The Psychology of Meditation: Research and Practice. By Professor Michael West & Sister Jayanti

The Janki Foundation Annual Lecture – An event supporting health professionals, caregivers, patients and the public

To watch this lecture please click here

Meditation is both an ancient art and a modern-day skill. It has been practised across time and cultures in human society, but only in the last 60 years has it been focused upon by the relatively modern discipline of psychology. During that time there has also been a huge growth in the number of people practising meditation and mindfulness in both secular and spiritual contexts. Prof Michael West will advance our understanding, based on both research and practical experience of using meditation in therapeutic and institutional contexts, such as schools and the workplace. Meditation can play an important part not only in helping people deal with the challenges of daily living, but also with more intense difficulties such as chronic pain and illness, anxiety and addiction, and the broader existential challenges we all face.

The presentation and conversation during the evening will explore the difference between meditation and mindfulness, what is the current research into these practices, deepen our understanding about the processes from a psychological perspective, the therapeutic benefits of each and the personal and spiritual impact on people’s lives.

Speaker: Professor Michael West is Senior Fellow at The King’s Fund and Professor of Organisational Psychology at Lancaster University Management School. His doctoral research was on the psychology of meditation. He has authored, edited or co-edited 25 books including “The Psychology of Meditation: Research and Practice” (2016). He has also published over 200 articles. Michael’s areas of research are team and organisational innovation and effectiveness, particularly in relation to compassionate cultures and leadership of health services. He lectures internationally on reflexivity, meditation, mindfulness, and leadership.

Speaker: Sister Jayanti, European Director of the Brahma Kumaris, a global spiritual organisation that teaches meditation based on Raja Yoga philosophy. A teacher of meditation for over 45 years, Sister Jayanti has a unique ability to impart the deepest spiritual truths with great clarity and compassion. She is a keenly sought after author, speaker and broadcaster with a truly global vision—having travelled in over 90 countries. Sister Jayanti perceives the erosion of spiritual values as being one of the underlying causes of the crises the world is facing.

MC: Dr Sarah Eagger is a consultant psychiatrist in London. Sarah is on the executive committee of the Spirituality Special Interest Group of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. She is also a trustee and past chair of the National Forum for Spirituality and Mental Health. She is vice-chair of the Janki Foundation and coordinating editor of “Values in healthcare”.

Download the Flyer

Free of charge

THE EVENT WILL BE WEBCAST AT www.brahmakumaris.org/uk/live

How to find Global Co-operation House: The nearest underground station is 12 minutes away at Dollis Hill on the Jubilee Line (Chapter Road exit). Bus routes 226, 206 to Pound Lane & 6, 52, 98, 260, 266, 297 & 460 to Willesden Bus Garage.