Dr Tim Sharp, Chief Happiness Officer, The Happiness Institute

• The neural correlates of the meditative state
• The study of subjective experience
• What neuroscience understands about meditation
• Is there scientific proof of psychological benefits of meditation?
• What remains to be studied

Dr Philippe Goldin, Clinical Researcher, Department of Psychology, Stanford University, USA

• What is meditation?
• The origins of meditation
• The key meditative traditions
• Meditation in the West
• How to train your mind – the power of meditation

Venerable Ajahn Brahm, Spiritual Director, Buddhist Society of Western Australia, Author Mindfulness, Bliss and Beyond

• What is attention and why is it important?
• What can cognitive neuroscience tell us about enhancing attention and memory?
• Meditation – a practical tool to improve concentration and focus
• Implications for meditation as a mind-body intervention

Dr Amishi Jha, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, USA

• Meditation research: what are we trying to prove?
• The problem of first person observation
• How does science define meditation?
• How do you measure the effectiveness of meditation?
• Towards a contemplative science

Moderator:
Natasha Mitchell, Presenter, All in the Mind, ABC Radio National

Panellists:
Dr Philippe Goldin, Clinical Researcher, Department of Psychology, Stanford University, USA
Dr Amishi Jha, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, USA
Dr James Carmody, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Director of Research, Centre for Mindfulness, University of Massachusetts Medical School, USA
Venerable Ajahn Brahm, Spiritual Director, Buddhist Society of Western Australia, Author Mindfulness, Bliss and Beyond

• What is mindfulness meditation?
• Why has mindfulness attracted so much interest?
• Is it more or less effective than other meditation techniques? 
• Origins of mindfulness practice
• State of scientific research and medical practice

Dr James Carmody, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Director of Research, Centre for Mindfulness, University of Massachusetts Medical School, USA

Dr Susan Murphy, Zen Roshi, Author, founding teacher, Zen Open Circle,
Sydney

• The inter-relationship between mindfulness and psychotherapy
• Does mindfulness matter to therapists and clients?
• Managing stress and anxiety related disorders
• Leading a happier life through mindfulness

Dr Belinda Khong, Consulting Psychologist and Lecturer, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University

10 minute presentation followed by panel discussion and Q & A for each case study

Moderator:
Dr Chris Walsh, Psychiatrist in private practice and Turning Point Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centre 

Panellists:
• Mindfulness meditation in the treatment of trauma, anxiety and depression
Bruno Cayoun, Psychologist, Psychology Centre and University of Tasmania

• Meditation: relieving the suffering of pain
Lynne Bousfield, Clinical Psychologist, Meditation Teacher

• Meditation for the treatment of addiction
Cynthia Morton, Chief Executive Officer, Emotional Fitness Foundation

After Dinner Speaker: Cynthia Morton

Dr Eng Kong Tan, Chairman, Metta Clinic

• Simple steps to achieve peace and contentment
• How can I escape from the tensions of modern life without going to a   
  mountaintop?
• Achieving emotional and mental balance in a busy life
• Meditation skills to enhance happiness and joy
• Spreading peace to others

Paul Wilson, international best-selling author, The Quiet, The Little Book of Calm

• Does thinking have a place in meditation?
• Two kinds of meditation and how they fit together
• Analytical meditation - how to use it to solve problems
• Developing positive mental qualities through analytical meditation
• Meditation on loving-kindness

Venerable Sangye Khadro, (Kathleen McDonald), Author How to Meditate

• Can we help our children to be less anxious and stressed?
• Could meditation be an antidote to schoolyard bullying?
• Will mindfulness meditation help my child academically?
• What does the scientific research say?
• Mindfulness based cognitive therapy for children with ADHD

Dr Philippe Goldin, Clinical Researcher, Department of Psychology, Stanford University, USA

• Meditation as “positive mental brainwashing”
• Building the “relaxation response”
  Meditations for transforming difficult situations
• How to embrace and nurture yourself with meditation practice
• Creative visualisation for health and healing

Renate Ogilvie, Psychotherapist, Senior Teacher, Vajrayana Institute

• Is meditation set to become the new yoga?
• Ancient wisdom for modern life
• Can five minutes a day really make a difference?
• Essentials for building a daily practice

Moderator:
Dr Susan Murphy, Zen Roshi, Author, founding teacher, Zen Open Circle, Sydney

Panellists:
Paul Wilson, international best-selling author, The Quiet, The Little Book of Calm
Renate Ogilvie, Psychotherapist, Teacher, Vajrayana Institute
Timothea Goddard, Openground Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program
Ernie Christie, Assistant Director, Catholic Education Office, Townsville