Contemplative Psychology

Mindfulness

The Benefits of Being Mindful of Death

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on December 18, 2024

Ignoring the inevitability of death can lead to regret, fear, and anger at the end of life. Being mindful of death can help prevent this and be a liberating experience.

Ignoring the inevitability of death can lead to regret, fear, and anger at the end of life. Being mindful of death can help prevent this and be a liberating experience.

Chronic Pain

5 Mindfulness Techniques to Help Cope With Chronic Pain

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on February 29, 2024

Experiencing chronic pain? Try these mindfulness and meditation techniques.

Experiencing chronic pain? Try these mindfulness and meditation techniques.

Mindfulness

6 Daily Practices to Achieve Inner Peace

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on January 15, 2024

Inner peace typically won’t arise on its own. Learn how to cultivate it with these daily practices.

Inner peace typically won’t arise on its own. Learn how to cultivate it with these daily practices.

Spirituality

Why Spiritual Undernourishment Has the World on Crisis Alert

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on May 15, 2023

If left unchecked, an increasing inability to connect with our inner selves could increase the number and intensity of global crises beyond a tipping point.

If left unchecked, an increasing inability to connect with our inner selves could increase the number and intensity of global crises beyond a tipping point.

Environment

5 Strategies for Overcoming Chronic Boredom

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on September 13, 2022

Are you stuck in a rut of feeling bored but lacking the inspiration and energy to change your life? If so, try these techniques.

Are you stuck in a rut of feeling bored but lacking the inspiration and energy to change your life? If so, try these techniques.

Happiness

How Accurate Is Your Happiness Compass?

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on July 1, 2022

Recalibrate your happiness compass by learning to become content with who you are, where you are, and what you already have.

Recalibrate your happiness compass by learning to become content with who you are, where you are, and what you already have.

Wisdom

How to Watch the Psychological Movie of Your Own Mind

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on February 9, 2022

Create stillness and mental breathing space by learning to watch the psychological movie of your own mind.

Create stillness and mental breathing space by learning to watch the psychological movie of your own mind.

Resilience

Psychological Resilience: How Tough is Your Mind?

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on October 25, 2021

How to tap into the mind’s inherent capacity to be aware, embracing, and resilient.

How to tap into the mind’s inherent capacity to be aware, embracing, and resilient.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

A Future of Calm or Chaos? Insights from Handling COVID-19

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on September 16, 2021

Abrupt large-scale changes to our social, economic, and psychological ecosystem could cause chaos, regardless of infectious disease.

Abrupt large-scale changes to our social, economic, and psychological ecosystem could cause chaos, regardless of infectious disease.

Health

What You Need to Know About Inverted Hallucinations

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on June 8, 2021

A new type of hallucination results in a distorted perception of reality.

A new type of hallucination results in a distorted perception of reality.

Mindfulness

5 Tips for Teaching Mindfulness to School-Aged Children

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on March 16, 2021

How to make mindfulness fun and easy to understand for school-aged children.

How to make mindfulness fun and easy to understand for school-aged children.

Mindfulness

10 Mechanisms of How Mindfulness Works

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on February 16, 2021

The science behind why mindfulness makes you feel better.

The science behind why mindfulness makes you feel better.

Neuroscience

All in the Mind: Is Reality Real?

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on January 14, 2021

Why everything we experience occurs within the realm of the mind.

Why everything we experience occurs within the realm of the mind.

Mindfulness

Why Everything We Perceive Is Always Out of Date

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on November 25, 2020

While the brain gives us the impression that things are happening in the present, we only ever perceive the past.

While the brain gives us the impression that things are happening in the present, we only ever perceive the past.

Spirituality

The Boardroom of the Self: Who’s in Charge of You?

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on October 16, 2020

Physical, psychological, and spiritual needs influence our choices, but how do we decide which counts the most? This corporate boardroom analogy offers an explanation.

Physical, psychological, and spiritual needs influence our choices, but how do we decide which counts the most? This corporate boardroom analogy offers an explanation.

Addiction

Why an Inferiority Complex Can Still Mean a Big Ego

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on August 31, 2020

A big ego is typically associated with narcissistic and superiority tendencies, but people with an inferiority complex can still be egotistical.

A big ego is typically associated with narcissistic and superiority tendencies, but people with an inferiority complex can still be egotistical.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

5 Signs You Are Experiencing a Lockdown Adjustment Disorder

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on July 2, 2020

How to know if the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown are causing symptoms of adjustment disorder.

How to know if the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown are causing symptoms of adjustment disorder.

Health

Are You in Touch With Your Microbiome?

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on June 19, 2020

Bacteria and microorganisms in your gut are an inseparable part of who you are.

Bacteria and microorganisms in your gut are an inseparable part of who you are.

Mindfulness

Bored of Travel Restrictions? Become a Psychonaut

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on May 15, 2020

A good psychologist understands it’s just as important to study their own mind and behavior as it is to study that of others’.

A good psychologist understands it’s just as important to study their own mind and behavior as it is to study that of others’.

Stress

Using Mindful Breathing to Center Yourself and Reduce Stress

William Van Gordon, Ph.D. on April 17, 2020

The average healthy adult breathes in and out approximately 21,600 times every day. But be honest and ask yourself: How many of your 21,600 daily breaths are you fully aware of?

The average healthy adult breathes in and out approximately 21,600 times every day. But be honest and ask yourself: How many of your 21,600 daily breaths are you fully aware of?