Prosocial World
12308 Pleasant Hill Ct
Austin, TX 78738
Website: prosocial.world
Description of Organization:
Prosocial World (PW) was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2020. PW created the first change method based upon new scientific developments which integrate previously isolated disciplines, including contextual behavioral science and the work of political scientist Elinor Ostrom, to help groups become more cooperative and adaptable to their rapidly changing environments. PW provides a framework for groups to effectively collaborate with other groups at multiple scales, thereby emulating the cooperation of a multicellular superorganism and working to facilitate cultural evolution globally and bridge the gap between science and contemplative spirituality. Their mission of PW is to consciously evolve a world that works for all with a vision to unleash the power of science and inquiry to help us notice what’s within us and between us and to create a more harmonious world for everyone around us.
Grant(s) Awarded
In 2022, a grant in the amount of $4,500 was awarded to support A Multilevel Framework for the Conscious Cultural Evolution of American Buddhism, a framework for continuous multilevel engagement as a pilot project. The pilot project can be taken to scale after it demonstrates its potential. The framework involves levels for individuals:
1) as members of small teams
2) representing organizations
3) that expect to work with each other
The pilot project will work with five American Buddhist organizations, recruited on a volunteer basis. The four-level framework can be established, and online meetings can begin during the fall 2022. Enough progress can be made to report a solid proof of concept and to include additional organizations during the second year. The project will be coordinated by one main Facilitator/Steward working with five coaches drawn from the Prosocial World community, one for each organization. The Steward and coaches will be well versed in both general principles of conscious cultural evolution and Buddhism. By the end of the first year, at least some team members from each organization will be able to function in the capacity of coach, so that cultural transmission can become “endogenized” and taken to scale.