Through the Lens of Compassions: Many Faiths - Shared Wisdom

Compassion has become a central focus of religious scholars and visionaries seeking to apply timeless spiritual truths to the complexities of modern life, compounded by rapid cultural and religious change on a global scale.  Compassion is also the focus of neuroscientists seeking to understand the human brain; recent research is confirming the validity of millennia-old insights derived from meditative and contemplative practices. 

The 2013 2nd Monday Series, framed by the theme, Through the Lens of Compassion:  Many Faiths – Shared Wisdom, will draw on ancient wisdom, contemporary science and the arts to deepen our understanding of the importance of the concept of compassion and to illuminate some of its many facets in a way that has relevance to our lives.  The ten monthly sessions – 2nd Monday of February through November – will address aspects of compassion from a variety of faith and intellectual perspectives. 

The purposes of Northaven's 2nd Monday series, initiated in 2009, are to:

• Address matters of the spirit from an interreligious or interspiritual perspective
• Create a space of trust and mutual respect for discussion across faith traditions
• Offer insights that go beyond the intellect to affect the way we live 

Monday, May 13, 7-8:30 p.m., Northaven Sanctuary

Mary Ellen Hayden, Ph.D, Neuropsychologist and Founder, Pate Rehabilitation; and Dr. Kier Bison, Neuropsychologist

"When I say to you 'I feel your pain,' my brain has mimicked yours."

REGISTER

Scientific progress in understanding the human brain has been impressive.  Now research is making startling discoveries about the relationship between brain function, compassion for others, and meditation.
 

Our presenter for May is Dr. Mary Ellen Hayden, a neuropsychologist who has devoted over thirty years to working with persons who have experienced brain trauma.  She and her co-presenter, Dr. Kier Bison, will draw on the latest research about what is happening in the brain related to morality, free will, fundamentalism, compassion, meditation, and other issues.  The presentation will address intriguing questions related to compassion, including

• If I am compassionate, does my brain really mimic what another person's brain is doing while in pain?
• Can I actually strengthen my brain through meditation - particularly if I am compassionate with others?

There is no charge for attending the 2nd Monday Series.  However, your registration will help us in our planning for the event.  

For more information, please contact us via email.