B. Alan Wallace — CV

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Stanford University, Department of Religious Studies, 1995

M.A. Stanford University, Department of Religious Studies, 1992

B.A. Amherst College (Physics, Philosophy of Science, and Sanskrit), summa cum laude, 1987

PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS

Founder and President – The Center for Contemplative Research, 2020 – present

Founder and President – Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies, 2003 – present

Chairman – Thanyapura Mind Centre, 2010 – 2015

ACADEMIC TEACHING POSITIONS

  • Visiting Professorial Fellow, Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore, 2016
  • Visiting Professor, Center of Buddhist Studies, University of Hong Kong, 2016
  • Lecturer – Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1997-2001
  • Lecturer – University of California, Los Angeles, Extension, 1997
  • Visiting Scholar – Psychology Department, Stanford University, 1996-1997
  • Visiting Scholar – Religious Studies Department, Stanford University, 1995-1996
  • Lecturer – Stanford University, Innovative Academic Courses Program, 1992
  • Teaching Intern – Department of Religious Studies, Stanford University, 1991
  • Teaching Assistant – Religious Studies Department, Stanford University, 1990- 1994
  • Lecturer – Amherst College, Inter-term, 1987
  • Lecturer – Amherst College, American Institute of Buddhist Studies, Amherst, 1984-1986
  • Lecturer – Centre for Higher Tibetan Studies, Mt. Pèlerin, Switzerland, 1977-1979

ACADEMIC TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Undergraduate Courses

  • “The Culture and Religions of Tibet,” Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
  • “The Life and Thought of the XIV Dalai Lama,” Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
  • “The Pursuit of Individual Liberation in Tibetan Buddhism,” Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
  • “The Bodhisattva Ideal in Tibetan Buddhism,” Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
  • “Sleeping, Dreaming, and Dying in Tibetan Buddhism,” Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
  • “Religion and Healing in Global Perspective (co-taught with Professor Catherine Albanese), Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
  • “The Contemplative Life (co-taught with Professor Richard Hecht),” Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
  • “Religion, Science, and the Problem of Consciousness,” Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
  • “First-Year Tibetan Language,” Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
  • “Intermediate Spoken and Written Tibetan,” Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
  • “Advanced Tibetan,” Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara

Graduate Seminars

  • “Seminar on Theories and Methods in the Study of Tibetan Buddhism,” Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
  • “Seminar on Religion and Science,” Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
  • “Seminar on Buddhist Epistemology,” Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara

ACADEMIC
RESEARCH & CONSULTING POSITIONS

  • Co-principal Researcher – A longitudinal, scientific study of the effects of attentional training. In collaboration with the scientific team at the University of California, Davis, Center for Mind and Brain, the Department of Psychology, and the Imaging Research Center, 2003 – present
  • Co-researcher – “Cultivating Emotional Balance” (CEB) project. In collaboration with cognitive scientist at the University of California, San Francisco and Santa Barbara Institute, 2003- present
  • Consultant – The research project “Cultivating Emotional Balance in the Classroom: CEBC). In collaboration with cognitive scientists at San Francisco State University, the University of California, San Francisco, and the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies, 2005 – 2008
  • Consultant – The Mindful Awareness Project (MAP), a research for developing training for the prevention and treatment of ADHD. In collaboration with geneticists at the University of California, Lost Angeles, School of Medicine, 2004 – 2007
  • Consultant – The Attention Training (MAT) for Epilepsy. In collaboration with the Reed Neurologic Research Center at University of California, Los Angeles, and the Medical University of Vienna, 2005 – 2006
  • Consultant and interpreter – The research project on traditional Tibetan medical treatment of breast cancer, University of California, San Francisco and California Pacific Medical Center, 1995-98
  • Researcher – “Training the Mind” project in psychological and neuroscientific studies of attention and compassion among advanced Tibetan contemplatives in northern India, 1990-1992
  • Project Director – Mind and Life Research Network, 1991 – 1993

