Parliament of Worlds Religion 1999 Capetown SA

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

Page 91

1 9 9 9 PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD S RELIGIONS I DENTITY
FRIDAY DECEMBER 3
2:00 PM–3:00 PM IN SCIENCE 3.81 Suffering Is Not the Enemy: How the Shared Wisdom of Buddhists and Christians Can Humanize Modernity The Rev. Canon James Farwell As societies modernize, they fall in love with "progress," assuming that progress will eventually heal us of everything from illness to inconvenience. Though this drive for progress sometimes relieves suffering, it also teaches us to fear suffering. This can have frightening effects: at worst, we repress the suffering of our own psyches, turning it outward in violence and intolerance. Thus, modernity's fear of suffering only increases suffering. Is there any way to modernize without increasing suffering? Buddhism and Christianity offer rich traditions of spiritual practice that can help address this problem. Rev. James Farwell is a Ph.D. candidate at Emory University, with expertise in Christian theology, social ethics and Buddhist Christian comparative Theology He is a priest in the Episcopal Church, USA.
3:00 PM-4:00 PM IN SCIENCE 2.74 Brigid: Celtic Goddess, Celtic Saint Rev. Selena Fox The presenter will begin by reading a 19th century Scottish blessing of Brigid, followed by a 20th century Brigid chant. The presenter will then give a talk on some of the spiritual traditions, lore, symbols, and customs associated with Brigid in ancient and contemporary times, in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, America, and elsewhere. She will talk about her own personal experiences working with Brigid and her descent from the ancient keepers of Brigid's scared site at Abernethy, Fite, and Scotland. The presenter will also guide a Brigid meditation, followed by a discussion of sacred personal and group work with Brigid for healing and inspiration. The workshop ends with an interactive question and answer session with participants. Rev. Selena Fox is high priestess of Circle Sanctuary and Co-executive Director of Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve in southwestern Wisconsin, USA. She is a Wiccan priestess, interreligious ecospirituality minister, and clinical psychotherapist.
2:00 PM–3:00 PM IN SCIENCE 3.47 Unfolding the Essential Self Ms. Arife Ellen Hammerle Sufism is a complete system of self-understanding through inner awareness and balance of body, mind, and spirit. This lecture and workshop provides an introduction to Sufi principles and practices of meditation. We will create inner harmony and compassion as members of the global, spiritual, and interfaith community. Anife Ellen Hammerle, a sufi teacher of Shah Maghsoudieh Ba'tenien from the Oveysi lineage, is a psychotherapist. She has given numerous lectures and workshops, and has written extensively on Sufism
3:00 PM–4:00 PM IN SCIENCE 2.71 Children of the Gariep Mr. Jesse Strauss This lecture explores the history of the people of the Northern Cape, with particular focus on the Khiosan. This lecture will describe and relate the history of the indigenous people in this area. This history is important to share, because in many textbooks and historical surveys this history is missing Mr. Suauss spent fourteen years in the field of education as both a history teacher and a Principal of a high school. He also spent a year as a Pilot Manager of the South African Government's Land Reform Programme in the Northern Cape. He was involved in the anti-Apartheid struggle since 1976.
Identity
2:00 PM–3:00 PM IN SCIENCE 2.71 The Ways of Our Fathers Mr. Maarten Turkstra This lecture will provide an overview of African Traditional Spirituality, with a particular focus on the seven distinctive qualities of the ways of our fathers and the African conception of Divinity. The presenter will also describe the community initiation rites and the role of the Kyotla (the tribal elders). He will also explain the role of Ancestors in the rites of passage, as well as their socio religious functions. Mr. Maarten Turkstra has spent 25 vears traveling the world, stud and practicing the major religious traditions and their holy languages During this time, he has lived and studied in Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, Jewish and Native American communities.
3100 PM–3:45 PM IN SCIENCE 2.45 Emissaries of Light: Who and What are we? Ms. Charlene Hunter; Ms. Vicky Coates; Mr. Phil Richardson This presentation will illustrate the principles and history of the Emissaries of Divine Light, a world-wide spiritual organization established in 1993. The Emissaries function as a network of people whose primary purpose is to encourage the experience and expression of divine identity. This presentation will focus on describing the worship, attunement, education, and practice of creating community in the Emissaries. Charlene Hunter is Director of Operations for the Emissaries of Divine Light. She has been on the Board of Trustees for over 20 years. Vicky Coates is currently serving on the South African Board of the Emissaries, and is their representative to teh Emissary International Congress Phil Richardson is Board Member of the Emissaries of Divine light in South Africa. He has been a long standing member of the Emisseries, and is a trained facilitator of workshops.
2:00 PM–3:00 PM IN SCIENCE 2.74 Women and Witches in Cross-Cultural Discussion Ms. Jane Thompson This lecture will feature a cross-cultural discussion between representatives of Wicca, Pagan and African Traditional communities. This presentation will explore the concept of Witchcraft and the misogynist attitudes which underlie the burning of women as 'witches' from medieval times to contemporary Africa. Jane Thompson is a volunteer for the Parliament of the World's Religions office in South Africa She is also a Pagan eclectic.
3:00 PM-4:30 PM IN THEATER 1 Foundations of Sikhism Dr. Balwant Singh Hansra Dr. Hansra will present the history and fundamentals of Sikhism by highlighting the lives of Sikh gurus and their contributions toward improving the spiritual, social, political, and economic conditions in India. The presentation will also examine the social, political, and religious climate at the time of Guru Nanal's birth. Dr. Balwant Singh Hansra is a Professor of Physical Sciences at City Colleges of Chicago. He is former President of the Sikh Religious Society of Chicago: Trustee of the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religion (CPWR), Vice-Chair of CPWR: and Chair of HIPC CPWR.
Jain
.ion International 2010_03