2012Chautauqua Teachers-In-Residence
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WEEK 1: June 25 - June 29
Yoga and Meditation
Seminar Topics: "A Balanced Mind is a Healthy Mind" and "Peace is the State of a Healthy Mind"
Dariel DeGennaro Woltz, B.A., C.M.T., R.Y.T. and Michael Woltz
Dariel believes deeply in the healing power of movement and breath and focuses on creating a supportive environment where exploration can readily unfold. She is a Registered 500-hour Experienced Yoga Alliance Teacher and a certified Movement Therapist. Dariel became a certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher in 1979 and lived at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health for 6 years. She has been a continuing student of the Iyengar Yoga Tradition since 1982. Dariel has completed Open Sky Yoga's Essential and Advanced teacher trainings, under the direction of Francois Raoult, who she has also assisted during his yoga retreat in France. Dariel is also certified in Danskinetics™, Movement Education, and Motional Processing© and has been dedicated to serving groups and individuals for 25 years.
Dariel’s website: www.studiopanterra.com
WEEK 2: July 2- July 6
WEEK 4: July 16 - July 20
WEEK 6: July 30- August 3
Sikh Dharma
Seminar Topics:
Week 2: "What we really need to know: discovering our true identity"
Week 4: "Going with the flow: Meditation in Action"
Week 6: "Maintaining our identity in the digital age"
Subagh Singh Khalsa
Subagh Singh Khalsa met his spiritual teacher, Yogi Bhajan, in 1971. Yogi Bhajan had arrived in the West a few years earlier and declared that he had not come to gather disciples but to create teachers. True to that mission, he soon certified Subagh to teach classes in Kundalini Yoga and Meditation, which he has been doing ever since. In addition, Subagh has written four books about meditation practice and spiritual healing and maintains a private counseling and healing practice.
Subagh is a retired dentist and was formerly a Minister of Sikh Dharma. He and his wife, Subagh Kaur, co-direct Chautauqua’s Mystic Heart Program and maintain this web site. He is also a sculptor and frequently engages in extended solo retreats.
Books by Subagh Khalsa:
Meditation for Absolutely Everyone (a brief introduction into a variety of meditation and relaxation practices, with an audio tape to guide practice), available through Amazon.com.
The Success of Soul (help in establishing personal vision, and following through to its completion- packaged with two audio tapes to guide practice), available through Amazon.com.
Anatomy of Miracles (a guide to the spiritual healing process known as Sat Nam Rasayan) Available at the Chautauqua Book Store or by contact Subagh at subaghk@gmail.com
Healing Ourselves, Healing the World (eight lessons in mystic meditation practice), available at the Chautauqua Bookstore or by contacting Subagh at subaghk@gmail.com.
Subagh is available to lead workshops or retreats by special arrangement.
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Zen Buddhism Week 3: July 9 - July 13
John Pulleyn
Seminar Topics: "Doing Nothing and Leaving Nothing Undone: Zen Meditation in Action", and
"Committing to Action Without Clinging to Results: The Buddhist Approach to Meditation and Engagement"
John Pulleyn has been practicing Zen for more than 40 years, working with the late Roshi Philip Kapleau, the founder of the Rochester Zen Center and author of Three Pillars of Zen, and Roshi Kapleau’s successor, Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede. After graduating from Oberlin College with a BA in history, John joined the Zen Center’s staff in 1968. Later he worked for many years as a paint and wallpaper contractor and software developer. John became a pediatric nurse at the age of 50, obtaining a BS and RN from SUNY Brockport and then worked for 10 years in the adolescent unit of Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong. Currently John is a senior instructor at the Center as well as Head of Training and Assistant to the Abbot. He has led sesshins (meditation retreats) in Rochester and for a Zen Center affiliate group in Madison, Wisconsin. John lives in Pittsford, NY with his wife of 37 years. They have two children, one on each coast, one grandchild and another on the way. The Rochester Zen Center's website is www.rzc.org.
