2009 Winter Conference Information

Learning from Mindfulness

February 6 – 8, 2009

Philadelphia, PA

Program Events

  • Jon Kabat-Zinn Keynote Address: Learning from Mindfulness: February 6
  • MiEN Conference: Mindfulness as a Foundation for Teaching and Learning: Saturday, February 7
  • A Day of Mindfulness with Jon Kabat-Zinn: Sunday, February 8

Mindfulness meditation has been practiced for thousands of years as a way to reduce suffering and cultivate inner peace. Current research shows that mindfulness also enhances learning and attention. There is growing interest in the possibility that this ancient meditative practice can support education and learning for both children and adults. Many educational institutions, including Stanford, UCSF, UCLA and PENN, have embraced mindfulness as an educational intervention by introducing it into their curricula and conducting research in the field. This three-day event will explore the uses of mindfulness in education.

 

Jon Kabat-Zinn Keynote Address: Learning from Mindfulness

Friday, February 6th 7:30 –9:00 pm

Zellerbach Theater, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA

Cost: $35* ($20* for Saturday conference attendees)

Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., founder of the University of Massachusetts Stress Reduction Program, will visit Philadelphia to present a lecture about the many ways that mindfulness and meditation can support learning, personal growth, and create the foundation for stability in families and communities. Dr. Dan Gottlieb, host of the popular WHYY radio program “Voices in the Family” will host a discussion with Jon after the keynote address. The discussion will be taped for radio broadcast at a later date.

Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. is a scientist, writer, and meditation teacher engaged in bringing mindfulness intothe mainstream of medicine and society. He gives public talks and workshops throughout the world on mindfulness and its various applications towards the goal of enhancing health and well-being. He is Professor of Medicine emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where he was founding executive director of the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society, and founder (in 1979) and former director of its world-renown Stress Reduction Clinic. He is the author of many books including the popular Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain and Illness (Delta, 1991), Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life (Hyperion, 1994). He is also on the Board of the Mind and Life Institute, a group that organizes dialogues between the Dalai Lama and Western scientists to promote deeper understanding of different ways of knowing and probing the nature of mind, emotions, and reality.

MiEN Conference 2009: Mindfulness as a Foundation for Teaching and Learning

Saturday, February 7th 9:00 am – 4:30pm

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

Cost: $75* (includes nutritious breakfast and lunch)

Questions about the conference only, email mindfulnesseducation@starpower.net

Hotel rooms start at $99 per night plus taxes.

Mindfulness-Based Education (MBE), a powerful tool to decrease stress, deepen learning, enhance academic performance, and promote emotional and social well-being, is increasingly recognized as essential for students, educators and parents. MBE may help to develop the capacity for attention and awareness, creating optimal conditions for teaching and learning. This day-long conference will include a plenary panel consisting of leaders in the field, interest group break-out sessions, and mindfulness practice sessions.

Conference Schedule

8:30 –9:00 am Conference registration

9:00 –10:30 Conference opening and Plenary Panel Presentations

  • Amishi Jha, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania
  • Arthur Zajonc, Ph.D., Professor of Physics and Interdisciplinary Studies, Amherst College
  • Susan Kaiser Greenland, JD, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Inner Kids

10:45 –12:00 Interactive discussion with panel members

12:00 –1:00 pm Lunch

1:00 –2:15 and 2:30 – 3:45 pm Break-out sessions tentatively include:

  • 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

4:00 –4:30 pm Conference closing

Plenary Panel:

Amishi Jha, Ph.D, is an Assistant Professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. She works with the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience where her research is in the area of the functional neuro-anatomy of working memory and attention. Dr. Jha teaches undergraduate and graduate students in cognitive neuroscience, attention and memory, and the cognitive neuroscience of meditation. She has been investigating the influence of mindfulness training on attention and working memory.

Arthur Zajonc, Ph.D, is a Professor of physics and interdisciplinary studies at Amherst College and currentlydirects the Academic Program of the Center for Contemplative Mind. He is author of the book Catching the Light, co-author of The Quantum Challenge, and co-editor of Goethe’s Way of Science. He has served as scientific coordinator for the Mind and Life dialogue published as The New Physics and Cosmology: Dialogues with the Dalai Lama. He organized the 2002 dialogue with the Dalai Lama, “The Nature of Matter, the Nature of Life,” and acted as moderator at MIT for the “Investigating the Mind” Mind and Life dialogue in 2003.

Susan Kaiser Greenland JD, is Co-Founder and Executive Director of InnerKids, is a member of the clinicalteam for the Pediatric Pain Clinic at UCLA’s Mattel’s Children’s Hospital, and Co-Investigator on UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center in pre-k and elementary education research studies. She develops mindful awareness curriculum for and teaches programs to children as well as educators, parents, therapists and health care professionals.

Friday and Saturday Mindfulness and Education Event Sponsors:

 

A Day of Mindfulness with Jon Kabat-Zinn

Sunday, February 8th 9:00 am – 4:00pm

Sheraton Society Hill Hotel, One Dock Street, Philadelphia, PA

Cost: $140* ($100* for Saturday conference attendees)

Sponsored by: PENN Program for Stress Management: www.pennhealth.com/stress

Mindfulness and meditation are not only effective tools for managing stress and cultivating relaxation, but are also powerful means for learning and growth. Mindfulness can be used to increase learning and self awareness, support communication, and enhance relationships. In this full-day workshop, Jon Kabat-Zinn will lead is in exploring the many ways in which mindfulness can deepen and enrich our experience of life. Guided meditation instruction, mindfulness practice, and group exercises will be used to provide you with potent new tools for living. Don’t miss this remarkable

opportunity to spend a day with the founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. No previous meditation experience is required.

Registration: On-line registration for each of the three events begins in early November through http://mindfulness.ticketleap.com. *Additional services charges will be applied.

A limited number of prime seating is available for the Friday evening lecture at Zellerbach Theater for $100. To take advantage of this special offer, call the PENN Program for Stress Management directly at 215 615 2774.

Hotel Accommodations: A limited number of overnight accommodations are reserved at Club Quarters in Center City Philadelphia on www.expedia.com. To reserve a room and receive the group discounted rate, please call 212-575-0006 before December 6, 2008 and mention PENN Program for Stress Management.