The Mind & Life Institute's International Symposium seeks to encourage and help shape a cohesive interdisciplinary field of contemplative studies in which basic and applied science, scholarship, education, the arts, and contemplative traditions collaboratively develop an integrated way of knowing.
In 2016 we gathered the most innovative thought leaders and present their ground breaking research in neuroscience, psychology, clinical science, the humanities, philosophy, and education - all with the goal of advancing our understanding of the mind, reducing human suffering, and enhancing our well-being.
20+ invited speakers from diverse disciplines within contemplative studies
In addition to more than one hundred presenters accepted through our call for papers, we will feature over 20 distinguished, invited speakers:
Keynote Speakers:
Richard Davidson
Center for Healthy Minds University of Wisconsin-Madison
Carolyn Jacobs
Smith College School for Social Work, Dean Emerita
Amishi Jha
University of Miami
Rhonda Magee
University of San Francisco
Matthieu Ricard
Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling Monastery
Sharon Salzberg
Insight Meditation Society
Zindel Segal
University of Toronto - Scarborough
Evan Thompson
University of British Columbia
Master Lecturers:
Sarah Bowen
University of Washington
Judson Brewer
Yale University
Niki Clements
Rice University
John Dunne
University of Wisconson-Madison
Jeremy Hunter
Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management
Geshe Thupten Jinpa
McGill University
Catherine Kerr
Brown University
Erin McCarthy
St. Lawrence University
Lizabeth Roemer
University of Massachusetts, Boston
Robert Roeser
Penn State University
Harold Roth
Brown University
Clifford Saron
University of California-Davis
Contemplative Faculty and Artists:
Alejendro Chaoul
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Andrew Dreitcer
Claremont School of Theology
Richard Freeman
The Yoga Workshop
Alan Godlas
University of Georgia
Roshi Joan Halifax
Upaya Zen Center
Rev. Takafumi Kawakami Osho
Shunkoin Temple
Louis Komjathy
University of San Diego
Genine Lentine
Poet
John Makransky
Boston College
Srinivas Reddy
IIT Gandhinagar
Mary Taylor
The Yoga Workshop
Sheila Peltz Weinberg
Institute for Jewish Spirituality
Nathan Wirth
Photographer
SCHEDULE
Thursday, November 10 -
Sunday, November 13, 2016
The Mind & Life Institute's International Symposium for Contemplative Studies brings together scientists, scholars, artists, and contemplatives to explore clinical science, philosophy, humanities, education, economics, the arts, and other domains. These distinct, though overlapping, fields of research and scholarship focus on advancing our understanding of the human mind and how training the mind through contemplative practices can lead to valuable insights that promote a reduction in suffering, enhanced health and cognitive/emotional functioning, and increased social harmony. It has become clear that a multidisciplinary integrative approach is critical for understanding the mind and its effects on health, ethical behavior, and society at large.
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
1380 Harbor Island Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
This year's ISCS will be held at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, an urban resort on the water’s edge offering views of the beautiful San Diego skyline and the bay.Experience San Diego’s year round sunshine and after a day spent attending ISCS - wind down in the outdoor heated pool or and relax beside a fire pit as you look out over the water. Enjoy the ideal location near the airport with easy access to Little Italy, the historic Gaslamp District, and Seaport Village.
Sheraton Highlights:
Complimentary shuttle to and from the San Diego International Airport
Private balconies in every hotel room
Five in-hotel restaurants and lounges
Outdoor heated swimming pool with great views of the marina
Jogging trails, bicycle, paddle board, and kayak rentals
Basketball and tennis courts as well as a fitness center
“The Mind and Life Institute has had a tremendous impact on the field of contemplative studies, playing a pivotal role in its emergence over the last 3 decades and supporting its continued advancement by hosting this meeting.”
- Amishi Jha and Hal Roth, Co-chairs, ISCS Planning Committee Members
The Mind & Life Institute is a non-profit organization committed to building a scientific understanding of the mind as a way to help reduce suffering and promote human flourishing. To accomplish this, we foster interdisciplinary dialogue between Western science, philosophy, humanities, and contemplative traditions, supporting the integration of first-person inquiry through meditation and other contemplative practices into traditional scientific methodology.
ISCS Planning Committee
ISCS is the premier meeting in contemplative studies. The scholarship, clinical and basic research, and practice expertise comprising the program make attending it a necessity for those actively involved in this field. As well, it is an inspiring and instructive meeting for those new to it. With each meeting, we’ve observed greater rigor and innovation in the conference offerings. We are confident that the program we have planned showcases the growing maturity and leading edges of our nascent field. The Mind and Life Institute has had a tremendous impact on the field of contemplative studies, playing a pivotal role in its emergence over the last 3 decades and supporting its continued advancement by hosting this meeting.
Sarah Bowen
University of Washington
Judson Brewer
University of Massachusetts Medical Center
Amishi Jha
ISCS Planning Committee Co-Chair University of Miami
Erin McCarthy
St. Lawrence University
Robert Roeser
Penn State University
Harold Roth
ISCS Planning Committee Co-Chair Brown University
ISCS 2016 is certified by the IAHB to offer continuing education credit hours to counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, nurses, physicians, and certain other healthcare professionals. Learn more about the credits that will be offered.
