of Happiness

Annual Free Online Conference

November 1–2, 2025

11:00 AM – 6:00 PM GMT+3 (GMT+3)

Program

Conference Registration

Attendance is free of charge

«In Search of Meaning: How to Not Lose Yourself in a Constantly Changing World»

The question of life’s meaning has always concerned people throughout human history. Today, in an era of rapid change and information overload, it is becoming increasingly relevant. How do we find a foundation in difficult times? How do we maintain inner well-being and not lose sight of what truly matters?

What We'll Explore:

The Existential Crisis of Modern Life: Why do we so often feel lost and alone?
Science, Philosophy, and Religion: How do different fields of knowledge address the search for life’s meaning?
The Psychology of Meaning: How can we learn to find satisfaction in life and achieve our goals?
Spiritual Practices: How can we find an inner foundation and discover our true nature?
Social Responsibility and Contribution: How can we make our lives more meaningful for others?
The Path to Purpose: How can we unlock our potential and find our calling?

Who This Conference Is For:

Those seeking new meaning in life
Those who want to understand themselves and their values better
Those striving for personal growth and development
Anyone interested in psychology, philosophy, and spirituality

Speakers

Our experts include scientists, psychologists, philosophers, and representatives from culture and the arts. Together, we will explore how to discover your inner compass — a reliable guide through any of life’s challenges. We’ll learn how to draw on this source of strength to overcome difficulties, find inspiration, and move forward. Let’s work together to make life happier and more meaningful!

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche is a world-renowned meditation teacher in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and the author of the bestselling book, The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness. After his participation in scientific research on the effects of meditation on the brain, The New York Times dubbed Rinpoche “the happiest man in the world.”

Richard J. Davidson

Richard J. Davidson is the William James and Vilas Research Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He is one of the world’s foremost neuroscientists and the founder of the Center for Healthy Minds, a research center dedicated to cultivating well-being and relieving suffering through a scientific understanding of the mind.

Dmitry Leontiev

Head of the International Laboratory of Positive Psychology of Personality and Motivation, National Research University Higher School of Economics. Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor.

Svetlana Shtukareva

Logotherapist, Head of the Higher School of Logotherapy at the Moscow Institute of Psychoanalysis. Honorary Member of the International Association for Logotherapy and Existential Analysis. Member of the Board of the Viktor Frankl Institute (Austria).

Nikita Obraztsov

Popularizer of religious studies, author of the popular science book World Religions: How to Decode the Sacred Side of Humanity, lecturer at the Right Hemisphere of the Introvert platform.

Svetlana Yablonskaya

Crisis psychologist, logotherapist.

Evgenia Volyanskaya

Entrepreneur, founder of Evolution Space, author, architect and facilitator of programs.

Cortland Dahl, PhD

Teacher, author, and translator. Chief Science Officer at Tergar International and Research Scientist at the Center for Healthy Minds

Edwin Kelley

Buddhologist, meditation master with over 45 years of experience, whose path began in Australia and led him to temporary monastic ordination in Burma, followed by many years of service as executive director of a leading meditation center in the United States.

Kunsang Palmo

A Buddhist nun of English origin and a meditation teacher, she completed a classic three-year retreat in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition—spending three years, three months, and three days in complete solitude, dedicating all her time to intensive meditation practice.

Armаn Bekenev

Candidate of Psychological Sciences, trainer at the Moscow Institute of Process-Integrative Therapy, member of the Council of the Professional Process-Oriented Community, trainer at the Moscow Psychological Laboratory 12, co-author and facilitator of theater projects including “Democracy.doc”, “Society of Anonymous Artists”, “Big City”, “Crisis”, and member of the artistic council of the Joseph Beuys Theater.

Sergey Nasibyan

Clinical psychologist, psychoanalyst, Vice President of the “International Association for Provocative and Paradoxical Approaches in Psychotherapy.” Author and host of the interactive psychological show “Provocation” on Radio “Mayak,” and host of the podcast “Triggers” on the “Podcast.Lab” program of Channel One.

Anton Kartamyshev

Clinical psychologist, catathymic-imaginative psychotherapist, cognitive-behavioral therapist (ACT, CFT, Unified Protocol), member of ACBS (Association for Contextual Behavioral Science). Accredited supervisor of OPPA (National Society of Professional Psychologists).

Paata Amonashvili

President of the International Center for Humane Pedagogy, Doctor of Psychological Sciences, educator, and author.

Program

Conference Opening & Welcome Message

11:00 – 11:10

Irina Kuznetsova. Senior Instructor, Tergar Center.