SCHOLARLY & ACADEMIC
PRESENTATIONS

  • Co-principal Researcher – A longitudinal, scientific study of the effects of attentional training. In collaboration with the scientific team at the University of California, Davis, Center for Mind and Brain, the Department of Psychology, and the Imaging Research Center, 2003 – present
  • Co-researcher – “Cultivating Emotional Balance” (CEB) project. In collaboration with cognitive scientist at the University of California, San Francisco and Santa Barbara Institute, 2003 – present
  • Consultant – The research project “Cultivating Emotional Balance in the Classroom: (CEBC). In collaboration with cognitive scientists at San Francisco State University, the University of California, San Francisco, and the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies, 2005 – 2008
  • Consultant – The Mindful Awareness Project (MAP), a research for developing training for the prevention and treatment of ADHD. In collaboration with geneticists at the University of California, Lost Angeles, School of Medicine, 2004 – 2007
  • Consultant – The Attention Training (MAT) for Epilepsy. In collaboration with the Reed Neurologic Research Center at University of California, Lost Angeles, and the Medical University of Vienna, 2005 – 2006
  • Consultant and interpreter – The research project on traditional Tibetan medical treatment of breast cancer, University of California, San Francisco and California Pacific Medical Center, 1995-98
  • Researcher – “Training the Mind” project in psychological and neuroscientific studies of attention and compassion among advanced Tibetan contemplatives in northern India, 1990-1992
  • Project Director – Mind and Life Research Network, 1991 – 1993

PROFESSIONAL & ACADEMIC
MEMBERSHIPS

Member of the Editorial Board of the “Neuroscience, Consciousness, and Spirituality” book series, published by Springer Verlag, 2011 – present

  • Member of Board of Directors – Phuket International Academy Day School, 2009 – present
  • Member of the Board of Directors, Mind and Life Institute, 1990 – 2009; 2009 – present: Emeritus Board Member and Senior Fellow
  • Member of the Advisory Council for the East-West Scholars Program in the Tenzin Gyatso Institute, 2007 – present
  • Member of the Advisory Committee for the MIT Center for Ethics and Transformative Values, 2007 – present
  • Co-chair of the Mysticism Group, American Academy of Religion, 2000-2001
  • Member of the Steering committee of the Mysticism Group, American Academy of Religion, 1997-2001
  • Member of the American Academy of Religion, 1995-2001

ORGANIZING & CHAIRING ACADEMIC CONFERENCES

  • Co-organizer of “The 3rd World Conference on Buddhism and Science,” College of Religious Studies, Mahidol University, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakornpathom, Bangkok, Dec. 2010

  • Co-organizer of the “Science and Buddhism” colloquium at the University of Oxford, sponsored by the Physiology Department and the Oriental Institute of the University of Oxford, the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies, and the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies, March, 2010
  • Co-organizer of the “International Conference on Buddhism and Mind Sciences: Ancient Wisdom and Modern Knowledge,” College of Religious Studies, Mahidol University, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakornpathom, Bangkok, August, 2009
  • Principal Organizer of the Mind and Life Institute conference with H. H. the Dalai Lama, “Attention, Memory and the Mind: A Synergy of Psychological, Neuroscientific and Contemplative Perspectives,” Dharamsala, India, April, 2009
  • Co-organizer of “The International Conference on Buddhism in the Age of Consumerism,” College of Religious Studies, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Nakhorn Pathom, Thailand, December, 2008
  • Co-organizer of the conference “Awakening Within the Dream: A View of the Illusory Nature of Reality Buddhist and Scientific Perspective,” La Salle Medical University, Mexico City, August, 2008
  • Co-organizer of the conference “Death and Dying: Buddhist and Scientific Perspectives,” La Salle Medical University, Mexico City, August, 2007
  • Co-organizer of “The International Conference on ‘Buddhism and Science’ in Celebration of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Eightieth Birthday,” College of Religious Studies, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Nakhorn Pathom, Thailand, August, 2007
  • Co-organizer of the conference on “Craving, Suffering, and Choice: Spiritual and Scientific Explorations of Human Experience” with H. H. the Dalai Lama, sponsored by the Stanford University School of Medicine, November, 2005
  • Co-chaired the panel, with Princeton neuroscientist Jonathan Cohen, on “Attention and Cognitive Control” at the conference Mind & Life XI: Investigating the Mind: Exchanges Between Buddhism and the Biobehavioral Sciences on How the Mind Works, co-sponsored by the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, Sept. 13-14, 2003
  • Organizer of the conference on “Nothing in Common: Scientific and Contemplative Views on Nothing,” sponsored by the Infinity Foundation and the Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, May, 2001
  • Organizer of the conference on “Religion and Science” lecture series, Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, Winter & Spring, 1999
  • Organizer of the conference on “Life in Traditional Tibet” conference, Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, January, 1999
  • Organizer of the conference on “Physics and Tibetan Buddhism” conference, Department of Religious Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, January, 1998

