As luck would have it, the last spot available for a program on Meditation, Neuroscience, and Complexity Theory was snagged by contemplate this’s own Sue Borchardt. This program brings together scientists and philosophers whose books have figured prominently in Sue’s readings for her graduate program on contemplative practices including Evan Thompson (Mind in Life) and James Austin (Zen and the Brain). (see embodied cognition for an essay on Thompson’s book, Mind in Life). Also in attendance will be Richard Davidson, a neuroscientist who uses EEG to study the brains of long-time meditators and organizer of the Emotions and Cognition Symposium at University of Wisconsin which Sue attended in the spring of 2008.
A complete list of instructors is as follows: Roshi Joan Halifax, PhD, James Austin, PhD, Sandra Blakeslee, Richard Davidson, PhD, John Dunne, PhD, Al Kaszniak, PhD, Neil Theise, MD, Evan Thompson, PhD.
Though having an intellectual focus, the program incorporates daily zen meditation sessions (zazen). A brief description of the program follows:
ZEN BRAIN: Open Presence, Selflessness, and Compassion: Perspectives from Buddhism, Neuroscience, and Complexity Theory
Upaya’s 2009 program on neuroscience and meditation explores two core Buddhist practices: compassion and open presence (shikantaza in Zen, dzogchen in Vajrayana, choiceless awareness in Theravada). In recent years, neuroscientific studies of Buddhist meditators who practice the cultivation of compassion and non-referential presence, and the application of mathematical complexity theory in biology and neuroscience, have provided interesting perspectives on the Buddhist concepts of emptiness, impermanence, codependent arising, selflessness, and nonduality. In this retreat/seminar, Zen teachers, leading scientists who have contributed to this growing field of research (and are each long-term meditation practitioners), a Buddhist scholar, a philosopher, and a neuroscience writer, interactively share their perspectives on the relationships between Zen practice, Buddhist philosophy, neuroscience, and complex systems theory. Talks and discussion examine how these areas of scientific research are relevant for practice, and how experienced meditation practitioners can help sharpen the research questions being asked. Talks and discussion will be embedded with Zazen practice throughout each day.
For a full description of the program a well as downloadable articles on neuroscience and meditative practice, visit the Upaya Zen Center’s website. Check back here at contemplate this in January for an update following the program.
