Philosophy is broad-based, as big as life itself; it finds proper due for all the different aspects in life; it finds their proper evaluation or their proper place. – Anthony Damiani
COMING EVENTS
Number: The Secret to the Mystery of the One and the Many A Philosophic Perspective - Labor Day weekend: Thursday evening August 28 through lunch on Monday, September 1. The focus of this workshop is the deeper metaphysical meaning of number including levels of number and how individual numbers represent different ways of organizing our understanding. The morning sessions will look in depth at Anthony Damiani's text on Number in Astronoesis.
The program will begin on Thursday evening with Herbert Shapiro on Number and Plotinus. This discussion will go to the heart of number as an ordering principle.
Friday evening Cindy Stillman will do a presentation on The Hidden Treasures of Pythagoras. Cindy will cover Pythagoras' incredible life, his remarkable students, his profound philosophy and his penetrating insights into the importance of number.
On Saturday David Henderson will present Images of Infinity in Mathematics. This talk will include various guided experiences of infinity and will discuss the (failed) attempts of mathematics to define the number (cardinality) of all infinities. We will include an
experience of geometric duality, which relates the Infinite that surrounds us as we look out from our isolated point of view to the Infinite within us that we search for inwardly.
Avery Solomon has entitled his Sunday talk "Magical Mystery Tour of Number" and explains, "We'll explore a qualitative view of numbers, then meet a few numbers which help us see and listen to our world differently. Brahman is Ineffable, Maya is Inscrutable, Number is Intelligible."
All are welcome to any part of this event. For more details see page 3 of this newsletter
Benefit Concert
Nicholas Walker, double bass player extraordinaire, has agreed to do a benefit at Leidenfrost's Winery on Sunday, August 10 at starting at 6:30 pm. Save the date -- the last performance was great.
Embodied Dreamwork
on September 4-6 Jungian analyst Robert Bosnak will offer his unique method of dreamwork, exploring the hypnagogic state between waking and dreaming.
There is a fee for this event and group size is limited so pre-registration is required. For more information contact Michael and Harriet Eisman eisman@capital.net or 607-582-6204. For more information on Robert Bosnak see the website
www.cyberdreamwork.com/
Meditation Day
There will be a series of meditations to mark the Fall Equinox on September 21 starting at 3, 4, 5, and 6 pm. All are welcome.
Khamtrul Rinpoche
We are honored to announce that His Eminence Khamtrul Rinpoche will be teaching at the center this fall. At this point we expect him to be in Ithaca from October 10-14. For details, or if you'd like to help with Rinpoche's visit, please contact Nanci Rose at 315-585-6701
or nancirr@rochester.rr.com.
Enjoying Pathways to Reality:
Theory and Practice of Philosophic Yoga
All are welcome to join us for two Saturday gatherings facilitated by Avery Solomon on October 25 and December 6. We will discuss essential readings from great masters, which point us to
reality, as well as stillness meditation practice and wholeness healing. Saturdays 8 am - 5 pm, plus Saturday evening we'll share chanting, music and video, with continued meditations on Sunday morning. Suggested donation for non-members is $25 and includes lunch and breakfasts. Please let us know if you are interested so we can plan -- leave a message for Avery at 607-546-7300 or contact wisdomsgoldenrod@gmail.com.
Stuart Schwartz
Stuart Schwartz, a nondual teacher, is visiting Wisdom's Goldenrod on the weekend of November 14. Several WG members have met with him and are very happy he is coming to speak and meditate with us. The details are forthcoming, but we expect extended conversations
on Nondual realization over the weekend. His website says a lot -- check it out at http://www.satsangwithstuart.
More about the Workshop on Number
The daily schedule for the Labor Day program begins at 8 am with morning meditation, followed by breakfast, morning session and lunch, with various optional afternoon activities. Evening sessions begin at 5 pm with meditation and light supper, and the evening talks begin at 7:30. The cost of the entire program is $225 and includes meals.
Scholarships are available: please inquire. If you can't come to the whole program, please feel free to drop in (and give a donation). To register or for further information contact June at
ifnisworld@yahoo.com.
Recent Workshops
In May, Avery Solomon held a Saturday seminar on the theory and application of ultramystic meditations -- disentangling and integrating reality and appearance.
