Welcome from our Director
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the first point of entry into the world of mindfulness, meditation and contemplative practice at the University of Melbourne. Our establishment is due to the incredible generosity of Martin and Loreto Hosking. We will deliver ground-breaking research, innovative educational offerings and a world-class engagement series. We will also offer an opportunity for authentic practice, guided sessions and a place for inter-faith and wisdom discussions.
We hope you find much to inform your practice, life, work, and growth among the Contemplative Studies Centre.
Associate Professor Nicholas Van Dam | Inaugural Director of the Contemplative Studies Centre
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Why Contemplative Studies?
What exactly is contemplative practice or contemplative studies, and why are they the focus for the Centre?
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Vision, Ethics and Values
Learn more about our vision and supporting mission statement, ethics and values.
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Our People
Meet the academic and professional staff, affiliates and students of the Centre.
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Governance
Meet the members of the Advisory Board and Reference Group who provide strategic advice to the Centre to help achieve its vision.
About
Amid the action and distraction that fill everyday life, contemplative practices help to provide insight and connection into who we are, who we want to be, and what is most meaningful to us. With foundations in introspection, connection and awareness, contemplative practices help individuals to achieve a quieting of the mind, realisation of what it is to be human, and aid in the development of a more balanced and ethical life. These profound practices have the potential to transform not just individuals but the entirety of human society, through greater connection.
We work with interdisciplinary collaborators across the University of Melbourne, in the community, and worldwide to develop, deliver, support and promote innovative and authentic contemplative study. Our model is based on a strong research program foundation, which drives our interconnected education, engagement and practice programs:
Research
The Centre will facilitate and foster truly interdisciplinary, evidence-based research into contemplative practice and methodology. The Centre will facilitate evaluation of the best ways to learn, practise, and understand contemplative concepts and ideas.
Education
The Centre will develop and lead the delivery of outstanding education and lifelong learning to encourage the pursuit of knowledge for the wellbeing and flourishing of society.
Practice
The Centre will support diverse communities to try, learn about, and sustain a meditation practice through free guided meditation sessions presented by expert teachers from varied spiritual, faith, Indigenous and secular traditions. Offerings will be available for beginner, intermediate and advanced meditators.
Engagement
The Centre will deliver a world-class engagement program and forum for the transfer of knowledge, new ideas and discussion, and provide a space for interdisciplinary discussion of traditional, contemporary, and academic/scientific understanding of contemplative practice and experiences.
News
Upcoming events
Past events
We aim to facilitate and foster truly interdisciplinary, evidence-based research into contemplative practice and methodology, and apply rigorous evaluation of mindfulness and meditation policy and programs to ensure contemplation-based offerings are authentic and efficacious.
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Seed funding success - 2022
The Centre invited proposals for innovative and interdisciplinary research projects or collaborations, book ideas, community engagement or educational programs with a focus on contemplative studies.
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Research projects
Coming soon!
Our flagship research projects are focused on mapping contemplative experiences and personalisation of contemplative practice in the modern era.
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Research publications
We have compiled our scholarly work in the contemplative sciences, summarising key findings in the form of academic journal articles, book chapters, conference presentations, orations, edited volumes, and more.
Thank you for engaging with the Contemplative Studies Centre. As a friend and supporter of the Centre, you help support groundbreaking research, build important partnerships and participate in community engagement and education.
Do you have an idea or project you think we should know about?
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Guided meditation sessions
The Contemplative Studies Centre is delighted to invite you to these guided practice sessions where you will have the opportunity to try guided meditation with expert teachers from many different faith and wisdom traditions.
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Recordings from events and media
We passionately foster discussion and the exchange of ideas through our engagement activities. We hope you enjoy our event recordings, video interviews, podcasts, and other multimedia recordings.
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Giving to CSC
As a friend and supporter of our Centre, your contribution can help create scholarships for students and support groundbreaking research, education and engagement programs.
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Resources Hub
Our resources page is always expanding and we hope to help with all of your queries about mindfulness, meditation and contemplative practices and research.
Our Engagement Series
Our programming encompasses a range of academic and non-academic events, discussions, workshops and practice sessions. We hope there is something for everyone through our event programming.
The Contemplation Conversations
These conversations feature an array of thinkers, meditators, researchers and people from all over the life spectrum discussing big topics related to the world of contemplative wisdom. Contemplative studies are incredibly multi-faceted, and topics are as broad as contemplative practice for climate anxiety, through to feminism and queerness in modern religion.
The format is generally a panel discussion with moderation by a host and you will have the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists at the conclusion of the event.
Wise Words
Our academic Wise Words series is delivered in academic language and targets academics and students. The series is aimed at advancing the field of contemplative science.
These events will be lecture format and there will be an opportunity for discussion and networking following the events. Come to learn about research from local and international experts, and meet like-minded colleagues for potential collaboration opportunities.
Guided Meditation Sessions
Our Guided Meditation Sessions are led by expert teachers from a range of faith, secular and wisdom traditions and are aimed at beginner, intermediate or advanced meditators.
These sessions start with an introduction to the meditation or tradition, and you will spend at least 20 minutes doing a guided meditation. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions of the teacher and discuss your experiences with fellow meditators.
Tradition Deep Dives
Our Tradition Deep Dive series provides a platform for teachers to present a ‘deep dive’ workshop on a topic that can range from an exploration of a single concept within a wisdom tradition, or a presentation on a method of meditation.
Deep Dives vary in format: for example, one might be an hour-long workshop and another might be a half-day experiential mindful walking tour and conversation.
Contemplative Salons
These Salons are an opportunity for faith, wisdom, Indigenous and secular representatives to come together to share ideas and discuss specific topics related to contemplative studies.
Salons will take many forms and the participants will be diverse and eclectic. The goal of these Salons is to help navigate any barriers to contemplative practice and study and understand the future of these practices in different traditions and faiths.
Find events, education opportunities, research and other news from across the Centre and our partners in industry.
Do you have an idea or project you think we should know about?
Join the conversation: #ContemplateUoM
