Middlebury

RELI 0209

Mindfulness and Psychology

Religion and Science: Mindfulness and Modern Psychology
Mindfulness meditation is now widely embraced as a way to enhance personal wellbeing. To better understand this ancient practice, we will explore its traditional Buddhist background alongside its application and study in modern psychology and neuroscience. We will first study mindfulness in its historical context and examine how a traditionally religious practice was adapted for modern individualistic and therapeutic purposes. We will learn basic neural and psychological foundations of emotion, cognition, social behavior, and psychological disorders and raise theoretical and methodological issues in the scientific study of mindfulness. As an experiential component, students will also receive meditation training throughout the semester. (Open to psychology, religion, and neuroscience majors) 3 hrs. lect./1 hr. disc.
Subject:
Religion
Department:
Religion
Division:
Humanities
Requirements Fulfilled:
Equivalent Courses:
PSYC 0209
RELI 0210 *

Sections in Spring 2012, School Abroad Italy (Florence)

Spring 2012

RELI0209A-S12 Lecture (Waldron)