The contemplative science community has made significant efforts to introduce mindfulness practices to children and adolescents, yet research has shown limited benefits for this population. For instance, the MYRIAD Trial found no significant impact on social-emotional-behavioral functioning compared to the control group. This highlights the need for more effective mindfulness interventions for youth, who are …
Continue reading “Engaging parents in mindfulness interventions for children and adolescents”
Interest in the phenomenology and transformative effects of awe and mystical experiences, both pharmaceutically induced and naturally occurring, has been on a significant rise in the last decade. Some recent research, however, has highlighted the range of negative side effects that can stem from such experiences, with one major potential side effect being the risk …
Continue reading “Mindfulness as a Defence Against False Realization Experiences”
Recent research suggests that even short periods of contemplative practice can boost empathy and prosociality, fueling hope for a more compassionate society. Yet, contemplative practitioners sometimes promote narrow-minded views. For instance, over 500 million evangelicals practice speaking in tongues, a contemplative activity reported to increase empathy and social engagement by fostering selflessness and positive emotions. …
Continue reading “How Racial Context Mediates the Effects of Contemplative Practice on In-Group and Out-Group Empathy: A Comparative Study of Prayer Across White and Black Churches”
Being a parent comes with a variety of successes and challenges, and parenting struggles are compounded by individual, communal, and societal factors such as histories of trauma, lack of positive caregiving role models, and systemic racism. BIPOC parents are less likely to receive quality mental health care, and racial discrimination is associated with trauma symptoms, …
Continue reading “Cultivating Awareness and Racial Empowerment (CARE) for Families: Assessing the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Mindful Parenting and Racial Socialization Intervention”
Inspired by His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s vision for continued collaboration between science and Buddhism, this research aims to explore how best to induce lucid dreaming—where individuals realize they are dreaming while still asleep—by integrating Tibetan Dream Yoga with modern scientific techniques. Tibetan Dream Yoga offers profound insights into the mind and consciousness but has …
Continue reading “Integrating Tibetan Dream Yoga and Western Techniques for Lucid Dream Induction”
Chronic pain is a significant issue for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), impacting daily life and overall well-being. While mindfulness interventions are effective in alleviating pain, there is considerable variation in how individuals respond to treatment. Consistent home practice is a key factor in producing therapeutic outcomes. However, a barrier to treatment success occurs when …
Continue reading “Identifying Needs and Preferences for an mHealth Intervention to Support MBCT for Pain in Multiple Sclerosis”
The world faces serious environmental and social challenges, like climate change, that require us to rethink how our societies and economies work. Existing solutions have not brought about the profound changes needed to tackle the crises because they do not engage and transform values like economic growth or human-nature separation at the root of these …
Continue reading “Cultivating Transformation: The Role of Contemplative Practices in Sustainability Advocacy”
Background: Indigenous knowledge offers a unique perspective on the connection between nature, mindfulness, and well-being. In the Andes, “pacharuna” emphasizes a deep integration between humans and nature, contrasting with Western views that often separate mind and body. This research explores how traditional Andean agroecological spaces influence mental health and mindfulness, particularly in the face of …
Continue reading “The Urgent Need for Research in Indigenous Contemplative Science in Ecuador: A Beacon for Pluralism in Nature, Mental Health, and Well-being, with Potential Transformative Impact”
Compassion, one of the immeasurables, is the genuine wish that suffering and hardship of sentient beings be alleviated. Although it is a quality of personal well-being, it is not cultivated in isolation. It exemplifies the interpersonal because it is a willingness to accompany pain and fragility of self/others in intimate and balanced ways. Compassion naturally …
Continue reading “Measuring the Immeasurables: Feasibility of Digital Biomarkers to Detect Shifts In Compassion Within An Online Group-based Intervention For Trauma Survivors”
Substance use among Latine individuals in the U.S. is a significant public health concern, with negative health outcomes exacerbated by barriers to healthcare and systemic discrimination. Traditional interventions may not fully address this population’s unique cultural and emotional needs. This study first seeks to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of an adapted brief compassion-focused therapy …
Continue reading “A preliminary trial with mixed methods exploring the effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy for managing distress and substance use in Latine individuals”
