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Due to road closures along Highway 1 to our north and south, Esalen is closed through April 11.
Esalen Institute is open! However, Highway 1 to the south is closed — please review the current travel advisory.
past workshop

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

September 14–18, 2026

Barbara Bogatin, Nikki Mirghafori and Clifford Saron

You are what you practice! The Buddha’s teachings meet modern brain science in this interactive workshop exploring meditation, musical performances, and neuroplasticity. Join us to discover how these practices can harmonize with one another to offer paths for inner peace and more joyful engagement with the world.

Leading deep inquiry and guided meditations, senior teacher Nikki Mirghafori mentors us on a journey into mindfulness and the cultivation of compassion. Neuroscientist Clifford Saron delves into the mysteries of the brain and shares the latest research from his field. San Francisco Symphony cellist Barbara Bogatin inspires us with the music of J.S.Bach and offers a rare glimpse into the process of musical creativity from the inside. Each day unfolds with a thematic focus, allowing us to dive deep into these three intertwined perspectives.

Together, we will be invited to:

  • Meditate on the themes of samatha (concentration), vipassana (insight), and metta (loving kindness), and their application to daily life.
  • Discover how scientists understand the impact of musical and meditative practice on our brains and bodies.
  • Understand how mindfulness practice enhances musical craft and expression.
  • Get to know each other as we share learning in group discussions.
  • Exult in the joy of music through live cello performances!

This workshop is for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of themselves and their connection to others through the lens of mindfulness, science, and art. Whether you’re a meditator, musician, clinician, or simply curious, you’ll find valuable tools and ideas to enrich your personal and professional life. No previous experience in meditation, music, or brain research is necessary!

Qualified participants can receive 18 CE credits via the Spiritual Competency Academy. Click HERE to learn more.

Barbara Bogatin

Barbara Bogatin is a cellist with the San Francisco Symphony, chamber music performer, and mindfulness educator. She has taught Mindfulness for Musicians seminars at the San Francisco Conservatory, Juilliard School, USC, Indiana University, and One Heart Institute Summer Program.

Full Bio

Nikki Mirghafori

Nikki Mirghafori, PhD, is a Buddhist teacher and AI scientist. She teaches internationally and serves as a stewarding teacher and on the board of directors at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.

Full Bio

Clifford Saron

Clifford Saron, PhD, is an emeritus neuroscientist at the Center for Mind and Brain and MIND Institute at the University of California at Davis. He has had a long-standing interest in the effects of contemplative practice on physiology and behavior.

Full Bio