Last Chance to Join the LIVE Course! Registration Closes April 28 at 11:59 PT.

The Science of Flourishing

Master the art of living well with practical, science-backed tools for a calm mind, open heart, and purposeful life, taught by leading experts in neuroscience, meditation, and wellbeing.

Richie Davidson

Stephanie Wagner

Ronné Wingate Sims

Cortland Dahl

Jay Vidyarthi

HEALTHY MINDS INNOVATIONS HAS BEEN FEATURED IN

Life can feel overwhelming, especially when stress and emotions take over. You may yearn for peace, deeper relationships, or a greater sense of meaning, but not know where to start. The Science of Flourishing offers you the opportunity to transform your relationship with life’s challenges—not necessarily by eliminating them, but by learning to turn them into moments of growth. 

Through simple, everyday practices, you’ll cultivate the skills of wellbeing to live more peacefully, intentionally, and with deeper connection to yourself and others.

An Invitation to Learn Human Flourishing

After four decades of research at the intersection of neuroscience and contemplative practice, I’ve become convinced of one fundamental truth: We all have the capacity and the right to flourish. 

It is with great pleasure that I invite you to join our course, The Science of Flourishing starting April 22, 2025. This course represents the culmination of years of research at the Center for Healthy Minds and Healthy Minds Innovations, where we’ve combined cutting-edge neuroscience and modern psychology with practices rooted in ancient contemplative traditions.

This course offers rigorous science distilled into practical applications to help you meet life’s challenges with courage, compassion, and kindness. You’ll learn evidence-based techniques that can be integrated into your daily life, supported by a community of fellow explorers.

I’m particularly excited about the live Q&A sessions, where I’ll address your specific questions, and the weekly practice sessions, hosted by our Healthy Minds guides, where you’ll be able to practice with a community of like-minded individuals. 

Our goal is to help you build sustainable wellbeing habits that make a real difference in your life. The science of neuroplasticity reveals that our minds are constantly learning. True wisdom—and the path to flourishing—comes from understanding that we can shape this process by choosing what we teach ourselves. 

Whether you’re new to wellbeing science, just starting your meditation journey, or looking to deepen your existing knowledge, this course offers something valuable for everyone.

I look forward to sharing this journey with you as we explore the science of human flourishing together.

With warmth and appreciation,

What You’ll Learn on Your Path to Flourishing

The Science of Flourishing is a LIVE 6-week, science-backed course with expert-led practice sessions and Q&As, designed to help you cultivate wellbeing in everyday life.

You’ll learn practical tools to:

Build Emotional Resilience and Reduce Stress

Strengthen your ability to respond to life’s challenges with balance, emotional regulation, and clarity.

Open Your Heart and Strengthen Your Relationships

Foster appreciation and kindness, and build deeper connections with others through science-backed practices.

Understand Yourself and Your Emotions

Gain practical strategies to navigate your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors with more curiosity and ease.

Live with More Purpose

Clarify your values and align your actions to create a life filled with direction and meaning.

Create Lasting Habits

Develop the skills to foster motivation and make wellbeing a lasting part of your daily routine.

and more...

Who Can Benefit from This Course?

This course is for you if you are:

Curious about the science behind wellbeing and its practical application to your life

New to meditation, mindfulness, or wellbeing practices, or looking to build a consistent wellbeing routine

Seeking tools to navigate stress and emotional reactivity with greater ease

Eager to deepen your relationships and experience more connections in your life

A therapist, teacher, or coach wanting to integrate research-backed practices into your professional work

Longing for a sense of purpose and meaning to guide you through your day-to-day life

Program Overview

The course is structured in six thoughtfully designed modules, each featuring expert-led instruction, reflective practices, and practical tools:

WEEK 1

Welcome to The Science of Flourishing

Explore the science of wellbeing and how to integrate beneficial practices into daily life, setting the foundation for flourishing through breakthrough research and practical tools.

This week, you’ll:

  • Get started with the course: Discover how to navigate the course, set meaningful intentions, and make the most of the learning experience.
  • Assess your wellbeing: Take the scientifically validated Healthy Minds Wellbeing Assessment to gain personalized insights and understand where you stand on your journey to flourishing.
  • Explore the science behind wellbeing: Dive into breakthrough research on how developing the skills of awareness, connection, insight, and purpose can impact brain health and emotional life. 

LIVE Opening Session with Dr. Richard J. Davidson on April 22, 2025, 6:30 pm ET | 3:30 pm PT

WEEK 2

What Is Flourishing?

Gain a deeper understanding of what it means to flourish and how science-backed tools can enhance your wellbeing. Dive into the four key dimensions of wellbeing—awareness, connection, insight, and purpose—supported by both scientific research and wisdom traditions.

