CONFERENCE BROCHURE - Mind & Life Institute

Mind and Life Summer Research InstituteJune 16 – June 22, 2012Afternoon Sessions1:30 PM–2:00 PM Tibetan Buddhist Practices and Consciousness – A Situated PerspectiveDiego Hangartner, Pharm.D.In this talk principal and interrelated aspects of practice in Tibetan Buddhism will be explored,and how they are related to consciousness. Tibetan Buddhist tradition has integrated and developeda wide variety of modalities for studies, practices, rituals, and meditation. These forms areunique in their expression, and are understood in a much larger context. Any theories underlyingthese activities need to be looked at within their situated environment, and how they originatefrom concepts central to Buddhism, such as the skandhas, action (karma), andconsciousness. Instead of primarily discussing and explaining these theoretical frameworksfrom a third-person perspective only, this talk will include the first-person perspective: how aperson studying and living in the monastery experienced it, and how these aspects of studies andpractices are applied.2:05 PM–2:35 PM Perspectives on Embodiment and the Embodied Mind in Early Buddhist MeditationBhikkhu Anālayo, Ph.D.The presentation will begin by briefly explaining the nature of the early Buddhist source material,followed by employing this material to cover three main topics: a) Negative perspectiveson embodiment in early Buddhist meditation practice, exemplified in the contemplation of theanatomical parts of the body; b) Neutral perspectives on the body as evident in the developmentof mindfulness of the body in any of its postures; c) Positive perspectives on the embodied mindexperienced during progress through the meditative absorptions, where the whole body is describedas filled with intense bliss and happiness. By way of conclusion these three aspects willbe shown to stand in a meaningful relationship to each other.2:35 PM–3:05 PM Contemplative Practice ForumBhikkhu Anālayo, Ph.D., Richard Freeman, Victor Hori, Ph.D., Anne Klein, Ph.D., Mary Taylor,Peter Wayne, Ph.D., Matthieu Ricard, Ph.D. Moderator: Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D.This panel will reflect on the role of the body in contemplative practice and its significance forthe science-contemplative dialogue.3:05 PM–3:35 PM Questions from Audience Moderator: Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D.3:35 PM–3:45 PM Break3:45 PM–4:45 PM Optional Break-Out Groups / Free Time4:45 PM–5:00 PM Break5:00 PM–6:00 PM Tai Chi, Lower Auditorium – Basement Level Peter Wayne, Ph.D.6:00 PM–7:00 PM DINNER7:00 PM–7:30 PM Data Blitz• Poster presenters will each present a summary of their poster in one preview slide in a datablitzformat. This will provide audience members with an overview of the poster topics and facilitatechoosing which posters to view in more detail in the following poster session.7:30 PM–8:30 PM Poster Session, Lower Auditorium – Basement Level8:30 PM–9:00 PM Meditation Anne Klein, Ph.D.9:00 PM–10:00 PM Free Time10:00 PM–8:00 AM Silence through Morning Meditation7