The Restless Brain: Mind-Wandering, Default Mode, and Mindfulness

Workshop for psychologists and mindfulness teachers by Dr. Yulia Golland from Reichman University, Israel 

Have you ever caught yourself daydreaming and wondered, "What is my brain doing right now?" Mind-wandering is a universal human experience – studies estimate that nearly half of our waking thoughts drift away from the present moment​. It turns out that when you’re not focused on a specific task, your brain isn’t idle at all – it switches into a vibrant “default” mode. The workshop will explore a science and an experience of a state that has been neglected for many years but is now exciting the scientific community: What happens in the brain when a person is not engaged in any specific task? What are the dangers of mind wandering and does it have an adaptive role as well?

Throughout the workshop, we will connect these insights to mindfulness practice, both through studies investigating the effects of meditation on the default mode network and through direct reflection and observation.

Outline of topics

Lecture 1: 10:00 – 11:30

The Discovery of the Default Mode Network and its Links with Mind-Wandering
To understand the neuroscience of mind wandering, we will introduce a neural network known as the default mode network (DMN)—a web of brain regions that is active when brain is not engaged or focused. We will review studies linking the activity of this network to mind-wandering and the stream of consciousness. We will also discuss what happens in the brains of long-term meditators – who’s mind wonders less.

Lecture 2: 11:45 – 13:15

Mind-Wandering: When It Helps and When It Hurts
The mental drifting of the DMN can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, a wandering mind can make us less happy. Excessive mind-wandering, especially when it veers into worry or rumination, can trap us in negative loops. In fact, brain imaging shows that an overactive default network is linked to depression and anxiety, as it underpins the repetitive negative thoughts that characterize these conditions​. On the other hand, daydreaming isn’t all doom and gloom – it’s also the wellspring of creativity and insight. Mind-wandering has many faces: it can derail us into stress and distraction, but it can also unlock imagination, reflection, and creativity.

The Default Mode and the Self: How Our Brains Create Our Story
Why do our minds wander in the first place? One reason is that the default mode network is busy constructing our inner story. Far from being random, this network draws on your memories and emotions to help make sense of “you.” Neuroscientists have found that the DMN activates when we think about ourselves or others, remember the past, or plan for the future.​ This internal narrative gives us a sense of self – a feeling of an ongoing story in our head. We’ll discuss how the DMN’s role in crafting the “narrative self” can be both empowering (when it builds resilience and meaning) and problematic (when it reinforces negative self-talk). Recognizing this narrative voice is also a key aspect of mindfulness practice, which teaches us not to confuse the running story in our heads with reality.

Lecture 3: 13:45 – 15:15

The Predictive Brain: Shaping Reality from the Inside
How the brain’s default activity shapes our sense of self, our view of reality, and what mindfulness can teach us about guiding the resting mind.
One fascinating insight from neuroscience is that the brain is actively predicting and shaping our experience of reality – even in moments of rest. When the default mode network is engaged, the brain isn’t just reviewing old memories for fun; it’s using them to form expectations about the world. Our brain is a skilled fortune-teller: it constantly makes guesses about what might happen next, priming us to respond.

Whether you come with a scientific curiosity or an interest in mindfulness (or both!), you’ll find engaging, relatable insights – from cutting-edge research findings to tips for daily well-being. Come ready to explore, ask questions, and even spend a few moments inside your own mind with a fresh perspective.

Binding registration

Register for free in order to attend the lecture: https://forms.gle/91qztcAk497vXHbk8

Maximum number of participants: 30

Due to the maximum number of participants, please only register if you are certain you can attend the workshop. Thank you!