Personal Theology Lectures: Recent Episodes
UUCB - Chairperson, Barbara Rockhold
UUCB's weekly Personal Theology (September - May) and Summer Forum (June - August) lecture series engage participants to listen to and dialogue with theological, spiritual leaders, authors and teachers.
Murshid Kiran Rana is a senior teacher in the Sufi Way, a mystical community that has its origin in the teachings of universal Sufism introduced in the West in 1910 by the Indian mystic Inayat Khan. Kiran lives happily in Alameda with his wife, Jeanne Rana, a poet and fellow-Sufi who is also a member of the First Unitarian Church of Oakland. At their Sufi center, Bay Dervish, they hold gatherings for meditation, invocation and music, offer personal guidance, and facilitate intimate conversations about the inner life, creativity and awakening. Kiran also teaches an online webinar called A Taste of Sufism; currently he and Jeanne are offering a ten-month-long program in Berkeley called Sufism & the Art of Loving. “Two Stories: How Kiran and Jeanne Found Sufism Found Them.”
Murshid Kiran & Jeanne Rana, (see bio above). “I follow the religion of love: whatever way love’s camels take, that is my religion and my faith.” — Ibn ’Arabi
Murshid Kiran Rana is a senior teacher in the Sufi Way, a mystical community that has its origin in the teachings of universal Sufism introduced in the West in 1910 by the Indian mystic Inayat Khan. Kiran lives happily in Alameda with his wife, Jeanne Rana, a poet and fellow-Sufi who is also a member of the First Unitarian Church of Oakland. At their Sufi center, Bay Dervish, they hold gatherings for meditation, invocation and music, offer personal guidance, and facilitate intimate conversations about the inner life, creativity and awakening. Kiran also teaches an online webinar called A Taste of Sufism; currently he and Jeanne are offering a ten-month-long program in Berkeley called Sufism & the Art of Loving. “Two Stories: How Kiran and Jeanne Found Sufism Found Them.”
Rev. Dr. John Buehrens (see bio above.) Part 2: “The Forgotten Female Transcendentalists.” Why we should know more about such women as Elizabeth Peabody, Margaret Fuller, Lydia Maria Child, Caroline Healey Dall, and Julia Ward Howe, among others. Brief stories of each will help to expand our understanding of the Transcendentalists’ role in helping to launch the American movement for women’s rights.
Rabbi Harry Manhoff, PhD, a superfan and collector of comic books, a Congregational Rabbi at Temple Beth Sholom in San Leandro, a lecturer at St. Mary’s College, and an author. “Politics and Prayer: The History of the Siddur (Jewish Prayer).”
Two UUCB visionaries, Cordell Sloan and Karen Voorhees, discuss their take on what the future is likely to hold for us. Karen brings her knowledge of Big History (PhD, cultural history) and spirituality (36 years as a meditator). Cordell brings his knowledge of UU history, his background in tech and his own deeply grounded spirituality. "We Have Seen This Movie Before: Reasons for Optimism About the Future in Spite of Today's Headlines."
Jeremy Taylor, pioneer in dream work; author of several books on dream symbolism, mythology and archetypal energy; teacher and UU minister.
Pat LaDouceur, MFT; trained in neurofeedback, hypnotherapy, alpha-synchrony; author. Stress-Free Holidays: simple shifts you can make to keep your spirits up when life gets crazy.
David Lingenfelter, UUCB member for over 30 years; PhD in Chemistry from UCLA; scholar. Cosmic Considerations: Matter and Energy, Darkness and Light.
Tony Bushman, life coach, pastoral counselor, consultant and professor; group, workshop and retreat leader; world traveler and photographer. Paying Attention to What Has Heart & Meaning.
Jeremy Taylor, pioneer in dream work; author of several books on dream symbolism, mythology and archetypal energy; teacher and UU minister. In Praise of Confusion.