His Holiness attends Symposium on Cognitive Science at University of Toronto[Saturday, 23 October 2010, 11:05 a.m.]

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is met on arrival in Toronto by Toronto Mayor David Miller on 22 October 2010/Photo: Sonam Zoksang

Toronto, Ontario:
His Holiness the Dalai Lama participated in a symposium on “Cognitive
Science, Mindfulness and Consciousness” at the University of Toronto on
the day of his arrival in Canada on 22 October.His Holiness was
received at the University by its Chancellor, David R. Peterson.
Speaker Penpa Tsering and Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche, who are on a
visit to Toronto, were also there to receive His Holiness.In
his welcome remarks, Chancellor Peterson spoke about his admiration of
His Holiness as well as interest in Tibet saying the fascination began
after he had read the book “Seven Years in Tibet,” a long time back.The
Chancellor also said that when he told his 97 year old mother that he
would be introducing the Dalai Lama, his mother reminded him about His
Holiness’ message of love the last time he was in Toronto.University
Vice President Franco Vaccarino, who was the moderator, said the topic
of this symposium is symbolic of either the final frontier of science
or the beginning of a new frontier where science meets humanism. He
then invited the four panelists to make their presentations.The
first presenter was Dr. Laura Ann Petitto, Professor, Department of
Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough and the University of
Toronto.  Dr. Petitto spoke on “Expanding the Human Brain’s Processing
Capacity for Thought And Language: Insights from Neuroimaging
Explorations of Bilingual and Monolingual Brains.”  She explained the
biological mechanisms and environmental factors that together determine
how human beings acquire language, as well as how language is organized
in the brain. She explained how languages and concepts impacted the
brain and the difference between a monolingual person’s brain and that
of a bilingual person.The next presenter, Adam Anderson,
Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Toronto, who spoke on
“The Mindful Brain”  and how the concept of self was perceived and the
role of mindfulness in this.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama greets the members of the Tibetan community on his arrival in Toronto on 22 October 2010/Photo: Sonam Zoksang

Dr.
Zindel Segal, Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology
at the University of Toronto, in his presentation “Mindful Awareness
Enhances Emotion Regulation And Prevents Recurrence of Mood Disorder”
spoke about the impact of mindfulness. He explained the mindfulness
training with cognitive therapy skills for cognitive therapy.The
last presenter was Dr. Tony Toneatto, Associate Professor in the
Department of Psychiatry and Director of Buddhism, Psychology and
Mental Health Minor Program in University of Toronto. He talked about a
survey of the thought process as people meditate and how mindfulness
impacted them. In his comments following the presentation, His
Holiness said he was very impressed with the panel of presenters.  He
then talked about the development in human belief from the ancient time
when they solely prayed and hope for results to the development of
science and technology in the past two centuries.  During this period,
His Holiness said people felt all theirs aspirations were being
fulfilled by science.  However, in the latter part of the 20th century
people began to feel the limitations of science and began to pay
attention to inner science.  He said in the past, scientists merely
looked at external matters but then they began to look at themselves
and their inner mind.  This has led to a new development and has made
modern science more complete, he added.His Holiness said this
new quest will enable the people to get a deeper knowledge of the inner
world, which can then be utilized for promoting a healthy body and a
healthy mind.  His Holiness recalled having wondered 30 years back
where the East and the West met.  He now said the interaction between
science and the inner mind was the meeting place for the two saying
that modern science, which is mainly western, combined with eastern
inner science can have more benefit for humanity as a whole.His
Holiness also commented on some of presentations, including the one by
Dr. Petitto on languages and concepts.  His Holiness analyzed her
findings from a Buddhist perception of language and thought.Earlier
in the morning His Holiness received a warm welcome upon his arrival in
Toronto from Miami. The president of the Canadian Tibetan Association
of Ontario (CTAO), which is the host of his visit, Mr. Norbu Tsering,
came to receive His Holiness in Ohio. On his arrival at Toronto
airport, His Holiness was welcomed by Toronto Mayor David Miller, Kasur
Lobsang Nyima, and Board members of the CTAO while artists of the
Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre performed traditional dances and songs
at the tarmac.“His work around the globe promoting peace,
understanding, tolerance, social justice and equality for all is beyond
compare,” Mayor Miller is quoted by the media as saying.”He is
quite a remarkable man, he blesses you,” Mayor Miller is also quoted by
Canada’s CTV News as saying. “The last time, he held my hand and
laughed. He wants to spread joy and peace and compassion and tolerance
and understanding; those are Toronto values,” it added.(Report filed by Bhuchung K Tsering)