AAAS Holds 2017 Forum on Science & Technology Policy

In 1988, Sam W. Lee obtained his doctor of philosophy in genetics from the University of California. This paved his way for a career in the medical profession. With over 20 years of teaching and research experience, Sam W. Lee also serves as a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is a non-profit organization, determined to advance science for the benefit of all individuals. To fulfill this goal, the AAAS board promotes international cooperation, fosters education, and seeks to improve public engagement on issues regarding science and technology.

AAAS holds an annual forum on science and technology policy, which 500 industry professionals attend. The forum also welcomes students and other individuals interested on how policy affects science and technology. The event serves as a venue for policymakers and science and technology stakeholders to exchange ideas and promote S&T policies. The 2017 Forum on Science & Technology Policy will be held March 27-28 at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC.

The Dalai Lama’s Science-Influenced Journey to Self-Knowledge

 



A respected medical researcher and administrator, Sam W. Lee, PhD, holds associate director responsibilities at the Cutaneous Biology Research Center, a partnership between Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. An avid reader, Dr. Sam W. Lee particularly enjoys the works of thinkers such as the Dalai Lama.

The bestselling author of The Art of Happiness (1998), the Dalai Lama also wrote The Universe in a Single Atom: The Convergence of Science and Spirituality (2005). A New York Times review underlines that the autobiographical work does not equate science with the “unprovable,” but provides an account of how the religious leader developed respect for, and came to embrace, science through life experience.

The Dalai Lama’s fascination with science goes back to the moment the he discovered it at age 2; following the death of his predecessor, a “spiritual search team” followed the deceased leader’s vision to a house faced toward where he had died and with a specific combination of gutters outside and relics and toys inside.

The young boy who assumed spiritual leadership of Tibetan Buddhism was drawn to a collapsible brass telescope among the possessions of his predecessor. This led to a fascination with working with mechanical devices, from watches to car engines. As an adult, the Dalai Lama dedicated equal time to scientific thought leaders as to philosophers and religious figures, and this book presents that science-influenced journey to self-knowledge and awareness of how the world works.

Two Misconceptions about Meditation

For more than a decade, Sam W. Lee has served at Massachusetts General Hospital as the associate director of the facility’s Cutaneous Biology Research Center. Outside of his professional life, Sam W. Lee participates in a number of activities aimed at promoting both mental and physical health, including meditation.

Meditation is a practice that offers both relaxation and self-awareness. Beginners often have some misconceptions about the practice. Here are two common myths about meditation.

One pervasive misconception about meditation is that it takes a number of years to master. Stories that permeate the cultural conversation are often about monks and other spiritual types who reportedly go into isolation to meditate for years on end. The truth, however, is that a person can see benefits from meditation on the very first day. While it is a skill that develops over time, there are no significant barriers to entry, regardless of a person’s experience.

While meditation does offer relaxation benefits, some have asserted that the practice is only about relaxing, which is not the case. Being centered, which is the goal of meditation, is a profound state in which individuals can achieve a heightened state of self-awareness, which helps them to make better, more conscientious decisions in their everyday lives.