In the northwestern United States, two interconnected upland wet meadows are surrounded by densely packed Douglas Firs, Western Red Cedars, Western Hemlocks, and other common evergreen flora of the southern Cascade mountain range. A group of youth take off from a nearby parking lot and are led through a restored grassland, the surrounding woods, and …
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Jon Kabat-Zinn—A Meditation on Befriending Stillness
Inaugural Cohort of Contemplative Changemakers Pursues Diverse Approaches to Support Healing and Transformation
In Uvalde, Texas, healthcare workers, teachers, counselors, and community leaders are benefiting from contemplative wisdom practices to deal with extreme stress, loss, and trauma in the wake of the tragic mass shooting that took place there in May 2022. In rural Colombia, women who have a history of being psychologically or physically mistreated are engaging …
Mind & Life Connect – Session 3
Session 3 transcript now available In this session, we will explore the impact of trauma on individuals and how those with a history of trauma can build resilience. Our talk will focus on the role of culture in trauma and healing, as well as the influence of the media, our ancestors, and intergenerational trauma on …
Mind & Life Connect – Session 4
Session 4 transcript now available What do we learn when we track daily emotions? What is the relationship between our daily emotions and pervasive feelings of burnout and stress? Why did the Dalai Lama support the creation of an Online Atlas of Emotions, what are destructive emotions, and why did the Dalai Lama host a …
Robert Sapolsky — Stress and the Body
Mind & Life Connect – Session 2
Session 2 transcript now available Join us as we delve into the complex relationship between stress, trauma, and the body with licensed clinical psychologist and scholar Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeigler. Throughout this session we will explore the intersectionality between stress, trauma and race. We will also discuss how stress can manifest in the body, thoughts, feelings, …
Mind & Life Connect – Session 1
Session 1 transcript now available Community Conversations on Contemplative Science, Wisdom, and Action Join us for Mind & Life Connect, our new series of inspirational online conversations aimed at exploring key themes in contemplative science and their relation to everyday life. In our inaugural session, contemplative researcher and social activist Juan Santoyo will explore topics such …
Ed Taylor Honored with 2022 Mind & Life Service Award
For Ed Taylor, Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs at the University of Washington, being of service is not just an add on to a distinguished academic career but is integral to what constitutes a meaningful life. For over three decades, he has performed dozens of volunteer roles as a dedicated board member …
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Finding Meaning in Challenging Times: New Mind & Life Strategy Aims to Engage and Support Young Adults
I joined the Mind & Life Institute team in my early twenties as an intern. It was 2019 and I’d just spent two years traveling, working, and searching for my life’s purpose as a recent college graduate. A childhood of curiosity and awe for the natural world led me to study the sciences, and my …

