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Mission

Since 2017, the McGill Mindfulness Research Lab (MMRL) has been working to expand the theory, research, and applications of mindfulness and compassion. 

The collective goal is to make deep, lasting change on individuals and societies through advancing mindful and compassionate ways of relating to oneself, others, animals, and the natural environment.

Values

The lab strongly promotes values of equality, diversity, respect, and dignity for all sentient beings.

Group photo of MMRL members photographed by Owen Egan and Joni Dufour.

MMRL Team

The MMRL is directed by Dr. Bassam Khoury, an Associate Professor at McGill University whose research has gained international recognition. Dr. Khoury has published over 100 papers on mindfulness and compassion in leading journals in the domains of clinical psychology and physical/medical health. His work has been cited over 9,400 times and his ResearchGate has cumulated nearly 72,000 reads. He is joined by a team of graduate students, undergraduate volunteers, and global collaborators.

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Core Research Areas:

  • The MMRL is focused on developing and validating a new framework on mindfulness and compassion: The Embodied and Embedded Mindfulness and Compassion Framework (EEMCF).

  • The MMRL investigates existing mindfulness and compassion-based research and programs through meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and other reviews.  

  • The MMRL investigates mindfulness and self-compassion through intervention studies, experimental non-clinical studies, cross-sectional studies, and other studies. 

  • The MMRL has publications outside the scope of mindfulness and compassion, on topics such as mental health during COVID-19 and Dr. Khoury’s earlier work on psychosis and diagnostic approaches. 

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Embodied and Embedded Mindfulness and Compassion Framework (EEMCF)

The MMRL is focused on developing and validating a new framework on mindfulness and compassion: The Embodied and Embedded Mindfulness and Compassion Framework (EEMCF).

Unlike traditional approaches, EEMCF integrates:

  • Embodied (intrapersonal) mindfulness

  • Interpersonal mindfulness

  • Self-compassion

  • Compassion for other humans

  • Compassion for animals

  • Connection with nature

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New to the Website: Guided Meditations & Yoga

The MMRL team will is pleased to present new guided meditation and yoga practices, which are inspired by our Embodied and Embedded Mindfulness and Compassion Framework.

The guided meditations are available in both English and French. 

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Participate in a 9-Week Mindfulness Program

Are you experiencing stress related to work, relationships, or other life stressors? Participate in a mindfulness program examining personal and interpersonal well-being and earn up to CAD $90!  

The McGill Mindfulness Research Lab is recruiting participants who: 

  • Are at least 18 years old.  

  • Have no prior interpersonal skills training. 

  • No prior mindfulness program/ not be regularly meditating. 

  • Not enrolled in therapy during study period. 

The study will involve the possibility of partaking in a 9-week mindfulness program and filling in weekly questionnaires. 

If you are interested in participating, you can fill in the eligibility questionnaire below.

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Sign up for the MMRL Newsletter 

Join the MMRL community and receive once-per-semester updates about our research activities and opportunities to get involved.