Center for Contemplative Research

A Revolution in the Mind Sciences

The founding vision of CCR posits that the problems of human civilization stem from mental affliction, and that to address the crises humanity faces and bring about a new era of human flourishing, we must address their root causes in the mind. CCR sees a future guided by collaborative, cross-cultural, and interdisciplinary inquiry, where scientists and contemplatives work together in mutual respect to fathom the nature and potentials of the mind and seek to discover and implement the sustainable causes of personal and social well-being.

Your donation provides essential support for: 

1. Mind Labs: Dedicated contemplatives in full-time meditation retreat at the CCR's "mind labs,"  the primary of which is in Crestone, CO. Mind labs are centers where professional contemplatives complete thousands of hours of full-time training to achieve exceptional attention skills and introspective acuity. CCR’s primary location in Crestone, Colorado is a remote 110-acre hermitage near the Sangre de Cristo mountain range that holds a rich history of inter-faith tradition and is an exceptionally conducive environment for long-term retreat.
2. Research: Rigorous, empirical research conducted by a team of world-class scientists into the impact and discoveries of meditation practice. To realize the full potential of contemplative science, CCR is developing a research program that treats professional contemplatives, active at our centers, not as mere participants in neuroscientific protocols but as scientific colleagues who can produce unique forms of empirical evidence, which can be integrated with the traditional third-person methods of science. A multi-year Pilot Study is underway, collecting and analyzing first-, second-, and third-person (EEG) data.
3. Education: To deepen empirical understanding of genuine well-being, and further the exploration of the nature and potential of consciousness, CCR provides accessible educational tools through curriculum development and community building, framed by the Sixfold Matrix of Mental Balance, the conceptual framework that guides CCR research and education work. CCR applies time-tested methods from contemplative traditions with contemporary psychology and pedagogy for cultivating genuine well-being based on contemplative insight across the entire spectrum of mental health and disease by influencing hyperactivity, deficit, and dysfunction across six dimensions: conation, ethics, attention, cognition, emotion, and spirituality. An initial curriculum will likely be created for a young adult population and piloted in 2024.

Founded by renowned scholar of Tibetan Buddhism and science of mind Dr. B. Alan Wallace and scholar of Tibetan Buddhism and comparative religion Dr. Eva Natanya, and guided by an advisory board of leading scientists from disciplines including physics, neuroscience, and psychology, the Center for Contemplative Research seeks to unleash the mind’s potential toward a better world.

Testimonials

Tenzin Gyatso, the XIVth Dalai Lama:

"Regarding the plan to create a retreat center in the American State of Colorado that will also be a Center for Contemplative Research in collaboration with the scientific community, I say, "Excellent!" It is clear to me that it will be of even greater benefit if this retreat center offers training not only in the view, meditation, and way of life of Buddhism, but also in the widespread, shared, non-violent way of life that has been taught in India from the ancient Sāṃkhya school onwards. There should be teaching, reflection, and meditation with respect to the view, including the presentation of cause and effect, and with respect to meditation, including śamatha and vipaśyanā. Likewise, there should also be instruction and reflection on the view, meditation, and way of life taught in the western traditions of Christianity."

Marcelo Gleiser, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Appleton Professorship of Natural Philosophy,
Director, Institute for Cross-Disciplinary Engagement, Dartmouth College:

"The nature of human consciousness remains one of the central mysteries of modern science. Although much progress has been made towards elucidating some of the more operational aspects of consciousness, we remain far from understanding how and whether the brain engenders our sense of self. It is clear that we must keep an open mind, probing different ways of knowing as potential paths towards expanding our knowledge. The Center for Contemplative Research is anchored on a firm epistemic approach, inspired and guided by centuries of deep meditative experience. I am positive that it will open new and unexpected doors to a new understanding of our true human essence."