Live-event with Dr. Elli Weisbaum and Br. Phap Linh

Research presentations, discussion and Q&A Panel

Whether you’re a researcher interested in exploring your work through the lens of mindfulness practices, a meditator keen to learn about the latest scientific research or you’re interested in learning how mindfulness can positively benefit your personal wellness, we hope you’ll join us on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. ET for this live-event.

Join leading experts to explore how science and mindfulness are being integrated to address our current global crises, with specific foci on climate and mental health/burnout.

This event brings together in conversation Dr. Elli Weisbaum, PhD in Medical Science PhD and Masters in Environmental Studies (MES) and Br. Phap Linh, Zen Buddhist Monk and composer, with a Masters in Mathematics from Cambridge. Br. Phap Linh will present a broad vision for the field, and Dr. Weisbaum will give an overview of findings from a recent research study that exemplifies the interaction of these fields to innovate scientific research design and enhance wellness. Data from this study shows that a mindfulness program, based on the teaching of scholar, peace activist and Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, can increase physicians’ perceived sense of wellness and enhance communication with their patients and colleagues.

In this session we will:

  • Explore how scientific approaches intersect with Engaged and Applied Mindfulness practices to address current world crises
  • Provide practical examples on how to adapt and implement mindfulness trainings and practices, particularly the teaching of Thich Nhat Hanh, in your daily personal and professional life
  • Discuss how researchers work directly with Thich Nhat Hanh’s International Plum Village Community to adapt, develop, implement and study Engaged and Applied Mindfulness in the contexts of healthcare, educational, business settings and beyond
  • Examine how mindfulness can positively benefit personal wellness and interpersonal relationships
  • Explore scientific-evidence that shows mindfulness when applied to daily activities such as during commutes, coffee breaks or the beginnings of meetings can positively benefit work-life balance and reduce anxiety and stress

In case you couldn’t join, would like to rewatch the webinar or would like to share this event with others, the recording is now available for you to explore.

Speakers

Event Host:

Mark Miller, PhD

Mark Miller is a philosopher of cognition. His research explores what recent advances in the cognitive sciences can tell us about happiness and well-being, and what it means to live well in our increasingly technologically-mediated world. Currently Mark is the Senior Research Fellow at the Monash University’s Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies (Australia), and is cross affiliated at both the University of Toronto (Canada) and Hokkaido University (Japan). He is also the host The Contemplative Science Podcast.

Presenters:

Elli Weisbaum, BFA, MES, PhD

Elli Weisbaum has worked internationally facilitating mindfulness workshops and retreats within the sectors of education, healthcare and business. She is currently based at the University of Toronto as Acting Program Director for the Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health Program (BPMH), in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and is jointly appointed to the Department of Psychiatry, in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, with a cross-appointment to the Dalla Lana School of Public Health in their Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME).

At the heart of her teaching and research is an interest in cultivating learning and occupational environments where all members of the community can flourish and thrive. Her work draws upon research from the fields of neuroscience, education, healthcare and the workplace to explore how the scientific evidence base for mindfulness is being integrated and operationalized across key sectors of society.

Past and ongoing collaborations include working with U of T’s Faculty of Law, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Faculty of Engineering, Rotman School of Management, Physical Therapy Department, the Ontario Hospital Association, The Hospital for Sick Children, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to integrate mindfulness into programming for faculty, staff, clinicians, patients and students.

She attended her first retreat with Zen Master and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Thich Nhat Hanh at the age of ten and has continued to train with his international Plum Village community. Elli’s novel background in both academic research and traditional mindfulness practice provides a distinct approach to her ongoing work teaching and researching in the field.

Brother Phap Linh

Br. Phap Linh, also known as Brother Spirit, is a Zen Buddhist monk, composer and seeker. He began his monastic training with Thich Nhat Hanh in Plum Village in February 2008, and has since composed many of the community’s beloved chants. Before ordaining he studied mathematics at Cambridge and worked professionally as a composer. A co-founder of the Wake Up Movement for young people, today Brother Phap Linh is actively engaged in teaching applied mindfulness to climate activists, business leaders, artists, and scientists.

As a leading voice in the new generation of Buddhist monastics in the West, he is passionate about exploring how meditators and scientists can help each other to go further on the path of understanding and discovery. He is part of the core-curriculum team that has designed and implemented the online international course Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet. He has the conviction that a modern form of monasticism can play a crucial role in bringing about a more compassionate society as well as a much needed collective awakening to our interbeing with all life.

Check out Br. Phap Linh’s talk during COP26

Event Details

Wednesday, March 27, 2024
7:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. ET
Online: Zoom
In-person: Health Sciences Building, 155 College Street, Rm. 106 – doors open at 6:00 p.m., pizza will be served. (In-person registration is now closed)

Thank you for your interest - registration is now closed.

If you missed this event, don't worry, check out New College's Event page for all our upcoming events.

If you have any questions, please contact us at nc.progsupport@utoronto.ca

New College Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health wishes to thank the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation and BPSU (Buddhism and Psychology Student Union) for their collaboration on this event.