CBD 2024: Buddhist Wisdom Principles: Deepening Understanding of Self, Health, and Reality with William Van Gordon, PhD

Following a wealth of research indicating the benefits of mindfulness- and compassion-based contemplative practices, there is growing interest in the nature and health benefits of Buddhist wisdom principles, which are concerned with transmuting suffering by cultivating insight into the ultimate nature of the self and reality. Some key examples include the wisdom practices of non-self, non-attachment, interconnectedness, impermanence, non-duality, and emptiness (Sanskrit: ??nyat?), the latter of which implies that although phenomena are perceptible to the human mind, they do not intrinsically exist. This talk will explore emerging empirical insights indicating how Buddhist wisdom principles can not only deepen our understanding of the mind and reality but also help human beings realize more of their capacity for compassion, awareness, health, and well-being.

 William Van Gordon, PhD, is a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Professor of Contemplative Psychology at the University of Derby (UK), where he also Chairs the School of Psychology Research Committee. He is internationally recognized for advancing the Contemplative Psychology research agenda, to which he has contributed 100+ peer-reviewed papers. William's research focuses on improving understanding of how processes and principles such as meditation, mindfulness, compassion, emptiness, and non-self can improve physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being in clinical, educational, occupational, and general life settings. With 250+ appearances in major, national, and international media outlets within the last 5 years alone, he plays an important role as a science communicator for Contemplative Psychology, explicating the relevance of his discipline to societal challenges. Prior to joining academia, William was a Buddhist monk for 10 years and previously worked in senior management roles for several blue-chip companies. William writes a regular blog on Contemplative Psychology for Psychology Today and is the author of The Way of the Mindful Warrior.