An inter-religious conference exploring emerging understandings in neurospirituality.
October 12-14, 2008
Claremont School of Theology
Claremont, California
What happens to the brain during spiritual practices? Recent neuroscientific studies suggest that meditation, contemplation, and prayer may change the brain and neurosystem in identifiable and possibly predictable ways. What are the implications of such findings for spiritual formation? For science? For theology and philosophy? For life? In addressing such questions, this unprecedented conference will gather an international group of renowned scientists, philosophers, theologians, and contemplatives to probe the relationship between neuroscientific understandings and the contemplative practices of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. The conference will offer presentations, conversations, and opportunities to engage in and reflect on spiritual practices from each of the religious traditions represented.

CONFERENCE PRESENTERS INCLUDE:
Fr. Thomas Keating (St. Benedict's Monastery); B. Alan Wallace (Santa Barbara Inst. for Consciousness Studies); Evan Thompson (U. of Toronto); Daniel J. Siegel (Center for Human Development, UCLA); Richard Davidson (U. of Wisc.); Nahid Angha (Intl. Assn. of Sufism); Michael Spezio (Scripps College); Shauna Shapiro (Santa Clara U.); Thandeka (Meadville- Lombard Theo. Sem.); Cassandra Vieten (Cal. Pacific Med. Center); John B. Cobb, Jr. (Claremont Sch. of Theo., Center for Process Studies); Clifford Saron (Center for Mind & Brain, UC Davis); Andrew Dreitcer (Claremont School of Theology); Frank Rogers (Claremont Sch. of Theo.) Roland Faber (Claremont Sch. of Theo., Center for Process Studies); Rick Hanson (Wellspring Inst. for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom); Martinez Hewlett (U. of Arizona); Peter Janata (Center for Mind and Brain, U.C. Davis); Ben Johnson (Columbia Theo. Sem.); Richard Mendius, (Wellspring Inst. for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom); Steve Odin (U. of Hawai'i); David E. Roy (Center for the Healing Journey, Fresno); Mustafa Ruzgar (CSU Northridge); William Waldron (Middlebury College); John Buchanan (psychologist); Marvin Sweeney (Claremont Sch. of Theo.); Steve Padilla (L.A. Times, religion editor); Monica A. Coleman (Claremont Sch. of Theo.)

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
Sunday 2-5:30pm. "Explorations of Buddhist practices and neuroscience". Presenters include Alan Wallace, Evan Thompson, and Cassandra Vieten.
Sunday 7-8:30pm. "Explorations of Jewish contemplative practice and neuroscience." Presenters TBA.
Monday 9am-12:30pm. "Explorations of Christian Centering Prayer and neuroscience." Presenters include Fr. Thomas Keating and Michael Spezio.
Monday 2-5:30pm. "Recent research in neuroscience & contemplative practices; Applying the science to benefit your (contemplative) life." Presenters include Richard Davidson, Shauna Shapiro, Rick Hanson.
Monday 7-8:30pm. Public Lecture, "Developing the Mindful Brain." Presenters include Daniel Siegel, Monica A. Coleman.
Tuesday 9am-12:30pm. "Explorations of Sufi contemplative practice and neuroscience." Presenters include Nahid Angha.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION:
Full conference details, including conference registration, are available at: http://neurospirituality.blogspot.com/
To register or ask questions about registration, contact the Center for Process Studies:
Email: events@ctr4process.org Phone: (909) 621-5330
With questions about the conference program and/or it's speakers, email:
info@neurospirituality.org

The conference is sponsored by The Claremont School of Theology Spiritual Formation Program and the Center for Process Studies, with major support from the Fetzer Institute.