Attended the "Mind and its Potential" conference in Sydney Dec 2-3. What an amazing experience that was, so positive and energizing. It brought experts from all fields of science, medicine, psychology, education and tibetan Buddhism together to explore the amazing potential of the mind. We learnt how the mind works, how to improve the way we think, how to avoid disease, explored the potential of neuroplasticity of the brain. There was so much information pitched a such a varied audience, it would have been quite a challenge to present at this type of forum.
But for me the most valuable aspect was how throughout the convention the re-occuring theme of how benificial to our minds meditation is (in particular they concentrated on mindfulness meditation). The supporting scientific proof of how meditation actually enables us to think clearly, think more effectively, control emotion and impulses and improves brain function and the physiological state of the brain. This came up time and time again in the presentations of all experts in their fields.
Of course it was a pleasure to hear the Dalai Lama. Although I thought the format of his session could have been organised better with more opportunity to hear from him. Much of his session was spent as a "panel discussion" but ended up in the other pannelists doing much of the talking. But his answers to some quite long winded questions were succinct and clear. He has a way of stripping all the layers of complexity off our daily dialog and getting down to the source of what really matters, centered around love and compassion. No wonder he is so popular, it should be so simple for us all to see things this way but our egos tend to cloud up the reality of life and we loose our way in the fog.
I made the most of the time there and attended everything.
Pre conference workshop - Alan Wallace
Post conference workshops - Dr martin Seligman & Dr Paul Ekman
Also attended the Gala fundraising dinner for the "Lighthouse foundation"
The other deligates were friendly and motivational, the bookshop was excellent (my bag was really heavy on the way home!)
It was a stimulating and totally enjoyable conference. Every presenter provided an aspect of expertise that validated my work as a relaxation therapist/meditation teacher. Strong evidence was presented on the importance of the foundation of sound relaxation skills in ones life and how this builds to a foundation where regular mediation can have a profound effect on our minds in a positive way emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. Cognitive self interventions also supported this effect.
The convention fueled a strong self belief in the positive outcomes of my course work and individual programmes to improve well being and be your best!
