Mark Thurston

Associate Professor

well-being, consciousness, mindfulness, holistic health, and personal transformation

Mark Thurston, Ph.D. is a term associate professor in the School of Integrative Studies at George Mason University. From January, 2009 to June, 2018 he was administrative faculty for Mason's Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, serving most recently as the director of educational programs. With an academic background in psychology, Mark worked for 35 years before coming to Mason in adult education related to consciousness, holistic health, and personal transformation. He is author of numerous books related to personal spirituality, dream psychology, meditation, and the transformation of consciousness. Mark’s research interests include mindfulness, conflict transformation, the role of intentionality in groups, and aspects of consciousness which can be experienced in the dream state. He is the faculty coordinator for Mason's undergraduate minor in well-being, and he teaches one of the required courses in the minor: INTS 355 "Mindfulness, Meaning and Well-Being." Among his other recent courses have been INTS 455 "Consciousness and Transformation in Action" and INTS 475 "Well-Being and Self-Care for Helping Professionals."

Education

Ph.D. in psychology from Saybrook University (1978)

M.A. in psychology from the University of West Georgia (1974)

B.A. in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin (1972)