Reading and Repair
Reading & Repair: Building Understanding Through Contemplative Research
“Books are a kind of magic that brought meaning to my life… If we care about how we relate to one another, maybe we should think about which books we read.” — Rémi Thériault
Overview
This Mind & Life article introduces a study led by social psychologist Rémi Thériault (NYU). The idea is simple: reading clear, thoughtful nonfiction for about 10 minutes a day may help people understand others and work well together. Participants read for 10 weeks. The team looks at changes in care for others, how we speak with people who see things differently, and whether readers feel more connected. Books are picked for easy reading and helpful themes, using both expert review and AI tools. Earlier work from the team suggests that reading plus reflection can be a welcoming first step. The public is invited to suggest book titles for future rounds.
Key points
- Reading plan: ~10 minutes a day for 10 weeks; the team tracks caring, respectful talk, and a sense of connection, compared with a neutral reading plan.
- Book list with AI help: Titles are checked for clarity, likely helpful impact, and a balance of science and reflection.
- Sample authors: Sharon Salzberg & Robert Thurman; Matthieu Ricard; Jay Van Bavel & Dominic Packer.
- Why reading? In earlier work, a group that used short readings and podcasts showed strong gains—suggesting reading can be a friendly on‑ramp.
- Join in: The team is collecting public suggestions for books to test next.
Why this matters for The Change Lab
Reading circles are a simple way to practice listening, find common ground, and build steady habits together. As we grow our Pathways for Community, Culture and Belonging, evidence like this supports a practical model: Read → Reflect → Relate → Repair. We’ll explore neighborhood “Read & Repair Circles” and connect results to our Civic Impact Engine.
