January 30-February 1
Have you ever longed to be a mystic? What is mysticism, anyway? How is it relevant in these turbulent times at the dawn of the third millennium? How do science and mysticism relate? What is the practical use of mysticism in everyday life - beyond the dreamy, romantic notions? How can mysticism serve the world?
A mystic is someone who is directly connected to that which is Real. Mysticism is a path of the heart that leads to ultimate reality"by way of divine love. Many people still regard mysticism as a far off esoteric discipline, reserved only for ascetics and hermits. Yet the mystic impulse lies deep within each of our hearts. To be a mystic is to Be - for Real, and this is ultimately everyone's birthright. Only through connection to our mystical core can we participate fully, authentically, and lovingly in life. To establish and maintain that inner connection is our primary task as human beings"and from that connection, all the outer activities and creativity and love flow through us spontaneously, because we are no longer in the way.
As Rumi tells us "There is one thing you must do, and if you remember this and forget everything else, theres nothing to worry about. But if you forget this, and remember everything else, your life will be utter waste." That one thing is to connect to the deepest core of our being"to return to the truth of who we are, and live from there. This is the task of the mystic.
This workshop explores mysticism from a universal perspective, and reveals its profound relevance for our troubled times. Inspiration and teachings will be drawn from diverse sources, ancient and contemporary, including Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Sufi, and non-religious mystical traditions. Special emphasis will be on:
Universal truths that are common to the mystical journey in many spiritual traditions;
Practical exercises and contemplative disciplines for awakening and deepening mystical awareness in daily life;
Science and mysticism, and how they inter-relate; and
Mysticism in service to the world, including 13 principles to inspire the mystical heart into practical action.
Recognizing that mystical consciousness cannot be "taught" but must be experienced, the workshop integrates focused practices, interactive process, song, and contemplative dance. We will explore five universal stages of the mystical journey: Awakening, Purification, Illumination, the mystic death or Dark Night of the Soul, and Union with the Divine.
Mysticism is neither theory nor philosophy. It is not something we learn about, it is something we do. The mystic's heart longs for direct, immediate experience of ultimate reality, of what is. For Christians, this is union with God. For Buddhists, it is realization of enlightenment. For Sufis, it is mergence with the Beloved, or Allah. For Hindu Advaitins, it is realizing that Atman is Brahman. For each of us, it comes in our own way"by getting us out of our own way!
Mysticism is, above all else, a path of divine love. Join us on this glorious journey, as we reclaim the birthright of our hearts.
"The mystic is the pupil in the eye of humanity." -- Ibn Arabi
"The business and method of mysticism is love. It is a condition of humble access, more direct in its methods and more valid in its results - even in the hands of the least lettered of its adepts - than the most piercing intellectual vision of the greatest philosophic mind. -- Evelyn Underhill
Will Keepin is President of the Satyana Institute, a non-profit organization whose mission is to integrate spiritual wisdom into social change leadership. Originally trained as a physicist, he was Hewlett Fellow at Princeton University and research scholar at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, where his work in energy and environmental science influenced policy debates in many countries. Subsequently trained in spiritual practices and transpersonal psychology, he founded training programs for social activists, including Leading with Spirit and Gender Reconciliation, which have been presented in several countries. Dr. Keepin has published 35 articles, is on the adjunct faculty of the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, he has led retreats on interfaith mysticism in India and the United States.