He received his PhD in personality and social psychology from the University of California, Irvine. His recent work has been devoted to a long-standing interest in higher levels of adult development. He has spent the last 40 years studying and practicing contemplative psychologies with a personal commitment to Sufism and Buddhism. He has spent the last ten years heading a wisdom research project at UC Davis and Oregon State University. His most recent research focuses on adult development among contemplative nuns, both Christian and Buddhist. He has more than 50 publications.