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Contemplative sustainable futures : The role of individual inner dimensions and transformation in sustainability research and education

Wamsler, Christine LU (2018) p.359-373
Abstract

Humanity is facing increasingly complex sustainability challenges. It is now clear that they cannot be resolved by new technology, policy or governance approaches alone. They require a broader, cultural shift. Consequently, the role of human beings' "inner dimensions" (e.g., their mindsets, worldviews, beliefs, social values, and motivations) and their potential "inner transformation" (embodied in notions such as mindfulness and compassion) are increasingly attracting attention from practitioners and researchers alike. As a result, in 2015, the "Contemplative Sustainable Futures Program" was set up at the Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies to explore the role of inner dimensions and transformation for sustainability. It... (More)

Humanity is facing increasingly complex sustainability challenges. It is now clear that they cannot be resolved by new technology, policy or governance approaches alone. They require a broader, cultural shift. Consequently, the role of human beings' "inner dimensions" (e.g., their mindsets, worldviews, beliefs, social values, and motivations) and their potential "inner transformation" (embodied in notions such as mindfulness and compassion) are increasingly attracting attention from practitioners and researchers alike. As a result, in 2015, the "Contemplative Sustainable Futures Program" was set up at the Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies to explore the role of inner dimensions and transformation for sustainability. It aims to create space and opportunities for learning, networking, and knowledge development on this topic, which entails the creation of closer linkages between sustainability and the humanities (e.g., philosophy, theology, spirituality). The Program consists of different building blocks, including research and teaching activities. This chapter presents the outcomes, as well as the institutional and academic challenges encountered in setting up the Program. The outcomes so far include the establishment of (i) a new Masters-level course on "Sustainability and Inner Transformation", (ii) an Experimental Learning Lab on mindfulness in sustainability science, practice, and teaching, (iii) a professional knowledge database and network, and (iv) different research studies and resultant frameworks for future, more integrated research. Finally, the lessons learned, ongoing gaps, and the future work needed to overcome these gaps are presented.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Compassion well-being, Contemplation, Contemplative education, Inner transformation, Inner transition, Mindful climate action integral adaptation, Mindfulness, Sustainability science
categories
Higher Education
host publication
Sustainability and the Humanities
pages
15 pages
publisher
Springer
external identifiers
  • scopus:85063043060
ISBN
9783319953366
9783319953359
DOI
10.1007/978-3-319-95336-6_20
project
The Contemplative Sustainable Futures Program
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
f75d97f9-31b5-4cb4-88d0-93a05260c823
date added to LUP
2019-04-01 10:05:33
date last changed
2024-09-18 15:57:34
@inbook{f75d97f9-31b5-4cb4-88d0-93a05260c823,
  abstract     = {{<p>Humanity is facing increasingly complex sustainability challenges. It is now clear that they cannot be resolved by new technology, policy or governance approaches alone. They require a broader, cultural shift. Consequently, the role of human beings' "inner dimensions" (e.g., their mindsets, worldviews, beliefs, social values, and motivations) and their potential "inner transformation" (embodied in notions such as mindfulness and compassion) are increasingly attracting attention from practitioners and researchers alike. As a result, in 2015, the "Contemplative Sustainable Futures Program" was set up at the Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies to explore the role of inner dimensions and transformation for sustainability. It aims to create space and opportunities for learning, networking, and knowledge development on this topic, which entails the creation of closer linkages between sustainability and the humanities (e.g., philosophy, theology, spirituality). The Program consists of different building blocks, including research and teaching activities. This chapter presents the outcomes, as well as the institutional and academic challenges encountered in setting up the Program. The outcomes so far include the establishment of (i) a new Masters-level course on "Sustainability and Inner Transformation", (ii) an Experimental Learning Lab on mindfulness in sustainability science, practice, and teaching, (iii) a professional knowledge database and network, and (iv) different research studies and resultant frameworks for future, more integrated research. Finally, the lessons learned, ongoing gaps, and the future work needed to overcome these gaps are presented.</p>}},
  author       = {{Wamsler, Christine}},
  booktitle    = {{Sustainability and the Humanities}},
  isbn         = {{9783319953366}},
  keywords     = {{Compassion well-being; Contemplation; Contemplative education; Inner transformation; Inner transition; Mindful climate action integral adaptation; Mindfulness; Sustainability science}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{08}},
  pages        = {{359--373}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  title        = {{Contemplative sustainable futures : The role of individual inner dimensions and transformation in sustainability research and education}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95336-6_20}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/978-3-319-95336-6_20}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}