First Annual Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies Conference this Thursday at Roger Guindon Hall

Leaves with water droplets

The University of Ottawa Academy of Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies will hold its first annual conference on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at Roger Guindon Hall.

The University of Ottawa Academy of Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies will hold its first annual conference on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at Roger Guindon Hall.

Participants will gain knowledge of current clinical applications of mindfulness meditation, the use of neuroimaging techniques to demonstrate the relationship between the brain and mind, spiritual perspectives on mindfulness, and the role of mindfulness in promoting social justice.

The conference’s keynote speaker is Dr. Zindel Segal, Distinguished Professor of Psychology in Mood Disorders at the University of Toronto and co-founder and developer of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. Dr. Segal will summarize the empirical status of mindfulness interventions for mental health and its public health significance. 

The day’s presentations will include:

  • Randomized Trial of the effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Pain, Function, Quality of Life and Metabolism in Patients with Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy – by Dr. Howard J Nathan, University of Ottawa
  • Mindfulness Interventions in Neurological Disease – by Dr. Lisa Walker, University of Ottawa
  • Mindfulness and neuropathic pain: fMRI demonstrates how mindfulness changes your brain's experiences – by Dr. Andra Smith, University of Ottawa
  • Can Brain Imaging Reveal the Mind and Its Self? – by Dr. Georg Northoff, University of Ottawa
  • Embodying Change: Contemplative Practice and Social Justice – by Dr. Erin McCarthy, St. Lawrence University
  • Learning to Die: Tibetan Buddhist Views on a Mindful Death – by Dr. Angela Sumegi, Carleton University
  • Mindfulness as Instrument, Mindfulness as Lifestyle – by Dr. André Vellino, University of Ottawa

View details of the day’s program.

The Academy of Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies is an inter-faculty initiative housed within the University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute. Its mission is to advance and promote neuroscience research and the clinical application of mindfulness and other contemplative practices.

This one-day conference is designed for health care providers, researchers and scholars, but the general public is also welcome to attend. For more information please contact facdev@uottawa.ca, or register online.

Lady meditating

 

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