FELLOWSHIPS

  • Jacob K. Javits Fellowship (U. S. Dept. of Education) for pursuing the Ph.D. at Stanford University, 1990-1994

  • George Stebbins Moses Memorial Fellowship from Amherst College for study at Stanford University, 1989-1990
  • Phi beta kappa, Amherst College, 1987 Moseley Prize in Religion, Amherst College, 1986-1987
  • John Sumner Rennels Memorial Prize (for zeal in the pursuit of understanding), Amherst College, 1985-1986
  • Bassett Prize in Physics, Amherst College, 1984-1985

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

Asian Languages

  • Classical Tibetan: complete fluency
  • Spoken Tibetan: complete fluency
  • Sanskrit: 2 years

European Languages

  • German: 7 years
  • French: 1 year

FIELD RESEARCH ON TIBETAN BUDDHISM IN ASIA

  • 2004 – September: Research in tantric yogic practices in Amdo and Kham regions of Tibet
  • 1997 – Summer: Research in Tibetan Buddhist monasticism in western China and central Tibet
  • 1996 – Research in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism in India, Nepal, and Tibet
  • 1992 – Summer: Research in Tibetan Buddhism in western China and central Tibet
  • 1980-1981 – Research in the Buddhist Theravāda contemplative traditions in India and Sri Lanka
  • 1977-1979 – Research in Buddhist philosophy in the Center for Higher Tibetan Studies, Mt. Pèlerin, Switzerland
  • 1975-1977 – Research in Buddhist philosophy in Tibet Institute, Rikon, Switzerland
  • 1973-1974 – Research in Buddhist monastic debate in Buddhist School of Dialectics, Dharamsala, India
  • 1971-1973 – Research in the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Dharamsala, India

FIELD RESEARCH ON TIBETAN BUDDHISM IN ASIA

  • 2004 – September: Research in tantric yogic practices in Amdo and Kham regions of Tibet
  • 1997 – Summer: Research in Tibetan Buddhist monasticism in western China and central Tibet
  • 1996 – Research in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism in India, Nepal, and Tibet
  • 1992 – Summer: Research in Tibetan Buddhism in western China and central Tibet
  • 1980-1981 – Research in the Buddhist Theravāda contemplative traditions in India and Sri Lanka
  • 1977-1979 – Research in Buddhist philosophy in the Center for Higher Tibetan Studies, Mt. Pèlerin, Switzerland
  • 1975-1977 – Research in Buddhist philosophy in Tibet Institute, Rikon, Switzerland
  • 1973-1974 – Research in Buddhist monastic debate in Buddhist School of Dialectics, Dharamsala, India
  • 1971-1973 – Research in the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Dharamsala, India

AWARDS, HONORS, & RESEARCH GRANTS

Book Award

Scientific and Medical Network 2001 Book Prize for The Taboo of Subjectivity: Toward a New Science of Consciousness, 2001

