The Anatomy of Awe: Art, Neuro-Aesthetics, and the Stendhal Syndrome
Webinar Online & Recorded July 19, 2026
1.5 Continuing Education Credits
An Exclusive 90-Minute Live Webinar & Interactive Experience
Is it possible for the human soul to process too much beauty?
In 1817, the French author Stendhal stepped out of the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence and experienced a sudden, violent physical collapse—his heart raced, his knees buckled, and he felt a profound sense of psychological dissolution.
Join Mind Body Passport for an exclusive 90-minute online seminar exploring the dizzying intersection where Renaissance genius, neuro-aesthetic response, and human emotion collide.
To unpack this "Beautiful Malady," we are bringing you a rare, double-dose of expertise. You will also experience how to practice ©The Saturated Gaze (a technique developed by Dr. Leslee Brown) to ground the nervous system.
We joke that it’s "Dr. Brown & Dr. Brown", combining clinical depth psychology with world-class renaissance art history to explore the threshold of absolute awe.
The Dual Perspectives: Psychology Meets Art History
Dr. Brown & Dr. Brown will bring two distinct lenses to unpack the mysteries of aesthetic overwhelm:
The Clinical Reality (Dr. Leslee Brown): Discover how dense concentrations of art trigger cardiovascular stress, cognitive disorientation, and emotional saturation. Learn about the clinical documentation of Stendhal Syndrome and how to practice ©The Saturated Gaze (a technique developed by Dr. Leslee Brown) to ground the nervous system.
The Renaissance Canvas (Dr. Alexandria Brown-Hedjazi): Understand the deliberate genius behind the masterworks. How did artists like Michelangelo and Brunelleschi engineer form, space, and perspective to intentionally push the human viewer to the absolute brink?
Can't make it live? A full recording will be sent to all registered participants.
What You Will Explore in 90 Minutes:
What You Will Explore in 90 Minutes:
The Clinical History: Trace the somatic dimensions of aesthetic overwhelm from 19th-century travelogues to modern psychiatric wards in Florence.
The Medici Footprint: A visual journey through the artistic layout of Florence, from the heights of San Miniato to private Renaissance sanctuaries.
The Saturated Gaze: An introduction to experiential, unhurried tools designed to slow the pulse and allow beauty to dissolve into the psyche rather than shatter it.
December Expedition Preview: An exclusive look at the itinerary for our private December 2026 tour in Florence, where you can travel live with both Doctors Brown.
Can't make it live? A full recording will be sent to all registered participants.
Meet Dr. Brown &
Dr. Brown
Dr. Leslee Brown, PhD
Dr. Leslee Brown is the visionary Founder, President and Director of Mind Body Passport Inc., where she designs and leads transformative international programs that offer continuing education credits to adult professionals worldwide.
She is a PhD psychologist and a pioneer in travel and education for global professionals, with decades of psychological expertise. With a multifaceted passion spanning psychology, culture, art, psychoanalysis, and social dreaming, Dr. Brown excels at weaving diverse disciplines into rich learning experiences. She firmly believes that travel opens the mind, fostering new perspectives and profound personal growth.
Her extensive career reflects a deep commitment to global psychology. Dr. Brown previously served as The Director of International Seminars and Gastprofessor at Sigmund Freud University in Vienna, focusing on "psychologists without borders" and the advancement of international psychology.
With over two decades in private practice, Dr. Brown brings a wealth of clinical expertise. Her background also includes impactful roles as a research psychologist for The Neurologic Institute and as a faculty member at UCLA Medical School, where she taught psychology and rapport-building techniques to medical students. She was also an Assistant Professor and Director of Centers for International Studies at The Chicago School.
Leslee's life mirrors her work; she divides her time between Los Angeles and Paris, and the rest is spent traveling the world, continually seeking and creating opportunities for expansive learning.
Dr. Alexandria Brown-Hedjazi, PhD
Dr. Alexandria Brown-Hedjazi, PhD Based in Florence, Dr. Brown-Hedjazi is a globally recognized art historian specializing in the Early Modern and Renaissance periods. She holds her PhD from Stanford University and currently serves as a professor at Syracuse University in Florence. A former Samuel H. Kress Institutional Fellow at the renowned Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz, her scholarship brilliantly unpacks the grand scale and intimate details of Italian history and architecture.
“I was in a sort of ecstasy... Absorbed in the contemplation of sublime beauty... I reached the point where one encounters celestial sensations... I had palpitations of the heart... Life was drained from me. I walked with the fear of falling”
This program is ideal for:
- Art Historians, Curators, & Educators who wish to explore the profound psychological space where human emotion, neuro-aesthetic response, and Renaissance genius intersect.
Deep Travelers & cultivated minds considering joining us in Florence this December who want a taste of our on-ground team.Those looking for a unique, intellectually stimulating, and culturally immersive travel experience beyond the typical tourist path.
