Lama Zopa Rinpoche Marina Brucet and Hans Burghardt. Photo courtesy of Vajrapani Institute.

In the words of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, “science and spirituality may develop to better serve the needs and well-being of humanity,” as he wrote in The Universe in a Single Atom: The Convergence of Science and Spirituality (2005). This vision — of Buddhist wisdom and modern science in dialogue, for the benefit of all — has found new expression in Buddhist Mind Science: Activating Your Potential, the FPMT curriculum that Lama Zopa Rinpoche felt fulfilled exactly that wish. Now, this August, Vajrapani Institute (US) will host the curriculum’s inaugural retreat. The retreat is intended for participants from the general public, including FPMT students and members, who wish to go through the entire course in an experiential way and gain the maximum benefit from the course material. That this is part of an ongoing effort across the organization, in line with Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s vision, to emphasize gaining actual experience of the Dharma.

Several FPMT centers have been actively working to bridge the fields of Buddhism and science. We rejoice in their efforts to bring this vision to life and to serve others through this meaningful work. 

Here we share information about the upcoming retreat opportunity, from Suzy Waters and Cristian Cowan  of Vajrapani Institute:

This August (August 29, 2026 – September 6, 2026) Vajrapani Institute (US) will host its inaugural Retreat of Buddhist Mind Science, offering a rare opportunity to study directly with the program’s creators, Marina Brucet and Hans Burghardt of Tushita Meditation Centre in Spain. It is equally an invitation for anyone, from complete beginners to longtime practitioners, to explore the mind through the complementary lenses of Buddhist wisdom and modern science. Buddhist Mind Science: Activating Your Potential has emerged as an FPMT course that bridges between contemporary scientific understanding and the profound psychology of the Buddha.

A Retreat Designed for Dharma Immersion

Although Buddhist Mind Science can be offered as weekly classes, the retreat format allows participants to experience the curriculum in an especially immersive way. Because Buddhist Mind Science: Activating Your Potential begins with universal human experience rather than Buddhist terminology, it provides a welcoming environment for those completely new to Buddhism while offering fresh perspectives for longtime students. 

Fulfilling Our Gurus’ Vision

The origins of Buddhist Mind Science: Activating Your Potential lie in Hans and Marina’s years of teaching at Tushita Meditation Centre in Spain. They found that many students were deeply interested in meditation but were not necessarily interested in becoming Buddhists. As teachers, they often found themselves leading Lamrim and Mahamudra courses for students with little or no previous exposure to Buddhist philosophy, revealing a need for an authentic introduction that preserved the depth of the Dharma while speaking in a language accessible to contemporary seekers.

Hans and Marina first developed a small pilot course and presented it to Ven. Joan Nicell, then FPMT Foundational Program Coordinator, who immediately recognized its potential as an important educational offering for FPMT. Encouraged by her enthusiasm and by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, they expanded it into what would become the seven-module Buddhist Mind Science: Activating Your Potential  curriculum.

When Hans later presented the completed curriculum to Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Singapore, Rinpoche was delighted. According to Hans, Rinpoche later told Ven. Roger Kunsang that he wanted to show the program to His Holiness the Dalai Lama because he felt it fulfilled His Holiness’ long-standing vision of bringing Buddhist wisdom into dialogue with modern science in a way that was accessible to contemporary people. For Hans and Marina, Rinpoche’s joyful response was a deeply meaningful affirmation that they had achieved the aspiration that had guided the project from the beginning.

For Elaine Jackson, one of the founding members of Vajrapani Institute and a Buddhist Mind Science facilitator, the course also beautifully fulfills Lama Yeshe’s vision of Universal Education. As Elaine recalls, Lama Yeshe once told Ven. Connie Miller: “I feel these things could be put into a universal language… give up religion, give up Buddhism, go beyond Buddhism, put the essential aspect of the philosophy into a scientific language. This is my aim.” Elaine reflects simply: “That is exactly what Hans and Marina have produced.”

Bringing Together Science and Contemplative Wisdom

Few people are as uniquely qualified to create such a curriculum as Hans and Marina. Before dedicating themselves to Buddhist study and teaching, both earned PhDs in scientific disciplines from the University of Barcelona and worked as academic researchers. They later completed the FPMT Masters Program at Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa, Italy, and have spent decades teaching at Tushita Meditation Centre while continuing extensive meditation retreat. Drawing on scientific training, deep Buddhist scholarship, and years of introducing Western students to the Dharma, they created a curriculum that invites participants to investigate their own experience through meditation, reflection, discussion, and insights from both Buddhist psychology and contemporary science.

Modules of Buddhist Mind Science: Activating Your Potential

The seven-module curriculum unfolds through four interconnected themes:

• Purpose
• Mental Balance
• Warm-heartedness
• Wisdom

Beginning with universal human experience before gradually introducing teachings such as karma, the nature of mind, and emptiness, the course welcomes newcomers while offering meaningful depth for experienced practitioners.

Supporting the Future of FPMT Centers and Study Groups

Buddhist Mind Science: Activating Your Potential  was designed not only to be learned but also to be easily shared. Many FPMT centers and study groups have expressed enthusiasm for the curriculum while recognizing a common challenge: there are not yet enough qualified facilitators to offer it. Unlike many FPMT education programs that require years of preparation before teaching, Buddhist Mind Science: Activating Your Potential provides a more accessible pathway. Appointed facilitators become qualified by completing the seven modules and orientation and are supported by comprehensive manuals, presentations, guided meditations, facilitator notes, exercises, quizzes, and promotional materials. Registered FPMT teachers are able to teach any module of the course after completing the orientation session and are recommended to attend at least one module. Elaine Jackson has witnessed the impact firsthand. “This is the first course I’ve taught where there were more students at the end than when we started.” Her experience reflects what many centers and study groups have been seeking: an introductory program that genuinely welcomes newcomers while naturally opening the door to deeper Dharma study. Beyond learning the curriculum, facilitator candidates gain firsthand insight into the educational vision and teaching methods that shaped it over many years. FPMT registered teachers, along with facilitator candidates appointed by an FPMT center, project, or study group, are warmly invited to attend, Vajrapani Institute is also kindly offering substantial scholarship support for approved facilitator candidates staying in shared accommodations. 

Study Buddhist Mind Science Online!

Buddhist Mind Science is also available as a self-paced self-study online course for those who cannot participate in-person at an FPMT center. All seven modules are now available at the FPMT Online Learning Center. More information about the Buddhist Mind Science course and FPMT centers offering it is available on the FPMT website.

With grateful thanks to Suzy Waters and Cristian Cowan for sharing the details of this retreat. Is your center bridging science and Buddhism as well? We would love to hear about it and share it in a future story

Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.