Organization
The Atlantic Centre for Contemplative Science and Technology is an independent, non-profit charitable society registered in the Province of Nova Scotia under the umbrella of the Nalanda Foundation.
Vision
The people, organizations and institutions of Atlantic Canada will have full access to the benefits of contemplative practices.
Mission
- To investigate the process by which individuals and organizations integrate contemplative practices into their lives and activities.
- To measure and report the experiences and changes that are associated with the integration of contemplative practices into the fabric of Atlantic Canadian society.
- To offer education and training that supports the integration of contemplative practices.
Objectives
- Gather and support a faculty of experienced contemplative practitioners who are engaged in the process of teaching and applying contemplative practices in society.
- Partner with relevant organizations and institutions.
- Design and conduct systematic investigations.
- Develop educational and training programs.
- Make the activities and results of investigations of projects available to diverse audiences using multiple forms of communication.
Working Definitions
Contemplative Science (contemplative studies) involves the study of the concepts, practices and experiences of contemplation and the use those concepts, practices and experiences as tools in studying the nature of mind, experience and the world of phenomena. Contemplative science /studies includes the use of relevant established concepts and tools from western science and from contemplative traditions.
Contemplative Technology encompasses operational applications derived from Contemplative Studies with the purpose of accomplishing articulated objectives. This includes the use of electronic technologies as applied to contemplative practices.
Activities
ACCSAT cultivates, organizes and carries out research, education, service projects and consultation related to Contemplative Science and Technology. For example:
- Research on the effectiveness of contemplative technologies.
- Education packages.
- Professional Mentorship and Education programs.
- Public lectures, discussions and conferences.
- Training programs.
- Knowledge transfer.
- Direct provision of contemplative technologies.
- Consultation on application of contemplative technologies.
The Need: Over the past four decades there has been an unprecedented and accelerating introduction of concepts and practices from contemplative traditions into western society. This infusion of these concepts and practices at a time of crisis in western civilization holds the promise of contributing to an evolution in western societies in the direction of non-aggression and sanity.
The benefits from application of contemplative concepts and practices into western society in general, and Atlantic Canada in particular, will be enhanced if the introduction is accompanied by formal evaluation and research to examine the actual impact of these concepts and practices upon individuals and society