Honor

Honorary Faculty Member Golden Key National Honors Society at the University of California, Santa Barbara, May 1999

Research Grants

  • Research grant from the Khyentse Foundation to translate the principal commentary to Dudjom Lingpa’s Buddhahood without Meditation, entitled “A Garland for the Delight of the Fortunate: A Clear Elucidation of Words and their Meaning, An Explication of the Oral Transmission of the Glorious Guru, As Notes on the Nature of Reality, The Great Perfection,” 2010 – 2011
  • Research Grant from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine in support of Mechanisms of Meditation study, 2009 – 2011
  • Research Grants from the John E. Fetzer Institute, Hershey Family Foundation, National Science Foundation, Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Tan Teo Charitable Foundation, Peter Baumann Institute, and Mental Insight Foundation in support of the Shamatha Project, 2006 – 2011
  • Research Grants from the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, the Gere Foundation, Hershey Family Foundation, Tan Teo Charitable Foundation, Fidelity Charitable Foundation, John E. Fetzer Institute, and the Vangaurd Charitable Foundation in support of research hosted by the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies, 2003 – 2011
  • Research Grants from H.H. the Dalai Lama, the Mind and Life Institute, the John E.Fetzer Institute, Hershey Family Foundation, Tan Teo Charitable Foundation, Kluge Foundation, Impact Foundation, and the Peter Baumann Institute in support of the Cultivating Emotional Balance Project, 2003 – 2009
  • John E. Fetzer Institute research grant for editing the book of essays on Buddhism and Science: Breaking New Ground, 1999
  • Research grant for editing the book of essays on Buddhism and Science: Breaking New Ground, Richard Gere Foundation 1999
  • Research grant for translating from Tibetan and editing the book Healing from the Source: The Science and Lore of Tibetan Medicine, Balm Foundation 1998-1999
  • John E. Fetzer Institute research grant for writing the book The Taboo of Subjectivity:Toward a New Science of Consciousness, 1995-1996

MEDIA INTERVIEWS

  • Discovering Meditation: My Life with the Dalai Lama. An interview with Dr. B. Alan Wallace by Raimondo Bultrini
  • Awakin Call with Alan Wallace on Contemplative Science: Fathoming the Human Mind and the Nature of Consciousness. February 16, 2019
  • “Science Meets Mind – Imagining a Revolution, with B. Alan Wallace” by Shuyin, Buddhistdoor Global, Dec. 11, 2015
  • “Six Questions for B. Alan Wallace”: An Interview about Buddhism, science, and the nature of mind,” Tricycle, December 18, 2014
  • “Um equilíbrio plenamente atento,” by Miguel Berredo, in the Journal Bodisatva, March 19, 2013: Interview
  • “Is the Dalai Lama an Atheist?” on “Skeptiko: Science at the Tipping Point,” February, 2009
  • “Unwavering Samadhi: Meditative Achievement and Its Impact in the World” interviewed for Podcast “Buddhist Geeks, March 17, 2008: Interview
  • “A Mindful Balance: Interview with B. Alan Wallace.” In Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, Spring, 2008: 60-63, 109-111
  • Interviewed for “The Tibet Connection: The English-Language Radio News Magazine About Tibet,” July 27, 2007
  • “Buddhismus im Labortest.” Interview published in “Die Zeit,” March 15, 2007, Nr. 12: Interview pdf:
  • “On Contemplative Science,” interviewed for Podcast “Buddhist Geeks:”
  • “On Achieving Shamatha,” interviewed for Podcast “Buddhist Geeks:
  • Interviewed for “The Skeptics Corner:”
  • “Happiness—A Science of the Mind.” Interviewed by Paula Gordon and Bill Russell, “The Paula Gordon Show: Conversations with People at the Leading Edge,” November 26, 2006:. See also “Be Happy, Start a Revolution,” by Paula Gordon. In The Huffington Post, Nov. 29, 2006:
  • “Buddha on the Brain,” interviewed by Steve Paulson, November 27, 2006:
  • Interviewed with MIT neuroscientist Christopher Moore on “The Leonard Lopate Show,” New York Public Radio, April 28, 2006:
  • “Mindfulness: The Heart of Buddhist Meditation? A Conversation with Jan Chozen Bays,
  • Joseph Goldstein, Jon Kabat-Zinn, and Alan Wallace.” For Inquiring Mind: A Semiannual Journal of the Vipassana Community, Vol. 22, No. 2, Spring 2006: 4-7, 28-29
  • Interviewed by Rob M. Hogendoorn at Columbia University, February 26, 2006:
  • “Interview with Alan Wallace” by Sarah Lionheart. In Yoga & Health, February 2005: 9- 10:
  • “Altruism: What Science Can Learn from Buddhism.” For Science & Theology News, December 2004: 11
  • “Scientific Mind, Buddhist Mind.” For Inquiring Mind: A Semiannual Journal of the Vipassana Community, Vol. 20, No. 2, Spring 2004: 22-25
  • “Tibetan Buddhism in the West: Is It Working?” For Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, Summer 2001: 54-63

