Dharmakirti College Research Institute 2004-2005 Lecture Series: Dr. Howard Cutler

Keenly interested in the dynamic experiences of human consciousness from an early age, Mingyur Rinpoche has become an ardent participant of the ongoing East-West scientific dialogue and collaborative research in this area. In 2002, at the request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he and seven other meditation adepts were sent to the Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior in Wisconsin to be studied by neuroscientists and psychologists including Richard J. Davidson. Some of the measures of neural activity in a key center of the brain for positive emotions reveled highly significant differences between advanced meditators engaged in compassion meditation and student volunteers. Further, a significantly greater increase in brain gamma waves, indicating information integration among multiple brain regions, was observed in the long-term meditators versus controls. Clinical implications of such findings, if replicated, would have promising therapeutic benefits.

Mingyur Rinpoche has a high level of enthusiasm for facilitating the collaboration of Tibetan mental training with modern science, and thereby bringing new insights into such universal human concerns as happiness. In this lecture, Rinpoche will share his experience and results of research he's been involved in. Based on his recent book The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret & Science of Happiness, he will also discuss the simple ways to change the direction of one's thoughts and perceptions, bringing a more positive experience to one's daily life.

Book signing to follow.


DHARMAKIRTI COLLEGE RESEARCH INSTITUTE 2006 - 2007 Lecture Series is pleased to present

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
*The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret & Science of Happiness*
Keenly interested in the dynamic experiences of human consciousness from an early age, Mingyur Rinpoche has become an ardent participant of the ongoing East-West scientific dialogue and collaborative research in this area. In 2002, at the request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he and seven other meditation adepts were sent to the Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior in Wisconsin to be studied by neuroscientists and psychologists including Richard J. Davidson. Some of the measures of neural activity in a key center of the brain for positive emotions reveled highly significant differences between advanced meditators engaged in compassion meditation and student volunteers. Further, a significantly greater increase in brain gamma waves, indicating information integration among multiple brain regions, was observed in the long-term meditators versus controls. Clinical implications of such findings, if replicated, would have promising therapeutic benefits. Mingyur Rinpoche has a high level of enthusiasm for facilitating the collaboration of Tibetan mental training with modern science, and thereby bringing new insights into such universal human concerns as happiness. In this lecture, Rinpoche will share his experience and results of research he's been involved in. Based on his recent book The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret & Science of Happiness, he will also discuss the simple ways to change the direction of one's thoughts and perceptions, bringing a more positive experience to one's daily life. Book signing to follow.

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

Mingyur Rinpoche is a master of the Mahamudra and Dzogchen traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. He is from Sherabling Monastery in northern India, where he has served as retreat master since age 17 and assistant khenpo (professor) since age 20. Today, Mingyur Rinpoche also teaches actively in the West and will be on his fourth world tour in 2007. He is known for his remarkable ability to convey the teachings in a lighthearted and skillful manner, and is the author of the book The Joy of Living--Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness, due out in March 2007. Mingyur Rinpoche recently completed the building of the Tergar Institute in Bodhgaya, India as a place of education and practice for the Karma Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. He is the spiritual director of three U.S.-based Buddhist organizations: The Yongey Buddhist Center, The Yongey Foundation, and The Yongey Peace Prevail Center.

Location

Auditorium 120 Integrated Learning Center University of Arizona 1500 E University Blvd Tucson, AZ Campus Map It is best to park in the 2nd Street Garage and walk to the Integrated Learning Center. The Integrated Learing Center is underground across from the Library on the UofA Mall. From Mountain and Speedway travel South on Mountain 2nd Street Garage will be at end of Mountain in SE Cornor After Parking Car, exit on East side or near Ticket Booth Walk towards UofA Mall(South) and hang a left at the Mall You will see a sign "Integrated Learning Center"; take the stairs down

Time and Date

Monday April 9 2007 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Admission

Admission is FREE
Sponsored jointly with Yongey Peace Prevail Center Phoenix, AZ www.dharmakirti.org