To briefly introduce myself. I was a research scientist in the Laboratory of Socioenvironmental Studies of the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Mental Health from 1959 through 2007, where I functioned as a psychologist and sociologist. During the last 20 years I was Chief of the Laboratory. I am particularly interested in how different levels of phenomena (e.g., biological, psychological, social-structural and cultural interact). My research papers range from the neuro-biological to the historical. Much of my career has involved cognitive and social psychological research on schizophrenia- the short story is that schizophrenia won. My other major field of research has been on how social structurally influenced environmental conditions, such as cognitive complexity, affect and are effected by individuals’ cognitive functioning and orientations to themselves and others. Pursuing this research cross-culturally, I have been extensively involved in research in Japan and rural Mali.
My choice of Japan as a research interest was not accidental. I have been very interested in Buddhism ever since reading Alan Watts in the early 1950s .This interest was furthered with a little help from my friends in the 1960s. It is also the case that I was a philosophy major at Hamilton College. There I was introduced to the work of the philosopher Whitehead, whose writings have strongly influenced my philosophical viewpoint ever since. I am presently a senior professor in the Maryland University Sociology Department, where I am conducting research and teaching some.
About six years ago I attended a scientists’ retreat at the Insight Meditation Society and have attended another at Spirit Rock. I have taken several courses from Mu Soeng at BCBS- and found him to be a wonderfully knowledgeable, thoughtful and intellectually open teacher. In terms of meditation, I can’t claim to be super serious-meditating about four times a week.
I will be arriving in New Delhi at 11:05 PM on Sunday January 31 on Air
France Flight 226. Hopefully, I will be able to meet up there with other group members so that we can jointly find our way to the Buddhist Center.
Looking very much forward to the experience.
Carmi
Schooler
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
re inflatable zafus: zafu.net has one, which supposedly can also be used as a (supplemental) bus and airline seat (may be quite helpful for our bus travels) and pillow or knee cushion for sleeping or using the supine position. Not sure how stable they would be for sitting (I normally use a portable kneeler rather than a cushion).
Just received a thoughtful Christmas present from my beloved wife of 40 years -- an 8-oz. gel-filled Comfort Cushion (www.skwoosh.com) which seems an even better airline/bus/auditorium seat cushion than the inflatable small air mattress pad I've customarily used (I've also light-heartedly used this air mattress at lectures as an example of the "small raft" that "Hinayanists" supposedly use ;-). This Skwoosh product may also make extended chair-sitting more comfortable, although I haven't enough experience with it yet.
I still plan to take the small air mattress with me, after experiencing how nice it works on some of the uncomfortable beds I've slept on while traveling. It can also be used as a supplement for the supine position as well.
I am scheduled to arrive in New Delhi at (yawn) 9:45PM on Sunday 31 January, which is close to the arrival time of others. We may have enough to arrange a larger van or something similar.
Just received a thoughtful Christmas present from my beloved wife of 40 years -- an 8-oz. gel-filled Comfort Cushion (www.skwoosh.com) which seems an even better airline/bus/auditorium seat cushion than the inflatable small air mattress pad I've customarily used (I've also light-heartedly used this air mattress at lectures as an example of the "small raft" that "Hinayanists" supposedly use ;-). This Skwoosh product may also make extended chair-sitting more comfortable, although I haven't enough experience with it yet.
I still plan to take the small air mattress with me, after experiencing how nice it works on some of the uncomfortable beds I've slept on while traveling. It can also be used as a supplement for the supine position as well.
I am scheduled to arrive in New Delhi at (yawn) 9:45PM on Sunday 31 January, which is close to the arrival time of others. We may have enough to arrange a larger van or something similar.
Taxi from airport
This is a question to Jim, or whoever else knows the answer....how did you arrange for a taxi from the airport? I am arriving on the 1st at 1:25 am and would like to know how I am getting to the World Buddhist Center ahead of time too!
Thanks!
Helen
Thanks!
Helen
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Flight info, passport copy, insurance, etc.
Pilgrims,
For those of you who have not let me know your flight info, please do so as soon as possible. Also, if you have not sent photocopies of your passport, visa and insurance information to BCBS, please do so.
