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psychology conferences

Science & Spirituality #2

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Dr Tamara Russell, PhD

Mindfulness & Behaviour Change - Dr Tamara Russell, PhD

Dr Tamara Russell, PhD
Dr-Steve-Taylor-The-Weekend-University

Spiritual Science: Why Science Needs Spirituality to Make Sense of the World

Dr Steve Taylor, PhD
Dr Rupert Sheldrake, PhD

Science and Spiritual Practices

Dr Rupert Sheldrake, PhD
Science & Spirituality

A full day of talks from leading neuroscientists, psychologists and authors exploring the complex harmonies of science and spirituality.

Can meditation physically re-shape your brain?

How can we explain the mysteries of near death experiences, quantum physics and the placebo effect?

And can ancient spiritual practices improve our emotional wellbeing?

These are just some of the questions we’ll explore at Science and Spirituality (Part 2) at The Weekend University.

Content

You’ll learn:

  • The neuroscience of mindfulness; how meditation physically re-shapes and rewires the brain, and how to get the most from your practice
  • The scientific evidence for a spiritual view of reality – how a ‘panspiritist view’ may explain phenomena such as near death experiences, quantum physics, the placebo effect and neuroplasticity
  • The psychological effects of ancient spiritual practices – what the latest research reveals about links between ancient traditions and improved wellbeing, and how you can use these insights in the modern world.

You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how these ideas can benefit your own life, but also your ability to help others too.

Event Schedule:

The format will be similar to a TED event, but with in-depth lectures and focused on the theme of Science and Spirituality.£43.71

  • 10:00am – 12:00pm: Session 1
  • 12:00 – 1:00pm: Lunch break
  • 1:00pm – 3:00pm: Session 2
  • 3:00pm – 3:15pm: Afternoon break
  • 3:15pm – 5:00pm: Session 3

Lectures & Speakers

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Mindfulness & Behaviour Change - Dr Tamara Russell, PhD

The word mindfulness is increasingly entering our modern lexicon. In fact, it has always been there, but a secular “new variant” has appeared in the last decades. Secular mindfulness has rapidly proliferated as research on modern contemplative practices seems to confirm what the ancient traditions promised.  Specifically, that taking care of our inner landscape returns benefits for our experiences in the outer world. Not only for our own physical and psychological health but more broadly, in how we see ourselves in relationship to others, society, nature and the planet. But how can these practices, where we are seemingly “doing nothing”, effect changes in the brain?

There is a growing field of contemplative neuroscience that aims to unpack the mechanisms of mindfulness. This lecture will share some highlights from this work to demonstrate how various practices can re-shape and re-wire the brain – no matter if your starting point is the everyday stresses and strains, or more serious mental and physical health challenges. Sharing a basic neurocognitive model of mindfulness, this lecture will demonstrate the 4 stages, 3 brain networks, 2 secret ingredients and 1 thing that makes all the difference if you wish to train your brain into more mindful states. It will demonstrate how we can use the neuroscience to optimize the teaching and contextualisation of mindfulness training. You will find out how you can use this brain-wise approach to increase your awareness and train your brain as soon as the lecture ends.

Dr Tamara Russell, PhD
Dr Tamara Russell, PhD

Mindfulness & Behaviour Change - Dr Tamara Russell, PhD

Dr. Tamara Russell works with individuals and organisations advising on how to use mindfulness techniques to optimise performance and improve mental and physical well-being. She is the Director of the Mindfulness Centre of Excellence, London, which has as its aim the evaluation of creative yet authentic mindfulness applications for all spheres of life.

Combining her clinical, neuroscience and martial arts training, Dr. Russell’s approach engages both body and mind, for a total solution to manage the stressors of our modern working environment. She specialises in delivering mindfulness training in the health sector, running introductory workshops for mental health workers and other health professionals. Click here to learn more.

Reading Recommendations:

  • Mindfulness in Motion: A happier, healthier life through body-centered meditation by Dr Tamara Russell
  • What Is Mindfulness (#whatis) by Dr Tamara Russell

Spiritual Science: Why Science Needs Spirituality to Make Sense of the World

It’s often assumed that there are two ways of interpreting the world: a rational scientific way, or an irrational religious way.

In this talk, Dr. Steve Taylor describes offers a third alternative: a spiritual view of reality that transcends both conventional science and religion, and answers many of the riddles that neither can explain.

Steve will suggest that the primary reality is not matter, but consciousness. The standard model of science has had little success in explaining such areas as human consciousness, the influence of the mind over the brain and body, altruism and ‘anomalous’ phenomena such as near-death experiences and spiritual experiences.

