Our Mission
Bridging science and contemplative wisdom to foster insight and inspire action toward flourishing.
When the Mind & Life Institute was created 38 years ago, our founders imagined a future where science and contemplative wisdom would come together to promote human flourishing. They understood that deepening understanding of the human mind could spark the inner transformation necessary to drive critical change in the outer world.
Over time, their vision became a reality. The bridges that Mind & Life built created the entirely new fields of contemplative science and research. This groundbreaking work catalyzed cutting-edge scientific laboratories and applied research centers, created new fields of study across and between disciplines, and shaped public discourse. This grounding in new discoveries and rigorous science provided the foundation for a global movement impacting millions of lives through the dedicated efforts of thousands of researchers and practitioners.
“Mind & Life’s work has been unprecedented, especially in promoting a scientific understanding of the human mind through a unique combination of research and contemplative practice. It has brought about a fresh focus on interconnection and its programs give me hope for the future.”
—His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Mind & Life Co-Founder
What We Do
Today, our work is carried out through three core strategies:
Convening and catalyzing: Bringing diverse minds together through a lens of inquiry and interconnection has always been the heart and soul of our work. Key initiatives like the Mind & Life Dialogues and our signature Summer Research Institute build bridges across disciplines, sparking new ideas and collaborations that lead to practical applications.
Grantmaking: We support early-stage contemplative research, investing in pioneering ideas with the potential to generate new insights into the nature of the human mind. To date, Mind & Life has awarded over $8 million to more than 300 projects across 28 countries.
Communicating: Mind & Life leverages its unique position as a trusted source of knowledge and wisdom to share insights derived from our work with a growing global audience. Our digital education programs include the Mind & Life podcast, Mind & Life Digital Library, Insights web platform, and our monthly e-newsletter, Mindstream.
The Way Forward
What is uniquely ours to do now? We are shifting upstream, ensuring that in Mind & Life’s next chapter we are partnering to leverage research, data, convenings, and alliances to make evidence-based contemplative approaches globally available and universally accessible. In short, we are taking the research and evidence that we’re built on and bringing that to the world at scale.
Focus Areas
In 2025, we made the decision to deepen our efforts around several priority issues with significant implications for humanity’s future and the well-being of our planet. These include:
AI/Tech—While AI holds immense potential to address humanity’s most urgent challenges, it also raises complex ethical questions. We support contemplative research and convene leading scientists, scholars, contemplatives, business leaders, and policymakers to ensure technological progress benefits the entire web of life.
Polarization—More attention must be placed on understanding the roots of growing polarization in the human mind. Our work includes engaging leading thinkers in dialogue, supporting contemplative researchers, and sharing evidence-based approaches for addressing today’s divides.
Interconnectedness and Climate Change—We support research and amplify insights into the impact of earth awareness practices on reducing climate anxiety, promoting pro-ecological behavior, and deepening understanding of our interconnection.
Our Values
We relieve suffering through open-hearted and wise action.
We are equitable, trustworthy, transparent, and respectful.
We explore with a sense of humility and courage, embracing the unknown.
We embrace a dynamic array of perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.
We seek to reach our highest potential in all that we do through rigor and reflection.
Our History
Mind & Life emerged in 1987 from a meeting of three visionaries: Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama—the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people and a global advocate for compassion; Francisco Varela, a scientist and philosopher; and Adam Engle, a lawyer and entrepreneur.
The trio understood that science was the dominant framework for investigating the nature of reality and the modern source for knowledge that could help improve life for people and the planet. And they wondered: what impact could be achieved through combining scientific and philosophical inquiry with the transformative power of contemplative wisdom?
Their work began as a series of intimate gatherings held at his Holiness’ home in Dharamsala, India. What unfolded was a profound exchange of ideas, insights, and modes of inquiry, with Buddhist thought and contemporary science woven together into a rich tapestry of mutual engagement. From the outset, the dialogues revealed the exciting potential for a fruitful exchange and collaboration between these two great traditions of inquiry. It also became clear that the dialogue between science and contemplative wisdom could yield insights of profound significance—not only for the advancement of knowledge but for the betterment of humanity.
In the years since, these dialogues, combined with other Mind & Life programs, have expanded the horizons of scientific inquiry, fostering a deeper appreciation of the mind’s role in shaping human flourishing and addressing the pressing challenges of our time.
People
Careers at Mind & Life Institute
At Mind & Life, we bring science and contemplative wisdom together to better understand the mind and create positive change in the world. Join us!!
Mind & Life Europe
Mind & Life Europe is our sister organization. We have a shared mission to alleviate suffering and promote human flourishing worldwide as part of the vision of founders His Holiness the Dalai Lama, neuroscientist Francisco Varela, and businessman Adam Engle.
Contact the Mind & Life Institute
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