These events, workshops and retreats are offered at our National Center, 1926 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL.
Pre-register online by clicking on the highlighted link, or by phone: 630-668-1571, ext. 315; or by e-mail info@theosophical.org.
Saturday, March 2, 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Embrace important shamanic practices including Earth ceremonies, journeying practices, experiencing the three shamanic worlds for empowerment, and connecting and deepening relationships with our allies. Intentions for the day will include both personal and collective work. Whether new to shamanic practices or a seasoned practitioner, all are welcome. Come with the desire for a heart-opening experience as we connect with Spirit and expand our repertoire of daily practices.
Dress in layers for comfort. Feel free to bring a mat/blanket, stones or crystals, medicine bundle, or a portable sacred shamanic tool if you own one (rattle, feathers, etc.). Flowers are welcomed for the Earth ceremony.
Christina Pateros is a painter and healer. Her work reflects what she sees and what her heart remembers. Her shamanic healing practice serves adults and children in conscious living and dying, and includes space and land clearing and blessing. She combines her art with healing, integrating creativity as a dynamic part of living fully through ceremony and teachings. Christina lives in Boulder, CO and welcomes art collectors and healing clients worldwide.
For more, visit christinapateros.com.
$70 nonmembers, $60 members, $80 at the door
Meditation Retreat
Saturday, March 9, 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The four states of consciousness described in Hindu yoga literature (waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and "the fourth") can be taken as a map to guide us in our inner explorations. Based on the teachings presented in his Thursday night talk, "A Map of the Field of Consciousness," Pablo Sender will guide us in different techniques of meditation designed to help us raise our consciousness toward our spiritual nature. The retreat will consist of four short talks followed by 30-minute practice sessions, which will start with guided meditations before passing into silent work. The techniques used in this retreat deepen progressively, giving an opportunity to meditators of all levels to profit from the experience.
Pablo Sender, PhD, has been a member of the Theosophical Society since 1996. He has lived and worked at the International Headquarters of the TS in Adyar, India; at the National Center of the TS in America; and is currently at the Krotona Institute of Theosophy in Ojai, California. An international speaker, he has presented programs and retreats in India, Europe, Oceania, and the three Americas. He writes for many Theosophical journals and is the author of the book Evolution of the Higher Consciousness. Visit his website at PabloSender.com.
$60 nonmembers, $50 members, $70 at the door
Join Pablo Thursday, March 7, for his lecture: A Map of the Field of Consciousness.
Saturday, March 16, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
When you become stressed, are you restless, irritable, withdrawn – or maybe a combination of all three? How does your stress type present itself with illness? Discover your Ayurvedic mind-body stress type and learn how to mend your unique imbalances for a healthy, happy life. Dr. Gokani will share the food, herbs, teas, and essential oils that will help you achieve balance in your system. She will also reveal how the chakra energy system is linked to imbalanced brain patterns that perpetuate your imbalanced stress type. You will leave this workshop with practical tools to create a harmonious mind and body using ancient principles of healing and health.
Trupti Gokani, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified neurologist who has dedicated her life to developing a unique blend of modern medicine and ancient philosophy. She earned her medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she also completed her training in neurology, was Chief Resident, and pursued additional post-doctoral training and certification as a Master Clinical Psychopharmacologist. She also has credentials in Ayurvedic medicine and transcendental meditation. Dr. Gokani lectures extensively and is a regular guest on The Dr. Oz Show. For more, visit www.truptigokanimd.com.
$30 nonmembers, $25 members, $35 at the door
Join Dr. Gokani, Thursday, March 14, for her lecture: Healing Headaches and Reducing Stress with Ancient Ayurvedic Medicine.
Friday, March 15, 7:00 p.m.
Become immersed in the rich tonal vibrations of three harmonious gongs as you detach from the pressure and content of the mind. Evoking physical, emotional, and spiritual responses, the vibrations of the gongs work on multiple levels to stimulate, heal and transform. After a gentle, seated yogic warm-up and meditation to prepare the mind and body, relax and be embraced by sound.
