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Heart Flow Spiritual Forum 2008

'Taking Harmlessness to Heart'

whether the little hurts or larger harm,
whether to self, others or the Earth -
what might it mean to truly put harmlessness into action?

Striving to make Right Human Relations come alive

27-31 December 2008

held at the Sanctuary of the Heart, Daylesford, Victoria

Program details will be updated regularly

DRAFT Schedule is here - please check for updates
as some changes will be made

Session Descriptions and Speakers confirmed to date:

‘Living Happiness’           
Greg Govinda, B. Ed.

In the study of Holistic Wellbeing we have happiness, contentment, joy and bliss, yet many people do not find even a little personal happiness. Asking why this is so could take the rest of one’s life to answer, but the question, ‘how it is possible to live with more happiness?’, may be quite a simple matter with some knowledge and practice.

In this presentation, Greg looks at what can be learned from philosophy, positive psychology, personal insights and spirituality. The presentation will consider the differences between happiness, joy and bliss, as well as suggest various methods of working with oneself to create a happier life experience.

‘A Global Initiative for Harmlessness’           
Mary-Faeth Chenery, Ph.D.

In 2002, a global gathering of women religious and spiritual leaders, business leaders and leaders from civil society was held in Geneva, in collaboration with the UN. Out of this emerged the Global Peace Initiative of Women, based in New York and working worldwide, as a partnership of women and men, to try to bring an end to violence, to nurture peace and to foster the development and wellbeing of all peoples, through drawing upon and uniting around the spiritual values of oneness and compassion.

Mary-Faeth has had the opportunity to attend four meetings of the Global Peace Initiative of Women – Geneva, Taiwan, India and the United States, and she will bring a report about how this global platform is striving to help put harmlessness into practice in areas of conflict around the world and what spiritual leaders from all faiths are saying about peace.

'What was Shakespeare thinking?'
Brenton Phillis

After 400 years, Shakespeare's plays continue to impact world culture and civilization profoundly.
In fact, they are more popular than ever! They have been translated into every major language - and many of the minor ones - and have been interpreted in every form of art known to humanity.

Why do they endure, despite their old English language?
Why did Shakespeare write them, and what was he trying to tell us?
What is the spiritual significance of his works for the New Age that he foresaw?
What can we learn from him in the 21st century?

This illustrated presentation will address these questions, and more, telling the story of his life and works from a spiritual and theosophical perspective.

'2009 – An Astrological Perspective'
Chandra Easton and Zachary Casper

A sketch of the global transition for 2009 will be covered, utilising esoteric and mundane astrology.  Zachary and Chandra will outline some of the social, political, financial and environmental trends impacting world affairs, in late 2008 and 2009.  Looking ahead, this prepares and guides us in developing the communal spirit and lifestyle, so essential for all nations in the years ahead.

‘Greek Notions of Ahimsa (Harmlessness)’           
Roger Sworder, Ph.D.

In a crucial argument in the first book of Plato’s Republic, Socrates shows that justice never harms. Plato believes punishment to be beneficial like medicine. . . .

'Co-Creating an Angel of Harmlessness'
Catherine de Solieux

Taking harmlessness to heart and putting harmlessness into action can be as simple and fun as participating in a group to create a physical angel representing this quality. In this session we will combine the creative arts including movement, music, painting, crafts and textiles. We will utilise the arts to stimulate our imagination, align with our own inner angel of harmlessness and strive to co-create an angel that reflects harmlessness. 

Please note there is no expectation to be "great at art". What is more important is to enjoy creating.

'Laughter "Hasya" Yoga'           
Shanti Dass Portia & Greg ‘Arjuna’ Govinda

Laughter is one of the most natural things we can do – whether for releasing stress or to experience our innate joy. 'Laughter Yoga' (Hasya Yoga) is the practice of choosing to laugh in order to activate the release of endorphins, give the body a gentle aerobic workout and assist emotions to flow. No jokes, we just laugh, play and have fun.                        

'A Taste of Tai Chi'
Gudrun Markowsky

Tai Chi is a path of wisdom meditation, but it is also a path with heart that helps us to be at home with who we are. Over three sessions we will become acquainted with the basic principles of Tai Chi and practise the beginning of the "Wu style" form. We will also learn a sequence of simple Chi gong exercises which draws on the essence of the four elements to energise all the cells of the body. [Conducted from 9-9.30 am Sunday, Monday, Tuesday]

‘A Few Words about Nothing: Emptiness, No Mind, and Harmlessness’
Richard Perry

[Description to be provided]

Isaac Golden
Thomas Nielsen
Ann Phillis

Enquiries welcome,
info@heartflow.org or 03 5348 1278

Practical Details about the Spiritual Forum

Participants are welcome to attend as many or as few activities as they wish.

No pre-registration is required.

Tuition at the Forum is offered free of charge; a small administration fee of $15 is asked for to help with expenses (the $15 admin fee covers the whole five days of the Forum). There is no charge to attend the meditations. If attending one session only, a charge of $5 is asked.

The Spiritual Forum is held at the Sanctuary of the Heart, on the corner of Ballan Road and South Ajax Road. (Directions to the Sanctuary of the Heart)

The Forum is open to those 16 years and older.

Participants are asked to bring a pair of indoor shoes or an extra pair of socks to wear in the Sanctuary.

CONCERNING PARTICIPATION
IN THE SPIRITUAL FORUM

If you have any serious physical or psychological conditions, you are advised against taking part in activities that call upon spiritual energies, such as the Spiritual Forum, without prior consultation with an experienced meditation teacher.

Where serious illness or imbalance is present, it is recommended that the body and mind focus on healing and regaining balance. In these cases it is better to work on healing, in cooperation with health care practitioners, through relaxation, positive thinking, stress reduction, and Yoga Nidra (a form of yoga which emphasises progressive relaxation).

Also, if you use or in the recent past have used marijuana, addictive drugs, psychoactive medications (such as tranquillisers and mood stabilisers), or alcohol (more than the occasional social drink), you are advised against taking part in spiritual activities. A minimum of 3-7 years free of using such substances is recommended before it is advisable for a person to enter into spiritual work.