Past Workshops

"The Buddha, the Brain, and Bach; Exploring Practice in Mind, Music, and Life" Workshop at Esalen

With meditation teacher Nikki Mirghafori

Big Sur, CA

September 15-19, 2025

You are what you practice. Or, as the Buddha said, “Whatever you frequently reflect and ponder upon, that becomes the inclination of your mind.”

This essential observation is examined from our intertwined perspectives on contemplative practice, brain science, and music. Through interactive inquiries and guided meditations, Nikki Mirghafori will lead a journey into mindfulness and compassion cultivation. Neuroscientist Clifford Saron will take us on a voyage of discovery into the mysteries of the brain and neuroplasticity. San Francisco Symphony cellist Barbara Bogatin will inspire us with Bach and provide a rare glimpse from inside the process of musical creativity.

"The Buddha, the Brain, and Bach" Workshop at Omega Institute

With meditation teacher Nikki Mirghafori

Rhinebeck, NY

August 17-22, 2025

"Whatever you frequently reflect and ponder upon, that becomes the inclination of your mind," the Buddha said. In other words, you are what you practice.

Throughout this experiential retreat, we examine this essential observation from our intertwined perspectives of contemplative practice, brain science, and music.

"The Buddha, the Brain, and Bach" Workshops at Mind & Life Europe Summer Research Institute

Rangjung Yeshe Gomde, Austria

July 27-31, 2025

This year, coming down to earth, as it were, ESRI 2025 will begin exploring meaningful ways of living together, braiding together the theoretical questions of the two years before with the concrete, ethical dimensions of our everyday lives. Far from creating another duality, this year’s approach will be "theor-ethical", asking questions from the ground up.

This year marks the final year in a three-year thematic arc at ESRI, “Caring for Life”, which aims to foreground caring as an active, processual, and participative feature of being sentient in a wildly complex and rapidly evolving ecosystem.

"The Buddha, the Brain, and Bach" Workshop at Osterloh Retreat Center

Teisendorf, Germany

July 11-13, 2025

Our workshop invites you to explore the fascinating connection between contemplative practice, brain research and music. We immerse ourselves in the world of guided meditations and discover how they can enrich our entire lives.

Integrated 4-Day Mindfulness for Musicians Program at One Heart Institute

Ukiah, CA

June 18-21, 2025

We will explore how to integrate the skills cultivated through insight meditation into your instrumental practice and performance. Each day will feature a different topic of discussion and related experiential workshop.

There will also be opportunities to have one-on-one sessions with Barbara and other faculty members.

This program is open to students, professionals, and amateurs with different instruments.

Mindful Audition Bootcamp at One Heart Institute

Ukiah, CA

June 15-18, 2025

This unique 4-day Mindful Audition Bootcamp brings an invaluable perspective to audition preparation and implementation. The ancient contemplative practices of meditation, mindful breathing, and movement techniques drawn from yoga and Buddhist traditions are combined with the best contemporary methods of audition training for today’s musicians.

New Year's Day Program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center

Performing and teaching with Sylvia Boostein and Friends

On-Land in Spirit Rock Community Meditation Center (Woodacre, CA), or Online via Zoom

Wednesday, January 1, 2025
10:00AM – 1:00PM PT

Join us to celebrate the arrival of 2025 with the New Year team—Sylvia Boorstein (a founding Spirit Rock teacher), Brahmani Liebman (Kripalu Yoga Teacher, Trainer & Mindful Movement Teacher), Barbara Bogatin (San Francisco Symphony cellist), and Barbara Borden (Drums, Percussion, The Keeper of the Beat)—as we individually and collectively respond to the fundamental question, “What, in challenging times, keeps the mind alert and buoyant, and the heart hopeful and generous?”

“The Buddha, the Brain, and Bach: Exploring Practice in Mind, Music, and Life”

Esalen Institute

September 16 - 20, 2024

Co-teaching with meditation teacher Nikki Mirghafori and neuroscientist Clifford Saron

“The Buddha, the Brain, and Bach: Exploring Practice in Mind, Music, and Life” represents 3 aspects of being or “ways of knowing” -- contemplative investigation, scientific understanding, and artistic expression.

Taken together, the wisdom from these 3 domains provides insight into who we are as human beings, how to bring compassion and meaning into our lives, connect with others, and find personal happiness and satisfaction.

Integrated 3-day Mindfulness Program for Musicians

One Heart Institute

June 16 - 18, 2024

Teaching an Integrated 3-Day Mindfulness for Musicians Program, including seminars and experiential workshops. Each day will focus on skills that we cultivate in meditation that are useful in music practice and performance. Neuroscientist Cliff Saron will give related presentations on musicians’ brains and neuroplasticity. Open to students, professionals, and adult amateurs of all instruments and genres.