This week, you’ll:

  • Discover the secrets to thriving: Explore the science and practice behind flourishing in your daily life.
  • Explore the four pillars of a healthy mind: Explore awareness, connection, insight, and purpose—and how these key dimensions support a thriving life.
  • Learn how to build a meditation habit: Learn proven strategies to create a contemplative practice that sticks and supports your overall wellbeing.

LIVE Session on April 29, 2025, 2 pm ET | 11 am PT

WEEK 3

A Calm Mind

Cultivate the skills of awareness by learning the science behind focus and attention, as well as practices to help train your mind. Explore how simple exercises can make a drastic difference in everything from your emotional wellbeing to your relationships and how you face life’s challenges.

This week, you’ll:

  • Enhance your ability to focus, reduce stress, and regulate your emotions: Use science-backed skills to cultivate greater awareness. 
  • Experience the transformative power of meditation: Start meditation with a short, daily 5-minute meditation practice to build a lasting habit. 
  • Discover the secrets behind mental clarity: Learn how sharpening your focus can improve your emotional balance and help you handle life’s challenges with ease.
  • Learn practical strategies to bring more calm and focus: Integrate these strategies and boost your overall sense of presence.

LIVE Session on May 6, 2025, 2 pm ET | 11 am PT

WEEK 4

An Open Heart

Explore the science and practice of building deeper, more compassionate connections. Understand how shifting from empathy to compassion can transform relationships and wellbeing, and practice contemplative techniques to strengthen your connections.

This week, you’ll:

  • Learn the science of connection: Discover how positive interpersonal connections boost wellbeing and why connection is vital for emotional health.
  • Shift from empathy to compassion: Understand the difference between empathy, apathy, and compassion, and practice deepening your sense of compassion.
  • Build connection habits: Use small, consistent practices to develop lasting habits of kindness and compassion, improving your relationships and daily interactions.

LIVE Session on May 13, 2025, 2 pm ET | 11 am PT

WEEK 5

A Curious Mind

Explore the power of curiosity to transform your sense of self. By developing insight into your thoughts, emotions, and beliefs, you’ll uncover healthier self-concepts that lead to greater wellbeing and emotional resilience.

This week, you’ll:

  • Unlock the power of self-inquiry: Learn how investigating your thoughts and beliefs helps dissolve unhealthy self-concepts and enhances wellbeing.
  • Gain emotional clarity: Develop insights that allow you to respond calmly to stress, shifting from emotional reactivity to thoughtful resilience.
  • Build habits of curiosity: Use practical meditation practices to explore your sense of self and cultivate curiosity for lasting personal growth.

LIVE Session on May 20, 2025, 2 pm ET | 11 am PT

WEEK 6

A Life Worth Living

Discover the power of purpose and values in shaping your wellbeing. By connecting your daily activities to your deeper motivations, you’ll learn how affirming your core values can reduce stress and increase your sense of fulfillment.

This week, you’ll:

  • Clarify your core values: Discover what truly matters to you and how to stay connected to these values in everyday life.
  • Strengthen your sense of purpose: Learn how linking your actions to your deeper motivations improves wellbeing and reduces stress.
  • Create lasting change through purpose: Use practical tools to connect with your purpose daily and make it a guiding force for your actions and habits.

LIVE Session on May 27, 2025, 2 pm ET | 11 am PT

LIVE Closing Session and Q&A with Dr. Richard J. Davidson on June 3, 2025, 5:30 pm ET | 2:30 pm PT

Meet Your Instructors

This course is guided by a team of world-renowned experts in the fields of neuroscience, contemplative practice, and wellbeing.

Richard J. Davidson, PhD

Founder of Healthy Minds Innovations; founder & director of the Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Dr. Richard J. Davidson is a world-renowned neuroscientist best known for his groundbreaking work studying emotion and the brain. A friend and confidante of the Dalai Lama, he is a highly sought-after wellbeing expert, bestselling author, and speaker, driving transformative conversation on international stages, such as the World Economic Forum, where he served on the Global Council on Mental Health. His pioneering work has been featured in countless publications and media, including Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People.”

Stephanie Wagner, MA, NBC-HWC

lead trainer, board-certified health and wellness coach, and director of learning and development at Healthy Minds Innovations

Stephanie Wagner is the director of learning and development at Healthy Minds Innovations, where she fosters a culture of learning and continuous improvement for clients, the community, and the HMI team. A national board certified health and wellness coach, she holds certifications in Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness, the neuroscience of change, plant-based nutrition, Tiny Habits, and e-Learning Instructional Design. Stephanie is also a teacher for the Tergar meditation community, guiding programs and training future instructors.

