January 2-4
The Kabbalah is an ancient body of Jewish mystery wisdom that has been transmitted, in a predominantly oral tradition, for close to four thousand years. Based largely upon a non-linear way of thinking and experiencing, the Kabbalah offers alternative perspectives on the meaning of life, the paradox of God and evil, the mystique of being human, the intimate relationship of soul with body, and the sanctity of the earth and all her creatures. Even though it emphasizes the spiritual, the Kabbalah sees the material realm as the most vital component in the process of spiritual development. Drawing on ancient and early medieval Hebraic and Aramaic sources, Gershon will introduce us to the core intention of the Kabbalah: the mystery of Life. Miriam will touch our hearts with her music.
This weekend of Non-Linear Frolic in the Garden of Paradox will incorporate ancient chants, empowering journeys, deep-belly humor, sacred dance and movement exercises. Lesser-known teachings of the Kabbalah concerning the attributes of animals, plants, stones, and the four winds will surprise and enlighten us. The Jewish people, like many earth-based tribal peoples, are blessed with an ancient and rich mystical tradition that teaches that the earth is sacred and that all organisms are imbued by the Creator with a living soul. Both women and Jews share the tragedy of centuries of witch-hunts and inquisitions for their mystical dabblings, sorcery, herbology, alchemy, and shape-shifting. This paganism, an integral part of original Judaism, has been suppressed for centuries. These teachings are both practical and esoteric, and bring fresh meaning to the magic and paradox of being alive.
"Turns the sore into the soaring; thank God for heavenly voices."
Rabbi Mordechai Gafni, Author of Soul Prints
"I have Miriam's healing music playing in my study every single day. It transforms my office into a sacred space of healing, nurturing and spiritual grace as its beauty and power touch the soul of everyone who enters."
Steven Carr Ruben, President Board of Rabbis of Southern California
"His mastery of Hebrew and Aramaic sacred texts is matched only by an outrageous, reverently irreverent sense of humor. He is a teacher who appeals to beginners as well as experienced students..."
Four Corners Magazine (Aug-Sept 2001)
"Combines the wit of actor Robin Williams with the wisdom of the Ba'al Shem Tov."
The Jerusalem Post (May 25, 2001)
<Gershon Winkler, All-Around Coyote and Shamanic Schmoozer, is a circuit-riding rabbi from New Mexico to Montana, a prison chaplain, a renowned scholar, and rabbinic trickster. The author of eleven books on Jewish theology, folklore, and mysticism, including The Magic of The Ordinary: Recovering the Shamanic in Judaism, he's lectured and served as Scholar-in-Residence at colleges, universities, and retreat centers coast to coast and has led six workshop tours in Israel. Co-founder of the non-profit Walking Stick Foundation, he is dedicated to the recovery and sharing of indigenous Judaism and aboriginal, earth-honoring spirituality. His refreshing and uninhibited teachings are harvested from 17 years of living in the remote wilderness. Rabbi Winkler flavors his workshops with wild meditations, spirited chants, enlightening stories, and gleanings of the lesser promulgated mystery wisdom of non-party line, spiced with concentrated doses of his notorious deep belly humor.
Miriam Maron Emhoff facilitates workshops, services, and retreats across North America, using movement, guided imagery, sacred texts, meditation, songs, and chanting to integrate the soul into our lives. Her soothing and transforming concerts and albums (Wings of Light and Light Out of Darkness) have received wide acclaim across the globe." To hear her, please visit www.miriamscyberwell.com. Full of devotion and authenticity, she's blessed with the gift of guiding others toward the embrace of The Divine.