Program Schedule

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MEDITATION AND MINDFULNESS

24–25 October 2026
SOAS University of London
London, United Kingdom

DAY ONE — SATURDAY, 24 OCTOBER 2026

Foundations, Traditions and Contemporary Perspectives

08:30–09:15 — Registration & Welcome Coffee
Arrival of delegates, registration, conference materials and informal networking.

09:15–09:30 — Opening Ceremony
Welcome by the Conference Organising Committee.

09:30–09:50 — Welcome Address
Introduction to the conference theme, objectives and programme.

09:50–10:30 — Opening Keynote Address
Meditation and Mindfulness: Historical Traditions and Contemporary Transformations

10:30–11:00 — Keynote Discussion & Q&A

11:00–11:20 — Coffee & Networking Break

11:20–13:00 — SESSION I

Meditation in Buddhist Traditions

Topics may include:

  • Buddhist approaches to meditation and mental cultivation
  • Samatha and Vipassana traditions
  • Mindfulness in Theravāda Buddhism
  • Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna contemplative practices
  • Meditation, ethics and liberation
  • Historical development of Buddhist meditation

13:00–14:00 — Lunch Break

14:00–15:30 — SESSION II

Mindfulness, Psychology and Mental Wellbeing

Topics may include:

  • Mindfulness and psychological wellbeing
  • Meditation and stress reduction
  • Mindfulness-based interventions
  • Self-awareness and emotional regulation
  • Compassion and self-compassion
  • Contemporary research on meditation

15:30–15:50 — Coffee & Tea Break

15:50–17:20 — SESSION III

Meditation, Neuroscience and Consciousness

Topics may include:

  • Neuroscience of meditation
  • Consciousness and contemplative experience
  • Brain activity and mindfulness
  • Meditation and cognitive processes
  • Scientific approaches to contemplative practices
  • Current directions in meditation research

17:20–17:50 — Plenary Discussion

17:50–18:00 — Day One Closing Remarks

 

 

DAY TWO — SUNDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2026

Practice, Society, Education and Future Directions

09:00–09:30 — Morning Registration & Welcome Coffee

09:30–09:45 — Guided Mindfulness Practice
A short guided meditation to begin the second day.

09:45–10:30 — Keynote Address
Mindfulness in the Modern World: Between Contemplative Tradition and Secular Practice

10:30–12:00 — SESSION IV

Mindfulness in Education, Healthcare and Society

Topics may include:

  • Mindfulness in education
  • Meditation for students and teachers
  • Mindfulness in healthcare
  • Workplace mindfulness
  • Community-based meditation programmes
  • Social and ethical dimensions of mindfulness

12:00–12:20 — Coffee & Tea Break

12:20–13:30 — SESSION V

Meditation, Religion and Intercultural Dialogue

Topics may include:

  • Meditation across religious traditions
  • Buddhist-Christian and interreligious dialogue
  • Secular and religious approaches to mindfulness
  • Meditation and cultural diversity
  • Spirituality and contemplative practice
  • Globalisation of meditation traditions

13:30–14:30 — Lunch Break

14:30–16:00 — SESSION VI

Research Presentations and Emerging Perspectives

Parallel academic presentations on:

  • Meditation studies
  • Mindfulness research
  • Buddhist philosophy
  • Contemplative sciences
  • Psychology and wellbeing
  • Religious studies
  • Philosophy of mind
  • Contemporary spiritual practices

16:00–16:20 — Coffee & Networking Break

16:20–17:10 — ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

The Future of Meditation and Mindfulness Research

Discussion themes:

  • New directions in contemplative research
  • Academic and traditional perspectives
  • Ethical challenges
  • Technology and mindfulness
  • Globalisation and cultural adaptation
  • Future collaboration between scholars and practitioners

17:10–17:35 — Audience Q&A & Final Reflections

17:35–17:50 — Conference Summary
Key outcomes and recommendations.

17:50–18:00 — Closing Ceremony
Presentation of participation certificates and acknowledgements.

CONFERENCE THEMES

  1. Buddhist Meditation Traditions
  2. Mindfulness and Psychology
  3. Meditation and Neuroscience
  4. Consciousness and Contemplative Studies
  5. Meditation and Mental Wellbeing
  6. Mindfulness in Education
  7. Meditation in Healthcare
  8. Religion, Spirituality and Mindfulness
  9. Intercultural and Interreligious Perspectives
  10. Ethics and Contemporary Mindfulness
  11. Meditation in Modern Society
  12. Future Directions in Meditation Research

Venue: SOAS University of London, 10 Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG, United Kingdom.

Programme note: Individual speakers, paper titles, chairs, discussants and exact session assignments may be updated by the Conference Organising Committee.