Ariel Garten

Ariel Garten speaks with us today about mindfulness and the brain sensing headband, Muse.

What would it be like to have an auditory nudge, to help you notice just as attention starts to wander? We’ve all been subject to that tendency for our minds to move, flitting from past to future and back again, rehearsing and rehashing, but rarely just settling into our experience, just as it is, right now. There are many opinions about using biometric devices to lend a helping hand as we develop attention, but whatever you thoughts on the matter, technology is providing new possibilities for the meditator to explore.

Ariel Garten is the Founder and Chairman of InteraXon, makers of Muse. Ariel studied neuroscience at the University of Toronto and worked in labs at Toronto’s Krembil Neuroscience Centre researching Parkinson’s disease and hippocampal neurogenesis. Ariel’s uncommon combination of science and art is integral to the design of Muse and to InteraXon’s unique approach to brain sensing technology. InteraXon debuted with the creation of “Bright Ideas”?, Ontario’s feature showcase at the 2010 Winter Olympics, where visitors in Vancouver got to control the lights on the CN Tower, Niagara Falls and the Canadian Parliament buildings with their minds, from across the country.

Special thanks to Anastasia Fox for her coordination of today’s interview.

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• Muse

Music for This Episode Courtesy of Rodrigo Rodriguez

The music heard in this podcast is from Rodrigo Rodriguez. You can visit his website to hear more of his music, get the full discography, and view his upcoming tour dates.