Contemplative neuroscience (or contemplative science) is the field in which neuroscience tools, like
fMRI
Functional magnetic resonance imaging or functional MRI (fMRI) measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow. This technique relies on the fact that cerebral blood flow and neuronal activation are coupled. When an area o ...
, are used to study the effects of
meditation
Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally cal ...
. Founders of the field include
Richard Davidson,
Francisco Varela and
B. Alan Wallace
Bruce Alan Wallace (born 1950) is an American author and expert on Tibetan Buddhism. His books discuss Eastern and Western scientific, philosophical, and contemplative modes of inquiry, often focusing on the relationships between science and Buddh ...
, among others. It often emphasizes
Buddhist
Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and ...
approaches to contemplation and meditation, and conflates meditation with various contemplative practices.
One of the field's first high-profile public gatherings was the
Mind and Life Institute’s public dialogue, held at
MIT in 2003, entitled 'Investigating the Mind'. Participants included the 14th Dalai Lama, Nobel Laureate scientist
Daniel Kahneman
Daniel Kahneman (; he, דניאל כהנמן; born March 5, 1934) is an Israeli-American psychologist and economist notable for his work on the psychology of judgment and decision-making, as well as behavioral economics, for which he was award ...
and
Eric Lander
Eric Steven Lander (born February 3, 1957) is an American mathematician and geneticist who served as the 11th director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Science Advisor to the President, serving on the presidential Cabinet. Lan ...
, Director of the MIT Centre for Genomic Research. This conference, attended by 1,200 scientists and contemplatives, marked the public birth of contemplative neuroscience in the USA.
See also
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Compassion and Neuropsychology
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Neuroscience and Empathy
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Neurological basis of unconditional love
*
Brain activity and meditation
Meditation and its effect on brain activity and the central nervous system became a focus of collaborative research in neuroscience, psychology and neurobiology during the latter half of the 20th century. Research on meditation sought to define an ...
*
Research on meditation
The psychological and physiological effects of meditation have been studied. In recent years, studies of meditation have increasingly involved the use of modern instruments, such as fMRI and EEG, which are able to observe brain physiology and n ...
*
James Austin James Austin may refer to:
Sports
* Jim Austin (baseball) (born 1963), former baseball pitcher
* Jim Austin (rugby league), New Zealand rugby league player
* James Austin (judoka) (born 1983), English judoka
* James Austin (American football) (19 ...
*
James Doty
*
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of purposely bringing one's attention to the present-moment experience without evaluation, a skill one develops through meditation or other training. Mindfulness derives from ''sati'', a significant element of Hind ...
References
{{Neuroscience
Mindfulness (psychology)
Neurotheology