New Directions in Buddhist Psychology:
1st International Conference on Other-Centered Approaches3-Day Conference
THE FEBRUARY 2010 CONFERENCE DATE IS BEING RESHEDULE. At this point, we are hoping to reschedule the conference for either Fall, 2010 or Spring, 2011.
Question can be sent via email by clicking here.
Location: BCA Jodo Shinshu Center • 2140 Durant Ave • Berkeley, California
Cost: $190 ($170 for those registering before December 6, 2009)
Includes full program and refeshments. Does not include meals or accommodation
Sponsoring Organizations:
Restoring spiritual and psychological health through methods of psychology that promote other-centeredness as an alternative paradigm to preoccupation with the self.
Humankind's major difficulties at the moment – breakdowns at the psychological, community, economic, ecological, and international levels – involve a deficit of other-centeredness. This conference is devoted to a practical discussion of a range of therapeutic and educational approaches in which other-centeredness is the central theme. Western psychology has long been dominated by the notion of self: self-esteem, self-entitlement, self-gratification, self-understanding, self-knowledge and so on. Yet it can be contended that spiritual and psychological well-being are not indicated by self-concern, but by a directional shift of attention which involves understanding, appreciation, and compassion for others. Other-centered models of therapy, often informed by Buddhist principles, purposefully shift the focus away from the client in a way which reduces self-preoccupation and strengthens engagement with life and others. Understanding of these models is not widespread since their strategies often contradict a more established paradigm in which the client’s thoughts, feelings, goals and happiness are of paramount importance. This conference is dedicated to the exploration and practical application of other-centeredness as a theme that holds great promise for guiding clients, families, and society as a whole, towards greater spiritual and psychological health.
This conference will appeal to all people interested in learning how an other-centered approach deepens and enriches work in the fields of psychology, religion, education, medicine, and human relations in general. It will be especially valuable to those in the helping professions who wish to integrate spiritual principles and understand into the process of change and personal growth.
Keynote Speakers:
David Brazier (UK) * Clark Strand (NY) * Gregg Krech (VT) * Caroline Brazier (UK) * Greg White (CA) * Daijaku Judith Kinst (CA) *
Clark Strand is an internationally-known author and lecturer on spirituality and religion. A former Zen Buddhist monk, he became the first Senior Editor of Tricycle: The Buddhist Review in 1993. In 1996, he moved to Woodstock, New York, in order to write full time and, in January of 2000, founded the Koans of the Bible Study Group, a weekly inter-religious discussion forum devoted to finding a new paradigm for religious belief and practice. Clark is the author of Seeds from a Birch Tree: Writing Haiku and the Spiritual Journey (1997); Meditation without Gurus: A Guide to the Heart of Practice (originally published in 1998 as The Wooden Bowl); and How to Believe in God: Whether You Believe in Religion or Not (2009), a reinterpretation of the Bible in light of Pure Land Buddhist teachings on Self and Other Power. Today he writes on a variety of spiritual and ecological themes, including Green Meditation--an environmental-historical approach to religion and spiritual practice. Visit his blog WholeEarthGod.com to read cutting-edge commentary on religious and environmental thinking.
David Brazier is author of seven books and the leader of a worldwide spiritual community. He is a psychotherapist, doctor of philosophy, social innovator, qualified social worker, and Buddhist teacher. His books include Beyond Carl Rogers, Zen Therapy, The Feeling Buddha, Who Loves Dies Well, and Love and Its Disappointment: The meaning of life, therapy and art. He is the head of the Amida Order, a Pureland Buddhist community with a wide range of socially and culturally engaged projects and commitments. He has been a pioneer in the presentation of Buddhist psychology in the West and regularly lectures in Asia, Europe and North America. His other pursuits include gardening, photography, woodland management, poetry writing and travel.
Gregg Krech is one of the leading authorities on Japanese Psychology in North America and is the founding Director of the ToDo Institute. He is the author of the award-winning book: Naikan: Gratitude, Grace & the Japanese Art of Self-Reflection (Stone Bridge Press, 2002) and the editor of Thirty Thousand Days: A Journal for Purposeful Living. His work has been featured in a wide range of publications including the SUN magazine, Tricycle, SELF, Utne Reader, Counseling Today, Cosmopolitan and Experience Life. His other books include A Natural Approach to Mental Wellness, A Finger Pointing to the Moon, and a Concise Little Guide to Getting Things Done. He has pioneered the application of Naikan and Morita therapy in the areas of hospice, living fully with illness and parenting. He recently completed his newest book, Naikan: Self-reflection and the path of Pure Land Buddhism. Gregg has been a student of Buddhism for more than 30 years, having studied both Zen and Shin Buddhism in the U.S. and Japan.
Caroline Brazier is a psychotherapist and is leader of the psychotherapy training programme at the Amida Trust in UK. She lectures internationally and in several UK universities and is the author of five books: Other Centred Therapy, Listening to the Other, The Other Buddhism. Buddhism on the Couch, and Guilt. She holds a master of philosophy degree from Keele University. She has been deeply involved in the development of other centred theory and in the Western presentation of Buddhist psychology. She currently plays an important role in the development of Buddhist chaplaincy in UK, contributing to national committees developing standards and to chaplaincy education at the University of Cardiff and elsewhere.
Judith Kinst is a licensed psychotherapist with a private counseling, psychotherapy and consultation practice in San Francisco, and a trainer of Buddhist chaplains and of psychotherapists integrating Buddhist teachings into their practice. Ordained in 1988 and trained at San Francisco Zen Center, is a teacher of Buddhism at Ocean Gate Zendo in Capitola California. After completing her monastic training she obtained a Master's degree in Psychology and a PhD in Buddhism and Psychology (California Institute of Integral Studies). She also trained as a chaplain at the University of California Medical Center, San Francisco. She teaches Zen Buddhism, Buddhist Pastoral Counseling and Contemplative Psychology at the Institute of Buddhist Studies, Graduate Theological Union, and at the California Institute of Integral Studies was founding clinical director of a counseling center training students to integrate spirituality and psychotherapeutic practice.
Friday evening and all weekend
Friday 19 February 6.00-9.30pm Registration, Welcome, First Keynote & Response
Saturday 20 February 8.30am-9.30pm with meal breaks; Presentations & Workshops
Sunday 21 February 8.30am-4.00pm with lunch break; Presentations & Panel
Conference registration will be available beginning October 31, 2009. For additional information or to register and pay by credit card, please contact
conferenceinfo@todoinstitute.org or call (800) 950-6034 / 802-453-4440.
Lodging:
Moderately priced lodging will be available at the Jodo Shinshu Center in Berkeley on a limited basis. A discount rate at nearby hotels will also be offered to conference participants.
Continuing Education Credits:
The conference sponsors are applying for CEUs for those who wish to receive credits for participation.
