Embracing All Of Us    with Sharon Coleman, Ph.D                              May 24, 2012                              5:45-8:45pm   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. *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  Come join us for this women's monthly potluck program and bring a friend. $5-10 suggested donation FREE FOR MEMBERS (See Membership section below) PLEASE BRING A LABELED DISH TO SHARE **In the interest of simplifying and going green,  we ask you to: * Consider bringing re-usable dinnerware (plates and flatware) for your own use to reduce disposables.  We will provide dinnerware for anyone not able to bring their own. *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *   WHEN AND WHERE The Church on the Hill Chapel 55 Main Street Lenox, MA (The brown building across the street from Nejaime's Wine Cellar) 5:45 Gathering with food 6:00 Welcome Circle 6:15 Potluck Supper 7:15 Program 8:45 Closure/clean up    *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
MEMBERSHIP Women's Interfaith Institute in the Berkshires invites you to join a diverse group of spirited and spiritual women BECOME A MEMBER Student $10/year Full membership $35/year For more info contact:  Alison Gaines  413.442.3604 or click   asgaines07@aol.com

                                  photo by Bob Sherman
 
Tuesday, April 24, 2012

The Forgiven World:
Forgiveness as a Path of Awakening
 
 "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.

Together with Rev Natalie Shiras and Susan Jameson 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)

Berkshire Festival of Women Artists: Hannah Fries Poetry Reading

Hannah Fries reading at the Women's Interfaith Institute

Poetry editor and associate editor Hannah Fries of Orion Magazine delighted her listeners with a series of poems about women like Noah’s wife, or the Oracle at Delphi, who have come down to us through history and myth as unnamed traces of women who lived, loved and left their mark.
In Hannah’s imagination, such women have been like spring bulbs planted beneath rocks, trying courageously but often fruitlessly to push their way up into the light.
Through her clear, powerful poetry, they found their way into the sunshine, and brought all of us with them.
If you’d like to read Hannah’s poem “Pygmalion’s Girl,” you can find it here at Mead Magazine.
reblogged from Berkshire Women Writers

"Noah's Wife":  Women at the Fringes of Faith

A poetry reading by Hannah Fries

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

5:45-8:45 pm

As part of the Berkshire Festival of Women Artists, Hannah Fries will present a poetry reading based on the stories of women characters from the Bible and mythology, from Noah's wife to Pygmalion's girl.  The poems are from the point of view of these characters, who often appear on the periphery of iconic stories, or who play central roles and yet have the little agency of their own; many do not even have names.

Hannah will discuss what drew her to imagine herself into these personas, and how giving voice to these women on the fringes -- and giving them a more gritty human complexity -- can provide refreshing new perspectives and entry points into old narratives.

Hannah Fries is associate editor and poetry editor of Orion magazine.  She grew up in New Hampshire, graduated from Dartmouth College and earned a MFA in poetry from Warren Wilson College.  She is the recipient of a residency with the Colorado Art Ranch and her poems have appeared or are forthcoming in The Massachusetts Review, Calyx, The Cortland Review, upstreet, and other journals.  She also serves on the board of The Frost Place—a Robert Frost Museum and poetry center in Franconia, NH.

 February 23rd, Nourishing Your Heart 
         with Ani Grosser

“The Heart at rest sees a feast in everything.”   Hindi proverb

We have a special guest coming to our February potluck~ Rev. Allison Stokes, the founder of our organization, is visiting the Berkshires from Seneca Falls and will update us on  news past and present. This year  Women's Interfaith celebrates its 20th anniversary and we'll keep you updated about special events.

February’s potluck program celebrates the Heart and Love.  Cross-culturally, the Heart is the source of courage, wisdom, and love.  

This evening we will joyously nourish our hearts through song,  poetry, guided imagery, reflections, and a sharing circle.  Ani will share from many years of living and studying the chakra system, cross-cultural healing practices, hatha yoga and Imago relationship therapy.

BIO:  Ani Nadler Grosser, LICSW is co-director, with her husband Bill, of the Center for Compassionate Relationships in Lenox, MA.  Ani and Bill are completing a book about relationships. 

Ani offers counseling to individuals and couples, and facilitates on-going women’s Healing and Empowerment groups.  She teaches Restorative Yoga throughout Berkshire County.    She served on the Board of Women’s Interfaith Institute from 2008 through 2011. 

The Women's Interfaith Institute in the Berkshires is comprised of women of different faiths and diverse backgrounds who practice their religious and spiritual beliefs through dedicated action. The theme for WII's 2011-2012 season is Feeding Body Mind and Soul.    WII's monthly potluck programs serve as a platform for exploring diverse faiths and spiritual traditions and deepening conversation with one another.

When:  5:45-8:45pm
Where:  Chapel of the Church on the Hill, 55 Main St, Lenox, MA

     (The brown building across the street from Nejaime’s)

 Please join us and bring a dish to share

 $5-10 suggested donation (members are free)

 Women's Interfaith Institute,

P.O. Box 443, Lenox, MA 01240. 

for more information contact:

Alison Gaines

Administrative Coordinator,

Women's Interfaith Institute in the Berkshires

(413) 442-3604

January 13, Mindful Eating

Join us for an experience of mindful eating led by Alison Shore Gaines, a nutrition and lifestyle educator who has 25 years’ experience leading personal development workshops. Her approach to experiential learning evolved through training in yoga, holistic nutrition, and Gestalt psychology. www.sacrednourishment.com
 

The evening program will be preceded by our brief annual meeting.

December 13, Celebration of Light

 How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!  - John Muir
 
Though my soul may set in darkess,
It will rise in perfect light,
I have loved the stars too fondly
To be fearful of the night.
- Sarah Williams
 
'There is a light beyond light and dark.'
Deborah Lord

An ongoing tradition at Women's Interfaith is to celebrate the light during one of the darkest months of the year, December. Bring your poems, short stories, songs, prayers, and meditations ~ the things you use to engage your inner light. Facilitated by Susan Jameson and JoAnne Spies.

Rite of Passage

 Take a look at how Youth Alive's Rite of Passage Program has grown!

Youth Alive Rite of Passage program

Shirley Edgerton and Youth Alive dancers presented  the first seed of this program at one of our potluck programs in 2009.
 Women's Interfaith is eager to support this initiative as mentors and in other ways that help this program grow.

    Youth Alive Step, Dance and Drumline