Schedule Details Progression of the Conference
The format is both asynchronous (from March 15 until March 26) and synchronous (live sessions on March 26-28, April 2-4, 2021). During this timeframe, every talk will be coupled with a virtual (chat) discussion room for participants to interact with attendees in an asynchronous Q&A.
Virtual conference: All talks will be recorded in advance and be made available from March 15th, 2021 until the end of the conference (April 4, 2021).
Live Sessions: There will be a number of panels, related to the recorded talks, each with an assigned timeslot for live discussion in real-time during March 26-28, and April 1-3, 2021.
During this timeframe, every talk will be coupled with a virtual (chat) discussion room for participants to interact with attendees in an asynchronous Q&A.
Panel 1: Vajrayana practices, their origin, and classifications
Geoffrey Samuel, David Germano
Based on the pre-recorded talks that present the outline of Vajrayana meditative practices, their historical origins, and uniqueness, the panel will discuss the uniqueness of these practices, their relation to other Buddhist practices, and their composition (main stages). All the conference participants will have a chance to ask questions from the panel discussants.
Welcome and Opening
Introduction to the Conference
Concluding Remarks
Vajrayana practices: Past, Present, and Future 1
Discussion session on how Vajrayana practices have been practiced in the past, their status in the present, and the forecast for the future. The conference participants will have a chance to ask questions from H.E. Gyaltshen Rinpoche and Wangdrak Gebchak Rinpoche.
Current neuroscience research on Vajrayana practices and their possible neurocognitive and physiological mechanisms I & II
Maria Kozhevnikov, Arnaud Delorme
These sessions will present current scientific data on meditative practices in general and Vajrayana practices in particular. The discussion will be emphasizing the uniqueness of neuroscience practices, their physiological, cognitive, and neural correlates.
Current neuroscience research on meditation. Differences between meditative practices of different Buddhist practices from a neuroscience perspective
Antonino Raffone, Rael Cahn
Based on the pre-recorded talks, the panel will discuss major findings of scientific research on meditation in general and the main meditation techniques currently under study.
Concluding Remarks
Vajrayana practices: Past, Present, and Future 2
A continuation of the discussion about the current situation of Vajrayana practices in Bhutan and Tibet. All the participants will have a chance to ask questions from H.E. Gyaltshen Rinpoche and Wangdrak Gebchak Rinpoche.
Creativity, Imagination, and Vajrayana Practices
Keith Holyoak, Michael Sheehy, Michael Lifshitz, Maria Kozhevnikov
Based on the pre-recorded talks, the panel will discuss scientific research on creativity and the ways Vajrayana practices can contribute to understanding creativity concepts in general and the main meditation techniques currently under study.
Advanced Vajrayana Practices 1: The case of Tummo
David Germano, Maria Kozhevnikov, Alexander Levitov
Based on the pre-recorded talks on the research related to Tummo, the panel will discuss the topics related to research on advanced Vajrayana practices and answer questions from all participants.
Concluding Remarks
Risks and benefits associated with advanced Vajrayana practices and their medical applications
Laurence Kirmayer, Alexander Levitov, Jennifer Penberthy
The panel will discuss the topics related to research on the risks and danger associated with Vajrayana practices as well as the topics related to the ethical questions surrounding these practices and their medical benefits.
Advanced Vajrayana Practices 2: Dream Yoga and Lucid Dreaming
Benjamin Baird, Michael Sheehy, Ken Paller
The panel will discuss the topics related to dream yoga practices according to Vajrayana traditions, and the ways dream-yoga practices can contribute to scientific research on lucid dreaming.
Overcoming Attentional Limitations and Vajrayana Practices
Michael Inzlicht, Antonino Raffone, Maria Kozhevnikov
Based on the pre-recorded talks, the panel will discuss scientific research on creativity and the ways Vajrayana practices can contribute to training attentional capacities.
Concluding Remarks
How to Research Vajrayana practices? Methodology Issues
Dan Levendowski, Chris Berka
The panel will discuss problems related to conducting research with Vajrayana practitioners, possible methodologies, equipment, and training.
Virtual Round Table Discussion: What Science can do for the preservation of Vajrayana practices?
Live session with all the conference presenters and a round table. The discussion will focus on possible ways to preserve Vajrayana practices (e.g., attract attention of a larger community of scientists to Vajrayana; record the practices).
Virtual Round Table Discussion: What Vajrayana practices can do for cognitive psychology and neuroscience?
Live session with all the conference presenters and a round table. The discussion will focus on possible contribution of Vajrayana practices to future scientific research on the capacities and potential of the human mind.
Concluding Remarks
Virtual Round Table Discussion: Future steps and future research projects
Live session with all the conference presenters and a round table. The discussion will focus on future steps and research projects.
Virtual Round Table Discussion: How to make the bridge?
Live session with all the conference presenters and a round table. The discussion will focus on possible ways to establish collaborations between Vajrayana scholars and practitioners in Bhutan and Tibet and scientific community.
Closure
Live Q&A Session
Conference participants will answer questions from the audience (LIVE).
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