Jenny Bergold (Jagatjeet Kaur) received her Kundalini Yoga instructor and gong training through the Kundalini Research Institute and Spirit Rising Yoga. Maureen Milliken (Haripal Kaur) is a yoga instructor, sound practitioner, Reiki Master Teacher, and shamanic facilitator. Sonja Herington (Amrit Prem Kaur) is the owner of Get Balanced, a KRI Certified yoga and meditation instructor as taught by Yogi Bhajan, a Reiki practitioner, Certified Chakra Therapist, and Soul Realignment practitioner. They are all honored to help you become more bountiful, blissful, and beautiful through Kundalini Yoga and this triple gong event.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a mat and/or blanket. In the communal spirit, we'll share a cup of homemade Yogi Tea afterward.
$25 in advance, $30 at the door
Saturday, March 23, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Learn about the spiritual and cultural contexts embedded in the poetry of the best-selling poet in the U.S. Pouria will go beyond the written words and introduce you to the depth of Rumi's teachings through his use of symbols, metaphors, analogies, stories from sacred texts, and most importantly, Rumi’s own life and longings.
Explore embodiment practices to turn Rumi's sacred poetry and teachings into portals for spiritual awakening and transformation, including:
· Sacred remembrance practices (singing and movement)
· Guided heart-centered meditations and movements
· Sacred reading practices, journaling, and offerings
· Explorations of the spiritual and cultural context and idioms in Rumi's work through selected poems
Pouria Montazeri grew up with Rumi’s poetry and teachings and is fluent in Persian. He draws from his 28 years of experience with Sufism, Advaita Vedanta, and other mystical and contemplative practices as well as his experiences as a teacher, spiritual director/coach, speaker, poet, mindfulness instructor, sangha guide, mentor, and filmmaker to support himself and others to live more creative, peaceful, and meaningful lives. He wrote, directed, and filmed Shams & Rumi: The Fragrance of Axis Mundi, which won many international film awards. For more, visit www.footprintsofrumi.com.
$60 nonmembers, $50 members, $70 at the door
Join Pouria Thursday, March 21, for his lecture: In the Footprints of Rumi.
Friday, March 22, 7:00 – 8.30 p.m. 
Join us for a special evening to renew and rejuvenate yourself for spring following the vernal equinox! Contemplate the rhythms of nature and consciousness, and your relationship to Light in mind, body, and spirit as you refocus, find clarity, and begin to emerge from winter.
Enliven and re-balance for the new season ahead with a selection of cleansing, gently energizing practices from the Kundalini yoga and meditation tradition. Experience third-eye opening breathwork to activate your intuition, followed by gentle, accessible movements to activate the energies of your chakras and your body, as well as mantra meditation and deep relaxation.
Samadhi Banks has been dedicated to holistic wellness, yoga and meditation for nearly 20 years. She brings her breadth of experience and dynamic teaching style to in-depth studies and teacher training programs in the philosophy and practices of Kundalini, classical yoga and meditation, Reiki, and crystal and gemstone therapy. She also offers The Indigo Project, a course for understanding and supporting the unique needs of today's children from an energetic and chakra-based perspective.
Bring a meditation cushion and/or yoga mat for floor seating and relaxation, if desired. Chairs also available.
$15 nonmembers, $10 members, $20 at the door
Saturday, March 23, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Let us join together in celebration of the spring equinox. During this magical time, you begin to hear the songs of birds in the air and witness plants and flowers emerging from the earth. It is a time of growth and renewal. The celebration will begin by connecting to nature. Then we will sing, dance, create, share, and make music. We will also bring the energy from the celebration into ourselves by eating a small snack.* During the event, participants will have an opportunity to share personal traditions and spirituality. If you would like, please bring something that represents spring to you, such as a story, poem, or artwork. This celebration is designed for families with children but is open to all.
Genis Schmidt has been leading seasonal celebrations for over seven years and has taught outdoor education and nature-based spirituality to children. She is mentored in the Dances of Universal Peace (DUP) and has been trained in teaching DUP to children. She is married with two daughters and loves witnessing their sense of wonder about nature and spirituality.
