Parliament of Worlds Religion 2009 Melbourne Australia

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

Page 349

PROGRAM DESER
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
The Way of Balance
Eugene Imai
Chisato Morita
Tomokazu Yamamoto
Keita Karasaki
Atsuya Imoto
Kanami Hino
Kazuo Takizawa Room 207 Lecture
One of Shumei's main teachings, the 'way of balance' is a key to successfully navigating though the world and one's life. It describes a particular pattern of thinking and acting centred around balance and timing. It is a non-judgmental and holistic approach to life, which accepts everything for what it is. By applying the teachings of Mokichi Okada, known to Shumei's members as Meishusama, the way of balance embraces living with kindness and compassion. By sharing the principles of the way of balance, this observance presents a path to finding true peace and happiness.
Eugene Imai is the National Director of Shumei America and the Director of the International Department of Shumei. Shumei is a Japanese spiritual organisation committed to furthering an ideal state of health, happi ness and harmony for all mankind. As the Director of Shumei America, he provides spiritual guidance and support to Shumei ministers and members in America, including farmers practising Natural Agriculture. He has also participated in interfaith activities, locally and internationally. Chisato Morita is a staff member of Shinji Shumeikai.
Tomokazu Yamamoto, Keita Karasaki and Atsuya Imoto are university students.
Kanami Hino and Kazuo Takizawa are workers.
A Celebration of Urantia, Our Planet
Gard Jamison
Francyl Gawryn
Room 208
Religious or Spiritual Observance
The Urantia Book teaches that our world is just a small part of a much larger system of superuniverses, all inhabited by trillions of sentient beings who also worship and celebrate the same God that humans do. The Urantia Book presents us with an invitation to expand our cosmic consciousness, to enhance our spiritual perception of these universal values, and to honour and sustain God's creative diversity. This observance will be a Celebration of the Family of God and will be hosted by members of the Urantia Community from Australia and the United States. There will be song and silence, word and image honouring the Universal Father of all creation. Participants from all faith traditions are welcome to join us as we celebrate the diversity represented at the Parliament, seek a deeper compassion, and achieve a heightened quality of wisdom. Gard Jamison is chair of the Southern Nevada Interfaith Council, board member of the North American Interfaith Network, and member of the
United Religions Initiative. He teaches Asian Philosophy at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and is the author of 'Phaethon: A Story for our Mythic Moment'.
Francyl Gawryn is a musical recording artist and director of Youth Education at Grace Community Church, Boulder City, Nevada, USA.
8:00-9:00am MORNING OBSERVANCES
Master Class in Raja Yoga: A Pathway to Healing and Transformation
Dadi Janki
Room 212 Lecture
Raja Yoga is the art and science of mastering the mind and developing a lasting and profound connection with the Supreme. Dadi Janki will explore the depth of Raja Yoga practice and its contribution to healing on all levels: physical, emotional and spiritual. Dadi will also explain how to apply our inner wisdom in everyday life to gain inner strength, which will enable participants to maintain their own inner happiness in the face of challenges and help others to do the same. In the words of Alfredo Sfeir Younis, 'Dadi Janki is so important to the world. This goes beyond her material existence. She is such a soul that no matter what state she is in physically, she will continue to thread the human quilt so as to awaken us to a better future for humanity."
Dadi Janki is a master Raja Yogini. Now 94 years of age, she has studied and practised meditation since childhood. She first came to London in 1974 and has since overseen the expansion of the Brahma Kumaris into over a hundred countries. She is also Patron of the World Congress of Faiths and a member of the Global Peace Initiative of Women. She is now based in India.
Sanctuaries for Healing the Earth: Sharing Collective Wisdom and Ceremony
Leslie Meehan Room 214 Interactive Workshop
How can people of all beliefs gather together to create a sacred space to honour and heal the earth? This program will answer this question by asking participants to co-create an altar and hold an earth celebration ceremony, during which participants will send blessings to the UN Climate Change Conference delegates meeting in Copenhagen. During this gathering, we will share our experiences of physical and virtual earth sanctuaries around the world. Participants will share stories and collective wisdom regarding sacred spaces consecrated to healing the earth. All are invited to bring objects representing their love for the earth to add to the altar. The program will also include a demonstration of an on-line sanctuary developed for the Gaiafield Project, a Wise Climate 2009 subtle activism initiative. Subtle activism is spiritual or conscious activity intended to support collective healing and social change. By linking the healing intentions of
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