In June, Timothy Smith and Kira Lallas led a workshop drawing on the information and revelations in Paul Brunton's A Search in Secret Egypt. This workshop explored the myth of Osiris, which PB understands as a living symbol of the ego's true death and the awakening of the soul. Through engagement with the Osiris myth we create the opportunity to experience its initiation into awareness of our living immortality.
In July, Jeff Cox, Avery Solomon and Mark Scorelle presented their insights into "Nondualism and the Path to Awakening." Jeff looked at nonduality, then at obstacles to nondual realization such as thinking, "I am the doer, I decide." He also offered some meditations that challenge the dual view. Avery used radical sayings from such great masters as Nisargadatta, Tolle and Brunton and looked at how thought leads beyond thought. Mark used various sources to piece together a picture of the goal of the spiritual quest. "Once It is seen clearly, then the first step to full realization has begun." The workshop ended with considering what realization isn't: common misunderstanding and false assumptions about Awakening and issues that come up after awakening. In the yoga tradition it is referred to as 'burning of the seeds in the heart.'
Also in July, we were honored to have the Korean meditation master Venerable Bohm Hugh Sunim lead an intensive meditation workshop at Wisdom's Goldenrod.
Regular Meditation Schedule
8:00 am every morning
5:30 pm on weekday evenings
5:00 pm on weekends
More about Khamtrul Rinpoche
Lozan Zopa, translator, editor and close student of our longtime spiritual friend in Dharamsala, His Eminence Khamtrul Rinpoche, is working on the second editing of Rinpoche's autobiography in English. They hope to have it completed when Rinpoche stays at the Center this fall. Below is an excerpt from a letter from Zopa dated 7/18/08: "Greetings from Taiwan. I am here with Rinpoche, His wife Khandroma and [their eldest son] Abhan Tulku. We'll be here until early August before going back to India. Rinpoche does plan to visit the US this fall...
"The best way for people to keep abreast of Rinpoche's movements will be through his website [which contains a few photos at Goldenrod] www.cglmonastery.com. It is ready for viewing but still under construction at present.
"Rinpoche will be leaving India on September 20, with New York City his first destination. He plans to teach at several places in the northeast, including NYC, Holyoke MA, Boston and of course Ithaca. We have not yet set the schedule though we hope to do so in the next few weeks. At this point (though it may change) Rinpoche will probably be in Ithaca from October 10-14. He would be happy to visit Wisdom's Goldenrod, as requested. I will write to Namgyal Institute after I send you this email, for they may also want to extend an invitation to Rinpoche.
"As we discussed some time ago, one of Rinpoche's main concerns at this point is establishing a sponsorship program for the monks of Chime Gatsal Ling. As such, in addition to the teaching program, we would like to organize a tea party with prospective sponsors. At the tea party, which Rinpoche will attend, I will show photos and give a brief (15-20 minute) presentation about the monastery and its monks. You can learn more about the monastery and this program on our website (www.cglmonastery.com).
"With warm wishes, Lozang Zopa"
It takes a little Grace to recognize that we are imprisoned within our own thoughts.
– Anthony Damiani
Vic Mansfield
Vic Mansfield, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Colgate University, died peacefully in Strong Memorial Hospital on June 3, after a valiant two-year struggle with lymphoma. He was 67 years old and is survived by his wife, Elaine; two sons, David and Anthony; and his mother, Virginia Pepitone. He will be greatly missed by many devoted friends, colleagues and students.
Vic was born March 7, 1941 in Norwalk, CT. He attended Dartmouth College and completed graduate studies at Cornell. Vic and Elaine married in 1968 and after a stint as encounter group leaders in California, they bought an old farmhouse with 70 acres of land in Hector in 1972. They were among the founding members of Wisdom's Goldenrod Center for Philosophic Studies in Valois, where they were students of Anthony Damiani and were later class leaders in their own right. Hector remained their primary and beloved home throughout the years that Vic taught at Colgate. In 2005, they celebrated their commitment to the beauty of the Finger Lakes by placing their land under a conservation easement with the Finger Lakes Land Trust.
