Join Jay Michaelson for a unique Scholar-in-Residence weekend at Congregation Bet Haverim in Atlanta, Georgia. Here is the tentative schedule of events:

Thursday, March 29, 7pm
It's Not All In Your Head: Food, Sex, and the Enlightenment of the Body in Jewish Tradition
Today, most of us think that religion is about the spirit, and the "spirit" is distinct from the body. Surprisingly, this is not at all how it's seen either in Jewish tradition or in contemporary meditation practices. In this class we'll learn the theory and practice of embodied spirituality: how to wake up to God (whatever that means) not by leaving the body behind, but in simple, embodied acts like eating, washing, walking, having sex, and staying healthy. We'll gain practical skills and a mind-opening look at Jewish enlightenment. Location: CCUCC

Friday, March 30, shabbat evening
A Four Worlds Friday Night: Integrating Body, Mind, Heart, and Spirit to really "Receive" Shabbat
Kabbalah means "receiving," implying that an experience of God is not about adding to our experience, but _subtracting_ something so that we can receive it more fully. That something -- the "yetzer hara" in Jewish texts, the sense of self in others -- can be quieted down, using the technologies of meditation, prayer, song, and movement. Jay's unique Kabbalat shabbat ("receiving of the Sabbath") services follow the form of the traditional service, but not the content, as we explore ways to expand our capacity to receive YHVH -- What Is. Location: CCUCC

Saturday, March 31, 10am-2pm
Deep Rest: A Shabbat Mini-Retreat
This Shabbat, we will experience a miniature silent retreat, combining insight meditation, chanting, movement, and eating meditation. Blending mindfulness techniques from the Buddhist world and heart-opening ones from the Jewish tradition, we will cultivate a deep restfulness and awaken an awareness of the Divine Presence. Participants are asked to come on time, and observe "social silence," not speaking except for designated moments in the program. Please note that we will not be following the liturgy or conducting a Torah service; this is an experiment with a different mode of spiritual practice. Bring a brown-bag lunch, to be enjoyed as part of our meditation practice. Location: UUCA

Saturday, March 31, 730pm
Voices of Redemption: An Interfaith Evening of Queer Religious Poetry and Prose
In time for Passover and Easter, join GLBT poets and performers from the Jewish and Christian traditions for an evening of poetry, music, readings, and celebrations of queer spirituality. Cosponsored by CBH and the Unitarian Church. Readings will include homoerotic religious poetry from different religions and centuries and excerpts from the new anthology "Charmed Lives: Gay Spirit in Storytelling." Location: UUCA

For more information, visit the website of Congregation Bet Haverim.

To go back to the metatronics homepage, click here.