Technologies of Transcendence
By integrating ancient wisdom with modern science, we aim to establish accessible, non-pharmacological pathways to well-being and meaning-making, contributing to both fundamental knowledge and broader societal impact.
Embodied Pathways to Resilience, Meaning-Making, and Flourishing
Many who yearn for a more healthy and meaningful life are rediscovering embodiment methodologies like yoga, breathwork, drumming or community singing circles, and ecstatic dance. Others are turning to ancient consciousness altering substances as a source of spiritual insight, either in psychedelic assisted therapy, in “ancient” rituals, or at Dionysian “raves”. It is of great interest to explore whether embodiment methodologies can promote similar levels of meaning-making and flourishing. Do they act as entheogens—tools that reveal the god/des(s) within—and reliably induce positive mental and physical outcomes? We believe that the answer is yes.
We are an international Collaboratory exploring how ancient and modern embodiment practices—such as ecstatic dance, yoga, breathwork, drumming, community song, and meditation—satisfy spiritual yearning, foster resilience, and reduce diseases of despair like depression, addiction, and loneliness.
Example Projects
Global Surveys of Embodiment Practices
Multi-cohort surveys across the Anglosphere and beyond, sampling diverse populations. Surveys measure engagement with embodiment practices (dance, yoga, breathwork, drumming, meditation, community singing), incidence of diseases of despair along with measures of well-being, experience of mystical and flow states (e.g., ego dissolution, awe, connection), and individual differences (e.g., collectivism, approach/avoidance motivation, fundamental motives, locus of control) to develop predictive models matching practices to individual profiles.
Minimal Meditation
(in partnership with Waking Up)
An ongoing study of short daily meditation practice using the Waking Up app. Preliminary studies reveal considerable potential for secular virtual meditation as way to promote health and meaning-making outcomes, and even enhance cognitive performance. Participants are randomly assigned to app-based meditation or control conditions, with outcomes tracked via experience sampling, surveys, and wearable biometrics. This component will allow direct comparison between virtual meditation and embodied, group-based practices.
The Dancing Spirit
A focus on ecstatic dance as a case study in embodied spirituality. We take multiple approaches including ethnography (fieldwork in global communities to document lived practices and meaning-making), surveys (broader practitioner surveys comparing ecstatic dance outcomes with rave/EDM participants), experimental trials (multi-site RCTs comparing ecstatic dance, aerobic controls, partner dance, drum circles), biomarkers (HRV, EEG, and psychological measures as indices of well-being and resilience), and public engagement (multimedia outputs, including short films and social media, showcasing narratives of the transformative power of the practice).
Opportunities
Partnerships
We are eager to work with new academic and industry partners to leverage new tools and opportunities to enhance this research and large-scale self-actualization.
Public Engagement
We are enthusiastic about to spreading the word about our research projects and the health and wellness outcomes of embodiment practices.
Consulting
Team members devote themselves to these project as acts of service, but are available to consult on boring government/industrial projects for a suitable fee.
An array of resources
Don’t get us started….
We rigorously evaluate the psychological, social, and spiritual consequences of these practices.
- Ethnographies and global surveys
- Randomized controlled trials
- Cognitive and psychophysiological measures
Our outputs will inform clinicians, community facilitators, and researchers.
- Large-scale comparative datasets
- Predictive models
- Publicly accessible resources (including apps and digital archives)
“One’s only rival is one’s own potentialities. One’s only failure is failing to live up to one’s own possibilities.”
Abraham Maslow
Humanistic Life Coach and
Serial Self-Actualizer
Watch, Read, Listen
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