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Mindfulness Day 2023

Mindfulness Day 2023

On October 4th 2023 from 9:00 am until 5:30 pm we celebrated the Inaugural WashU Mindfulness Day 2023 which was organized by the Mindfulness Science and Practice Cluster and supported by the Incubator for Transdisciplinary Futures.  You can find photos taken during the day that reflect the beauty, belonging, and connection that was generated. We had more than 200 people registered for the various activities and practices during the day and at least 150 people attended. The day was a great success. We received wonderful feedback from participants, we had students, faculty and staff from across various programs and departments in the university as well as individuals from the St. Louis community at large. We hope you will join us again for Mindfulness Week 2024!  

2023 Keynote Lecture

Dr.  Richard Davidson, best known for his groundbreaking work studying emotion and the brain, delivered the Key Note lecture for WashU’s Inaugural Day of Mindfulness on October 4th, 2023 at 4 p.m., the recording from his talk can be accessed at this link . A friend and confidante of the Dalai Lama, he is a highly sought after expert and speaker, leading conversations on well-being on international stages such as the World Economic Forum, where he serves on the Global Council on Mental Health. Time Magazine named Davidson one of “The 100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2006. Davidson is the William James and Vilas Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry and Founder and Director of the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he has been a faculty member since 1984. Davidson is also the Founder of Healthy Minds Innovations, which translates science into tools to cultivate and measure well-being.  He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in Psychology, Psychopathology & Psychophysiology with a minor focus in Behavioral Neurology and Neuroanatomy; and a B.S., in Psychology from New York University.

2023 Agenda

Mindful Eating Breakfast and Dharma Talk with Don Sloane: "The Three I's"

9:00 - 9:45 am - DUC276
Donald Sloane, LCSW, is the director of the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in St. Louis. He has over 30 years of clinical experience, has taught at Washington University in the graduate school for 17 years, and now trains therapists throughout the United States. He is the author of Six Pathways to Happiness, which melds cognitive behavioral therapy with Chinese Buddhist practices.


Morning Practices

Sound Meditation led by Diana Parra Perez, accompanied by Lisa Gilbert on harp
10-10:25 - Umrath Lounge

Sitting Meditation led by Meg Krejci
10:25 - 10:50 - Umrath Lounge

Walking Meditation led by Jeanne Kloeckner
10:50 - 11:15 - Bowles Plaza

Mindful Movement led by David Marchant
11:15 - 11:40 - Bowles Plaza


Lunch and Mindfulness & Anti-Racism talk 

Finding Refuge, One Moment at a Time: Mindfulness-Based Trauma Recovery for Refugees by Amit Bernstein
Noon - 1:30 - Umrath Lounge


Community Partners Resource Fair

1:30 - 2:30 - Bowels Plaza

Move into Mindfulness
WashU HR Mindfulness education and practice community.

MABA
Mid-America Buddhist Association

Confluence Zen Center
A St. Louis based Zen community dedicated to zazen.

Oxygen Project
Yoga for Youth

Float STL
Offers a zero-gravity sensory deprivation experience

Midwest Moon Sangha
Practicing engaged Buddhism in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh

Self-Care Classes with Eileen Wolfington
Offers Mind, Body and Spirit programs

The Collective STL
Yoga for the People

Active Minds
Promoting a greater awareness of mental health issues


Mindfulness Research Panel

2:30 - 3:45 DUC 276
Panel: Tim Bono, Josh Siegel, Jessie Sun, and Chris Rozek


Keynote Speech

4:00 - 5:15 Umrath Lounge
Mindfulness & the Skills of Human Flourishing by Richard Davidson


Closing Reception

5:30 - 6:30 Bowles Plaza