🏆 The CSC has been awarded a competitive research grant of USD100,000 (AUD140,000) from The Consciousness Foundation for a longitudinal project tracking awakening experiences among meditators. Learn more: go.unimelb.edu.au/3xah

New paper from the education team explores an interdisciplinary approach to contemplative pedagogy in universities. Using breadth subject The Art and Science of Meditation we show how meditation is shaped by culture, context and lived experience, not just technique. Read more: go.unimelb.edu.au/d6r2

Introducing interdisciplinary contemplative pedagogy: a case study of ‘The Art and Science of Meditation’

This article presents a model for the application of contemplative pedagogy in higher education, with a focus on rich contextualisation and interdisciplinarity. We articulate a vision for a multipl...

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📣 Seeking research participants! We’re launching the Tracking Meditation Study to explore the real-world effects of long-term meditation. We’re recruiting beginner meditators in Australia, NZ, UK and USA. Sign up for the study at go.unimelb.edu.au/4wx2 or discover more at go.unimelb.edu.au/pen2.

🌱 What helps people flourish, and why? A meta-analysis of 109 RCTs (20,000+ participants) by @julietagalante.bsky.social and colleagues shows that cultivating perspective, kindness and gratitude strengthens these qualities and helps explain improvements in wellbeing. Read on: go.unimelb.edu.au/r762

Efficacy of cultivating human strengths and virtues on well-being: A one-stage meta-analytic structural equation modeling approach

Mental health research emphasizes the importance of fostering character strengths to promote well-being. However, whether the strengths supposedly dev…

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📣 Australasians lead the world in meditation use: ⅓ of Australians and ¼ of NZers meditated in the past year. Many turn to meditation when mental healthcare is hard to access, yet some report adverse effects. We need more research to make meditation safe & effective for all. 🔗 go.unimelb.edu.au/ba62

🧠 How do the mind and brain connect, and why does it matter for mental health? A new paper by Nandini Karunamuni, Tim Wood and @julietagalante.bsky.social explores how subjective experience and scientific insight can come together to better support wellbeing. Read more: rdcu.be/eLG21

Meditation has many benefits, but it’s not risk-free. A new review finds 25–87% of practitioners experience some adverse effects. Thoughtful screening and support can make mindfulness practice safer and more effective. 👉 Read more: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Beyond Serenity: Adverse Effects of Meditation and Mindfulness in Clinical Practice

Despite the growing popularity of mindfulness, mindfulness-based programs (MBPs), and meditation, potential harms have largely been overlooked. Recent…

sciencedirect.com

How can mindfulness and nature connection help ease eco-distress? 🌿 New research co-authored by CSC academic Dr Cullan Joyce explores contemplative nature engagement, supporting people to face climate anxiety and act with care. Read: doi.org/10.1002/pan3...

Using contemplative nature engagement practices to address ecological distress

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

doi.org

🎙️ How do traits like empathy, honesty, and compassion shape our behaviour? Learn more in this PsychTalks podcast from @psychunimelb.bsky.social.

Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences@psychunimelb.bsky.social · 12mo ago

Why do some people seem naturally kind? Prof Luke Smillie breaks down personality traits like empathy, honesty and compassion – and how they shape behaviour. 🎧Find it here go.unimelb.edu.au/7axe

Kindness, humour, hope, perspective & gratitude: strengths shown to boost wellbeing in a new systematic review from @julietagalante.bsky.social and colleagues. A reminder of the power of cultivating positive qualities. Read more 👉 doi.org/10.1111/aphw...

A synthesis of RCTs on psychological interventions fostering strengths and virtues: Evidence from 21 systematic reviews

Research on mental health advocates the cultivation of character strengths to enhance well-being. Existing meta-analyses support positive correlations between strengths and well-being, and an increas...

doi.org

📢 New paper alert A new longitudinal study by @nicbowles.bsky.social and @ntvandam.bsky.social of over 1,000 meditators found that meditating 35–65 minutes a day delivered meaningful improvements in well-being, while 50–80 minutes daily was needed for significant gains in mental health.

Join us for our next guided meditation series to explore the practice of mindfulness with breathing (ānāpānasati). The way of letting go: Mindfulness with breathing 📅 Starts 2 September 2025 | Online via Zoom ➡️ Register now: go.unimelb.edu.au/i98p #Mindfulness #MeditationPractice #Wellbeing

Guided meditation series: Mindfulness with breathing

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Last week, members of our team attended the International Conference on Mindfulness - Asia Pacific 2025, joining leaders, researchers, and practitioners in Hong Kong to explore the role of mindfulness and contemplative practices in health, wellbeing, education, justice, sustainability, and peace.

