UF Mindfulness Day 2017
"Mind and Culture"
Keynote Talks
Glenn Hartelius "Body Maps of Attention: How a Whole Person Approach May Inform the Neuroscience of Mindfulness"
J. Wayne Reitz Union, UF. Room 3320. Sept. 25, 2017
(5:10 pm to 6:30 pm).
Dr. Glenn Hartelius, Director of the Integral and Transpersonal Psychology Program in the School of Consciousness and Transformation, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA.
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Glenn Hartelius is focused on bringing whole person approaches closer to neuroscience. His concept of what attention is and how to manage it within oneself is designed to simplify complex skills such as meditation, sustained focus, and leadership presence. He is Founding Director of a new online PhD program in Integral and Transpersonal Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco, where he serves as Associate Professor for the East-West Psychology Department. He is also leading an initiative to develop a new research facility at CIIS for research in whole person neuroscience. Glenn is the main editor for the International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, a peer-reviewed academic journal. He is also co-editor of The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Transpersonal Psychology, and Secretary of the International Transpersonal Association. His research on the definition and scope of transpersonal psychology has helped to define the field.
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation involves a change in state of consciousness that may not be adequately captured by cognitive definitions. Yet state of consciousness remains a problematic construct given the fact that correlations between mental actions and neural measurements are typically poor or nonexistent. Phenomenal markers of attentional posture – that is, specific sensate cues within lived experience that indicate where the experience of attention arises in within the body – may be a way to describe and control for states of consciousness, including mindfulness. Pilot work using EEG measurement of attentional postures suggests that phenomenal markers may correlate with neural measurement more sensitively and reliably than other approaches to date. This approach may offer a way to develop measurable definitions of states of consciousness, which in turn may open entirely new domains for research – especially into whole person approaches to psychology.
Gurudev Shri Amritji (Yogi Amrit Desai) "Mindfulness Practice of Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga"
J. Wayne Reitz Union, UF. Room 3320. Sept. 25, 2017
(3:00 pm to 5:00 pm).
Since 1960, Gurudev Shri Amritji (Yogi Amrit Desai) has been repeatedly honored for playing a most distinguished role in bringing yoga to the west on a wide scale. He is founder of the largest yoga and health centers in North America including the Yoga Society of Pennsylvania, Kripalu Yoga Center, and the Amrit Yoga Institute in Florida. For his outstanding contributions to the global yoga community, Gurudev has been recognized with the titles “International Grand Yoga Master,” “Doctor of Yoga,” “Jagadacharya,” “Maharishi,” and many more. He has been awarded the “Global Service Award,” “The Patanjali Award,” and the “Vishwa Yoga Ratna” presented by the President of India. A globally revered spiritual leader, Gurudev Shri Amritji has reached millions through his international trainings, workshops, seminars, and conferences. In 2000, Gurudev established the Amrit Yoga Institute, a thriving Yoga and Ayurveda center in Salt Springs, Florida. His recent publications, Ancient Wisdom, Modern Master (2012), Love and Bliss: Meditations on the Art of Living (2014), and The Yoga of Relationships (2015) have earned a total of fifteen literary awards from London, Paris, New York, Hollywood, Southern California, Nautilus, the Great Midwest, and Florida book festivals.
Abstract
Bringing mindfulness to the practice of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga aids in the removal of stress, which is what prevents us from accessing clarity of mind, intuitive insights and efficiency. The subtle root cause of stress remains invisible, only to surface visibly in the form of physical, mental, and emotional health problems. The mindful practice of yoga helps remove the toxic root cause, empowering us to manifest our dreams and desires into reality. This workshop will include a lecture, Q&A and meditative experience.
Joe Glover "Mindfulness and UF Campus Culture"
J. Wayne Reitz Union, UF. Room 3320. Sept. 25, 2017
(12:50 pm to 1:05 pm).
Joe Glover is the Provost of the University of Florida (UF). This special invited talk was focused on mindfulness at the UF from the administrator perspective.