CSC secures international research grant
We are thrilled to announce the Contemplative Studies Centre has been awarded a competitive research grant from the California-based Consciousness Foundation, with funding of USD100,000 (AUD140,000) over two years. The Centre’s project, “Tracking the unfolding of awakening among Buddhist and secular mindfulness meditators: A longitudinal study,” has been selected for inclusion in the Foundation’s Toward a Science of Awakening research cohort. The Consciousness Foundation supports pioneering work that advances the scientific understanding of consciousness and its real-world applications, connecting researchers and institutions to build a rigorous and impactful field.
This study will follow hundreds of Buddhist and secular meditators across four countries through their first three years of practice to observe how and when "awakening" experiences naturally emerge, using multiple definitions and simple, regular measures such as brief recorded reflections and surveys. The research team will track changes in wellbeing, compassion and daily functioning, compare different kinds of awakening, and explore their likely precursors and impact on individuals' lives. This project will provide foundational data for the emerging field of awakening studies and support a more informed meditation practice