Many blessings,
Justin
For those of you who have not let me know your flight info, please do so as soon as possible. Also, if you have not sent photocopies of your passport, visa and insurance information to BCBS, please do so.
Many blessings,
Justin
Hello,
My name is Jim Dailey. I am spending my retirement practicing the Dhamma. I am eager to practice with the BCBS 2010 India Sangha gathering on February 1st. I am scheduled to arrive on January 30 at 1:15 AM, have arranged a ride from the Delhi airport to the World Buddhist Center, and would love to share with whomever may arrive at that time.
Looking forward to meeting, and being, with all of you in Delhi.
May you all have a happy, healthy new year and a safe journey to Asia.
With loving-friendliness,
~~~~~Jim Dailey ~~~~~
My name is Jim Dailey. I am spending my retirement practicing the Dhamma. I am eager to practice with the BCBS 2010 India Sangha gathering on February 1st. I am scheduled to arrive on January 30 at 1:15 AM, have arranged a ride from the Delhi airport to the World Buddhist Center, and would love to share with whomever may arrive at that time.
Looking forward to meeting, and being, with all of you in Delhi.
May you all have a happy, healthy new year and a safe journey to Asia.
With loving-friendliness,
~~~~~Jim Dailey ~~~~~
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Hello to all and warm wishes.
Traveling with a group which shares our interests and is led by the BCBS staff is such an grand opportunity! After reading accounts written by some early pilgrims and early European researchers, and talking with recent travelers who did this on their own, it's clear many would have been happy to be on this trip. On our journey, we will be traveling with many people over many centuries who have made this possible, and who would have been joyful that we can go. It's an honor to travel with them. May all pilgrims from any time be well and happy, and may we share all the aspirations they had for us too.
A few days ago I sent an email response to a previous posting and this posting is generally a duplicate, in case it did not go out. Hope this is of some value.
--As background, my primary Buddhist meditation practice is in the Theravada tradition. Our sangha in Colorado Springs comes from U Bha Khin's lineage, so S. N. Goenka (who taught and inspired the authors of "Along the Path") is sort of a spiritual "great-uncle" to our sangha.
--Also as background, I am a community health dentist, so naturally suggest a thorough preventive dental evaluation (and treatment, if necessary) well before the trip starts, especailly if you've had lots of dental work, to set your minds at ease and also to answer any questions you may have. As Justin mentioned, medical care availability can be an issue in parts of India, and I would well imagine dental care is not much different. Your dentist may recommend equipment, treatment considerations, or special medications to bring "just in case," and please ask them any specific questions. You might also be able to refresh your memory of all the things that happened in 2006 by looking over the magazines in their waiting rooms.
--I have also spoken with the public health experts at my clinic, and they had sound personalized advice about vaccinations, insect repellents, and the like, which may help prevent some unwanted stuff. At any rate, it seems like a good idea to talk with a physician or nurse who is "smart" about travel medicine and who is up-to-date on current recommendations, and some of the vaccinations should be considered before too much more time passes. Many medical people love to travel, too, and you can probably pick up some good travel suggestions.
I am sure we will be in touch several times before the trip. Again, it is an honor to be able to travel with such a group. May we all be well and happy.
Traveling with a group which shares our interests and is led by the BCBS staff is such an grand opportunity! After reading accounts written by some early pilgrims and early European researchers, and talking with recent travelers who did this on their own, it's clear many would have been happy to be on this trip. On our journey, we will be traveling with many people over many centuries who have made this possible, and who would have been joyful that we can go. It's an honor to travel with them. May all pilgrims from any time be well and happy, and may we share all the aspirations they had for us too.
A few days ago I sent an email response to a previous posting and this posting is generally a duplicate, in case it did not go out. Hope this is of some value.
--As background, my primary Buddhist meditation practice is in the Theravada tradition. Our sangha in Colorado Springs comes from U Bha Khin's lineage, so S. N. Goenka (who taught and inspired the authors of "Along the Path") is sort of a spiritual "great-uncle" to our sangha.
