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Working in collaboration, the Spiritual Life Center (West Hartford) and the Hartford International University for Religion and Peace will host a three-session program on “Three Modern Women Mystics, Part 2”, one from each of these traditions: Buddhist, Hindu, and Africana.
The sessions will take place on consecutive Tuesdays: May 31, June 7, and June 14 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. On each evening a different mystic will be featured. All three of our presenters are practitioners in lineages influenced by the mystic about whom they will speak. The Three mystics are the Rev. Darlene Cohen (Zen Buddhist) Anandamayi Ma (Hindu) and bell hooks (Africanist and Feminist). To register for one or more sessions, or for information on the presenters, please see below.
The Three Mystics
Rev. Darlene Cohen (1942-2011), was a modern-day Zen Buddhist Bodhisattva, or individual on a resolute path to Buddhahood. The author of several books on the topics of Buddhism, work, and pain, Rev. Cohen broadened and redefined the lived expression of the Buddhist faith.
Rev Darlene Cohen
a (1896-1982). While many call her a Goddess among us, Paramhamsa Yogananda described her this way: "Utterly oblivious to her outward garb, she knew herself as the changeless soul" (from Autobiography of a Yogi). Indeed, her life was filled with the mystical and by enjoying her wisdom, we too can attain the state of bliss she is named for.
Anandamayi Ma
bell hooks (1952-2021) was a Black feminist writer and spiritual teacher whose lived experience challenges traditional conceptions of the divine and re-orients our hearts and minds to that which nurtures the fullness of our humanity.
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The offering for the entire series is $80 with an alternative option of $35. Or you may register for just one or two sessions The offering for each individual sessions is $35 with an alternative of $10.
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The Three Presenters
Rev Kimberly Bress, MDiv will present on Rev Darlene Cohen on May 31. Kimberly is an Interfaith and Buddhist chaplain whose passion is providing spiritual care to people in crisis, and guiding people to access their inborn potential for self-compassion and healing. In 2018 Kimberly founded a non-profit, Turn In. Reach Out., that offers contemplative care workshops and resources in marginalized communities.
Preeta M. Banerjee, Ph.D. will present on Anandamayi Ma on June 7. Preeta is the first to serve as Hindu Chaplain at Tufts University, and is a strong voice for combining spirituality, creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and social change. She draws on a broad and deep range of experience, having spent over 20 years in academia, coaching and consulting as an advocate, educator, researcher, and author.
Azmera Hammouri-Davis, MTS (aka the Poetic Theorist) will present on bell hooks on June 14. Azmera is a Black-Palestinian womanist, spoken word artist and poet, and Africana Spirituality Practitioner from Kea’au, Hawaii with over a decade experience teaching and training the Afro-Brazilian martial art of Capoeira for spiritual healing. She is a Fulbright Creative and Performing Artist, was the first person offered the Africana Spirituality Chaplain role at Tufts University Chaplaincy, and founder of Break The Boxes Stories, a podcast that explores how the creative process enhances our spiritual resolve and mental well-being across faith-traditions and generations.