Science & Wisdom LIVE brings meditation practitioners in conversation with scientists to find new solutions to the problems of contemporary society.

Dr. Marieke van Vugt is an assistant professor at the Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Engineering (ALICE) of the University of Groningen (Netherlands). The research in Dr. van Vugt's lab focuses on how, when and why we mind-wander, and what the fundamental cognitive operations are that underlie meditation and mindfulness.

Most recently, she started to investigate how analytical meditation practiced by Tibetan monks and nuns affects cognition and emotion. She addresses these questions using a combination of computational modeling, neuroscience, and experimental psychology tools. She very much enjoys projects were science, art (particularly classical ballet), and contemplation meet.

Encounters between Tibetan monks and Western scientists: a study of analytical meditation

In her talk, Dr. van Vugt will introduce analytical meditation and debate as practiced by Tibetan monks in India and describes the meeting between Buddhist and Western science of the mind taking place in a Tibetan monastery.

She will present her initial findings about how analytical meditation and debate are associated with changes in EEG activity, discussing the impact of meditation on brain activity.

Come and join us for an interesting evening, full insights and wonder! We'll have time for questions from the public after the talk.

About the Organiser

Science & Wisdom LIVE is a project of Jamyang London Buddhist Centre.

Each dialogue explores the middle ground between science and contemplative wisdom, focusing on themes such as the ethics of artificial intelligence, gender equality, climate change, and the benefits of mindfulness and meditation for mental health.

Find Out More: www.sciwizlive.com