Drawing on experience as an expert witness in four legal disputes, Professor Candy Gunther Brown will explain the appeal and most common objections to public-school yoga, mindfulness, and other meditation programs. Are such programs “secular” or “religious”—or both? How strong is scientific evidence of efficacy, safety, and appropriateness as universal interventions? Should educators be concerned about cultural appropriation and cultural imperialism? Brown probes these questions and the legal and ethical stakes.

At a time of great urgency in our world, contemplative practice – developing such qualities as mindfulness, kindness, compassion, and equanimity – can be of great value both in everyday life and in our activities in the world, such as in service and civic engagement, including activism. We’ll explore the nature of such contemplative engagement and how it might help us respond to the great challenges of our times, such as climate disruption, racism, and social and political polarization.

 

This talk is free and open to the public.