A Three-Session Introductory Course with Drs. Pilar Jennings, Joe Loizzo, Kamilah Majied, and Sheryl Petty

Overview

At a time when we face an unprecedented global crisis in mental health and well-being, this course offers a complete introduction to one of the most promising developments of our age—the growing integration of humanity’s timeless contemplative wisdom and practices into contemporary neuropsychology, psychotherapy and the pursuit of social transformation. Initial findings that mindfulness practice helps reduce mind/body stress and promote positive neuroplastic changes in the brain have gradually led to a deepening dialogue between all three main forms Buddhist psychology—harnessing mindfulness, compassion and embodiment—and the whole spectrum of contemporary approaches to psychotherapy and psychosocial change.

This introductory course surveys the history and latest developments in this promising dialogue in three classes each devoted to one of the three major methods, and each touching on all the core disciplines central to contemplative healing—insight/wisdom, meditation/neuroscience, and ethics/social justice. Each class brings together Nalanda Institute founder and academic director Dr. Joe Loizzo with one of the core faculty in our three year Contemplative Psychotherapy Program, Drs. Kamilah Majied, Pilar Jennings and Sheryl Petty. Please join us for this comprehensive introduction to one of the most hopeful and impactful healing movements of our time.

Session One

Personal and Social Healing Through Mindfulness, Self-Compassion and Loving Kindness, with Drs. Joe Loizzo and Kamilah Majied

Session one surveys the mindfulness revolution in mental health and well-being, unpacking the science of positive neuroplasticity and epigentics; the self-healing framework of Buddhist psychology; the healing benefits of mindfulness, self-compassion and loving kindness; and the power these practices have brought to new contemplative methods of personal healing and social transformation.

Session Two

Interpersonal and Collective Healing Through Wise Compassion, with Drs. Pilar Jennings and Joe Loizzo

Session two introduces the second wave in today’s contemplative revolution based on the powerful healing practice of wise compassion for self and others. The class unpacks the remarkable new science of empathy, compassion and altruism; the comprehensive Buddhist framework of training in wise compassion and enlightened altruism; the stress-protective power and positive psychosocial benefits of realistic empathy, tender/fierce compassion and enlightened altruism; and the way these practices have inspired radical new contemplative approaches to interpersonal healing and collective transformation.

Session Three

Psychosocial Healing and Self-World Transformation Through Embodied Practice, with Drs. Joe Loizzo and Sheryl Petty

Session three delves into the third and most recent wave in the contemplative revolution based on embodied contemplative practice. This final class unpacks the profound new science of embodied trauma and transformation; the incomparable Buddhist Tantric framework of fully embodied awakening and transformation; the power of active visioning, poetic recitation, inspirational breath-work, integral movement and psychoactive flow states to catalyze the transformation from embodied trauma to full-bodied altruism; and the way these potent practices are dynamic new approaches to transforming individual and collective trauma and embodying compassionate living, altruistic community and enlightened stewardship of our earth.

Faculty: Dr. Pilar Jennings, Dr. Joe Loizzo, Dr. Kamilah Majied, Dr. Sheryl Petty

Schedule: Three Fridays: April 14, 21 and 28 from 12:00 – 1:30pm ET

Tuition: Regular fee: $90 / Supported fee: $60

The tuition is for all three sessions. (Can’t make all 3 dates? Each session is recorded and will be available for 6 weeks for those who registered.)

Location: Online via Zoom

Registration: Register now