The conference on Meditation For Pain Management was opened by the honorable Mr Nijawan, with a brief introduction to the SRSG campus, it's history and goals. The conference chair, Dr Susan Gould-Fogerite, then presented a discussion of the conference goals and structure. S.P. Mishra followed this with a lecture about the nature of the development of personal skills which are not taught in a modern university. Following him, Mr Veejay Dhasmana, Vice-Chancellor of HIHT-University gave an introduction to the work carried out at Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT). Dr. Clarke was next, discussing the goal of combined therapy as an integration of medical science with self awareness to facilitate changes in lifestyle, and enhance the effectiveness of medical treatment. Swami Veda Bharati was introduced by Veena Maitra, Vice-President of AHYMSIN, giving some details about the life of Swami Veda and his work for the benefit of humanity. The evening finished with an hour plus lecture by Swami Veda Bharati, making clear why the actual topic of the conference is not ‘Meditation and Pain Management’, but ‘Meditation for Pain Management’. Detailed notes follow:

Pain Conference Proceedings

Date: 24^th February 2009

Time: Early Evening Session 430 to 7pm

Location: Meditation Hall, SRSG

Name of Chairman: Susan Gould-Fogerite

Name of Reporter: Klara Gerrits & Adel Enderson

 

Name of Lecture: Welcome & Orientation to SRSG

Name of Speaker: Mr Nijhawan  

Programme Time: 430 – 445pm

Actual Time: 450-505pm

Reporter: Adel Enderson
Reference Material/Presentation/Other Information Collected: None provided. 

Main Points of the Lecture: Introduction to the SRSG campus.

Questions and Answers (name of person and details of question): None.

Other Comments (e.g. references to other resources, talks being held etc): None.

 

Name of Lecture: …Overview of Conference

Name of Speaker: …Susan Gould-Fogerite   

Program Time: …445-515pm

Actual Time: …505-518pm
Reporter: Adel Enderson

Reference Material/Presentation/Other Information Collected: …None provided. 

Main Points of the Lecture: .... Susan Gould-Fogerite presented a discussion of the conference goals and structure.  The following areas were identified within the program: the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual nature of pain and stress related symptoms, an introduction to the main practices (breathing, relaxation, biofeedback, asana), presentations from research and current use of techniques in a professional setting.  The objectives include the preparation of a book of proceedings of the meeting as a key reference for work in this area, the conference will allow people to recognize their own pain and stress related symptoms, to receive printed materials and books, to stimulate discussion and research topics through the use of the Interest Groups.

Questions and Answers (name of person and details of question): …None.

Other Comments (e.g. references to other resources, talks being held etc): ... None.

 

Name of Lecture: …Special Guest Lecturer

Name of Speaker: … S.P. Mishra   

Programme Time: …530-600pm

Actual Time: …520-540pm
Reporter: Adel Enderson

Reference Material/Presentation/Other Information Collected: …None. 

Main Points of the Lecture: ....

S.P.Mishra spoke about the nature of the development of personal skills which are not taught in a modern university, which is mainly competence-based. The development of culture, commitment and character are taught in Santi Kunj University in Haridwar which teaches yogic science, clinical psychology, ayurveda, Yajna, acupressure, pranic healing, and aromatherapy using complex herbal preparations, complimentary therapy, meditation at bachelor, masters, PhD and other diploma levels. 64 types of meditation have been worked out to cure mental disorders. The speaker discussed the issues of imbalances of the mind and the development of biological, psychological and spiritual immunity through practices such as meditation. 

Questions and Answers (name of person and details of question): … Question from Dr Susan Gould-Fogerite: In your experience with research would you say that the three types of immunity are closely related? Answer:  The biological and psychological immunities are very closely related.  Experiments in psychological disorders have a long lasting impact when treated through meditation.  There is PhD research being undertaken in this field in Santi Kunj University.  

Question from Veena Maitra: Interested in research area herbal cure through yajna.  Answer: the speaker invited Ms Maitre to visit the university where research is being carried out in the Department of Holistic Health of Santi Kunj University.

Other Comments (e.g. references to other resources, talks being held etc): ... None.

 

Name of Lecture: Opening Remarks

Name of Speaker: Mr Veejay Dhasmana, Vice-Chancellor of HIHT-University

Program Time: …515-530pm

Actual Time: …545-550pm
Reporter: Adel Enderson

Reference Material/Presentation/Other Information Collected: …None 

Main Points of the Lecture: ... Mr Dashmana gave an introduction to the conference by quoting Swami Rama who said that the purpose of life is not to attain God, but to be free from all of life’s pains and miseries. The speaker gave an introduction to the work carried out at Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT) and noted that within medical science many diseases are considered to be psychosomatic in origin.  Describing the work at HIHT he noted that the university is able to offer a combined approach to physical and psychological pain, through the skills of both medical researchers and spiritual leaders. 

