Contemporary Meditation Research in Conversation with Traditions of Christian Meditation

Dr. Cullan Joyce

(See practical details below)

This paper discusses some ways that contemporary meditation research, in particular, research into mindfulness meditation, affect the interpretation of traditions of religious meditation. Using a case study, it discusses how defining meditation as an operation of cognitive behaviors can enhance the interpretation of the Christian ascetic, Maximus the Confessor. It then examines some ways that Maximus' approach to meditation practice require expanding upon the standard categories utilized in operational definitions of mindfulness.          Practical details  

Public Transport: Trams: 109 (to Box Hill), 12 (to Victoria Gardens): Tram, stop 13 (Landsdowne St. ACU).

Buses: From City: 302, 303, 304, 305, 309, 318, 350, 905, 906, 907, 908. Stop: ACU.

Nearest Train Station: Parliament Station. Exit Macarthur St, go north until Victoria Parade, Turn right, 400 metres (CTC building corner of Victoria Parade and Eades St, - the Southern Side of Vic Parade, located across from what was until very recently - the Dallas Brooks Hall).

Parking along Vic Parade and at the ACU (on Young St).

The Treacy boardroom is on the ground floor, very close to the reception desk of the Thomas Carr Centre, which is the campus building at 278 Victoria Pde.

There is a wheelchair-friendly toilet/bathroom on the same ground floor a short distance from the boardroom.