The Meaning of Life: What Do We Really Know About It?

11:10 – 12:10

Dmitry Leontiev. Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor.

The meaning of life remains one of the most profound intrigues for modern humans. Does life even have a meaning? Do we discover it somewhere or construct it ourselves? Does every person ponder meaning, at least occasionally, or is this the privilege of only a few? How does one search for it, and how can it be found? Is the pursuit of meaning a sign of neurosis or, conversely, of higher well-being? What are the practical benefits of having a sense of meaning?

Together with Dr. Dmitry Leontiev, Professor of Psychological Sciences, we will explore what the meaning of life signifies from philosophical and psychological perspectives, and discuss the practical implications of striving for meaning in our daily lives.

How Religions Address the Question of Meaning: Finding Common Ground in Diversity

12:10 – 13:10

Nikita Obraztsov. Religious scholar, science communicator.

Throughout human history, religion has played a key role in the search for answers to the question of life’s meaning, shaping values and worldviews that have helped people make sense of their existence, find their place in the world, and cultivate hope for the future.

Join religious scholar and science communicator Nikita Obraztsov as we explore how various religious traditions address the eternal question of the meaning of existence.

Guided Meditation with a Tergar Instructor

13:10 – 13:30

Andrey Kostyrko. Senior Instructor, Tergar Center.

The Crisis of Meaning: Diverse Manifestations and Pathways to Resilience

The Crisis of Meaning: Diverse Manifestations and Pathways to Resilience

13:40 – 15:00

Moderator: Anastasia Parfenchikova, psychologist, author of the channel "Buddha, Brain, and the Neurophysiology of Happiness." Program Director of the Conference.

Speakers: Evgenia Volyanskaya, founder of Evolution Space. Svetlana Yablonskaya, crisis psychologist. Anton Kartamyshev, Clinical psychologist.

The loss of a sense of meaning and inner stability can arise unexpectedly across various aspects of life, manifesting uniquely depending on context and individual experiences.

We will explore how the loss of direction can emerge in professional life, affect the quality of relationships, intensify due to challenging circumstances, and accompany pivotal stages of personal development. The discussion will focus on strategies to transform crises into opportunities for profound personal growth and the re-evaluation of values and goals.

From Doing to Being: Ancient Wisdom and New Science on the Lost Art of Doing Less

16:00 – 17:00

Cortland Dahl, PhD. Teacher, author, and translator. Chief Science Officer at Tergar International and Research Scientist at the Center for Healthy Minds

In a world that glorifies busyness, many of us find ourselves stuck in overdrive—constantly doing, rarely just being. Despite outward success, countless people quietly feel exhausted, restless, and disconnected, caught in a cycle of distraction that leaves little room for genuine presence.

Drawing on both ancient contemplative traditions and cutting-edge neuroscience, this talk explores how we can reclaim the lost art of doing less. Through mindfulness and the practice of presence, we can shift from striving to simply being—discovering a deeper sense of calm, clarity, and fulfillment that isn’t dependent on achieving more, but on remembering who we already are.

The Search for Meaning as a Reflection of Our True Nature

17:15 – 18:30

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. World-renowned meditation teacher, author of the bestselling book The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness

The search for life’s meaning is not merely a philosophical question but the deepest, most innate longing of our hearts. World-renowned meditation master, bestselling author, and Buddhist monk Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche teaches that this very yearning for truth, compassion, and purpose is itself an expression of our original, perfect nature.

At the conference, Mingyur Rinpoche will share simple yet profound practices with us. You will learn how to stop seeking answers externally and begin to recognize that your true nature, brimming with clarity and wisdom, has always been here. This is an encounter with yourself that will help you realize: you are not just searching for meaning—you are its very source.

How to Unlock Your Potential and Find Your Calling

How to Unlock Your Potential and Find Your Calling

11:00 – 12:30

Moderator: Dinara Toktosunova, Senior Instructor, Tergar Center

Speakers: Edwin Kelley, Buddhologist and meditation master. Kunsang Palmo, Buddhist nun. Sergey Nasibyan, psychologist, writer, consultant for the series "Trigger."

Finding our calling often brings a sense of purpose to our lives. But how do we discover our own unique role in this world? How do we understand what truly brings us fulfillment and makes life meaningful?

Participants in this discussion — accomplished professionals from various fields — will share their experiences in recognizing their callings and unlocking their potential to create lives that reflect their authentic values and interests.

