Course instructor

Nathan Fisher, PhD

Dr. Fisher recently received his Ph.D. in Religious Studies and Cognitive Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. In his dissertation, he built upon the work of Dr. Evan Thompson to propose a culturally-sensitive cognitive science framework for meditation-related difficulties. He is currently a research affiliate at the Clinical and Affective Neuroscience lab at Brown University and a member of the Care Team at Cheetah House.

Learning Objectives

  • Participants will be able to describe the core features of “Buddhist modernism” and explain how modern Western ideas about science, psychology, individualism, and spirituality reshaped contemporary understandings of Buddhism and meditation.

  • Participants will be able to identify and critically reflect on common contemporary assumptions about meditation—including ideas surrounding mindfulness, enlightenment, no-self, and the notion of Buddhism as a uniquely scientific or universally beneficial tradition.

  • Participants will be able to discuss how Buddhist modernist frameworks and expectations can influence the onset and interpretation of meditation-related challenges and distress, and how historical and cultural context may support more grounded and compassionate meaning-making around difficult contemplative experiences.

Continuing Education Credit

This course is approved for 1 CE credit ✅

Cheetah House is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Cheetah House maintains responsibility for this program and its content

Course curriculum

    1. Buddhist Modernism - One Hour Overview

    1. Buddhist Modernism Quiz

    2. Verification

    1. Instruction

    2. The instructor(s)

    3. Professional & Ethical Issues

    4. Remote Environment

    5. Learning

    6. Participant Information

    7. Narrative

About this course

  • $40.00
  • 1.5 hours of video content

Look Beneath the Surface of Meditation

Join us to deconstruct the "science of mind" narrative, examine the cultural forces shaping Western mindfulness, and discover how recognizing these invisible norms can help you make sense of your meditation challenges.

Enroll today!