Meditation, Buddhist Psychology and the Regulation of the Mind-brain

Описание: Abstract:
Buddhist psychology has offered refined models of the mind-body system, such as in terms of the five aggregates and dependent co-arising. These models remarkably converge with contemporary developments in cognitive and affective psychology and neurosciences. In particular, current developments about emotion patterns, the self pattern and the interplay of brain networks, seem to resonate with Buddhist psychology models. Meditation states and traits can thus be understood as related to such converging models and findings. After considering such theoretical aspects, I will address our neuroimaging and neuroelectrical studies with the outstanding participation of Theravada Thai Forest Buddhist monks, with related findings about meditation states and traits. Taken together, our findings highlight an enhanced regulation of the mind-brain in the long-term meditators, which may resonate with other traditions, such as in Vajrayana practices.

Speaker: Antonino Raffone
Antonino Raffone completed a Master in “Psychology” and a Doctorate in “Cognitive Psychology and Science” at Sapienza University of Rome. He is currently Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology of Sapienza University of Rome (Italy), and Visiting Professor and Advisory Faculty at Nalanda University (India). He is also Director of the Interuniversity Center ECONA at Sapienza University of Rome, President of “Consciousness, Mindfulness, Compassion – CMC – International Association”, and Chief Editor of the Specialty Section on “Consciousness Research” of “Frontiers in Psychology”. His internationally recognized research is interdisciplinary, with a particular focus on cognitive neuroscience of consciousness and meditation. Finally, he is a dedicated Soto Zen practitioner.