Bhutan to host international conference on science, mindfulness and meditation, invites presenters to submit abstracts

- through Henry Oudin

Published

Image courtesy of CBS

The Center for Bhutan and GNH Studies (CBS) has announced that the Kingdom of Bhutan will host the Bhutan Meditation Conference: Science, Mindfulness and Meditation from June 3-6, and invites potential presenters to submit abstracts for consideration.

“(CBS) is pleased to announce an international conference on the theme of ‘Science, Mindfulness and Meditation’ from June 3-6, 2025 in Thimphu, to showcase the intersections between contemplative practices and scientific research,” CBS shared with BDG.

"This will be the fifth such conference, which usually focuses on Vajrayana (Buddhism)," CBS noted. "Since meditation, mindfulness and mind transformation techniques also exist in other traditions, the conference can benefit from their presentations, and it is seeking a good number of presentations from other secular, religious and indigenous traditions, such as those from Africa, Latin America, Australia and Europe-Asia.

Individuals and organizations wishing to present papers at the conference should submit abstracts by February 28 and full presentation proposals by April 30.

Suggested presentation topics for the Bhutan Meditation Conference: Science, Mindfulness and Meditation include:

Neuroscientific researchsuch as neuroplasticity and contemplative practices, the effects of meditation on the brain, mapping the stages of meditative absorption, and meditation and the nervous system.

IAincluding technological innovations in meditation research, virtual reality in simulated meditation experiences, and biometric monitoring.

Cultural and historical contextssuch as the influence of Buddhist meditation practice on other traditions, the comparative study of esoteric Buddhist meditation and hatha yoga, mindfulness approaches, mindfulness societies, and the reduction of social pathology.

Psychological and cognitive impactssuch as meditation and health, mindfulness and creativity, meditation and happiness, meditation and addiction, as well as the subjective experiences of long-term practitioners.

Education and healthincluding therapeutic applications, integrative approaches to meditation and medicine, meditation in schools, supporting neurodivergent learners, and stress management.

Environmentsuch as meditation spaces, urban architecture for mindfulness, the role of nature and landscapes in meditation, as well as hygiene, diet and meditation.

Studies in Ethics and Consciousnessincluding ethical considerations in research on meditation, lucid dreaming, dream yoga, tukdam and death, consciousness and higher mental states, power dynamics in teacher-student relationships, and the commercialization of meditation.

Dasho Karma Ura, President of the Center for Bhutan and GNH Studies, at the opening ceremony of the Third International Conference on Vajrayana Buddhism in 2019. Photo by Craig Lewis
A Jipai Pawo dancer performs at the opening ceremony of the Third International Conference on Vajrayana Buddhism in 2019. Photo by Craig Lewis

"The conference will be a rigorous and innovative gathering of philosophers, meditation masters, spiritual practitioners, yogins, abbots, scientists from various streams, including neuroscientists, and meditation and mindfulness professionals, to exchange their deep knowledge on this important subject," CBS explained.

CBS is commissioned by the Bhutanese government to conduct and coordinate research and other activities related to Bhutan’s development concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH). Isolated and landlocked, perched in the thin air of the eastern Himalayas, Bhutan is consistently ranked among the happiest countries in the world. With a population of just under 800, Bhutan is also one of the smallest and least industrialized countries in the world, but it has significant experience in maintaining the delicate balance of managing economic growth in a sustainable manner, famously in its conservative approach to GNH. economic development.

The GNH philosophy was introduced in the late 1970s by the country's fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, who was inspired by the kingdom's traditional Buddhist culture. An alternative to traditional measures of national development, such as gross national product (GNP) or gross domestic product (GDP), GNP is based on four underlying principles or "pillars" of good governance, sustainable socio-economic development, preservation and promotion of traditional culture, and environmental conservation.

Important Conference Deadlines

Abstract submission: February 28
Notification of review/selection of abstracts: March 15
Registration for foreign participants: March 25
Visa application deadline: March 31
Registration for local and foreign residents in Bhutan: April 30
Submission of draft document: April 30

Important links for the conference

International registration
Registration of national and foreign residents
Abstract Submissions

For all conference inquiries, please contact CBS at [email protected] or visit the conference webpage.

Tashichho Dzong, traditional seat of the Druk Desi, head of Bhutan's civil government, in the Thimphu Valley Photo by Craig Lewis

Bhutan, nestled at the foot of the Himalayan mountain range and sandwiched between India and China, two political and economic heavyweights, is the world’s last remaining Vajrayana Buddhist country. The spiritual tradition is embedded in the very consciousness and culture of this remote country, where it has flourished with an unbroken history dating back to its introduction by Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, in the eighth century. Nearly 85 percent of Bhutan’s population identifies as Buddhist, with Hinduism accounting for the majority of the remainder. Most Buddhists in Bhutan follow either the Drukpa Kagyu or Nyingma schools of Vajrayana Buddhism.

See more

Center for Bhutan and GNH Studies
Meditation Conference in Bhutan (Center for Bhutan and GNH Studies)

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Henry Oudin

Henry Oudin is a Buddhist scholar, spiritual adventurer and journalist. He is a passionate seeker of the depths of Buddhist wisdom, and travels regularly to learn more about Buddhism and spiritual cultures. By sharing his knowledge and life experiences on Buddhist News, Henry hopes to inspire others to embrace more spiritual and mindful ways of living.

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