The Way of the Foo Ling Master: Initiation Into Laughter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.