Retreat: "Zen Brain: The Self and Selflessness in Neuroscience, Buddhism, and Philosophy" (plus some neuroscience articles)

From the Upaya Web page for the retreat:

Buddhist practice involves the cultivation of the realization of selflessness and interdependence and, as well, powerful insights into how we create the illusion of a separate and unchanging self. In recent years, philosophy, cognitive science, and neuroscience have contributed new and important perspectives on these core teachings of Buddhism.  In this retreat, prominent scientists and scholars will explore Buddhist, philosophic, and neuroscientific perspectives on the self and selfless, and the implications of these areas for Zen practice. We as well will look at how we apply the research in neuroscience in the areas of identity, causality, and mental function.  Talks, discussions, and explorations with participants are embedded within Zazen practice throughout each day.

Some of the links found at the Web page (all pdf):

• Suggested reading list
• "Metamemory Experiments in Neurological Populations: A Review" (Neuropsychology Review)
• "Attention regulation and monitoring in meditation" (Trends in Cognitive Sciences)
• "Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation" (Psychosomatic Medicine)
• "Attending to the present: mindfulness meditation reveals distinct neural modes of self-reference" (SCAN)

Details about the instructors are found at the Web page. Their names and topics:

Richard J. Davidson, Ph.D. (University of Wisconsin) “Meditation and Selflessness: Insights from Neuroscience”

John Dunne, Ph.D. (Emory University) “Selflessness and Experience: A Conundrum in Buddhist Philosophy”

Roshi Joan Halifax, Ph.D. (Upaya Zen Center) “Zen Practice and the Cultivation of Selflessness”

Al Kaszniak, Ph.D. (University of Arizona) “Self-Awareness and the Brain: Contributions from the Study of Neurological Illness”

Evan Thompson, Ph.D. (University of Toronto) “Self-Awareness: Insights from Phenomenology, Neuroscience, and Meditation”