Everyday we come across news about modern gadgets being improved upon or breakthroughs in science and technology. The world has undergone a drastic change since the advent of the internet in our lives. On many levels, these developments have eased the nature of work in various sectors including communication, entertainment, healthcare and transportation. However, although we are enjoying the positive effects of many of these breakthroughs, we are also experiencing the brunt of unintended consequences. It is important to note that consciously or unconsciously, we are at the receiving end of these ‘developments’.

Whatever our pursuits may be, at the end of the day, we are individuals confined in the mind that we possess. This mind is exposed to various kinds of experiences throughout the day, with technology enabling most of these experiences. The modern-day dilemma of getting hooked to smartphones, be it a child or an adult, can be quite severe in many cases. Then, there are other concerns created by Artificial Intelligence taking over the freedom of humanity or the emergence of Cryptocurrency in the world of finance. The major rift created by such technological breakthroughs in our lives is a major cause of concern when we think about the nature and quality of life that we all want to strive for.

How can we gain control of our ‘mind’ in the midst of transient and unpredictable habits, thoughts and emotions ushered in by scientific and technological breakthroughs? How can we manage our thinking and decision-making processes to achieve mental stability and experience satisfaction at the end of the day? Since our mind plays a crucial part in decision-making, how can we ensure that our mind is sharp and alert enough to face any challenge? These are the questions that the retreat will seek to address.

About Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche:

The retreat will be led by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, who possesses a rare ability to present the ancient Indian and Tibetan wisdom in a fresh, engaging manner. Mingyur Rinpoche is a world-renowned meditation teacher with personal experience of anxiety and panic attacks, which he suffered from throughout his childhood and into his teenage years, when he learned to transform his panic through meditation. From childhood, he became interested in contemporary science through conversations with scientists on research projects that study the effects of meditation on the brain and the mind.

Mingyur Rinpoche’s first book, The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness, debuted on the New York Times bestseller list and has been translated into over twenty languages. His second book, Joyful Wisdom: Embracing Change and Finding Freedom, explores how difficult emotions and challenging life situations can be used as stepping stones to discover joy and freedom. In his most recent book, In Love with the World, Mingyur Rinpoche shares how his meditation practice sustained him when he left his monastery to wander through India and the powerfully transformative insights he gained from the near-death experience he had at the beginning of his journey. Rinpoche’s other books include Turning Confusion into Clarity: A Guide to the Foundation Practices of Tibetan Buddhism and an illustrated children’s book entitled: Ziji: The Puppy that Learned to Meditate.