Cortland Dahl, PhD, is a scientist, author, and meditation teacher who has practiced meditation for 30 years and has studied Buddhism around the world. He has spent time on retreat in monasteries and retreat centers throughout Japan, Burma, India, and Nepal, and for eight years he lived in Tibetan refugee settlements near Kathmandu.

During his travels, Cortland became fluent in Tibetan and became a translator and a scholar, receiving a master's degree in Buddhist studies and publishing 12 volumes of translations. He went on to study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was mentored by renowned neuroscientist Dr. Richard Davidson and received a doctoral degree in Mind, Brain and Contemplative Science. He also holds a master’s degree in Buddhist Studies from Naropa University.

As part of his dissertation, Cort created the Healthy Minds Program, now a free mobile app that has been featured by the New York Times, Vogue, Sports Illustrated, and many other publications. More recently, he authored A Meditator’s Guide to Buddhism and the forthcoming Born to Flourish: How to Thrive in a Challenging World, with Dr. Davidson.

In addition to his work as an instructor for the Tergar community and executive director of Tergar International, Cortland serves as research scientist and chief contemplative officer at University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for Healthy Minds. Cortland is actively involved in scientific research and has published articles on the impact of meditation practices on the body, mind, and brain.