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.

It appears as if I’ve found a place to land for the next two years. The first week in August I’ll be starting a low-residency Master’s program in Consciousness Studies at Goddard College in Vermont.

In designing my proposed plan of study I have incorporated coursework in the following areas:
Science courses focused on sensation, perception, and cognition.
Religious Studies and Philosophy courses focusing on spiritual growth and contemplative practices.
The scientific study of the effects of contemplative practice by which I mean all practices that bring us into the present moment.
Personal contemplative practice, primarily silent retreat.
The following is a preliminary draft of coursework to be completed as part of the Master of Arts in Individualized Studies, Concentration in Consciousness Studies.

Summer/Fall 2008
Literature Review of the Physiological, Behavioral, Biochemical and Neurological effects of silent, seated mediation (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Vipassana Meditation, Yoga Nidra).
Functional Neuroanatomy*
Psychology of personality*
Physiology & Psychology Implicit and Explicit learning*
Personal silent retreat

Winter/Spring 2009
Literature Review of the scientific studies examining the effects of mediative movement including tai chi, hatha yoga, tandava (tantric dance), body sensing, and dance therapy.
Biochemistry*
Stages of Spiritual Development
Cognitive Psychology*
Personal silent retreat

Summer/Fall 2009
Literature Review of scientific studies examining auditory/vocal meditative practices including chanting (kirtan, qwaali, Gregorian), mantra repetition, rosary prayer, and musical improvisation.
Design study for practicum incorporating yoga nidra in transition population such as residents of a hospice, participants in a residential drug treatment program, or recently diagnosed cancer patients.
Understanding the role of extended abstention from speaking in contemplative practices. Survey the use of 10 day silent retreats and vows of silence in spiritual traditions.
Psycholinguistics* - Comparative study of neural substrates of thought verses spoken language and the relative affects on perception and awareness.
Personal silent retreat

Winter/Spring 2010
Psychophysics* - Study the mechanisms of reception, transduction and low-level perception of sensory stimuli.
Narrative - Examine the narrative process from both a neurological perspective (the regions of activitation in narrative verses experiential attentional focus) and a medical/spiritual perspective (the role of personal narrative and memoir in healing).
Implement practicum.
Personal silent retreat

* Courses for which availability of MIT coursework will be investigated.

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