Stay tuned here to find out more details. You can pre-order now on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Running-Mind-Meditation-Lessons-Training/dp/0307888169

September 30–October 1, 2011
New York Society for Ethical Culture
New York City

Mindfulness is a simple yet profound practice that changes lives. If you’re committed to mindful living, or just want to learn more about the transformative power of mindfulness, join us for this landmark gathering of the mindfulness community.

Together, we will explore all the proven, practical ways that mindfulness can benefit our lives and transform our society, from health, work, and family to education, leadership, and policy. This groundbreaking conference will feature keynote presentations by four outstanding leaders in the mindfulness field—Jon Kabat-Zinn, Richard J. Davidson, Janice Marturano, and U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan—plus a rich program of dialogue, practice, and breakout sessions.

http://www.eomega.org/omega/mindful-society/?content=AD&source=PMag.SHSUN.land

“I like being able to talk to my mom without rolling my eyes. I like my mom. And I like my inner teenager. Nobody taught her to expect that the world could be kind, that other people would be helpful, that gentleness was an option. That simply existing means you have value. We’re learning that now, and we try to speak from that knowledge rather than shouting from habit.”

Read more: http://www.theidproject.org/blog/nancy-thompson/2011/06/25/why-i-meditate-anyway

Contemplative Curriculum Development, August 7-12, 2011
The Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education (ACMHE) will host its 7th annual summer session devoted to cultivating contemplative practices in higher education.

The goal of the five-day session is to bring the discussion of integrating contemplative practice into higher education to the fore, and engage the conversation on a face-to-face level.

The faculty for this year’s session will include:

Daniel Barbezat, Professor of Economics at Amherst College,
Linda-Susan Beard, Associate Professor of English at Bryn Mawr College
Judith Simmer-Brown, Professor of Religious Studies at Naropa University
Joel Upton, Professor of Art and Art History, at Amherst College,
Patricia Wallace, Professor of English at Vassar College, and
Arthur Zajonc, Director of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society and professor of physics at Amherst College.

From Daniel Goleman, Mind & Life Institute Meeting, 1990 (http://www.mindandlife.org/dialogues/past-conferences/ml03/)

“A growing body of data ties negative and positive emotional states to wellness or ill health. The negative emotions have a toxic effect on the immune system and on health in general; this has been found true for depression, hostility and anger, and for anxiety, as well as for negative outlooks including pessimism and cynicism, guilt, hopelessness and helplessness. Repression, the denial of negative feeling, is also unhealthy. The adverse effects on health range from raising blood pressure and increasing the risk of heart disease, cancer, and viruses. On the other hand, positive emotions strengthen immune function and bring good health. This has been shown for states of happiness, calm and relaxation, compassion, as well as attitudes such as hope, optimism, trust, and being in control.”

Class starts at 6:30pm! Register at http://pioneervalley.shambhala.org

We call many things emotions, from intense rage, passion or depression to little pleasures or irritations. They might last a few seconds or seem to go on for months. Do we know what emotions are? Where do they come from? Why do we feel emotion? Are we in control of our emotions or are they in control of us? Which emotions are good to have, which are bad? Confusion about emotions brings feelings of tension and conflict. Emotions feel part of us and yet alien at the same time. The energy of emotions can become the basis for discovering wisdom and compassion, yet we often experience emotions as wild and painful . Through meditation practice, we can develop an inquisitive and artful relationship to emotions, which allows more genuine communication with others.

This class is for students new to Shambhala Buddhism. Classes will combine meditation, a talk, discussion and contemplation. The readings for the course will be announced at the first class, and texts may be purchased at the Center.