the deepest recesses of the human mind.
“Grips your heart from the first moment.
...a great and beautiful film. Visually Brilliant.”– Film Comment
“My main interest is promoting ethics without touching religion. Ethics are universal values. We must find a way to promote the basic human values in a secular way without touching religion. In order to do this, the scientific findings are very, very convincing and Richard’s work is very helpful in this field. Sometimes I call him guru of science!”
– His Holiness the Dalai Lama
“Artistically crafted. Riveting. Engrossing.” (Filmmaker Magazine)
In 1992 Professor Richard J. Davidson, one of the world’s leading neuroscientists, met the Dalai Lama, who encouraged him to apply the same rigorous methods he used to study depression and anxiety to the study of compassion and kindness. Dr. Davidson, who was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2006, did just that, and the results of his studies at Wisconsin’s Center for Investigating Healthy Minds are portrayed in the fascinating new documentary, FREE THE MIND.
By studying the practices of Tibetan monks and other meditative techniques, Dr. Davidson found that it is actually possible to rewire the brain through meditation and mental training exercises, and he has dedicated himself to applying this discovery to improve the lives of people throughout the world.
Dr. Davidson recently has been working with young children dealing with ADHD and anxiety in school settings, as well as American war veterans struggling with PTSD, in an attempt to discover whether mind-focused techniques, such as meditation and yoga, can ease their pain, relax their nervous systems, improve their attention and help them become happier and more peaceful.
Can Professor Richard Davidson make a difference? Can he free these people from their troubled existences and help them lead ordinary lives? Free the Mind follows three test subjects – one school-aged boy and two veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – on a daring journey into the deepest recesses of the human mind.
“Grips your heart from the first moment.
...a great and beautiful film. Visually Brilliant.”– Film Comment
“My main interest is promoting ethics without touching religion. Ethics are universal values. We must find a way to promote the basic human values in a secular way without touching religion. In order to do this, the scientific findings are very, very convincing and Richard’s work is very helpful in this field. Sometimes I call him guru of science!”
– His Holiness the Dalai Lama
“Artistically crafted. Riveting. Engrossing.” (Filmmaker Magazine)
Genre
Documentary
Web Site
Runtime
80
Language
English
Director
Phie Ambo
FEATURED REVIEW
Rob Humanick, Slant Magazine
The heartfelt Free the Mind focuses on the non-pharmacological methods used to help three individuals suffering from varying forms of psychological trauma: Steve, a veteran from Afghanistan whose duty as a soldier and interrogator required him to behave in ways that now torment his conscience and ...
Played at
Lumiere Music Hall 5.17.13 - 5.30.13
Monica Film Center 5.18.13 - 6.09.13
Claremont 5 5.18.13 - 6.09.13
Playhouse 7 5.18.13 - 6.16.13
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