Registration is required. Parents are required to stay with their children at all times.
*Please let us know if anyone has food allergies at the time of registration.
$30 (per family) for nonmembers, $25 (per family) for members
Saturday, March 30, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. 
Does the world scare you sometimes? Do you feel powerless in the face of so much chaos? Do you want to make a difference but don’t know how?
It’s easy to believe you can’t affect any real, lasting change. But you make an impact every single time you show up to life with a kind, open heart. Nothing stands to transform our world more than a commitment to live our lives from love.
Join author Scott Stabile for an afternoon designed to reconnect you with the transcendent power of love. Stabile believes love serves as the base note for all that is good in our world, including kindness, compassion, forgiveness, vulnerability, and authenticity. Through discussion and writing exercises, we’ll spend time with those themes and reconnect with tools that return us to love when we act out of conditioning or fear.
Come with a ready heart, an open mind, and the desire to go beyond your comfort zone. There will be writing, so please bring a journal or notebook, and above all, a willingness to be honest with yourself.
Scott Stabile’s inspirational posts and videos have attracted a huge and devoted social media following. He is the author of Big Love: The Power of Living with a Wide-Open Heart, Just Love, Iris, and the Li’l Pet Hospital series. A passionate speaker and love advocate, Scott runs empowerment workshops nationally and internationally.
$40 nonmembers, $35 members
Saturday, April 6, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
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Spiritual initiations are known and proven markers of spiritual attainment on the evolutionary ladder, and each can be viewed as a portal leading to enlightenment. Every initiation indicates that the soul has taken a measure of control over some facet of the personality (ego). It is therefore true to say that initiations represent the Master’s Footsteps, pointing the way to liberation. In this workshop, William Meader will deeply examine each of the five initiations on the Path of Initiation and the changes in consciousness each entails. The goal is to deepen your understanding of the ladder of evolution, and to become more aware of how far you’ve advanced. Additional topics include:
William Meader is one of the most influential and respected international teachers of esoteric philosophy. With his gentle humor, sensitivity, and deep understanding of the spiritual path, he provides a diverse array of workshops and lectures. Author of Shine Forth: The Soul's Magical Destiny, William has also published numerous articles on all aspects of spirituality. Visit www.meader.org for more. $60 nonmembers, $50 members, $70 at the door |
Saturday, April 13, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
There is a great need for spiritual support for those suffering from terminal and long-term illness. Supporting a loved one through end-of-life care means creating a healing journey filled with loving-kindness, compassion, and friendship with the ultimate destination. This jointly conducted workshop will begin with a talk on fostering compassionate presence and a guided meditation on gratitude and loving-kindness. From there, we will explore and experience how the healing modality of Therapeutic Touch (TT) can be used to relieve emotional distress and provide a compassionate resource to cope with grief arising from end-of-life inevitability, followed by a TT demonstration session. Finally, hospice nurse and author Janet Dean will describe real-life stories she experienced during her hospice practice, and how TT teaches us that in difficult situations “we can hold space for others, and we can learn to allow others to hold space for us.” The workshop will end with a circle discussion and Q&A. Participants will leave feeling supported, inspired, and equipped with compassionate spiritual resources to provide care to those on an end-of-life journey as well as their families.
Anagarika Jyotipala (Dhananjay Joshi) has shared his vast experience in traditional Hindu and Buddhist meditation practice in providing resources such as guided meditations and readings in previous workshops. He is an author of Making Friends With Death.
Marilyn Johnston-Svoboda, RN, EdD, QTTT, is a retired professor of nursing. She is a member and educational trustee of the Therapeutic Touch International
Association. She is also co-author of Therapeutic Touch: A Healing Modality of the Heart and Hands.
Janet Dean, RN, QTTP, a registered nurse and a Qualified Therapeutic Touch Practitioner, has devoted nearly 20 years of her career to hospice care. She is author of Peaceful Passages: A Hospice Nurse's Stories of Dying Well.
