October 2024 Event

An Invitation: Envisioning the Future of Contemplative Research

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

Join us to envision the future of contemplative research.

What impact could be achieved through combining scientific inquiry with the transformative power of contemplative wisdom? This was the question that formed Mind & Life and sparked the robust field of contemplative research.

Thirty-seven years later, we are in a position to ask: What’s next?

Where is contemplative research headed, and where does it need to go to best meet the urgent needs of our time?
What lines of inquiry at the edges of the field are most alive, and how can they be supported?
What is the role of experience in understanding the mind and the brain?
What is the contribution of other wisdom traditions to this inquiry?
What are the key systems that need to change in order for the benefits of contemplative practice—such as building awareness and compassion and fostering a view of interconnection—to be fully realized?

In October 2024, Mind & Life is gathering established and emerging scholars from diverse fields, ages, and cultural backgrounds to join together with contemplatives to envision the future of contemplative research. The audacious, joyful goal of the event is to discover collectively the future of the field. We invite you to join us for this invitation-only gathering.

Confirmed attendees will receive additional meeting details and advance materials.

This event is limited to the first 50 confirmed registrants.

Registration Is Now Closed

Schedule

The schedule is designed to allow for open and deep conversation among those gathered within a structured container. Clear goals will be created and shared towards a specific deliverable.

Monday, October 28^th

2:00 pm | Registration opens
4:00 pm | Welcome and Opening Meditation
6:30 pm | Opening Reception & Dinner

Tuesday, October 29^th

Wednesday, October 30^th

Thursday, October 31^st

7:30 am | Breakfast
8:30 am | Morning Meditation
9:15 am | Morning Session
12:00 pm | Closing Lunch (optional)

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.

Details on how to book your hotel room through our secured room block will be provided to confirmed attendees.

This event is limited to the first 50 confirmed registrants.

Registration Is Now Closed

Event Cost

Mind & Life invites guests to attend without financial barriers and offers this gathering with all registration, meals, 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.

If you are unable to self-pay for your own travel expenses, travel scholarships are available. Contact: ekellner@mindandlife.org prior to September 9. Note that the deadline has passed and applications are now closed. We appreciate your participation and thoughtfulness in being good stewards of our community resources.

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). If you would like assistance in booking travel to Dulles (IAD) airport, we are pleased to work with 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.

Guests should plan to arrive at the venue between 2:00 – 4:00 pm on Monday, October 28. For those traveling long distances, a limited number of hotel rooms are available for pre-arrival on Sunday 27^th.

Deadline & Contact

This invitation-only event is limited to 50 guests.

For more information, contact Ellen Kellner, Events & Logistics Manager
ekellner@mindandlife.org
(434) 329-7865 cell/text

Attending Participants

This is an invite-only event, limited to 50 guests. Invites are non-transferable. The following list of attending participants will be updated upon attendance confirmation.

Registered Attendees can now view the full list of attendees through the event website. See your event-details email for the website address.

Why Mind & Life?

Learn more about the Mind & Life Institute: www.mindandlife.org