Parliament of Worlds Religion 1999 Capetown SA

Author(s): Parliament of the World’s Religions
Publisher: USA Parliament of the Worlds Religions

Page 126

1 9 9 9 PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS IDENTITY
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7
the Song holds great promise for contemplating the divine embodiment in the physical form. This would be especially true in light of the meaning of the 'Song as the speech of love and intimacy between the devotee and the divine. However, we find the Midrashic and Kabbalistic commentaries to the 'Song' a transfiguration of the body and the textualization of erotic desire. In this paper I select several commentaries to the verse, "May he kiss me with the kisses of the mouth" and trace the hermeneutical moves of these commentaries in conceptualizing the signification of the mouth and the kiss. I explicate how the body is abstracted and conceptualized as the language of the Torah, and how Eros is contextualized in the Talmud. Finally, I discuss the implications of such semiotics for the body and sexuality in the Jewish tradition. Dr. Yudit Kornberg Greenberg has been a professor of religious studies at Rollins College for the past 13 years. A native of Israel with academic specialization in Jewish studies, women's studies, and cross-cultural concepts of the body. Dr. Greenberg has been a very active voice and presence in the religious and spiritual life of the Central Florida community
2:00 PM–3:00 PM IN THEATER 5 The New and True World: Religion of Adidam Dr. Carolyn Lee No spiritual master in human history has ever had his life and work so closely observed and thoroughly documented as the contemporary Spiritual Master Avatar Adi Da Samraj. In hearing the story of his own extraordinary birth, we receive a uniquely detailed and intimate picture of the meeting between a contemporary Divine Incarnation and an increasingly secularized global culture. This workshop brings Avatar Adi Da's fully current by presenting to us creative struggles whereby Adidam, the international community of Adi Da's devotees, are attempting to make a great esoteric spiritual practice universally available to a world in crisis. Carolyn Lee, Ph.D., is the author of the acclaimed full length biography of Avatar Adi Da Samraj. The Promised God-Man is Here. She has spent much of the last decade directly observing him instruct and bless aspirants from all over the world.
2:00 PM–2:45 PM IN SCIENCE 3.89 Health: Sacred Possibilities Dr. Iqbal Badat This presentation proposes the creation of a health forum, comprised of all the different religious traditions, to guide us towards health and well-being. Also explored will be the sacred possibilities for health care as outlined in the Qur'an, specifically Prophetic Medicine (Tibbun-Nabawi). Dr. Badat is qualified in various types of natural medicine, with particular expertise in spiritual and energy medicine. He also runs a magnetotherapy clinic for the disadvantaged in Cape Town,
2:00 PM–3:00 PM IN SCIENCE 3.80 The Role of the Body in Prayer Rev. Thomas Patrick Ryan, CPS All the affective charges we hold in our bodies from the stresses of daily living can derail our efforts to pray. If we persist in trying to pray all the while ignoring the body and thinking that prayer is just a matter of the mind, our efforts will lead to frustration and mental struggle. This session focuses on the body as the environment of the mind and demonstrates how even working minimally with your body to release tension and stress before times of prayer will palpably deepen your corporeal quietude and mental tranquility. When body, mind, and spirit are harmonized, the mystery residing in our deep being comes through more clearly. Rev. Thomas Ryan, a Roman Catholic priest and member of the Paulist Fathers, is founder and director of Unitas, an ecumenical center for spirituality and Christian meditation in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He is the author of several books, most recently, Prayer of Heart and Body and Disciplines for Christian Living.
Identity
2:00 PM–2:45 PM IN THEATER 6 Islam, Modernity, and the Family Dr. Huda Abbas Afshi; Ms. Suehir Al-Qurashi Ideas of modernity have challenged many traditional values, and family values are among them. The panelists will critically review these ideas. In addition, they will look at the way in which Islam confronts these challenges. Dr. Arshi teaches English Literature at the Girl's College of Education in Riyadh. She was head of the Department of English and also the Vice Dean of the College for five years. She received her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature. Ms. Suheir Al Qurashi is the Dean and administrative hcad of a pioneering and premiere institution of higher learning. Dar Al Hekma Private College for Women in Jeddah. She is a specialist with a MA in management and quality control and an active contributor to the women's and youth programs, and a promoter of women's education.
2:00 PM–2:45 PM IN SCIENCE 3.81 Transformative Insight Imagery: Conflict Resolution Dr. Charlotte A. Smith This experiential workshop, through an imagery process, will identify various parts of ourselves that contribute to internal and external conflict. We will find a way to release these parts that hold anger, strife, disharmony, or competition to a sacred place within. Conflict resolution is a commitment to living truthfully and is an expression of our willingness to release the control drama. Charlotte A Smith, Ph.D., has engaged in individual, marital, and family psychotherapy in private practice for over thirty years. Her Doctoral studies at Northwestern University successfully researched the effects of
rain activity. She is a certihed transformative insight imagery Trainer and has been facilitating imagery groups for twenty years.
2:00 PM–2:45 PM IN SCIENCE 2.45 Moving Forward in Unity Rev. John A.V. Strickland The lecture will be an overview of the origins of the Unity Church, its current state, and its future. More specifically, there will be an introduction to the basic philosophy and teachings of Unity, the development of its philosophical tenets, current worldwide organization, and Unity's agenda for the future. The Unity Church is based on the concept of using spirituality in a practical approach to life in the here and now; Unity reverends study all religions and find points of agreement; furthermore, Unity seeks to help people better their lives in whatever religion they worship. John A V. Strickland, an ordained Unity Minister, currently serves as Senior Minister at Unity Church of Hawaii in Honolulu, He is the iTunediate past Chair of the Board of the Worldwide Association of Unity Churches, with headquarters in Lee's Summit, Missouri, Mr. Strickland served as Director of Silent Unity. Board Member and Vice President of the Unity School of Christianity, and Board Member of the Kansas City Museum
2:00 PM–4:00 PM IN SCIENCE 2.73 The World Behind Your Eyes Ms. Brenda Kali This workshop will teach participants how to cope with loss, trauma, heartbreak, death and betrayal through the philosophy and practices of Buddhism. Ms. Brenda Kali is the Head of programmes for South African Broadcast Corporation, and is both a writer and philosopher.
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