Navigating Buddhism and Science: Technology of Enlightenment and Mental Health

November 15 – 17, 2024 

3-day non-residential course led by Corey Jackson

Open to both beginners and experienced students.

What can 2,500 years of striving for enlightenment teach us about mental health today? Is there room for science on the path to enlightenment, and how is Buddhist wisdom helping science better understand the mind? This course is a hands-on demonstration of the potential in harnessing Buddhism and science to navigate the emotional storms of the modern world and cultivate the lasting well-being we all seek. Explore mindfulness, meditation, kindness, compassion, and consciousness from a unique viewpoint to take control of mental health and work toward liberation and enlightenment.

We’ll look at why Buddhists still get angry, why psychology can’t cure anxiety or depression, and how to develop short-term insights that can support long-term mental health and eventually enlightenment.

This is for you if you are:

  • Interested in meditation but don’t want to be Buddhist.
  • A Buddhist who wants more tangible effects from your practice.
  • Interested in research and/or spiritual traditions.
  • Hopeful of a better future for people and the planet.

 

Teacher

Comfortable in a research lab or mountain monastery, Corey’s work and research sits at the intersection of scientific and contemplative tradition, having just completed a PhD, researching how important aspects of cognition in Buddhist meditation and theory can be used to reduce anxiety and depression. His teaching and research is a culmination of more than twenty years studying and translating Buddhist philosophy from Tibetan to English, a degree in Psychology and Sanskrit and an earlier stint as a jazz musician.

As always, Corey loves questions, comments, discussions and diversions along the way. So join us for a weekend like no other.

 

Schedule

This course will be in silence.

Approximate daily schedule for all days:

09:00 – 09:45 Meditation
10:00 – 12:00 Teaching
12:00 – 14:00 Lunch Break
14:00 – 16:00 Teaching
16:00 – 16:20 Tea Break
16:20 – 17:00 Meditation

Please note: This schedule might change on short notice!

Registration in Tushita’s Office Required!

 

Practical Information

Tushita’s Donation Policy

Tushita Meditation Centre operates entirely on the basis of donations, most of which come from people attending our courses and retreats. We will ask you to please give your full donation for the course in our reception office in the days before the course starts, payable in Indian Rupees only (unfortunately we cannot accept Foreign Currency, Travellers Cheques or Credit / Debit Cards).

For example, the minimum amount that Tushita needs to cover our costs for a 2- / 3-day course is 1500 / 2000 Indian Rupees per person. This includes lunch and afternoon tea on this day. It does not include any other meals or accommodation, since it will be a non-residential course. Of course, extra donations to help Tushita are always welcome!

 

Course Registration

For our non-residential courses, registration is only possible in our reception office by making your full donation of 2000 INR for this 3-day course.

Office hours are: Monday – Saturday (closed Sundays)

  • 9:00 – 11:30am
    – lunch break –
  • 12:30 – 4:00pm

Closed Sundays

 

Accommodation Options

Since this is a Non-Residential course, it will not be possible to stay here at Tushita. There are many guest houses and hotels nearby however, varied enough to meet all comfort levels and budgets. Here are some tips for finding accommodation in McLeod Ganj.

 

What to Bring

  • Warm clothing which can be worn in layers and a shawl/blanket for using in the meditation hall are advisable. Bear in mind that we are at a slightly higher altitude than in McLeod Ganj, it is noticeably colder here.
  • You are welcome to take notes during the course, so you may find a notebook, pen etc useful.
  • It is handy to have your own water bottle. Filtered water is available in our dining hall and out of concern for the environment, we strongly discourage students from buying water in plastic bottles.
  • An umbrella or rainwear, depending on the weather that day.
  • Please read our Library page: we sell books and other items, so you may want to bring some extra money with you; or check conditions for borrowing.
  • Please DO NOT bring: any musical instruments, camera, radios / tape / CD / MP3 players or mobile phones as you will be asked not to use them while you are here.

Read more on our Short Courses page.