October 2024 Event Details

Envisioning the Future of Contemplative Research

October 28 – October 31, 2024
Westfields Marriott, near Dulles airport (IAD), Virginia

We are so pleased that you will be adding your voice to Envisioning the Future of Contemplative Research.

Our goal for this gathering is to explore the evolution of contemplative research and embrace this moment of societal challenge with joy, purpose, and possibility. We’re creating a space for collaboration, shared sense-making, and the emergence of new ideas that build on our past and shape our future.

As we’re designing this experience, we’ve embraced the value of an open-ended approach. Instead of aiming for a set outcome, we’ll allow relevant actions to emerge naturally from our collective inspiration and energy. For those familiar with past Mind & Life gatherings, this one will feel different — and it depends on your voice, insights, and expertise. We will be sharing additional context in upcoming weeks — check this website for new materials.

In the meantime, please find more details about Envisioning the Future of Contemplative Research below.

Schedule

The schedule is designed for open and deep conversation among those gathered within a structured container. This is how we envision the week — and we’ll adapt as we go.

Download detailed agenda as PDF

Monday, October 28^th

2:00 pm – Event Close | Registration + Info Table | Westfields Lounge
The registration & info table will be kept up from Wednesday afternoon until Friday morning. While not always staffed, this is a community table where you can leave messages for each other or for the organizers. Please check the table regularly for updates or for personal messages.

4:00 pm – 6:30 pm | Opening Session + Reception | Sunset Terrace, 1st Floor Outside*
Welcome! We’ll begin with opening remarks by Suzanne Bond and setting intentions for the days ahead. Guided by an opening prayer from Yuria Celidwen and meditation from Thupten Jinpa, we’ll meet each other as individuals and as a collective.
*Note that this event is held outside. Please dress appropriately. Inclement weather location: Lower Rotunda

6:30 pm | Opening Dinner | Fairfax Dining Room

8:30 pm | Post-Dinner Coffee + Tea | Westfields Lounge

Tuesday, October 29^th

7:30 am – 8:15 am | Breakfast | Fairfax Dining Room

8:30 am – 8:50 am | Morning Meditation with Pir Zia Inayat Khan | Fairfax East

9:00 am – 10:00 am | Morning Session | Fairfax Center
On Day 2, we’ll start with a welcome, then move into co-creation of Community Agreements to support our dialogues with Eve Ekman and Sará King.

10:00 am – 10:15 am | Break

10:15 am – 12:15 pm | Morning Session continued | Fairfax Center
In small group conversations, we’ll reflect on the past, present and future of the community’s shared work, elevating impactful developments of the past, emerging areas in the present, and visions of how we might best meet the needs of our future.

12:15 pm – 1:30 pm | Lunch + Break | Fairfax Dining Room

1:30 pm – 3:20 pm | Afternoon Session | Fairfax Center
We’ll open with a meditation led by Erin McCarthy, then move into topic-specific discussions. This session will focus on a list of curated topics; you’ll choose which subject to explore with others in a small group.

3:20 pm – 3:50 pm | Break

3:50 pm – 5:30 pm | Afternoon Session continued | Fairfax Center
Those who want to continue in small-group discussions will again choose which topics to explore, including new topics raised by participants. As we near the end of the day, we’ll have wine and other beverages for this optional session, reconvening after small groups as a whole to close and celebrate the day’s efforts.

6:30 pm | Dinner | Fairfax Dining Room

8:30 pm | Post-Dinner Coffee + Tea | Westfields Lounge

Wednesday, October 30^th

7:30 am – 8:15 am | Breakfast | Fairfax Dining Room

8:30 am – 8:50 am | Morning Meditation with Rhonda Magee | Fairfax East

9:00 am – 10:30 am | Morning Session | Fairfax Center
Day 3 invites us into a balance of continued small-group explorations and silent individual reflection as we dive into key ideas from Day 2 and begin brainstorming actionable steps, sparking fresh insights for collective progress.

10:35 am – 11:00 am | Break

11:00 am – 12:15 pm | Morning Session continued | Fairfax Center
Topic-specific small-group discussions continue, building on insights and connections from previous sessions.

