Perhaps you've heard about the Faith and Politics Institute, based in Washington, D.C., which hosts weekly reflection groups for senators and members of the House. Or about the Lineage Project, based in New York City, which offers yoga and meditation to teenagers in prison and in juvenile halls and to those who are at risk. Or you may have encountered busy performance consultants such as Janine Sagert, who begins meetings at Dell, IBM, and Motorola with meditation. Until lately such stories have stood out as exceptions, but in the 21st century, they may become the norm.

According to a recently released multi-year study by the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, hundreds of businesses, educational institutions, health care centers, and social change organizations incorporate meditation, prayer, and other contemplative disciplines into their daily activities. The data came from in-depth interviews with 70 people concerning more than 70 programs throughout the United States.

The research team found that, in addition to sitting meditation and quiet forms of recollection, people are using more active and interactive practices. These range from yoga and tai chi to engaged dialogue and council circles (from Native American traditions).

One focus of the study was on work for social justice, where research director Maria Duerr says the contemplative practices "supported deep and significant social change, sustained activists for the long haul, and shifted power dynamics in subtle but profound ways."

No matter what the field of activity, says the Center's director, Mirabai Bush, "We have found that contemplative practices have the potential to help people identify and solve problems and discover creative options formerly unseen."

For more information on the project and the full findings of the study, see www.contemplativenet.org.