Desire is a natural part of life that provides the motivating force for our achievements. Our highest aspirations are animated by desire. Yet, when desire becomes obsession or craving, we cross over into the territory of suffering. What before was an aid to accomplishment can devolve into a source of personal anguish and social violence. Behavioral and substance addictions are the expression of desires that have become obsessions. The harmful patterns of addiction take a profound toll on both the individual and society. The Mind & Life Institute has chosen to focus its attention on craving, desire, and addiction, as these are among the most pressing causes of human suffering. By bringing contemplative practitioners and scholars from Buddhist and Christian traditions together with a broad array of scientific researchers in the fields of desire and addiction, we hope new understandings will arise that may ultimately lead to improved treatment of the root causes of craving and its many manifestations.

LOCATION: Dharamsala, India


Participants

Mind & Life Videos

Mind & Life XXVII – Session 1

Mind and Life Institute • November 1, 2013

Topics: Contemplative Wisdom | Mental Health

Mind & Life Videos

Mind & Life XXVII – Session 2

Mind and Life Institute • November 1, 2013

Topics: Contemplative Wisdom | Mental Health

Mind & Life Videos

Mind & Life XXVII – Session 3

Mind and Life Institute • November 1, 2013

Topics: Contemplative Wisdom | Mental Health

Mind & Life Videos

Mind & Life XXVII – Session 4

Mind and Life Institute • November 1, 2013

Topics: Contemplative Wisdom | Mental Health

Mind & Life Videos

Mind & Life XXVII – Session 5

Mind and Life Institute • November 1, 2013

Topics: Contemplative Wisdom | Mental Health


Participants

Kent Berridge

University of Michigan

Sarah Bowen, PhD

Pacific University

Reviewer

Richard J. Davidson, PhD

William James and Vilas Research Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry and Founder & Director of the Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Founder and Chief Visionary for Healthy Minds Innovations, Inc.

Wendy Farley

Emory University

Vibeke Asmussen Frank

Aarhus University

Roshi Joan Halifax, PhD

Upaya Institute and Zen Center

Convening Faculty, Fellow, Founding Steward

Thupten Jinpa, PhD

Compassion Institute

Board Chair

Matthieu Ricard, PhD

Karuna-shechen

Convening Faculty, Fellow

Nora Volkow

National Institute on Drug Abuse

Diana Chapman Walsh, PhD

Wellesley College

Arthur Zajonc, PhD

Mind & Life Institute