Mindful Medicine: Charles Paccione at TEDxSLC
Channel: TEDx Talks
Date: 2013-07-10

Charles was a premedical student at Sarah Lawrence College interested in contemplative neuroscience and Buddhist psychology. Having contributed to nationally recognized laboratories in his field, he has investigated the ways in which traditional meditative practices can modulate our emotions, psychology, cognitive functioning, and behavior. For the last few years he has been developing meditation programs for cancer patients suffering from hypopnea, dysthymia, insomnia, and pain of the chest and stomach. Personal interests include eastern philosophical and clinical studies, and performing on the violin in the Manhattan area.

The practice of meditation can be considered as one of the most effective tools to cultivate a healing dialogue when diagnosed with cancer. Within the last ten years, studies of contemplative neuroscience and the phenomenon of neuroplasticity have shown us that the neural circuitry of the brain can become modulated and shaped by human experience and the environment. This provides the biological stage for a specific mental training strategy, such as meditation, to induce functional changes in the brain that can endure and transform our emotions and behaviors. In order to understand how meditation is a transformative practice for the mind, and this transformation of mind can possibly change the face of medicine today, we must consider the differences between what it means to heal and what it means to cure. Charles will make this case through a careful rethinking of clinical practice and sharing important experiences from his own work with patients.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)