Focusing specifically on consciousness, altruism and spiritual experiences, Steve will show that these phenomena are much easier to make sense of, if we assume the existence of a fundamental consciousness of spirit. Steve will draw on the on the insights of philosophers, physicists, mystics, as well as spiritual traditions and indigenous cultures, offering a vision of the world as sacred and interconnected, and of human life as meaningful.

Dr-Steve-Taylor-The-Weekend-University
Dr Steve Taylor, PhD

Spiritual Science: Why Science Needs Spirituality to Make Sense of the World

Dr. Steve Taylor is a senior lecturer in psychology at Leeds Beckett University. He is the author of several best-selling books on psychology and spirituality, including Making Time, The Leap and his new book Spiritual Science.

Eckhart Tolle has described his work as ‘an important contribution to the shift in consciousness happening on our planet’ and he has twice been named in Mind, Body, Spirit magazine’s list of the ‘100 most spiritually influential living people’. Learn more about Dr Taylor’s work here.

Reading Recommendations:

Science and Spiritual Practices

The effects of spiritual practices are now being investigated scientifically as never before, and many studies have shown that religious and spiritual practices generally make people happier and healthier.

In this talk, Rupert Sheldrake will summarize the latest scientific research on what happens when we take part in these practices, and suggest ways you can explore some of these fields for yourself.

In particular, the talk will focus on how science helps validate seven practices which underpin all the major world religions, and discuss some of them in more detail:

  • Meditation
  • Gratitude
  • Connecting with nature
  • Relating to plants
  • Rituals
  • Singing and chanting
  • Pilgrimage and holy places.

For those who are religious, you’ll learn about the evolutionary origins of your own traditions and gain a new appreciation of their power. For the non-religious, the talk will show how the core practices of spirituality are accessible to all, without the need to subscribe to a religious belief system.

Dr Rupert Sheldrake, PhD
Dr Rupert Sheldrake, PhD

Science and Spiritual Practices

Dr. Rupert Sheldrake is a biologist and author of more than 85 scientific papers and 13 books. He is a leading researcher into anomalous phenomena and was among the top 100 Global Thought Leaders for 2013, as ranked by the Duttweiler Institute, Zurich, Switzerland’s leading think tank.

He studied biology and biochemistry at Cambridge University where he earned his Ph.D., followed by a fellowship at Harvard where he spent a year studying philosophy and history. His books include: ‘Science and Spiritual Practices’ (2017), ‘The Science Delusion’ (2012), and ‘The Sense of Being Stared At, And Other Aspects of The Extended Mind.’ www.sheldrake.org

Reading Recommendations:

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attendee testimonals

What TWU students are saying

The Weekend University is amazing! They recently hosted the Holistic Change Summit where such great minds were brought together to discuss a wide variety of topics relevant to change, growth and living a meaningful life. The facilitator, Niall, asked excellent questions which really gave the speaker the chance to discuss ideas that many of us wonder about. It was brilliant and I loved it.
Kiden Shae
Summit Attendee
Extremely stimulating events! It brings together great professionals who share their experience in their respective fields to pass their knowledge in a way accessible to the general public and other professionals alike. It is a great way to bring motivated people in the same place! Also, Niall is extremely thoughtful, considerate and driven person. His personal approach and professionalism in making those events happen does not go unnoticed!
Nikolay Petrov
Event Attendee
This event is nourishment for my mind! The kind of subjects usually reserved for academics is now open to us all and the information is delivered in a way that anyone can understand. The audience was filled with interesting people, hungry to learn and engage in fascinating conversations. We had all day to connect, to learn and to share. Just like a delicious cool drink on a very hot day, my mind felt quenched! Thank you, Niall, for creating this. I will be back!
David Saville
Event Attendee
Absolutely excellent day with The Weekend University last Saturday on Attachment and Psychotherapy. Superb speaker who was totally engaging, really useful practical insights, and great organisation. Thank you!
Helen Jane
Event Attendee
I attended an Existential Coaching seminar out of curiosity and ended up being supermotivated and serious to get more into this subject! The event was really went organised, the venue was central and easy to find and the organisers and facilitator were amazing. Totally recomend!
Fiora Maya Touliatou
Seminar Attendee
My first time at the Weekend University on their day of Wellbeing a fantastic event. Excellent venue, thought provoking speakers, interesting topics, really well organised, communication, support material a 5 star rating.
Viryapushpa Nolan
Event Attendee
I attended 'A Day on Sleep and Dreams’ and it was fantastic - excellent speakers and thought provoking content. The Weekend University has been a great discovery and I will defiantly be attending more lectures. The event was really well organised by Niall - informative emails, follow ups etc. I recommend that everyone takes the opportunity to go, you won’t be disappointed!
Hannah Durhager
Event Attendee
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Date and time

28/10/2018

09:30 – 17:00 BST

Location

Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 7HX

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