Introducing Oxford's new Contemplative Science Research Program

https://www.contemplativesciencelab.com/

Rupert Read is an environmental philosopher, public intellectual, and activist. He was formerly an associate professor of philosophy at the University of East Anglia in the UK, was a leading figure within Extinction Rebellion, and now leads the Climate Majority Project. His books include "Why Climate Breakdown Matters," "Deep Adaptation: Navigating the Realities of Climate Chaos," and "Parents for a Future". Today we discuss why spirituality and philosophy are crucial for understanding ecological breakdown.

Manda Scott is a bestselling author and former veterinary surgeon. She is the author of 16 books including the international bestselling Boudica: Dreaming series which depicts life in pre-Roman Britain and has been translated into over twenty languages. Her 2024 novel, Any Human Power, is an example of Thrutopian fiction, stories that show possible routes to a better future, and is a call to action for us to contribute to a different, generative, equitable and just way forward. She is the host of the Accidental Gods Podcast which explores ways through the metacrisis that we are currently living through. Today we discuss the metacrisis and thrutopian fiction.

https://www.innerspaceinstitute.org/

Francis Weller is a psychotherapist and author of many books including The Wild Edge of Sorrow, The Threshold Between Loss and Revelation, and his upcoming book In the Absence of the Ordinary: Soul Work for Times of Uncertainty. He founded and directs WisdomBridge, an organization that offers educational programs that seek to integrate wisdom from indigenous cultures with knowledge from western traditions. Today we discuss grief and soul activism.

John Prendergast is a psychotherapist, spiritual teacher, and former adjunct professor of psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies. He's the author of In Touch, The Deep Heart, and, most recently, Your Deepest Ground. His work blends somatic inquiry and depth psychology with contemplative insight, and he is a leading voice on the topic of embodying nondual realization, which is what we discuss today.

https://www.innerspaceinstitute.org/

Stephen Snyder is a dharma teacher in the Zen Buddhist traditions of Soto and Rinzai as well as in the Theravadan Buddhist tradition. He is the author of Demystifying Awakening, Buddha's Heart, Trust in Awakening, Liberating the Self, and is co-author of the book Practicing the Jhānas. You can find out about his teaching and retreats at awakeningdharma.org. Today we discuss the gradual and direct paths to awakening and beyond.

Ask questions for the next AMA via patreon or the youtube channel membership community. https://patreon.com/drjamescooke https://www.youtube.com/drjamescooke

This talk was filmed live at the Totnes Consciousness Cafe in April 2025.