12:15 pm | Lunch + Break | Fairfax Dining Room

1:30 pm – 3:05 pm | Afternoon Session | Fairfax Center
In the afternoon, we’ll revisit our Community Agreements, then step back to explore where the ideas generated in small-group discussions can cross-pollinate and intersect.

3:05 pm – 3:30 pm | Break

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm | Afternoon Session continued | Fairfax Center
In our final session for the day, we’ll each dive into the question, ‘How can I move my work forward?’, supported by the insights and experience of our colleagues.

6:00 pm | Casual Reception | Fairfax Dining Room

6:30 pm | Dinner | Fairfax Dining Room

8:30 pm | Post-Dinner Coffee + Tea | Westfields Lounge

Thursday, October 31^st

7:30 am – 8:15 am | Breakfast | Fairfax Dining Room

8:30 am – 8:50 am | Morning Meditation with Jon Kabat-Zinn | Fairfax East

9:00 am – 10:00 am | Morning Session | Fairfax Center
On the final day, we will reflect on the insights gained throughout the week, with time for sharing and celebration. We’ll conclude with closing remarks, honoring the journey we’ve taken together and setting intentions for the path ahead.

10:00 am – 10:30 am | Break

10:30 am – 11:45 am | Morning Session continued | Fairfax Center
On the final day, we will reflect on the insights gained throughout the week, with time for sharing and celebration. We’ll conclude with closing remarks, honoring the journey we’ve taken together and setting intentions for the path ahead.

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Box Lunch (optional) | Fairfax Dining Room

Location

Our gathering will take place at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles. Located 8.8 miles from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), it is an award-winning hotel that offers a tranquil location, set on 26 acres.

See your individualized guest communication for your hotel confirmation number and confirmed dates. Please convey any updates or changes to Ellen (ekellner@mindandlife.org).

Westfields Marriott: (888) 236-2427

Attendee List

On the registration form, guests were given the option to be included on the guest list to be shared with other attendees. If you would like your name added or removed from this list, email Ellen (ekellner@mindandlife.org).

This information is provided for creating a shared community while at the event. Permission is not granted to share guest names beyond this specific use.

Download list here: Guest List ( PDF)

Getting to the Hotel

By Air: Dulles International (IAD) is located 8.8 miles from the hotel and is an easy taxi ride from the airport (approximately $25). Washington Flyer Taxicabs serve IAD exclusively and are conveniently located at Ground Transportation on the lower level. For Thursday’s return trip, a rideshare sheet will be available at the event info table to connect those that wish to self-arrange shared transportation.

Flights: If you would like assistance in booking flights to Dulles (IAD) airport, we recommend Covington Travel. Please contact specialist Brenda Martin at brendam@covtrav.com or (434) 220-2111.

By Car: Westfields Marriott offers complimentary parking for all guests.

Thank You Planners!

The planning of these events require many hands and hearts. Thank you to the following community members for their part:

Coordination Committee: Richie Davidson, Rob Roeser, Ed Taylor

Planning Committee: Doris Chang, Amishi Jha, Bobbi Patterson, Ed Taylor

Additional gratitude to Emily Brew of Perennial for her guidance and facilitation, the Research and Programs Council of Mind & Life, and the Mind & Life staff planning team.

What to Wear

We invite you to be at ease and to dress as is most comfortable for you. For the opening session and reception, we will be outside on the terrace (weather dependent).

For your leisure time, the hotel does have a fitness center, pickle ball courts, indoor pool, and hot tub.

Community Agreements

As we come together for this event, we want to foster a space that supports connection, mutual respect, and deep engagement. To help create this, we ask that you review the Mind & Life Agreements for Engagement and Interaction and Agreements for Multicultural Interaction at EBMC.

These practices will guide how we show up and engage with one another throughout our time together.
During the event, we will hold a session focused on amplifying best practices for being in community.

Contact & Event Cost

For questions relating to the logistics of the event, contact Ellen Kellner,
ekellner@mindandlife.org
(434) 329-7865 cell/text.

Mind & Life invites guests to attend without financial barriers and offers this gathering with all registration, meals during the program, and accommodation costs waived. As such, we are seeking generous support of the event. If you would like to explore support options, please contact rosalyn@mindandlife.org.