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101 Islam: Way of Peace Mai Abdul Rahman and Elaine Linn
Belief in the oneness of God leads Moslems to a life of harmony and
tranquility attainable within all people. Tolerance, loving and
trusting others, seeking perfection and constant awareness of our
Creator are among the ways we attain spiritual peace. Yet in these
adverse times, we balance our inner lives against the pressure to define
ourselves to others. Has Islam become a burden or an even greater
opportunity to attain peace? Through personal accounts, Qur’anic
recitation and prayer, we will learn about shared inner harmony among
women. Mai Abdul Rahman traces her lineage back to the Prophet Mohammad
and is a member of the Peace Comission of the Episcopal Diocese of
Washington. Elaine Linn converted from Lutheranism to Islam 17 years
ago and is active in the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh. Pa.
102 Praying by Hand Sharifa Alkhateeb, Reginia Carder, Victoria Urubshurow and W. Rukmini Walker
Experience the presence of the Divine by chanting while using beads as a
tool for concentration. We will learn about the history and theology of
using chanting and praying with beads in Islam, Christianity, Hinduism
and Buddhism and experience each approach. The chanting experience can
be a deep one that bridges sectarian differences and creates common
ground for healthy dialogue. Sharifa Alkhateeb is president of the
North American Council for Muslim Women. Reginia Carder is the director
of Adult Formation at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Shepherdstown, W. Va.
Victoria Urubshurow is a teacher of Buddhism and researches women in
mythology. W. Rukmini Walker is a priest in Caitanya Vaishnavism, a
monotheistic Hindu order.
103 Opening Your Heart through Jewish Traditions Lisa Berg
Learn about Jewish song and tradition, the importance of daily living
within Jewish law and how these practices relate to other traditions. We
will make sacred objects inspired by the models of the mezuzah, a
container that holds part of the Hebrew prayer, the Shema, and the
tefillin, two small boxes that contain passages from the Torah used
during morning prayer. Then we will find our own internal word of God
through guided meditation and Jewish music. Lisa Berg is a human
potential consultant, group leader and founder and president of the
Joyful Life Club.
104 The Body as a Gateway to God Carolyn Bluemle
The practice of yoga not only unifies the mind and body but also
improves our physical and emotional condition so we can respond to
whatever God calls us to do or be. We will explore how yoga postures
clear emotional knots in the body so the spirit can come home and be
still. And, we will learn posture sequences to Christian prayer,
including the Lord’s Prayer, to deepen faith through the practice of
yoga. This workshop is limited to women with at least a few months of
yoga experience. Carolyn Bluemle is a certified Iyengar yoga teacher
who found yoga instrumental in facilitating her return to
Christianity.
105 Telling Secrets for Empowerment and Change Diana Butler Bass
Hiddenness creates dysfunction and limits women’s spiritual power, but
we can re-craft our faith traditions by telling honest stories about our
lives and our congregations. We will experience non-vindictive and
loving ways of telling truthful stories as a way of bringing about
reform. Women of any or no faith tradition are welcome to focus on
Christian text and stories as a way to cultivate empowerment and
leadership. Diana Butler Bass, an Episcopalian, is an adjunct professor
at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Va., and author of
Strength for the Journey.
106 Living Oneness in Loving Awareness Amida Cary
The knowledge and presence of Oneness that forms the living tissue of
our heart is the gift we can offer the world in its hour of great need.
We will participate in the traditional Sufi mystical practice of
purification and, through a contemporary Sufi meditation, learn to
experience each other as unique beings expressing the diversity and
multiplicity inherent in Oneness. Then we will come together in
dialogue, prayer and song to celebrate the sacred web of life. Amida
Cary is a senior representative and retreat guide of the Sufi Order
International. She runs a retreat center in Annapolis, Md.
107 Creating a Circle of Stillness Elisabeth Dearborn and Jean Matlack
We might contact our destiny at age 14 but it may take until we are 55
to gain the life experience and tools to bring it into being. Women in
and beyond menopause can use the Quaker query to examine this phase of
life, asking “What is the liberation available to me on the spiritual
level now that I am a woman of a certain age?” Through dance, yoga,
writing, drawing and silence, each participant will explore her own
experience of the query. Elisabeth Dearborn is a Quaker, mystic, wife,
mother and Rosen Method body worker. Jean Matlack is a retired
psychotherapist and Kripalu yoga teacher.
108 Acts of Devotion Rasajña Devi Dasi
Bhakti is defined in ancient texts of India as "a tenderness of the
heart experienced toward the Supreme." Engage all five of your senses
in the experience of preparing a devotional offering to the Supreme
Sentient Being. See and smell the flowers and incense of the altar we
will build. Touch the ingredients of Khichari and pappadam, foods we
will prepare together. Listen to sacred music as we offer a devotional
song. Finally, taste the sacred food called "Prasad," or mercy of the
Lord. Based in Austin, Tx., Rasajña Devi Dasi is an actress and healer
who gives workshops on Bhakti Yoga.
109 Reclaiming Jewish Women’s Wisdom Tirzah Firestone
Despite what history books may tell us, men were not the sole
originators of Jewish spirituality or the mystical path known as the
Kabbalah. Throughout the centuries, Jewish women developed their own
uniquely feminine approach to the sacred life. Come and learn about
historical women mystics, sages, and healers who unabashedly studied and
lived the principles of the Kabbalah, and who model for us the
integration of masculine and feminine, light and shadow, transcendent
and earthly forces. You will come away with usable tools to calm,
strengthen and balance your self. Tirzah Firestone is a rabbi in the
Jewish Renewal movement and author of With Roots in Heaven.
110 Earth Medicine Songs La KotaHasie Frazier
The teaching of a song is the teaching of a prayer. Come learn Native
American ceremonial songs that awaken the soul to its innermost journey.
We will learn the morning sunrise song and the gratitude song and give
thanks for the day and for life. Bring drums and rattles to be part of
a circle of drumming to hold fast the steady heartbeat of all life.
When we learn to use songs as prayer, we can use them for healing and
unity in daily living. La KotaHasie Frazier is a ceremonial leader,
teacher and Sun-Moon dancer of Abenaki, French and Lakotah descent.
111 The Circle of Life as the Cycle of Seasons Jane Grissmer
Change is constant in nature as well as in us, and each season reflects
a unique resonance. Learn about the Taoist principle that life is
governed by the cycle of the five seasons and that each season—winter,
spring, summer, late summer, and autumn—requires a change to take place
in us. Through lecture, drawing and experiential exercises, we will
observe the movement of the seasons within, while noting areas of
strength and challenge. Jane Grissmer is an acupuncturist and
co-director of Crossings: A Center the Healing Traditions in Silver
Spring, Md.
112 Revelation: Not Just for Prophets and Priests Claudia Jean Hill
The dynamic spark in Mormonism springs from the credo of personal
communion with the Divine for both women and men. Learn about specific
Mormon teachings of receiving revelation and inspiration in life. We
will hear our own spiritual whisperings by using creative journaling to
identify our own spiritual symbols and divine answers to life’s
questions. Claudia Jean Hill is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints and the founder of Creative Journey, a program to
help others through therapeutic experiences in the creative arts.
113 Sikh Spirituality in Song Amrit Kaur
The Sikh sacred text, the Guru Granth Sahib, is made up of thousands of
lyrical hymns soaked in the love of God. The teachings guide us in
overcoming the five vices that control the mind. We’ll learn about the
Sikh faith and practice breathing exercises using a holy word to enter
the inner silence. Then we will listen to and meditate on a selection
of these sacred songs accompanied by the harmonium and the Indian drums,
tablas. Amrit Kaur sings, and plays and teaches the harmonium to
children for her church, the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation. She will be
joined by several musicians.
114 The Feminine Fabric of Islam Manal Omar
The Queen of Sheba, Mariam the mother of Jesus and the saint Rabia
al-Adawiya, are among the countless women martyrs, heroes and saints who
have helped preserve the nature and spirit of Islam across time. Many
scholars link rahma (mercy) with the Divine maternal aspect. Using
stories, self-reflection and dialogue, we will identify and explore the
feminine motifs in the Quran that offer strong inspiration to women.
Manal Omar has served as a researcher and consultant in numerous
capacities across the Middle East. Her primary interests are in gender
and development and the role of American Muslims in public life.
115 Understanding Rumi Lida Saeedian
According to the 13th Century Persian poet, Mowlana Jalaloddin Rumi, “We
are all puppets in the hands of the power of God.” After some personal
childhood tales of Iran, we will learn about the life of Rumi and the
unity of all through Rumi’s poetry. Then, we will compose and share our
own poetry or prose inspired by Rumi’s terminology and mysticism. Lida
Saeedian is a Jewish woman who was born in Iran and grew up in a
community of Jews, Christians, Muslims, Baha’is and Zoroastrians. She
learned the art of singing sacred poetry in the style of Persian
classical music and performs throughout the United States.
116A Honoring the Story Kathleen Norris
How did we get here?
Who helped and/or hindered us along the way? What is our community of
faith? These are the essentials of spiritual biography. In answering
these questions over time, we come to know ourselves and others more
deeply. Using writing and storytelling, we will explore some of the
commonalities and differences that bind us together in the human family.
Kathleen Norris has written several bestselling memoirs of her
religious and spiritual explorations. Her latest title is The Virgin of
Bennington.
117 Welcoming the Queen of Sabbath Hanna Tiferet Siegel
Experience a joyful Shabbat/Sabbath morning prayer service of song,
silence, story and sacred dance as we welcome the Shekhina, “She who
dwells within.” Awaken to the wholeness of your being and the beauty of
your soul. We will invite our ancient mother, Rebecca, from the weekly
Torah portion of Toldot, to join us in our quest for divine guidance in
tumultuous times. Hanna Tiferet Siegel is a Jewish spiritual teacher,
composer and liturgical artist and is currently the spiritual co-leader
of B’nai Or in Boston, Ma.
118 Dance Your Heart Inside Out Zuleikha
How do you get from the here of everyday life to the there of the
sacred? Is the path to direct experience of the Divine open only to
mystics and saints, or to you and me? In this workshop, dance and pure
movement serve as the vehicle to let go and enter the wilderness of the
spirit. This is an opportunity to discover the dance that lives inside
our hearts. Bring your longing to celebrate reverence of life itself.
Zuleikha is a worldwide performer of story and dance and has worked with
women in healing movement for many years.
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