Tawni Tidwell – Between Life and Death

Mind & Life

In this episode, Wendy speaks with biocultural anthropologist and Tibetan medical doctor Tawni Tidwell. Tawni's research focuses on living—and dying—with greater awareness and well-being, and integrates multiple biological and cultural perspectives on mind-body systems. This conversation covers many topics, including:

• merging interests in biology, culture, ecology, nature, and medicine;
• how our minds shape our bodies;
• the holistic approach of Tibetan medicine;
• understanding constitutions and individual proclivities;
• the subtle body and consciousness;
• studying monastics who are able to extend the death process (Tukdam project);
• implications for life, death, and the nature of consciousness;
• individual differences and determining which practices might be best for someone;
• studying Tibetan medicine's approach to treating COVID;
• and coming back to our bodies, our communities, and our environments.

Full show notes and resources