The Shamatha Project is a pioneering scientific study exploring the long-term benefits of meditation practice. This is a joint undertaking shared by the Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies, University of California-Davis & Shambhala Mountain Center.

THERE ARE STILL A FEW REMAINING OPENINGS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SHAMATHA PROJECT, AND WE HAVE EXTENDED THE APPLICATION DEADLINE TO SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2006 TO ACCOMMODATE ADDITIONAL APPLICANTS.

We invite you to participate in this extensive group meditation retreat study hosted by Shambhala Mountain, which will take place in 2007. Over a three-month period, Dr. B. Alan Wallace will guide study participants in various forms of shamatha practice drawn from the Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions. Instruction will also be offered on the cultivation of the Four Immeasurables (lovingkindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity), which will be practiced between shamatha sessions.

Participants will be collaborating with a team of neuroscientists and psychologists. Two three-month retreats will be offered, with participants randomly assigned to the first or second retreat. During the first retreat, participants assigned to the second retreat will be brought to Shambhala Mountain at the project's expense to be tested as part of a "control group."

The retreats will begin in February and September 2007 respectively.

As a prerequisite, participants are asked to complete at least one-week shamatha retreat with Dr. Wallace if they have not already done so. One such retreat will be held October 1 - 8 at Pema Osel Ling Retreat Center, Corralitos, CA. (see: http://sbinstitute.com/events_view.php?id=75).

For further information and an application visit www.shambhalamountain.org/shamatha, email us at [email protected], or call us at (888) 788-7221.

Clifford Saron, Ph.D.

Assistant Research Scientist

UC Davis Center for Mind and Brain

267 Cousteau Place

Davis, CA 95616

415-307-9757 mobile

[email protected]

http://mindbrain.ucdavis.edu

Some photos from the project: