The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society (CCMS) began its work in the early 90s with the intention of “reflecting on the contemplative traditions as powerful techniques that have potential for beneficial change in American society.” In other words, CCMS was one of the first organizations to understand the great impact that inner change could have on our society.
They began by working with the for-profit corporation Monsanto, holding a Deep Thinking Skills retreat for executives in 1996 and again in 1997. In a recent article in Tricycle magazine, Co-founder, Mirabai Bush talks about the challenge of working with Monsanto executives at that time (before their work in biotechnology) and how she overcame her resistance to what they stood for at that time–a product that was ultimately ruining the lives and livelihoods of the people she worked with in Guatamala.
CCMS eventually developed programs that included contemplative law, youth, business, philanthropy, and the environment. These days their primary focus is on academia. But what they do as an organization remains constant. They work “to integrate contemplative awareness and contemporary life in order to help create a more just, compassionate, reflective, and sustainable society.”
They believe that doing this with an academic framework “transforms higher education by supporting and encouraging the use of contemplative/introspective practices and perspectives to create active learning and research environments that look deeply into experience and meaning for all in service of a more just and compassionate society.”
Learn More About CCMS
Read Tricycle’s The Mind Business
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Fantastic site. Lots of useful information here. I am sending it to several friends ans
also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks on your sweat!