Neuroscientist, philosopher, and Mind and Life co-founder Francisco Varela (1946-2001) believed that contemplative training offers modern science novel methods for investigating the depth of human experience. In his vision, contemplative training such as meditation not only provides a new domain for scientific study, but it also offers resources for advancing scientific models of consciousness, emotion, …
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The contemplative path: How do we learn?
In my own experience with meditation, I’ve often wondered about the difference between reading a thoughtful analysis or set of instructions, listening to an inspiring teacher, and sitting on the cushion to practice. These varied activities represent different ways of integrating information into our minds and bodies—in short, different ways of learning. Is one mode …
The Contemplative Development Mapping Project: A new model for interdisciplinary investigation
This past winter, it was my honor and pleasure to participate in a Mind & Life Research Workshop convened by the Contemplative Development Mapping Project (CDMP). The CDMP is a group of scholars, scientists, and practitioners who are personally and professionally committed to enriching our understanding of contemplative practices and experiences. This interdisciplinary “think tank” …
Professional Development Issues in Contemplative Science
This breakout group will focus on professional development for those who wish to pursue a career in contemplative neuroscience. Some initial comments will be offered and then opportunities for questions and answers will be available.
Remembrance of things to come: the predictive nature of the mind and contemplative practices
Two contemplative neuroscientists consider meditation in light of a leading theory about brain function
Mind & Life Summer Research Institute 2017
Intersubjectivity and Social Connectivity Garrison, New York Application period: January 9 – February 20, 2017 Summer Research Institute: June 5 – 11, 2017 The application period had been extended through February 20, 2017 and is now closed. For questions contact programs@mindandlife.org Limited Scholarships Now Available A limited number of scholarships are now available to outstanding …
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Closing Keynote
Insights from Social Neurosciences: From Training the Brain in Compassion to a Caring Society In the last decades, our society has faced many global and economic problems that call for new solutions and change. Emerging fields such as affective-social and contemplative neurosciences have produced promising findings that may help inform such necessary changes. For example, …
Concurrent Session 5 – Emory-Tibet Science Initiative: Sustained Engagement Between Contemplatives and Scientists Offer Insights for Contemplative Science
Over the past six years, the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative has created a science education program designed to bridge Western science and Tibetan Buddhism, and scaffold mutual engagement. The program will grow exponentially as it rolls out across Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in India and Nepal, cultivating the grounds for deep, sustained conversations between science and Buddhism. …
Concurrent Session 4 – Mapping the Mind: A Model Based on Theravada Buddhist Texts and Practices
We propose a functional model based on Theravada Buddhist texts and practices to show how the mind works in relation to our senses, and how we perceive the external world. Our model suggests that the mind acts as a common internal sense organ, receiving all sensory data from the five external senses. It shows how …
Concurrent Session 4 – Merleau-Ponty Reads Francisco Varela
Francisco Varela and his colleagues proffer a provoking conclusion in theirgroundbreaking The Embodied Mind. By relying almost exclusively on introspection, Western philosophy from Plato to Merleau-Ponty is at best proto-cognitive scientific. Oddly enough, the movement out of philosophy and into neuroscience is carried out by mindfulness and meditation. Oddly because forms of discursive rational introspection …
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