“InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven-Step Process from the World’s Spiritual Traditions” will be held at La Casa de Maria in Santa Barbara from September 28 to November 16.  This special series of weekly programs celebrates the publication of a new book by Ed Bastian. (Click here for information on the book)

DESCRIPTION

The goal of this program is to help each participant develop a sustainable contemplative practice and to cultivate tranquility, focused awareness, compassion, wisdom, and service to others.

This contemplative process was developed over a ten-year period through extensive meditative experience and dialog with esteemed teachers of meditation in Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Native American, and Taoist traditions.  As a process and not a destination, it can be practiced alone, with others of our tradition, from a variety of traditions, or without a tradition.  Engaging with contemplative teachers from a variety of traditions profoundly enhances our personal spiritual practice.

Joining in stillness, we don’t impose on others our own personal beliefs, rituals, or the names for our absolute truths,” deities, or God.  We honor and celebrate the contemplative and compassionate practices of all traditions.  We experience a unifying InterSpiritual consciousness emerging from the integrity of each tradition.  We discover a profound unity within our diversity.  We flourish in the love, peace, compassion, gratitude, and the strength of our shared wisdom.  We are of one heart.

Our fall program will include seven weekly sessions meeting Tuesday nights from 7 – 9 pm from September 28 to November 16.  Participants will receive a copy of Ed Bastian’s book “InterSpiritual Meditation: a Seven-Part Process Drawn from the World’s Religions.”  They will also have access to a website that provides an online discussion forum to deepen our experience and community support of each other.

TEACHERS

Seminar leader Ed Bastian is the author of “InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven-Part Process from the World’s Spiritual Traditions.” Upon which this course is based.  He is also an award-winning author of “Living Fully Dying Well.”  He holds a Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies and is President of Spiritual Paths Foundation.

We will be joined by esteemed local teachers including Afaf Turjoman (Islam), Sister Suzanne Dunn (Christianity), and Pravrajika Vrajaprana (Hinduism). Juliet Spohn-Twomey will moderate our reflections using the principals of Parker Palmer’s Circles of Trust process.

SCHEDULE

September 28: Motivation – “May We Be Healthy & Happy”
We begin meditating with confidence and determination to heal the innermost causes of illness and suffering, and to cultivate mental conditions leading to happiness.

October 5: Gratitude – “May We Be Grateful for Lifes Many Gifts”
We give thanks for the presence of our teachers, friends, family, the environment that nurtures and sustains us, and for all the blessings and challenges of our lives.

October 19: Transformation – “May We be Transformed into our Ideal Being”
With Pravrajika Vrajaprana (Hinduism)
Visualizing the being we’d most like to become, we acknowledge and confess our shortcomings, vowing to patiently persevere in attaining our highest ideals.

October 26: Intention – “May We be Loving & Compassionate”
with Afaf Turjoman (Islam)
We set our intention on love and compassion — the transformative energies for the health and happiness of all beings including ourselves.

November 2: Mindfulness –  “May We be Mindful through Breathing”
Mindfully, we concentrate on our breathing. This calms, clears and focuses our mind. Thoughts, memories, and feelings are observed and released.

November 9: Meditation – “May We Become Wise through Meditation”
with Suzanne Dunn (Christianity)
Alone, or in community, we deepen of our own wisdom as well as our InterSpiritual communion with other diverse experiences of the sacred.

November 16: Dedication – “May We Serve Others
May this meditation help us to engage fully in the world with patient kindness and wise compassion.

FORMAT
Each session will include the following elements:

7:00 – 7:15             Introduction to Subject
7:15 – 7:45              Presentation & Conversation with Guest Teacher
7:45 – 8:00             Questions and Answers
8:00 – 8:10             Break
8:10 – 8:30             Reflection & shared dialogue
8:30 – 9:00             Meditation

COST
$230 including the book