French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) presents A Conversation on Contemplation and Creativity with Matthieu Ricard and Philip Glass, moderated by Mark Epstein, M.D.

This fall, Buddhist monk, author and photographer, Matthieu Ricard, will meet with world-renowned composer Philip Glass to explore the fascinating crossroads between contemplation and creativity. A presentation of the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF), the evening is part of FIAF’s fall Crossing the Line 2010 festival, conceived as a platform to present vibrant new works by a diverse range of transdisciplinary artists working in France and New York City.

Exploring how meditation can access the creative muse, the discussion takes its cue from Ricard’s blockbuster book, Why Meditate?, an instant bestseller in the author’s native France that makes its English-version debut this September.  Ricard’s insightful work strives to foster the dialogue between Tibetan Buddhism and the West. Composer Philip Glass will share his similarly rewarding use of meditation to create some of the most heralded musical compositions in contemporary music.