🌀 How might ancient Stoic philosophy help us face life’s challenges with calm and clarity? Join us for our next guided meditation series exploring the reflective practices of Stoicism—meletê (meditation) and theoria (contemplation)—to manage stress, and foster calmness.

🧘‍♀️ First Worldwide Survey on Meditation – Call for Participants! 🌏 The World Meditation Survey, led by our Post-Doctoral Research Fellow Dr. Karin Matko, explores how personal characteristics and motivations shape meditation practices across traditions and over time.

We’re launching a survey to explore how mindfulness meditation teachers are implementing social justice literacy in their classes ⚖️🌍

Are you living with chronic pain or know someone who is? Join nurse and Buddhist chaplain, Georgia Cummings, for our next 4-week Guided Meditation Series: Meditation for chronic pain and illness 🧘‍♂️

Congratulations to Dr. Saampras Ganesan for completing his PhD! 👏 Dr Ganesan’s research saw him establish a neurofeedback system for the 7T MRI scanner and develop an innovative model to train beginner meditators. Well done, Saampras! 🎉 #PhDGraduation #ContemplativeScience #MeditationResearch

In the digital age, attention is now a commodity. Can practices like meditation and mindfulness help us feel more free to focus on what really matters?

🔎 Is it normal to feel worse before you feel better in meditation or therapy? In a new article for Psyche, A/Prof Nicholas Van Dam, Director of the Contemplative Studies Centre, explores the fine line between discomfort, distress, and harm in mental health and contemplative practices.

🧘‍♂️Have you ever wanted to try a guided meditation in Zen Buddhist tradition? Join us for a free guided meditation series over four weeks with Zen Roshi (teacher), Kynan Sutherland ✨ 📅 Wednesdays, 5–26 March 🕐 1:00–1:45pm 💻 Online Register or learn more 👉 go.unimelb.edu.au/ydz8

Guided meditation series: Zen Buddhist tradition

Overview Zen Buddhism is famously described as a tradition of meditation practice that does not rely on words and letters. Instead, it encourag...

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🧘‍♀️ Interested in mindfulness meditation? Join our 28-day study and explore the effects on wellbeing. Open to Aussies aged 18 - 65 with little/no meditation experience. Complete surveys, participate in guided sessions and receive up to $109. Find out more: go.unimelb.edu.au/2zd8

💡 Our Deputy Director, Dr. Julieta Galante shares expert advice in The Age this week on the science of stress. 🧠✨

🧘‍♀️Meditation is often recommended for mental health, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. @ntvandam.bsky.social and Dr. Julieta Galante from the Centre recently shared insights with Liam Mannix at The Age about why some people find meditation challenging and what to do instead.

‼️ New research ‼️ from our group: unexpected or difficult experiences are the rule rather than the exception in #meditation. Potential to help also means potential to harm. For this reason, we need to take this powerful practice seriously and ensure practices are evidence-based & tradition-informed.

🧘‍♀️🌏 Today is the first ever #WorldMeditationDay! Meditation is a powerful tool for building resilience, fostering compassion, and finding calm in a busy world, especially at this time of year. How will you mark #WorldMeditationDay? #Mindfulness #Wellbeing #UNWorldMeditationDay

🌍✨ Big news from the United Nations! On 6 December, the General Assembly proclaimed 21 December as World Meditation Day, highlighting the role meditation plays in fostering mental and physical health, and reaffirming the universal right to the highest standard of well-being.

We hosted this inspiring event now featured on ABC Radio National on Big Ideas 🌏💡 Professor Emerita Rhonda V. Magee and @mariamtokhi.bsky.social joined @natashamitchell.bsky.social for a conversation on empathy that will empower you to hear and care for others even in times of division and conflict.

Our Deputy Director, Dr. Julieta Galante, shares insights from the Mindfulness for Students trial at University of Cambridge in this new Guardian article. She highlights that optional rather than mandatory mindfulness offerings are potential key to success ➡️ www.theguardian.com/society/2024...

‘Resilience interventions do work’ – why coping strategies should be a staple of education

Early instruction that teaches young people how to recognise negative thought patterns and manage their mental health may help to avoid problems in later life

theguardian.com

Hi #Bluesky 👋 We’re the Contemplative Studies Centre at the University of Melbourne. We envision a future where empirically underpinned knowledge gained from contemplative wisdom, research, education, dialogue and practice empowers individuals and societies to thrive. Thrilled to connect! 🌟