MAGAZINE ARTICLES

  • “The Potential of Emptiness: Vacuum States of Space and Consciousness” in Awaken to Compassion and Wisdom on the journey of life, Sept. -Dec. 2015, 48-54
  • “Mind Matters: Seeking Life’s Truths” in Yoke Magazine, Issue 2 2014, 60-63.
  • Popping Pills for Depression: A Buddhist View,” in Inquiring Mind, Fall 2012
  • “Rationale for the Establishment of a Network of Contemplative Observatories,” in Snow Lion: The Buddhist Magazine & Catalog, Vol. 26, No. 1, Spring 2012
  • “Shamatha and the Four Immeasurables” in Eastern Horizon, Sept. 2011, No. 35
  • “Distorted Visions of Buddhism: Agnostic and Atheist” In Mandala: A Tibetan Buddhist Journal, October/November, 2010, Online version: 2009
  • Shamatha in the Indian Buddhist Tradition.” In Mandala: A Tibetan Buddhist Journal, April, 2010:
  • “Within You, Without You: Like a telescope launched into orbit beyond the distortions of the earth’s atmosphere, shamatha meditation provides a platform for exploring the deep space of the mind.” In Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, Winter, 2009: 78 – 83, 119.
  • “Achieving Free Will: A Buddhist Perspective.” In Mandala: A Tibetan Buddhist Journal, January/March 2009: pp. 55 – 58
  • If You Meet Buddha in Salon.” In Opinions Section of Salon.com, December 9, 2006:
  • “Materialism of the Gaps.” In Mandala: A Tibetan Buddhist Journal, December 2006/January 2007: pp. 8-10
  • “Religion and Reason: A Review of Sam Harris’s Letter to a Christian Nation.” In Shambhala Sun, October/November 2006: 99-104
  • “Waking to the Dream.” In Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, Winter 2006: 52-57
  • “Immaterial Evidence.” In Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, Spring 2006: 84-86
  • “Energy Dynamics.” In Life Positive Plus, January 2006: 63-66
  • “What Is True Happiness?” In Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, Fall 2005: 68-73, 119
  • “Pure Dharma, Barefoot Dharma.” In Buddhadharma: The Practitioner’s Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 4, Summer 2004: 26-29
  • “Overlapping Worlds.” In Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, Spring 2003: 58- 69
  • “Science & Buddhism: A Case for collaboration.” In Life Positive Plus, October –December 2003: 34-37
  • “Refining the Attention: Focusing on What Matters, Moment by Moment.” In Spiritual & Health: The Soul/Body Connection, Summer issues, 2002: 30-33
  • “Emptiness on My Mind.” In Mandala: Buddhism in Our Time, June 2001: 25-27