Acharya Shunya

Acharya Shunya – Presentation

Sunday, July 13, 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 p.m.

“The Dharma Imperative: Bridging Divides with Universal Wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita”

In a world that feels increasingly fragmented, how can we bring people together and foster healing? This talk draws from the ancient wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita to explore the power of Dharma as a unifying force. Acharya Shunya will illuminate how these timeless teachings provide a foundation for personal integrity, collective wellbeing, and global peace. By connecting the wisdom of the Gita to modern-day challenges, participants will be inspired to cultivate compassion and work toward creating a more harmonious world.

Acharya Shunya – Workshop

Monday, July 14, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

“One Self, One World: Experiential Insights into Advaita Vedanta for Universal Harmony”

Advaita Vedanta, the philosophy of non-duality, teaches us that we are all interconnected. In this workshop, Acharya Shunya invites participants to explore the transformative teachings of the Upanishads. Through mantra chanting, mudra practices, and guided meditation, participants will experience the profound unity of all existence. This session offers tools to transcend division, bringing inner peace and fostering a deeper sense of connection to the world. Participants will walk away with practical insights on how to embody non-duality in daily life and contribute to a more unified and compassionate world.

Acharya Shunya HeadshotAcharya Shunya is a renowned spiritual teacher, modern mystic, and author who holds the prestigious position of the head of the Sarayu Parampara, a 2,000-year-old Vedic lineage. Her teachings on Advaita Vedanta, Yoga, and Ayurveda bridge ancient wisdom with modern life, making these profound traditions accessible to contemporary seekers. As the author of Sovereign Self, Ayurveda Lifestyle Wisdom, and Roar Like a Goddess, Acharya Shunya has empowered countless individuals to live with spiritual dignity and joy. She has been honored with multiple awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the California Institute of Integral Studies.
To learn more, visit www.AcharyaShunya.com.

 

 


Isis Resende

Isis Resende – Presentation

Saturday, July 12,  10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

“Challenges and Opportunities for the Theosophical Society to Help the world”

The Theosophical Society is a project of “Great Hierarchy” to help the world. What exactly does this phrase mean? In what way can we help the world. What did the sages who inspired HPB and HSO expect from the Theosophical Society at the time it was founded, and what do they expect from us now? What changes are important in the world today? Is fragmentation one of the things demanding change? Can we help if we are fragmented ourselves? These are the questions we are going to think about together.

Isis Resende - Workshop

Tuesday, July 15,  9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

"The Sacred Path for Peace in the World"

The Voice of the Silence, a book written by HPB, tells us that all human beings possess Alaya, unity with the One Great Soul, but even so few profit from it. In fact, the Divine Nature is sleeping in most of us. Our many miseries are one result of it, fragmentation of society is another. How can we awaken the Divine Nature in us? Religions and philosophy may help us to proceed in this direction and this is called in the Theosophical Literature the Path, and I would say, the Sacred Path that enables us to be living as Spirits that have a body rather than as bodies that have a Spirit. We will be pondering about the suggestions that the Sages gave us in order to be able to help our human Society and to attain real and lasting happiness.,

Isis resende HeadshotIsis M. B. Resende is a lawyer and has been a member of the Theosophical Society since 1968. She is an international speaker specializing in such subjects as meditation, the teachings of H. P. Blavatsky, the Mahatma Letters, and Jungian ideas on dreams and symbols. She was the President of the Theosophical Interamerican Federation from 2014 to 2021. Currently she is a member of the National Board of Directors of the Theosophical Society in Brazil and Director of its International Department. She has been lecturing in 42 countries around the world, namely: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, United States, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Hungary, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, England, Germany, Norway, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, India, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, New Zealand, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Egypt and Angola.


Rabbi Matthew Ponak

Rabbi Matthew Ponak – Presentation

Saturday, July 12, 1:30–2:45 p.m.

"To Everything There Is a Season: Jewish Mysticism and the Art of Balance"

In an unpredictable world, how can we find stability without rigidity? How do we embrace change while staying true to ourselves? This talk explores the wisdom of Kabbalah and Jewish spirituality as a guide to balancing groundedness and flow. Through the sacred rhythm of Shabbat, 20th-century mystic Rav Kook’s Fourfold Song, and the interplay of body, heart, mind, and soul, this session uncovers ancestral teachings that cultivate resilience, endurance, and sustainable contentment in modern times.

Rabbi Matthew Ponak – Workshop

Monday, July 14, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

"Sacred Rest, Everyday Joy: Designing Your Own Oasis Time"

Rest is not a luxury—it is a spiritual necessity. Inspired by the Jewish Sabbath but adaptable for all, Oasis Time is a practice of sacred pause: a moment for delight, celebration, and inner stillness amidst life’s demands. This workshop combines Jewish mystical insights on rest and renewal with practical guidance to help participants create their own Oasis Time—whether for a full day, an hour, or even a mindful pause during a busy day.

Rabbi Matthew Ponak HeadshotRabbi Matthew Ponak is a teacher of Jewish mysticism, a spiritual counselor, and an author dedicated to making Kabbalistic and Hasidic wisdom accessible to seekers of all backgrounds. Ordained with honors from Hebrew College’s neo-Hasidic rabbinical school, he also holds a Master’s in Contemplative Religions from Naropa University, a Buddhist-inspired institution integrating meditation and experiential study.

With expertise in Jewish and global mystical traditions, Rabbi Matthew blends scholarly insight with embodied practice. As a certified Focusing Professional, he guides individuals in self-awareness and transformation through somatic introspection. His book, Embodied Kabbalah, explores Jewish mystical wisdom for modern life, bridging ancient traditions with contemporary spiritual practice.

To learn more, visit www.matthewponak.com.


Ravi Ravindra

Ravi Ravindra – Presentation

Saturday, July 12, 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.

"Similarities and Differences in the Abrahamic and Indian Spiritual Traditions"

All spiritual traditions acknowledge a transcendent force behind the universe, referred to as Brahman, God, Allah, or the One. However, while the Abrahamic traditions center around a creation myth, Indian traditions describe an emanation myth—where the universe is not created by Brahman but emanates from it. This distinction shapes a fundamental difference: Indian traditions emphasize the oneness of all beings, while Abrahamic traditions stress individuality. This talk explores these contrasting perspectives and their implications on spiritual identity and practice.

Ravi Ravindra – Presentation

Sunday, July 13, 2:00 - 3:15 p.m.

"A Hindu Meets a Christian on a Spiritual Journey"

Ravi Ravindra HeadshotGod or Reality transcends religious labels, yet every seeker is shaped by their cultural and spiritual background. True spiritual transformation requires liberation from personal desires, fears, and conditioning. In today’s interconnected world, seekers from different traditions often recognize the value of learning from one another. This presentation follows the journey of two sincere searchers—one from a Hindu background and the other from a Christian background—who meet with the shared goal of deepening their connection to higher reality.

Ravi Ravindra, Ph.D., is a professor emeritus at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, where he taught in the departments of Physics, Philosophy, and Comparative Religions. A lifelong member of the Theosophical Society, he has been a Fellow of the Indian Institute for Advanced Study in Shimla and a member of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. He has authored numerous books across multiple disciplines, including Blessed by Mysterious Grace, which chronicles his spiritual journey.