Research Goals
of
The Heartwood Institute
For Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom
The Heartwood Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom (HINCW) focuses on offering skillful
means for changing the brain to benefit the mind - and all beings in a world too full of war. Exploring the
intersection of psychology, neurology, and contemplative practice, it collects, organizes, and provides
information and methods that anyone can use for greater happiness, love, effectiveness, and wisdom. (For more
information, please see www.WiseBrain.org.)
As a major aspect of its activities, the Institute supports research that takes advantage of two recent
developments. The first is the growing convergence of psychological and neurological findings - in part due to
new technologies (e.g., fMRI) that image living brains as they feel and think - leading to an emerging science of
mind and brain as a coherent whole. The second is increasingly widespread contemplative practice in a Western
context (e.g., mindfulness based stress reduction programs, Christian centering prayer, daily Vipassana
meditation).
Our research focuses on five domains that are important to humanity and to which we can make unique
contributions: (1) steadiness of mind, (2) equanimity, (3) peak states, (4) reduction of the negative factors of
clinging, identification, and hatred, and (5) longitudinal studies of the benefits of contemplative practice:
Steadiness of mind and equanimity are valuable in the global workplace for task-accomplishment in the
presence of stress and complexity. They are also crucial resources for victims of trauma, and they aid
psychological and spiritual growth through their focus on intention and clarity.
As noted by Maslow, Csikszentmihalyi, and others, peak states such as meditative absorption, “flow,”
or religious rapture are some of the most rewarding and meaningful experiences that people achieve.
Clinging, identification (e.g., with a political or religious ideology), and hatred are primary factors in both
individual suffering and interpersonal conflict.
Long-term studies are needed to assess the effects of contemplative practice on longevity, health, and
satisfaction with life - particularly in an increasingly aging population (e.g., preliminary studies have shown that
regular meditation can help reduce the cognitive declines associated with aging).
These domains are at the heart of the movement toward Positive Psychology over the past decade, epitomized
by a recent paper in American Psychologist advocating that “flourishing” be a primary public health goal in the
United States. Yet none of these domains is being investigated much by big science, including the National
Science Foundation, the National Institute for Mental Health, or major universities. (Some notable exceptions
prove the rule, such as Richard Davidson's program at the University of Wisconsin, which has helped lay the
foundation for what is called “contemplative neuroscience.”)
Heartwood Institute can make unique contributions to human knowledge and welfare for multiple reasons:
We stress high-impact pilot studies that boldly “connect the dots” of current research findings into
larger patterns (e.g., using the dopamine surges of highly positive emotion as an aid to stabilizing attention).
Distinct from pure science, we emphasize research that develops effective tools for everyday use by
diverse groups of people, including those with no interest in meditation itself. These “skillful means” have four
primary purposes - greater happiness, love, effectiveness, and wisdom - and they are offered freely to the
public through our website, Bulletin and other publications, and typically donation-only courses.
Our studies are aimed at the systematic individualization of personal and spiritual growth, particularly
in a society in which most people cannot afford significant amounts of psychotherapy, and in which lay people
must adapt methods designed originally for monastics to their own unique situations.
We are highly experienced at designing effective ways to teach key states of mind (e.g.,
equanimity).
We have in-depth knowledge of and access to large populations of experienced meditators.
Our overhead is very low, so we can put most of our resources into research-specific activities.
We can adapt nimbly and quickly to the particular interests of our funding sources, or to what we're
learning mid-way through a study.
In sum, as a result of the factors above, we can produce highly leveraged scientific results, in
proportion to their costs.
The Institute began substantive operations in January, 2007. Over the next two years, its research aims are to:
Write one publishable literature review on the brain states associated with contemplative absorption,
bliss, and insight.
Write a second publishable literature review on research-based methods for activating those brain
states.
Design and pilot test the first ever longitudinal study of long-term meditators (in part based on
inexpensive, large-scale, website-based surveys).
Do one or more pilot studies on interventions for steadiness of mind, equanimity, and/or peak states of
consciousness
During the start-up phase of the first two years, the approximate, annual costs of these activities will be:
Research assistant (half-time) to prepare subjects, run experimental sessions, review literature, and
prepare reports - $20,000
Web-site management (part-time) - $5000
General administration (e.g., materials for research subjects) - $3000
Depending on the interests and contributions of our funders, the progress toward the full-scale longitudinal study,
and the specific intervention studies we pursue, further financial resources could be allocated toward additional
purposes.
The Institute's research endeavors are overseen by a committee of its Board, whose current members include
(CV's available on request):
Rick Hanson, PhD - Psychologist and co-founder of Heartwood
Rick Mendius, MD - Neurologist and co-founder of Heartwood
Michael Hagerty, PhD - Professor Emeritus, University of California at Davis, who collaborated with
Seligman and others on quality of life research
Julian Isaacs, PhD - Researcher in experimental psychology; expert on EEG mapping and
neurofeedback training
Stephen Levine, PhD - Biochemist; wrote first major book on oxidative stress; owns major nutritional
company
Daniel Ellenberg, PhD - Psychologist and author; expert on thriving
Andrew Dreitcer, PhD - Professor at Claremont School of Theology and Claremont Graduate
University
Judith Bell, M.A. - Psychotherapist; founder of the Authentic Leadership Institute; researcher on
stress management tools for returning vets
Jan Hanson, M.S. - Acupuncturist and clinical nutritionist; author on the biochemistry of peak
neurological functioning
Terry Patten, M.A. - Co-author of book with Ken Wilber on Integral methods of self-help; expert on
technologies for generating positive brain states
HINCW's studies will rely initially on the generosity of private donors and small foundations, and then after a
few years of that seeding, it should be able to reach out more to traditional funding sources. The Institute is a
nonprofit corporation with 501c3 (tax-exempt) status, ID # 26-0328057. Due to the distinctive nature of its
research, relatively small contributions will help many people in all walks of life to manage stress and trauma, find
a calm center in a stormy world, control their emotional reactions better, and - if they like - deepen their spiritual
practice.
In short, your contributions will make a real difference in the great undertaking of helping individuals gain greater
control over their brain's reactive patterns, for the sake of their own happiness, and for the sake of a world
poised on the edge of the sword; the way it tips will depend largely on whether a critical mass of people become
more skillful with their own minds - and thus their own brains.
To learn more about the Institute and its research projects, and how you might help, please contact Rick
Hanson, Ph.D. at (415) 491-4900 or drrh@comcast.net.