$30 nonmembers, $25 members, $35 at the door
Saturday, April 20, 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
In this two-part retreat, participants will first learn several simple yet highly effective methods to help still the restless mind. From there, we will learn how to experience true love as we awaken the dormant energy of love and live with gratitude in the moment. Real love cannot be bought, it cannot even be taught, but through the grace of one who is a living embodiment of love, it can be caught. By awakening this love within us, we can break through the illusion of separation to see the inherent unity of all life.
Andrew Vidich, PhD, is an author, educator, and international presenter speaking on topics ranging from comparative mysticism, Islamic and Sufi studies, meditation, and non-violent communication. Andrew has studied and practiced meditation for over 40 years. His latest book Let There Be Light: A Practical Guide to the Experience of Light and Enlightenment Across the World’s Sacred Traditions is soon to be released.
$60 nonmembers, $50 members, $70 at the door
Friday, April 19, 7:00 p.m.
The Flower of Life Chakra Empowerment Tour comes to Wheaton! Experience a dynamic meditative gong bath with the rising and falling rhythms, tonalities, and vibrations of an Earth Gong tuned to the sound of the primordial AUM – the vibrational signature of our Mother Earth. Richard Rudis will use the ancient sacred geometry of the Flower of Life to empower each chakra point with healing chi.
Richard Rudis (Sonam Dorje) is a published writer, musician, and lecturer on the subject of vibrational sound healing as it is reflected within Tibetan Buddhism. An American practitioner of the Vajrayana path and a sound pioneer, he has studied sacred instruments and their playing techniques across Asia, conducting transformational sound mandala concerts internationally. For more, visit www.sacredsoundgongbath.com.
Bring a pillow and mat or blanket to lie on.
$30 per person in advance, $35 at the door
Registration is limited to 60 people.
Friday, April 26, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 27, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 28, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
In this Therapeutic Touch course we will use in-depth reflection, sustained dialogue, and activities to:
Prerequisites: Foundations of TT (Basic), The Transpersonal Nature of TT (Intermediate), and a minimum of 6 – 9 months of regular practice after the Transpersonal class (or at the discretion of the instructor).
Sue Conlin, BA, QTTT, has been practicing TT since 1990, teaching since 1998, and has studied with the co-creator of TT, Dolores Krieger. She is past president and currently serves as operations manager of Therapeutic Touch International Association (TTIA) and is credentialed by Nurse Healers Professional Associates International, Inc.
Mary Anne Hanley, PhD, RN, QTTT, has been practicing and teaching TT since 1984 and has participated in and conducted research related to TT. She is the Education Trustee of the Therapeutic Touch International Association.
Marilyn Johnston-Svoboda, EdD, RN, QTTT, has been practicing TT since the early 80’s, learning from both Dora Kunz and Dr Dolores Krieger, creators of TT. She has taught TT to numerous groups of nurses, nursing students, and community individuals during her years as a nursing professor and currently in retirement. She is the Credentialing Trustee of Therapeutic Touch International Association.
This Program is an approved CNE Activity. For more information please contact tttrainer@verizon.net.
$150 per person
World Tai Chi and Qigong Day 2019
Saturday, April 27, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Come together to be a healing part of history as we change the world! Qigong teachers Reneé Ryan, John Robertson, and Mark Weaver will lead participants in their respective styles, creating a continuous global wave of qi, or life energy. In over 80 nations, people will come together, breathe together, and focus on healing and hope for our world.
Gather outside (indoors, if inclement weather) at 9:00 a.m. for instruction, 10:00 a.m. for silent group practice, and 11:00 a.m. for an instructor meet-and-greet. To learn more about World Tai Chi and Qigong Day events, visit www.worldtaichiday.org.
All are welcome to attend this free event! No experience is required.
Heart-Centered Meditation
Saturday, May 4, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Beginning or recommitting to a daily meditation practice can significantly change the quality of your life. Inviting a Divine presence to guide your day and actions has an impact not only on yourself, but also on your environment and relationships. Learn the foundations of a heart-centered meditation that you will be able to take with you and practice at home. During the course of the day there will be four sessions of instruction followed by 30-minute sessions of practice. Beginners who may not be able to meditate continuously for 30 minutes will be encouraged to relax in a more comfortable position. This retreat is open to both those who have no meditation experience as well as those with experience in other types of meditation.
