Dr. Dan Siegel on The Wheel of Awareness Practice

In this episode of the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast, Sean Fargo speaks with Dr. Dan Siegel—Harvard-trained physician, psychiatrist, bestselling author, and pioneer in the field of interpersonal neurobiology.

Dan shares how his journey from medicine to psychiatry led him to redefine what we mean by “mind.” Together, Sean and Dan explore how mindfulness, relationships, and brain science intersect—and how integration is the foundation of well-being.

They also dive into Dan’s groundbreaking work, including the Wheel of Awareness meditation, and his newest book Personality and Wholeness in Therapy, which bridges neurobiology with the Enneagram to reveal how personality patterns shape our growth.

This conversation blends science, story, and heart—reminding us that true integration is made visible through kindness and compassion.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔ How Dan Siegel went from skeptic to leader in mindfulness research

✔ Why the mind is more than just what the brain does ✔ The four facets of the mind: subjective experience, consciousness, information processing, and self-organization

✔ Growth edges: how to move from personality patterns toward wholeness

Episode Chapters:

00:00 — Intro

02:18 — From Medicine to Mindfulness Research

07:05 — What Is the Mind, Really?

12:40 — Integration as the Basis of Well-Being

18:15 — The Wheel of Awareness Practice

32:08 — Personality, the Enneagram & Wholeness

💡 Learn more about Dr. Dan Siegel’s work:🔗 drdansiegel.com📘 Books: Personality & Whole Wellness Therapy, Wheel of Awareness

Support the show

Add your 5‑star review — this really helps others find us. Certify To Teach Mindfulness: Certify.MindfulnessExercises.com Email: Sean@MindfulnessExercises.com

About the Podcast Mindfulness Exercises with Sean Fargo is a practical, grounded mindfulness podcast for people who want meditation to actually help in real life. Hosted by Sean Fargo — a former Buddhist monk, mindfulness teacher, and founder of MindfulnessExercises.com — this podcast explores how mindfulness can support mental health, emotional regulation, trauma sensitivity, chronic pain, leadership, creativity, and meaningful work. Each episode offers a mix of: • Practical mindfulness and meditation teachings • Conversations with respected teachers, clinicians, authors, and researchers • Real-world insights for therapists, coaches, yoga teachers, educators, and caregivers • Gentle reflections for anyone navigating stress, anxiety, burnout, grief, or change Rather than chasing peak experiences or spiritual bypassing, this podcast emphasizes embodied practice, ethical teaching, and mindfulness that meets people where they are—messy, human, and alive. If you’re interested in: • Mindfulness meditation for everyday life • Trauma-sensitive and co...