Upcoming Events
Retreat for Academics
November 13 - 16, 2008
Menla Mountain Center, Phoenicia, NY
We are pleased to offer our third retreat for academics.
Much of our time together will be spent in silence and engaged in a variety of contemplative practices, in addition to several sessions providing training in contemplative methods adapted for the classroom and discussions about the relationship of the contemplative perspective to teaching, learning, and knowing. The retreat is designed to appeal to participants with a wide range of experience in contemplative practice, from beginners to seasoned practitioners.
Mindfulness as a Foundation for Teaching and Learning
February 6 - 8, 2009
Philadelphia, PA
Mindfulness meditation has been practiced for thousands of years as a way to reduce suffering and cultivate inner peace. More recently, research has demonstrated that mindfulness also enhances learning and attention. This discovery has led to mounting interest in the possibility that this ancient meditative practice can support education and learning for both children and adults. Many educational institutions, ranging from public school systems to national universities, have embraced mindfulness as an educational intervention.
Public Keynote Address by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Friday, February 6th, 2009, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Zellerbach Theater, University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Kabat-Zinn, the founder of the University of Massachusetts Stress Reduction Program, will speak about the many ways that mindfulness and meditation can support learning, personal growth, and create the foundation for stability in families and communities.
Conference for Educators, Counselors and Administrators Saturday, February 7th, 2009, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
University of Pennsylvania College of Medicine
Conference Highlights:
Plenary Panel
Amishi Jha, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania
Arthur Zajonc, PhD
Professor of Physics and Interdisciplinary Studies, Amherst College
Susan Kaiser Greenland, JD
Co-Founder and Executive Director of Inner Kids
Interest group sessions
Early childhood education; Teaching young children in elementary school; Teaching children in middle school; Teaching young adults in high school; Teaching university students; Teaching teachers; Research on mindfulness; Developing a personal practice, Integrating personal practice and work, Parenting
Co-sponsored by Mindfulness in Education Network, PENN Program for Stress Management, Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, and Friends Council on Education
More information, including online registration, will be available this fall.
5th Annual Summer Session on
Contemplative Curriculum Development
August 9 - 14, 2009
Smith College, Northampton, MA
Registration opens January 2009
Summer Session Participants will devote the week to rigorous investigation, reflection, writing, and discussion, guided by distinguished scholars and contemplative teachers who have already developed such courses.
There will be sessions on pedagogical issues, including the relation between course content and contemplative practice and the benefits of stabilized attention and other qualities of mind fostered by meditation, as well as on practical issues such as evaluation, grading, instructional techniques, and use of off-site facilities. We will also consider issues such as communicating course intent with colleagues and college administrators. There will be discussions on how contemplative practices in the curriculum are affecting teaching and learning nationwide. Local scholars and contemplative teachers not listed as faculty will visit and engage in the discussions. Each day will also include substantial contemplative practice time, which will introduce participants to practices from a variety of traditions as well as practices that have been adapted successfully for secular classroom settings. The summer session aims to prepare participants to return to their classrooms with a deeper understanding of the practice of contemplative teaching and a fully developed course.
For more information, please visit http://www.contemplativemind.org/programs/academic/summer.html