This Dialogue reviews the current science and clinical applications of meditation, and identifies new lines of research on clinical applications of contemplative practices such as meditation within medicine. New scientific studies are beginning to show that meditation may have specific beneficial effects for helping patients cope with certain diseases and the stress associated with them, particularly chronic diseases; and that biological processes underlying some of these diseases may be affected in beneficial ways by the practice of meditation.

LOCATION: Rochester, Minnesota


Participants

Linda Carlson, PhD

University of Calgary

Convening Faculty, Fellow, Grantee, Planning Committee Member, Reviewer

Richard J. Davidson, PhD

William James and Vilas Research Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry and Founder & Director of the Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Founder and Chief Visionary for Healthy Minds Innovations, Inc.

Roshi Joan Halifax, PhD

Upaya Institute and Zen Center

Convening Faculty, Fellow, Founding Steward

Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD

University of Massachusetts

Fellow, Founding Steward

Matthieu Ricard, PhD

Karuna-shechen

Convening Faculty, Fellow