Alfred W. Kaszniak, Ph.D. is currently Director of the Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium Education Core, and a professor in the departments of psychology, neurology, and psychiatry at The University of Arizona (UA). Al also presently serves as Chief Academic Officer for the Mind and Life Institute, an organization that facilitates collaborative scientific research on contemplative practices and traditions. He is the co-author or editor of seven books, including the three-volume “Toward a Science of Consciousness” (MIT Press), and “Emotions, Qualia, and Consciousness” (World Scientific). His work has focused on the neuropsychology of Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related neurological disorders, consciousness, memory self-monitoring, emotion, and the psychophysiology of long-term and short-term meditation.  Al has served on the editorial boards of several scientific journals, and has been an advisor to the National Institutes of Health and other governmental agencies. In addition to his academic and administrative roles, he is a lineage holder and teacher (Sensei) in the Soto tradition of Zen Buddhism.

http://www.u.arizona.edu/~kaszniak/

http://www.upaya.org/programs/event.php?id=865

Al speaks with Joanna about consciousness, memory & creativity; meditation: the foundation of liberation; an integrated way of knowing: science & contemplative training; a new way of learning about being with Alzheimer disease patients for family caregivers; a transpersonal understanding of the nature of compassion…

 

 original music by Evarusnik