All Wisdom’s Children:

Meditations with the Great Mystics

of Judaism, Christianity and Islam

 

A workshop with Neil Douglas-Klotz, Ph.D.

Author of Prayers of the Cosmos, Hidden Gospel, and The Genesis Meditations

 

May 5 Ð Public Presentation, 7:30 Ð 9:30 p.m.

First Community Church, North Campus, Columbus, OH

May 6 - 8 Ð Weekend Retreat

Martin de Porres Center, near Ohio Dominican University, Columbus, OH

 

Today people are like a bunch of children sitting around the mall, who call out to someone passing by: “Hey you! Why don’t you dance to our music? Why don’t cry when we want you to?” They condemned John, because he didn’t drink wine, ate little and did so alone. They condemn me, because I eat and drink with everyone. Yet Holy Wisdom belongs to and serves all of her children.

 --a version of Luke 7:32, 35 from the Aramaic Peshitta verson of Gospels

 

Jewish, Christian and Islamic mystics through the ages have shared the view that Holy Wisdom invites us all to the same feast, where there is enough for all.

Jewish mystics honored Holy Wisdom both as the Hochmah of Proverbs and the Shekhinah of Shabbat. Christian mystics honored her as Sophia, and many early Aramaic-speaking Christians saw her embodied in the life and teachings of Jesus. Sufis and other Islamic mystics welcomed her as the divine Beloved as well as another face of the Only Being. This retreat will share meditation, body prayer, Dances of Universal Peace and other spiritual practices from these traditions.

By imagining us all sharing Wisdom’s table we can more easily accept and befriend the paradoxes of life as well as the prodigal sons and daughters we find within us. The shared wisdom of the three traditions also reveals ways to bring energy and love back into our lives. We can then more easily recognize each other as one family, all of us Wisdom’s children.

Dr. Neil Douglas-Klotz directs the Edinburgh Institute for Advanced Learning in Edinburgh, Scotland and is the co-chair of the Mysticism Group of the American Academy of Religion. He is the author of Prayers of the Cosmos, Desert Wisdom, The Hidden Gospel, The Genesis Meditations and the recently released Sufi Book of Life (Penguin 2005, www.sufibookoflife.com). He helped found the annual Edinburgh International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace (see www.eial.org) and has been active in citizen diplomacy using spiritual practice and meditation for the past 17 years. He also co-founded the International Network for the Dances of Universal Peace in 1982. For more information on his work, see www.abwoon.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE EVENTS:

Email:  munira@abwoon.com OR call 614-885-2411 ext. 2131

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RETREAT LOGISTICS

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RETREAT SITE:


The Thursday evening session is optional for workshop participants and there is no additional charge for attendance.  It will be held at :

First Community Church

North Campus

3777 Dublin Road

Columbus, OH 43221

Link to map to the church at YahooMaps:

http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?ed=I8jS8Op_0Tov_cHanmZyG9KOxEEXkK7aNg--&csz=Columbus%2C+OH+43221&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=

The weekend workshop will beheld at the Martin de Porres Center, adjacent to the campus of Ohio Dominican University.

Martin de Porres Center

2330 Airport Drive

Columbus, OH 43219

614-416-1910

Link to map to the center at YahooMaps:

http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?ed=SLyre.p_0To.VsEr7PMS2EpjyTquvf9ce9kW&csz=Columbus%2C+OH+43219&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=

Or use this link to the center’s website: http://www.columbusdominicans.org/whoweare/ourhome/map.htm


SHUTTLE:


This year no shuttle service is provided from the airport.  The hotels are located near the retreat site and provide free shuttle service to and from the airport. 

If you are staying at an airport hotel and need transportation to and from the site, there are two options:


HOUSING:


Participants are responsible for arranging their own housing.

Hilal Jane Smirniotopolous is again organizing local (free) homestays for those who need or desire this option. These are available first-come, first-served so inquire early.  She can be reached :  (614) 261-3337 -or- Smirniotopoulos.1@osu.edu

We are currently seeking a group rate at one of the many airport hotels, all are only a few minutes from Martin de Porres Center.  A list of hotels and prices will be provided to those who request one.


SCHEDULE:

 

Wednesday, May 4

7 pm: Reading and book signing for The Sufi Book of Life at Borders Books, 4545 Kenny Road.

 
Thursday, May 5

 

7:30 -9:30 p.m.

Introduction to All Wisdom’s Children Ð Book signing to follow

(This optional evening session will be held at North Campus of First Community Church and is  open to the public for a fee.  This fee is included in your workshop registration.)

 

Friday, May 6

 

9:30 a.m. - Continental Breakfast/Registration Table and Bookstore Open

10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Workshop Sessions

Dinner on your own.  Free evening.

 

Saturday, May 7

9:30 a.m. - Continental Breakfast/Bookstore Open

10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Workshop Sessions

Market Day -Artists and Vendors will have their works for sale this day.

5:45 p.m. Ð Dinner (provided on-site)

7:15 p.m. - (optional) Evening Zikr (Sufi ceremony of chanted remembrance of Divine Unity)

 

Sunday, May 8

 

9:00 a.m. - Continental Breakfast/Final Bookstore Time

9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. - Closing Session

No lunch is served so that people may immediately depart for travels home.


MEALS:


Continental Breakfast provided all three days. Lunch will be provided on Friday and Saturday. Dinner is provided on Saturday for those who remain at the site to participate in the optional evening session.  Participants are responsible for their own dinner on Friday.


FEES:


Cost  for entire workshop is $185 (10% discount for INDUP members, retired persons or limited income). Some work exchanges are available for a further reduction of fee; please inquire.

Fee includes registration, workshop space, continental breakfasts all three mornings, Friday and Saturday lunches and coffee/tea/snack breaks. Saturday dinner is included for those who remain on campus for the optional Saturday evening zikr.

CANCELLATIONS:


Cancellations before April 15, 2005, will receive a full refund minus a $25
processing fee. Cancellations made after April 15 will not receive a refund.


QUESTIONS:


Contact Rev. Elizabeth Reed, ereed2131@msn.com or 614-885-2411 Ext. 2131.
 

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  **********************REGISTRATION FORM*************************
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Please submit a completed form for each person.
A confirmation email or letter will be sent upon receipt.

Name: __________________________________________________________________

Street Address: ___________________________________________________________

City: ____________________________ State: ______ Zip Code: ___________

Phone: (     ) _______ - ____________

Email Address: _________________________________________________________

Weekend Fee $185.00 x _______ people = $ _____________

10% discount for  (please circle)   INDUP member    retired     limited income 

Subtract 10%_____________

Subtotal = $ _____________

 

Enclosed is: Full Payment:____________  Or:  Deposit ($70 each)___________


Any balance due will be payable at registration on Thursday or Friday, May 5 or 6, 2005.

 

_____ I plan to stay for dinner and the Saturday evening zikr

_____ I will need shuttle service from a hotel to the workshop site Friday through Sunday.

 

Make checks payable and mail to:

Shalem Center 

885 High St., Suite 106 

Worthington, OH 43085