Mindfulness and Compassion: The Art and Science of Contemplative Practice

Richard Payne  |  January 21, 2015

The Mindfulness and Compassion: The Art and Science of Contemplative Practice conference brings together internationally recognized researchers engaged in the scientific study of mindfulness and compassion meditation with seasoned Buddhist teachers and scholars to explore the frontiers of contemplative practice. Mindfulness and compassion practice are now becoming part of mainstream science and clinical methods. Indeed, mindfulness programs have become increasingly popular in every sector of society–healthcare, education, business and government—so much so that Time magazine declared we are witnessing a “Mindful Revolution.”

Our intention for this conference is to bring together internationally recognized researchers engaged in the scientific study of mindfulness and compassion meditation with seasoned Buddhist teachers and scholars to explore the frontiers of contemplative practice. While mindfulness programs have become increasingly popular in every sector of society–healthcare, education, business and government–such popular enthusiasm has often outpaced the science.  This conference seeks to explore more nuanced views of the scientific research, the limitations and challenges associated with the introduction of contemplative practices into secular settings, as well as the role and responses Buddhist contemplatives/practitioners should play in this important cultural movement.

The conference will feature keynote speakers interspersed with expert panels comprised of seasoned Buddhist teachers and internationally recognized scholars in the neurosciences, philosophy, psychology, psychiatry, medicine, and education. Concurrent paper sessions from academics, clinicians and Buddhist teachers will also be a key component of the conference. Some of the invited speakers and panelists include Ajahn Amaro, David Brazier, Robert Thurman, Matthieu Ricard, David McMahan, Geoffrey Samuel, Willoughby Britton, Cliff Saron, and David Vago.  Josephine Briggs, current director of the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM, the federal agency that funds important meditation research studies) kicks-off the conference on the evening of June 3rd.

The conference is convened by the Consciousness, Mindfulness and Compassion (CMC) International Association and SFSU, in partnership with the San Francisco Zen Center, the California Institute of Integral Studies, the Institute of Buddhist Studies, the Mangalam Research Center for Buddhist Languages, Meridian University, and Springer Publishing. We look forward to an inspiring conference in beautiful San Francisco.

Abstracts Due: January 5, 2015 extended! February 15, 2015
Early Registration: February 15, 2015
Conference Information: www.mcc2015.org

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