Public Lectures and Events         Back

  

All events are held in the lodge (in the same building as Quest Bookshop and the lending library), at:

717 Broadway Avenue East, Seattle, WA  98103   (206) 323-4281

            Go straight to September

 

Seminar Highlights   (Please call 323-4281 to register for these seminars)

Saturday, October 27th    Back       Home
 10:00 am to 4:00 pm 
A Seminar with Amit Goswami, PhD.     

THE VISIONARY WINDOW: A QUANTUM PHYSICIST'S GUIDE to ENLIGHTENMENT 
After almost a century of using it to delve into the mystery of matter, it is clear that quantum physics by itself is not complete: the observer, consciousness, is necessary to complete it. This consciousness is the same as mystics throughout history have encountered. Thus opens the visionary window… With a wealth of references ranging from Einstein to Forrest Gump, Goswami explores how consciousness creates biological order, inner creativity, the martial arts, the politics of integration and more.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

Reared in the deeply mystic Hindu tradition, quantum physicist Amit Goswami deftly integrates the fields of philosophy, cosmology, religion, and psychology to form a new way of thinking about science and religion. A Scholar in Residence at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, Goswami also regularly teaches at the Holmes Institute (LA), UNIPAZ (Brazil), the International Sivananda Yoga and Vedanta Center, the TSA, the University of Global Well Being (Sweden), and Vivekananda Kendra Yoga Research Foundation (Bangalore, India).

On Sunday afternoon Goswami returns to discuss From Information to Transformation.
Suggested Donation: $40.00 (for both programs)

Saturday, December 1st      Back
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
 A Seminar with Stephan A. Hoeller, PhD.

MAGIC: From ANCIENT WIZARDS To HARRY POTTER 
MAGIC will be a one-day seminar on the psychology, philosophy, and reality of magic. Gandolf, Harry Potter, and Gurnemanz - they all have magic in common. Magic is the art of enlarging consciousness by imagination. At one time, magic was the term describing all esoteric pursuits. This seminar will cover such topics as: What is Magic? Dialogue With Light & Darkness; Angel Magic; The Invocation of Angels; The Magical System of the Golden Dawn; and Gnostic Magic, the Art of Liberation. This program does not offer instruction in any magical practice, but explains the nature of magic.

Stephan is a treasured seminar leader during his infrequent visits to Seattle. He combines wit, compassion, deep scholarship and a personally profound perspective.

Born in Hungary & schooled throughout Europe, Stephan is a member of the lecturing faculty of the Philosophical Research Society & is director of studies for the Gnostic Society - both in Los Angeles. He recently retired from his position as Associate Professor of Comparative Religions at the University of Oriental Studies. Trained for the Roman Catholic priesthood, Dr. Hoeller is currently a bishop of the Ecclesia Gnostica. His many lectures for the Theosophical Society have taken him to Europe, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand and throughout the United States. His numerous publications include the following books: The Royal Road, The Gnostic Jung & the Seven Sermons to the Dead, Jung & the Lost Gospels, and Freedom: Alchemy for a Voluntary Society.

(On Sunday afternoon, Stephan will expand the topic as he explores Magic & Art: the example of William Blake & W.B.Yeats.)
Suggested Donation: $40.00 (for both programs)

September, 2001 Public Lectures     Back

September 9
4:00 pm
INDIA UNVEILED 
Robert Arnett India 

Unveiled is Robert Arnett's highly acclaimed book, a collection or photographs and text portraying his pilgrimage to India. The recipient of four national book awards, this book is considered one of the most revealing presentations about India ever compiled by a foreigner. Robert will show us slides of the photographs making up his book, and share related experiences and observations. Robert has lectured widely throughout America.

Sunday, September 16 
4:00 pm
THE SACRED POWER OF SANSKRIT 
Christina Zubelli 

Considered by many to be a sacred language, Sanskrit is fundamental for the study of Hinduism and many Buddhist texts. Of even greater importance is the power associated with Sanskrit words. The power of mantra chanting is verified not by the complex vibration or feeling created in the practicing person. Among other benefits, mantras enable us to refocus our minds and redirect our attention to a more positive state of being. A glimpse will be provided of the Sanskrit alphabet and its sounds. Christina is completing her Doctoral degree in South Asian Religions and is an experienced language teacher . 

Sunday, September 23 at 4:00 pm
THE ELEMENTS OF COMPASSION 
Laura Green 

During times of personal and planetary transformation, change is rapid, accelerated and constant. Navigating the waves of change with awareness and compassion may bring about peace and inner acceptance. Listen to a unique perspective from a clairvoyant healer and experience compassion through guided meditation and ancient wisdom stories. There will be a period for questions and answers.

Sunday, September 30 at 4:00 pm
THE FREEDOM TO BE 
Devi Tide 

New potential is constantly reborn within us but most of it is stillborn. We carry with us issues that belong to other people and programming from the outside world that interferes with our free expression and creativity. Devi will share ancient Sufi practices that help us to become the artist of our lives; to stop doing what is urgent and to start doing what is important. Devi is a shafayat in the Sufi Healing Order. She regularly presents on Sufi healing practices & on the interface between Sufi healing and allopathic & naturopathic medicines. She is Executive Director of the Sufi Order International representing teachings of Pir Vilayat Innayat Khan in N, America.

 

October, 2001 Public Lectures     Back

Sunday, October 7 
4:00 pm
THE POWER OF WORD AND THOUGHT 
Doug Johnston 

One of the most powerful influences on everyday life often gets little attention at all. Our own words and thoughts often control our world as much or more than any external force. Join astrologer and counselor Doug Johnston as he explains how you may negatively program your life and sabotage your chances of happiness on an on going basis. Learn exercises to make your own words work for you.

