Contemplative Science Symposium (CSS)
The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift. -- Albert Einstein
About the Symposium 2019
The Contemplative Science Symposium (CSS) themed "Beyond Confines - Integrating Society, Consciousness and Society" took place in October 2019 in Fürstenfeldbruck (near Munich, Germany).
Mind & Life Europe brought together diverse knowledge traditions and disciplines in order to strengthen the growing community of contemplative scientists and practitioners. In this pan-European symposium, new audiences and changemakers were encouraged to personally engage in the evolving issues, learn from thought leaders and apply an interdisciplinary perspective to their environment. Groundbreaking research and cutting-edge approaches were raised and discussed within and in-between the following fields: politics, education, nutrition, neuro- and cognitive science, philosophy and economics.
To get an impression of the Symposium, check out our CSS Review including voices from presenters, participants and volunteers.
Impressions from the CSS
The CSS Program
World-renowned presenters from science and contemplative traditions shared their wisdom and knowledge. Besides keynotes, the Symposium hosted panel discussions, poster sessions, and experiences that included each and every participant. In doing so, it was a unique opportunity to learn and experience cutting-edge contemplative science, and to network with like minded researchers from complementary disciplines.
Moreover, we viewed the film "The Dalai Lama - Scientist" exclusively for the participants of the Symposium. The screening on Sunday, October 27, was the German premiere of the film.
Find all details about the program as well as biographies of all the speakers in our CSS Brochure.
We live in a time when science is validating what humans have known throughout the ages: that compassion is not a luxury, it is a necessity for our well-being, resilience and survival. -- Roshi Joan Halifax at the Contemplative Science Symposium 2019
More about the CSS
We live in an interconnected world of systems, but are increasingly trained to function in a world of distinct areas of expertise and sharp boundaries where boxes describe jobs, lines chart relationships, and roles and policies define the limits of what each individual should do.
Professional disciplines are highly specialized, and this can obstruct our view of the wider picture and hinder our understanding of the dynamic complexity of the connections and interrelationships of large-scale systems and their issues and problems.
With the Contemplative Science Symposium ?BEYOND CONFINES ? Integrating Science, Consciousness and Society?, Mind & Life Europe brought together diverse disciplines and traditions of knowledge in order to support the growing community of contemplative scientists, invited new audiences and changemakers and encouraged personal engagement in the issues an intercultural, interdisciplinary approach makes visible.
The Contemplative Science Symposium addressed new approaches in the fields of:
* Politics; * Education; * Nutrition; * Neuro- and cognitive science; * Philosophy; * Economics
Our hope is that this gathering contributed to building a pan-European ?community of engagement? for contemplative science.
We are grateful that three hundred people from more than 30 countries participated in the extraordinary experience.