CONTEMPLATIVE LEADERSHIP
Mindfulness & Contemplative Practices
Practices, guides, and tools for faculty, students, and anyone developing
the inner capacity to lead.
INSPIRED BY NORMAN
Where Stillness Meets Leadership
Dr. Anderson maintained a meditation practice for more than 40 years and devoted his later work to helping leaders build their inner capacity. These resources continue that work, offered freely to anyone ready to begin.
Faculty
Bring contemplative practice into your classroom and research.
Students
Build focus, resilience, and presence through your studies.
Leaders & Teams
Lead with clarity, calm, and compassion.
Individuals
Begin or deepen a personal practice.
“
A clamer mind builts a more compassionate and effective future.
- Dr. Anderson
WHAT NORMAN TAUGHT ME
From Mindfulness to Many Paths
“
When I began my dissertation, my focus was mindfulness. Norman opened my eyes to the full array of contemplative practices. My research became a study of the many ways leaders practice to support their leadership
Dr. Thulani DeMarsay
Close Family Friend and Mentee.
Mentee & Close Friend
CON.TEM.PLA.TIVE / NOUN
Contemplative Practice
An activity that quiets the mind and cultivates a deeper awareness of the present moment, of ourselves, and of our connection to others and the world.
Found in nearly every culture and tradition, it can be as still as meditation or as active as dance, dialogue, or service.
Explore the Practices
Contemplative Practices Are Personal Transformative Diverse
HOVER OVER EACH BRANCH TO LEARN MORE
Different paths. A more mindful world.
Explore each branch to discover the many ways people live contemplatively every day. Adapted from The Tree of Contemplative Practices, The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society.
AN INVITATION
The Practices He Shared
For more than 40 years, Norman honored many contemplative traditions. Two in particular shaped his own life and the way he taught others.
WELLBEING PRACTICE
Mindfulness Meditation
Paying attention to the present moment, on purpose and without judgment, with curiosity and openness. Regular practice can strengthen focus, bring calm under stress, and deepen compassion for others, qualities at the heart of wise leadership.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
Contemplative Prayer
An ancient practice of silent prayer, resting in stillness and opening the heart to the presence of God. Nearly every faith tradition has a way of going into silence, and Norman found strength and peace in this one.
“
In every ministry, one is giving something to someone else; in shared silence, one is giving oneself. Sharing interior silence is the giving of one’s inmost being to another.
Father Thomas Keating
Trappist monk and founder of the Centering Prayer movement
RESOURCE LIBRARY
Tools for Practice and Leadership
Guides, readings, and exercises for your practice.
GUIDED AUDIO
A Ten-Minute Breath Meditation
A gentle guided practice for beginners.
LEADERSHIP GUIDE
Mindfulness and Leadership
How present-moment awareness changes the way we lead.
PRACTICE SHEET
Working With Stress & Difficult Emotions
A short exercise for noticing and loosening stressful thoughts.
Team Exercise
Mindful Communication
Deep listening and dialogue practices for meetings and teams.
Teaching Module
Contemplative Practice in the Classrom
A ready-to-use module for courses in any discipline.
Reading List
Research on Contemplative Practice
Selected studies on mindfulness, health, and well-being.
CONTINUING HIS WORK
Retreats, Workshops & Talks
Go deeper with a guided retreat, workshop, or talk for your team, classroom, or community.