#18 Exploring the Connection between Science, Spirituality, & Wellness

About the Guest:

Nicholas Van Dam is the inaugural director of contemplative studies at the University of Melbourne. With a background in clinical psychology, he has conducted extensive research on mindfulness-based interventions for anxiety and depression. Nicholas is passionate about exploring contemplative practices and their impact on mental health and well-being. He is dedicated to bridging the gap between science, spirituality, and wellness.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Chasing Good, host Michael interviews Nicholas Van Dam, the director of contemplative studies at the University of Melbourne. They delve into the field of contemplative studies, which goes beyond meditation and mindfulness. Nicholas explains how contemplative practices, such as prayer, reflection, and connecting with nature, can help individuals reflect on their identity, find meaning and purpose, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. He shares his personal journey from medical school to clinical psychology and how his own crisis led him to explore mindfulness and meditation. Nicholas also highlights the importance of contemplative practices in addressing the mental health crisis and fostering connection and understanding among individuals.

Key Takeaways:

• Contemplative studies encompass a wide range of practices beyond meditation and mindfulness, including prayer, reflection, and connecting with nature.
• The journey to becoming the director of contemplative studies was not linear for Nicholas, but rather a result of personal exploration and a desire to find meaning and purpose in his own life.
• The rise in mental health issues and the decline in religious affiliation may be interconnected, highlighting the need for conversations about spirituality and existential questions.
• The brain changes in response to various activities, including meditation, but it is challenging to determine whether these changes are specific to meditation or a result of other factors such as lifestyle or worldview.
• The mental health crisis requires a multidimensional approach, involving mental health professionals, spiritual guides, and individuals who can facilitate conversations about meaning and purpose.

Quotes:

• "Contemplative practices are a way of looking inward in order to expand how you look outward or how you identify meaning and purpose." - Nicholas Van Dam
• "Understanding the brain doesn't necessarily help you feel any better about the why." - Nicholas Van Dam
• "The problem is we lack the will, the ability, the motivation to actually look inside and to sit with uncomfortable feelings in the room with each other and just really talk it out and really understand how it is we feel and how other people feel." - Nicholas Van Dam

Find Nicholas here:

https://www.nicholastvandam.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-van-dam-7784a85/

https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/796489-nicholas-van-dam