Please bring your own vegetarian lunch.
Juliana Cesano is a second-generation Theosophist and has been actively involved with the Society’s work for over 20 years. She spent two years volunteering at the international headquarters in Chennai, India, before becoming a staff member at the Theosophical Society in America. She is a certified yoga teacher, 200 CYT, and is currently the manager of the Quest Book Shop.
$35 nonmembers, $25 members, $45 at the door
Saturday, May 4, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Join us at our beautiful labyrinth and participate in a global event for peace. Over 5,000 people in 35 countries around the world will participate in a wave of healing and peace by “Walking as One at 1:00 p.m.” John Robertson and Neal Harris, who helped create our labyrinth, will lead this event. After walking the labyrinth, there will be discussion about bringing more peace, love, and healing to the world through the use of the labyrinth. In case of rain we will walk indoors on a temporary labyrinth.
John Robertson has nearly 20 years of experience practicing and teaching T'ai Chi Ch'uan and qigong and is a student of Taoist philosophy. Neal Harris created the first permanent outdoor labyrinth in Illinois and has consulted and created many other public labyrinths, including the one at the Theosophical Society.
This event is free and open to all!
Saturday, May 11, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
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Indigenous communities hold powerful wisdom that can help guide us in today’s challenging world. Learn about ancient prophecies; the wisdom Nature teaches; principles, laws, and values of the indigenous peoples; and how to identify Truth over your personal truth through a combination of lectures and group activities. You will be provided with the knowledge and practical tools to move toward becoming a Warrior. $25 nonmembers, $20 members, $30 at the door |
Sacred Ceremonies
Saturday, May 11, 2:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Join us for three indigenous ceremonies performed by the stone circle (weather permitting), including smudging and fire ceremony.
There is no charge for participation in these ceremonies, but donations are appreciated. No photos or recordings will be allowed.
Rev. Cynthia Jo (C.J.) Wright is the director of the Rainbow Spiritual Education Center, a member organization of the Kentucky Indigenous Peoples organization. She has Cherokee roots and has explored the Cherokee traditions and indigenous ways by being mentored by tribal leaders and educators from the Cherokee, Creek, Lakota, Dakota Sioux, and other tribes over the past 18 years. She also serves as Chaplain for the Anchorage Middletown Fire EMS and and is an international certified trainer in critical incident stress management, a certified Trauma Services Provider, and certified Trauma Responder.
Friday, May 17, 7:00 p.m.
Immerse yourself in a healing and transformational gong meditation featuring a guided visualization, followed by an hour-long sound immersion with gongs and Himalayan singing bowls. The experience is a psycho-acoustic gateway to raise one’s vibratory frequency, reach higher states of awareness, and recognize endless possibilities within.
Please bring a pillow and blanket or mat to lie on.
Marian and Gabriela Kraus have studied gongs with renowned master teachers and bring a colorful life history with their European and Latin American origins. Their inherent musical abilities, years of studies in psychology, metaphysics, and life-coaching as reflected in health and wellness-related programs, work together to facilitate a powerfully illuminating and inspiring experience. For more, visit www.delamora.life.
$25 per person in advance, $30 at the door
Saturday, May 18, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
A complete approach to health and wellness, Taoist Yoga is based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and can be used to correct imbalances and heal the body. Learn the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and how to apply asanas (postures), breathing, visualization, and relaxation exercises to adjust the flow of energy through the meridians (energy pathways) of your body for optimal health and wellness.
