It’s clear that Jessie and Richard Benjamin like doing their research. When looking for ways to philanthropically support the causes they care about, the couple makes sure an organization’s mission and vision for the future align with their own. It makes sense, then, that Richard and Jessie were drawn to Mind & Life. It started …
Perspective Type Archives:
On the Path to Belonging at the 2022 Summer Research Institute
Against a backdrop of daunting polarization, violent conflicts, rising authoritarianism, and mounting climate chaos, Mind & Life’s 2022 Summer Research Institute (SRI) engaged participants in an audacious inquiry: What is the role of the human mind in creating today’s divisions, and how can our minds transform to create a more connected world? From June 6-10, …
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A Tribute to 2021 Service Award Recipients Bobbi Patterson and Elissa Epel
“What’s happening at Mind & Life is very heart-enriching: it is holding to its roots in the neuroscience conversation and more fully engaging current issues,” says Mind & Life Steering Council member Barbara (Bobbi) Patterson. “Contemplative practices, and this knowledge of neuroscience and of ancient traditions, can bring such richness to the questions of our …
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Celebrating 35 Years: Weaving Origin Stories
Photo credit Adam Engle “Francisco Varela saw Mind & Life as a dream-board, a place where radical ideas about the nature of mind and reality could be not only unfolded, but also challenged,” recalls Mind & Life Founding Steward Roshi Joan Halifax, reflecting on the origins of the Mind & Life Institute. A philosopher and …
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Facing the Climate Crisis through Connection, Community, and Compassion
The existential threat of climate change can be challenging to grasp and confront. To stay motivated and energized to face this threat, we must develop skills and take time for our own well-being. “We have to acknowledge that what happens to us internally affects what happens to our communities,” says climate activist Dekila Chungyalpa, “and …
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Norm Farb: Strategies for Coping with Today’s Stress Epidemic
With cascading emergencies from the pandemic to war in Ukraine to the climate crisis now fueling a stress epidemic, social neuroscientist Norm Farb has a lot to say—and a lot on his plate—from ongoing research to co-authoring a new book. “A lot of us are spending our free time absorbing more threat signals,” says Norm, …
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The Central Question of Our 2022 Summer Research Institute: What Can We Become?
“As we face continued polarization and tribalism in the world today, I think no topic could be more important than understanding how othering happens, and how we can move toward belonging.” – Wendy Hasenkamp, 2022 SRI Program Planning Committee member During heightened divisions on a global scale, we simultaneously sense our shared humanity and the …
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The War in Ukraine: Tending to Our Collective Heartbreak
Our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine during this time of immense suffering, needless destruction, and crushing loss of life. The tragedy unfolding in the country is haunting. In response, we see boundless courage, generosity, and kindness as people open their homes, protest in the streets, and offer their support and prayers from …
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Wisdom from Women in Contemplative Research
In its mission to bridge science and contemplative wisdom to better understand the mind and create positive change, the Mind & Life Institute recognizes that society ultimately benefits from research that is more inclusive and reflective of the diversity in our world. Yet too often that’s not the case. Take the example of women who …
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Listening to Our Body’s Intelligence: Reflections from Mind & Life’s Summer Research Institute
Mind & Life periodically invites guest writers to contribute their perspectives and experiences on the blog as a way of deepening dialogue and understanding around key themes related to our mission. This post is adapted from a longer piece Megan published reflecting on her experience at our 2021 Summer Research Institute. “Storytellers have only three …