Cortland Dahl, PhD

chief contemplative officer at Healthy Minds Innovations; research scientist at the Center for Healthy Minds

Dr. Cortland Dahl is a leading expert on meditation and the science of wellbeing. His eclectic background includes long periods of solitary retreat in the Himalayan foothills of Nepal and the translation of ancient Tibetan meditation manuals, as well as cutting-edge research on the science of wellbeing and the creation of an acclaimed meditation app. He is a scientist, author, translator, entrepreneur, and meditation teacher, but his true passion is using ancient wisdom and modern science to help people flourish.

Rev. Ronné Wingate Sims, DMin

ordained Baptist minister and assistant director of Religious Diversity, Justice, and Outreach at University of San Francisco

Rev. Dr. Ronné Wingate Sims is an ordained Baptist minister, speaker, teacher, and activist. She creates opportunities and curates spaces for healing from intergenerational and ongoing trauma. Rev. Ronné previously served as Executive Minister at Imani Community Church in Oakland, California, under the leadership of senior pastor Rev. Dr. George C. L. Cummings. Prior to joining the staff at Imani, she spent several years serving children, youth, and young adults in both nonprofit and faith-based settings.

Jay Vidyarthi

technologist, UX designer, and meditation guide at Healthy Minds Innovations

Jay Vidyarthi has led groups at major organizations and created guided meditations used by hundreds of thousands of people. His purpose is to nurture a society where powerful tools for self-care and personal transformation are as diverse as the people who need them. His extensive experience designing useful and engaging technologies for mindfulness and wellbeing has been instrumental in helping create the Healthy Minds Program.

What Participants Are Saying

I could not even begin to describe the peace I have received from this course. I have learned so much about myself in the few minutes I spend each day in practice… The course has helped me to live in the moment and appreciate the small nuances in life that often go unnoticed.

― Debbie B.

I love this course! It’s aided me in getting into a habit of meditation. It’s easy to use and has a clear guided path to follow.

― Josh s.

Research-based approach to mindfulness, meditation, and mental health. An amazing course that really helped me with my mental health, attention problems, and a general sense of fulfillment and self-love.

― Natasa K.

What You'll Experience

Interactive Learning

Get support with 5 LIVE weekly practice sessions—the perfect opportunity to practice together and connect with the community.

Practical Tools

Access weekly exercises, reflections, and guided meditations to cultivate a daily practice and foster personal growth.

Live Q&A with Dr. Richard J. Davidson

Get direct insights from world-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Richard J. Davidson during a live Q&A, when you can ask all your questions about wellbeing and flourishing.

Flexible & Lifetime Access

Enjoy lifetime access to course materials, including video replays and downloadable resources, allowing you to learn at your own pace.

Bonus: Two Free Months of Sounds True One Membership

Dive into a rich library of meditations, teachings, and exclusive content with a complimentary two-month membership to Sounds True One, designed to support your ongoing growth and self-discovery.

Begin Your Journey to Flourishing Today

Ready to master the skills that lead to lasting wellbeing? Enroll in The Science of Flourishing and start transforming your mind, relationships, and daily habits with the science-backed tools you need for a flourishing life.

This immersive course is not just about learning—it’s about unlocking your full potential through expert guidance and practical tools for a life of joy, connection, and purpose.

Sign up today! The course begins April 22!

FULL PROGRAM

$297

PAYMENT PLAN

$99

( 3 Monthly Installments )

What Participants Are Saying

The segments were short and full of great insight. The community sessions were an excellent way to hear from an expert and to hear from community members’ struggles. Kudos! I loved this, and I was able to go back for my 15th year of teaching much calmer this fall! Thank you!

― Rita G.

Thank you for putting this course together. It was very thoughtfully laid out with the right amount of scientific background and practice.

― ERIC C.

Being introduced to mindfulness, I needed a way to practice, and this course has helped me get started exploring a path to wellness. I very much enjoyed the way the course rolled, getting some science and then some practice!

― JASON S.

I appreciated the structure and the format. I took it slow, and that helped me to go more in-depth with the material, cultivating it into my own practice. I liked the variety of talks, guided meditations, scientific background, and accessibility of the material.

― Colleen P.

This LIVE course begins on April 22, 2025. We hope you’ll join us and take this opportunity to begin your journey toward a thriving, balanced life today!

FAQ

Your Questions Answered

Not at all! This course is designed for anyone interested in learning the science-backed tools for wellbeing, both beginners and those already familiar with mindfulness or meditation.

While this course offers valuable tools for wellbeing, it is not intended as a substitute for professional mental health treatment. Please consult with a healthcare provider if you have any concerns.

You do not need to attend the weekly practice sessions, but they are a wonderful opportunity to optimize your Science of Flourishing course learning experience by connecting live with a Healthy Minds expert and meeting community members who may be on a similar path. 