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WEEK 5: July 23 - July 27
Baha'i
Seminar Topic: "Set Your Faces Towards Unity: A Baha'i Approach to Peace"
Linda Gillette
Linda's statement:
I came to the Baha’i Faith from a Protestant background when I was in my 20’s. There are no clergy in the Baha’i Faith. Everyone works together in service to the community through devotional gatherings, study circles, children’s classes, and junior youth activities. In addition to participation in such local activities, I have served on various institutions in the Northeast; as a member of the Board of Directors of the Regional Training Institute for the Northeastern States, as assistant to the Auxiliary Board, as a delegate to the Baha’i National Convention, and as a representative for the Board of Trustees of Huququ’llah in the United States. One of my most joyful experiences was participating in two European tours as a member of the 175 voice choir, the Voices of Baha.
Daily prayer and meditation are an integral part of the life of every believer. To quote from the Baha’i Writings: “..the core of religious faith is that mystic feeling that unites man with God. This state of spiritual communion can be brought about and maintained by means of meditation and prayer. And this is the reason why Bahá'u'lláh has so much stressed the importance of worship. It is not sufficient for a believer to merely accept and observe the teachings. He should, in addition, cultivate the sense of spirituality, which he can acquire chiefly by the means of prayer. The Bahá'í Faith, like all other Divine religions, is thus fundamentally mystic in character. Its chief goal is the development of the individual and society, through the acquisition of spiritual virtues and powers. It is the soul of man that has first to be fed. And this spiritual nourishment prayer can best provide. Laws and institutions, as viewed by Bahá'u'lláh , can become really effective only when our inner spiritual life has been perfected and transformed. Otherwise religion will degenerate into a mere organization, and become a dead thing.”
In our daily Mystic Heart Meditation sessions there will be quotations from the Baha’i Writings on particular themes, as well as prayers, music, and time for personal reflection.
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WEEK 7:
August 6- August 10
Islam/Sufism
Seminar Topics: Tuesday: "Sufi Poets Rumi and Hafiz: The Flame of Truth in Sufi Poetry and Tales"
Thursday: " Sufi Poetry and Tales: Navigating Life's Journey: Attar, Sanai and others"
Sharifa Felicia Norton and Muinuddin Charles Smith, Phd
Sharifa Norton and Muinuddin Smith are senior teachers and retreat guides within the Sufi Order International and the Ziraat tradition. Sharifa serves as head of Ziraat for the Sufi Order in North America (www.ziraat.org). Together they founded and facilitate the Light of Guidance Center for Sufi Studies in NYC (www.lightofguidance.org). Sharifa dances professionally and teaches dance at the United Nations International School, and Muinuddin teaches leadership and group dynamics at Hofstra University. They are married and live in New York City, and travel internationally, offering retreats and workshops on the Sufi path and on realizing the sacred in every aspect of life. This past year Muinuddin has been teaching 'leadership' and mentoring Tibetan graduate University students through the Tibet Fund Scholarship Program in the US. Sharifa recently performed her evening solo dance/theatre piece, 'NOOR' based on the true story of the life of Noorunnisa Inayat Khan, a Sufi pacifist and WW2 heroine in the French resistance, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland and in London, UK in August 2011.
Together Sharifa and Muinuddin authored the newly-released book, An Emerald Earth–Cultivating a Natural Spirituality and Serving Creative Beauty in Our World (ISBN 978-9-6152-3546-2), (www.anemeraldearth.org). This book offers basic practices, poetry, and wisdom teachings from the Sufi tradition, as guidance for transforming our vision of life and recognizing the sacred in every aspect of our experience.
For a schedule of upcoming retreats and workshops and for more info on their book An Emerald Earth see www.anemeraldearth.org and the other websites listed above.
WEEK 8: August 13 - August 17
Judaism/Kabbalah
Seminar Topics: "Reducing Stress in Challenging Times" and "Three Gifts Money Can't Buy"
Larry Terkel
As if to set the pattern for his unusual life, Larry was born Methodist, adopted and raised in a Jewish family, then found his birth mother and learned he was part Scotch Irish and part Cherokee Indian. After graduation from Cornell University in 1970, where Larry earned a BS (Engineering) and an MBA, he and his new wife, Susan, traveled for one year and studied Hinduism, Buddhism and yoga in India. When they returned to the United States, Larry earned an MA in Philosophy and Comparative Religion from Kent State University at the same time that he began his business career.
