Roshi Joan Halifax - Zen Brain: Exploring The Connection Between Neuroscience And Meditation

Roshi Joan Halifax and the Upaya Zen Center hosted another great series of lectures in the Zen Brain series. As always, a nice collection of experts - Al Kaszniak, George Chrousos, Joan Halifax, George Bonanno, and Philippe Goldin - was assembled to explore the intersection of Zen and neuroscience.

Roshi Joan posted the following article in Huffington Post to summarize the event - and announce the next one in January, 2012.

Zen Brain: Exploring The Connection Between Neuroscience And Meditation

Roshi Joan Halifax - Abbot, Upaya Zen Center

This past August, more than 50 people gathered in the Circle of the Way temple at Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to explore the connection between neuroscience and meditation. This is the fourth year we have done so.

Why? This is a Zen center that is inspired by the example set by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who nearly 30 years ago began a dialogue with Dr. Francisco Varela and myself that was to eventually become embodied in the Mind & Life Institute, an organization that supports and sustains dialogue and rigorous scientific inquiry into meditative states.

Over the years His Holiness has enjoyed relationships with many scientists, including Varela, Sir Karl Popper, and David Bohm. His Holiness said:

With the ever growing impact of science on our lives, religion and spirituality have a greater role to play reminding us of our humanity. There is no contradiction between the two. Each gives us valuable insights into the other. Both science and the teachings of the Buddha tell us of the fundamental unity of all things.

Upaya Zen Center continues this deep inquiry into science and Buddhism through the vehicle of the Zen Brain retreats, as well as other programs. Those who are enrolled in Upaya's Contemplative End-of-Life Care training (for medical professionals) and the Buddhist Chaplaincy Program develop a thorough grounding in the latest findings on neuroscience and meditation as they go about their work in the world.

In the Zen Brain retreats, prominent scientists and Zen practitioners explore Buddhist, neuro-scientific and clinical science perspectives on topics like altruism, compassion and consciousness. Lectures and discussions with participants are embedded within zazen (meditation) practice throughout each day.

The most recent Zen Brain program this August explored trauma, stress, loss and the human potential for resilience and happiness. The faculty, drawn from the most accomplished clinicians and researchers studying this topic, featured Al Kaszniak, Ph.D., George Chrousos, M.D., George A. Bonanno, Ph.D. and Philippe Goldin, Ph.D. I also had the privilege of participating with these scientists as a contemplative and someone who has worked in this field for many years.

Read the whole post.

Here is the first podcast from the series - I will offer links to the others.

Al Kaszniak & George Chrousos & Joan Halifax & George Bonanno & Philippe Goldin: 8-25-2011: Zen Brain: Trauma, Stress, Loss, and Happiness (Part 1)

Speakers: Al Kaszniak, George Chrousos, Joan Halifax, George Bonanno, and Philippe Goldin

Recorded: Thursday Aug 25, 2011

Buddhism is a path to liberation from suffering, and among the most pervasive universal triggers of suffering are trauma, stress, and loss, including bereavement. Fundamental to Buddhist teaching, and the path of Zen, is the recognition that freedom from suffering can be found through practice realization of the fundamental nature of the mental continuum as ever-changing, interdependent, and without any fixed, unchanging self at its core.

Recently, scientific studies of human resilience following trauma and loss, response to stressful events, and the consequences of meditation training have begun to provide third-person evidence that converges with the first-person experience of Zen practice.

In this retreat, prominent scientists and Zen practitioners will explore Buddhist, neuroscientific, and clinical science perspectives on trauma, stress, loss, and the human potential for resilience and happiness. Talks, discussions, and explorations with participants are embedded within Zazen practice throughout each day.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download 

Here are the other links:

• George Bonanno: 8-26-2011: Zen Brain: Trauma, Stress, Loss, and Happiness (Part 2)
• Al Kaszniak & George Chrousos & Joan Halifax & George Bonanno & Philippe Goldin: 8-26-2011: Zen Brain: Trauma, Stress, Loss, and Happiness (Part 3)
• George Chrousos: 8-26-2011: Zen Brain: Trauma, Stress, Loss, and Happiness (Part 4)
• Al Kaszniak & George Chrousos & Joan Halifax & George Bonanno & Philippe Goldin: 8-26-2011: Zen Brain: Trauma, Stress, Loss, and Happiness (Part 5)
• Joan Halifax: 8-27-2011: Zen Brain: Trauma, Stress, Loss, and Happiness (Part 6)
• Al Kaszniak: 8-27-2011: Zen Brain: Trauma, Stress, Loss, and Happiness (Part 7)
• Philippe Goldin: 8-27-2011: Zen Brain: Trauma, Stress, Loss, and Happiness (Part 8)
• Philippe Goldin: 8-27-2011: Zen Brain: Trauma, Stress, Loss, and Happiness (Part 9)
• Al Kaszniak & George Chrousos & Joan Halifax & George Bonanno & Philippe Goldin: 8-27-2011: Zen Brain: Trauma, Stress, Loss, and Happiness (Part 10)