These live sessions will take place weekly, as immersive opportunities to get support, practice together, and connect with the community. All participants are invited to ask questions and dive deeper into their course experience with a Healthy Minds course guide.

Whether you’re experienced with wellbeing practices like meditation or just getting started, these sessions will be facilitated for you! No experience is necessary.

We invite you to come share in these beneficial practices so that we may all flourish as individuals and, in turn, as a community for wellbeing. 

All of the live sessions will be recorded and posted on the course platform within 72 hours after the live session. 

These live sessions will take place weekly, as immersive opportunities to get support, practice together, and connect with the community. All participants are invited to ask questions and dive deeper into their course experience with a Healthy Minds course guide.

We unconditionally guarantee your satisfaction with all Sounds True products for one year when purchased via our website. If you complete 50% of the course and are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, simply call or email us for a full refund.

Sounds True offers a limited number of partial and full scholarships to people who are in true financial need. Those who are financially challenged can apply for partial or full scholarships here. Scholarship applications must be received by Wednesday, April 16, 2025, by 8 pm ET | 5 pm PT in order to be accepted. You will receive an email on Friday, April 18, 2025, if your application has been accepted.

This is your moment to embark on a journey of self-discovery, inner peace, and lasting wellbeing. Enroll in The Science of Flourishing today and take the first step toward creating a life filled with meaning and joy.

© 2025 Sounds True. All rights reserved.

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Presence FAQ

Can I participate in an Inquiry discussion group?

The Diamond Approach is offering live, online Inquiry groups to accompany this course at a discounted rate — $100 for eight, 90-minute sessions, where you’ll take turns with other students working one-on-one with an expert teacher. This is completely optional and available after purchasing Presence.

 

How do I purchase Presence: Venture into the Heart of Enlightenment?

You can purchase it here.

 

How do I access Presence: Venture into the Heart of Enlightenment after I have purchased it?

To access your course, you will need to:

  • Log in to your Sounds True account
  • Click on “Digital Library” (located in the maroon navigation bar at the top right of the page)
  • Click on “Online Courses” (located on the left side of the page)
  • Find Presence: Venture into the Heart of Enlightenment
  • Click on “go to course”

 

How do I contact customer service?

You may contact us Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm MT.
Email: support@soundstrue.com
Phone: US Customers 1.800.333.9185 #3
Phone: International Customers 1.303.665.3151 #3

 

What browsers do you recommend?

We recommend the most recent version of Safari for Mac users or Google Chrome for PC users (with a second choice of Firefox). We do not recommend using Internet Explorer—but if you must, please use version 11 or higher.

 

How do I access my bonuses?

To access Realization Unfolds: A Conversation between A.H. Almaas and Adyashanti, you will need to:

  • Log in to your Sounds True account
  • Click on “Digital Library” (located in the maroon navigation bar at the top right of the page)
  • Click on “Online Courses” (located on the left side of the page)
  • Find Realization Unfolds: A Conversation between A.H. Almaas and Adyashanti
  • Click on “go to course”

 

I already have the bonus in my library. Can I substitute it for something else?

Unfortunately, it is part of the bundle, and substitutions are not allowed.

 

Can I download the course audio or video content to a computer or mobile device?

You can download the audio/video content onto your computer or Android mobile device. With the exception of eBooks, Apple has restrictions that prevent items from being downloaded directly to iOS devices, unless purchased from iTunes or Apple. Digital items may be downloaded to your computer and then synchronized to your iOS device via iTunes. Courses are also available to stream within the Sounds True App.

 

Can I stream the live sessions from a computer or my mobile device?

Live sessions are viewable on Mac and PC. You can stream them on Android and Apple mobile devices through the browser. If you are not using WiFi, please check with your mobile carrier, as additional data rates may apply.

 

How do I know what time live sessions start if I live abroad or in a different time zone?

All events are Eastern Time unless otherwise noted. Here is the schedule. Please use a time zone converter of your choice or thetimezoneconverter.com.

 

Why is the video player blank, or why can’t I hear it?

Player solutions:

  • The session has not started. Please wait a few minutes.
  • Try refreshing your browser window or clearing your browser’s cache.
  • If the broadcast stops or you see a black screen, try refreshing your browser window.
  • If you are using a Windows PC, we recommend using the Google Chrome web browser.
  • If you are on a Mac, we recommend using the Safari web browser.
  • If you can’t hear anything, check the two places your volume is controlled. One is your video player and the other is your computer.

 

Are the sessions live or prerecorded?

The course videos are prerecorded. Videos noted as “Live” are live.

 

What is your return policy?

Click here for the Sounds True return policy.