Larry began as production manager of a Midwest manufacturing company and rose to its president in 1980. In 1986 he expanded its operations to the Far East and later to Mexico. In 1995 he served as CEO of a public company and in 1996 founded Global Health Care, Inc., a distributor of rapid biomedical diagnostics with offices in the USA and Mexico. He continues to serve as its president.
Upon his return from India in 1971, Larry also began teaching yoga and meditation. Then, in 1978, Larry and Susan bought an old church on the town square of Hudson, Ohio. They founded The Spiritual Life Society, an inter-denominational center for spiritual and holistic studies. As its licensed minister, Larry has officiated at over 2.000 weddings for couples of all faiths. He also teaches yoga and meditation there and gives weekly talks. He is the founder of Temple Beth Shalom, in Hudson, Ohio.
Larry and Susan were married before their travels in 1970. They have raised three children and Larry has performed weddings for two of them. In 2005 they became grandparents. Larry also enjoys golf and skiing.
Larry and Susan are co-authors of the book, Small Change: It's the LITTLE Things in Life That Make a BIG Difference! (Tarcher/Penguin) a finalist for the 2004 National Books for a Better Life Award. The book provides insight into Larry and Susan's remarkable life together, and presents their philosophy for self-improvement, which is based on bringing awareness to everyday habits.
Larry’s website: www.larryterkel.com
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WEEK 9: August 20 - August 24
Zen Buddhism
Seminar Topic: ""
Michael O'Sullivan
Michael O'Sullivan, Senior Dharma Teacher in the Kwan Um School of Zen, is the founder and abbot of The Three Treasures Zen Center, located in Oneonta, New York. He is the president of the greater Oneonta Interfaith Committee, and teaches meditation regularly at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York. Michael is a retired New York City detective and is the proud father and grandfather of three grown children and four beautiful grandchildren. He has been a Zen practitioner for over 25 years.
Michael has traveled extensively in Asia and has attended Buddhist peace conferences titled, "The Whole World is a Single Flower", in Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Poland and the United States. He has visited and stayed at many temples in Korea.
Michael's Zen Center website: www.thethreetreasures.org.
"It is not necessary for anyone (including Buddhists) to believe in Buddha or his teaching if they do not wish to. It is up to the individual to understand what he teaches."
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Weeks 1 through 9, Thursday evenings from 7:15 to 7:45
Carol McKiernan
Carol grew up at Chautauqua and believes that her love of mystical practices began here on the grounds. She was formally introduced to meditation many years ago at an off-season yoga and meditation retreat led by Subagh Singh Khalsa and has been practicing Centering Prayer daily ever since. She has attended many seminars, workshops and retreats offered by Contemplative Outreach, founded by Dom Thomas Keating, a Trappist Monk, who resides at St. Benedict's Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado and who has written many books on Centering Prayer. In October, 2011, Carol attended a 10 day intensive retreat at St. Benedict's and was privately coached by Fr. Keating on leading Centering Prayer.
Carol resides in Philadelphia where she and her husband, Bob, raised their three children. After graduating from Villanova University, she spent 25 years as the Treasurer of The Devon Horse Show. She is currently the Assistant Director of Cultural Film at Villanova University and is a part-time employee of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Carol practices Centering Prayer with weekly groups at St. David's Episcopal Church and the Daylesford Abbey in Philadelphia, and leads meditation at Focus Yoga in Bryn Mawr, PA where she is a yoga practitioner. She is a member of the Augustinian Affiliates, the lay order of the Augustinian Priests and volunteers regularly at the infirmary of St. Thomas Monastery in Villanova. She is on the board of the Chautauqua Opera Guild and is a co-captain of the Chautauqua Fund.