Events

April 24, 2012 (Please note new date)
The Forgiven World: Forgiveness as a Path of Awakening
with Rev Natalie Shiras and Susan Jameson

“Where there is forgiveness, there is God Himself.” – Adi Granth, Shalok, Kabir (Sikism)

True forgiveness is one of the most healing, releasing and freeing gifts we give to ourselves. A life full of open forgiveness is a life of grace. Forgiveness is a process by which we heal our sense of separation from others, from our true Self and, ultimately, from God.

Rev Natalie Shiras and Susan Jameson will lead us through prayer, metaphor, song, movement and meditation.   We will explore the deeper meaning of forgiveness and discover how forgiveness of ourselves and others can be a path of awakening to the truth of who we are.  ‘Forgiveness as a way of life means living with a profound commitment to our own healing and peace of mind. Through this commitment, we find that we naturally become instruments and teachers of healing and peace for our families, our communities, and our world.

“To forgive means to be willing to look beyond the expression of fear and forgetfulness, beyond his/her case of mistaken identity, to the truth that lies beyond.”

“O God, Help me To believe The truth about myself No matter How beautiful it is,” Macrina Wiederkehr, Seasons of Your Heart  (Inspired by Rev Diane Burke and Robin Casarjian, Forgiveness: A Bold Choice for a Peaceful Heart)

Rev. Natalie Shiras has been pastor of Church on the Hill, United Church of Christ in Lenox since 2003. She serves on the Task Force of Multicultural BRIDGE of the Berkshires and as an advisor to the Board of the Women’s Interfaith Institute.

Susan Jameson is the founder of Humanity in Concert and the co-founder of Healing Winds and the Rock, Rattle & Drum Pow Wow. She is an interfaith minister, dancer and passionate metaphysician committed to her work in healing and spiritual development. She is on the board of the Women’s Interfaith Institute.

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May 24, 2012
Sharon Coleman
Embracing All Of Us

Living an embodied spirituality means being able to embrace the messy, unwanted parts of our human experience.    This includes thoughts we may label “petty” or “mean” and feelings such as anger, hurt, grief or resentment.  Because these parts of our experience go against our values and block our connection to the life in and around us, we try to push them away.  Yet, some spiritual and psychotherapeutic traditions inspire us to see that what we want to avoid or transcend is actually precious raw material–the very stuff out of which we grow and expand.

In this talk we will explore what makes it possible to genuinely embrace our difficult experiences so that we deepen self-understanding and compassion.    Sharon Coleman, Ph.D. will offer perspectives gleaned from her own work and learning.  She will also walk you through a hands-on practice in which you can  work with a specific life experience that may have blocked you.

Sharon M. Coleman, Ph.D. is a psychologist in private practice based in Hillsdale, New York.  She was drawn to Buddhism by the beautiful presence and teachings of Zen Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh.  She has led a meditation sangha and has given workshops on Nonviolent communication.   Most recently she is inspired by the Living Compassion work of Robert Gonzales.  She has a lively interest in these things and wants to share her enthusiasm with you.

June 21, 2012

Rev. Hannah Anderson
More Information to follow

Women supporting women of diverse faiths in
generating spiritual leadership, scholarship and service