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Contemplative Studies Centre

@contemplateuom.bsky.social

290 followers 130 following 42 posts

The Contemplative Studies Centre welcomes you to the world of mindfulness, meditation and contemplative practice at The University of Melbourne. Learn more: psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/CSC

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Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Nov 25

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! 🌟

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Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · 1d

🧠 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

Exploring the mind-brain relationship to advance mental health research and practice

rdcu.be

Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · 3d

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…

www.sciencedirect.com

Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · 16d

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

Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Sep 4

🎙️ 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 · Aug 19

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

Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Sep 3

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

Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Aug 15

These effects were strongest among those with less lifetime meditation experience. Personality and motivation also mattered, and gains persisted over a follow-up period of several years.

📄 Read the full study: iaap-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Dose–response effects of reported meditation practice on mental‐health and wellbeing: A prospective longitudinal study

iaap-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Aug 15

📢 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.

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Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Aug 14

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

go.unimelb.edu.au

Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Jul 11

At the Contemplative Studies Centre, we’re grateful to be part of a vibrant and growing field and return inspired to continue our work in the responsible integration of contemplative practice into the heart of societal change.

#ICMAP2025 #Mindfulness #ContemplativePractice #ContemplativeStudies

Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Jul 11

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.

Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Jul 11

Welcome!

Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Jun 16

This online series will be led by Associate Professor Matt Sharpe - author, lecturer and researcher from Australian Catholic University.

📅 Weekly on Wednesdays from 2 to 30 July
➡️ Register and info: go.unimelb.edu.au/ei8p

#Stoicism #Meditation #ContemplativePractice

Guided meditation series: Stoicism

Overview Stoicism is an ancient Western philosophy focused on cultivating a smooth flow of life. To navigate life and achieve inner tranquillit...

go.unimelb.edu.au

Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Jun 16

🌀 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.

Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · May 13

The survey is available in 9 languages and meditators of any tradition and level of experience are welcome to join.

Watch our video: go.unimelb.edu.au/r88p

Take part 👉 www.soscisurvey.de/world-medita...
More info: world-meditation-survey.org

#Meditation #ContemplativeStudies #GlobalSurvey

Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · May 13

🧘‍♀️ 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.

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Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Apr 30

If you are a mindfulness teacher who has, or is interested in incorporating social justice elements into your teaching, we’d love to hear from you.

➡️ Express your interest here: go.unimelb.edu.au/7exp
Please quote "CSC" as the invitation code in the screening question.

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Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Apr 30

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

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Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Apr 28

Inspired by Vipassana and incorporating Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) skills, participants will learn how to bring the quality of awareness to the mind and body to live with more ease ✨

📅 Starts 7 May, 1pm (online)
➡️ Book go.unimelb.edu.au/7nxp

Guided meditation series: Mindfulness for chronic pain and illness

Overview Vipassana meditation is described as ‘seeing things in a different way’, or as they ‘really are’ through looking at the buildi...

go.unimelb.edu.au

Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Apr 28

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 🧘‍♂️

Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Apr 2

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

Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Mar 20

'Free your attention' was hosted at the Brunswick Ballroom by the Sophia Club in partnership with the Contemplative Studies Centre.

🔗🎧 Now you can listen to this conversation on ABC Radio National's Big Ideas: go.unimelb.edu.au/gq6p

#ContemplativeStudies #Mindfulness #DigitalWellbeing

Free your attention — meditation and mindfulness in the digital age - ABC listen

How many times have you checked your phone today? How many tabs are open in your web browser? Do you feel in control of your attention? In the digital age, attention is now a commodity. Can practice...

go.unimelb.edu.au

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Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Mar 20

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?

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Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Mar 4

Meaningful change often requires some discomfort, but it doesn’t necessitate that we experience lasting distress. So, when are we being pushed outside our comfort zone and when are we potentially just getting worse?

➡️ Read here: go.unimelb.edu.au/8e6p

#Psychotherapy #Meditation

In therapy or meditation, is it normal to feel worse at first? | Psyche Ideas

A ‘no pain, no gain’ mentality might make sense when striving for change – but don’t confuse discomfort and distress

go.unimelb.edu.au

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Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Mar 4

🔎 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.

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Contemplative Studies Centre @contemplateuom.bsky.social · Feb 24

🧘‍♂️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...

go.unimelb.edu.au