In the interview, Gyeltshen Rinpoche talks about Vajrayana practices and Vajrayana training retreat centres in Bhutan.
All participants and guests will have an opportunity to ask questions to the speakers related to their talks via forum. The talks below are arranged in the order in which the topics they are related to are scheduled to appear in the online sessions.
All pre-recorded talks will be available until 4 April.
1 Interview with H.E. Gyeltshen Rinpoche about Vajrayana Practices
H.E. Gyeltshen Rinpoche
2 Interview with Gebchak Wangdrak Rinpoche about Vajrayana Practices
Gebchak Wangdrak Rinpoche
Note: Due to inavailability of Zoom in eastern Tibet, our only option was to call in to Tibetan Plateau using a phone. We apologize in advance for the poor video and sound quality.
In part 1, Gebchak Wangdrak Rinpoche introduces Vajrayana practices and talks about Vajrayana training. In part 2, Rinpoche talks about Gebchak nunnery, Tummo practices, and the ceremony of drying icy cold wet sheets, as well as gives a perspective on building a bridge between science and Vajrayana practices.
Part I
Part II
3 The Varieties of Tibetan Buddhist Meditation
David Germano
In his talk, Dr. Germano introduces the varieties of Tibetan Buddhist meditation, describes the difficulties to define meditation as a distinctive type of human practice, providing an 11 fold topology of Tibetan Buddhist meditation.
Full Abstract
4 Tantric Practices and Scientific Research
Geoffrey Samuel
In his talks, Dr. Samuel introduces the issues of Tantric practices, important for scientific research.
Full Abstract
5 Meditation, Buddhist Psychology and the Regulation of the Mind-brain
Antonino Raffone
Dr. Raffone addresses neuroimaging and neuroelectrical studies with the participation of Theravada Thai Forest Buddhist monks, with related findings about meditation states and traits.
Full Abstract
6 Meditation and the Neurophysiology of Self
Rael Cahn
In this talk, Dr. Cahn will present an overview of findings on the neurophysiology of self-related processing across different meditative practices.
Full Abstract
7 Neurocognitive Mechanisms of Meditation
Arnaud Delorme
Dr. Delorme discusses the effects of different types of meditation on electroencephalographic (EEG) activity.
Full Abstract
8 Vajrayana Practices: Towards Scientific Conceptualization of Meditation
Maria Kozhevnikov
In Part 1, Dr. Kozhevnikov reviews research evidence that shows that Vajrayana styles of meditation leading to the enhanced cognitive states, characterized by heightened sympathetic activation (arousal) and phasic alertness (a significant temporary boost in focused attention). This contrasts with the meditation practices (Shamatha, Vipassana) from other traditions such as Theravada and Mahayana that elicit the state of relaxation, characterized by heightened parasympathetic activity and tonic alertness (vigilance).
In Part 2, new research evidence is presented demonstrating that Generation and Completion with sign stages produce the state of arousal later employed in Tantra Maharudra meditation. The differences in neurophysiological correlates of Sutra Mahamudra and Tantra Mahamudra are also discussed.
Full Abstract
Part I
Part II
9 Hemodynamic observations of Tumo (G-Tummo) yoga Practitioners in a Himalayan environment
Alexander Levitov
In his talk, Dr. Levitov introduces the study evaluating the hemodynamic effects of the mysterious Buddhist practice of tumo.
Full Abstract
10 Cultivating Relationships with Invisible Beings: The Phenomenology and Cognitive mechanisms of Tulpamancy
Michael Lifshitz
In this talk, Dr. Lifshitz will describe preliminary findings from an ongoing multi-methods project that brings together phenomenological interviews and functional neuroimaging to investigate the cognitive mechanisms of tulpamancy.
Full Abstract
11 Contemplative Techniques of Cognitive Lucidity and Embodiment in Tibetan Dream Yoga
Michael Sheehy
Dr. Sheehy gives attention to contemplative techniques and dynamics operative during the practice of dream yoga.
Full Abstract
12 Recent findings in the Cognitive Neuroscience of Lucid Dreaming
Benjamin Baird
In this talk I will discuss several of our recent findings that shed new light on the neurobiology of lucid dreaming, including neuroimaging and pharmacological studies.
Full Abstract
13 From Neuroscience to Conversing with Lucid Dreamers
Ken Paller
In this talk, Dr. Paller will give an overview of some of his research on human memory, starting with an emphasis on the distinction between memory capabilities that allow for conscious experiences of recollection versus implicit memory functions that apparently unfold in an unconscious manner.
Full Abstract