From Cushion to Laboratory:
The Science of Buddhist Meditation
with Marina Vinyals & Hans Burghardt

Fri Sep 11,7–8:30pm EDT

 IN-PERSON & ONLINE

Buddhism is often described as a science of the mind—a contemplative tradition that offers a systematic understanding of how the mind works and how it can be trained to cultivate greater wisdom, compassion, and lasting well-being. Over centuries, generations of practitioners have explored these teachings through direct experience, arriving at remarkably consistent insights into the nature of the mind and the causes of happiness and suffering.

In recent decades, advances in neuroscience have made it possible to study the effects of Buddhist meditation in the laboratory. Research involving both experienced meditators and beginners has shown that these practices can produce measurable changes in the brain, influencing attention, emotional regulation, compassion, and overall well-being. While science and Buddhism approach the mind from different perspectives, many contemporary findings echo insights that Buddhist practitioners have developed for centuries.

In this talk, we will explore what neuroscience is revealing about Buddhist meditation, examine some of the practices that have been the focus of scientific research, and discuss what these discoveries can teach us about cultivating a healthier, happier, and more resilient mind in everyday life.

Important Note

This is an in-person and online event. For online, the events will be administered using Zoom*.

After registering, the system automatically sends a confirmation and/or a receipt email that contains the Zoom meeting link and/or other instructions. If you don’t immediately receive the system email(s) or you have any other questions, please contact us at registration@shantidevanyc.org.

*Zoom is an interactive video-conferencing tool that allows participants to see one another and ask questions. You will need a computer, a tablet or a smartphone with the Zoom application to attend. If you are using Zoom for the first time, please login earlier to allow any necessary installations on your device.

Registration

Suggested: $20 per session
Other offering options: free, $5, $10, $30

The suggested amount supports teacher offerings, rent, and other center expenses -and most importantly, it keeps these teachings freely available to everyone, with session recordings shared on the center’s Recorded Teachings page and YouTube channel. Shantideva member benefits will apply automatically if you have a membership in MindBody.
 

Shantideva Center may publish recorded sessions in the public domain (e.g., on YouTube). By registering for this event, you are agreeing to give your consent to this process. Please be conscious of any personal information you share. Recordings are typically made to spotlight only on the teacher or facilitator so participants are usually not visible.

Register

Time zone: US Eastern Daylight Time (GMT/UTC-4)

For questions regarding registration, please email registration@shantidevanyc.org for assistance.

Recordings

Available soon.

Dana for the Teachers

Shantideva Center makes offerings to our teachers and facilitators using the funds collected through registration. You can give additional support to the teacher or facilitator and create a stronger karmic connection by offering dana. Please make sure to select the teacher’s or facilitator’s name in the dropdown menu. Dana offered is passed entirely to them, but please note that it is not tax-deductible.

About the Teachers

Marina Brucet Vinyals holds a BA and a MA in Biochemistry and a PhD in Molecular Biology in Immunology from the University of Barcelona, where she also performed postdoctoral studies. After this, she decided to change research in the laboratory for research of the mind and its possibilities. To this aim, she completed a six-year full-time study program Masters Program of Advanced Buddhist Studies of Sutra and Tantra at Lama Tzong Khapa Institute, Italy. She studied with great Tibetan lamas such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Lama Jampa Monlam and Khensur Jampa Tegchok, amongst others, and has completed a one-year individual meditation retreat, among others. Presently, she combines continual development and meditation retreats with teaching meditation and Buddhist philosophy, at both general and specialized levels, with an approach that always takes into account the context and circumstances of Western life. She mainly teaches at Tushita Meditation Center Spain and other FPMT centers, and collaborates with SEE Learning (Emory University) in Spain.

Hans Burghardt holds a BA and a MA in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a PhD from the University of Barcelona, where he spent seven years doing research. Since 2002, he meditates and is a student of great Buddhist masters including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche, Lama Jampa Monlam, Khensur Jampa Tegchok amongst others. He has completed the Masters Program of Advanced Buddhist Studies of Sutra and Tantra at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (Italy) and has completed a one-year individual meditation retreat. He currently teaches meditation and Buddhism at Tushita Meditation Center Spain and other FPMT centers, and is co-founder and coordinator of the Initiative for an Emotional, Ethical, and Social Education, that promotes the establishment of Emory University’s SEE Learning in Spain.