Sunday, October 14 
4:00 pm
WHOLENESS: ON EDUCATION, BUCKMINSTER FULLER, AND TAO 
Alex Gerber Jr. 

Frame-drum meditations interwoven with the discussion of Alex 's new book, Wholeness: On Education, Buckminster Fuller and Tao. This book explores wholeness as the consciousness needed in the world today. Although wholeness is a state of being, a perspective that cannot be "learned" in the usual sense, things about it can be. The whole, which encompasses all subjects, experiences, and perceptions, is the arena in which everything occurs, the essential point of reference. Alex is an educator, counselor, and musician (further information: www.wholenessbook.com)

Sunday, October 21 
4:00 pm
SACRED WORLD CHANT 
Andrew Barker 

In many cultures and religions, chanted invocations to the Divine Presence have formed the backbone of spiritual practice. We will listen to chanting from Eastern and Western traditions and see how the core essence of these chants is related. We will also discuss how this music may be helpful for meditation and contemplation. Andrew presides over the weekly Sunday morning meditation group, is a favored TS in Seattle presenter, and is conducting ongoing explorations of the relationship between music and meditation. . Sunday, October 28 FROM INFORMATION TO TRANSFORMATION: WAKING UP TO OUR SUPRAMENTAL INTELLIGENCE Amit Goswami Quantum physicist Amit Goswami will discuss transformative techniques of the old (such as meditation) in the light of the developing new paradigm of science based on the primacy of consciousness. He emphasizes such experimentally verified quantum concepts as discontinuity, nonlocality, and downward causation to pave the path of the transformative journey of the postmodern human, and he invites everyone to walk this path.

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November, 2001 Public Lectures    Back

Sunday, November 4 
4:00 pm
GHOST STORIES: FIRST HAND EXPERIENCES FROM ONE WHO WAS THERE. 
Leon Reed 

In a seasonally appropriate presentation, some of Seattle's more famous hauntings will be described and discussed by a well-known local teacher. Leon is an initiate in five different traditions.

Sunday, November 11 
4:00 pm
JOURNEY TO MT. KAILASH: A SURRENDER INTO THE FIRE OF LIFE 
John Lenz 

In 1998, John journeyed into one of the most remote regions of the world, Western Tibet. With words and slides, John will reveal a journey that completely transformed his life and led him to the doorway of what he calls the Original Love or pure existence. He will share the Sanskrit chant he performed at 18,600 ft Drolma La pass to enliven the hearts of those who supported him in this journey. John has been practicing and teaching various forms of meditation for over twenty-five years and is currently teaching the techniques that came to him directly as a result of this journey. In the last decade he has made pilgrimages to India, Nepal and Thailand as well as to Tibet.

Sunday, November 18 
4:00 pm
THE BIBLE AS AN AVENUE OF MYSTICAL EXPERIENCE
 Michael D. Bogar 

Carl Jung said that the Bible is the Tao Te Ching of the west. We simply need to learn to use it as such. This presentation demonstrates that the Bible contains identical stages of mystical, personal spiritual evolution and experience as found in Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Greek mythology and modern psychology. Utilizing a beautiful painting by Bouguereau, Michael will tell the Eros/Psyche story, showing parallels between that myth, world religions and the biblical stages mystical union. It is time to reclaim this sacred text for use as a means of contemporary spiritual experience in the west. Michael has taught undergraduate and graduate levels. He is currently an instructor at the Center for Spiritual Living.

Sunday, November 25 
4:00 pm
GRATITUDE 
Jahmal Rahman 

Sufi's say that our souls are continuously and instinctively praising Allah. In giving thanks we are participating in life's greatest mystery, the relationship of creation to creator. Gratitude brings this exquisite expression of the soul into space and time. Let us celebrate gratitude through higher awareness, prayers, meditation, zikr, and sacred body movements. Jamal's programs at the TS are known for their depth, compassion, and the integration of the spiritual into the group experience. He is from a Sufi lineage of Northern Bengal and a minister in the Interfaith Church.

December, 2001 Public Lectures   Back

Sunday, December 2 
4:00 pm
MAGIC AND ART: THE EXAMPLE OF WILLIAM BLAKE AND W.B. YEATS 
Stephan A. Hoeller, PhD. 

In a follow up to his Saturday seminar (see write up for further details), Stephan expands his exploration of magic - the art of enlarging consciousness by imagination - to the theater of the fine arts. Come for both programs or just the afternoon

Sunday, December 9 
4:00 pm
SPIRITUALITY, CONSUMERISM AND THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT 
Ven. Thubten Chodron 

Buddhist perspectives on this annually engaging subject will be offered by Venerable Chodron, a Buddhist nun who was raised in a western family and religious tradition. Insights, challenges, and opportunities inherent in this time of year will be explored. Ven. Chodron, publisher of several books and a worldwide teacher of Buddhist psychology, has studied extensively in India and Nepal with HH the Dalai Lama, Zopa Rinpoche, and others.

Sunday, December 16 
4:00 pm
THE SOLSTICE TRADITION
 Willamay Pym 

In what has become a December tradition, we gather to hear stories of the world wide, historical, and mythical celebrations of the special time of year. This subject has long been a source of fascination for Willamay and we enjoy these annual presentations where new bits and pieces and ideas are always included.

Friday, December 21 
7:00 pm 
Special Solstice Meditation  -  Open to all. 

Make a center of peace in your busy holiday schedule and join us in our traditional evening of meditation, celebration and sharing of your sense of this annual cosmic event.

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