Contemplative and meditative practices are now commonly promoted, and practiced, for their well documented health, wellbeing  and performance benefits. There is even a growing body of research which describes itself as “contemplative science”. This area of research is also interested in the more profound levels of personal transformation that these practices were designed to facilitate - what has been traditionally described as “spiritual" transformation. The ideas of ancient spiritual traditions are now being re-imagined from the perspective of modern science.