The Existential Crisis of Modern Humans: What It Is and What It Can Become

12:30 – 13:30

Svetlana Shtukareva. Logotherapist, Head of the Higher School of Logotherapy at the Moscow Institute of Psychoanalysis, Honorary Member of the International Association for Logotherapy and Existential Analysis, Member of the Board of the Viktor Frankl Institute (Austria)

Existential questions touch the deepest level of human existence: the meaning of life, death, freedom, solitude, and life choices. They inevitably arise in each of us, regardless of cultural background or historical era. But do we need them? Wouldn’t it be easier to live without asking such complex, sometimes unanswerable questions? After all, constant reflection on the meaning of life can lead to existential crisis and suffering, hindering our ability to address everyday tasks. Let us explore this together with Svetlana Shtukareva.

Lotuses in the Fire: The Role of Self-Knowledge in Finding Meaning

13:40 – 14:20

Arman Bekenev. Candidate of Psychological Sciences, trainer at the Moscow Institute of Process-Integrative Therapy, member of the Council of the Professional Process-Oriented Community, trainer at the Moscow Psychological Laboratory 12.

What we habitually consider our “self” is formed through relationships with parents, society, and the world in the broadest sense. At some point, we may feel the need to find an authentic foundation for our uniqueness within ourselves—to distinguish it from the traces of influences from the relationships that shaped us—and to build our lives in accordance with this unique living core. To do this, we journey inward and begin the process of self-knowledge. We will explore how to sense and discover this living core, and how to build a relationship with it.

Guided Meditation with a Tergar Instructor

14:20 – 14:40

Alina Ruben. Instructor, Tergar Center.

Seeds of Meaning: How to Talk to Children About What Matters and Help Them Find Their Path

15:40 – 16:40

Paata Amonashvili. President of the International Center for Humane Pedagogy, Doctor of Psychological Sciences, educator, and author

Purpose is a Skill: Scientific Insights on Finding Meaning and Fulfillment in a Challenging World

16:50 – 18:00

Richard J. Davidson. William James and Vilas Research Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Founder of the Center for Healthy Minds.

We are living through an epidemic of disconnection. Rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness continue to rise, and for many, a sense of meaning and purpose feels increasingly out of reach. These struggles affect not only our mental health and emotional well-being, but also our physical health and longevity.

Cutting-edge neuroscience offers a hopeful alternative. Research now shows that purpose is not a fixed trait we either have or don’t have—it’s a skill. And like any skill, it can be learned and strengthened.

In this talk, world-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Richard Davidson will share how simple daily practices—requiring just minutes a day—can help us shift our perspective, cultivate meaning, and find fulfillment in the lives we already live. Dr. Davidson will explore why purpose is no longer a luxury but a necessity for human flourishing in the 21st century, and how developing this skill can help us reorient toward what truly matters, even in the midst of busy, stressful lives.

Watch the Conference Recordings

You can purchase recordings of this year's conference as well as the 2024 conference and watch them at your convenience throughout the year. All proceeds from the sale of recordings will support the activities of Tergar Russia, whose mission is to spread practices of meditation, loving-kindness, compassion, and wisdom in our world.

2024 Conference

In 2024, we held our first conference, Buddha, Brain, and the Neurophysiology of Happiness, which brought together experts from various fields to explore the nature of happiness. They shared evidence-based techniques and practical recommendations to help cultivate greater joy and well-being in everyday life.

Conference Organizer

Tergar Meditation Center Russia has been teaching meditation since 2010 and works closely with the global Tergar community under the guidance of Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche.

Tergar’s mission is to share practices that cultivate mindfulness, loving-kindness, compassion, and wisdom in the modern world. Rooted in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the center’s programs are accessible to people of all cultures and beliefs.

The center’s instructors have years of personal meditation practice and have trained under Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche and senior Tergar instructors in Europe, India, Nepal, and the United States.

Support Us!

Buddha, Brain, and the Neurophysiology of Happiness conference is offered free of charge thanks to the generosity of individuals and the efforts of the Tergar Center. A dedicated team of volunteers and professionals has worked tirelessly to bring together experts, design the program, develop the website, launch promotional campaigns, and secure media partnerships. We are committed to ensuring professional technical support for the conference to guarantee its success.

Our goal is to share the benefits of this conference with as many people around the world as possible—those who seek happiness and well-being.

With your support, we can reach even more participants. Please consider contributing to help us make a greater impact!

Support the Conference

Buddha, Brain <br>and the Neurophysiology<br> of Happiness

Conference Registration

«In Search of Meaning: How to Not Lose Yourself in a Constantly Changing World»

What We'll Explore:

Who This Conference Is For: