The Center for Investigating Healthy Minds

35th Annual National Wellnes Conference: July 17-22, Stevens Point, WI

The 35th Annual National Wellness Conference explored the many issues facing wellness and health promotion professionals today.

Keynotes included: Richard Davidson, PhD
"Change Your Brain by Transforming Your Mind: Meditation and Neuroplasticity"

Exploring the Language of Mental Life: A Dialogical Exploration from the Perspectives of Modern Science and Buddhist Contemplative Tradition: July 8-9, Telluride, CO

The purpose of the Conference for the Language of Mental Life was to develop a clear understanding of the ways in which key mental terms are developed and employed by the Buddhist contemplative tradition and Western science researchers and scholars.

This conference was organized by CCARE (Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education), Stanford University. Co-sponsors of the conference include the Telluride Institute, and the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Contemplative Neuroscience Webinar: June 30

Richard J Davidson, PhD, participated in a webinar sponsored by The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. He provided an introduction to the emerging field of contemplative neuroscience.

The Joy of Living with Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche: June 4

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, one of the great living meditation masters of Tibet, was in Madison to visit Richard Davidson's new Center for Investigating Healthy Minds.
During this visit, Rinpoche joined Dr. Davidson to provide an introduction to the practice of meditation and discuss the science of happiness and well-being. Approaching meditation from both experiential and scientific perspectives, this illuminating dialogue shed light on the relevance of this ancient practice in the modern world.

CIHM Grand Opening Celebration, with His Holiness the Dalai Lama: May 15-16

The May 2010 celebration marked the public opening of the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds. In partnership with the Waisman Center and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, this historic event offered the university, the local community, and the world a rare opportunity to listen and learn about the biology of a healthy brain, and how meditation, as well as love, kindness, forgiveness and compassion, have the potential to transform it.

9th Annual International Bioethics Forum: April 22-23

Taking the Measure of the Magic Mirror: Towards a Science of Consciousness. Guided by leaders in their fields, including philosophy, physics, botany, neurochemistry, and contemplative practice, this year’s program was designed to allow participants to explore many dimensions of this fascinating - and elusive – topic.

Wisconsin Symposium on Emotion: April 21-22

This years theme was Neuroplasticity of Emotion: Psychopathalogy and Treatment. Guest speakers were: Jennifer Beer, PhD; John Krystal, MD; Jon-Kar Zubieta, MD; Richard Davidson, PhD; Richard Tremblay, Phd; and Ron Duman, PhD. The symposium was sponsored by the HealthEmotions Research Institute. See also Press Release.

Sleeping with Enemy: A Mindful Guide to Sustainable Well Being: April 21, Rockford, IL

Presented by Dr. Donal MacCoon who is currently a research scientist with Dr. Richard Davidson, a neuroscientist at the Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior. Dr. MacCoon is conducting research on Mindfulness and Sustainable Well-being.

Limpitlaw Lecture Series: February 4 in Hartford, CT

Richard Davidson delivered a Common Hour lecture entitled, “Change Your Brain by Transforming Your Mind: Neuroscientific Studies of Meditation.” at the John D. and Susan G. Limpitlaw Lecture Series sponsored by the Department of Religion and the Mindfulness Project at Trinity College.

University Roundtable: February 10 in Madison, WI

Richard Davidson kicked off this semester’s series with his talk, “Change Your Brain by Transforming Your Mind,’’ which explored the neuroscience of positive human qualities. Location: Memorial Union – Great Hall