The final paper for this tutorial should be 1800-2200 words. Describe
your model of contemplative practice. Include both formal modeling
accounts and introspective accounts. You may for example graph your
experience (how calm do I feel?) over the course of this course, or
use excerpts from your contemplative diary.
Be sure to both critically describe the theory/background literature (find 3-6 new articles to read) and your own experience. You could consider that your own experience is the
“experiment” in your “portable laboratory.”

Deadlines:
– June 9th: submit first draft to instructor for feedback
– June 16th: submit final version to instructor

In this lecture we will introduce some neuroscience, which could further inform your model.

Preparation:

Read this paper on neuroscience of different types of contemplative practices: Hasenkamp et al (2011) 
Come prepared to debate!

Contemplative assignment:

Think about how you can use contemplative techniques in your own academic work and life.

In this lecture we will focus on some more detailed descriptions of various contemplative practices and use those to inform your own cognitive model of contemplative practice.

Preparation:

Read this paper on process models of contemplative practice and see how it informs your own model. Vago & Silbersweig
Come prepared to debate!

Optional: here is a paper about extensions of ACT-R that include physiology

Contemplative assignment:

Observe your thoughts and see how they are affected by the environment, your emotions, etc. Also experiment with not just following your train of thoughts, but temporarily suspending it and seeing what happens.

On the basis of what you have learnt in session 1, you are requested to come up with an idea of a cognitive model of contemplative practice. To help with that, you may want to read a bit more about ACT-R:

Preparation:

Anderson et al (2004)

We will then use some exciting novel methods to discuss your models, so be ready to defend your model!

Contemplative assignment:
Spend 5-10 min. each day doing contemplative practice, and keep track of your findings. You can use this sheet (adjust as necessary with your own questions of interest).

Location: Bernoulliborg 334a

From the syllabus: 

The lecturer will introduce contemplative science and the practice of contemplation itself, which plays a key role in neurophenomenology. Students will choose articles and topics to focus on for the remainder of the sessions. Lecturer will introduce the practice of contemplation and we will practice this together.

Sources:

Introduction to neurophenomenology: LutzThom03neuropheno (please read before the meeting)

Modelling the mind with ACT-R: AndeEtal08.pdf (please read before the meeting)

To refer back to after the meeting:
Documentary Monte Grande about Francisco Varela (note: I could only find a Spanish version)

The final paper for this tutorial should be 1800-2200 words.
You can choose one of two options:
– describe a phenomenon in (cognitive) neuroscience/psychology of contemplative practice, and explain how it fits (or does not fit) with your own experience.
– describe how you could use contemplative practice in your work as a student or scientist (e.g., use contemplation to get more insight into agent’s motivations in an economic experiment or the effect of contemplative practice on medical student’s ethics) and how this works from your own perspective.

In both cases, be sure to both critically describe the theory/background literature (find 3-6 new articles to read) and your
own experience. You could consider that your own experience is the “experiment” in your “portable laboratory.”

Deadlines:
– June 15: submit first draft to instructor for feedback
– June 22: submit final version to instructor

From the syllabus:

Students reflect on what they have learned through the readings and contemplative practice over the last 3 tutorials, and how they can use this in their own respective fields. For example, a mathematician may be able use contemplation to solve a difficult equation.

Sources:

Contemplation in Higher Education – Daniel Barbezat & Mirabai Bush http://www.rug.eblib.com.proxy-ub.rug.nl/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=1524285 This book gives examples of how contemplation can be used in different fields of study. You don’t have to read it all, but you can focus on specific chapters that capture your interest.

Readings

Contemplation in Higher Education Chapter 6

Mind-wandering theories & experiments: Smallwood & Schooler (2015)

From the syllabus:

The lecturer will explain how she uses computational cognitive modeling to investigate the effect of contemplation on cognition. We are here in a curious position: in addition to using contemplation as a scientific tool, we can study the process of contemplation itself. What does that mean? Students will discuss examples of how scientists have started to study contemplation using cognitive science (and neuroscience) methods and form an opinion about the benefits and risks of contemplation and its use in science.

Sources:

neuroscience of contemplative practice by Tang, Holzel & Posner (2015)

chapter 5 from Contemplation in Higher Education – Daniel Barbezat & Mirabai Bush http://www.rug.eblib.com.proxy-ub.rug.nl/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=1524285

Contemplative assignment:

Observe your thoughts and see how they are affected by the environment, your emotions, etc. Also experiment with not just following your train of thoughts, but temporarily suspending it and seeing what happens.

From the syllabus:

We know actually very little about the brain, and typically decide that one pattern of brain activity is related to some mental state through averaging over many repetitions of a task. But what if we could probe the mental state of a person in much more detail and actually learn about what the noise in those patterns means? We will discuss Lutz et al. (2002) and Cosmelli & Thompson (2007) and examine how contemplation can we useful for neuroscience.

Preparation:

Read the following papers and prepare questions, thoughts, comments for discussion.

LutzEtal02

CosmThom07neuropheno

keep track of your own thoughts and come prepared to discuss it!

think about what papers you would like to read in the next two sessions

Location: Bernoulliborg 334a

From the syllabus: 

The lecturer will introduce contemplative science and the practice of contemplation itself, which plays a key role in neurophenomenology. Students will choose articles and topics to focus on for the remainder of the sessions. Lecturer will introduce the practice of contemplation and we will practice this together.

Sources:

description of Varela’s portable laboratory (for your inspiration)

Introduction to neurophenomenology: LutzThom03neuropheno (please read before the meeting)

Using contemplation in academic contexts: Zajo13 (please read before the meeting)

Documentary Monte Grande about Francisco Varela (note: I could only find an Italian version)