The University of Zaragoza (Universidad de Zaragoza) has officially launched the country’s first academic chair dedicated to contemplative sciences. The project, created in partnership with the Fundación Mundial de la Felicidad, aims to advance research into the mind, consciousness, and human well-being. The chair is led by professor of psychiatry and faculty of medicine lecturer Javier García Campayo.
The new chair will serve as a platform for generating and sharing knowledge about how modern scientific approaches can be integrated with ancient mindfulness practices. The focus is on the impact of contemplative techniques on the brain, mental health, and overall quality of life. Organizers emphasize that the project addresses pressing societal challenges, such as the rise in mental health issues, shifts in education systems, and the search for new tools to enhance quality of life.
An interdisciplinary approach
The chair brings together experts from various fields: neuroscience, psychology, medicine, and education. This approach makes it possible to examine the influence of contemplative practices not only from the perspective of brain physiology, but also through the lens of emotion, behavior, and personal experience. The chair’s activities will include an annual congress, educational courses, and the launch of research projects, including doctoral dissertation programs.
The project presentation featured Vice-Rector for Innovation and Lifelong Learning Manuel González Bedia, president of the Fundación Mundial de la Felicidad Luis Gallardo, and psychologist Paulina Lamas. All emphasized the importance of integrating scientific knowledge and practical experience to develop new approaches to personal and societal growth.
Science and Tradition
Particular attention is given to how modern research confirms the effectiveness of mindfulness and meditation techniques. According to Javier García Campayo, in recent decades, mindfulness practices that originated in India and Asia have gained scientific validation and become part of Western culture. This has not only broadened our understanding of the mind’s potential but also led to the emergence of a new scientific field: contemplative sciences.
The department will study changes in the brain, behavior, and perception under the influence of contemplative practices. Research will explore cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects, as well as their connection to neurobiology and subjective experience. This approach offers deeper insight into how internal processes affect health and quality of life.
Practical Focus
The department does not focus solely on theory: particular emphasis is placed on the practical training of students and professionals. Master classes, seminars, and cultural events dedicated to contemplative practices are planned. In addition, the department will serve as a platform for the exchange of experience among researchers, teachers, and practitioners from different countries.
Organizers are confident that the development of contemplative sciences will help create new paradigms in education, psychology, and medicine. As mental health disorders and societal stress continue to rise, such initiatives become especially relevant. The department will also work to promote a scientific approach to questions of happiness, mindfulness, and personal growth.
The future of the project
In the coming years, the department plans to expand cooperation with other universities and research centers, as well as to involve international experts in its work. As early as next year, the first congress on contemplative sciences will be held in Zaragoza, where the latest discoveries in neuroscience, psychology, and mindfulness practices will be discussed.
The department will become not only a research but also an educational platform open to all those interested in modern approaches to developing the mind and improving quality of life. The university believes that the integration of scientific knowledge and mindfulness practices can change our understanding of human potential and provide new tools to address today’s societal challenges.
