About us: Center for Contemplative practices
The Center for Contemplative Practices (established in 2007) is a non-profit organization. Its aim is to make the insights of wisdom traditions accessible to those who are interested, in a practical way, without the obligation to join any wisdom tradition. As the founders of the Center have a background in Buddhism, this is the primary wisdom tradition discussed.
Why contemplative practices?
One of the reasons why we make contemplative practices a focal point is that developing our mindfulness and awareness in the here and now strengthens our humanity. When we develop mindfulness and awareness, we are able to see both the situation around us and our own position within it. We recognize and acknowledge our emotions, rationalizations, expectations, etc. We are more aware of our concerns and motivations. We no longer are so quick to project our feelings onto the outward situation. This creates a connection with 'the other' in the here and now.
When we are more connected, we can better focus our attention; better communication is possible. There is less stress and more empathy. The systematic development of prolonged mindfulness and awareness leads to greater insight, greater compassion and more discriminating wisdom. Through this, society becomes fairer, more compassionate and reflective.
The Centre for Contemplative Practices offers practical approaches to help people more easily integrate the contemplative into their daily life or work. This could be called contemplative humanism.
Who are we?
At the top of the page is Sebo Ebbens. The establishment of the Center for Contemplative Practices was his initiative and he developed both this website and the Center’s educational website. Sebo Ebbens was affiliated with the Buddhist-inspired Naropa University (Boulder, CO, USA) for twelve years. Most of the concepts found on this website were developed there (chiefly in collaboration with Richard Brown and students).
Tibetan Buddhism serves as a second source of inspiration for Sebo Ebbens. He is actively involved and considers it a challenge to link the understandings of the Buddhist wisdom tradition to Western views in a practical way. The assumption is that we all benefit.
What do we do?
In order to structure and disseminate contemplative practices, the Center is in the process of developing the following:
- Website
The website (in English and Dutch) provides access to information about contemplative practices to a diverse audience. There is something for everybody and this can easily be put into practice.
- Development of a vision
We think the development of a clear vision is vital. Without this clear vision our Western society may not be able to relate to contemplative practices. The reasoning from which these practices have emerged is different from our usual Western thought process. This is why it is important to constantly look for the best method to make this other vision accessible to our Western World.
- Workshops, lectures
We conduct workshops, study days, and lectures on a limited scale (we are a small organization). We also coach groups of professionals on multiple aspects of contemplative practices. We also cooperate with institutions who are interested in contemplative practices or elements thereof. They choose the contemplative practices they are interested in, in consultation, and after training in the needed skills and attitude, they can make these part of their work with learners and/or teachers. Then they are free to use the information in their own situations, as long as they acknowledge the source. Both websites (this one and the website about contemplative education) provide a good impression of the options. Please feel free to request additional information about workshops, etc. via the Contact tab. We aim to provide services at a reasonable price. Our revenue is spent on maintaining and expanding this website, maintaining contacts with related institutions, building networks, organizing meeting and conferences, website translation, etc.
- Education
We are also experts in education and active in this field. We call our approach contemplative education. We provide workshops, courses and coaching for teachers and support to educational establishments. See the website about Contemplative Education.
- Research
We intend to research the effects and use of contemplative practices in daily life (at home and/or work). This fits in well with the large amount of research currently taking place on the effects of mindfulness training and meditation. We keep abreast of this research in order to be able to link up with this at a later stage.Reactions, comments, ideas and experiences with the contemplative practices are greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Thanks to everyone who has helped and is still helping to develop the Center’s activities. Some of the activities included are the development of the website, serving as a sounding board or a source of inspiration, co-organizing and/or teaching courses, co-development, contributing ideas, functioning as a groundbreaker in trying out new practices... Thanks thus to Ferry Haage (Amersfoort), Lian Staal (Utrecht), Carien Engelhard (Lieren), Benjamin Romkes (Amsterdam), Jeroen Wiersma (Bolsward), Brian Siersema (Amsterdam), Jolinda van Hoogdalem (Utrecht), Iris Maher (Amsterdam), Netty Foley (Marken), Ron Arends (Zuid-Laren), Richard Brown (Boulder, USA), Cynthia Moku (Boulder, USA), Tom Duarte (Boulder, USA), Jacqueline van Galen (Nijmegen), Sylvia Noordam (Maasdijk), Riet van Assem (Berkel en Rodenrijs), plus all the participants. We have learned the most from them.