Save the Dates -- October 26-28, 2007

A National Conference on Contemplative Practices:

Meditation and Spirituality: Scientific, Conceptual, and
Applied Perspectives

Location: Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN

Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Health, Religion, and Spirituality, ISU, with generous support from the Fetzer Institute

Conference Schedule

Saturday

 

 

9:00-9:30

Jean Kristeller, Ph.D.

Introduction

9:30-10:00

James Carmody, Ph.D.

Mindfulness and Spirituality

10:00-10:30

Doug Oman, Ph.D.

 

Does the Focus of Meditation Matter?: Theoretical and Empirical Considerations

10:30-10:45

break

 

10:45-12:00

Breakout Session 1 - Spirituality & Diversity issues

 

 

Rev. Eusebius Mbidoaka, Ph.D., S.T.D.

The Relevance of Contemplation to Spiritual and Physical Healing: the African Experience

 

Kirstin Aschenbacher, M.S.

Effects of a Spirituality-Based intervention on faith/Assurance and Salivary Cortisol in HIV+ Adults: A Randomized trial

 

Amy Krentzman, MSW, LMSW, CASAC

Spirituality and Religiosity and Alcoholism treatment Outcomes: A Comparison between Black and White Respondent

10:45-12:00

Breakout Session 2 - Eastern Contemplative traditions

 

 

Jim Carson, Ph.D.

Meditation Practice Session

 

Lobsang Rapgay, Ph.D. 

The application of classical mindfulness as a spiritual practice

 

Lobsang Rapgay, Ph.D. 

meditation practice session

10:45-12:00

Breakout Session 3 - Introduction to Meditation

 

 

Jill E. Bormann, Ph.D. & Doug Oman, Ph.D.

Meditation Practice Session

 

Ken Walton, Ph.D.

Informational Session on TM

12:00-1:15

Lunch Talk - Steve Post, Ph.D.

Is It Good to be Good: The Positive Epidemiology of Compassionate Love

1:15-2:15

Philip Gully

Contemplation or Coercion: A Journey Across the Religious Spectrum

2:15-2:45

Panel Discussion on Contemplation & Compassion

 

2:45-3:00

Break

 

3:00-4:30

Breakout Session 1 - Moving Meditation

 

 

Brother Barry Donaghue, Ph.D.

Moving meditation - Labyrinth Walking as contemplative practice

 

Roy Geib, Ph.D.

Moving meditation - Tai Chi experiential session

 

Margaret Moga, Ph.D.

Moving meditation - Chi Gong

3:00-4:30

Breakout Session 2 - Multiple Pathways to Spirituality

 

 

Roland Griffiths, Ph.D.

Psilocybin occasions mystical-type experiences that mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance one year later.

 

Jill E. Bormann, Ph.D. 

Mantram Repetition and Spiritual Well-Being in Combat Veterans with PTSD: Mixed-Methods Analysis

 

Patrick Bennett, Ph.D.

Christian Prayer as Contemplative Practice

4:30-5:00

Jean Kristeller, Ph.D.

The Varieties of Meditative Practice

5:00-5:30

Ruth Baer, Ph.D.

Recent Findings in Self-Report Assessment of Mindfulness

5:30-6:00

Tom Johnson, Ph.D.

Issues in Measurement of Spirituality

6:00-7:00

Dinner

 

7:00-8:30

Philip Gulley

An Evening With Phil Gulley

Conference Schedule

Sunday

 

 

9:00 - 9:30

John Dunne, Ph.D.

Mindfulness and Religious Experience: Meditation in Modernity

9:30-10:00

Ramakrishna Rao, Ph.D.

The Taxonomy of Consciousness in Hindu and Buddhist thought.

10:00-10:30

Ken Walton, Ph.D.

