Conference Info > Transforming our Minds
Transforming our Minds:
Discipleship & the Human Brain
Special All Day Seminar 9am-5pm October 11, 2008
Community Mennonite Church
Lancaster, PA
Discipleship or the imitation of Jesus is essential to the Christian way of life. This requires that those who follow Jesus “put on the mind of Christ,” the mind that exudes unconditional love. Recent discoveries in the human brain research show that we have an innate, hard-wired capacity to imitate. The capacity to imitate is part of a much larger social circuitry that involves not only the brain but the extension of the brain to the body via the distributed nerve networks.
Research also shows we have an innate capacity for caring, but whether or not that capacity is expressed or inhibited is dependent on appropriately timed experiences—especially during childhood. The relationship with caregivers has been shown to change brain structure and brain chemistry of the child. So much so that the brain of the child becomes in internal reflection of the external environment.
If the caregiver has “put on the mind of Christ” then it is the imitation of Christ—kindness, compassion, patience, understanding, care, empathy and mercy—in which the child would be immersed (baptized). Baptism in the life of Christ is a sure way to a secure attachment relationship—the single most important determinant in the development of the mind of the child. Imitation, however, is not just an important factor in early human development, it also has a pervasive influence throughout adulthood in ways we are just beginning to understand.
Feature Speaker:
John Carmody
Director, Center for Christian Nonviolence
This seminar will explore the intersection of discipleship and interpersonal neuroscience. It will also examine ways in which René Girard’s Mimetic (Imitation) Theory is supported by specific cells in the brain called mirror neurons that promote integration in our relationships.
Transforming Our Minds-Sessions Guide
Saturday, Oct 11th 9am-5pm
Session 1: Imitation: The Mirror Neuron System 9:00-9:45
-How mirror neurons work in the brain
-What happens when the system breaks?
Session 2: Our Social Circuitry: Wired for Resonance 9:45-10:30
-The relational dimensions of the mind
-The “Route of Empathy”
-Developing attuned relationships-resonating with others
BREAK 15 min
Session 3: Functions Developed by Brain Integration 10:45-11:30
-Body regulation and attuned communication
-Emotional balance, response flexibility and fear modulation
-Insight, empathy and morality
Session 4: Dissolving Top-down Influences with Mindful Behavior 11:30-12:15
-The “Tyrant in the Brain”-life on automatic pilot
-Limiting the effects of negative input through intention and reflection
Lunch 12:15-1:30
Session 5: Changing Our Brains By Changing Our Minds 1:30-2:15
-Prayer, Reflection, Meditation: influences on brain structure and
brain chemistry
-Exercise in Reflective Prayer (1): Journey to the Sacred Silence;
“Be Still and Know…”
Session 6: Following Christ the Positive Model of Imitation 2:15-3:30
-Nonviolent Logos in John’s Gospel vs Violent Logos in Greek Thought
-Exercise in Reflective Prayer (2): Journey to Wholeness with Creation, Self and the Creator
Break 15 min
Session 7: Finishing the Programming 3:45-4:30
-Fear modulation; the love that casts out fear
-Transforming the stress response; peace through forgiveness
-Exercise in Reflective Prayer (3): Journey of Discipleship;
the Work of Imitation
Session 8: Implications and So What? 4:30-end
-Pastoral Care, Teaching, Parenting
-Christian Discipleship
AM Sessions; 25 min lecture, 15-20 min Q & A
PM Sessions; 15 min lecture, 15 min reflective meditation, 10 min Q & A
There will be no charge for this event.
A free will offering will be taken.
Sorry, absolutely no admittance without pre-registration!
Christian history is full of examples of those who have suggested that the Christian life involves some sort of discipleship. Medieval Christian spirituality can be summed up as the period of The Imitation of Christ’ and our own modern period in the words of Charles Sheldon ‘What Would Jesus Do?’
Yet, imitating Jesus has fallen out of favor in many circles. There seems to be a sense that we can pick and chose how, where and when we heed the commands of Jesus in the gospels.
Contemporary breakthroughs in both the human and physical sciences are turning us back once again to discovering the ancient wisdom of imitating Jesus. Rene Girard’s mimetic (imitation) theory is gaining ground as an interpretive method in the human sciences, including theology and biblical studies and research on the human brain has pointed out the importance of mirror (imitative) neurons.
Dr. John Carmody, Director for the Center of Christian Nonviolence, a noted neurophysiologist and theologian brings together these emerging disciplines to create a new science of humanity, how we relate, interact and mature. The convergence of mimetic theory, neurophysiology and Christian discipleship opens us to new horizons to the importance and value of what it means as we contemplate following Jesus today, particularly how violence and compassion literally structure both our brains and minds.
Come and enjoy!
Register soon at 717.392.1550 or preachingpeaceorg@yahoo.com.
Please include contact info in your message.
