The Study Tour 2023 will provide an extraordinary opportunity for students to meet the faculty of the School and participate in lectures as well as curated object-oriented learning with the foremost scholars of Yoga Studies.

– Jacqueline Hargreaves

Introduction

SOAS University of London is pleased to announce a Study Tour 2023 exclusively for the students of the 270-hour Yoga and Meditation Education Certificate. The Study Tour 2023 will take place in London at the prestigious campus of SOAS University, which is centred in the heart of Bloomsbury. Students will experience first-hand our facilities and experience the vibrant and unique atmosphere that makes SOAS so special. The campus is located within walking distance of other important educational landmarks such as the British Museum, the British Library, and the Wellcome Institute.

The Study Tour 2023 will provide an extraordinary opportunity for students to meet the faculty of the School and participate in lectures with the foremost scholars of Yoga Studies. We will learn about current research projects, including the methods and outputs, which are continuing to shape our knowledge of the history and practice of Yoga.

We will visit the world’s most important academic library for the study of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East and the Brunei Gallery, which exhibits SOAS’s incredible permanent collection of artworks and objects. We have a formal association with the British Museum, the British Library, and the Royal Asiatic Society, which allows us to offer exceptional access to the collections and curatorial expertise of these institutions. As such, we will engage with object-based study via lectures and contributions from a wide range of leading scholars and curators.

In addition, we will enjoy the talents of the broader SOAS community by listening to a music concert by the School’s music department, participating in a Yoga classes in the vibrant London yoga scene, and enjoy extracurricular activities with the inaugural cohort of students of the Yoga and Meditation Education Certificate.

To begin, on Sunday 25th June, we invite you to meet us at the front stairs of the SOAS Brunei Gallery for a tour of the Jaina Exhibition “Pure Soul”.

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes anticipated for this course are:

• a solid introduction to Yoga in historical context
• a chronological understanding of the historical development of physical Yoga
• an analysis of Yoga in Britain
• exploration of the curated material and object-oriented learning at leading museums and libraries in London
• personal, lived experience using practical sessions of Yoga, mindfulness meditation and music performance

Location

SOAS University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Sq, London WC1B 5DQ, United Kingdom

On Sunday 25th June at 11:00am sharp, we invite you to meet us for orientation at the front stairs of the SOAS Brunei Gallery.

Unless otherwise stated, all of the lectures will be held in:

Room B102, Brunei Gallery
SOAS University of London.

We will look at the key figures who are influential in modern mindfulness, reflect upon the controversies, and critique the public discourse –– such as public policy, social values, and social vision –– that surrounds modern mindfulness.

– Tessa Watt

Introduction

This PodCourse entitled Mindfulness in the Modern World is taught by Tessa Watt, PhD at SOAS University of London.

In this course we will look at the rise of the modern mindfulness movement from its roots in Buddhist traditions to its role in 21^st century public discourse.

This PodCourse focuses specifically on Mindfulness in the Modern World and is divided into three modules:

1. The Roots of Modern Mindfulness.
2. Controversies in Modern Mindfulness.
3. Mindfulness in Public Discourse.

Module 1: The Roots of Modern Mindfulness.

In the first module, we will consider: definitions of modern mindfulness, the difference between mindfulness and meditation, the roots of mindfulness practice in Buddhism, and the key figures and practices of modern mindfulness in therapeutic and clinical settings.

Module 2: Controversies in Modern Mindfulness.

In the second module, we will examine some of the critiques and criticisms that modern mindfulness has encountered during its rise in popularity. We will consider scholarly debates about its definition, whether it is a religion by stealth, the potential dangers and ethical challenges, and its role as a tool for/against capitalism and activism.

Module 3: Mindfulness in Public Discourse.

In the third module, we will consider the suggestion that mindfulness is ‘an essential skill’ that can help with the pressing challenges of our age. We will attempt to answer the important question ‘what is mindfulness for? ‘ to determine whether it assists or impedes social resilience and innovation.

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes anticipated for this PodCourse are:

• Understand the roots of modern mindfulness in Buddhist traditions;
• Identify the key features and practices of modern mindfulness;
• Recognise and distinguish the important strands and influential figures of the modern mindfulness movement;
• Recognise and critically evaluate some of the major debates and controversies around mindfulness in the 21st century;
• Explore the role of mindfulness in public policy, social values and societal vision.