Vision Statement

We live at a unique juncture of history. Just as the deep contemplative traditions are becoming open for exploration, in addition to previous scientific approaches, new technologies are making their scientific study possible in the very places they are practiced. The Institute for the Study of Extraordinary States of Mind (ISEOM) has been founded to rise to this challenge in a unique collaboration between senior neuroscientists and long- term promoters of wisdom cultures in Asia and around the world.

ISEOM can create a new union- a union between spiritual practitioners from both East and West who have manifested extraordinary and high levels of achievement, and scientific practitioners who display the necessary values of integrity, morality, and humility to deeply study their attainments in their places of practice. ISEOM is distinct from previous contemplative science efforts through its ability to access a rich network of monastics/practitioners and the ability to also study their attainments in the monasteries and retreat centres where they live. In its scientific approach, ISEOM will combine high-quality quantitative methodologies and integrate them with qualitative phenomenology arising directly from the wisdom traditions. The monastic/practitioner contemplatives and their communities will be involved in co-designing the research at all stages: this inter-disciplinary, inclusive co-design approach is state-of-the art, rigorous, and leads to equitable and higher-quality science.

Mission Statement

The mission of ISEOM is to understand deeper aspects of how the mind works, particularly the neuroscience of extraordinary states of mind, and inspire faith in the achievements of practitioners in the deep wisdom traditions of this world. In short, we can understand the deep and immense potential of the mind and to share this with the world.

We are aiming for a different approach that avoids breaking down the components of meditation, to make meditation better/faster/quicker, which can potentially be harmful; that does not examine drug-induced states (since this against the philosophy of some of the world religions) and does not de-humanize participants, through operating with deep respect for the practices, practitioners and their communities.

Important values for ISEOM include:

Ensuring ethical and morally sound research at ISEOM that benefits and does not harm the diverse monastics/spiritual practitioners, their communities, and people around the world.
Building research capacity in host countries, particularly Asia, where many of the practitioners are based: e.g. by funding graduate students and post-doctoral fellows based in Asia/Global South.
Fostering Diversity in the research and stakeholder communities, including supporting Women, ethnic/religious minorities, practitioners, and others that have been previously less represented in contemplative science to play leadership roles in this work.
Encouraging integrative learning from one another. Scientists are encouraged to engage in deepening spiritual practice, while contemplative practitioners are encouraged and, ideally, given opportunities to learn about current science.
Developing a Co-Design approach with monastic/practitioner contemplatives and their communities, involving them in co-designing the research at all stages.

Vision Statement

Mission Statement

Important values for ISEOM include:

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