--Also as background, I am a community health dentist, so naturally suggest a thorough preventive dental evaluation (and treatment, if necessary) well before the trip starts, especailly if you've had lots of dental work, to set your minds at ease and also to answer any questions you may have. As Justin mentioned, medical care availability can be an issue in parts of India, and I would well imagine dental care is not much different. Your dentist may recommend equipment, treatment considerations, or special medications to bring "just in case," and please ask them any specific questions. You might also be able to refresh your memory of all the things that happened in 2006 by looking over the magazines in their waiting rooms.
--I have also spoken with the public health experts at my clinic, and they had sound personalized advice about vaccinations, insect repellents, and the like, which may help prevent some unwanted stuff. At any rate, it seems like a good idea to talk with a physician or nurse who is "smart" about travel medicine and who is up-to-date on current recommendations, and some of the vaccinations should be considered before too much more time passes. Many medical people love to travel, too, and you can probably pick up some good travel suggestions.
I am sure we will be in touch several times before the trip. Again, it is an honor to be able to travel with such a group. May we all be well and happy.
Saying hi!
Hi Everyone!
I sent out an email before, but it didn't seem to get posted - so if you received it, please forgive the duplication. My name is Helen Rosen and I am in private practice in psychotherapy and meditation, as well as teaching at the Won Institute for Graduate Studies, Dept. of Applied Meditation. I am very happy to begin meeting all of you and hope I can figure out how this blogging works! I am arriving (from Philadelphia) at about 1:25 am on Feb. 1....is anyone else getting in around that time? I would love to arrange to meet up then. Also, though I have travelled a bit, this is my first trip to India so I am excited and a bit nervous! I am a current student of the ISPP program at Barre.
Looking forward to meeting you all!
Helen
I sent out an email before, but it didn't seem to get posted - so if you received it, please forgive the duplication. My name is Helen Rosen and I am in private practice in psychotherapy and meditation, as well as teaching at the Won Institute for Graduate Studies, Dept. of Applied Meditation. I am very happy to begin meeting all of you and hope I can figure out how this blogging works! I am arriving (from Philadelphia) at about 1:25 am on Feb. 1....is anyone else getting in around that time? I would love to arrange to meet up then. Also, though I have travelled a bit, this is my first trip to India so I am excited and a bit nervous! I am a current student of the ISPP program at Barre.
Looking forward to meeting you all!
Helen
Greetings
Namaste friends!
I too am really looking forward to our trip together in February.
As most of you know, I work in the front office at BCBS. I joined the BCBS staff about six months ago. Prior to my work here, I was also working as a social worker, in economic development with low income communities. I first traveled to
The trip is partially devotional for me, as a way to express my deep gratitude for the Buddha Dharma and as a way of renewing my commitment to the practice. It also feeds a natural curiosity with seeing all of the places where the Dharma stories and teachings that I've heard many times actually occurred. Finally, I love an adventure and this trip will surely be one! I’m looking forward to going on it with all of you.
Warm regards,
Emily
PS. Kristy and I are arriving in Delhi on Jan. 31st on Air France flight #226. We get in at 11:05pm. If others are arriving around then, we'd be happy to talk about arranging airport transport together.
Hello all,
My name is Edith Haenel. I too am in private practice as a clinical social worker, seeing children and adults. I have also traveled a good bit but never to India. I arrive at 11:30 pm on Jan. 31 in Delhi, flying out of NYC to Amsterdam to Delhi. (Helen, we are close together in arrival. Only two hours apart. I could certainly wait, esp. if it meant having a buddy to venture into Delhi with instead of going it alone!).
I have studied at BCBS for 15 years, I have been meditating about that same length of time. I am very excited about this trip. Also nervous! After India I head to visit family in Uzbekistan so I am excited/nervous about that as well.
My other big Buddhist excitement for the year was hosting Andy Olendzki for a five day class in Iowa in July on The Psychology of Experience: Buddhist Maps of the Mind. In the middle of rural Iowa we were completely full with 35 students. It was an excellent class. We are repeating it this year in July in Iowa with Andy teaching a class roughly (still to be finalized) on Buddhist Ethics and the Path of Transformation. I will send you all a flyer!
I look forward to 'meeting' each of you on this blog and also in person!
