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Dr. Cortland Dahl

Dr. Cortland Dahl

Chief Contemplative Officer, Healthy Minds Innovations
Research Scientist, Center for Healthy Minds

cortland.dahl@wisc.edu

Cortland is interested in exploring the interface between the body, mind and brain, and especially in the question of how various forms of meditation may help us cultivate positive qualities like mindfulness, compassion and resilience.

His current work focuses on studying the psychological and neural mechanisms of different families of meditation practice. He is also the creator of the Healthy Minds program, a well-being training program that integrates insights from scientific research with a comprehensive path of contemplative training.

Cortland has an eclectic background and has spent years studying and practicing meditation in Asia, including eight years living in Tibetan refugee settlements in India and Nepal. He has published numerous collections of translations of classic works on meditation and Buddhist philosophy from the Tibetan tradition. In addition to his work with the Center, Cortland is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Tergar International, a global network of meditation groups and centers.

Publications

Books

Education

  • Ph.D., Mind, Brain and Contemplative Science, University of Wisconsin–Madison
  • M.A., Buddhist Studies, Naropa University
  • B.S., Psychology, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities