Men's Wisdom Circle

2012-01-12T16:56:00.000-08:00

Guest Presenter: Ken Kitatani
Topic: The Sacred Art of Giving Light
Venue: 401 Baker St, San Francisco
Date & Time: Sat, Jan 21 2012, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Ken Kitatani has been an instructor for the Centers for Spiritual Development of Sukyo Mahikari since 1992. In his years of tenure, he has been taken on many roles and was posted to many centers in the North American region, including New York, Chicago, Houston, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and the regional headquarters in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. At present he is the Assistant Director of the San Francisco Center and Regional Staff Coordinator of the Scholars, Health, and Educators Groups. Ken is a recognized teacher and translator and has been the official translator throughout the North American region as well as internationally in Japan and other countries for over 16 years. Ken also currently serves as the Director of Forum 21, a multidisciplinary research association, that brings together experts from diverse fields to focus on issues facing the world today and seek out positive solutions. He is the USA representative of Women In Need, International, an NGO that advocates for gender equality and sustainability. He also serves on the board of What Shape is Green?, a program of sculptures for the environment. Ken graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in East Asian Studies. He also studied Vipassana meditation extensively in Myanmar (Burma) under the guidance of U Tagaya and U Janaka. In addition, he is a certified Yoga Instructor.

Light refreshments will be served. The event is free of charge.
Interested? Click here to register (optional).

Living With Purpose and Passion

2011-07-03T09:56:00.000-07:00

Guest Speaker : Ocean Robbins
Sat, Jul 16 2011, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

At: 401 Baker St, San Francisco, CA

In 1990, at age 16, Ocean Robbins was co-founder of YES!, which he directed for 20 years. Ocean has spoken in person to more than 200,000 people and facilitated more than 50 week-long gatherings for young leaders from 65+ nations. Ocean is author of Choices for Our Future and of The Power of Partnership, and has served as a board member for Friends of the Earth, EarthSave International, Omni Center, and many other organizations. He is a founding member of The Turning Tide Coalition, co-founder of the Leveraging Privilege for
Social Change program, and founding co-convener of Leverage Alliance. He is a graduate of The Work That Reconnects facilitation intensive with Joanna Macy, and a certified facilitator of Essential Peacemaking: Women and Men. Ocean's on-going efforts on behalf of a better world have been honored by many organizations, including the Giraffe Project (for people who stick their necks out for what they believe), the National Alliance for Animals (The Compassionate Youth Award), E Magazine (The Kid Heroes Hall of Fame), and EarthSave (Volunteer of the Year Award). Utne Reader recognized him as one of 30 "Young Visionaries" under 30, and both both Time and Audubon magazines chose him as being among the heroes of the new millennium. He is a 2008 recipient of the Freedom's Flame Award, and of the national Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service by an Individual 35 Years Or Younger.

Ocean lives in the mountains of Santa Cruz, California, with his beloved wife Michele, and their special needs identical twin boys, River and Bodhi (born in 2001). They live 100 yards from Ocean's parents, Deo and John Robbins (author of the international bestseller Diet for a New America and founder of EarthSave). For more information about Ocean's life and work, go to www.oceanrobbins.com.

Light refreshments will be served. The event is free of charge.
Interested? Click here to register (optional).

MooWee - An Experience of a Silicon Valley Startup Life Cycle in the Internet Video Space

2011-04-09T11:23:00.000-07:00

Guest Speaker : Dhaval N. Shah
Sat, Apr 23 2011, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
At: 401 Baker St, San Francisco, CA
This informative session will cover:-Video Ecosystem and Startup Lifecycle in Silicon Valley-The relevance and importance of Spirituality -How non-profits are using video medium to spread their message-Some ideas on video production in cost-effective manner-Q&A Bio: Dhaval N. Shah, Vice-President, Business Development, Xoriant Inc.Prior to Xoriant, Dhaval spent 3 years at MooWee, a company he helped co-found as it's CTO upto it's acquisition by Xoriant. Prior to MooWee, Dhaval spent over ten years at Cisco and helped drive several products to market in the areas of voice, video and wireless applications, cable and Internet routing protocols. Dhaval is an inventor on 15 patents and co-authored the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Standard RFC 5140 'A Telephony Gateway REgistration Protocol (TGREP)'. Dhaval has a MS in Computer Science from University of Wisconsin-Madison, Certificate of Software Systems from Stanford University, and an MBA from University of California - Berkeley. He was honored as the "Outstanding Student of the Institute," awarded annually to one student, for his top academic performance and excellence in extra-curricular activities at his leading undergraduate Institute, IT-BHU. During this period, he also served in the Board of Directors at Crystal, a television company in India. As time permits, Dhaval likes to sing & play the keyboard with a group of friends passionate about music, and also play table-tennis that he pursued competitively at the National level in India before he came to the United States.

How Meditation Improves the Management of the Innovation Process

2010-12-12T13:20:00.000-08:00

Guest Presenter: Jarie Bolander
Sat, 18 Dec 2010, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
At: 401 Baker St, San Francisco, CA
Jarie Bolander is an engineer by training and an entrepreneur by nature. For the past fifteen years, he has focused his career on building innovative products that make peoples lives easier and safer. His first book, Frustration Free Technical Management details his philosophy on managing creative people for success. Part of that philosophy is to rely on the rhythm of innovation to creative wonderful inventions while still having a life.. He is also a community leader who is currently the President of the North Panhandle Neighborhood Association, a vibrant community in the heart of San Francisco. Through his community leadership, he has seen first hand the power of calm, caring people who transcend ego and self gain to create wonderful communities. Jarie also blogs about innovation, entrepreneurship and management at the http://www.thedailymba.com. He holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and a MBA in Technology Management. You can follow him on twitter @thedailymba.

Light refreshments will be served. The event is free of charge.
Interested? Click here to register (optional).

2010-11-04T05:48:00.000-07:00

Changing the Dream of the Modern World
Guest Presenter: Jon Symes

Sat, 20 Nov 2010, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
At: 401 Baker St, San Francisco, CA
In his first career Jon set up and ran a successful business consultancy working with multi-national companies around the world, he coached senior executives and trod the boards as a professional speaker. Ultimately he left that path behind in search of a more meaningful contribution and in his 06 publication, Your Planet Needs You, he mapped the challenges we face in creating and living a new future and showed ways to overcome these. His own life now is an endeavor to walk this talk with passion and joy, and to tell the story of the many adventures this produces.

This path has taken Jon to the USA from Britain where he is now Program Director of the worldwide Awakening the Dreamer Initiative for the Pachamama Alliance. He has helped develop this message and taken it to places like China, New Zealand, Ecuador and Ireland, from where he has gathered a wealth of stories about what’s possible for the human family.

Light refreshments will be served. The event is free of charge.
Interested? Click here to register (optional).

Embracing Abundance™ your pathway to authentic prosperity

2010-09-04T21:32:00.000-07:00

Guest Presenter: Normand René Poulin
Sat, 18 Sept 2010, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
At: 401 Baker St, San Francisco, CA

As a Sacred Space consultant, Feng Shui specialist, Spiritual Counselor and former hospice minister, Normand is an exceptional teacher and guide to living mindfully and creating authentic environments that nurture and inspire the heart & soul!

He is founder and principal of Living Consciously by Design, Inc. and the creative force behind the Embracing Abundance guided meditation audio CD series and workshops, and the Infinite Blessings product line, belongings for mindful living.

Normand is available for residential and commercial consultations, spiritual counseling and life coaching, specialized workshops, retreats and lectures related to mindful living and abundance consciousness:

∞ Thriving...in a chaotic world! ~ Embracing Soul-Full Prosperity

∞ Embracing Seasonal Prosperity

∞ Creating Sacred Space ~ personal sanctuaries for the everyday!

∞ Creating Environments that nurture, heal and empower!

∞ Hospice Retreats ~ Creating Life-Affirming Environments

∞ Spiritual Counseling and Life Coaching

∞ Sacred Space Design Projects with holistic emphasis

∞ Feng Shui specialist

∞ Customized guided meditations for special events and celebrations

∞ Facilitation of ceremony, conscious rituals and blessings for couples & groups

Light refreshments will be served. The event is free of charge.
Interested? Click here to register (optional).

How to use your Career (no matter what it is) to Assist in Humanity's Awakening

2010-08-01T16:49:00.000-07:00

Guest Presenter: Daniel B Holeman

Sat, 21 Aug 2010, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
At: 401 Baker St, San Francisco, CA

Artistic talent combined with life-long exploration of consciousness and spirituality has given Daniel B. Holeman an ability to depict uplifting and profound sacred imagery. His inspirational paintings have a strong and profound impact.
His Website, www.AwakenVisions.com is a special world to explore and enjoy - a Domain of Beauty, Inspiration, Insight and Spiritual Awakening. In addition to the artwork, Awaken Visions is a haven for truth seekers, consciousness explorers and all who appreciate the beauty found in living from the Heart.
At a young age Daniel had a profound spiritual awakening and experienced the nature of pure consciousness from which the manifested world is created. Since then his life has been about deepening that awareness and sharing it with others through art, lifestyle and conversation. He is committed to bringing forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just human presence on the planet as the guiding principle of our time.

Daniel encourages all to join and contribute to the Earth's Awakening in whatever ways they can.

Light refreshments will be served. The event is free of charge.
Interested? Click here to register (optional).

Omnology: The study of everything in particular

2010-07-03T20:09:00.000-07:00

Neal Rogin is an Emmy winning, Oscar-nominated writer, filmmaker and social observer whose work has had an impact on millions of people around the world. His latest film, “The Awakening Universe”, co-created with poet Drew Dellinger and based upon the book, The Universe Story by Brian Swimme and Thomas Berry, explores how the New Cosmology is changing the very definition of what it means to be a person. He is a member of the board of directors of The Pachamama Alliance, a non-profit partnership between people from the modern world and indigenous people in the Amazon region of Ecuador, and is part of the development team that created the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium, the purpose of which is to bring forth and environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling and socially just human presence on this planet as the guiding principle of our time. He is the co-author of three critically acclaimed books, and is a member of the Transformational Leadership Council, and the Turning Tide Coalition. He recently received the first Green Filmmaker Award at the Sedona International Film Festival.

THE POWER OF CARTOONS - Peace Through Applied Silliness

2010-06-02T21:47:00.000-07:00

Brian Narelle is a cartoonist, screenwriter, teacher, animator, actor, pilot, and writer. He has written and animated for Sesame Street, is a puppeteer, and teaches cartooning to children at the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, CA. He has been an animator and actor in feature films, flown missions for Angel Flight--a service that provides transportation for people in need of medical care, and written a book about a donkey he once knew. While most of his adult life has focused on the arts, Brian initially went to school to study marine biology. But after bumping into "the realities of biochemistry," he changed course. "Cartooning and screenwriting became my vehicles for uncovering and expressing the truth," he said. "I left the test tubes behind." One of Brian’s cartoons received an honorable mention in last year’s contest and appeared as a bonus cartoon in the 2008 Scientific Integrity Calendar.

Living as a Peaceful Warrior

2010-05-08T13:43:00.000-07:00

Dan Millman, a former world-champion gymnast, martial arts instructor and college professor, is author of the international classic, Way of the Peaceful Warrior (adapted to film in 2006 and graphic novel in 2010). His other books, including No Ordinary Moments, The Life You Were Born to Live, The Laws of Spirit, Everyday Enlightenment, and The Journeys of Socrates, have touched the lives of millions of readers in more than 30 languages. Dan speaks worldwide, presenting realistic ways to live with courage, clarity and compassion, here and now - with a peaceful heart and a warrior spirit. Dan's work has influenced men and women from all walks of life, including leaders in the fields of health, psychology, education, business, politics, sports, entertainment and the arts.
For details: www.peacefulwarrior.com

Over the Rainbow: A Spiritual Story

2010-05-08T13:06:00.000-07:00

Americ Azevedo teaches at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a life-long meditator and philosopher of everyday life. In addition to his background in philosophy and world religions, he has taught and worked in computer technology, where he was a pioneer in online education and virtual communities; and in business, as a consultant specializing in company reorganizations. He has conducted "Philosopher's Forums" in the community, as well as leading meditation retreats. He currently teaches Nonviolence, Engineering Ethics, and Meditation.

The Way of the Foo Ling Master: Initiation Into Laughter

2010-03-21T22:19:00.000-07:00

Steve Bhaerman is an internationally known author, humorist, and workshop leader. For the past 22 years, he has written and performed as Swami Beyondananda, the "Cosmic Comic." Swami's comedy has been described both as "comedy disguised as wisdom" and "wisdom disguised as comedy."

As Swami, Steve has written four books, including Swami for Precedent: A 7-Step Plan to Heal the Body Politic and Cure Electile Dysfunction.

In his "past life" (before Swami), Steve started an alternative high school in Washington, D.C., taught history to autoworkers at Wayne State University, and co-founded Pathways Magazine in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

His latest book, written with cellular biologist Bruce H. Lipton, PhD is Spontaneous Evolution: Our Positive Future and a Way to Get There From Here (Hay House, 2009). Steve is active in transpartisan politics and the practical application of Spontaneous Evolution. He can be found online at http://www.wakeuplaughing.com/

Spirituality 2.0

2010-03-13T17:23:00.000-08:00

Maurizio Benazzo Maurizio Benazzo grew up in Genova, Italy, where he spent the early part of his adult life working in an endless list of jobs . In 1985 Maurizio set out to cross the Atlantic Ocean to reach the United States on a 98 years old Lateen sailboat. The journey landed Maurizio in New York City where he remained for 17 years, pursuing a career in television and motion picture production both in front of and behind the camera.

In 2001 he directed and produced, with Nick Day, the documentary Short Cut to Nirvana, a movie about the Maha Kumbha Mela, the biggest gathering in the history of humanity. The film was released theatrically in the USA and Germany receiving high praises and awards.

In 2004 he founded Neti Neti Media producing several DVDs mostly on Nisargadatta Maharaj (the author of the book "I Am That") and in 2009 he started, with his companion Zaya, the groundbreaking conference Science And Nonduality.

Let's meet beyond the I, beyond ideas, beyond our perceived truth. In that space beyond agreement and disagreement, In that space where there is " .....". - M. Benazzo

Strengthening Interpersonal Relationships Through Interfaith Dialogue

2010-03-13T17:15:00.000-08:00

Meditation Center Michael G. Pappas was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. He graduated from Dickinson College (Carlisle, PA) in 1983, after which he successively worked as a lobbyist, Regional Field Director for a presidential campaign and investment banker for the oldest municipal bond firm in New Jersey.

In 1987, he left the world of politics & finance and enrolled at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, attaining an M.Div. with honors in the class of 1992. An ordained priest of the Greek Orthodox Church, Michael served parishes in Palos Hills, IL, Stockton, CA and San Francisco, CA.

During his sixteen-year ministry, he was a prolific writer, contributing articles to numerous religious and secular periodicals. As well, he devoted energy to work with the homeless and furthering ecumenical/interfaith relationships. After stepping down from parish ministry in 2007, he was selected by the San Francisco Interfaith Council to the newly created administrative position of Executive Director.

Michael is the father of two sons, George and Paul, and one daughter, Julia.

Objective evidence of reincarnation

2009-12-20T21:40:00.001-08:00

Walter Semkiw MD, is the author of the Return of the Revolutionaries: The Case for Reincarnation and Soul Groups Reunited, published in the United States, and Born Again, published in India, Indonesia and Serbia. When the Indian version of Born Again was published, Walter appeared on Newsweek.com. Walter has had another book, Origin of the Soul and the Purpose of Reincarnation, which is available in India and the US.

Walter has served on the Board of Directors of the International
Association for Regression Research and Therapies (IARRT) and the
Intuition Network. Walter has founded the Institute for the Integration of Science, Intuition and Spirit (IISIS), which is dedicated to researching reincarnation and related phenomena scientifically. IISIS serves as a resource to archive, study and publish reincarnation cases. In addition, avenues to prove reincarnation though biochemical or biophysical means, such as DNA analysis, will be explored. IISIS also promotes the social transformation that objective evidence of reincarnation will bring.

“If 70 years ago the German people knew that one could be born Jewish in one lifetime and Christian in another, then the Holocaust could never have happened.” - W. Semkiw

The Practice of Hospitality, Care and Welcome of the Stranger

2009-12-20T21:27:00.000-08:00

The Reverend Will Scott was raised by a teacher and a social worker in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and became fascinated with San Francisco after discovering Beat poetry in high school. Will graduated from Bard College at Simon’s Rock in 2000, during which he also studied in India, Tibet and Nepal. Will entered Virginia Theological Seminary in 2001. His seminary fieldwork site, the ecumenical Church of the Savior in Washington, DC, still inspires him. Will came to Grace Cathedral following two years as Associate Rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church in McLean, Virginia. This spring, as part of his role at Grace Cathedral, Will was invited to serve
St. Cyprian’s as Cathedral Missioner.

Will’s work at Grace Cathedral includes facilitating group discussions and organizing public events focused on the church’s witness for peace and justice. He helped found Dinner with Grace, a growing ministry in the Tenderloin. Will is also a regular at the Cathedral’s Sunday at Six contemplative service.

Forgiveness & Reconciliation: a formula for peace

2009-12-20T21:22:00.000-08:00

Paul Andrews is the Executive Producer of Improbable Pairs, a film about people making peace in the face of extraordinary odds.

Between 1996 and 2000, Mr. Andrews was part of the founding staff of the United Religions Intiaitive, a global interfaith organization. During that time, he was the manager of the organization’s annual global conferences, and managed the 72 Hours Program, a coordinated social action program involving over 300 projects in 60 countries.

Along the way, Mr. Andrews has also been a carpenter, cabinetmaker, choral conductor and teacher. He graduated from Yale University in 1970 with a degree in Political Science.

In Death We Do Not Part

2009-09-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

While in their twenties Marshall Kent and his wife Gail had a spiritual experience that changed their lives. Subsequently for forty years they studied and practiced various spiritual systems which became their core philosophical structure. Marshall presented workshops for the Rosicrucians, the Theosophists and Association for Research and Enlightenment (ARE), a group dedicated to the study of Edgar Cayce. His favorite subject was problem solving using the spiritual laws.

Five years after his wife passed away he was surprised to find her communicating extensively with him as he was writing a book about grieving. It was hard to believe at first but it soon became apparent that she wanted to write the book with him and expand the subject to include insights gained from her perspective on the other side of death. He published their book, In Death We Do Not Part. Doing presentations of what she has written is now his favorite subject.

He began his career as a contractor and building designer, building what he designed. Fifteen years later he sold his business and became involved in sustainable timber harvesting, served on the Bay Area Air Quality Maintenance District and the Board of PSI a non-profit agency for
the training and employment of mentally handicapped adults.

CROSSING LINES: Dialogue as entry to relationship and change

2009-09-27T20:52:00.000-07:00

Lionel “Len” Traubman has for 25 years published on war and peace from personal experience with Soviets and Americans, Armenians and Azerbaijanis, and Jews and Palestinians. With his wife, Libby, he co-founded the 17-year-old Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue, preparing for its 207th meeting. He co-produced two documentary films: DIALOGUE AT WASHINGTON HIGH, and PEACEMAKERS: Palestinians & Jews Together at Camp. After 35 years practicing Dentistry for Children in San Francisco and holding positions of leadership in dental organizations, he received the 1998 Distinguished Alumnus Award of the University of California School of Dentistry for whom he gave the school’s 2006 Commencement Address on individual responsibility for transforming enemies into partners at home and globally.

We experienced an authentic Dialogue with it’s new quality of listening-to-learn, for a new spirit in our daily lives and globally.

Let go ... but hold on to Joy!

2009-07-21T20:49:00.000-07:00

As a peace activist, Steve Nakano has participated in two international peace walks: in 2007, with the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist sect (Hiroshima to Mount Aso, Japan); and in 2008, with the American Indian Movement Longest Walk 2 (San Francisco to Washington D.C.). He is also a member of the 500 mile American Indian Movement Spiritual Marathon Northern California Running Team that runs to spread the message that all life is sacred, to save Mother Earth, and to save Native American Indian Sacred Burial Sites.

Steve is a Congressional District Organizer for the National Peace Alliance that supports the creation of a U.S. Department of Peace, Nonviolence and Restorative Justice (H.R. 808). The bill will also create a U.S. Secretary of Peace in the Presidential Cabinet.

As a lawyer and community server, Steve has received the 2002 Santa Clara County Bar Association Minority Access Committee, Unsung Heroes Award for his work. He also helped initiate two residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs. Recently, Steve obtained the release and reversal of the conviction for a client who was convicted and who had served 11 years and 10 months of a 25 year to life sentence for a crime that he did not commit.

Create Inner Change To Find True Purpose & Create Outer Change in the World

2009-05-17T22:51:00.000-07:00

Jared Paul is the Founder and Executive Director of the SanFrancisco nonprofit A Good Idea. A Good Idea’s mission is to be a vehicle for people’s positive social change ideas and to help bring those ideas to life. The goal is simply to help as many people in need as possible. A Good Idea is very focused on empowering people to begin the inner change transformation while at the same time connecting community.

The organization meets every Tuesday at the Red Vic Peace Cafe in the historic Haight district to bring like-minded people together who are going through their own transformations to discuss spiritual topics and social change ideas. A Good Idea’s first project is to bring a high school/village for homeless youth to San Francisco and then eventually a full-scale homeless rehabilitation village to the city as well.

Jared is originally from Atlanta, GA and prior to starting A Good Idea had a successful career in sales and business development.

Society & Sustainability: A Holistic Approach

2009-04-19T22:01:00.000-07:00

Dr. Kumar Mehta is Professor Emeritus in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California at Berkeley. On his retirement in 1993, after 30 years of teaching and research in concrete technology, he was awarded the Berkeley Citation - the highest camus honor for contributions to his field and to the University. In 2006, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Coal Combustion Products Partnership in recognition of his
outstanding research for decades on the use of fly ash in structural concrete. He was also elected an Honorary Member of the American Concrete Institute. He is a member of the ACI Committee on Sustainable Development.

In response to the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC’s) effort to find solutions in reducing atmospheric build up of green-house gases from man-made sources,
Kumar Mehta will present, on Septermber 20, 2009 in Santiago, Chile, a roadmap and will discuss the tools by which the carbon emissions attributable to the concrete industry can be cut by half in the next 20 years.

Dr. Mehta is also credited for the foundation design of the Iraivan (Shiva) Temple in Hawaii, the first all-stone Hindu temple in America.

Love at Work

2009-02-01T10:55:00.000-08:00

Serving as the Spiritual Care Coordinator at Laguna Honda Hospital since April of 2005, Bob Deel’s work centers on a quote from Mother Theresa - “We can do no great things in this world, only small things with great love.”

Dealing with multiple issues from physical disabilities to dementia, Bob is frequently asked, “How do you find your life in the midst of such overwhelming circumstances?” His answer is, “Look for ways to love each other. Sharing a smile, greeting someone in the hallway, giving away your newspaper, saying “thank you”, are all very simple gestures but when they are done in love they can open the door to true life.”

Bob Deel earned his BA in political science from Baylor University in Waco, Texas and a Master of Divinity from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, California. He has worked at LHH for over 20 years.

Spirituality - The Catalyst for Success

2009-02-01T10:54:00.000-08:00

Alexander "Sasha" Polev
Born in Russia where he stayed till age 25, then moved to Israel and finally UK. Sasha’s involvement with the Brahma Kumaris over the last 16 years has been a very exciting spiritual journey.

Allan Schweitz
Born in The Netherlands and raised in Surinam South America, Allan is an IT Solution Architect now living and working in London UK. After a period of ups and downs, Raja Yoga has changed the course of his life and he is now committed to help spread the Raja Yoga teachings.

Jaydev Pinara
Born and brought up in Ahmedabad, India. After finishing his masters studies in computer arts, Jaydev started his career as a graphic and web designer in London. Jaydev’s keen interest in God and spirituality brought him to the BKs in 1999, since then he has been an active member of Raja Yoga meditation practice and giving his volunteer services internationally.

Interpretations of Islam

2008-07-07T22:58:00.000-07:00

Iftekhar A. Hai is a writer, lecturer, peace mediator and humanist. As a writer, Iftekhar eliminates negative stereotyping but differentiates between moderate and extremist interpretation of Islam. From the last two years his columns have been appearing in faith pages of San Mateo Times and many of his articles printed in many San Francisco bay area newspapers.

The 9/11 tragedy and the demonization of Muslims and Islam which created a crisis for American Muslims became the springboard for Iftekhar to explain Islam and its practices to Americans in churches, synagogues, schools, colleges and universities. Lately he has been one of the most sought after speaker on peace and reconciliation among religions. Iftekhar has represented Islam in Conflict Resolution Conferences and interfaith seminars in USA, Canada, UK, India, Pakistan, Africa, Afghanistan, Brazil and Korea. He has also visited the Vatican to promote peace between Islam & Christianity in March 2006.

Iftekhar was a founding director of United Muslims of America in 1982 and became its full time honorary Director of Interfaith Relations since 1990. In June 2004, he founded UMA Interfaith Alliance and became its president. Its mission is to promote cooperation and understanding among world religions through interfaith dialogue, creating racial and religious harmony and encouraging American Muslims to get involved locally, nationally and globally for the common good of all people.

From the last 25 years Iftekhar has worked with local, statewide, national and global organizations on religious, interfaith, peace reconciiation, and international diplomacy issues.

Peace From Within: How to Mobilize our Deepest Resources for a Happier Life and Better World

2008-05-17T22:44:00.000-07:00

Michael Nagler is Professor emeritus of Classics and Comparative Literature at UC, Berkeley, where he has taught since 1966, and where he founded the Peace and Conflict Studies Program in which he still teaches the upper-division nonviolence course as well as meditation and other courses. Prof. Nagler has spoken and written widely for campus, religious, public and special interest groups on the subject of peace and nonviolence for many years, especially since 9/11. He has consulted for the U.S. Institute of Peace and many other organizations and is President of the board of METTA: Center for Nonviolence Education and of Peace Workers, and on numerous other boards, and has recently co-founded Educators For Nonviolence. He has worked on nonviolent intervention since the 1970’s and served on the Interim Steering Committee of the Nonviolent Peaceforce.

In addition to his many articles on peace and spirituality, he is the author of America Without Violence (Island Press, 1982), The Upanishads (with Sri Eknath Easwaran, Nilgiri Press, 1987) and most recently The Search for a Nonviolent Future (Inner Ocean Publishing) which won the 2002 American Book Award and is being used in many courses as well as reading groups around the country (Italian translation appeared in 2005; pending in Korean and Arabic).

Michael Nagler is a student of Sri Eknath Easwaran, Founder of the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, and has lived at the Center’s ashram in Marin County since 1970.

Movement as Meditation

2008-04-28T21:03:00.000-07:00

"As science and health studies progress and we learn more and more about ourselves, each other and our bodies, we learn that all are connected. Our bodies, our minds, our spirits are connected deeply. Progression and movement of each effects the others. To learn our true nature we must explore all of our natures." -- Rok Proffit

Rok Proffit has been studying Martial Arts all of his life. From early childhood he has been interested in the ways of the Far East. Early excursions into the realm of mysticism and martial arts included Japanese Karate and Kempo. After firmly establishing a foundation necessary for self defense including wrestling, Mongolian wrestling, San Shou, boxing, Chinese Kung Fu including Lung Ying and the secret, deadly arts of Dim Mak and Bak Mei, Rok Proffit began exploring movement as meditation and focusing upon physical manifestations of the spirit.

Rok Proffit's teachers have included world famous street fighter and choreographer White Dragon Fighting Master Sifu Zhong Luo, master of 20 styles Grand Master "Mai Yu" Qiang Luo and internationally known writer and Taoist Master Mantak Chia.

Three Steps, One Bow

2008-03-11T15:48:00.000-07:00

Reverend Heng Sure is an American Buddhist monk, considered one of the first Buddhist monks born and ordained in the United States. He is a senior disciple of the late Venerable Master Hsuan Hua, and is currently the director of the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery. He is probably best known for a pligrimage he made for two years in 1977 from Los Angeles to Ukiah, CA by means of taking three steps and prostrating once. Entitled the Three Steps, One Bow pilgrimage, he did so in order for world peace to prevail.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, he attended the University of California at Berkeley in the 1960s. During his time at the university, Heng Sure was active in theatre. At an early age, Heng Sure learned Chinese from studying the language in high school and by means of his sister, who worked at the U.S. Information Agency. After receiving his masters in Oriental languages, he met his teacher, Master Hsuan Hua, who would later ordain him in 1976 at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas.

Heng Sure currently gives lectures at Berkeley to the public and through webcasts. Heng Sure also gives lectures in many parts of the world, mostly on the Avatamsaka Sutra. He is also an accomplished musician and guitarist.

Success as an artist by 'Letting Go'

2007-12-26T22:01:00.000-08:00

Ram Dass Khalsa grew up in a musical family in the San Francisco Bay Area. He took to music very quickly and was raised on styles ranging from the Beatles to Beethoven, Prokofiev, and John Coltrane. He has used his diverse background in his pursuit of becoming a multi-faceted professional musician. Adamant about the importance of exposure to the arts at an early age, Ram Dass is currently spearheading a project to encourage politicians to provide funding for the arts in the public schools, reconsider current teaching methods, and make the arts accessible to the general public.

Ram Dass was the winner of the Rachel Reilly Young Artists Award in 2002 and was selected to debut Pulitzer Prizewinner Steven Stucky's "Meditation and Dance for Bb Clarinet and Piano" in 2004. He has performed in productions of Guys and Dolls and the University of Oregon's production of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro". He appeared at a benefit concert for the Indonesian Tsunami in 2005 and alongside Ian Mackaye and Amy Farina of Fugazi in a concert benefiting arts departments in public schools. In 2006, Ram Dass played at the Ford Amphitheater in Hollywood with jazz greats Joseph Jarman and Roscoe Mitchell of the Art Ensemble of Chicago. Currently, he performs alongside Snatam Kaur on her worldwide peace tour, and with Manish Vyas on his SATTVA tour. He also has shared the stage with Jai Uttal, Krishna Das, Deva Premal, Miten, Manose, and Carioca.

A Personal Spiritual Adventure through World Travel

2007-11-10T00:57:00.000-08:00

Scott Schwartz, a San Francisco native, is an airline pilot, adventure traveler, financial advisor, a meditation practitioner, and a father of two daughters. His pursuit for deeper spiritual experiences has taken him to various holy places such as: Katmandu, Kyoto, Rome, Jerusalem, Cairo, Delhi, Dar es Salaam, and Machu Picchu.

During Scott's tenure as an airline pilot he became a financial advisor helping his pilot group through numerous bankruptcies and financial restructurings. Scott now serves individuals, organizations, and offers pro bono services to individuals in need.

Scott is also a student of Raja Yoga taught by the Brahma Kumaris since the mid-1990's and is an avid spiritual thinker with an ongoing interfaith interest.

This session was a brief overview of Scott's travels throughout the world including an open discussion of inner and outer personal exploration.

Guiding African Americans through Healing

2007-11-10T00:46:00.000-08:00

Oba's non-profit organization has ignited a movement centered on illuminating the minds of black people in America by teaching Ancient Esoteric African Philosophy and Cosmology.

Oba conducts hand healing sessions in his little sacred healing space in Oakland where he continually attracts African Americans. Oba is also known to be an: inspiring metaphysician; mystic motivational speaker; poet and spoken word artist; and apprentice of Alchemic studies.

"In order to move forward at the present condition of the world we have to establish a twin lineal order – where the male and female principles are harmonized and not in conflict." - Oba Oosa Gbemi Tafari Israel

World Record Holder for 7 Summits

2007-11-10T00:32:00.000-08:00

"Challenge is what enthralls me and free spirit is what I exhibit. Never Give Up, Never Give In! is a phrase that works miracles for me. Courage and Conviction" has been a way of expression of my self."

Malli Mastan Babu hails from a small village in Andra Pradesh, India. From an early age of 11, he dreamed of climbing Mt. Everest. Now, in his early thirties, Malli may be dubbed as "the fastest mountain climber in the world." He holds the world record of climbing the 7 summits of the world, i.e. Everest, Kilimanjaro, Vinson Massif, etc., in 171 days – in a span of 7 months in the same year.

He shared with us the experiences and the driving force that propelled him physically and spiritually to follow and fulfill his dream.

The Science of Overall Optimal Human Development

2007-11-05T22:24:00.000-08:00

Dr. Matt Bloom is a psychologist with extensive studies on Overall Optimal Human Functions. His expertise is in Consulting Psychology, Transformational Facilitation & Education. His particular interest is in the concept of "Relational Field" and the use of "Systemic Constellations" which he will demonstrate.

Dr. Bloom received a Ph.D. from the University of Portland. His current focus is on Spiritual Practice and Human Development over the Life Cycle, and Training and Facilitation of others in the areas of methods of effective strategies for achieving optimal levels of health and Balance in Mind, Body, Ecology & Spirit. He enjoys integrating theory and practice, with an emphasis on the practical application.

Dr. Bloom is currently a student of Raja Yoga meditation. Some of this other interests include playing the guitar, teaching, photography, tai chi, biking, writing and poetry.

Social Healing, Peace Building, and Spiritual Cultivation

2007-11-05T21:46:00.000-08:00

Mitch Hall is committed to peace building, social healing, children's rights, nonviolence and spiritual cultivation through education, coalition building, mentoring and mediating. His recent writings include The Social Healer (with Marc Pilisuk, 2006), The Power of Peace (with Madeleine Y. Gómez, 2004), Peace Quest: Cultivating Peace in a Violent Culture (2003), and The Plague of Violence: a Preventable Epidemic (2002).

Mitch's mission for peace building and spiritual cultivation is rooted in early childhood experience. He has an undergraduate degree in religion from Columbia University and a graduate degree in sociology and psychology. Over the years, in a comprehensive and humanistic spirit of dialogue, he has read widely the literature of diverse spiritual paths and has practiced for extended periods with teachers from Yogic, Jain, Taoist, and Buddhist traditions. He continues to practice taichi, qigong and meditation (primarily vipassana) and zhanzhuang (standing meditation). Life experience and significant interpersonal relationships have been his main teachers.

Mitch is a member of the Board of Directors of Parents and Teachers against Violence in Education (www.nospank.net). In recent years, he has been invited twice as a speaker to the professional summit conferences, "National Leaders in Nonviolence and the Child." He has served with such organizations as the Fellowship of Reconciliation and the Peace Corps, which gave him intercultural experience in Europe and Africa respectively. He currently works as an academic dean at a college in San Francisco.

Games people play and should play

2007-11-05T21:40:00.000-08:00

Paradice - with a ‘c’? That is correct, not a misspelling!

John O’Neil, a game designer, founder of ‘Admcadiam’ made a spirited guest presentation to “The Men’s Wisdom Circle” at the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center on 401 Baker St in San Francisco on Saturday, October 27, 07. John’s personal qualities of heart, mind and spirit, were abundantly manifest in his presentation with much childlike and exuberant demeanor.

With Admcadiam, a self-developed philosophy, John began his journey in 1975. He brings to bear his early training in theosophy, and his spiritual bent of mind to create his vision of creating beauty of the heart, message for the soul, and challenge for the mind.

John and his games is a tour de force to reckon with. With a checkered life and involvement with numerous inventions of playing cards, postcards, board and video games, and others, John developed Paradice as first of a series of nine games that carry meaningful messages of living in a harmonious, creative, and at once in an entertaining way.

. In 1982 his company Flyghts of Fancie became synonymous with innovation in the non-violent sector of the video game industry. In 1985 “Lifespan” won the “most innovative game” award at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. “Dolphins Rune” won “best educational game” at the CES 1987 in Chicago. John has earned accolades as the “Salvador Dali of Video Games” and “Pied Piper of the Gaming Industry”.

Paradice, a game of entertainment, designed for today’s Consciousness to explore, experience and share who we are and who we can be. The object of the game is noble, played as Giver or Taker, as the roles keep changing, leading to the conclusion that only the Giver can win by getting Humans together.

Information on sponsoring a Paradice Party of six or more can be obtained from www.admcadiam.com.