For many, meditation is simply a quick, calming practice, often facilitated by a smartphone app, utilized as a balm for stress and anxiety. For others, it is a deeply transformative journey, a dedicated metamorphosis of the mind towards enlightened states. However, this dualistic view of meditation as either a stress-relief tool or a life-altering practice for the committed few is deeply flawed. There is a spectrum of experiences that lie between these two extremes, offering experiences that are far more potent and intriguing than what the burgeoning mindfulness industry promotes, and more attainable than what the concept of enlightenment might suggest. Given the escalating mental health crisis in affluent nations like the US, where depression rates are at an all-time high amongst adults and young people alike, scalable methods of not just mindfully soothing but entirely transforming psychological experiences for the better should be of immense interest. This interest should extend to the general public, scientific community, and potential funding sources alike. For the past two decades, research into meditation has largely overlooked this middle ground. Most studies focus on basic mindfulness as a health intervention for novice meditators, with modestly positive results likened to mental exercise or flossing for the mind. Conversely, some researchers delve into the unusual brain activity of advanced meditators, such as Tibetan monks. However, a new wave of researchers is discovering that transformative psychological effects can be achieved through meditation without requiring a lifetime of practice. The number of Americans practicing meditation has more than tripled in recent years, thanks to an influx of apps, books, and seminars promoting mindfulness as a stress reduction tool. This marketing strategy has been lucrative, with the mindfulness industry valued at $97.6 million in 2021 and projected to triple by 2031. Yet critics argue this approach oversimplifies meditation’s potential and focuses too much on internal stress management rather than addressing societal causes of stress. Matthew Sacchet, a neuroscientist, professor of psychiatry, and director of Harvard’s Meditation Research Program, argues that mindfulness programs only scratch the surface of meditation’s potential. Sacchet is part of a growing trend in meditation research that is exploring the broader range of meditative experiences under laboratory conditions. Using new theories from cognitive science and tools such as machine learning models that delve deeper into neural activity than humans alone can, these researchers are shifting the scientific understanding of meditation towards comprehending the nature of the mind and how it can be transformed for the better. Ruben Laukkonen, an assistant professor at Southern Cross University, notes that while initial focus on meditation centered around attention and emotional regulation practices, there’s been a recognition that these are merely side effects in contemplative traditions. The true intention behind these practices is to facilitate deeper layers of experience. Research labs and private companies are already developing technologies they hope can democratize access to meditation’s deeper experiences. From psychedelics to brain stimulation, the race is on to find ways to expedite the journey towards profound effects. Sacchet believes that understanding and scaling advanced meditation will have a profound impact on individual well-being and society’s collective health. However, concerns about these methods abound. There is ongoing debate about whether profoundly altered states of consciousness can be achieved through shortcuts. Even if they can be, there’s little evidence that current tools are up to the task. Furthermore, there are concerns that accelerating the process could potentially short-circuit millions of minds. Yet without these shortcuts, how many people will realistically devote a significant portion of their daily lives to sitting quietly in meditation? The study of consciousness has been stunted since Galileo separated sensory experience from the scientific method. Studying the extremes of conscious experience could lead to a better understanding of all minds and how to increase well-being. As we navigate these complex issues, we should support this process as wisely as we can. The future of our minds may depend on it. The first wave of contemplative studies was defined by mindfulness; it’s time to explore meditation’s full potential beyond stress relief and self-care into realms of self-kindness and transformative journeys with intention.