John Votaw, a personal disciple of Grandmasters in Taoist Yoga, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and meditation, will teach the origins and philosophy of Taoist yoga and how it is applied as a complete approach to health and wellness appropriate for people of all ages and abilities. Head Life Yoga Instructor Tasmin Walker will then instruct practices within the Life Yoga system consisting of:
John Votaw, founder of the Life Yoga system, is an ordained Ch’an (Zen) Buddhist Teacher and a trained Taoist Master. He has spent over 25 years practicing and teaching the arts of yoga, meditation, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Tasmin Walker is certified in multiple styles of yoga and has spent several years in meditation centers around the world.
$30 nonmembers, $25 members, $35 at the door
Saturday, June 1, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
JOY isn’t about the absence of disturbance. Painful experiences, as with pleasurable experiences, come and go. JOY is about the presence of something deeper than the ebb and flow of the human experience and is as available as your next breath. Breathwork has been a life enhancing practice for thousands of years. Consistent practice will change the neural pathways in your brain so you can more easily calm down and open to the joy that is always present.
Learn vital tools to achieve more peace and joy in your life in the form of explorative inquiry followed by 30 minutes of focused breathwork.
Leslie Sann, MA, LCPC, is the author of the award-winning book, Life Happens: What Are YOU Going to Do About It? She is the founder of the Living by Design School. For over 30 years Leslie has been helping people create a joyful life personally, professionally, and in their relationships, guiding them to live by design rather than by default while learning to live in joy regardless of circumstances. Visit www.lesliesann.com for more.
$35 nonmembers, $30 members, $40 at the door
Friday, June 7, 7:00 p.m.
Celebrate the vitality of summer! As the frequency and vibrations of the bowls bring harmony to the etheric, emotional, and physical bodies, the brain shifts into higher states of consciousness, thoughts are slowed down, and the heart opens to healing. Deeksha, or the Oneness Blessing, creates balance in the hemispheres of the brain, releases fear, and invites the higher frequency of love to enter, allowing us to reconnect with our spiritual essence.
Yolanda Lozano has over 20 years of extensive bi-cultural training in the healing arts from master teachers in India, China, and the United States. She integrates breathing techniques, toning and chanting, meditation, movement, vibrational energy healing, and self-care while listening to the True Self within. For more, visit www.yolandahealinghearts.com.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a mat and/or blanket.
$25 per person in advance, $30 at the door
Saturday, June 8, 11:30 a.m.
Join us for an event devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. Our speakers come from the ecumenical community to offer prayers and blessings of peace. With an open heart and mind, reach out and share your expertise and ideas in this global effort.
Discussion over a light lunch follows. If you plan to attend or would like to represent your tradition by speaking, please RSVP to hmahmed@hotmail.com.
Mazher Ahmed, born and educated in India, is involved in a number of interfaith endeavors. She is vice president of the Batavia Islamic Center in Illinois, an emeritus trustee for the Council for the Parliament of World’s Religions, and founder of Interfaith Prayers for Peace.
Donations are appreciated.
Saturday, June 15, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Transform your fear and exhaustion into empowerment and inspiration!
Active Hope is about what we would love to see happen in the world. It’s about becoming a participant in bringing those things about. Active Hope a practice, a way of living with purpose. This groundbreaking workshop is designed for those who want and need a deeper sense of inspiration, hope and renewal to support their healing work during these troubling times.
This interactive experience is based on The Work that Reconnects, an innovative process developed by Joanna Macy, internationally-acclaimed author, eco-philosopher, and activist. The Work helps us transform fear and despair into inspiration and a sense of empowerment. Experience the healing power of gratitude, find compassion in honoring your pain for the world, embrace your connections with each other and with the web of life, and realize your potential to make a difference.
The Active Hope workshop includes experiential practices, movement, inspirational readings and teachings, and simple rituals.
Kathleen Rude holds a BS in Wildlife Ecology and an MS in Natural Resources. She began her career as an environmental writer. Her studies of indigenous spiritual practice led her to become a shamanic practitioner and ceremonial leader. She has been mentored by Joanna Macy and is a senior facilitator of The Work That Reconnects. In addition to her Active Hope workshops, she also runs workshops on environmental awareness and Earth-based spirituality. Kathleen is the author of The Redemption of Red Fire Woman.
$65 nonmembers $55 members $75 at the door
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