- Mental health professionals seeking Continuing Education Credits while expanding their cultural and historical understanding.
- Anyone fascinated by the intersections of art, literature, and psychology, eager to explore how genius is shaped by place.
- Enthusiasts of art history and literature.
- World Travelers: Expand your professional network and learn from diverse perspectives.
*No prior knowledge or experience required
Learning Objectives
-Discuss the historical, psychological, and physiological dimensions of The Stendhal Syndrome (Hyperkulturemia) as documented in clinical literature and historical travelogues.
- Describe the somatic and emotional responses of patients experiencing acute emotional and physical overwhelm when exposed to dense concentrations of art and historical architecture.
- Discuss and apply experiential techniques, such as the Saturated Gaze, to cultivate mindfulness, reduce cognitive fatigue, and deepen therapeutic presence through slower, more deliberate observation.
Itinerary Highlights
Florence Italy trip
Dec. 5-10
Exclusive Curated Art Seminars: Experience the Uffizi Gallery and Santa Croce not as a casual tourist, but through immersive private tours led by a renowned art historian, focusing on the literal footsteps of Stendhal and modern cases of artistic saturation.
The Dream Collage & Weaving the Unconscious: Begin each morning with private, intimate workshops designed to unlock your creative subconscious, providing a soft, protective workspace to integrate the profound beauty witnessed throughout the journey.
Sensory Awareness & Grounding Workshops: Engage in immersive, unhurried practices designed to help you shed the frantic "tourist eye." You will learn how to anchor your senses in the present moment, allowing supreme beauty to dissolve into the soul rather than overwhelm it. With gentle techniques designed to slow your pulse, open your awareness, and physically process the intense emotional resonance of Florence’s masterworks.
Panoramic Perspectives & Hidden Rooms: Gain a macro-perspective of Florence from the sacred heights of San Miniato al Monte to understand the city's aesthetic layout. From there, trace the historic Medici footprint across the Boboli Gardens, the Pitti Palace, and private Renaissance sanctuaries, shifting your sight from the intimate details of the canvas to the grand scale of Florentine beauty.
Rooted in the Vines: The Earthbound Reset: Leave the dense stone of the city behind to let your senses breathe in the rolling hills of Tuscany. This dedicated countryside escape settles the pulse with an exclusive private estate tour.
On our final day, through the rich tastes of regional wines, earthbound Tuscan oils, and the unhurried warmth of a shared estate lunch, your entire body becomes a grounded receptor, quietly absorbing the beauty of Italy while gently bringing you back down to earth, beautifully prepared for your transition back into the world.The Sensory Satiation: The Art of Wearable Beauty: Scent & Vintage Archives
Awaken every facet of your physical being through exclusive sensory immersions. Scent your memories by creating a custom fragrance in an alchemical perfume workshop.
Explore what it feels like to be literally swathed in beauty during a curated vintage fashion excursion that grants exclusive access to a secret archive room.
Sensory & Boutique Accommodations: Settle into a fabulous boutique hotel in the heart of Florence, featuring a private loggia with a picture-frame view of the city skyline below, the perfect sanctuary for evening aperitivi and reflection.
This journey offers more than beautiful places, it invites a deep engagement with self, story, and culture. See the full itinerary below for daily details.
Costs
Secure your place on this transformative journey!
Alumni only $49
New Participants $59
Payment options at checkout: PayPal, Venmo, Pay Later, Apple Pay, PayPal credit, Debit/Credit cards, bank transfer
Custom Payment Plans: Need a more tailored payment solution? Please email us at info@mindbodypassport.com for inquiries on custom payment plans.
Once we receive payment, we will send you confirmation and all preliminary information via e-mail.
Our Commitment & Community Perks
At Mind Body Passport, community comes first, and we believe in giving back:
Referral Bonus: Refer a friend or colleague who registers for a trip, and we'll gift you a $200 discount on your next Mind Body Passport adventure!
Group Incentive: Organize a group of 5 participants for our extraordinary journies, and your spot is FREE!
Once we receive your payment, you'll receive an email confirmation along with all preliminary information to prepare for your journey.
Questions?
Contact Dr. Leslee Brown for a free one-to-one consultation or e-mail us at info@mindbodypassport.com
Mind Body Passport is approved by the California Psychological Association to provide continuing professional education for psychologists. Mind Body Passport maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Mind Body Passport is also recognized as a CAMFT-approved Continuing Education Provider - certificates are awarded upon successful course completion. CE credits are calculated based on lecture and seminar time. Outside activities, tours, and cultural programs are not included.
Refunds
Once fees are paid, absent Mind Body Passport’s approval in its sole discretion, no refunds will be issued.
This webinar is recorded you may view anytime!