Vic joined the Colgate faculty in 1973, armed with a Ph.D. in Theoretical Astrophysics from Cornell University and burning interests in cosmology, computational methods and the conjunction of science and spirituality. In his 35 years at Colgate, he lectured in physics, astronomy, numerical analysis, and in all components of the Core Curriculum, inspiring students with his eloquence, enthusiasm, expertise and high expectations. Students consistently described his classes as rigorous and challenging, yet always a joy to attend. His Core: Tibet course was a perennial favorite with students, who called it transformative, citing Vic's passion, humor, and spontaneity. In April 2008, he was the co-recipient of the Sidney J. and Florence Felten French Prize for inspirational teaching. Vic's interest in understanding the universe was matched by his profound personal dedication to living the examined life. His deep connection to Tibetan Buddhism launched him on a scholarly quest to compare scientific thought with Buddhist teaching. His many years of studies resulted in numerous published articles as well as three highly regarded books. The latest, Tibetan Buddhism and Modern Science (2008, Templeton Foundation Press), was graced by an introduction written by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and was presented by Vic to His Holiness during a visit to Colgate in April. This was the culmination of Vic's scholarly endeavors, the most poignant moment of his intellectual life. What could have been sweeter than the affectionate embrace bestowed on him by the Dalai Lama upon accepting Vic's final book? Vic felt that it was worth the physical struggle of the last months to receive this embrace and the French Prize for inspirational teaching.
A memorial service was held on June 8, at The Center. Memorial gifts may be made to Wisdom's Goldenrod or Namgyal Monastery (412 N. Aurora St., Ithaca, NY 14850).
Gutso Hospital
Each year, the Tibetan recipients of our annual donation express deep appreciation. Generally our funds go toward much-needed medications. There has been a pronounced need this year. In his appeal of April 2, 2008, the Dalai Lama referred to "the provision of proper medical treatment" in Tibet, saying, "We are particularly concerned about the lack of adequate medical facilities." At Gutso Hospital, located on the Chinese side bordering Nepal, northeast of Kathmandu, the staff is comprised of Tibetans who serve other Tibetans in need of basic medical care. Contributions for '08 are accepted all summer. Write checks to Wisdom's Goldenrod with 'Gutso' on the memo line.
Thank you.
Residence and Retreats
Those members interested in a short or long stay at WG can contact us at 607-546-7777 or wisdomsgoldenrod@gmail.com. Recently several people have taken extended retreats at the center. James Ashmore stayed for a few months last spring. In June, Alpar Erdos (or Hapi as he prefers to be called) came to the center from Romania and Victoria Arenas came from Sweden.
Looking Ahead: Retreat in Ecuador
The Martin Buber Institute for Dialogical Ecology has extended an invitation to Nanci Rose to lead an 8-day retreat in the rainforest of Ecuador, November 15-22, 2009. An ongoing series, taking place primarily in South America, the Martin Buber retreats are professionally organized with strong focus on ecologically sound and comfortable living in the most beautiful natural settings. Retreats include compassionate interaction with indigenous communities, meetings with local holy people, and integration of Buddhist themes into workshop presentations. These retreats tend to fill quickly but the Buber Institute allows individuals known to retreat leaders an opportunity to register in advance of the general public.
It is hoped that Janet Wylde (massage therapist) and Caroline Hoover (Svaroopa yoga teacher) will accompany Nanci as staff members in Ecuador. More information is forthcoming on related websites. In the meantime, contact Caroline at Svaroopa1@yahoo.com for information.
WG Listserves
If you are not already receiving email announcements related to WG and would like to do so, please contact Greg Kramer at grkramer@twcny.rr.com or grk1@cornell.edu. There are two listserves: "goldenrod" for speakers, classes, events at WG itself or under its auspices elsewhere, or directly related to members – and "Goldenrod-Events" for art shows, concerts, personal announcements, or events at other centers. Please specify if you want to be on both listserves or only one (and which one).
Raphael Books
Ten of Raphael's books have now been translated into English and published by Aurea Vidya (www.vidya-ashramvidhyaorder.
*alan@fltg.net or gran_rockett@yahoo.com or 387-3789
Fiftieth Fireman's Fair.
This July 24-26 was the 50th anniversary of the Hector Fireman's Fair. Thanks to all the volunteers and pie bakers for helping to make this a joyful and productive event for the local community. The firemen often help us (overflow parking and chairs for our bigger events) in addition to just being there for the community.
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