Parliament of Worlds Religion 2009 Melbourne Australia

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

Page 347

PROGRAM DES
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Whole Self - Whole Earth
Gede Parma
Room 102
Religious or Spiritual Observance
In the diverse and plentiful Pagan traditions, we experience the Earth as a Mother-force who nourishes, sustains and guides us on our journeys of spiritual discovery. Through our rituals and observances we align and attune with the natural rhythm of the cycles of Life. Inherent in this worldview of Whole Earth is Whole Self. We too must be whole if we are to fully experience and open to the wonder that is the Great Mystery of our Mother Earth and the Cosmos which is the dark womb that holds Her. This ritual observance will embody this principle of Whole Self - Whole Earth. This observance teaches that we are each intrinsically connected to Nature and to each other within it. If we seek wholeness of the Self through connection to our Earth we discover that personal transformation is at the heart of every choice we make and every hope that is kindled.
Gede Parma is a modern-day Witch and Pagan priest of the WildWood Tradition of Witchcraft. He is the author of 'Spirited: Taking Paganism Beyond the Circle' (Llewellyn Publications) and is a feature writer for Spellcraft Magazine. Gede weaves Mediterranean, Celtic, Faerie and Balinese traditions into his personalised path of ecstasy and magic.
Jewish Reform Morning Observance - Wednesday
Rabbi John Levi
Kim Gotlieb
Room 103
Religious or Spiritual Observance
An opportunity for people from a variety of religious, spiritual, or curious perspectives to engage in a Jewish morning prayer service. Informed by both Progressive Judaism and the Jewish Renewal movement (founded by Rabbi Zalman Shachter-Shalomi), which both embrace a commitment to strengthening Interfaith relationships. No Hebrew knowledge is required. The service will include some simple chants which follow the structure of all Jewish prayer services, while distilling many of the prayers to their essence, to highlight their intention in ways which are likely to resonate with the deepest humanity in us all. Led by Kim Gotlieb and Rabbi John Levi. Rabbi John Levi is Australia's first ordained rabbi. He was rabbi of Temple Beth Israel 1960 to 1997. He has a PhD from Monash University. He is an Adjunct Professor at the Australian Catholic University. He has published five books on Australian Jewish history, a study of the music of the Berlin Reform Synagogue and a Haggadah for Passover Eve. He is a Life Member of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and a founder of the Australian Council of Christians and Jews. He is a Member of the Order of Australia. He is the founder of progressive Jewish congregations in Hong Kong, Wellington [NZ) and Adelaide.
Kim Gotlieb is a lay leader involved in Jewish Renewal services at Emanuel Synagogue in Sydney. He also teaches 12-year-old boys and girls in the preparation for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah (confirmation. He has studied at Elat Chaayim in America, as well as a variety of Jewish teachings, both in Australia and abroad. He is a psychotherapist and group facilitator, drawing from Narrative Therapy and Process Oriented Psychology.
8:00-9:00am MORNING OBSERVANCES
Ancient Jain Mantra: Sound and Spirituality
HH Amrender Muniji Room 105
Religious or Spiritual Observance
Mantras use the power of sound to bring about purification, protection, healing and the awakening of divine powers. Mantras are also positive affirmations, bringing the practitioner to a state of oneness with God. This observance will include the chanting of mantras as well as an explanation of the philosophy behind them.
His Holiness Amrender Muniji is one of the few Jain monks who travel outside of India to preach nonviolence. He was initiated at the age of fourteen. He holds a Master's degree in Philosophy and Sanskrit, and is a scholar of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist Scriptures. He has undertaken intensive study, practice and teaching of Hatha Yoga and Kundalini Yoga. His dedicated service to humankind has been recognised by several organisations.
Meditation for Better Life
HH Swami Avdhesahanand Ji Maharaj Room 106
Religious or Spiritual Observance
To get rid of sorrows and to attain the permanent happiness is the only goal of every human being. All other goals are determined to attain this state of happiness. Even the most wonderful achievements in the world are nothing but the result of this one desire. Many people mistake the true nature of their yearnings and give them worldly direction, whereas in reality no human yearning can ever find satisfaction in anything that is not permanent and unchanging, however much people may try to deceive themselves on this point. People seek happiness in external objects, in the physical aspects of men and women. But true happiness lies within ourselves; it is our inalienable heritage. External things can never bring true happiness to us, and what little we get disappears in no time. Temporary happiness there is, no doubt, in worldly relations, in human love and human affection. But temporary happiness can never mean real happiness; rather it is the opposite of it. True happiness is the intrinsic nature of the inner Self.
Meditation is the way to achieve this True happiness. In this session Pujya Swami Avdhesahanand Ji Maharaj will teach us the art of Meditation, by which we can make our life wonderful.
HH Swami Avdheshanand Ji Maharaj is head of the Juna Peeth, the largest group of spiritual leaders in India, and Trustee of the Acharya Sabha, the highest council of authorities on Hindu Dharma. He is also the founder of several humanitarian organisations, author, speaker and recipient of the 2008 Hindu of the Year award.
www.parliamentofreligions.org 343 www.jainelibrary.org