Edith
Malaria
Pilgrims,
Just a quick note. Many of you have inquired about recommendations concerning malaria medication, treatment, etc., and I wanted to address it to the group.
Legally, I can not make any recommendations about medication use. With this said, I would encourage each of you to follow Victor's advice and meet with a physician who focuses on travel/international medicine.... most, if not all, cities in the US will have resources in this area of focus. They will be able to answer any questions you have about vaccinations, malaria medication, etc. I am sorry for not being able to offer more advice in this area, but I need to be cautious in the arena of medicine. If you can not find the necessary resources, please be in touch and I will do my best to help you find them.
Also, the World Health Organization publishes an annual report on Malaria. You can download it with the following link:
http://www.who.int/malaria/publications/atoz/9789241563697/en/index.html.
It is extensive and a good place for statistical information.
Blessings,
Justin
Just a quick note. Many of you have inquired about recommendations concerning malaria medication, treatment, etc., and I wanted to address it to the group.
Legally, I can not make any recommendations about medication use. With this said, I would encourage each of you to follow Victor's advice and meet with a physician who focuses on travel/international medicine.... most, if not all, cities in the US will have resources in this area of focus. They will be able to answer any questions you have about vaccinations, malaria medication, etc. I am sorry for not being able to offer more advice in this area, but I need to be cautious in the arena of medicine. If you can not find the necessary resources, please be in touch and I will do my best to help you find them.
Also, the World Health Organization publishes an annual report on Malaria. You can download it with the following link:
http://www.who.int/malaria/publications/atoz/9789241563697/en/index.html.
It is extensive and a good place for statistical information.
Blessings,
Justin
Monday, December 21, 2009
Welcome
Good morning, everyone,
Welcome everyone to this blog, and thank you, Justin, for creating this communication tool. It should make our getting to know each other a little bit better and more expeditious. Edith Hanael just sent an email to everyone recommending a book called Meeting the Buddha. It's a good and enjoyable book. If you can get your hands on it, it's worth it. But please know that you already have a fair amount of reading recommended. So pick you spots.
But I do want to remind everyone about the book Along the Path by Kory Goldberg and Michelle Decary. Everyone is requested to have a copy of it with him during the trip. We will use it as our primary sourcebook for reading suttas and other passages at each place we visit.
As Justin has requested, everyone please introduce yourself to others so there can be a beginning of a family/sangha beginning to cohere.
As Edith requested, please pool your itineraries together to see if you can arrive in Delhi at the same time and share a taxi ride to the World Buddhist Center.
More later.
Mu Soeng
Welcome everyone to this blog, and thank you, Justin, for creating this communication tool. It should make our getting to know each other a little bit better and more expeditious. Edith Hanael just sent an email to everyone recommending a book called Meeting the Buddha. It's a good and enjoyable book. If you can get your hands on it, it's worth it. But please know that you already have a fair amount of reading recommended. So pick you spots.
But I do want to remind everyone about the book Along the Path by Kory Goldberg and Michelle Decary. Everyone is requested to have a copy of it with him during the trip. We will use it as our primary sourcebook for reading suttas and other passages at each place we visit.
As Justin has requested, everyone please introduce yourself to others so there can be a beginning of a family/sangha beginning to cohere.
As Edith requested, please pool your itineraries together to see if you can arrive in Delhi at the same time and share a taxi ride to the World Buddhist Center.
More later.
Mu Soeng
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Greetings
Participants, friends and family,
I hope this note finds you all in good health and spirits.
For those of you who don't know me, my name is Justin Kelley and I will be the Program Coordinator for our pilgrimage. This position focuses primarily on developing and executing the itinerary.
I have spent much of the last five years in the Indian subcontinent both working as a guide for travelers and students and practicing on my own. This time has enhanced nearly every aspect of my life and feel that exploring the lands where the Buddha walked continue to be especially powerful. This program will be the first primarily Buddhist oriented trip I have led, which excites me as it is a wonderful opportunity to combine two of my most passionate loves: India and the Dharma.
The group seems very eager thus far and I am enthusiastic as to where our time together will lead. With this said, I am hoping that his blog will act as a means to document our time together.
With metta,
Justin
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)