Questions and Answers (name of person and details of question): …No questions.

Other Comments (e.g. references to other resources, talks being held etc): ... None.

 

Name of Lecture: Conference Theme Address: Combined Therapy Approach to Stress & Pain Management

Name of Speaker: John Clarke.

Program Time: 600-700pm

Actual Time: 600-700pm
Reporter: Adel Enderson

Reference Material/Presentation/Other Information Collected: powerpoint, to be received… 

Main Points of the Lecture: ....

Dr Clarke provided some background to the topic of combined therapy stating that Swami Rama had developed this approach primarily at Honesdale

He discussed the goal of combined therapy as an integration of medical science with self awareness to facilitate changes in lifestyle, and enhance the effectiveness of medical treatment. The speaker discussed the limitations of the medical paradigm for diagnosis and treatment as compared to the self awareness paradigm which encourages education, self observation, control of behviour and habits and which gives a sense of control to the person involved (the patient).  The speaker discussed the stress response to external stimuli, the mechanisms of pain, the dimensions of the pain experience, and the use of alternative strategies for the management of chronic pain which may not be available in the typical medical setting.  The speaker provided some information on the practical application of techniques such as diet, exercise, stress and pain management, meditation and breath awareness as an introduction on how to begin with the combined therapy approach. 

Questions and Answers (name of person and details of question): … Dr Veena Maitra offered some thoughts to the group asking how doctors and health professionals can help with the treatment of pain and suffering which may be encountered on a national level, through economic or natural disasters. (No response to the question was requested from the speaker).

Dr Ganesh Sharma asked if there is any research or observations made regarding the release of chemicals such as endorphins/opiates into the brain and the role of meditation in such releases.  Answer:  The speaker replied that there had been research into the analgesic effect of meditation, and the self medication through meditation.  He suggested that an area of research would be to analyse the feeling of bliss experienced during deep meditation.  This would be limited by the difficulty of monitoring actual concentration patterns during meditation to obtain reliable results.

Other Comments (e.g. references to other resources, talks being held etc): ... It was noted by the Chairman (Dr Susan Gould-Fogerite) that Dr Arnuad Delorme will be presenting a talk on the monitoring of concentration during meditation.

 

Name of Lecture: …Introduction of SVB

Name of Speaker: …Veena Maitra, Vice-President of AHYMSIN   

Programme Time: …800-900pm

Actual Time: …800-840pm
Reporter: …Klara Gerrits

Reference Material/Presentation/Other Information Collected: …None 

Main Points of the Lecture: ....

Veena Maitra spoke about the exceptional story of Swami Veda Bharati. A story of magic of a person who never went to school but speaks 17 languages, and is Master of the Himalayan tradition. SVB brings cultures and religions together. From his connection with the cosmic intelligence, he works for the benefit of humanity. In this conference, organized by SVB, his aim is to bring together the medical knowledge and the wisdom of the Himalayan Tradition.

Questions and Answers (name of person and details of question): …None

Other Comments (e.g. references to other resources, talks being held etc): ...None

 

 

Name of Lecture: Nature of Pain and Pleasure

Name of Speaker: …Swami Veda Bharati (SVB) 

Programme Time: …800-900pm

Actual Time: …800-920pm
Reporter: …Klara Gerrits

Reference Material/Presentation/Other Information Collected: …None 

Main Points of the Lecture: ....

SVB made clear why the actual topic of the conference is not ‘Meditation and Pain Management’, but ‘Meditation for Pain Management’. Meditation is not a mere technique to cure problems. Meditation is a means to expand our consciousness, so that pain doesn’t control us and we become the type of person who suffers the pain less. We must separate the fact of pain and the suffering from it: the pain is present, but with the help of its antidote ‘pleasure’, we can change the duh-kha (painful, non-harmonious sensing) into su-kha (pleasant sensing).  If we can identify and reduce the emotional and mental responses which are associated with pain we can reduce the effect of the pain overall.  These associates of pain may include anxiety, fear from memories of previous pain experiences, memories of the pain experiences of others and so on.  The ability to isolate and remove these associated emotions and reactions is obtained through the use of meditation as awareness and self observation of our body, mind and breath as we move throughout the day.  SVB gave advice on how to use practical techniques such as breathing and relaxation to support this process, asking yourself “What happens to my mind when I use this method?” “What happens with my senses?’, ‘How do I feel pleasure and pain now?’     

As a starting point SVB asked the audience to try the following techniques while they are at the conference and observe the results:

1. Relax your forehead particularly in times of stress or of pain (constant interaction between the forehead and the pain/pleasure/stress centers in the brain);
2. Practice 2-minute meditations regularly throughout the day.  

Questions and Answers (name of person and details of question): …None

Other Comments (e.g. references to other resources, talks being held etc): ...None