Realizing the transcendental Self-Pure Consciousness-Through the Maharishi transcendental Meditation Program

10:30-10:45

Discussion

 

10:45-11:00

Break

 

11:00-12:30

Breakout Session 1 - Clinical Applications

 

 

Elizabeth A. R. Robinson

Introduction to Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy

 

Jean Kristeller, Ph.D.

MB-EAT: Mindfulness Based treatment of Eating Disorders

 

Perry Skeath

Using Mantra Meditation in Therapy - Basic Concepts and Clinical Utility

 

Stacey L. Barker, MA

How social work practitioners conceptualize and utilize spirituality

11:00-12:30

Breakout Session 2 - Research Findings

 

 

Jill E. Bormann, Ph.D.

 

Building a Program of Research on a Spiritually-Based Intervention: Mantram Repetition (30 minutes)

 

Cassanrda Vieten, Ph.D

Formal and informal meditation practices and transformations in consciousness. (30 minutes)

 

Doug Oman, Ph.D.

 

The Passage Meditation Program: Spiritual and Health Benefits from a Comprehensive Program (30 minutes)

12:30-1:30

Lunch Speaker - Peter Grossenbacher, Ph.D.

Cultivating Awareness and the Scientific Exploration of Contemplative Spirituality.


Confirmed speakers include Alan Marlatt, Kenneth Pargament, Steve Post, Philip Gulley, Jim Carmody and Elizabeth Robinson.

Considerable research has explored the relationship between meditation and various health outcomes, including relaxation, disease management, and addiction treatment. However, relatively little scientific investigation has been directed towards attempting to understand how contemplative practices foster spiritual growth, deepen compassion, and/or facilitate spiritual experiences.

The primary goal this conference is to expand cross-disciplinary dialogue regarding viable constructs, methodology, and key research questions among clinical and basic scientists to advance research on the interface between meditation and spirituality.

The secondary goal of this conference is to increase awareness and utilization of contemplative practices among health care providers, clergy, congregations, and the general public.  These issues will be considered across different contemplative practices, including those from Buddhist, Hindu, and Judeo-Christian traditions. 

 A copy of the Registration form is available here (pdf)

 

For more information contact:

Jean L. Kristeller, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Psychology
Director, Center for the Study of Health, Religion, & Spirituality
Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809
JKristeller@isugw.indstate.edu
Office: (812) 237-2467
 

The mission of the Center for the Study of Health, Religion, and Spirituality is to promote conversation and scholarship regarding the interrelationships between religion, spirituality, values, ethics, meaning making, and physical and emotional health and well being. The Center is dedicated to a holistic, inclusive approach, valuing mutual contributions of science and religion/spirituality to understanding human health and wellness.

The Specific Goals of the Center are to:

  1. Conduct and disseminate research on health, religion, & spirituality;

  2. Provide a venue for communication between health care providers, practitioners, and consumers;

  3. Provide classroom and experiential learning opportunities for ISU students;

  4. Provide educational opportunities, consultation, and outreach to professionals, faith communities, the Wabash Valley Community, and the nation.

The Center for the Study of Health, Religion, and Spirituality was founded in 2003 at Indiana State University with support from the university, the Department of Psychology, and the Metanexus Institute, a non-sectarian foundation based in Philadelphia with the mission of supporting communication about links between religion and science. The Center’s principles are to draw on the best in psychological and behavioral science methods to understand and illuminate the universal value and meaning of religious and spiritual experience, particularly as it promotes health and well-being. The Center is respectful of all religious and spiritual traditions, recognizing that each has enriched humanity and the understanding of the highest principles of wisdom and well-being.

Read about the March 2005 Addictions and Spirituality Conference »
Conference on End of life Issues - November 9, 2006 »


Facing Loss Conference on February 1-3, 2007

The Center for the Study of Health, Religion, & Spirituality is supported in part by a Local Societies Initiative Grant from the Metanexus Institute, Philadelphia, PA.  Additional support has been provided by the Lilly Endowment, the ISU Department of Psychology, the ISU College of Arts & Sciences, and the ISU Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.