Media articles and recordings - Contemplative Studies Centre.

The other effects of meditation

Discover this ground-breaking documentary on the transformative power of meditation, featuring insights from researchers at the Contemplative Studies Centre.

Who will succeed the Dalai Lama?

Dr John Powers speaks to Radio New Zealand regarding the institution of the Dalai Lama and issues relating to succession.

Podcast: Chasing Good

Nicholas Van Dam shares how prayer, reflection and nature connect us to our inner selves and the world.

Expanded AI: Interdisciplinary human-machine collaborations

Seed funding recipient, Dr Robert Walton, leads this panel discussion about the use of AI in performing arts.

Why are we so lonely but too ashamed to talk about it?

Four guests join ABC Big Ideas host Natasha Mitchell for a frank and fearless conversation about a very modern challenge.

Podcast: Who meditates? With Dr Jonathan Davies

Dr Jonathan Davies joins clinical psychologist Dr Stan Steindl in a discussion about meditation trends in Australia.

Mindful Traditions: A contemplative view of mental health (Part 2)

Contemplative practitioners discuss mental health, spirituality and emotional wellbeing in a two-part podcast.

Mindful Traditions: A contemplative view of mental health (Part 1)

Contemplative practitioners discuss mental health, spirituality and emotional wellbeing in a two-part podcast.

When mindfulness is too much and not enough (Nicholas Van Dam, 27:45)

ABC Radio National: Do you spend too much time on your smartphone?

Nicholas Van Dam discusses smartphone usage, potential addiction and individual responsibility.

Nicholas Van Dam on ABC Weekend Breakfast

Nicholas Van Dam discusses the legitimacy of health benefit claims promoted by many meditation and mindfulness apps.

Not all mental health apps are helpful. Experts explain the risks, and how to choose one wisely

Nicholas Van Dam and colleagues advise users to exercise caution when choosing a meditation app.

Podcast: Mind the Hype with Dr Nicholas Van Dam & Chelsey Fasano

Nicholas Van Dam talks to the Guru Viking Podcast about concerns with mindfulness research and adverse effects of meditation.

ABC Radio: The Dalai Lama and the Scottish hermit

John Powers talks to Soul Search about the Dalai Lama's extensive influence on Buddhism and world religions, and possibilities for his succession.

ABC Radio: Your mindfulness app may be bad for your mental health

Nicholas Van Dam and Jeannie Paterson discuss the health claims and data collection practices of wellbeing apps on Life Matters.

Podcast: Meditation and mental health with Dr Julieta Galante

Delve into the fascinating world of meditation and mental health research on the ERPC podcast.

What are mental health apps doing with your data?

Academics shed light on the data collection and marketing practices of mental health apps.

Succession on the Tibetan plateau: What’s at stake in the battle over the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation?

Dr John Powers discusses the battle over the succession of the Dalai Lama and its implications in China.

Media article: How to ensure a mindfulness app is effective as it claims

Nicholas Van Dam speaks with Joanna Hall about tips to consider before downloading an app.

Media article: The Mischief in Mindfulness

Mindfulness programs might be doing more harm than good, concludes the largest ever piece of research in the area.

’Intellectual arms race’ harming students, psychologist warns

Deep Dive: Mindfulness education could be doing more harm than good

ABC Radio: Do corporate mindfulness programs work?

Nicholas Van Dam talks to Life Matters about the boom in wellness offerings in workplaces.

Seeking authentic mindfulness in this era of 'wellness'

Evidence-based principles are needed to help people understand the plethora of offerings in meditation and mindfulness.

Nicholas Van Dam x JOY Drive: Mindfulness

Nicholas Van Dam chats to JOY radio hosts Em and Warren about mindfulness and the effectiveness of mindfulness apps.

Launch of the Contemplative Studies Centre

ABC Big Ideas: Schools of life and death

ABC Big Ideas: Immersive mindfulness

Is the cheery praise for mindfulness based on expert evidence?

Insight Fellow Chris McCaw, PhD candidate Winky Lee and Director Nicholas Van Dam discuss the role of mindfulness in schools.

Mindfulness and meditation: The search for authenticity

How effective is mindfulness for treating mental ill-health? And what about the apps?

Mindfulness has its benefits but cannot treat mental ill-health on its own, and should not be relied upon to do so.

Is mindfulness overrated? A major new study suggests so

A new mindfulness study shows no changes in brain structure, but other effects may be more meaningful for practitioners.

Why contemplative studies?

The practices of mindfulness and meditation are known to almost everyone these days. But what exactly is contemplative practice or contemplative studies?

Thriving Minds podcast: Mind the hype

Nicholas Van Dam talks to neuroscientist Professor Selena Bartlett about the side effects of mindfulness and meditation.

New research paper: Post-secular affective labours of teaching: contemplative practices and the ‘belaboured self’

Read the latest research from Dr Chris McCaw.

Most popular New Year's resolutions for 2022 amid COVID-19 pandemic

New year's resolutions now include practising meditation as people continue to face uncertainty.

Stressful Christmas? How meditation can (and can’t) help you through a nightmare lunch

Centre Director, Nicholas Van Dam, explains the benefits and limitations of meditation during the festive season.

Stepping out slowly: For many Melburnians, it'll be a long road back

Despite eased restrictions, many people are approaching their return to normal life slowly and cautiously.

When the end of lockdown is the last thing you want

Returning to normal life after lockdown can be fraught with anxiety, but there are ways to manage.

Spot the Melburnian: How months of lockdown will change our behaviour

Lockdowns will likely have lasting effects on people's mental health, behaviour and relationships.

Does mindfulness make me-centric people more selfish?

Research by Dr Nicholas Van Dam suggests that the benefits of mindfulness have been overblown in popular media.

We tried six meditation apps. This is what we thought

While in-person meditation is more effective, online meditation apps can have some benefits.

'If we do meditation right, it could be so powerful'

Dr Nicholas Van Dam says meditation research is promising but more is needed to determine its nature and efficacy.

Feel 10 per cent better? Start by forgetting your preconceptions about meditation

Dr Nicholas Van Dam cautions against a one-size-fits-all approach to meditation.

Director Nicholas Van Dam named top psychology researcher

The Australian’s Research magazine has named the top researchers and institutions in Australia.

How ‘active hope’ may help sustain us through the uncertainty

Read about constructive ways to maintain hope in times of uncertainty.

ABC's Big Ideas: How useful are mindfulness apps?

Do smartphone mindfulness apps help to improve your mental health or are they another digital distraction?

Meditation is like mountaineering: Approach it with care

Centre Director, Dr Nicholas Van Dam, explores the complexities of meditation in this article for Psyche.

Mindfulness is everywhere, but what actually is it?

Clinical psychologist Dr Nicholas Van Dam explains that despite it being associated with everything from eating to the army, mindfulness isn’t what many of us think it is.

Dr Nicholas Van Dam discusses the work of the Contemplative Studies Centre, the evidence-base for mindfulness, the intersection with psychedelics and the future accessibility of mindfulness practice. Listen from 00:47:25.

Through media articles, podcasts, TV and radio interviews, our academics share their insights and experiences on a range of contemplative practices.