Dr. Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu
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Dr. Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu
American-Japanese Psychologist at Stanford University
"I teach and research human development through mindfulness, Asian wisdom, science, compassion, and responsibility."
My Roots: East Meets West
I was born in post–World War II Tokyo to a Japanese mother and an Irish American father. My earliest memories are shaped by two worlds: the quiet shrines and bamboo groves of Japan and the Irish songs and Catholic rituals my father shared. From an early age, I felt called to bridge differences between Japanese and Americans, East and West, mastery and mystery.
Growing Into Healing
I explored many paths before becoming a psychologist. I studied early childhood education, East Asian medicine, yoga, and meditation. Each step taught me about human potential and healing. Eventually, I earned my doctorate in clinical and community psychology from Harvard University, where I was mentored by pioneers like Richard Katz, Kiyo Morimoto, and Chester Pierce. They helped me see mindfulness through a multicultural, deeply human lens.
Lifelong Learning Across Generations
Teaching and learning have always moved hand in hand in my life. I’ve worked with teenagers, Zen monks, medical doctors, business executives, and U.S. Marines. From daycare to end-of-life care, I’ve seen how wisdom and compassion can guide people through life’s transitions.
Psychology with Heart
My work brings together traditional Asian spiritual teachings with modern psychology and education. I create healing spaces where people can grow into their fullest selves, integrating mindfulness, science, compassion, and service. Storytelling, both spoken and written, is at the heart of my work because it opens hearts, builds connection, and inspires transformation.
Crossing Cultures: From Tokyo to Harvard to Stanford
A lifetime of learning, teaching, and bridging East and West
For nearly a decade, I immersed myself in study, research, and teaching at Harvard University, where my understanding of psychology and mindfulness deepened through a multicultural lens.
Afterward, I spent more than a decade as a professor at Tokyo University, engaging with students and communities in Japan and continuing to explore how wisdom and science can come together to heal and transform.
The third chapter of my journey took me to schools, clinics, and hospitals across Japan and the United States, where I witnessed how learning and compassion can transcend boundaries.
For the past 20 years, Stanford University has been my academic home. I’ve taught and conducted research in Arts, Humanities & Medicine; Comparative Studies of Race and Ethnicity; Health and Human Performance; Education; Human Biology; Psychology; and Anthropology. Most recently, I joined the faculty of the CARE: Center for Asian Health Research and Education, continuing my work of integrating Asian wisdom with Western psychological science to support healing and social transformation.
Honors and Humility
I have been honored as a Fulbright Scholar, a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, a Distinguished Stanford Faculty member, and a keynote speaker at international gatherings. While I value those recognitions, I come alive most in genuine human encounters where vulnerability and humility create real transformation.
Heartfulness: My Present Journey
These days I devote myself to heartfulness, cultivating human development through mindfulness, Asian wisdom, compassion, and service. I hope to serve as an elder and sensei, offering what I have learned to help illuminate the path for others. I still find joy in asking big questions, walking beside people as they search for meaning, and connecting wisdom traditions with modern life.
