Fw: [Buddha-l] [Fwd: Retreat for Scientists at Insight MeditationSociety]

[jkirk]

Hi Erik,
IMS is a very well known, well-respected organization in a lovely rural area
of Mass. It's main focus is Theravada and vipassana, and meditation along
Burman teachers lines--like Sayadaw U Pandita and others much before him,
with whom some of the teachers who founded IMS trained. They have a
newletter and recently expanded their facilties to include a new building
for people who want to do individual forest type retreats. Here is their
website:
http://www.dharma.org/ims/index.htm

Joseph Goldstein was a founder of IMS as was Sharon Salzberg. His first book
on Insight Meditation is still widely used.

IMS is next door to the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies
http://www.dharma.org/bcbs/index.htm

I'm not a "mind scientist" so I could not claim to have access to this
retreat.

Best wishes,
Joanna
================================================







> Who are these guys? Anyone interested?
>
> regards
> erik
>
>
> For the first time, a group of scientists will gather for a week of silent
meditation practice to explore ways in which a rigorous and systematic
approach to introspection can inform their research. This retreat has been
organized by scientists, for scientists. The goal of this retreat will be to
introduce researchers in the mind sciences to in-depth training in
meditation. We consider this to be a unique opportunity to advance the
scientific study of the human mind.
>
> The retreat will be held at the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) in Barre,
Massachusetts. IMS has conducted silent meditation retreats for almost
thirty years and is an ideal venue for this unique event. The technique of
meditation that will be taught is the practice of vipassana -- otherwise
known as "mindfulness meditation" -- an ancient method of introspection that
readily conforms to the spirit of empirical science. In this practice, there
are no metaphysics to be adopted uncritically or gurus to venerate. While
the method of vipassana comes out of the most ancient school of Buddhism
(the Theravada), it is simply a means of training the mind to be more keenly
aware of sensory phenomena and the flow of thought. The practice need not be
adopted in the context of Buddhism as a religion or as a philosophical
tradition.
>
> The Scientists Retreat at IMS is designed to introduce neuroscientists,
cognitive scientists, psychologists and others who study the mind, to
intensive meditation in a retreat setting.  This retreat is open to graduate
students, post-doctoral trainees and faculty who work in the broad area of
the mind sciences. The retreat will be conducted in most respects like a
traditional vipassana retreat and will be led by Joseph Goldstein and Sharon
Salzberg, two of the founding teachers at the Insight Meditation Society in
Barre, MA.
>
> The retreat will begin on Saturday January 7, 2006 and will end on
Saturday January 14, 2006.  It will differ from a regular retreat by
including periods of dialogue led by scientists who have participated in
events organized by the Mind & Life Institute www.mindandlife.org. They will
lead focused discussions on topics that are relevant to the intersection of
the mind and neurosciences, and contemplative practice. Each of the small
group discussions will report back to the larger group. Other than these
periods of focused dialogue, the retreat will be conducted in silence. For
anyone who has never spent days in silence before, this aspect of the
retreat alone is likely to be a revolutionary experience.
>
> You can register for the retreat at www.dharma.org/MindLife.htm or call
the IMS registrar to request a form  (978-355-4378). The cost is on a
sliding scale basis: $455 (Sponsor); $405 (Mid); $350 (Low); and $210
(Scholarship); participants choose based on financial means. These fees
cover accommodations and meals only. The opportunity to support the teachers
and staff via a donation will be provided at the end of the retreat.
Details about the retreat environment and location will be mailed to you
upon receipt of your registration.
>
>
>
>


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----


> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
> Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.7.3 - Release Date: 15-3-2005
>
>


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----


> _______________________________________________
> buddha-l mailing list
> buddha-l at mailman.swcp.com
> http://mailman.swcp.com/mailman/listinfo/buddha-l
>