Goal(s) in the NOM
Refine the phenomenological qualities of the central construct of the NOM project by integrating data-driven insights from questionnaire items revised by scholars of meditation traditions and practicing meditation adepts. In doing so, we will offer a reliable model of NOM in the scientific literature. This work will inform subsequent phases of the project which seek to model particular features of cognitive development during intensive training in NOM practices. It is hoped that this research will guide later intervention research that attempts to make these states and practices accessible to clinical and healthy, generalizable populations.
Education
Psychology B.A. from University of California-Los Angeles; Religious Studies M.A. from University of Virginia
Experience
Jahred was a Graduate Research Assistant in the Contemplative Innovation + Research Co-Lab (CIRCL) and a Lab Coordinator for CIRCL’s studies investigating the influences of virtual, natural, and curated environments on contemplative experiences. He wrote a 100+ page MA thesis with chapters tracing the historical significance of nondual awareness (NDA) in several contemplative traditions along with a literature review of randomized controlled trials purporting to study the effects of NDA on cognitive-affective outcomes. Jahred is a recent recipient of a 2026 Varela Grant award, which offers funding and sponsorship from the Mind & Life Institute to support Phase 1 research.
Select Publications
- Rosa-Sullivan, Jahred., Cherup, Nicholas., Sheehy, Michael R., and Finan, Patrick. Forthcoming. “A Narrative Review of Meditation and Psychedelics: Paired Practices, Subjective Synergies, and a Mutual Framework for Organizing Clinical Research.” Special Issue on Psychedelics, Contemplation, and Religion in Journal of Contemplative Studies.
- Cherup, N.P., Rosa-Sullivan J., Tsang, S., Hunt, C., Garland, E.L., Zeidan, F., Seminowicz, D.A., & Finan, P.H. (In Press, 2026). Savoring meditation increases experiences of nondual awareness among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Psychology of Consciousness: Theory Research and Practice.
- Sullivan, Jahred. Beyond Words or a New Word: A Cross-Disciplinary Analysis of the Concept of Nonduality. (Masters’ Thesis) University of Virginia, Religious Studies – Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, 2025-05-02, https://doi.org/10.18130/shk8-b071.